Monday mornings aren’t my favorite days to begin with, but the Monday after a full week of vacation is even more challenging. We had such a relaxing time during our daughter and her family’s visit. We spent two days in Williamsburg, then came home and had two beach days with great waves to boogie board in, went on a harbor cruise in Hampton Roads to see the Navy ships, took the kids bowling, ate out, ate out, and ate out some more, and never looked at our watches. Every night we sat together, cuddling on the couch, watching Harry Potter moviesthe kids had brought from home, refreshing our memories of the saga in preparation for the last installment coming out in a few days. My feet have known nothing but sneakers and flip flops for the past week, my face adorned with nothing but a smile.
Harbor cruise on the Victory Rover
Now it is Monday morning and I have to get a move on so I won’t be late for a meeting. While our committee will be discussing how to bring writing programs into schools in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, my mind will be wandering back to the blissful, carefree feeling of our vacation week, trying to keep the emotions alive for a little while longer. I have to tell you, as much as I despaired of losing all my readers because I stopped posting on a daily basis, I enjoyed the break and, for a quick moment or two, I thought maybe I was done with blogging. But I also thought, for a quick moment or two, maybe I was done with meetings and cleaning and cooking, and wearing make-up, and being responsible, and, and, and…Ah, to be on permanent vacation! Go ahead and tell me I wouldn’t enjoy it. I would get tired of it. Day after day of it would be monotonous. I wouldn’t have anything to look forward to anymore. You’re probably right. I think I’ll buy a lottery ticket tonight.
Coming East 
I know how you feel. I tell myself that I’m going to quit blogging every week. I haven’t taken a break yet, I’m a little concerned I might never come back…
After I finally was Freshly Pressed and had so many views, they began to taper off rather quickly. I did make some connections that stayed, but essentially, as Older Eyes told me they would, you’re left with your little group of bloggers that will stick with you for the long run. I think those people (such as you!) will keep checking in, even if you don’t post all the time. We need to just give ourselves permission to back off, otherwise it’s not fun anymore. But I know what you mean. I took a week off of going to the Y when my daughter was here, and now I’m having a hard time going back. Loved the freedom of not being tied to a routine. I’m essentially lazy, I think. Thanks for your comment, my like-minded friend.
The idea of blogging daily boggles my mind. Your posts are so beautiful and sincere, I believe that the people who follow you are willing to wait for them. I know I am. Take your time. Don’t worry about how many posts you put up this week or this month or this year. Quality does still count over quantity, even in the blogosphere. Enjoy your summer, let every moment soak into you. Then tell us all about it in September 🙂
Amy, what sweet words! Thanks for sticking with me and giving me permission to take a rest when I need it.
Amy, I just finished reading your newest post, Two in the Bush, and was overwhelmed by it! I am printing it out so I can read it over and over and over again. In fact, I just put you on my blogroll (hope you don’t mind!) so that I can click on you all the time and not forget your site. The only problem I’m having is I don’t see how to comment on your posts. That’s why I’m commenting here and hoping you’ll see it.
Oh what a lovely compliment! Of course I don’t mind being on your blogroll – I’m honored. I have your site tabbed in my daily review as well, so I never miss a thing!
Could the comment problem be as simple as this? Nothing on my main page that actually says, “Comment.” I’ve spent so much time tweaking the site, it never occurred to me that the icon might not be obvious to everyone. Forgive me. At the top right of each post, there’s a little dialogue icon. If you click on it, or on the title of the post itself, it will take you off the main page and onto the individual posting sub-page. There should be a comment box at the bottom of that page. If you’ve already done that, and still cannot comment, please let me know. And thank you so much for continuing to try!
Best,
Amy
Thanks. I’ll try that. I’ve read your posts before but couldn’t figure out how to respond.
I feel your pain – went through similiar feelings the week after my vacation with family.
As for your blogging – next time do a few posts ahead and schedule them for your vacation week- you won’t have to give it a thought during vacay and we’ll all still have something delightful of yours to devour!
LOL! I actually tried to write a few posts ahead of time and schedule them, but it’s hard enough to think of something for just the next day, so I couldn’t do it. My niece’s wedding is coming up soon, and all three kids will be there, so I will try again to do that. Maybe I’ll be more successful this time. Thanks, H.G.
I feel your pain! Just got back myself. I call it ‘re-entry’–and it’s so hard for me to do. So glad to read this post, because I know I’m not alone–thanks CE!
I’m still sluggish and can’t get myself in gear. Once I get the house put back together and get caught up with everything I neglected last week, I’ll feel better. Hope you bounce back quickly, too!
Sounds like you had a wonderful and well-deserved week away. But glad you are keeping up with the blogging. We will all be here to read your posts, whenever they might come.
Thanks for sticking with me!
Oh, please don’t quit blogging! I’m know I’m not the only one who is new at this and finds you a great source of joy and inspiration. Last week, when I checked your blog and found nothing, I knew you were with your family, happy and soaking up every minute with them. It wasn’t the perfect trade-off but it was close.
What a sweet thing to say! Thank you so much.
You have the great memories of that time with the family and remember nobody can take them away from you. You have them to look back on whenever you want to.
Welcome back to the real world. It’s hard after being away but hey Susan we missed you. 🙂
Glad to be missed. I still have so much to catch up with before I can feel I’m really back to my routine, but I’ll get there eventually. Thanks, Judith.
Ah, your vacation time spent with your loved ones sounded delightful. [big sigh] No wonder you weren’t ready to face ‘back to reality land’ and Monday to boot! I’m glad you didn’t take a permanent vacation from blogging.
I also posted almost every day when I first started my blog, likely because I had relegated writing to the back burner for so many years (too busy raising children, being a soccer mom, volunteer extraordinaire, part-time job, etc), and I had a geyser of words in my head that need to gush forth!!
I’ve taken some short blogging breaks lately, and I also considered not blogging any longer.
But then, someone (often a new reader) will leave a comment that gives me such great encouragement, I continue on. Sometimes, I worry about losing my readership if I don’t post as often, but I like mulling over my thoughts longer before I put them into written words. I figure those who truly enjoy my writing will continue to check my blog – just like I keep coming back to yours!! 🙂
Thanks, Mama. I needed to hear that, and you’re so right. I might have lost some readers by taking a break, but I still have people like you who check up on me once in awhile. If I didn’t blog, I wouldn’t write, and I’m trying to keep my brain going.
Those carefree vacation/family days are precious and wonderful. I know exactly what you mean about thinking about giving up on blogging after a week away — it’s happened to me this summer too. Then I remember all the positive benefits I get from blogging, particularly my writer/blogger friends. (p.s. still, I’m with you — I’m buying another lottery ticket because yesterday’s didn’t win 🙂
Oh, we of like minds…I think that’s the only thing that keeps me doing this—friends like you that I wouldn’t have met without blogging.
Sounds like a great vacation, but glad you are back to blogging. I do not see how people blog everyday, however. I suppoe one could always write about having writer’s block, even if that is an oxymoron. Do whatever keeps you sane!
I don’t know how people do it either. I was posting nearly every day when I started, then slacked off to once or twice a week until my daughter admonished me, and then tried to get one post out every day again, but it’s tough.
yep buy the lottery ticket. it will satisfy and then make sure you stay with the blogging. i love to read you stuff.
Thanks, Julie. I’ll get back in gear eventually!
I think it is important to take a holiday away from routine, and that includes taking time off from blogging! Good luck with the lottery ticket!
Maybe if I win the lottery, I can pay someone to come up with blogging ideas for me?
Those darn post-vacation blues… though am glad you were able to spend some nice time with your family! And thank you for not taking a permanent blogging break 🙂
LOL! Quitting blogging was very tempting! But then I would miss people like you!