It’s Not Goodbye

January 10th, 2010 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life

A very wise woman once said, blogging is fun, but life is real.

Indeed Mama Pea. Indeed.

Blogging, at least to the extent that I have taken it with two posts a day most days, as well as all the other duties that come along with being active in the blogging community, is time consuming to say the least. As life changes and evolves, the needs of my family as well as my own needs change and evolve too. Time is a pretty hot commodity around here, and while I’ve enjoyed finding the time to blog regularly this spring, summer and fall – our new house and the start of a new year have made it abundantly clear that there is suddenly less time to go around.

I started Mama’s Weeds for so many reasons. I was excited to share my recipes and ideas in the kitchen with my friends and family. I wanted to write about all the great books I’ve read that have made such a difference in my life and have aided me in my personal journey to health and wellness. I also wanted to write about all the ways I fit regular exercise into my hectic life as a wife and homeschooling mother of two.

The blog has taught me so much and has enriched my life on so many levels. Thanks to putting some pressure on myself to post twice a day, every day, for nearly the last 8 months and to keep me from boring myself to tears, the challenges of coming up with new posts so frequently has allowed me to stretch my creative writing legs and in turn, has allowed me discover a new passion that I didn’t even realize I had. I’ve had so much fun writing, learning more about food, cooking, health, exercise and even a little about photography too. I’ve made a lot of new friends, gotten so many great ideas and found so many new sources of inspiration and motivation. It’s been a lot of fun documenting the food and health related events in our lives these past 8 months and has been a real trip sharing part of my life over the world wide web.

I’m not going to completely pull the plug on Mama’s Weeds, but I do need to take a hiatus from regular blogging for the time being. I’ve got to shift my focus and limited spare time and energy on the needs of all the people in my real life that I care so much about.

If you’re looking to find me in cyberspace, I’ll still be hanging out with my homeboy Matt over at Health Blog Helper. That gig is a little less demanding. I’ll be around the blogosphere a bit too – keeping up with my fellow bloggers, leaving ridiculous comments as needed and as time allows. I wouldn’t be completely surprised to see a new post pop up on here from time to time either. I’ll still be cooking and running after all! When I find myself with some extra time, a fantastic new recipe, a funny picture on my camera or story to share – I’ll be back!

Peace!


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34 Responses

  • Tay says:

    Good luck with everything Alison!! And come back soon :-) I love your posts – hilarious! And always bring me a smile.

  • Bernadette says:

    I was kinda wondering if ‘real life’ was getting in the way…. I will say that I will miss your two posts a day because I absolutely LOVE them but at the same time I find comfort and validation in what you are saying…

    I have felt like a blogger failure for not being able to put out the posts like you and others do. I absolutely love reading yours and everyone else’s blogs but just can’t seem to find the time or the material to make my own compare- for that reason I only post what I really want to document and feel others will find something in… if that makes sense.

    Well girl, you may be out of sight for a while but you definitely will NOT be out of mind… is it ok if I email you from time to time just to check in with ya???

    Keep on keepin’ on my friend… you are loved!!
    xoxo

  • I will miss you! I love reading about your kids, your daily life, your healthy foods and your running. Hoping you come back…

    PS: I made the quinoa stuffed peppers yesterday. Super good.

  • janetha says:

    love you lots, i know i never comment but that doesn’t mean i don’t read regularly (google reader is a nice tool…) but you will be missed! and of course, i support you in your decision. XOXO

  • Erica says:

    I do hear ya! Blogging can take up ridiculous amounts of time. Do what you need to do but I’m totally keeping you in my reader 😉

  • Peggy says:

    Noooooooooooooo!!!! Hurry back.. I just found your blog a little while ago.

  • I’ll miss reading about you and the girls! But I can understand that posting 2x’s a day could be quite time consuming. Can’t wait for your return! :-)

  • Shari B. says:

    Oh girl, do I totally hear what you’re saying. Since the end of Novemeber when I added a new job to supplement my personal training/consulting, I’ve really been feeling a lack of time w/ my hubby and dogs because the blog has to be done outside of work hours. Before I was able to work on it while he was at work. I spend at least 2 hours every day and that time takes away from family. I’ve been struggling myself with what to do about that.

    As a blog READER before I was a blogger, I had NO clue how time consuming it really was. I have a new appreciation for every blog I read because of it.

    I’ve LOVED getting to know you and follow along with your fit life (you always inspire me with your speedy runs) and will cherish any and all posts that you do get to publish. Your family & real life totally come first!

    I’ll be a loyal reader whether you post twice a day or twice a year! Keep in touch!

  • Libby says:

    I’m so sad. I love reading about your food and life adventures. But, you know, I was only just thinking about you the other day and wondered how you managed to blog so much with young children. There are not very many frequant bloggers with a young family out there.
    So sad as I am (for me) and I totally understand. Hopefully after a break you’ll return to blogging – even just once or twice a week. I’m sure all of your readers would happily settle for a little blogging over no blogging. Best of luck. I sure will miss you! You’ve been a major inspiration!

    Libby

  • I can totally relate, as I took a blogging hiatus during my last school semester when I needed more time in other areas of my life. I’ll miss your posts like crazy, but completely understand too. I’ll always read whenever you decide to post, and I wish you all the best with your family and new home! 😀

  • Liz says:

    Super understandable. Blogging is actually very very time consuming and hard. I had no idea when I started!! Real life is so important, and even though I will miss your witty posts, I know that you are doing what is right for yourself, your family and everyone else. :)

  • I just recently found your blog and I love reading it. It’s nice to read a mom’s blog.
    I will miss reading your blog but it’s absolutely understandable.

  • Julie says:

    I’ll miss you Alison! You better still leave me comments.

    :)

  • Jennifer says:

    Oh………………no!!! Say it isn’t so! :( You know, I’m amazed you have done all you have over the past several months considering everything else going on. Take the time you need but hurry back. :) You will be missed.

    After reading on Matt’s site, I vote that you come back “Vlogging”, too. :)

  • Lauren says:

    Good for you for keeping your priorities where they should be! I do enjoy your blog and look forward to a few posts from you here and there, take care!

  • Alison!!!!! Oh wow, this is big!!!! Ok don’t take this the wrong way, but I am actually happy to see you go! you know why? Exactly what Mama Pea said. Life is real. You’re the 3rd or 4th blogger friend to pull the plug in the last little bit…Veggie Girl, then my friend Hayley of It’s My Life, Justine of Confessions of a SAHM (well she was awhile ago) and now you. But for all of you, you have left the door open to “come back” and whether you do or don’t, that’s irrelevant. But what IS RELEVANT is your life, being a hs’ing mom of 2, a wife, having a real life. It’s much, much more important than the b’sphere.

    You are doing with your blog and your life what I have been thinking about doing with mine. It’s been a great ride, 6 mos for me, but the daily posting at the intricacy level that I have, has left me feeling taxed, challenged, pressured, and lackluster in my real life. In fact, with each friend that bows out, or downshifts, I gain more confidence to downshift too. My blog ramped up to a level that I almost feel guilty downgrading it, but the effort it takes to maintain is more than I can give.

    Anyway, I am not totally surprised by your decision and although I will miss you terribly in the b’sphere, I will know that you’re out LIVING YOUR REAL LIFE!!!!! which is the most important thing, period.

    Love
    averie
    xoxox

  • waaaaah! but i get it, i totally get it.

  • Fallon says:

    Gotta do what you gotta do! This blog will always be here. I will definitely be looking forward to your future posts.

  • Jane/you-know-who says:

    see you on the flip side

  • I so understand why you have to cut back… So true, blogging is fun but life is real… I have learned so much from reading your blog and have truly enjoyed each and every post. I’m glad that you are not “going away” just living your life… And I really hope that you’ll post once in a while. I think sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves. I think we tell ourselves that we have to post every day or twice a day, but maybe once or twice a month or once a week will actually work…. Anyway, I’ll be very happy whenever I see you pop up in my Google reader. :)

    Go live life, and have fun! :)

  • Allyson says:

    I’ll miss you! Your posts are always so fun and funny and warm. I hope you come back and say hi every once in a while!

  • Aw, Alison! You’ll be missed, but I know that you’re still lurking around and will post from time to time. Blogging is a huge time suck and I couldn’t imaging doing it with kids and a new house. Looking forward to reading an update in the near future!

  • Amy says:

    I’ll miss reading new posts but completely understand!

  • Pat says:

    Okay missy this means that you need to email me regularly to keep in touch! I’ve become a Mama’s Weed’s stalker just to make sure I know what is going on. We are heading to AZ on Wednesday – a little delayed due to Bill’s treatments. We will be there at least until V-day and you are all more than welcome to head out for a weekend! Or, plan a visit when we get back here.

    Love you ALL and give kisses from Aunt Pat to your crew!

  • Holly says:

    i literally just got an e-mail from averie and she told me you were taking a break – MAMA WEEDS, you do what you need to do! i fully support your decision, because i have been thinking a lot about this same issue. you are wonderful, fabulous, hilarious and an inspiration. no joke. you keep me on my writing toes, and i always look forward to your posts. i am obviously going to miss you tons, but i know where you live (mu ha ha!). i hope you enjoy your new house, take time to relax and just LIVE. because life is so short.

    thank you for everything you have given to the blogworld, and i look forward to when those posts appear in my reader. lots of love to you, the girls and zac, and the rest of the family.

    xoxoxox

    holly

  • Rebecca says:

    Good luck! Take all the time you need!! I’ll be waiting when you come back!!

  • Leah says:

    I’m so going to miss your posts! I don’t comment regularly, but I read always and your posts always leave me laughing and in a good mood. I hope you enjoy your much needed and deserved time off from blogging, and get settled in your new house!!

  • Amy says:

    I am so sad to see you go because I love your writing and humor, but understand that real life takes precedence. I’m keeping you bookmarked in hopes of the occasional post. Have a great life in your new house and thanks for letting us into your life. Amy

  • Mama Pea says:

    I cannot even lie to you and tell you that I’m sad. Sure, I’ll miss your funny posts. I’ll miss your wit. I’ll miss that jealous feeling of, “Damn, I wish I had written that!” But you know what? I am so so happy for you and your girls that you will have even more time and attention to devote to their precious young lives. Oops, that jealous feeling is back.

    Please stay in touch with me. We are sisters from another mister.

  • Erika says:

    I can totally relate and I have also been trying to be more aware of actually being with my kids instead of being in the same room as them while they play and I am on blogs. It is so hard to juggle all of the demands, but the blog and the blog friends are not going anywhere. We will always be around. The kids however seem to keep growing and the time with them will only happen once. Sorry to sound like such a downer, but it is hitting me lately how soon my own kids will want to be with their friends more than me and it is scaring me. So good luck and I look forward to hearing from you as time permits!

  • Lauren says:

    Good luck, Alison! I haven’t always commented regularly, but I absolutely read almost every day! You’re a great writer, and I’ve enjoyed and found inspiration from every single post. I’ll admit I felt a wave of disappointment two paragraphs into today’s post, but your beautiful family is obviously your first priority (as communicated in all of your posts), so I certainly understand adjusting your time accordingly. I’ll still be checking occasionally, for sure!

  • Suzanne says:

    Boohoo nooo…..! I will miss your daily blogs so much. You are so creative, funny and real. Good luck x

  • Matt says:

    Aw, this makes me so sad… I’ve never read a goodbye post before :( (Even though I believe you when you say it’s not really goodbye.)

    I think you will be happy with your new arrangement. I decided for 2010 that I would only post when I felt like it and/or had something good to post, I announced it so that I wouldn’t feel any guilt when I didn’t post, and my relationship with my blog already feels so much healthier and happier. I hope you will notice the same with yours. You don’t need to be an everyday blogger, or even an every week blogger, to be a successful blogger.

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