Welcome to September and my ordinary life


Today is the second of September and spring is just around the corner (thats perhaps a little optomistic). After what feels like a very long cold and damp winter it is nice to look at some pretty colours of spring and imagine the warmer months, summer frocks and sitting in the sunshine reading.  

These photos are all from my garden in past years. My garden currently looks rather sad and in much need of some warmth. The frosts have given it quite a battering but in a month or so it will look so much happier and in full bloom. 

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. (Hal Borland)

I have been mulling over why I blog (perhaps because the winter has been cold and dark and I have been indoors far too long and had three colds in two months!) — sometimes it doesn't seem to make any sense at all, writing away to myself hoping that someone else finds it all as interesting as I do!! In fact sometimes I think I should stop and not put so much time and energy into it all as it doesn't always seem worth it — which of course I am not likely to do, because I enjoy writing (even if I am not that great at writing). As  I ponder, seeing where I fit in bogland, I see that I fall outside of the many blogging groups which makes it difficult to find a niche. 

I don't homeschool (and never have) so have no connection to the homeschooling community.

I am not a stay at home mother or wife and those that do stay at home often don't understand why I work and some even exclude me from their blogs by making me feel like an outsider.

I don't write books to promote and never will.

I don't even have small children to share my trials with other mothers and I am not a grandmother.

I clean my home because I have to, I don't call it a calling. Reading is much more exciting than housework, always will be!

I love my home but I don't want to be in it 24/7. I dream of doing much in my life and it doesn't revolve around my house.

I am pro-vaccination and like to eat sugar when I want to.

I work full-time in a job I love and have met many wonderful working women who are doing a great job.

We aren't self-suffienct and never plan to be (no plans to move to an isolated island and live off the land!).

I love to be creative and see the world just a little different to others. 

I dislike dusting and ironing and doubt I will ever get excited over these two tasks.

I am just an ordinary (middle aged) woman doing nothing out of the ordinary, living in suburbia, going about her business quietly trying not to disturb the peace.  I get up every morning at 6am, drive my son to work, drive myself to work. Work all day in an office (a rather lovely office with pot plants and pictures of cats) and return home by 4:40pm every evening. I cook dinner each night, I do the washing and clean the house when necessary, take care of my family and chat to my cat. 

Life is ordinary . . . 

. . .  I need to find other bloggers who are ordinary like me and create our own niche!! Not sure what I would call it . . . . "The extraordinary lives of the ordinary"! 

Glad spring is on its way, I might feel more in the mood for writing when the sun is sharing its warmth and the flowers are in bloom. 

In the meantime, enjoy the pretty flowers below, they are anything but average. 


With the coming of spring, I am calm again. - Gustav Mahler





*****

Comments

  1. I always enjoy reading posts about the turning seasons in the Southern Hemisphere. I live in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, USA and we're just starting our Fall season here. The apples are ripening, leaves are drying, and the flowers and vegetables are winding down. Please keep writing - essay/posts are always interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Frances,

      Whilst you head into Autumn (my favourite season) we are heading into spring and it would be wonderful if it came sooner rather than later as this has been a much colder and wetter winter than we usually have. I have noticed that my daffodils and jonquils are bursting into flower and that is a good sign that spring is on its way. Sadly today is very grey and overcast, no sunshine to be seen :(

      Have a wonderful week - in God's grace.

      Delete
  2. You might have a case of spring fever! Please don't lose heart with your blog. I hardly ever comment on the many blogs that I read. But the thought of not having yours to read makes me sad. I just have to tell you that. I know what you mean about not knowing where you fit in. I have always been a stay at home mom/wife but I certainly don't think it's the "only" right way. I feel frustrated with the blogs that seem so judgmental on these issues. I can't relate to stay at home women who say this is the only way or it's God's way. Same with homeschooling. All of my children went to public school. I have to say that in my area of northern Wisconsin, there aren't many stay at home moms. I wish there was someone in a situation similar to mine that I could connect with. That being said, all of my very good women friends throughout the years have been working women that I did connect with. They're still keepers of their homes, want nothing but the best for their children and try to be good wives to their husbands. Most importantly they are faithful followers of Jesus Christ! We may go to different churches and have different lives and homes but we are all sisters with the same Father!! Not once have I ever felt belittled or brought down by my working friends because I stay home. Maybe it's because I don't do that to then because they work? It's called respect and minding your own business in my opinion.
    I feel that some of these blogs have become full of pride. I know that is a strong thing to say but that is the feeling that I am getting. I hope you soon feel reinvigorated and this very special blog continues!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I agree about the pride, Susan! While I too am a stay-at-home wife/mother, I do not sit in judgement on those who choose or must walk a different path - that is their business, not mine! I would much rather that we encourage one another because we ALL have a different journey through this world - and haughty piety has no place in the Body of Christ.

      Delete
    2. Thankyou Susan - I love your comment and agree that it is far better to build up our sisters and offer encouragement than pull them down and judge because they do things differently (for what every reason). We should all be encouragers and what a differences it would make to all those around us!! The world would be a far better place.

      I looked out of my window this morning and all I can see was grey cloudy skies that aren't very inviting so spring certainly isn’t with me today!! But this is a perfect day for writing blogs, reading and doing a little quilting.

      Have a wonderful week :))

      Delete
  3. Jo, you must not give up or lose heart! While I occasionally must take a break from reading blogs, and sometimes it takes me a few days or a week to get back to write a comment... I really LOVE reading your blog and always come back and read the ones I missed! You are an older woman (NOT aged yet, but older than me by a few years!!), teaching younger women to love their husbands, love their children, to be sober/wise, discreet, chaste/modest, to keep their homes neatly & efficiently, to be good and obedient to their husbands. You must not give up your blog - it is definitely something I think the Lord has given you a talent for as you reach out and touch my life and heart daily. Your blog encourages me, it challenges me, it interests me. Please don't lose heart! And thank you for faithfully writing and for your encouragement in the Lord. I am grateful. I love the way you incorporate Scripture and the Truth in your blog, and the cheerfulness I find in your posts! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou Clara - you are one of my faithful commenters and I love reading what you have written and certainly don't mind the wait when you have your breaks!!!

      Delete
  4. I always enjoy your blog but rarely comment on any blog just because I am so ordinary. My feelings aren't earth shattering or thought provoking and I don't seem to fit in to any lifestyle niche. Our culture these days seems to be one that favors extremes: huge houses that are decorated for every holiday or teeny tiny houses in the minimal style, raw diets, completely organic cooked from scratch meals, or meals caught on the fly because people are so busy. What to do if you're just a middle of the road kind of person who loves their family and tries to get along and make a small difference in the world when they can? Well, I think there are a lot of people walking that middle of the road and you are doing just fine! I love to hear what you are doing, and your thoughts on life. Please continue to share it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Ellen,

      I am like you, I don't go for extremes - I am also in the middle of the road along with you and its nice to have company!!! In generations past most people were just like us, then people suddenly wanted to stand out and go to the extremes for whatever reason and then write about it endlessly trying to convert everyone else to their thinking! I do wonder how content these people are on their missions. People don’t seem to be happy (content) with living ordinary lives any more which is rather sad.

      Thankyou for your encouragement, I will continue to write, I love to talk to much!!!

      Delete
  5. I would be very sad if I didn't have your blog to look forward to each morning! It's one of the very few that I read each day. It is cheerful, inspirational, and educational at times (even for someone who just turned 60, like me). Your blogs are never dull. The pictures your choose are always colorful and interesting and make me smile. I don't have to agree with everything you say (but mostly I do!) but I do appreciate another prospective if I hadn't thought of it. I think for MOST people, Blogs are more about "listening" than for debating ~ thus the lack of a lot of commenting. We don't have to reply with opinions about who's right and who's wrong ~ as if anyone is completely right or completely wrong.
    The only person that I know actually reading my farm/family blog is my oldest daughter and she comments ocassionally and tells me in person how much it means and what she has learned or appreciated from it (since she lives away from home). So, if it makes a difference in just one person's life, it is worth it for me, and I do like to write anyway.
    But it DOES help to be appreciated. So, THANK YOU for your blog :-) and even though I have only commented on yours a few times in appreciation, I will try to more often. Keep up the good work!
    Gwen in Arkansas USA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwen,

      Dear Gwen,

      You have made my day (along with all the other comments I have received) - it has given me such a boast and I know when I am writing there are wonderful ladies who are tuning it!!!

      Have a wonderful week :))

      Delete
  6. Jo, please do not lose heart for blogging. There are many ladies who feel as I do. We would miss you far too much. It is your ability to write about your "ordinary life" in such a way, that it makes you very special indeed.
    Like Gwen, please allow me to say "thank you", because what you give of yourself in your writings matters to so many.

    God Bless You,
    Christine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou so much Christine - your words mean so much to me. I think I just need some more sunshine and say farewell to winter (that has dragged on long enough!!). I will keep on writing as I do enjoy it immensely :))

      Have a wonderful week and in God's most precious grace.

      Delete
  7. Dear Jo,
    You are really an inspiration to me. I don´t have time to comment every day, but I feel encouraged and lifted in every way, and always find food for thought, or beautiful ideas for my wardrobe, my kitchen or my house. I´m a wife, mother and teacher who looks forward to reading your blog in the morning and smiles when you say “Good evening” and I´m having breakfast here in Spain.
    I also find reading or surfing the net more appealing than dusting, although I do like ironing (in fact, my best ideas come to my mind while ironing!). Homeschooling is illegal in my country, so it´s never been a real option (if you want to keep your children!). I´d love to go and have tea and chocolate cake with you, but as that is not very likely to happen this side of eternity, I´ll keep on looking at you as I would at a friend or an older sister.
    I am also a little, ordinary woman, but I believe God uses little, insignificant people in the little, ordinary places in the world to do His extraordinary work. He placed you exactly where you are, He gave you that job for a reason – or a lot of them – and He engineers every circumstance in your life and mine for His own purposes (OK, yes, I´ve been reading Oswald Chambers again!), so please, please, please, know you are already a part of His story.
    God bless you and keep on blessing us through you. Love from Spain.
    Raquel.-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou Raquel for your encouraging words, Don't worry, I will keep on writing as I really do enjoy chatting away via my computer!! I am a bit of a chatter in real life too, so we would probably have lots to say over cake and tea :)) In fact my husband thinks I talk far too much, so this is a great way of "silently" chatting to all my friends and family around the world.

      Love from Australia all the way to Spain (where my mother-in-laws family come from!!)

      Delete
    2. PS it was interesting to read that you can't home school in Spain :)) I wonder how many other European countries can't homeschool either.

      And yes, I agree that it is often the ordinary that God works through to make a differences to others. Those quietly plodding away, my dad would be one of these people, a man who doesn’t like to make a fuss or cause work to others but a shining light of a Godly man.

      Delete
  8. I always look forward to reading your blog posts. It is especially fun when our seasons are turning. You heading into early spring, and me into fall. I hope you will continue to post. You do a much better job of keeping up on posting on your blog than I do on mine. Maybe you are just feeling a little bit of late winter doldrums.

    Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and offer you encouragement to continue writing here on your blog. You have many readers; I'm sure more than you realize. I have found food for inspiration here when I come to "Stop...(and) Have A Chat", and I am sure many others have, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou Susie, I am so glad to know that there are people eager to read or look at my posts :)) It gives purpose to what I am doing :))) and thankyou for all your encouragement :)) Have a wonderful week ahead.

      In God's grace.

      Delete
    2. I can only echo after susie, and you are such a refreshing person, and in some way I live "through" you, with that I mean that I dream about all the books I want to read, and all the art I would love to see in real life, since you write about reading, art, give GREAT advice, and also talk about difficult things, my life would be very different without your blog <3

      Delete
    3. THANKYOU SO MUCH - you have really made my day :))) and I am so glad I can bring some extra colour and smiles to your day!!!

      Have a wonderful week ahead.

      Delete
  9. Your list made me chuckle. Especially, "I am pro-vaccination and like to eat sugar when I want to." Ha! Yes!! Pass the sugar, please! ;) And the gluten and the fat and the carbs and the caffeine and all that stuff that tastes good! I can relate to you because I am a Christian working mom, too, in an ordinary, conservative life. I enjoy the subjects you write about. You have inspired me to start a blog for my own edification, but I have yet to do so, though I have written a couple stories. Maybe someday! Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou and yes, it is good to sometimes have all those things that are considered bad for you!!!! What would life be like if you couldn't enjoy some of these yummies!!!

      Delete
  10. Hello Jo, I enjoy your blog. Bloom where your planted, be yourself, and don't compare yourself with others. You are a blessing!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment