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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Live and learn.

I have been trying to write this blog post for over a week now, but the time kept slip-sliding through my hands, and my computer. 

Well, that, and the fact that I am fairly certain I am addicted to Pinterest (Is there a twelve step program for that? If there isn't maybe someone should get one started.) Seriously, internet surfing aside, I just haven't made the time to sit down and post, mainly because I have been feeling like my writing well has run dry. 

After over five years of blogging, (Really? Really.)sometimes I feel like I am being repetitious and-or boring and I wonder if you all are sitting there looking at my blog on your computer screen, shaking your head thinking things like...

"Sheesh, does she really think I wanna read about this?!
or....
"Exactly how many times is she gonna re-hash that topic?" 
or...
"Good Gawd! She's showcasing those little cupcakes of hers again! I get it. She bakes. Woo Hoo." 
and surely you're thinking...
"Oh pul-eeease. no one's life is that amazing and fabulous!" (Okay, I just threw that last one in to see if you were still reading. Are you?)  

Anyway.

I looked at the calendar the other day..all right, eight days ago, and I realized that it has now been two years, and three addresses since I first relocated up here to the magnificent Pacific Northwest. Funny, it feels much longer. In fact, it feels like a lifetime ago that I lived in the Biggest Little City. I feel like I've lived here all my life.

That all being said, I made a little list of some of the random things I have learned this past year, and I thought I'd share them today:

Volunteering at a race at six in the morning out in the boonies can be a whole lot of fun.

Worrying about something doesn't help. Ever.

Living in the rain nine months out of the year gives a girl to opportunity to get lots of cute umbrellas.

No one should wait all the way until they are 54 to see their first professional baseball game in person. (If you haven't been to one yet, put it on your bucket list now...and don't forget to take some Cracker Jacks and peanuts along to share with a friend.)

Putting the needs of someone else first is always the right way to go...especially if that someone is a big yellow dog.

It turns out that I am a girl who will go to a WWE Smackdown - Monday night Raw show...at least once.

Seeing the Pacific Northwest from the back of a motorcycle is totally the way to do it.

Pistachio ice cream can make any day just a little bit better.

Sometimes doing what's right can be the hardest thing you've had to do in a very long time...but in the end,  you'll sleep a lot better knowing you made the right decision.

Real homemade french fries are a gift from God, and the folks that make Crisco.

Little towns with a population under 25 can turn out to be some of the funnest places in America.

One of the sweetest things in life are grand babies. (Of course, I already knew that, but it bears repeating.)

What ever you put your energy into, grows, for better or worse.

A ride in a lil' silver convertible bug can put a smile on anyone's face.


The thing I am best at is being myself.

Watching football on a rainy Sunday with your Rock n' Roll Buddy is time well spent, even if the Vikings were pathetic.

And last but certainly not least.....


Even on my worst day, I am blessed beyond measure.

31 comments:

  1. Tracey.....
    I know how you feel about wondering if you are still interesting to your readers. I am constantly wondering that very same thing when I blog! One thing is certain....sometimes writing is not just about people reading along. If it feels good...do it! If you still want to, that is....! And, I sure am hoping YOU want to....I'd miss you if you didn't keep blogging (if you want to that is even though I hope you want to) and I am POSITIVE lots of others would too!
    Love your list. I'm gonna steal that idea soon for my blog. The best ideas are the ones we steal from others.....8-)
    Onward!
    Judi

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  2. You have never posted a blog that bored me!
    And you are right about doing the right thing helps you sleep better at night! I had to make a very difficult (because of my sinful pride!), but necessary apology the other night and I'm so glad I did! Sometimes it's hard to open my mouth to say the things I know I need to say, but once they're out, I always feel better. God's good that way!
    Keep blogging, girlfriend, at least until I can finally meet you in person and spend the night in your spare room!

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  3. if anythign I get bored when your post go too far between!

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  4. Oh please don't ever stop blogging. Or question what you are blogging about. Your sense of humor and spirit come through in each of your posts. Besides don't think of any of it as a 'repeat' - it's a CLASSIC.

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  5. You Rock Girl!
    Well put and said.
    How is that Big Yellow Dog?

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  6. it's the only way I can keep in touch with you and I get very frustrated when you don't post - sometimes I check several times a day (oops, maybe I'm just a stalker :() - keep blogging my friend - I look forward to every one :)
    Judi in Colorado

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  7. You could blog about a twenty mile turtle race and I would still be interested!! Oh and that Pinterest thing, when you find that program please blog about that, cause I'm gonna need it!

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  8. Tracey,
    Your blog has been a delight and never boring! It was one of the first blogs I discovered and I remember spending hours going back and reading every single post. When I discovered Pinterest I pinned several photos from your blog that inspired me years ago. Revisiting them was like reminiscing with an old friend. I've marveled at your talent, smiled at the birth of your grandchildren and cried like a baby when Bear died. I don't think I have ever commented, it just isn't something I do, but please continue blogging, if only once in awhile! Thank you so much for being an inspiration to this fellow plus fifty Grandma!

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  9. What a great post! You've learned alot this past year :) and I agree about the fries!

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  10. I too enjoy reading and being inspired by your blog! And if someone isn't... well then they don't have to read it! Keep on with your words of wisdom, your pictures of cupcakes and grand babies! And how is the latest little guy? I cried when I read that post.

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  11. If this is "dry well" writing, I love it! Keep on keeping on, Chickie! I have been blogging for almost a year and dont have many readers, but I love it and I love that someday I will be looking back on it and remembering. I hope you still love it, because I really enjoy reading it.

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  12. I LOVE your blog and have copied your cupcakes, even have the CD from you. You were one of my first blogs, I loved everything the Sewing Queen did and remember when you first announced you would be a grammy. I think we all get lost for what to post at times, but girl I still love your stuff. This 57 yr old Nana keeps following. Now I started on Pinterest, but, hummmm you must know something I don't!

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  13. I've been checking in for years. It's just nice knowing everything is OK in Tracey's world. We all can't have a home in southern France or an over the top villa in CA. It's nice to peek in on that world but I think more of us can relate to your world. All those things you mentioned are important to most of us too. OK, not watching football. That's when I'm enjoying Pinterest!! And I'm too lazy for making the cupcakes. I prefer going to Little Italy for that haha but I admire your talent!

    Just keep on keepin on :)
    Best,
    Kathy

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  14. Oh one more thing. Did I miss something but what happened with the redo in the living room? I like it the way it is/was, just wondering?

    kathy

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  15. AWESOME ALL OF IT.......AWESOME!
    Lorretta from NH

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  16. Tracey--I found your blog several months ago and was instantly hooked. I went back and read every post from the beginning. Not ONCE was I bored. I check in every day and I'm always disappointed if you haven't posted and always, always look forward to your next post. You always put a smile on my face! Jana in Texas

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  17. It makes me laugh at how many of our thoughts are the same, don't know if its our age, the similarity of our life situations or the fact we are 'crafty' blondes..... keep up the blogging, yours is one of the few I have kept up with.

    The "other," "other" Tracey

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  18. Gosh, I am a long time reader and I love your blog posts. The "creative" ones with what you make, how you create, what you find, are always my favorites. You are very inspiring to me and I feel I've learned a lot from your creative spirit. I hope you will want to keep sharing about your life with your readers. I think you are fabulous! Marie

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  19. Tracey--I have been reading your blog (and life story) forever, so you are like a character in a book that I don't want to end. When you don't blog, I worry about you and your family. You are an awesomely creative person in so many ways, but don't think you have to create something in order for your readers to keep reading... I loved your list this time! I wrote 59 things I've learned for my 59th birthday (stole the idea from somebody's blog) and am sending it to my kids, so your list kind of reminded me of it. I don't blog, but I am addicted to reading any that have to do with decorating and vintage...so keep blogging, even if it's only to let us all know you're okay.

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  20. Hey Tracey,

    I love your posts because you keep it real. Don't stop! I love all your "narratives". Keep up the good blogging. I've had a brain fart for weeks so haven't updated mine...not good. You have inspired me so... maybe tomorrow.
    ~Joyce aka Calamityjaneslifestyle.blogspot.com

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  21. I always look forward to your posts. You are never static, always growing, fun, creative and an awesome grandma to the growing broods. And I love every moment of the journey you are taking us on!

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  22. I could never tire of your posts, Tracey. You're one of my all-time favorite bloggers who has inspired me in so many ways you'd never imagine! That's why a lot of us blog isn't it? To share a bit our ho-hum lives with whoever will listen/read.

    For me, those are the blogs I like best ~ the ones whose authors just share a bit of their day-to-day lives. I don't always want to read posts of other bloggers that make me feel like a "slacker" or remind me of how uninspired I can be! ;o)

    Keep on doing just what you're doing. You're old and true fans will always stop by for a visit!

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  23. I don't comment often, but I read every post and have never been bored! Your writing has a great 'voice' - I always feel like I've had a chat with you. You - and your life journey - are inspiring to this 50 yr old. Please continue to share with us!

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  24. I visit your blog everyday but rarely comment. I enjoy your blog more than I can put into words. Even your ordinary days are wonderful to hear about. It shows the rest of us that everyone has ordinary days and life isn't always exciting. Please continue to post the ordinary and the extraordinary days. We appreciate them all.

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  25. Tracey....I check your Blog EVERY morning...starts my day at work ;-) Really enjoy your posts........your honesty.........your struggles.........ALL of it. Please don't stop!

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  26. Love this post, Tracey! So glad you are here in the beyouuuuuutiful Pacific Northwest! : )

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  27. I am not sure I have ever posted on your blog before even though I have been reading it for several years. (hmmm....I'll just blame that forgetfulness on being a coupla years older than you!)I have never been bored with your posts, and have been cheering you on from way down over here in the opposite corner of the USA, here in south FL. I for one hope that you will keep on keepin' on!

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  28. I always love what you have to say, you are so very honest! Many thoughts are what I share with you also, especially the aging, I'm 55. We are listening, reading, and loving it!!
    Rachel Beal

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  29. I love your blog and always look forward to a post. Thanks so much for you suggestions for my son's rehearsal dinner, I incorporated some of those ideas and they were beautiful. I will send pics when we finally get time to transfer them from camera to computer. I love watching football on a cozy and rainy day...especially when the Cowboys are winning. I think your umbrella is too cute...just like you!
    Jeni

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  30. Hi Tracey, Regarding the first part of your post...most readers have come to know someone through their blog and feel a friendship. They check in to see how their "friend's" life is going, not necessarily for totally new content each time. They're stopping by to visit. It's that simple. Just my two cents :) And I love your blog, been following for ??? years and have yet to be bored!

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  31. Hi, I never post comments, I know, shame on me! But I have loved your blog for years. I really love your decor ideas and the framed sayings and just your views on life. Keep up the great work!
    Cindy

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