Boo Frames

I haven't been much in the Halloween decorating mode this year but I made something quick tonight to put by the little black wire ornament tree we have in our living room. I typed white letters on a black background and printed them onto cardstock. I sanded the paper a little to give the letters a ghostly look and then put them in little 2" and 3" shadow frames I already had.

Blog Balance

This cute pig from Natascha Rosenberg (used with permission) illustrates exactly what I've been thinking about lately. I've been analyzing my time to make sure I'm using it wisely and trying to come up with ideas so my life will be a little more balanced. I'm a list maker so mostly I'm looking at my lists and deciding how important each item is to me and my family. Blogging is one area where I've decided I need more discipline.

Although I don't post a lot I tend to over think what to say and how to say it. Then I spend more time getting the right photo or image. And I also have lots of other blogs I read. All in all it adds up to a chunk of time.

I have to admit I've thought a little about giving up blogging, but I really love the friendships I've made and the exchange of information and ideas so it would be hard to give it up completely. Instead, I've been coming up with some ideas for "blog balance." In other words, putting blogging in it's place in my life. So here's what I have so far:

1. Have a time limit. I'm deciding how much time I'm willing to devote to reading blogs each day and I'm going to start using an actual timer to stick with it. If I can't keep up with everything within my time limit, I will pare down the list of blogs I'm reading instead of . There are so many creative, talented, and interesting people out there I could keep adding blogs to my list until I was reading all day long! But if there's information out there that I desperately need in my life, I'm sure it will get to me somehow.

2. Admire but don't compare. Even though I really try not to I sometimes compare myself to what others are doing, making, and accomplishing. I just have to keep reminding myself not to do this!

3. Remember to carry a notebook and camera. This will help me capture post ideas when I'm out and about.

4. Take breaks. I've noticed quite a few people lately (myself included) feeling a slightly guilty when they don't post as often or don't have something earth shattering to say. And sometimes I feel overwhelmed when I don't read blogs for a few days and there are hundreds stacked up and I'm worried I'm going to miss something if I don't catch up. I'm going to take guilt-free breaks when I need them!

Please chime in! Do you relate to this? Let me know what you would add to this list.