On Friday I set aside three hours to edit photos and write a post entitled An Easy Way to Pick Out The Perfect Paint Color. It was a great post. So informative. You would have loved it. Just before I went to hit save the entire computer screen went blank. And Then The Entire Post Disappeared. Nothing I did would restore it. I wanted to cry. This is a new computer and well, who knows. But I just didn’t have another 2+hours to create it again.
I’m really not sure how other bloggers somehow manage to find the time to create lovely informative posts while their home is under attack renovation.
Am I A Failure?
Honestly, I think I’m doing the best I can.
The only thing I can think of is:
- Perhaps other bloggers are not doing the renovations themselves.
- Maybe they do not cook two+ meals a day from scratch for their family but rely upon takeout. (Special dietary needs in our home rule that option out.)
- Do they have someone else to do even the minimal cleaning, gardening, errands, and carpool duties?
- Have they hired staff to run their Instagram, FB and other social media pages as well as answering emails and other comments?
- It could be they aren’t in the midst of designing and decorating other people’s homes too at the same time.
Because I just can’t do it when I am doing all of the above.
Then I thought, it’s Monday and maybe you are struggling too.
Maybe you need to know.
You are doing the best that you can.
It is VERY good to realize when a job goes beyond your skill and capabilities. We have hired a professional crew of five men (Yes, FIVE!) to assist us with the extremely difficult wallpaper removal, drywall repair and wall texturizing in the master bathroom.
That said, there were also several cracks in the interior ceiling and walls due to the tornado and roofing issues that we have had repaired. It was time to address the cosmetic aftermath inside. This needed to be done before the house goes on the market next spring. Might as well get it over with in one fell swoop. So that is getting done by the crew as well. Which means the living room, kitchen and family room are also currently in shambles.
I am finishing up a project for the Little House on the Prairie cabin interiors in Kansas. I’m also continuing to work on a very large job with no end in sight. But loving every minute of it. Did I also mention that school gets out for the summer in two weeks?
So that’s it for this week.
Thank you for sticking with me. You are truly Decor To ADORABLE people.
Laura
Laura, I think you are so smart to know your limits and hire help when you need it. Wallpaper removal is such a chore–not so much the new ‘strippable’ kind but the old wallpaper of years past. I do think that there are families that are 2nd priority to blogging sometimes…kind of sad but people pick their priorities and that is okay- it is what works for them.
Blessings to you, kiddo. I am so sorry you lost your post. That has happened to me several times over the years-and it makes you feel like crying, I know. xo Diana
Drywall is the worst! We just finished a project and I’m wiping that fine dust off everything! My hubby has done little jobs, but this last one we decided to have someone else do. They have all the tools and know all the tricks, and they are artists with the texturing. Once it is all over it will look wonderful!
Oh my word, you do have more than a million irons in the fire. Just take a deep breath and relax. We aren’t going anywhere.
I can relate to a post totally disappearing – so frustrating. It happened recently on my post for one of the blog hops .
I also wonder how everyone seems to have their act together. I am fortunate that my husband does all the shopping and cooking. But, I find myself posting less on Instagram. I just don’t have time for playing if I post daily.
And as for the home repairs. We were there last August and September when we remodeled our only bathroom. The house was a mess from dust, we had to move out for a month and it was depressing to be at our house when everything was in chaos. In the end it was totally worth the “hardship”. We love our bathroom now. We just kept telling ourselves that “this too shall pass”.
I’m so sorry about the lost post – so frustrating. I don’t know if people realize how long it takes to put up a post that can be read in five minutes.
Yes, I struggle with getting everything done I want and need to do – and I don’t have half as much going on as you do. I don’t know how other people do it, but I frequently ask God to guide me in how I use my time – and still struggle, so obviously I don’t have it down pat yet. 🙂
Oh no! I can totally feel the pain when everything just disappears! So horrible!
Ahhhhhh just when I wanted to come visit! Just kidding sweet friend! Although I might be in Texas in July or August visiting in College Station. We might have to put something together if possible. I love you.
Holy Maloley, Laura. What a project! I would be overwhelmed. I don’t even want to paint the peeling ceiling because of all the a) prep and b) just moving the furniture (wall-to-wall book cases of china cabinets!). I don’t know how you can do that all as well as all the other things.
I’m so sorry the Internet Guy ate your post. I know it was wonderful. Maybe someday, in your next life — or when all is done — you’ll be able to share. Till then try to find some Laura time because you really need it!
I’m with Marty! We aren’t’ going anywhere! Things like this have happen to all of us.
Laura,
Thanks for keeping it real and sharing with us your struggles and frustrations.
Count me in with Marty also… We aren’t going anywhere!
Hang in There! The tide always turns! Hope you have a Great Week!
Would love to have you re-post about picking the right paint color on another day.
Wishing you all the best always. Thanks for your Blog. 😉
Yes, it’s happened. Computers!
And yes, I can relate to everything else too, after our basement was inundated with 3k gallons of water! And the house needs painting and all the old folks need help and there’s camping trips two weekends in a row.
Women hold up the world. I raise my teacup to you and look forward to seeing the finished results of the bathroom. Take three yoga breaths!
Just remember it could be worse. Go back and look at my rotten shiplap pictures of my bath remodel. I also have a repair waiting that involves lath,plaster and horsehair. The joys of living in an 1888 home. As my dad would say,”This to shall pass.”
Hang in there friend! Take it a day at a time and keep holding on to Jesus’s hand for peace, guidance, wisdom and comfort. Hugs ❤️
Laura…you are right in assuming a few chosen bloggers have lots of help. I found that out at one of the conferences and it made me feel so much better knowing that I was not incompetent (well that could be debated, LOL).
For instance: one told me that she had a full time assistant that organized and fetched her dish ware when she wanted to do a tablescape or decorate for the holidays. The blogger would decide the general tablescape , but the “go-fer” would actually fetch and set it up. Of course the final touches were for the blogger. This same assistant organized by category on a spreadsheet …all the dish ware…example: 4 gravy boats and then the patterns, etc. And it was all on the computer. She also assisted with the photo shoot and tore it all down and put it all away afterwards. You can imagine how easy it would be if one had all that help.
And yes, they have staff to handle the social media (this can all be done virtually) while they concentrate on writing entertaining posts.
Some consider their blog a full time job, so yes, they have people to do the car pool and here is one for you….do the baking of some of their recipes . (one told me because I asked)…that her “baker” bakes it at her home and brings it to the shoot explaining all the pros and cons of that particular dish..
And one confessed she had not been in a grocery store in several years. She uses an app to do her grocery shopping and the groceries are delivered to her door.
Yet another had an assistant for all the legal stuff and some admin stuff. This was a virtual assistant who also assisted other super bloggers. They did all their consultations on the phone and online…of course there was a retainer and a fee.
Yet another had an IT person on call…for a fee of course.
Not all of us are fortunate to have that kind of assistance.
My blog is ad free, so there is no extra income coming in to defray the costs of having assistants.
And as for the actual wall paper removal, etc…I have usually found it is best to hire it done, if possible.
It is a lot of work….
I have lost posts AND recipes…. :(…it is just a part of blogging.
Right now, I have been having problems with my Mac and repeating letters. They say I can take it to Apple and they will provide a new keyboard, but I don’t want to leave it for several days
Hang in there my friend. This too shall pass.
What a shame, Laura, especially if the post involved research, photos, and editing. It takes a lot of time and there have been moments when I’ve thought–wait; I’m working hard, letting other things go, and sometimes my heart isn’t even it it. And I don’t get any sort of compensation as far as $$. It was never my intent to make money, I just wanted, as Marilyn Monroe said, “…to be wonderful!” I’ve just recently learned that bloggers and many Instagram ‘stars’ have assistants, but I guess if it is a business as such, that’s not unrealistic. It’s a whole new ball game. I’m staying on a steady course of writing for pleasure and interacting with lovely people like you.
I think we can all identify with the house going up for grabs with renovations. Removing sixty-year old wallpaper was the worst thing we ever attempted to do. We finally got a professional. Sometimes it’s that or losing your sanity!!
All the best, Laura,
Jane
Two steps forward, one step back, but you are still ahead!
Cath
My blog reading has become spotty (having seven Grands has rearranged my priorities!); are you moving next Spring? Staying in TX or on to another state?
Renovations aren’t for the faint of heart, especially when you are doing them yourselves. Sorry about losing that post! OYE!
Sometimes if you lose data, the very next thing to do is push the ‘control’ button and the letter ‘z’ at the same time – it will bring back what you lost. You probably already know this. Reading this post, I think you are a superstar and you get a huge amount done.
Several years ago, when we were moving out of the California house and were at the first campground, I lost several posts and it was SO aggravating! I’d cry and want to throw the computer (not good for it so never did, Lol! ;)). Hang in there and hopefully this will all be finished soon. Your home looks beautiful even with the chaos!
Hugs and tears with you,
Barb :X
First off, my dear, you are far from any failure! You owe nobody anything. You share but you are not obligated. We love to read your posts and share in your happy days, your creative moods and support your not so great days, as is quite obvious from all the support from the replies on this post. 🙂
When you post and share your world, you are doing it from kindness and generosity. And for that we are grateful. I love reading how you have re-decorated a room or created a beautiful costume or gone on an amazing adventure. But if you are overwhelmed or tired, you do not have to carry on and entertain us. We will wait for another day.
You have your hands full right now with all the renovations. And the thought of leaving Storybook Cottage must be overwhelming as well. You had such a long and difficult search and put so much into your beautiful home since you have been there. I don’t know how you do it. I have been so lucky to have been able to stay in our little home for forty years.
Bless your heart as you take on each new challenge with the grace and beauty from within you. No, my dear, you are far from a failure! {{{hugs}}}
Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all do what we can. It happens.
Though I believe larger full time bloggers would have staff and helpers.
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com