Catching Up  

Friday, August 29, 2008

Sometimes the longer you stay away, the harder it is to come back. You aren't sure what to say about where you've been, so you just keep quiet. But then the longer you are quiet, the harder it becomes to figure out what to say, and you start thinking you'll have to have some sort of exciting post about what you've been up to all of this time. I have nothing really exciting to say other than I'm still out here.

Around the time of my last post, we had some computer trouble, were on a trip to visit my family, and I got a summer cold. That was the initial reason for being away for a bit. Then I was almost done with summer camp, and concentrated on that. Then, the week after summer camp ended, all of my inlaws went away to Disney for a week, and I had a 3 year old who was wondering where "vacation" was and why they all went without her. We tried to do some fun things with her, but we also enjoyed having the house to ourselves and it was hard to go back when they came home.

Paige and I have been doing the Unplugged Projects every week, but I've been very frustrated when I try to take pictures of our activities. I have a hard time getting a decent photo. I know I'm not the best photographer in the world, but it seems like every one I take you wouldn't be able to see what was going on in the picture. Then I started to wonder if I should bother posting about our activities when you couldn't see anything. I have been reading about how "good blogs" all have pictures, and I know I like it when blogs have pictures, so I guess I convinced myself that if I couldn't post a good picture, I shouldn't bother. Roland thinks that the problem is half that I need more practice taking pictures and half that I need a better camera. So I think I'm going to treat myself to a new camera - any suggestions?

The housing situation isn't much better, and we've all gotten a bit burned out. Due to an increase in salary from getting my Master's degree this spring, I was able to get preapproved for a mortgage again, but we weren't approved for the place we were interested in because it was a town house. We found another house we liked but it had multiple bids and we didn't get it. That one hit me pretty hard - Paige had gone with us to see the place and had picked out her room. We've seen two more that we were interested in, but both had multiple bids, and we just can't win a bidding war. I'm just so done with this.

I have spent a lot of this week setting up my classroom and attending meetings and whatnot. School for teachers starts on Tuesday, and then the kids come back on Wed the 3rd. I feel bad because I'm feeling very burnt out and the year hasn't even started yet.

I guess that's where I've been most of the last month - in burn out. I love reading and commenting on everyone's blogs, but often feel like I've got nothing great going on here to post about. Guess I've been a bit in pity party mode! I have to keep reminding myself that I'm blogging for me. I love comments and having you all visit, but that I should be writing for me, and not to put so much pressure on myself about what I write and what my pictures look like, etc. I am so good at getting stressed out about things that are supposed to be fun! So, in an attempt to deal with burn out, I'm trying to learn to relax and just let go of what I can't control. I'm a bit of a control freak, so this is going to be hard. :)

Nice to "see" you all again!

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6 comments: to “ Catching Up

  • Kimberly
    August 30, 2008 at 12:23 AM  

    Happy to hear you are still around! We have both a small Kodak Easy Share camera and a Canon 20D. We enjoy both, using the Kodak for quick and easy shots and the Canon for vacations and such. I would love to help you out if you have specific questions!

  • Anonymous
    August 30, 2008 at 12:47 AM  

    So glad to see something from you again...sorry it's not happier news. I've really enjoyed getting your comments lately.
    You should just post the pictures even if they're not perfect...it's still fun to see. I've leaned the easiest way to make a picture better (not more glamorous, but clearer) is just to use a flash if it's not turning out well. Even outside. If things are looking blurry the flash always helps.
    I have the Canon PowerShot A650 IS and LOVE it. It's easy for point and shoot, but also able to do more advanced stuff if you know how. I've had it for over a year and have zero complaints (other than user error:0) I got mine at Costco in a deal where it came with a printer...very nice.
    Good luck:)

  • This Girl loves to Talk
    September 1, 2008 at 5:06 PM  

    actually I was just feeling this way this week.... maybe because we were all sick.. but it is hard work to keep up a blog .... then you wonder who would care? but we all do!! when you are ready you will jump back in the saddle...

    and it can be hard taking photos of little ones... my kids sometimes say No more photos mum... and i say I just need a good one.. I suppose thats when you know you need to calm down a little... dont want to make my kids weirdos!! he heeee

  • Treff
    September 2, 2008 at 8:43 AM  

    We have a big giant camera that I don't particularly enjoy but my sis has a Canon SD1000 and loves it.

    That is too bad about the houses. I just think it is so messed up every time I see that a teacher can't afford to buy a house and has so much trouble even getting approved. Where else in the world do they treat teachers so poorly? (I obviously was a teacher and have too much to say about this subject so I will stop while I am still ahead!)

  • So Smrt
    September 8, 2008 at 10:32 PM  

    I like words...I like writing and I like reading. I didn't even start putting pictures up until we started the unplugged projects. It's nice, but it's not the part of it all that I truly love.

    Besides, your camera can't capture your thoughts, your feelings...what's going on inside you. And that's why I blog, anyway! And that's why I read blogs.

  • Chrissy
    September 10, 2008 at 11:48 PM  

    I've been in and out all summer, too. Hope to maintain some regularity now, but I know how it is when you just feel like you don't have anything worth writing about. I think you've got the right attitude with the whole, "blogging for me" business. I try to do that too. I'm definitely much more relaxed in my blogging now than I used to be.

    As for pictures, from what I've seen I think you could take some great photos with the right camera. And if that's not in the cards anytime soon, I still prefer imperfect shots to no photos at all. Although I know everyone's different, but I tend to be a more visual person.
    I've been shooting with my husband's Nikon DSLR and it makes me look good. My shots are total crap without it.
    Continues prayers for you and your family with the housing situation.
    Glad to see you back again!

 

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