The Reason Is...

Sorry I haven't been blogging lately. I have been having trouble doing just about anything I don't have to because of my joint pain. By the time I get home, I'm wiped. This last week has been the worst yet and I just couldn't get myself motivated to write a post. Unfortunately the pain affects my mood and I've been a little depressed lately. A person can only take so much constant pain without starting to get down about it. Thankfully, I finally get to see a specialist on Thursday, so I'm hoping to find out something soon.

UPDATE: I have since been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This has actually been a blessing because I no longer feel crazy. I used to feel as if I had all these aches and pains that weren't connected. Now I know that all those aches and pains were due to RA. It is unfortunate to be diagnosed with a lifelong disease, but I'm glad that it was diagnosed and that I have good medication to cope with it. HUMIRA has changed my life!

Behind Again...

I'm really getting behind on my blogging. I just haven't felt like taking the time. I've been super busy at work trying to get papers graded and lessons planned, so I've been staying late most days. Then there is the joint pain...

I went to the doctor last week, then had my blood drawn. Found out that I do have elevated levels of inflammation.  The ortho doctor (hand specialist) that I saw said that there was something big picture going on...something rheumatic. She said if I hadn't already had labs ordered, she would have ordered it for me. That tells me that it is definitely rheumatic and not bone related. I have an appointment with a rheumatologist at the end of the month.

I'm hoping to get a diagnosis soon, but I've heard a lot of horror stories about it taking years for some people to get a diagnosis. I'm praying that I'm one of the lucky ones.

Yesterday was a really bad pain day. I almost stayed home from work, but I had too much grading to do and all the papers were at the school. I would have had to drive in to work to get them anyway.

Here's hoping to find relief soon. I will try to do better with the blogging!

New Domain, New Look

I have finally introduced my new Domain and Look for my blog. There is still some work to do, but I was anxious for the change.  You will be able to access the site either at the old URL: http://livingsingleinsmalltownamerica.blogspot.com/
or the new new one:   http://www.singleinsmalltownamerica.com/

Feel free to look around. I am especially excited about the new weekly posts, Single Saturday and Small Town Sunday. I hope that you will join in one one or both by linking your post/blog.

It's Almost Here

I am almost ready to release the new upgrade to my blog. For now I am going to stick with Blogger because I do not have the time to learn a whole new system with WordPress, however, I may be switching in the future when I have more time. 

I don't have it exactly like I want it, but it is a start.

I am also going to be introducing two new weekly posts: Single Saturday and Small Town Sunday. I am hoping that people will join in and write their own posts and link back to my blog so we can share our stories.

Time For A Change?

Now that I'm back to blogging full time, I'm really feeling the need or a change, an overhaul really, of my blog.  I'm considering a few things:

1. I am thinking of getting my own domain name instead of using blogspot.com
2. I really need to re-do the whole site. Blogger has made a lot of upgrades since I built my site.

Okay, so that is only two, but each one comes with its own variables...

1. Do I want to keep the same name as I have currently? Do I want to shorten it, but keep it similar? I wonder because I don't write exclusively about either being single or living in a small town. I get requests all the time to host or try out some singles website or product(s). I assume they haven't really read my blog if they are asking; they are just going on its name. Which makes me wonder if I need to find a real focus for my blog or is it okay that I just discuss things that happen in my life? Should I find some larger focus even if I decide to not limit the posts to a specific focus (did that make sense)? I really did put thought into the name of my blog before I started it, but I have found that there are a lot of things I want to discuss that aren't specific to people who are single or people living in a small town. I guess I could try to always throw in a little bit about either or both, but that seems forced.  I feel if I want to take this to the next level, it needs some sort of focus.


2.  I haven't done anything but cosmetic changes to my blog since I first built it. I had to teach myself how to edit the html and I worked really hard to get it like I wanted it, but that's just it...like I wanted it. Blogger now has more options. I've always wanted to have multiple pages on my blog and maybe even pull in my photoblog as an extension of this one. It is time to do that.  I am sure it is going to take me awhile to figure out how to do all that without losing some of the personalization I've made to my blog.  I also want to really come up with a good look for my blog. I'm creative, although not a professional graphic designer. I know how to use Photoshop and think I can come up with a reasonably good look for my blog. I already have some ideas. I am definitely going for a cleaner look. I'm looking forward to the challenge, but still a little overwhelmed right now.  I had thought about trying out WordPress, but after looking at the comparisons between it and Blogger, I am going to stick with Blogger...at least for now.


I would love your opinions on all of this.  What would you like to see?

Blogging Again!

I've been doing much better with my blogging.  I was really missing it and I am glad to be back in the game on a regular bases.

I'm doing something a little different, and it is working for me.  Whenever I feel the urge to blog, I make multiple smaller posts and schedule them to be posted on different days instead of writing one long blog post about multiple things.  

I used to have a few more followers, but they have dropped off and I don't blame them since I wasn't blogging very much. I'm hoping that blogging on a regular basis will garner me a more loyal group of followers.  I hate to think I'm blogging for no reason.


Let me know if there is any topic you want to know more about!

Blogging...Just a Phase?

I feel like I need to get back to blogging on something of a more steady schedule. I miss it. Unfortunately, at this point I tend to forget about it totally. But I love to get comments and it is time to get back in the saddle!

I really need to get back on the ball when it comes to blogging. I tend to do get really into something and then drop it or at least massively scale back. I'm not sure why I do this, but I do know it is genetic.

My dad does the exact same thing; usually my hobbies aren't as expensive as his. He spent a year or two buying Jeeps and doing body work on them and re-selling them. This went on until I asked him to pain my truck...it got painted, but never did get buffed out, so it was never shiny. He bought a portable sawmill and got into that, but never managed to get the lumber cut for mom's deck extension. He does still use it to build his outer-buildings on the farm though... He got us all sucked into going to the lake during the summer, and for several years we would go 2 or 3 weekends a month during the summer. He bought a pontoon boat and a camper and took diving lessons. He even bought me diving lessons one Christmas. Now we haven't been to the lake in over 2 years!

I've dabbled in lots of things over the years: candle making, scrap booking (even sold Creative Memories products for years), bought a telescope, built a fish pond in the back yard (it's all grown over and the irises have become one giant blob of roots, so I can't fix it back up), I've started to write several books over the years but don't get past the planning stage (actually writing one seems too daunting) and I even go hot and cold on my photography even though I love doing it (currently in a cool phase-not quite cold). Blogging is just another thing in a long list of activities and hobbies that have run cold over the years.

I know I can't be the only person out there who does this.

My New Project

It has been o' so long since I have posted anything.

I have been busy working on setting up my new side-business. I've always wanted to work on selling my photography and I have finally decided to do something about it. I am now in the process of creating a photography business based on natural light portraits and nature photography. I've just begun and I have a lot of practice to do and a lot to learn. Right now I am doing photo shoots for free in order to get the practice, but I hope to begin charging for shoots and editing soon.

I just ordered a new lens yesterday (Nikkor 50mm f/1.8) and I am really excited about getting it and starting to shoot with it. I have already asked a few of my students (11th grade girls) to pose for me. They love to do stuff like that and it will be great practice for me. Until the weather gets warm enough to shoot outdoors (currently there is still 3-4 inches of snow on the ground), I am studying technique and looking at portraits for inspiration.

I would love to say that I will try to keep up with this blog, but I can't promise anything. I have so much going on right now that I have let this fall to the way-side. I am hoping to post more often though, so don't give up on me just yet. I have a lot of fun doing it, but I've gotten out of the habit...

If you want to check out my new photography sight, here it is: Gifts of Nature Photography

Back With A New Look

I took an unannounced hiatus from blogging over the summer. It had nothing to do with not having time; I just didn't feel like spending my vacation blogging.

Well, now I'm back, and I've brought a new look with me. Actually, I think I tried this out for a few days when I created the background, but didn't stick with it for long.

I will be posting a "What I did during my summer vacation" post in the next few days, so check back soon!