Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Sisters in the Bloggerette Sorority and more..........

So this past year, I've been WAY too busy with my new position as an Assistant Principal at an elementary school. Too busy that I don't think I took care of myself either physically or spiritually. In February, I came down with what they thought was a bad case of bronchitis, but as I am just now getting rid of the last of whatever it was (now they think it might have been Whooping Cough!), I am beginning to think that I let my body down by not being at it's full strength to fight off whatever it was I had. Stress, no exercise, no sunshine on my body, and not a lot of sleep, I'm sure, lowered my defenses.

That's the physical part, but there's also a spiritual part, a part that I never really paid much attention to until recently. The part of you that needs some quiet meditation, some time for silence and deep thought, some time to let the creative side of you rise to the surface. This past year I did nothing but work, eat, and sleep.......oh, and clean the house, do the laundry, get the groceries for my mother-in-law (whenever she wasn't in the hospital with heart issues and then a broken hip from falling.....that's another story all-together!), and take care of my other job of being wife and mom (not that the mom job was constant since my one and only went to college for her first year and did "swimmingly".......that's another post, too!).

Anyway, back to the Sisters In The Bloggerette Sorority..............Karen, over at Some Days Are Diamonds , has started a wonderful group that anyone can join. Realizing that I haven't done much at all this past year on my blog but use it as a lame attempt at journaling, I think that this is a fantastic idea and it has ignited my creative spirit to try to take my blog up a notch, meet more people, not only be inspired by others but try to be an inspiration as well. Not being one who usually joins things too quickly, thinking that I don't have what it takes to be a part of some things, I'm going to step out of my comfort zone and give it a try!

Since I began my blog, I have developed some new friendships with some wonderful people. People like Alisa from Life Is A Beautiful Place To Be, who actually lives about 30 minutes away from me. Not only is she a creator of beautiful things, she is warm, friendly and helpful. She gave me a quick tutorial on how to make links on my blog site through an email! Alisa is a wonderful photographer and has a talent for needlework which has inspired me to give it a try this summer. And then there's Merisi from Merisi's Vienna For Beginners, who lives in Vienna, Austria, a VERY special place for my husband and me (that's ANOTHER post for later!). She is the most FANTASTIC photographer I've ever seen!! Everyday her blog is a little photo essay of her excursions around her town of Vienna. Her speciality seems to be photos of coffee and coffee houses, but there are plenty of photos from all over town to the country side all the way to Venice, where she visits regularly. I call her the Queen of Roses because she takes the most BEAUTIFUL photos of roses almost all year round. The rose photo in this post is one of hers. And then there's the beautiful Constance of Rochambeau. When I "met" her through her blog a few years ago, she was living on the East Coast. She has since moved to East Texas to be near her mother. She is probably one of the most artistic and loving souls I have ever met! ONE OF THESE DAYS, I'm going to drive over to her town and have lunch with her!!! I have trouble choosing the right words to describe her blog site. Constance is an intelectual, romantic, joyous, TRUE creative spririt. Just know that I go there every day to just escape, get centered for a moment, and enjoy the beauty that she shares. She throws the best parties and always shares her photos and memories. She's also a FABULOUS seamstress! The handbags, the jackets, the dolls she makes........oh my! These dolls are called Floralinas and they are one of a kind works of art! There's so much more I could add, but that might make for an additional post as well.

There are many more people who have touched my life through blogging. I guess I should save that for another post, too. :D So.......to wrap up this rambling of a post, I've joined the Sisters in the Bloggerette Sorority. Check it out. Join us. Maybe it's something that you might be interested in, too. I'm looking forward to stretching my horizons, enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded souls, and trying to take part in some of the events instead of sitting back on the "side lines" and watching. This next school year is going to be different. I plan to nourish my body, my soul, and my creative spirit that has been buried deep for a while.


If you made it all the way to here, thank you for sticking with my ramblings. Being on vacation has allowed me to slow down and reflect. Wishing you quiet moments for reflection........it's good for your soul.

~Allie

14 comments:

Karen said...

Vacations are wonderful things! :)
So is stepping out of your comfort zone. Trust me - it took me 6 months to finally figure out that if I could make just one person smile because of something I blogged about, maybe it was worth sharing.
And POOF! Here we are 18 months later. SImply amazing!
I'm so looking forward tot getting to know you!
Glad you jumped in!
:) Karen ~ Some days are diamonds

Merisi said...

Such a wonderful surprise, thank you, Allie! :-)

I am so glad you not only picked up your camera, but started to blog too! It is a wide wild Blogworld out there, isn't it? Constance is one of those immensely creative and kind people I wouldn't want to miss either anymore!

I am on my second week of summer break, but my days are still packed with lots of catching up after months of being so busy with studying.

sandy said...

That's a beautiful frame for the photo!
Nice to meet you here! Don't forget to take care of yourself! : )
Sandy

zandra said...

Hi, from New Jersey! Glad to meet another sister.
Hugz,
Zandra

rochambeau said...

Dear Allie,
What a beautiful surprise!
Your words have touched me to tears. Thank you for writing them. I'm glad that your life has slowed down a bit this summer, that you can feel some peace and balance and your health returning. Also that you are feeling happy. I admire YOU for living in your dream. For studying to become accredited so that you could become an assistant principle. AND then landing a job!!
Yours is an important one.

I too love to drink coffee with Merici, wander around Vienna and take it all in. I remember this boat photo she once took that I have store in my mind. Listen, if you and Merici could find a way to meet.......we can too!! I'll have a party if you come! ;-)

xox
Constance

Mya said...

Hello from Georgia, just the other day I heard a person on tv talking about whooping sough. I was just walking through the room and happened to hear it mentioned - wish I had heard more. At least you are better. I am sure you can use the rest from school also.

Looking at your blog makes me think you are a bit more creative than you claim. On the other hand, I just sit back and enjoy the handiwork of others, and say to myself, "Wish I could do that."
I am new to blogging and do not know my way around the computer, but I am enjoying learning.

I still do not have my picture project completed. I did put the picture in a paper mount, added a flower, and there it sits in my camera. I have no idea how to get it from the camera to the computer, and both husband and son are too busy to explain. I think it is a little late to worry aboout that now.

Glad you also joined the bloggeretttes.

Alisa Noble said...

Balance... it's not easy! I've been struggling with it myself for a while now. It seems to be hit or miss. I am so glad you are finding yours and getting healthy again.
I am also so happy to have met you through blogging, as well, Allie! It's so wonderful to know that there are kind, like minded others out there.
Good for you for stretching out of your comfort zone. The bloggerettes sounds intriguing. I will have to check it out.

Cindy said...

Allie, I'm glad you decided to hang in there, the blog world is truly a wonderful place to be. So many kindred souls out here, without it I would have never met Tee, never started Paper Cowgirl, so I'm very grateful for it.

Alisa is amazingly talented (as are the others as well) and she is also featured in this month's Somerset Life! Always great to have a sister Texan front and center! :D

Glad you are going to be around!

-c

porter place cottage said...

Hello there Sista. Love your R*U*S*H project!! I'm excited about our sorority and all the F*U*N to come! Sorry it's taken me so long to get here but trying to visit each and everyone!
Terrie

Simply Debbie said...

HELLO ALLIE, MY SORORITY SISTER,
I AM STILL MAKING MY ROUNDS TO ALL OF THE SORORITY SISTERS AND THEIR WONDERFUL RUSH PROJECTS.
I AM SO VERY HAPPY TO MEET YOU.
WE BOTH HAVE KINDA BEEN IN THE SAME BOAT...LITTLE REST, LITTLE SUNSHINE, AND PHYSICALLY RUN DOWN. I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT JOINING THE SORORITY BUT I NEEDED DESPERATELY TO GET THE CREATIVITY BACK IN MY LIFE.
I LOVED HEARING ABOUT ALL THE WONDERFUL FRIENDS YOU HAVE MET AND I WILL VISIT THEIR BLOGS.
I LOVE THE DOLL SO VERY MUCH. SHE IS STUNNING. IT JUST AMAZES ME THE TALENT PEOPLE HAVE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO FUN AND FRIENDSHIP AND GETTING TO KNOW YOU BETTER.
HUGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE

Shanna Brooks said...

Hi. I am a new member of the Bloggerette Sorority. I am making my rounds to "meet" the ladies of the sorority and take a peek at everyone's blogs and pretties. Please visit me @ www.mommiesandbeyond.com
I hope that you find the time to do more blogging and creating!

Biljana said...

Hi Alison!
I am your newest follower, nice to meet you sister:))
You have wonderful blog:))
Greetings from Europe, Biljana

Scrapping With Sherry said...

Good for you. It is so refreshing to have an AHA! moment.

Hi, my name is Sherry and I am a new Bloggerette Sorority Sister. I wanted to drop by and introduce myself and let you know I am looking forward to joining in on the fun and meeting people that share my passions for crafting, scrapbooking Well, all papercrafts really... and now blogging. (Newbie blogger of 2 weeks!)

Take Care~ Sherry

rochambeau said...

Stopping back by to make sure you are enjoying your summer under the Texas Sun!!
Hugs from Tx.
xox
Constance