Blogging Blah...



So I am feeling so blah in the blogging department. I think my blog and I are going through relationship issues. I love my blog, but am feeling so incredibly uninspired to blog. After a whirlwind year taking on a full-time teaching position after not working full-time for 18 years, dealing with my husband's job loss and now new job AND trying to find a house, really has me not wanting to blog. I feel I have nothing to blog about. 

 Our old house in Virginia. Sniff...

We did not come to an agreement on purchasing the rental home we are in. We are not prepared to max ourselves to own this house and then not be able to renovate. This house has not been updated in 18 years, it needs a new roof, new fence, the plumbing makes us nervous and there is a crack in the foundation. Not to mention the kitchen is shabby, the appliances old, the flooring is old, the bathrooms...etc. Now we are on the hunt for a house, either to rent or buy. I am sick of renting. SICK! But we don't want to compromise buying just any ol'house. The housing market in the Vancouver are is dumb. I am sure I have mentioned that before. Those of you who live here, know what I mean. So if we are going to take on a mortgage in a somewhat loosey goosey housing market, then it better be something we can live with.  In our part of the suburbs, we are sandwiched between a major freeway, railroad tracks and a river. So it is tough to find just the right house for a price we can swallow spending.

The house we are in now.

Currently I am feeling discouraged. I ache to paint and zhush up with house but if we are planning on moving I don't want to. 

One thing I am excited about is that I have been "hired" to help my sister come up with a design plan for her house. Something that they can tackle over the next few years. It is thrilling to create a vision for someone's home! This summer we are going to tackle painting the walls! And create two girl's rooms for my nieces. I will keep you posted!

XO Barbara


32 comments

  1. I feel you! Sometimes, when the thoughts outside the blogland are serious and future-decisive, blogging isn't that much fun, but take it one issue at a time and the bloggin magic will come back!! It always does!!
    Keep on going!!

    Ozana (House@heart)

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  2. Tough spot to be in for sure. I am burnt out after the year of teaching and thought I'd be all ready to take on some projects but I have no energy. Plus, my family is home so I'd rather be at the beach or sitting poolside with them then be staining my deck:)

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  3. I hear you Barbara ... I think the blogging lull happens to all of us! I am in one of the lulls right now as well ... as for your house, I believe you have the right thought process, and you and I have spoken about this before ... it SUCKS!! But the right thing will happen, keep yourselves open for possibilities ... but don't bite off something that doesn't make sense for you and your family. The right thing will happen. It takes a lot of patience, which I am not fond of!! xo

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  4. Sometimes life is so tough Barbara.....I also think it would be tough to rent when you are a creative soul.....if you owned the place and it needed work....it would matter less what needed fixing cause it would be yours....I say buy a dump in the best area:). Then work your magic over time....summer is a slow blogging time anyway.....so blog when you feel like it!

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  5. I'm sending all my finding-a-perfect-house vibes to you. Ugh, what a tough spot to be in. Take all the time you need outside of blogland - we'll be here when you get back!

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  6. I get how you feel. Your landlord sounds like a *insert your choice of bad word here*.

    Everyeone will still be here when you're back into the swing of things!!

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  7. I hear you! Stick with it, post when you feel like it, we will still be here! I am going through the same rut with my blog.... Loads of ideas but not a whole lot of $ to see them through right now. It will all work itself out!!!

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  8. You go girl...sounds like a new direction for your blog...describing your inspiration, process and results for this new design project. Hang in there, you've been through allot and I know you will come out on top in this house hunting situation too. Thinking of you, I'll be a reader of your blog now and whenever :)

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  9. Sounds like a tough spot to be in, but I admire your resolve not to be pushed into a decision that you may end up regretting. Patience is a virtue, indeed.

    And I hear you on the blog front - we have lots of projects in the works, but not enough time to make any progress. Sometimes real life doesn't leave you with enough time and energy for blog life, and that's OK!

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  10. Good for you for not settling! House hunting and moving are big chores but once you find the home for you no doubt your relationship with your blog will blossom once more. Good luck, I am looking forward to posts about your dreams for your next home. Have a great summer.

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  11. Sometimes we just need a break to go and find our inspiration, besides it's hard to get excited when you have so much going in your plate!

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  12. Take a break and clear your thoughts. Sometimes it's these moments that allow us to make the changes in our lives we really want and need if we're just honest with ourselves. I hope you find the right solution for you, and I think you're smart for not rushing into anything or just settling.

    The housing market here is high as well, but nothing compared to Vancouver. It must be terrible to take on those kinds of mortgages. It's sometimes difficult to see big beautiful bloggers' homes in Texas, California and other parts knowing those houses cost much less than they do here. Sometimes I'm so envious! We have our postage stamp sized lots and that's just the way it is. But, I love the community and area we're in so giving up some space is worth it. Good luck with everything :)

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  13. Sorry to hear you have a case of the blahs. Its been a tough year for you for sure, but just like the silver lining of your husband's new job, I'm sure more good things are just around the corner. I'm with you, don't do your landlord any favours. Save the energy for your sister's re-do - I'm sure it will be fabulous! xo.

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  14. I'm with you on the blogging blahs! I've struggled for the last year or so, but am attempting a comeback lately ... still tough though.

    Finding the right home is definitely a challenge in most markets. I know when we bought 8 years ago we must have looked at close to 30 homes before we took the plunge. I am happy we did buy this home, but being a 50 year old home has presented us with some challenges for sure! Good luck in your search Barbara - hope you can hold out for the "perfect" home!

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  15. Sorry to hear all this. I think it is perfectly fine to either A)take a break from the blog or B)rant away...we don't mind either way. The housing market is finally picking up here in the south, so I can totally understand where you are coming from. Rushing into buying is never a good thing. Hang in there!

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  16. Sometimes blogging needs to take a backseat to life. It sounds like your house hunting has got you feeling swamped. Wishing you some good luck!

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  17. totally have relationship issues with my blog too... just give yourself a break and focus on what is 'fun' for you...

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  18. Sorry that your going though some blogger blues. :( Sending a big virtual hug your way, Barbara.

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  19. I totally hear you on the blogging blahs. this year has been a BIG one for you and I'm confident it's going to end on a high note with home ownership and your own design board. xoxo

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  20. I hear ya! I was going through the exact same thing when we were in our shabby old rental! I'm sure you guys will find what you are looking for - something that makes you all happy. We felt the same way in our search, and we're lucky we found a home that we love and works for us and doesn't need a whole lot. Can't wait to see what you come up with for your sister's place! :)

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  21. I totally get where you're coming from on the blog thing - I go through times like that, especially when I'm preoccupied with other things that are eating my time. From the sounds of it, leaving the rental behind might be a good thing and start fresh. Don't worry, something great will come along. Some markets are dumb and so is the Oakville market near Toronto where we'll likely end up again someday - the prices have doubled since we left there in 2005 so I'm not too thrilled about what we'll be able to find when we finally get back. I do know that I'm going to try to find the worst house in a great neighbourhood - I figure I can always change the inside over time but I can't change where the house is. Have fun on your sister's place - at least that will keep you creative! :)

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  22. I so know the feeling, not having the blogging mojo! Maybe you'll be inspired by your the project with your sis's place. And before you know it, there will be your new house right in front of you! xo

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  23. sorry to hear all the ups and downs for your Barbara. Hope all will come to a better ending just like the new job for hubby. The housing market in Toronto is sort of "not sure what's going on" as well but I am sure the pricing is not even comparable to the insane $$ people want in Vancouver.

    Fingers crossed for a happy ending to that story soon too! xoxo

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  24. I get the same way Barbara, not to worry though. Do enjoy your Summer and have fun with your sisters house!

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  25. Hang in there girlie ! Sometimes the inspiration comes from taking a break. Never cry over something that can't cry over you :) LOL.
    Those who love ya will keep coming back.
    Big fat blogging hugs !!
    Lynne xx

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  26. Sounds like you have so much on your plate. Blogging takes creative energy, and sometimes all your energy is focused on other things. Maybe it's a good time to take care of yourself a little? Pamper and nurture yourself? Dont' worry about the blog,it will still be there when you're ready. Hugs.

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  27. Somehow it always works out...it's the middle part that is hard. You won't miss much over the summer. I agree with Sherry, find a dump and make it perfectly you.

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  28. Oh yah, blahs all around. I hear ya! Today is the first day I've felt like I had some blogging ideas in a while...but it's 8:30 and sure enough the week will be a very busy one, so who knows if anything will get posted.

    Summer blogging is always a bit slower, so enjoy summer and the blog will still be there after. Good luck with the house hunt.

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  29. I know what you mean about the housing market in Vancouver. Although I don't live there my grandmother did who passed away last year. I remember her house as being quite tiny and in bad need of updating. When they sold it, I was shocked at what they got for it and the people who bought it were tearing it down. Good luck with the house hunting, I hope it works out for you.

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  30. This too shall pass is the phrase I use frequently when having my blah moments. Congrats on your teaching job! We switched roles; I'm now staying home from teaching to be full time mommy and you're headed to the classroom:-).

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  31. Barbara, I know exactly what you mean about having the blog blahs. I've had them for a long time, so I decided to take the summer off from blogging and see how I feel about it in the fall. If I don't miss it, then I'm not going to do it. Maybe you should take an official break too and see how you feel in a couple of months. You've got a lot on your plate right now, taking one thing off of it might help.

    Good luck with the house hunt!

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  32. I'd like to know the average lifespan of a blog. I think we've all experienced these feelings. Hang in there, I have a sneaky suspicion that we'll all hang around and be here when the blahs come to an end. ;)

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