Thoughts on blogs

This blog post cost me about 10 dollars I think.  I pay a small monthly fee for this site, simply because I can do a few extra things with it that I can't do with the free sites.  Considering I last posted an actual written blog entry sometime in 2005 I think, that makes this one pretty expensive.

Blogging is harder than it would first appear to be.  Finding something meaningful to write about is difficult for me for some reason, and I tend to go through droughts and rainy seasons, rather than spreading the posts out.  Finding the right mix of completely putting every thought and whim on the internet no matter how crazy it is, and trying to be thoughtful and creative at the expense of sparse entries can be overwhelming.  Lately, as you've probably noticed, it's completely shut me down.  Add to that the fact that I have a job, a wife, two kids, a Sunday School class, a house that constantly needs tended, a yard that needs mowed, flowers that need weeded, and a neighborhood association that I somehow got voted the president of, blogging has gotten pushed to the back burner.  It's not just this though - I used to like to read pretty often, and I don't seem to get to do that much either.  Don't even get me started on how many times I've flown my radio control airplanes this year, 'cause that ain't funny.

Something that I do find the time to do when I'm on the computer is read - I think I mentioned that anyone that reads blogs should use a feed reader, and Google Reader is one of the most popular.  I am subscribed to, get this, 88 different blogs.  Honestly, that's just too many.  Not all of them post every day, or even every week, but some post dozens of times a day, and I end up reading, or at least skimming, all of them.  Some are edifying, some are entertaining, and some are completely useless, but I still read them.  I've got to find time to go through them and cull the ones that aren't worthy of my time - but the irony is, that in itself takes time. 

So, for those of you that make fun of me for not posting very often, and you know who you are, you can now get off my back for a week or so.  Blogging is hard, and I admire those that are able to do it regularly when it's not part of their job.  I'm most impressed with them.  (Particularly Amy, I just don't see how she does it.)

But anyway, I guess I ought to at least update you as to the goings-on around here, since I'm writing.  Primarily, I've quit my job that I've been at for 11 years. It was a hard decision, and I'm really going to miss it.  It would be easy to walk away from something that I no longer enjoyed, but that's just not the case, and I hope that I'm making the right decision.  I may be begging for my old job back in a few months, but for now, Carrie and I both feel we've made the right decision for our family.  I'll be working as the Assistant City Engineer in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which is right across the river from Louisville.  Hopefully I'll have a full post on this later.

The kids are doing great, and Collin in particular is growing and maturing at an unbelievable pace.  He's running everywhere, and shows no fear of anything.  He went from learning to walk to thinking that he can take steps down stairs within just a few weeks.  He has the bruises and road rash to prove it.  Cooper has started back to regular classes at Christian Academy this year and is doing great.  I've really noticed that his cognitive abilities are getting pretty sharp as of late, and he'll talk your leg off once he gets to know you a little. 

Carrie is still plugging away at the office, and does a wonderful job of keeping everything up here at home.  She's like Superwoman.  I neglect her and take advantage of her more than I should, but I'm going to start working on that.  She's a good 'un, and I need to do what I can to keep her around here as long as possible.  

We're heading up to see Jarrod and his family in a few weeks.  (I'd link to his blog, but he doesn't have one.  Probably smart on his part.)  We have a somewhat standing bet/agreement that whoever's team loses the annual UK/UofL football game, the other travels to their house sometime in the following year to visit.  They came last year - we're headed up there this year.  Apparently they've planned a big Pumpkin Festival in honor of us coming, so we're all pretty excited about it, especially the Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast part.  Yum!  Andrew and the girls may even be joining us, so it should be a great time!

Comments

[JP]

Rainy season? Surely you jest.

Looking forward to you guys coming up. Basement is coming along well. Plasterer should be done by end of day Wednesday. It may not be completely done by the time you are here, but it should be good enough.

Excited about this Saturday's game. Should be an interesting game. Hopefully, Crouch family attendance at the Pumpkin Festival will become a yearly tradition.

[Granny]

Hi Andy, Carrie, and boys, Greetings from Cody WY. So glad to see you are blogging again. I have missed them. This one was especially informative. First I will say welcome to the real world and don't expect retirement, in the rather far future to be any different. Did that make you feel better? No I suppose not. I was a little surpprised to hear you are changing jobs but I am sure you feel it is somethng you need to do. May god bless you and the family in this decission. So glad you're family are going to get away awhile and have time together as well as enjoy old friends. Tell all hello for us. Carrie I am sorry I have not answered your last e-mail or blog and hope you will forgive me. I promise to try to do better next time. I know my boys are growing too fast and Colin is running and I haven't even seen him walk yet. Not home from one vacation and already looking forward to the next one when we can see our kids. Hugs