Why I Left...

...the blogging community.

First of all....some unfinished business.  I have no idea what Fresh Sparkling Snow soap smells like.  I cannot identify the scent at all.  It smells good, sort of sweet, but nothing I've gotten a whiff of before.  Sorry for the let down...


I thought I would write a brief post to let you know what all happened while I was away from the blog.  These are some of the reasons I had to leave the blog for a while.

Here's the Reader's Digest version...and these are in no certain order...feel free to ask any questions!  I like it when you guys leave comments because I enjoy chatting with you and getting to know you...I can put a face to a name!

I had the flu when we closed on the house and during our move.  It took 2 months to get over that crud.


I worried for my kids' safety during Hurricane Irma...they chose not to evacuate but survived with minimal damage.  A lot of floor pacing until I could reach them.

Got hit by a deer.

My mother and the hubster had knee surgeries...one week apart.  I got to play nurse for a while.  Golf is something the hubster will now experience from afar...or in a cart.  Mother never experienced golf.

Kids came to visit over Spring Break...Gianna stayed 2 weeks over the summer.  She thinks I'm her aunt and that I'm a 12-year-old...with wrinkles!

Made many trips to Jacksonville, FL to help kiddos.  Doesn't matter how old they get, when they call, you go.


Suffered with pneumonia the entire month of December.  The doctor shoved a Q-tip into my brain...at least that's what it felt like.

We fought the law and we won!  The county tried to raise our property taxes 23% this year.  We went to court and were documentally prepared!

Lost another dear family member...my mother's last remaining sibling, my sweet uncle, died in March.

The hubster's best friend died in March.  Forty-five is much too young.

One son had cancer...had 1/2 of his face reconstructed.

Taught a 3rd grade class in Vacation Bible School...haven't done that in a while...it took a month to recover.

Lots of work-related travels.


Endured several makeovers in the house (hallway, half-bath and laundry room).  I've been writing posts in my head for months.

Had a successful DIY chair makeover.

Lost a camera; bought a camera, well, actually 3.

Too many things were going on and I knew I couldn't give 100% or even 50% to the blog.  I'm a 100% kinda person.  I am strong but even the strongest of us crumble occasionally....and have to regroup.  Please know that I never forgot about this blog or any of my sweet readers and I am very happy to finally be back!



34 comments

  1. I'm pleased to see your posts show back up in my email. I think I am remembering correctly that you lived in Nashville but not sure you're still there...I live in west TN. Wherever your new home is, it's lovely! Welcome back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sheila, thank you so much! We were in Nashville but had to move back to Texas for business. Our hope is to be back in Tennessee within the next few years. Thank you again! Love and hugs!

      Delete
  2. Enjoyed this post Benita. I am glad that I have the opportunity to get to know you. Girl...You have had a lot on your plate. I would not have blogged either! Jacksonville, Florida is about 35 miles or so from our County. Oh did Irma do a number too! So blessed that we were spared from Micheal. Praying for those that weren't. Hope you have a good rest of your week. Hugs and blessing, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I'm enjoying getting to know you as well! There has definitely been a lot going on, but life seems to be settling down. Cool! Both my boys live right outside of Jacksonville. Yes, Irma was a nightmare and I hope that you fared okay during that storm. So thankful you all were spared from Michael but hate it so much for those who suffered through that storm. I hope you do as well! Love and hugs to you!

      Delete
  3. Stopped dead at 'Got hit by a deer'! But you got hit quite a lot, indeed. So happy that you have persevered and all is behind you. Welcome back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was an event...scared the heck out of us because we never saw it. It ran right into the side of the truck...HOW did it not see the truck??!! LOL. Those are the dumbest animals...it hit us, tore up the truck, got up and ran off. The hubster was disappointed that we could not get it and make a few meals out of it...LOL Thank you so much! I appreciate it greatly! Love and hugs!

      Delete
  4. Oh Benita life can really kick at us sometimes. You have really had your fill of ups and downs. Glad you are doing better and are back to blogging. I have missed our chatter back and forth. I think the blogging community is a great place to share our ups and downs and especially friendships so glad you are back to share with us.
    Hugs and more hugs.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most definitely! Thank you so much!! I've missed it also...the blogging community is definitely the best and I have met the sweetest, kindest, most caring people through this blog! It's a great place to share life experiences with because everyone has been through something and can empathize and commiserate! I have missed those friendships and am happy to be back and able to visit with everyone again! Love and hugs to you sweet friend!!

      Delete
  5. You have had a ton of things going on! I hope that's all the bad stuff for a very long time. So sorry to hear about your hub's friend dying at such a young age. That's about the age my son-in-law's friend was when he died from colon cancer. So happy you are writing again! Hugs and giggles!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Life’s been a bit crazy that’s for sure! In the middle of all of that, I had to actually IRON clothes!! UGH!! 😉 I hope it is also…things seem to finally be settling down for a while. Thank you Donna, it was so sad. He actually grieved himself to death…his ex was withholding his daughter from him and that little girl was his life! Awww, that is too sad also…too young! Thank you so much! You are so sweet and I appreciate all of your kind words! Love and hugs to you!

      Delete
  6. I love you my forever friend. And I'm happy to have your blog back. Hope to come see you in 2019. ROAD TRIP

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love you too girl!!! You are so awesome and I'm so thankful and blessed that our paths crossed alllllll those many years ago in school and church so that we could become lifelong friends! You are a treasure and inspiration to me!! Love you and yes!! Y'all need to head on out to Texas any time!! I've got plenty of room!!

      Delete
  7. Wow, my friend, you have had quite the busy and stressful time of it! Well, I for one am very glad you are back! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It’s been a rollercoaster, that’s for sure! I’m glad things are settling down so that I can get back to normal…whatever normal is for me…LOL. Thank you so much! Love and hugs!!

      Delete
  8. oh good grief! if it all weren't so heart breaking it would sound like a Greek tragedy. so many frightening and traumatic things to have to go through in one year. and there's that old saying...
    'if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger.'
    if that saying is true you should be a little Schwarzenegger by now! well a much younger one. he's old now. :) he probably still has a lot of muscle though!
    and in the midst of it all you found the energy and desire to "endure several makeovers" in your house?
    my old mind just boggles.
    are you really sure you want to live a simple life? it's worth thinking about. it might just bore you to tears. I see you more as a great motivational and inspirational speaker! but then you'd have to change the name of your blog! sending you love and relaxation! xoxo


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does sound like a horrible tragedy, doesn’t it!?! Just life…frustrating and hurtful at the time but I’m blessed to be able to come through the other side…a few scars but most definitely stronger because of it. I agree with the saying! LOL…yes he is old but seems like he’s keeping in shape…still making movies!

      I considered the makeovers a distraction from reality…grief and stress relief and something else to focus on. Miss T, you are so sweet and always say the kindest things about my crazy life…LOL Simple would probably bore me, but there are some days, I crave it! 😊 Love and hugs to you my dear, sweet friend!

      Delete
  9. I'm just glad you're back. Now don't go anywhere!
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Brenda! I am very happy to be back! Love and hugs to you!

      Delete
  10. Wow! A lot did happen to you and your family. I am glad things are back on track.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it did, but things are settling down! It seems to come in waves like that...this wave just lasted longer than the rest! :-) Love and hugs!

      Delete
  11. Oh dear! You have been so busy, no wonder you ditched us. So many important things in there that surely must have worried you so! Life is getting so serious these days. I'm hoping things will settle down for you Benita. Us too! So glad you've made it through and made it back in one piece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Life is truly a roller coaster ride…I know you have been on one yourself and hope that things are settling down a little bit for you also! All you can do is hang on and hope that when you are able to step off, you are stronger than when you got on! Love and hugs!

      Delete
  12. Wow, that is a lot to go through for a lifetime, let alone a year! I am so glad you are back. I missed your sweet spunkiness and your hubster stories. You are a strong woman....I can hear your roar from here :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much AnnMarie...you are so sweet! I've missed all of you also and have missed reading about your life adventures! There is always something going on with the hubster...LOL I'm glad to be back! Love and hugs sweet friend!

      Delete
  13. Benita,
    I'm happy to be reading Chasing Quaintness again. Life sometimes does blindside us like a deer hitting a truck. Didn't LIFE see us there when it rammed us with its wallop, then got up, and ran off, leaving us to deal with the aftermath? I'm glad to know you are finding your way back to some normalcy... the new normal after life ran off. Truth be told, almost all of us have lives that could be the screen script for a movie, and most always NOT a Hallmark movie. Knowing that does not lessen our trials, our pains, and our losses. Just know, we care.

    Happy new normal,

    Judith

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judith, you are so right! We all have trials and we just endure and keep on going. The old adage "that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger" is so true! We could all be chapters in a book...sometimes happy, sometimes sad, sometimes thrilling, sometimes boring...but it is all part of the novel! Thank you so much sweet friend! I'm looking forward to being back on track for a while! Love and hugs!

      Delete
  14. Teaching 3rd graders at VBS would take some time to recover from! Benita, I must tell you that as someone who has gone through skin cancer on face twice and the threat of it hanging over me all the time that your son's magnificent smile on FB after his surgery sure did stiffen my backbone that I would not ever let it win either. He's a champion and I've wished many times I could give him a big hug and tell him what he's meant to me, and how much I love that beautiful smile of his!

    His mama is a winner too,
    Dewena

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dewena, you are correct!! That stint exhausted me...LOL I don't know where those kids get so much energy. The church chose to give them sugary snacks every evening, so that really ramped them up...LOL

      Thank you so much Dewena, that means so much to me! He's a mess, but he just keeps on going and doesn't let too much get him down. I don't know that I could have looked in the mirror after that surgery, but he looked every day and sometimes several times a day to see what was happening. The surgeons did an awesome job! You can barely see the scars now...which is a miracle! Thank you again...love you!!

      Delete
  15. Hello,
    My goodness .. what a time. I totally get why you needed to take some time off. I am glad you are back. I found you on IG and was happy to know you were doing alright. :-)
    Here is to catching up!!
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Carla! I'm glad to be back and am looking forward to catching up with everyone and enjoying life being a little more settled! Love and hugs sweet friend!

      Delete
  16. Benita, you deserve a break from all things difficult from now on. I'd say a several years' long break filled with nothing but rainbows and unicorns...you've clearly had your fill of all the other stuff for now. Actually, it sounds like you've had several people's fill of the other stuff...and glad you're back. I missed you. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I know everyone goes through things in life and we handle what we can handle. Some take on more than others and continue moving on. I just had to stop for a bit, back up and take a few deep breaths! I missed you too!! Love and hugs sweet friend!

      Delete
  17. Hold the phone! You got hit by a deer?? ;) Lot of pain to endure, sweetheart. I'm just glad you got through it.

    (((love)))
    rue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes ma’am… a deer hit us while we were driving down the road…idiot thing just ran into the side of the truck. Tore up the side of the truck and we had to ride 700 miles with deer brain/fur/detritus handing off the fender wells. It was pretty gross! Yep, we’ve had a lot going on, but life is hopefully going to stay settled for a while! 😊 Love and hugs sweet friend!

      Delete

Please leave a comment! I do love hearing from you and enjoy visiting your blogs. I will respond via email or by replying to your comment here on my blog! Have a wonderful day!