I think my blog died. I seriously thought about putting this post off until later this summer to celebrate my one year break from blogging! I figured I’d forget to blog about it then.

My husband asked if I wanted to get rid of my blog. I considered it. I rarely even look at it. It’s no longer my homepage. I don’t even read many blogs at all anymore.

I decided against ditching it though. Even my frugal self could handle the $10 a year it cost to keep it.

Besides, I’m sentimental. My then boyfriend, now husband set it all up for me. It sort of chronicles our meeting, dating, engagement, and the beginning of our marriage. I met many good friends here. I used it as a hobby, diary, photo album…

Even though I look back and almost cringe sometimes at what I’ve written, I still really like a lot of it. It was all me. It shows things I thought about, things that were important to me, things that are still important to me, and ways I’ve changed.

Once when I was in high school, I found an old journal from middle school. In middle school, I fancied I’d like to become a novelist. When I found the old journal and read some of my entries I was horrified at my writing. It had several over the top adjectives in front of every single noun!

The enormous glorious live oaks gave splendid shade from their gnarling, moss covered limbs, to the ever winding, old fashioned dirt road.

Yeah, it was bad. So, I did what any reasonably thinking teenager (oxymoron, I know! ) would do. I destroyed it! I ripped it into shreds and disposed of it.

And now I miss it. I would love to have it and read over my silly little fancies.

So this little ol’ blog will be hanging around still. And who knows? One day, in a calmer sort of life, it may become my hobby again.

When I started blogging about four years ago, I was a great blogging friend. I visited all my favorite blogs, every single day. I commented frequently. I read the archives of new blogs I found and enjoyed.

Now, four years later, I look at my blogroll. That’s it…look at it, wonder what those girls I used to know everything about are doing and then scamper off to do whatever it is that is filling my former blogging time. This summer, for the first time in about a year, I’ve been revisiting some of my old favorites! While I haven’t been much of a commenter (hey they may come back here and see this blog I’ve let the life dwindle out of…) I have been relishing some really great reading. I remember why I loved reading others blogs so much!

My blogroll still needs a bit of updating…there are bloggers listed who no longer blog, or have changed blog addresses. But some of my favorites are still doing their thing and doing it well.

So, if you enjoy great writers from real life mothers, who have a lovely knack for putting things into perspective, I highly recommend you read the following blogs! I have been enjoying revisiting these ladies this past week and wonder why I stopped visiting. They are fantastic!

Beck @ Frog and Toad are Friends

Mopsy @ Lifenut

Veronica @ Toddled Dredge

Kristen @ We are THAT Family

Hope you enjoy reading as much as I have!

I don’t often enter online giveaways but liked the looks of this one for some reason. Probably the yummy Chex mix bars which are my new favorite snack! I really didn’t expect to win…most giveaways have so many people in them…I remember learning about probability in math class.

But I won!

And this is what came in the mail for me yesterday! Isn’t it cool?

Now, do I keep it myself or give it as a Christmas present? I really want it but it would make a lovely gift for one of my gazillion sister-in-laws!

(Hey if any of you sister-in-laws read this, then assume that it’s not for you! )

Susanna tagged me for a Christmas meme. I haven’t been tagged for a meme in oh so long, so I thought I’d join in. Besides, it gives me something to blog about.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Throughout the year I usually do gift bags, but at Christmas I like paper. And I spend a lot of time picking out just what I want.

2. Real tree or artificial?

Well, my tree is different. I guess it’s artificial. It’s made from grapevines and a tomato cage and it’s just lovely. It’s also very small and fits nicely in our tiny house. And it goes on top of a table…which is great for the baby. She can’t reach it!

3. When do you put up the tree?

The weekend after Thanksgiving. It’s easier then because I’m usually off work. This year that was too early, as the holly we stuck in it now needs to be replaced because it’s looking whithered. Thanksgiving was early this year!

4. When do you take the tree down?

Usually right after the new year. But we go back to school on Jan.2 (I’m protesting!! Too early!!) so we may do it sooner. I don’t get a lot done when I’m working and if I don’t take it down before work it may have to wait until Spring Break!

5. Do you like eggnog?

Gag me. No. Not much.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

A trampoline! Boing! Boing!

7. Do you have a Nativity scene?

No. Sob. I want one…but I’m afraid I have hopelessly expensive taste. I’d like this one if anyone would love to treat me!

8. Hardest person to buy for?

My brother-in-laws. And I only have three!!They are so computer nerdy. Which, since the hubby is too you think might be easy…but I don’t budget as much for their gifts as I do his. Do any of you have suggestions for cheap techy gifts? That’s okay…I didn’t think so.

9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Maybe I’ve blocked it out, but I don’t remember receiving anything too horrendous. Not as real gifts anyway. I’ve had some interesting teacher gifts!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Oh drat. I knew I forgot something. I always mean to mail Christmas cards….

11. Favorite Christmas Movie?

It’s a tie. White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life. Terribly predictable, I’m afraid, but I don’t care. Those movies rock and I’ve been known to watch them in the middle of July.

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

It varies. Some years I do it all year (when I’m being smart) and other years, I start after December. I’m not very structured like that.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Well, if you call it that. Call me tacky if you like. One year, we had four parties that were going to play Sneaky Santa (Dirty Santa, whatever). We bought gifts for the first one and then used what we got at it for the next and so on. It can get pricey if everywhere you go people want to play that game. I like the game, but hello, we have six kids! And lots of brothers and sisters and nephews….you get the picture.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

My mother always grills steaks and bakes potatoes for Christmas night. That’s why my husband married me.

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree?

Clear. I’m traditional. Greenery, clear lights and red ribbons. Candles. That’s the kind of decorating l like.

16. Favorite Christmas song?

O Holy Night, What Child is This, Mary Did You Know, Breath of Heaven, White Christmas…these are all my favorite!

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We start at home, open presents, eat breakfast, go to the in-laws, open presents, eat lunch, go to my parents, open presents, eat dinner. We are busy, but we like seeing everyone. It’s fun. And exhausting, but mostly fun.

18. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Yes. Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen. And Rudolph. I think. I’m not gonna Google and see if I’m right. You can if you want to check me.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star?

Okay. This is sad. Neither. I have a frog kinda near the top of my tree. I actually want an angel. I like angels. But I haven’t found the perfect one yet. My mother makes these gorgeous handkerchief angels and I need to put in a request for one.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Christmas morning! I like the idea of doing the pajamas present on Christmas Eve, but that takes planning! Maybe I’ll start planning that for next year.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

I want-itis. It drives me nuts. Also, the lack of focus on the real meaning of Christmas, which I’m sure is connected.

I think since I waited until two days before Christmas to do this, I’m gonna skip on tagging anyone. If you do it, or have done it, I’d love to read it, so leave me a comment.

And Merry Christmas to you all!

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom for some cool Fourth of July giveaways! Just click on the badge below. They have giveaways for Mom’s Calling Cards, a Land’s End Swimsuit, and an Ice cream maker and bowls. I’ve entered all three! Just comment on the contests you want to enter and leave a link to the contest on your blog!

And a great, big tip of the hat to Christy, for the information about the giveaways!