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I want to first say a “thank you” and also say an “apology.” I still cannot believe how many incredible comments were left for me about my family and privacy issues. And I’ll tell you in a minute what I’ve decided to do. I want to apologize to those of you who left comments because I haven’t personally replied. It’s important for me to let all of you know how touched and honored I am that you 1) read my blog and then 2) comment. It just feels a little overwhelming for me to reply individually to every comment.
My concern is that I’ll come off ungrateful lead anyone to feel unimportant because I’m not replying and that’s definitely not the case. It’s my old familiar “friend” guilt…My mother was one of those people who insisted that I make out a thank you note every time I received a gift and if I didn’t I was “ungrateful and didn’t deserve any gifts from that person then on.” Can any of you relate to what I’m saying and how do you keep up with replying to comments left for you if there are so many?
As for my decision about what to do about my blog. I’m going to password protect certain posts that I feel would only increase friction with my family as I still want to keep our relationships if not running smoothly than at least “balanced” in whatever form that takes. I am however, also in the process of creating a new blog that I’ve been thinking about for the last six months. I haven’t posted anything yet and Lyn from “Witch Blog” is designing the look because I love her work so much.
This blog will be a lot “darker” in tone than this one and will focus on my bipolar disorder, anxiety, P.T.S.D., A.D.D., family issues and all that fun stuff ; ) I know how difficult it is to maintain just this blog, but it’s like I want to keep the two worlds of my blogs a little more separate. I’ll still be posting a lot on here about the “girls,” pagan stuff, lighter topics etc… I know my other blog, definitely won’t appeal to everyone, so I’ll let you know when I’ve “opened” that blog. To keep my privacy on that blog so that certain eyes don’t see it, the first time a person wants to read my blog, they’ll basically “sign-up” and than a notice will be sent to me, asking for my approval. I hate doing it this way, but I want that blog to be more private and less publicly accessible. And anyone from here who wants to read it, will be approved immediately.
I know they’ll read about my new blog when I mention it here and I’ll just tell them that like being in counseling there’s somethings that are just better left private and it’s for the highest good of all, harm to none. I won’t use that exact wording…on the other hand, why not? They accept my spiritual path at least as much as they are able to and don’t bother me about it for which I’m very grateful. Let me tell you though, my family are black and white thinkers and anything that reeks of anything magical, paranormal, or supernatural, they shy away from and dismiss. I know a lot of you who follow a Wiccan/Pagan path have to hide who you are from family and friends and even though I don’t have to worry about that, I have to hide other parts of myself. So, I empathize…
Onto lighter things…Has anyone started to feel the effects of Mercury Retrograde yet? I noticed a few bloggers are writing about all the “fun” tricks we sometimes have to deal with when Mercury is in Retrograde. Like on Jeff’s blog “Outcries & Asides Revisited“ he wrote in a post;
They’re the sort when things go wrong and have to be dealt with, when things get in the way of what you’d prefer to be doing, when minor irritations come thick and fast until they feel like major issues, even though you know they’re not.
And then Lyn over on “Witch Blog” blogged about the annoyances with are typical when we’re all going through a Mercury Retrograde. You can check out what she dealt with here. I’ve also recently found two blogs that talk about Mercury Retrograde. “Mystic Medusa” is one of my favorite blogs to read dealing with astrological aspects in a really interesting and informative way. And “Aligned for Mecury Retrograde…Making the most of this astrological influence” focuses completely on Mercury Retrograde. So, if you want to read more about what our friend the trickster, Mercury puts us through when he is dancing backwards, check out the links above.
Danni over at “The Whimsical Cottage” has an idea I really like and would also like to do with anyone here who is interested. She is holding a Yule/Christmas Card exchange with her readers who commented they’d like to do it. I’d like to also have a card exchange. I miss getting “real mail” instead of all these virtual cards. Especially this time of the year, it’s so much fun to send and receive good old-fashioned snail mail cards.
Faerwillow on her blog “Serendipity” holds magickal and whimsical exchanges all the time and has a lovely one coming up in January called a “Quiet Moon” exchange that I’d love to see people participate in. So, thank you to both Danni and FaerWillow for the exchange ideas.
So, I’d like to suggest this; if you would like to exchange cards, leave your information on my blog’s contact form (which you can see on my menu) OR you can email me with your mailing address. I think it would be wonderful to exchange cards not just from me but with others as well. When you let me know that you would like to participate in the card exchange, please tell me if you would like to just exchange cards only with me and/or exchange with others too who are interested. If you would like to exchange with others, obviously I’ll be giving your mailing address to those who have signed up. I won’t put your information here on my blog, I’ll email you the address’ of those who have signed up for the exchange when I get their info.
Was that clear of did I confuse anyone? I wouldn’t be surprised if I didn’t make myself clear enough…See, my mind is so jumbled up right now and I just HAVE to blame Mercury for being retrograde. Just kidding…I think ; ) If you need me to clarify how this will work, just leave me a comment saying, “Huh???? I totally am lost with how you want the card exchange to work, so please explain it better, Wendy!” and either I’ll reply to your comment or if I receive a lot of confused minds, I’ll make a post just on how the card exchange will work.
So, buckle down as Mercury is in retrograde and keep taking deep breaths, while repeating to yourself “this too shall pass.”
© 2010, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.
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I feel like I’m in retrograde… Who cares about Mercury
Good idea on the password protect and the new blog
Jaimie- Lyn Oldfield recently posted.. FOR My friend and the others who arent sure
I’m glad you’ve come to a decision that makes you happy with the family and the blogs! I think some may want to pry into why things are private and some will just accept it as something you need to do, but it seems like the very best way to handle the situation. I know I’ll be following you on your other blog as well.
So far, Hermes on Vacation hasn’t bothered me overly much. Now I need to go find the biggest tree I can and knock on wood so my computer doesn’t catch fire…
P.S… your Yule card is in the mail!
Danni Suplicki recently posted..Yuletide Giveaway Winners!
Hi Danni, I’m so glad you’ll peek into my new blog when it’s up. I’m waiting until Merc. goes direct until I really open it. I’m glad you haven’t had any major mishaps with Mercury Retro. yet. As I replied to Aine, some people may waltz on by this phase and not have a thing happen. I hope you take photos of your tree when you can, I bet it’ll be gorgeous. And I’m just waiting for my Yule cards I ordered to arrive from Etsy and then I’ll pop yours into the mail : )
You are brave to take on another blog. Extra pages are enough for me. I haven’t felt the effects of MR yet, but I’m sure I will. This is usually the time that my appliances get together and stage a strike. I hope it’s the dishwasher first. It will save me from having to euthanize it (and not in a gentle way either.) I’m glad you came to a conclusion about what to do about your blog. I once had a blog that I let others see, and everyone stopped by, but they weren’t regulars by any stretch of the imagination, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Most people are just curious.
Aine recently posted..21 Days of Yule – Day 10- Gift Giving
I don’t know if I’m “brave” to create another blog, Aine ; ) I know that it’s going to be a balancing act but because I’ll be posting about completely different topics, it’ll actually be a nice container for my feelings and thoughts. Maybe you’ll skip by the mishaps of Mercury! Knock on wood, I’ve had a few quirky things happening with my internet provider, but so far nothing too monumental.
On answering comments:
I’m lucky in being a hundred times less popular than you, Wendy. Answering comments doesn’t take up much of the day.
On having family accepting my ‘path.’
I sometimes think I consciously became weird just so my parents would know I was different. My daughter, on the other hand, is even weirder than me in some ways.
On the blog choice:
You made a choice? A Libran? I’ll bet Mercury’s thinking of cancelling his vacation! Well done.
On Christmas cards:
Nice idea, but a bit expensive for a guy who thinks twice about buying an ice cream just so I don’t give in to such profligacy. No hope for me, really.
You have your readers who definitely follow and comment Jeff and the fact that you still manage to reply to each comment really impresses me. And their not the rote yada, yada, yada…either.
I didn’t know you had a daughter! How old is she? And my son and I are so different, it’s kind of painful at times. I guess we can “love” our family but don’t always like them at times. I’ve just learned to accept that fact. Even though it still makes me sad somedays.
And as for having a second blog, I’m not going to start that until Merc. Retro is over! I have enough chaos going on right now. But thank you for your vote of confidence in me.
And I understand about how each cent of money needs to be thought out carefully, Jeff, so maybe I’ll send you a virtual Yule Card.
And btw, I DO wear hats, but haven’t in a while. They’re actually quite beautiful and mysterious and when I do wear them I’m complimented on them, because stylish hats just aren’t seen a lot anymore. I don’t wear cowboy hats or baseball hats though, not my style, but I think they look great on certain people.
I’m so happy that you came to the right decisions for you regarding your blog.
I try my best to reply to everyone who comments on my blog who has an email address. Sometimes it takes a few days, but I get to it. I feel that kind of “guilt,”too – don’t you worry – you are definitely not alone in this. LOL I’ll definitely swap a card with you. I love getting cards. 
Have a great night! xoxo Theresa
Theresa recently posted..O Christmas Tree!
Theresa, I don’t know HOW you do everything. Replying, making art for your Etsy shop, being a fur-mommy and wife. You’re truly a rocking goddess. I’ll contact you for your addy again and send you mine.
so glad you were able to make a decision. I have thought and thought about a second blog, and decided against it…I know with my ADHD it would be too much. I am going to start making pages starting in the new year. As far as replying to people’s comments…I try to reply, and I don’t always get to…I think my
“Blogging without Obligation” banner should cover that as well. I try to remember my followers by doing the occasional giveaway etc.
I just joined the Black Hat society
I would be cool with a card to you and up to another 4 people. (it would be lovely if they were people I at least remotely knew thru blogging). I’ll email you my info. I need yours also for !–the card and 2–you won one of my YULE gifts
Warm Blessings,
Susan
Susan G recently posted..Alphabe-Thursdaymmmm- K
Let’s do it, Sue, let’s exchange cards. I’ll email you with my info and then get your addy. too. I’m sure I’ll struggle with having two blogs. They’ll be totally different with the feeling, so actually my A.D.D. might be an advantage at times. Knock on wood today, my A.D.D. meds are working and I can multi-task for a good hour or two. I won one of your Yule gifts, really and truly? Yayyyyyyy! Thank you so much for your extremely generous heart, Sue.
I don’t feel the need to join a coven, but if I did there are none in my isolated area. So as I am a solitary pagan, visiting other pagan blogs often helps to keep me focused on the craft. I’m not one to participate in snail mail, but for those who do, I think you have a great idea of getting connected. I appreciate your mindfulness and sharing.
Blessings Fiona
Fiona recently posted..Imagination And Creativity
Hi Fiona,
I completely understand how you stay connected and think it’s wonderful that you have such a beautiful and intimate blog. Thank you for commenting on my “mindfulness and sharing.” We as Wiccan/Pagans need to connect and share right? : )
Oh my Goddess, Wendy, thanks for the mentions. And you know I love working with your on the blogs
I’m pleased you’ve come to a decision on what to do with the blog. Sometimes it’s just making a decision which eases the load.
I’d love to do the Yule card swap but I’ve left everything way too late. The last posting date for overseas has been and gone
Blessings
Lyn
x
Lyn recently posted..Pick and Mix Witchery
Thought you might be interested to hear that having had a vehicle that wouldn’t start and two flat tyres, tonight the microwave started making some very unhealthy-sounding noises.
And why does my little picture look like something that belongs in a handkerchief?! How’s that for polite?
Well, Jeff…everyone gets a little monster that looks like something unmentionable when you leave a comment. They’re called “gravatars” and if you really wanted to use a better picture for all blogs that have “gravatars” enabled, just visit http://www.gravatar.com, upload a photo and voila! You won’t look like nasty little booger anymore ; ) and I hope your vehicle and microwave are behaving better.
Hi Wendy,
I thought I commented here, but then it turned out I didn’t and….anyway! please let me know when you new blog is up, I will also keep visiting this blog. I know that having two blogs may be time consuming but in the end many people actually do that. One of my readers has a blog about family and PSTD but she saves the REALLY dark stuff for her other blog. I also have two blogs- still in the process of building the other one.
I would love to send and receive Christmas cards, unfortunately I don’t think anyone will appreciate sending a card all the way over here- could be a little expensive and the they’ll probably land up getting their cards by….Easter. It’s a wonderful idea though!
I was also going to post something about Wicca…but now I forgot…maybe it’s because of you-know-what?
Hope you are enjoying the silly season!
#Stephi→ I promise I will let everyone know when my new blog is up. I’ll be interested to see if you put another blog up, Stephi. I thought for me personally, I like keeping two sides of myself separate as I know not everyone will want to necessarily hear what’s going on with my meds, moods, and mayhem ; ) And I’d love to know your ideas about Wicca!
I’m happy to read that you were able to come up with a “solution” for your family/privacy issue… I wonder when that day will come for me… keeping up with ONE blog take all my energy as it is
I laughed when I read how your Mom would make you write “thank you” notes for gifts and if you didn’t you looked like an ungrateful little brat because that is EXACTLY how I was raised! I can completely relate – as well as in regards to comments on my blog – although you get way more than I do so it’s easier for me to keep up
Like you, I truly appreciate the comments that people leave – just knowing they took the time to read my post, etc….
I’m so happy I found your site via other sites… I look forward to reading your “new blog” as soon as it’s up an running as I too deal with PTSD, ADD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety/Panic Attacks, etc…. and it’s a comfort to be able to talk to/relate to others who truly understand…
Take care,
Christine
Christine recently posted..It Truly is A Wonderful Life
I think it will be healthy for me to have two separate blogs even though I’ll have to keep up with both, and I’m so happy we met too. It’s funny how we’re alike so much and I look forward to getting to know you better, Christine. And you get plenty of comments and are so gracious and thoughtful with every comment. I really respect that you reply to each and every one and were we separated at birth because we’re so much alike? : )