Programming Notes: December 2010

ATTENTION PLEASE: This is a very important Auntie Nettie's Attic programming note for the handful of people that actually read this thing.

The month of December is going to be a bit hectic, so I've stockpiled a bunch of blog posts to be timed for release, including but not limited to: a bunch of Photo of the Day posts, "therapy" posts, as well as random things to fill in around the recipes, reminiscences, and letters from Grandma(s). Regular guest blogger, The Shushing Librarian, will also be a large presence leading up to, and continuing after the holidays, taking on the slack while Auntie Nettie is off shopping, wrapping, shipping, working, and then traveling.

We hope to return to "regular" Auntie Nettie postings in 2011.

Thank you.

Please return to your regular blog perusal -- you know the other blogs that are more interesting and updated more regularly by more intriguing and witty people. Yeah, those!

Stamp of Time

A Year in Blogging

Another year of blogging ... I meant to have some great recap in honor of the occasion - an Ode to An Anniversary, you could say, but alas, I'm not that witty.

What I am, this year, is introspective.

I've often felt like I've been releasing my posts into a vacuum. I don't have the hundreds or thousands of readers that some blogs attract (I've got maybe ... a doublehandful!). I rarely get comments, electronic or otherwise. I don't get asked to do give-aways. I don't attract companies who want whisk me off to cover events. No one links my blog posts to other sites, starting a tsunami of followers. I don't have fan groups, or fans, for that matter.

You know what? I'm okay with that.

This blog was originally just started to keep me in touch with friends and family. Over time, my blog has evolved, just like me. This past year, between regular blogging and "retroblogging" out of an old journal, I've really realized that I'm really blogging to keep a loose record of my OWN life -- to help me appreciate myself, my experiences, to work through issues, but more importantly, to leave a record behind for my nieces and nephews. As the kids get older, hopefully they can read the posts and use them as a way to get to know me better, reconnecting with their past selves and other figures from family history.

It took me a while to get to this point. You see, I'm a little dense.

My "breakthrough" was aided by the chorus of one particular song. For the last six months or so, every time I have loaded up my ipod shuffle, Jamie Cullum's Photograph gets into the mix.

EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

It's not for the lack of variety in my itunes library. There are weeks of all kinds of music in there. I do try and randomly select each time.

Rather, I think Someone is trying to get something through my thick skull.

"When I look back on my ordinary, ordinary life,
I see so much magic, though I missed it at the time."

~Photograph by Jamie Cullum

Now, so as I don't miss out on the magic of my ordinary life, I'm going to get back to living it, instead of reflecting upon it.

A Year in Blogging

Dear Auntie Nettie's descendants (and other interested parties),

Last Friday marked a year that Auntie Nettie has been posting to the Blogosphere. She was going to take a moment to reflect on the overall tenor of her posts, to recap the highlights of the year, and leave some words of wisdom and other insights. Alas, there was no time for introspection. Auntie was too busy dealing with her life to write about it. It is also the time of year when end-of-the-tax-year activities pick up in the non-profit world and she really didn't have time to post at work. (In the current economy, it's important for Auntie Nettie to keep her job so she doesn't have to go home and live with Grandmary and Grumpa!) In addition to those work commitments and the holiday "celebrations," there was a weekend blur of commuting and crafting, not to mention baking, wrapping, packing, shipping, and schlepping.

For now, just know that Auntie Nettie intends to continue to use this forum, her cyber attic full of old steamer trunks if you will, to keep you --her beloved nieces and nephews, friends, and family--entertained and informed.

Stay tuned for more antics from Auntie Nettie's Attic,

Much love,

Me aka the Old Bat

Poll Results -- What project should Auntie Nettie finish next?

I have to admit that this poll was rigged from the outset. I KNOW I have to finish the commissioned afghan first, but it didn't hurt to ask the Blogosphere. It's like the Magic 8 ball. You have to ask, knowing that the answer is something that you'll already know or will make no real sense.

Thanks to the person(s) who voted the 10 times.

What project should Auntie Nettie finish next?

Results:

Commissioned Afghan 7 (70%)

Nephew's Afghan 1 (10%)

More Scarves 1 (10%)

Crazy Critters 1 (10%)

Foray into the Blogosphere

I think the Borg said it best: Resistance is futile.

Please note the Stardate; the end of days must be nigh. I, having been extolled the importance of journalling for most of my upbringing, and, having resisted it kicking and screaming, have joined the blogosphere.

As more and more of my friends and family live many miles away, and as my nieces and nephews, by blood and friendship, grow older, it's become increasingly obvious that I need a way to keep everyone informed, beyond the occasional phone call, e-mail, text message, and holiday card.

Standby for pictures, items for sale from Auntie Nettie's Attic, and future posts.

Auntie Nettie