I know several of you contacted me wondering if I was okay, as the blog wasn’t kept to its normal standard. I am okay. Right now I’m busy unpacking.
Rick and I have been in Michigan for a week. I didn’t tell you in advance because I didn’t have anyone here watching the house. I didn’t want to become a target for theft, so we kept the trip to ourselves.
Rick and I left last week on Tuesday morning and came back Monday night.
Rick grew up in Michigan. His mom now lives in Mississippi but was coming to Michigan to visit family. We decided that the drive to Michigan was MUCH shorter than the drive to Mississippi, so we went to Michigan to see Rick’s mom…and his cousins.
We have had such a crazy time this last month between doctor appointments, the garage sale, grandkids, Rick’s surgery, and knowing we were going on this trip. I’ve really been scrambling behind the scenes. In between all of that, I tried to write as many blog posts in advance as I could. Unfortunately, I didn’t get enough written to cover the whole time, so that left some blanks in the normal scheduling. I apologize for that…I’m home now and hopefully I can get things going back in the right direction.
I have a few vacation blog posts in the works…watch for them to unroll over the next or so.
Before I go, I want to thank everyone for the wonderful response to the criticism I was getting about the blog. If you missed that, you can read it HERE. I wrote that as I left for vacation…I was scrambling, trying to write blog posts ahead and lamenting whether I should really keep it up. I was wondering if the blogging life was really for me anymore. Between the trip away and reading your wonderful comments, I realized I still do indeed love the blog and blogging life.
Thank you all for your wonderful encouragement. I so appreciate the support.
As fun as it was to be away…I’m glad to be home. Normal everyday life is calling!!
Jo, l’m glad you and Rick found time to get away. It’s good mentally to, l call it, shake off the dust. It just makes life more interesting. A few missed blog posts is ok. We survived. Now, you have something else to blog about. Lol.
I did wonder if all was good but assured myself that if anything happened to you one of your daughters would have stepped in to tell us. I am wondering where in Michigan you visited since I live in this beautiful state, although it might not have been its most beautiful last week.
I live in beautiful west Michigan and wondered the same thing. Maybe Jo will share that information in a blog.
We were in the St Joseph area. Our hotel was in Stevensville. Rick went to high school in Coloma.
I’m soooo happy you’re back! I was really worried after that post where you’d been criticized that you’d quit. Oh I would be so sad! I’d be devastated! You are really loved and appreciated so please don’t quit on us! I’m really glad you and Rick had a chance to get away and it’s lovely you’ve been able to meet some of his family. I’ll look forward to the posts about your trip. But the best part is Hurray ! You’re back!
Sorry about the duplicate comment. Just too excited!
Hooray! You’re back! I was worried something was wrong or worse you’d decided to quit blogging. I’d be devastated! But all is well and you’re still here!
I’m delighted you and Rick were able to get away for a few day and spend time with his family! A change of scene is nice.
After you missed a day, i went back and reread that post and thought “well, i guess she really is cutting back on the blog and concentrating on being in the moment with Rick and her family….” but i was sad. I missed you! I have a wonderful family and life here in SC, but i do so enjoy all the different things you blog about. Sometimes it’s just entertaining, often it’s insightful, inspiring, educational (about life), just everything. Thank you for all your work you put into the blog. I really really enjoy it and am a better person for it! Glad you are home!
We look forward to hearing about your trip. I just thought you were working on your secret so I didn’t worry. We had quite a bit of humidity last week but it is much drier air now.
Glad to know that all is well with you. I thought maybe you were so busy with that pool table that you forgot about all of us…..lolol
Patty from Blue Grass,
So glad that you were able to get away! You know that we love hearing from you but if you want to take time off or just don’t feel like writing one day I think that would be just fine. Life is to be enjoyed not made to think you have to do something if you don’t feel like it! Take care of yourself ❤️
Yes I joined a sewing group at church. We make things for outreach. We cut fabric to be sewn into pillowcase dresses. We make drawstring bags for the homeless. And quilts for outreach / elderly- just a few of the variety of things. Our group had a local quilt shop let us use their long arm to work on our quilt tops we had made. My first time to use a long arm to quilt a blanket. It felt good to do that and still be contributing to great causes.
Glad you are able to relax more now. Blessings
Hi! Glad you are keeping up with the blog. I especially enjoy everything about your quilting and hearing about your thrifting finds. I appreciate your honesty and truths in your posts about widowhood and have passed them on to others I know.
Love love love your blog .. I would be missing it ..I just thought you weren’t writing as often ..I think you could cut back a little and be ok.. so glad you got a trip ! I find it fascinating that you have sooo many new adventures!! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us blog readers !!!
Glad all is well and you were away having some fun.
I love everything about your blog – don’t change a thing. I’m happy you had a vacation and look forward to hearing about it. Jo, you do you. That will be just perfect for those of us who feel as if we know you and we do love you.
Smart not to advertise your absence from home. Welcome back! It’s fun to go on trips, but always good to come back home.
Just another fan who is grateful for your blog. I have been busy and thought that maybe you might be busy too. You do so much. And I missed all the critiques of drama. I have no patience with such people. If they don’t like your blog then read something else. Those of us who love and appreciate you and all that you do for us and your family and all of your charity and community donations and coordination. AMAZING!!! No complaints. Jealousy. And you are smiling even in the most difficult situations. Someone said YOU DO YOU. ♥️♥️♥️I agree. We love you just as you are. Take all the trips you like. You deserve a vacation. All the best, a big fan, Margaret
YAY!!!!! For getting away together and enjoying family time-not that I wasn’t concerned with all your health challenges. For sure, not advertising to the universe your home is empty is brilliant. There is nothing wrong with skipping days when life is simply too much fun in the moment. Maybe we should all expect the unexpected with random days of no blog post?
Welcome home :-)
Oh how exciting! Good for both of you! So happy you are happy. Keep up the great blog Jo… on your own terms! Congratulations to both you and Rick.
Love you, Jo! You are the best and also an inspiration ❤️
I’m glad you had a chance for a nice getaway !
Welcome home! What a great time you had visiting with Rick’s family. I’ll bet they were excited to meet you!
As for the blog – it’s your life. Your blog. We love that your share everything with us. As for the naysayers, well, they can always unsubscribe.
Love and prayers
I’m happy that you are back!
Glad yall took a trip. That’s awesome. ♡♡♡♡♡
I look forward to reading your blog everyday. Glad you enjoyed your trip
Glad you had a great trip – I can’t wait to hear about it! And, I’m glad you still like the blogging life. I would miss hearing from you very, very much (no pressure or anything – LOL!)