Ohmystinkinheck

First, I want everyone to step back and take a deeeeeeeep breath; I am not leaving blogland. There, don’t you feel better?

What? You weren’t concerned?
Your life doesn’t revolve around my blog?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I’m not a SUPA-STAH?!

Geez, and all along I thought…never mind.

I have been stretched, as have each of you at some point or another, but I also know that I’m responsible for whatever level of elasticity I choose to endure.

As I asked last Wednesday at FBA, What are we running after? And because I’m prone to ask questions I need to answer for myself, I worked on answering it this week.

I wrote:

I clutter my mind with multiple projects, balancing schedules precariously, and working ’til I drop. Now, mind you, I’m a bit of a work-a-holic by nature, but I don’t believe that is any excuse for continuing in what is truly a detrimental mode of functioning. What is that mode? Stuff as much as I can into a single day and berate myself when the checklist isn’t complete at 2:00 a.m. - the hour I often drop like a rock into a deep pool of sleep.

Last night? That hour was 3:45; it was 4:45 before I slept. I HAVE to be up at 6:45. Do you see how this doesn’t work?

Do you ever look at what you do and start dividing it up into good, better, best?

I’ve done that a lot this week and as a result, I’ve made some decisions that is going to push the “Good” out of the picture. Some of the “Better” gets to stay, but only the “Best” will get my full attention.

What does that mean?

Well first, that I’m going to toss the lime douches; they just don’t give me that citrus fresh feeling anymore; in fact, I’m a bit chaffed.

JOKING, I’m JOKING Everone knows I prefer lemon to lime.

Putting away a lot of good for a bit of the best.

1. Something that was “Good” for me last year, but not the “Best” choice for me this year is Blogher. Up until about 1 week ago I was 99.9% sure I was going. So sure I’ve even reserved my room at the hotel.

Still, I’ve been to Blogher twice now, and though I’ve learned a good deal, and even been a part of others learning (last year’s WordPress lab), it is someone else’s time this year. I know Blogher likely needs new faces and new blood. AND? I need to save the $2,000.00 it’d cost me to go.

I had a terrific time - the photos certainly bear evidence of that fact. Just because it isn’t on my “Best” list this year doesn’t mean it wasn’t last year; it absolutely was in the Top Ten.

In memory of last year, I’d like to post some memorable shots of my roomie, “Momma Long Legs”, a.k.a. Kerflop.

Keeping up with Jess was like walking through water, upstream, with her in a motorboat. No joke. I was ALWAYS speeding up to catch-up.

Of course, she got hers back a bit here…

and here…

oh yes, and here too…

Okay, so I feel better now somehow.

Did I mention that Blogher last year was one of the “BEST” decisions I made? Yea, I don’t regret it at all.

2. Another thing that was “Good” for me last year, but is driving me batty this year are ads. I loved the idea of making money just because you guys came along and either clicked or…um, impressed.

And you’ve done a good job - made some good impressions.

And I’ve used a bit of that money for contest giveaways and a bit of it to pay for my Sonic and Starbucks habit, and a bit to do things like buy new silly domain names (Did you know I actually own www.slickerthanagoosepoop.com?).

Ads aren’t my major income, they aren’t even my minor income, so right now they don’t fall in the “BEST” category.

I’m working a redesign (Forgive me, I really didn’t think I’d do that so fast) that will be simple and clean and fresh and you’ll click over and say, “Ahhhhh..” or “OMSHHHHH” or something like that.

3. Something that has never been “Good” for me, but always got prioritized as if it was “Better” or “Best” was my time online. I don’t want to be online all day AND all night. I’m slowly doing better, but it is sloooooooooooooooow. This isn’t rejection. I’m by no means saying you guys aren’t the “BEST” - what I’m saying is that it isn’t the “BEST” for me, my family, my life.

There are a few more, and then, of course, the whole lime douche thing…

heh heh

So yea, change is in the air.

You should probably go before I…um, bust out in song.

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

Oh, my…here I go…

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

just.can’t.stop

“And a time for every purpose, under heaven”

Somebody STOP ME.

Or better yet, talk to me.

Any “Good”, “Better”, and “Best” decisions in your wake?

36 Responses to “Good, better, best.”

1. Jeana

   Excellent post, but you’ve ruined Cherry Limade for me forever.

   And what in tarnation is Jessica doing in that limo?

2. OMSH

   Jeana - She fell down and she couldn’t get up.

   And yes, she is STONE SOBER.

3. Shannon

   When the moon is in the 7th house and Jupiter alines with Mars and peace will guide our planet and love will stear the stars

4. Loralee

   I’m totally sad I won’t meet you at BlogHer, but I hear you.

5. Haley

   I’ve got two job offers (one made, one to be made). One job keeps me on a familiar and well paid path, the other is less money and doing something totally different. I have to decide which is best for me and my eventual family.

   I need to make the decisions to keep the things in my life that make me happy, not the things that ’should’ make me happy.

   I truly love reading your slice of life blog, it often gives me things to think about that I didn’t realize where bugging me, thank you for that.

6. Angie

   Good for me/not for family - writing every day on my blog. Commenting on every and anything that piques my interest
   Better for family/better for me - tone in down a bit
   Best for family/still good for me - tone it to 3-4 days a week. take pictures because I love my kids and what they are doing, not because it is blog-worthy. Go to bed NOT preoccupied with everything I DIDN’t accomplish today due to my on-line time.

   I think I know what I need to do.
   KEEP BELIEVING

7. bethany actually

   I haven’t though it out quite as thoroughly as you have, but…yeah. I know I spend too much time on my “betters” sometimes and not enough time on my “goods” and “bests”. But you better believe I am extra-thankful now that I wasn’t counting on meeting you at BlogHer. ;-)

8. trena

   I think it is something in the water (although not lime flavored water thank you very much ;P) because I’ve found myself doing the same thing over the past week, deciding what needs to stay and be focused on more and what can go because a) it’s a waste of time and b) not getting me closer to where I (eventually want to be).

   I’m excited to see your new design!

9. Katie

   Has Jessica been getting you to listen to LDS Conference talks?

10. OMSH

    Shannon - STOP.IT. I’m not singing it… am not.

    Loralee - TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS; I’ll experience it vicariously. Hey, maybe I’ll be at Jess’s.

    Haley - Thank you - and wow, those are some weighty decisions. Jeff always said he wanted to do what he loved and not chase the dollar. It took 15 years for those two ideals to meet up.

    Angie - I hate not getting that checklist done…the checklist that was impossible to start with - yea, that one.

    bethany actually - Me too. OH ME TOO! Not that we couldn’t manage to meet up in San Diego some OTHER time. *wink*

    trena - heh heh … beware of the lime flavored water.

    This is why I’ve said there was a hint of it … because the theme is being repeated everywhere.

    Katie - Nope, but we talk a good deal about what we want versus what we know is right. It doesn’t always match up. I’m selfish to the core sometimes.

11. Mrs. Wilson

    Oh man. I just did this today. I said no to something (a good thing!) that I’d been doing for a while. I told the ladies that I could not help them with it anymore.

    They were not happy.

    But? It was interfering with my family and my job, so I had to cut it out.

    I liked it! I didn’t want to quit!

    But? My family comes first … then my job … some things just have to go, even if they’re good things.

    I absolutely love your blog and get a little giddy feeling every time I see a new OMSH post in my Google Reader.

    Thanks for being so awesome … and I’m SO glad you’re not leaving Blogland!

    Although I wasn’t worried … not even for a second … maybe …

12. Jill - GlossyVeneer

    I am sad that I won’t get to meet you at BlogHer, but I am so proud of you for taking the time to try prioritizing your life and doing what will make you feel good. You’re an amazing person and I wish only the best for you!

13. ukrainiac

    Good to know that I can get my daily (?) dose of OMSH.

    I am currently reevaluating commitments as well. Good/better/best. I need to pull out my ol’ notepad and categorize them this way. Thanks for the nudge…

14. Mim

    Glad you’re not totally leaving us. I enjoy keeping up with you and the fam.

    ((hugs))

15. mamalang

    I actually did this a few years ago. I learned to say no, and it actually felt good. I sometimes still get that tinge of guilt, but for the most part, I am able to remember why I made the choices and they work for us.

16. Just Beachy

    Great Post OMSH. I’ve been doing the same thing over the past few months. Sometimes we just get into auto mode and and take more and more on until one day we are exhausted and take stock. I know that was what happened here. Apparently, I was at the church six days a week, plus a monthly leadership meeting; my husband and I were building new office space; the whole family and mom and wife thing constantly in the background; then my little internet blog addiction :) I woke up and noticed that no one was sweeping the floors. I have be re-prioritizing and sadly webville is the first place I need to cut back even more. I now turn my computer off after I check evening messages (After putting the youngest to bed.) and only allow so much time during the day. Yes, things are starting to fall back into a balanced fit (for me) but it is such a slooowww process.

    BTW. I prefer my lime with a shot of tequila, over ice, shaken not stirred, at the top end…lol

17. Heartfull

    I’ll miss your daily posts, but will check back often for sporadic posts!

    I have noticed a big difference lately among my favorite bloggers. As you said in the previous post, it does seem to be web-wide. Posting seems to be light and content is different. Sob.

    I’ve been thinking for a while that I need to start exploring new blogs, find some fresh faces. I guess it is the natural order of things, but I will miss my old friends!

18. Sue at eLuckypacket

    I needed to hear this, Heather … as you can see, I’m doing the same thing: http://eluckypacket.com/2008/02/26/balancing-life/

19. SmockLady

    neener, neener, neener - you know what that is for, right? heehee

20. OMSH

    SmockLady - Do I need to grab a napkin?

21. jennyonthespot

    Great post… struck a chord here…

22. jess

    lime douche. om GOSH..i’m going to have to dig thru the OMSH archives here.. lol…

23. RG

    I was thinking the same thing as Katie. “Good, Better, Best” was the title of a recent LDS talk on this exact concept. It was really good, but now my my mom uses it against me when she knows I’ve taken on too much. Time to de-clutter my life. And my drawers.

24. Lanna

    I want to say something witty, but I can’t. It’s just not in me right now. I’m only concerned about my gigantic to do list before the kiddo makes it’s big arrival. 40-some things in 14 weeks. Including selling my creations to pay for much needed baby diapers. *sigh*

25. Steph

    Huh. There *is a change a-sweeping the blogosphere. I posted about this same thing last week. Somehow, all these little things on my To Do list were getting in the way of the big things on my To Do list.

    I took a couple of days off to bask in the glory of my little rats, and man alive, did I get some perspective. Being a mom? Important. Scrubbing three toilets every day? Maybe not so important.

    My seemingly endless To Do list is now done. Well, except the line that says “Raise three happy, confident, self-reliant, productive, responsible little rats.” I figure I don’t get to cross that one off for 18 more years, at the very least. :grin:

26. Vanessa

    Best decision: Getting engaged. Will stop there and not sap. Promise.

    Good decision: Trying to start planning the wedding early.

    Better decision: HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER. Oh YES I DID. Excuse me while I go do a happy dance.

    *15 minute time lapse*

    Am finished now! Coming to grips with the fact that I need outside help with that aspect of life right now was definitely a step in the better direction.

    My fiance and I both work for the same professional sports team (he plays, I’m part of the road team), so we’re away a LOT, and very busy with work, as well as charity projects, when we’re home, and enlisting the help of a pro that knows tips that I couldn’t dream up was s-m-a-r-t. Thanks to everyone who suggested it. :)

    And very glad you’re not leaving the blog world, OMSH. I’m pretty sure people would hunt you down and glue you to a laptop if you tried.

27. sweetney

    what?! and just as we’ve found each other and fallen madly in love? heh.

    (i may not be going to blogher either) (shrugs)

28. Liz C.

    Sometimes I find myself in the thick of thin things.

    This time of year is a great time for solid introspection and evaluation… I want to live in the thick of thick things, and weed out the thin things.

    Good post OMSH… you are not alone in your pursuit of balance! I’m tottering and wobbling right along with you.

29. Mr. OMSH

    World, I am excited to see how her new design pans out. OMSH is an excellent designer.

    Where did you get the good, better, best concept from? Are you Mormon? I did not know that. Hmm, you live with your wife for 13 years and you think you know a woman (Heather don’t make a comment on that one–I know what you’re thinking).

30. Mr. OMSH

    Can I make a confession for you OMSH? Readers, she is pulling back from the internet so she can have time to go ride her new Harley.

31. Lanna

    Mr OMSH ~ Is that what they’re calling it these days? *giggle*

32. familymclean

    I just had my off week, it was a well needed break. The internet was taking over my life with my house and family getting pushed to the side.
    This post was like a well needed smack in the butt, priorities, family, faith….I read way more of anything than my Bible and clean way less than is needed.
    Thank you for this, from my heart!

    I was planning on trying to go to blogher, it would be a blast to meet everyone, but I must evaluate…at what cost.
    Ahhhh, so much to think about.

33. Keri

    Still chuckling by your chaffed comment. and at Mr. OMSH. I always get some laughs around this place. Thank you. And you are the second one I’ve passed this little ditty on to today. Considering this is only the fourth blog I’ve stopped by, that’s pretty interesting odds: Take the pledge. Now you’ve maybe already seen this.

    You define sense of style in blogging. Lovely things to say, with humor, and generosity in abundance. Does that make sense? Love my visits here. Whether you are blogging daily or weekly or whenever you have something important to share, someone will learn from you. With appreciation always… Keri

34. Good, better, best « Never A Dull Moment

    [...] I truly do not want to do. I am going to set up a Good, Better, Best list (I got this idea from Oh My Stinkin’ Heck a few days ago) and follow through with it. There’s a lot going on that I can’t [...]

35. » My drug of choice

    [...] Just a few weeks ago, Curtis cleaned up our desktop, and organized everything into two neat little rows. And I destroyed it all. In one month I had my business website redesigned, took over a tall shopping blog, started a group blog with my girlfriends, and canned my old blog to switch over to this one. Oh the chaos. I need to go re-read this post. [...]

36. KYouell

    So I shouldn’t feel guilty that I haven’t been posting, got WAY behind on 2 blogs that I love because they make me think (you & Jessica), and still have unpacked boxes? Just because I was spending that time snuggling with sick kids and letting them sleep on me day and night? Cool!