Thank you for another wonderful year
Photo credit: Flickr/R0ng
As some of you may have noticed, I've pulled one of my now-not-so-infrequent disappearing acts.
It's been all about Offline around here, playing board games, watching movies, decorating the house, visiting friends and neighbors, going to parties, visiting local attractions we've always meant to visit but never have. Today, we're driving to the mountain to play in the snow.
Also, my in-laws, who've lived nearby ever since my daughter was born (she's 8 now), are moving out of state right after the New Year. We're spending as much time with them as we can before they leave.
In other words, I'm "gone" for the best of reasons. It's not unlike my hiatus at the end of summer, when I felt a tugging desire to hold onto my kids because they were changing faster than I could.
This sudden impulse to temporarily abandon the Internet hits me by surprise. Usually, I can slow down my online reading and writing enough to feel rested without disappearing completely. But this time, I was seized with the need to have both feet in my present world, without distraction.
If I were a more "professional" blogger I'd plan ahead with guest posts and "Best Of" lists (at this point, I should have predicted I'd want a major break at holiday time). But I didn't. I know you understand, but I also apologize for not explaining myself a bit earlier.
I hope you and your families have had a wonderful holiday so far. Thank you so much for another wonderful year together (can you believe we've known each other for almost seven years?). You are the smartest, most generous community I could ask for, and I love hanging out with you.
Let's meet back here in 2012 and swap more stories, shall we?
We played in the snow Friday, have fun! Happy New Year to you all! :)
Posted by: Homa | 26 December 2011 at 10:22 AM
I've certainly not spent much time reading blogs over the Christmas holiday! I'm just getting back now and I'm thankful I don't have a mountain of catching up. This is family time - you're certainly doing the best and most important thing.
Posted by: Nicole K | 26 December 2011 at 10:56 AM
You know, Nicole...on some level I think it's good not to post much over the holidays for that very reason...so folks don't feel that overwhelming need to catch up when they return. Happy holidays to you!
Posted by: Asha Dornfest | 26 December 2011 at 11:49 AM
Homa: thanks for the lovely comment, and for all of your good energy here at PH! Happy holidays to you and yours as well.
Posted by: Asha Dornfest | 26 December 2011 at 11:50 AM
Even if you were a professional blogger, there's something to be said for seizing the moment to savor life.
Enjoy!
I'd take off too, but I'm in the final stretch of two 365 challenges.
Nancy
www.livingtheseasons com
Posted by: dogear6 | 26 December 2011 at 03:01 PM
I'm glad you took time off and didn't feel the need to post something just to have something posted. I'm sure that's one of the reasons you have such a strong community here. Happy New Year!
Posted by: HRM | 26 December 2011 at 08:06 PM
Happy Holidays, Asha. Enjoy your time off.
And yes, I can totally believe we've been together for almost 7 years -- J. is 6 1/2, and PH was what saved me from my identity crisis as a new mom. As always, thank you.
Posted by: Sara Brumfield | 27 December 2011 at 08:57 AM
Nancy: Well kudos to you! Not one but TWO challenges! way to go. You're almost there.
Posted by: Asha Dornfest | 27 December 2011 at 07:05 PM
Nancy: Thanks for that. It feels good to hear. Happy holidays to you!
Posted by: Asha Dornfest | 27 December 2011 at 07:06 PM
Oh, Sara! There were a few people I was thinking of when I wrote that, and you were one of them! To think...we've ALL grown up together! Thank you for being here.
Posted by: Asha Dornfest | 27 December 2011 at 07:07 PM
That's so sweet - I imagine you squeezing your kids tight for a week. Life's too short not to!
Posted by: Emily Shaw | 29 December 2011 at 12:18 AM
I've been on a serious break lately too. I've put up a bunch of posts that I had in the hopper, but I feel like my readers can tell my heart's not in it. I'd rather do fully engaged blogging than go through the motions.
Best wishes for 2012 and Thank you!
Posted by: Cindy | 01 January 2012 at 06:20 PM
You're not a professional? I don't believe that for a minute! Happy new year!
Posted by: Nancy | 04 January 2012 at 04:13 AM
This is my first time commenting but certainly not my first read. What a wonderful time for you! If there was a better time to spend with your family and grounded in reality I'm not sure what it would be. I'm sorry for you that the parentals are moving out of state, that can be hard on the parents, the adult children and the actual children. It's a great thing that you are focusing all your extra attention on them. Can't wait to read more from you in the new year. Thanks for a great 2011!
Posted by: Gretta | 14 January 2012 at 01:25 AM
First, I put the kids in front of the TV. Nothing else keeps them in one spot like the television.
Next, I turn on every room light. Once all the lights are on, I do a thorough room-by-room search for a stuff.
When a room is clear, I turn out the light and close the door.
Once all the lights are out and doors are closed, I know I've hit every space. Now, if something doesn't make it home with us, it wasn't for a lack of trying.
If your kids are old enough, I would add a step before the room-by-room inspection: have them pack their suitcases, or at least gather their stuff into a single corner. My motto: "always better when several brains work on a problem."
Do you have a system for packing up at the end of a vacation?
Posted by: monster beats studio | 04 May 2012 at 07:31 PM