Gone Fishing--er, Walking, Exercising, Cleaning, and Just Living

First things first--- Bloggers Annex gave me some love last Friday and posted a poem I wrote. I feel so honored. If you have time kindly go over there by clicking here so you can take a look and see my humble/lame attempt at poetry. You can tell, I'm no great poet but, oh well--- it's a fun little hobby I've had since high school--- writing poems. Thanks Bloggers Annex for enabling and humoring me!

http://neldapieperstudio.com/newbsimages.html

Talking of hobbies, come May (next month already!) I will be celebrating my bloggy-versary. I can't believe it's been a year since I started this fun little hobby. I'm going to do a GiveAway post like most people do when the date hits. But meanwhile I'm gonna go fishing so to speak:-) I'm taking an extended AND indefinite break from blogging and blog-surfing because ---

Well, spring and summer seasons are here. The days are longer and warmer and I need to have an active life away from the computer. It's been fun and cathartic to blog, and I love the people I got to know from my blog surfing. I have a few favorites (you guys know who you are!) so I'm sure I'll pop by now and again on you guys' blogs even during my break. But I've been thinking a lot about finding balance in my life and here are some reasons why I'm taking a leave of absence from blogging:

1. I spend all day at a demanding job that requires me to stare at the computer all day. I think a change of scenery when I get home is required for my mental and emotional health.
2. I attended a Spring-Into-Health Class (company sponsored) a few days ago and realized that for me to stay physically healthy I need to cut down on sedentary hobbies and get back to walking and exercising. Not possible when I'm addicted to blog-surfing and blogging.
3. I need my beauty sleep :-) or I'll look like a bag lady pretty soon. I've been desperately sleep deprived since my obsession with blogs started.
4. My dog needs his Mommy :-) Many times I choose to blog instead of play with Jake. I think the vet will hate me if he knows.
5. My children need their Mommy and my husband needs his wife. A full-time job already makes it hard. Throw in blogging, and the balancing act gets more complicated. I don't want to be too distracted orchestrating in my mind how to post my life instead of actually living my life. Sick :-(
6. My boss needs a focused employee in this challenging economic climate. I need to be concentrating on marketing strategies to help my team succeed. I hate that I sometimes find myself taking extra breaks during my work day to check people's blogs---shhhh. Arrrg, I'm a time thief! :-)
7. My laundry needs keeping up. My laundry room has become a big shameful mess. It's been a big mess since I started blogging.
8. I want a clean house again. My house is not nasty or anything, but it's not as clean as I used to keep it. Little details have been ignored (like the cleanliness of 3 bathrooms) since I've been too busy keeping up with blogs.
9. I need to read good books again. I have a stack of books next to my bed I was supposed to read during winter season. Blog surfing is reading, yes, but often times it's like snacking. I need to feast on good literature and get away from snacks for awhile.
10. I need to be more prepared for my scripture study group sessions. The reason I joined is so I am motivated to study the scriptures. I'm one of those who'd really rather goof than read the scriptures. Just being honest. I need my study group or I'm doomed!:-)
11. I need to figure out my new toy: the Blackberry Storm. Husband, son and daughter each have an iPod Touch while I have a Nano, so I decided to splurge on me and get me the latest and greatest Blackberry phone to equalize things. But apprarently I need to spend time learning how to make all the bells and whistles work so I can enjoy it better.
12. I now have Facebook as an option. Less chance to be long-winded and bore or offend people when you are limited to how much you can post :-) Plus the task of leaving comments on multiple people's pages is so much more efficient. If you want to find me on Facebook you are welcome to. I promise I consider blog friends FRIENDS. And if I find you I hope you accept me.
    
    I know many women out there are beautifully balancing family, housework, health and "beauty", recreation, personal development, literary pursuits, career, etc while blogging and blog-surfing frequently. But sad to say I am not as competent or organized or driven...
    
    So for now you will see less of me around Bloglandia. Like I said I will still visit people's blogs now and again, when I have REAL down time from the above. I will also still post maybe but probably mostly just updates for the benefit of family members or for journaling reasons. I'll understand if you guys decide to abandon me :-(...
    
    When I do my GiveAway for my bloggy-versary in May I'll make sure I'll contact y'all so you won't miss it.
    
    So see ya later, bloggy-besties!