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Sugarcoating It?

Yesterday I was watching one of the “prepper” videos that I follow and she mentioned, not necessarily in a negative way, but kinda wondering why . . about people on social media who are talking about positive things and chit chatty things when, in her opinion, the world is falling apart. My Facebook is Oscar, food I’ve cooked, cross stitching . . guilty of what she’s saying.

Many days I’ve struggled with what and how much to say on here but from the day I started blogging back in 2004, I’ve wanted this blog to be a happy place. Yes, I get frustrated with Vince and I’m sure sometimes it shows. Vince gets frustrated with me sometimes. Imagine that! 🙂 I hope that when I am frustrated with him, and when it comes through on the blog, it reveals that we are able to work through our issues, that we are happily married, that we’re very different but we very much complete each other. And when I say I want and need some alone time, I’m not meaning forever. I miss him the minute he walks out of the house. As much as I complain about never going to town by myself, yesterday I almost cancelled my eye doctor appointment because I didn’t want to go to town by myself.

We all have troubles in our lives. We all worry about different things. Some of us worry more; some of us worry less. I want readers to come here and read about my gardening; my canning – because I don’t can because I feel our food supply is in jeopardy, I can because I love the process and I love having tasty food that is ready to heat and eat. I want readers to love reading about my wild and crazy, sweet wonderful Oscar; I want readers to enjoy seeing my cross stitching, even if they’re not the least bit interested in doing it themselves. I want readers to want to try some of the recipes I share. I want readers to know that I enjoy life and, in my opinion, life would be a hard journey if we didn’t enjoy it.

There are enough blogs, youtubes, news channels you can go to if you want to hear doom and gloom. I feel like if you aren’t a bit concerned about the economy, the food supply, the state of world peace, then there’s nothing I could say that would change your mind. I don’t want to live in a bunker, never see the light of day or have fun (and I’m not saying we’re to that point!). I want to enjoy every minute of every day and those enjoyable moments are the things I want to share. I’m 100% sure that every single one of you reading this post know without a doubt that there are things I/we do that I do not blog about. There are books I read that I don’t share on here – definitely nothing obscene but, for the most part, I keep the faith and religion off the blog and a lot of what I read does fall into that category. Vince and I are gun enthusiasts. We go to the range and shoot often. We had a range set up on our property in Texas. I don’t talk about that often but that doesn’t mean we aren’t doing it.

I’m always happy to answer questions in email and you can email me any time about the things I do or that you think I do. I may not give you all the details but I will provide you with an answer.

A lot of days I start a blog post and may get halfway finished and then I think . . is this going to improve someone’s day, make someone smile, encourage or motivate someone? Too often lately, the answer has been no and I delete it and start over. I don’t feel like I’m being shallow by not sharing EVERYTHING . . I just feel like I’m fulfilling my commitment to myself to have a happy place blog!

I guess what I’m saying is . . my head isn’t buried in the sand. I’m doing things to prepare that I wasn’t doing 2 years ago, 5 years ago but I am not pulling out my hair worrying about tomorrow.

I’ve lived a prepping lifestyle for many years. Keeping a stocked pantry, trying to think of every possible scenario that could cause us harm and disrupt our lifestyle is how I’ve lived for well over 20 years . . probably close to 30 years.

All we can do is the best we can do and that’s what I try to do . . here on the blog, and in my daily life, every day.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I think…believe….know ….that when all your project or read or listen to doom and gloom that is what you create. Why add more of that to the world? Don’t you think it has enough?

    Your blog shows awareness of the world around you and what you do to create, make, and share that which makes you and those you love safe and content.

    Good enough I say!

  2. The world is full of unhappiness and depression. So much worry about what is going on in our country and what else will happen. I realized that most of those things I have no control over. I do have control over how I react. I choose not to let it get me down. I choose to be happy and make the best of every day. Some days are harder, but I’m alive and have wonderful friends and family. Choose Happiness!

  3. I love your outlook on life. I am so tired of doom and gloom and I choose to be optimistic and try to find joy in life. Folks, it’s going to be ok. Have faith. Be positive. Look outside and see the turning leaves. They are beautiful. Enjoy each day regardless of what’s going on in your life. Deal with the problems of life when they actually happen rather than what your brain is saying about “It might happen”. Like the Girl Scouts, be prepared.

  4. I enjoy your blog. Your lifestyle is different from mine but the same in many ways. While I don’t can, I do love to cook and eat. We love our doxies. While I rarely cross stitch anymore due to eyesight and numb hands, I love reading about yours. My husband of over 48 years can be frustrating but I worry about him if he is gone for longer than I think. My alone time is my one day working at a quilt shop or at my sewing machine. Rick may be downstairs watching tv, with his eyes closed, we are never far apart. Watching news makes me angry with all the senseless violence and stupidity of political issues, so I try to avoid. My point is your blog brings a different view of life and that little piebald, Oscar is a joy.

  5. I am on hospice care but still do a lot. I read your blog every day and love it. I love happy..

  6. I love to read your blog because it IS focused on the good not the bad. If I want the bad I can turn on the news or go down one of the internet black holes and see all that I need or want. As for your marriage, it seems to be a perfect match! My husband left on a business trip Saturday and won’t be home til next Friday so I know all about missing him and being alone. (Not complaining, mind you! ?) I just like my me time to be enjoyable and your blog has always helped make it so!

  7. ..I have to laugh at someone who thinks the world is “falling apart” and that social media has anything to do with it? (Well, I suppose it reinforces negative thoughts.) If you feel things are bad, I don’t think being on social media is going to help at all! If you think the world is “falling apart”, get out and put it back together!

    As everyone else has said, there are plenty of places where we can find bad news. Hearing about your everyday happenings is what keeps me coming back (still)!

  8. I love your blog posts and I appreciate what you are saying. I love hearing about Oscar and all his antics. And yes, all husbands and wives have disagreements and hopefully they can work through it. We have become members of the gun range and are taking ours out to shoot every so often. We have not shot them in a long time. Not to brag, but most of mine are gut shots! More to hurt there! LOL Not being sadistic because I hope I never have to use them. We are not nuts, we are just people who want to protect ourselves and our property. Keep up the good work!

  9. ..p.s. Just re-read the title, and a couple thoughs:
    –We can all use a little sweetness
    –I’m (almost) always up for dessert!
    😀

  10. I enjoy your blog because it is a positive place to visit. There is so much negativity in the world that I get my fill of that and don’t need to use my free time to find anymore distressful reading. I am not unaware of current events but don’t think I need to dwell on them constantly in order to do what I should. Most of the things are beyond my control anyway. Thanks for all the positive things you share.

  11. Personally, I enjoy uplifting things – there is a lot of doom and gloom everyday and being able to read, see HAPPY and upbeat makes me feel better and gives me hope that there is more good than bad. I hope that is what I portray via my social media postings.

    Thanks for sharing bits and pieces of your days – they are (for me) a bright spot and I learn a few things too.

  13. I believe the last line on your blog sums up everything in a wonderful way. I don’t watch the news who wants to be depressed. I quilt and I donate 90% of my quilts to my church, to people that can use a little extra love or to my family and friends. My theory is if I can make the world a little better by giving someone a quilt or donating a bag of food to the food pantry I am going to do as long as I am able to do so physical and financially. I really enjoy your blog and I am always impressed how productive you are. Don’t let the negative Nancys get to you. You do you and don’t worry about it. Just to let you know I am married 48 yrs and enjoy it when my husband in volunteering at the Ambulance Corp on night a week, I get to eat what I like for dinner and stay up later than he likes.

  14. I love the focus and “attitude” of your blog! I steer clear of “Negative Nellies” and the doom and gloom crowd. I’ve discovered you and I have much in common, and with today’s post I found something else… never suspected you were a pistol packing granny! Lol. Me too. Personally, I would love hearing more about your books because faith is my main focus. Keep up the great job! Love, joy and peace from above are very evident in what you do here!

  15. I appreciate everything you do here and doing it all with a positive attitude. I used to watch the news and spend a lot of time on social media but I cut way back. I know what’s going on in the world but I don’t feel like the world is coming to an end. And, if it is that bad I can’t do anything about it. Things have been worse in our country. But, at the same time, like you, I find myself doing some things prep wise that I didn’t do 2 years ago and certainly 2 years ago I was doing things I wasn’t 5 years ago.

  16. My friend just said to me this afternoon “Oh so you are a prepper”? Very confidently I answered YES, what would you like t know? It felt so good.

  17. I enjoy your blog. I don’t need doom and gloom- as you said there is always that available if you turn on tv.

  18. I read your blog because it makes me happy and you often make me laugh out loud! It’s usually something about Vince or Oscar.I keep a fully stocked pantry too.keep doing what your doing,no one wants doom and gloom.Thanks

  19. Wow! Lots of comments tonight! Obviously a subject we can all relate to. I have to agree with a lot of the comments. I don’t watch the news anymore because it depressed me. It’s nice to have a blog to read several times a day that we know is going to be upbeat and uplifting…even if it’s just about normal, everyday stuff. Keep it up! You’re obviously doing something right!!! 🙂

  20. Thank you for your blog. I read it because it is uplifting and informative. I also enjoy seeing what you share because perhaps I might want to give it a try.

  21. Thank you, Judy. There’s a line from the Ella Wheeler Wilcox poem “Speech” which I love: “Say you are well, or all is well with you, And God shall hear your words and make them true.”

  22. I enjoy your blog as does my husband of 48 years sounds like a few of us here, no I don’t go gun shooting but it is not common in Australia,I can and cook and freeze quilt and spin and knit and crochet garden and try to enjoy life. The news is as far as I go fo doom and gloom and that is far enough.keep us smiling and laughing.

  23. Just keep on doing what you’re doing…. if I need doom and gloom, I know where to find it. I enjoy reading about your day, Vince, Oscar, cross-stitching, canning…. I look forward to seeing what you’re doing… you are a blessing.

  24. I really appreciate your blog and what you share. We can’t just read doom and gloom, it’s not good for mental health. I love Oscar (and Rita) posts; I love looking at your cross stitch (I tried to get back into it but my eyes are NOT happy anymore when I try, so will stick to quilting and knitting); I love hearing about your food prep and canning (which I will probably try to do after I retire); and your funny Vince posts give me a laugh. Keep doing what you’re doing!

  25. i took yesterday off to celebrate our 45th anniversary, but normally you are part of my daily morning routine. i always read backwards as sometimes there are several posts to catch up on. the only ones i skip are the crosstitching as it’s just not my thing, but occasionally i check out the pics.

    i’d say you are a realistic person who doesn’t dwell on the negative but acknowledges it. you and i are similar -but i do envy your physical closeness to addie and family. we share several commonalities and insights into life and love, and i’m always amazed at how much you can accomplish in just one day. i can always relate to your vince stories, knowing that love has its boundaries but those boundaries are very wide and forgiving AND easy to stress both of our patience.

    i’m thankful for the blog, your insights on life, your respect for your home life while still being open and available. i think it’s the perfect blend of sharing and caring in this very real and sometimes difficult time in our lives.

    • WAIT! It sounds like you’re saying celebrating your anniversary was more important than reading my blog! 🙂 Congratulations . . 45 years is a long time and I think it says a lot for you and your husband.

      Thank you for the kind words. I really try to find time to do the things I love, as well as the important things, with family always being at the top of my list. That’s why I couldn’t wait to get back to MO and be closer to Chad.

      • I’m not an expert but my answer is “I don’t think so as long as they’ve been kept in the proper environment”. Lids kept in a barn with extreme heat and cold may not last so long but lids kept in a climate controlled area should be good for at least a reasonable time.

        I have cases of lids I bought from the Amish store when we lived in MO almost 13 years ago. They were kept in a dark closet in an air conditioned area when we lived in Texas. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them.

        The only problem would be the gasket and if I were concerned about the age of the lid, I think taking a knife and scraping one of the lids should give you some insight. If the rubber is powder or cracks, I wouldn’t use them but if the rubber seems liable and in good condition, I would use them but again . . I’m not an expert and you might want to check with someone who knows more about the subject.

        People have found canned goods that were 40 of 50 years old and the jars were still sealed tightly. I feel more comfortable using older lids than newer lids. The newer ones have very sparse covering in the gasket area.

  26. Hi Judy,
    enjoying catching up with your blog (been on holiday)I look forward to reading your blog it ‘s my “fix” for the day. Love all Vince funnies, Oscar & Boots and yourself of course. My Father who was a funny man, always told us , never speak about politics, religion in company if you wish to keep the peace. Found that to be true many times. I thank you for always raising my mood and making me laugh. Thank you.

    • So true! Good to hear from you. I’ve been wondering what was going on with you.

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