Personal blog? What’s a personal blog?
Last year I decided I was going to walk away from my personal blog for a year and take that time to draw a better balance between internet and family; I daresay I did good for a while.
I worked and homeschooled and all was good with the world.
Then I hurt my back…
and was laid out on the couch or bed for 3 weeks with a bulging disc.
Then I got better.
Then I was behind in my work.
And then the stress levels went absolutely through the roof trying to catch-up.
So, yesterday’s Hiatus post was work-related, but I still have this fabulous “blog” venue! Whoohoo! I was very excited to get on today and let you know I am back to “dig in” again and see what’s going on in the blogging world – and maybe even toss in a WordPress post or two.
It shouldn’t have surprised me to get a nasty gram right at the time I was grinning inside and out – ready to come back after my projected year off. As nasty grams tend to do, it dug at my heart and made me realize people aren’t always nice; that they don’t want to “give” you anything.
I sat and thought about writing back and explaining myself; I have worked 60 hour weeks AND homeschooled my kiddos – I just needed the work hiatus, but nah…this person didn’t/doesn’t care. If they did, they would have signed their email.
I call those kind of people armchair soldiers; firing painful statements with ease and anonymity.
I am EXCITED to dust off my camera and start detailing more of our lives here again. Don’t forget! I’m also still posting homeschooling posts over at Pioneer Woman’s Homeschooling blog.
OH! And there’s another writer over there I LOVE to read – Mrs. G. Check out some of her posts. You don’t even have to be a homeschooling parent to enjoy them!


46 have spoken up.
Vanessa
I just came across your site and I just wanted to comment that I’m shocked anyone would send you a nasty gram. Your site doesn’t seem controversial to me at all. Anyways, I look forward to upping my sites look by delving into your tutorials.
Thanks for having wordpress info and teaching here! :)
Vanessa
bethany actually
*sigh*
Some people just never learn that rule about not saying anything at all if they have nothing nice to say. Nor the thing about walking a mile in another’s shoes.
Love you!
amber
I’m sorry you have had to deal with that, sad. Honestly, your talent amazes me. I come here to be awed by you and learn from you. I follow your posts at PioneerWoman too and I have enjoyed every word.
Bakerellas new site is awesome! I hope someday I can have just a portion of your talent.
karen
Personal blog? What? (She looks shiftily away, hoping to evade addressing the fact that her own last post was in February…)
Fact: I miss you posting!
Fact: I am willing to wait until you have time & motivation to post again.
Fact: Some people are just dorks and should be paid about as much attention as you might to a dung heap in the road – enough to avoid them and not much more.
TallyMichelle
I knew there was a reason I kept you in my Google Reader…so glad you’re coming back! Looking forward to hearing from you again, and praying you continue to recover!
Kate
YAY! I’m SO happy to hear that you’ll be “back”. I really have missed your uplifting, honest and inspiring posts. I’ve missed your family and hearing about your adventures. And look at your beautiful hair!!! It’s gorgeous. Welcome back Heather!
Lady in a Smalltown
I missed you so much!! I am so glad you came back for a visit. I am sorry you hurt your back and I am glad you got better.
Also, people who send mean notes? Poopie-heads!
Pioneer Woman
I hate to sound shallow, but I’m gonna say it anyway…
You’re so beautiful! Wow.
Or as my brother Mike would say: You so pretty.
One Scrappy Gal
What a coward!
I for one cannot WAIT to start reading your blogs again regularly. You are like a drug! Hover car and all!! :)
ClistyB
I’m so excited! I still want to know the deets on your whole move. Cause Im nosy like that.
This nasty gram’r is lame, do they not know that YOU of all people can easily figure out who they are?
Emily
So glad to see you back. :)
Shannon W.
So glad you’re back!! I’ve kept you on my Google Reader and was so happy to see OMSH in the sidebar!! On a different note, I don’t know if you remember me, but we went to high school together… I was Shannon Kipp back then!! Can’t wait for more posts…
Kim
Look at how your hair has grown!! Yippee! Glad to see you back. I’ve read your posts at Ree’s. Good stuff all!
Kim
Capturing Today
So good to see you back! And your hair looks lovely – I love how you’ve let it grow. You’ve been around the block long enough to know there are always those who cannot be happy in the accomplishments or happiness of others – but when those comments hit at just the right (or wrong) moment, it sometimes makes ya pause. But you took the high road by just ignoring – because you can usually never say anything that will make them change their mind or attitude anyway.
Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Golden
Glad to see you back. And yeah, as PW says, dang your gorgeous. That hair of yours. I’ve loved it through all lengths and styles. The color is just stunning. can’t wait to read more!
Reesie
OH YAY!!! So glad I kept you in my Google Reader. Missed you!!! When I saw the Hiatus post yesterday, I thought “hmmmmmm I wonder if that means she’ll come back to personal blogging”. Yay! YAY YAY!!!!
So um, how are the chickens?
Naomi
i’ve missed you. i checked each day because you’re in my bookmarks. i’m sorry to hear about your back. i’ve been laid up with a disc bulging over my sciatic nerve. that was totally not fun and made me realize that i did not want to be helpless like that ever again! i have to admit the muscle relaxants were an adventure in amusement when i’d drool because it was too hard to concentrate on coordinating the muscles to close my mouth.
glad to see you’re back.
Angella
Send the nasty people my way. I’ll take ‘em.
Glad you are back, friend. I’ve missed your posts.
(And you.)
Dory
I’m glad you’re back too! I’ve been a long time lurker but just had to say…….woohooo!
OMSH
It is exciting to hear from everybody and to know you didn’t all immediately delete me from your feed readers.
When I went offline I dumped my Google Reader, so I’ve got to pull it up again and catch up with y’all’s lives a bit as well.
Off to shower for church!
Blessings!
Mommy Cracked
Good to see you back!
Carla
So glad you stayed in my reader feeds all year! Very happy to see you back Mrs. OMSH!
Mim
How exciting to see you back! Good for you for taking the time you needed for yourself and your family. I missed ya though! ;0)
Val
Welcome back……I’ve missed you! And YES….how I LOVE your hair!!!
The Bombshell
Yay! Always nice to see posts from you in my feed reader!
Jodi Anderson
Hey, Heather. I just happened to come across one of your old comments on one of my Flickr photos (from 32 months ago!!!) and thought I’d stop by to see how you’re doing.
I love that you’ve grown out your hair. Really beautiful. I hope that you’re doing fantastic.
xoxo
Liz in Virginia
I’m glad to see you’re back, too! I have always thought you were one of the most thoughtful and generous people I have encountered in the blogosphere.
Linda Stewart
Heather!!! I was SO excited when I opened Google Reader this morning and found that among the 500ish reads that had collected over the weekend the link to “Oh My Stinkin Heck” had THREE posts. It is so good to have you back. You have been missed. I look forward to reading all about what your family is up to these days. Cake decorating, dance, Kenny, homeschooling, ahhh and so much more.
Welcome Back!
kj @ Where my boys at?
OH MY STINKIN’ HECK! You’re BACK, baby! woooo hooo! Missed you so very much. :)
moo
So glad you decided to be back!
Cindy Streams
I’m sooo glad you’re back! My reader inbox is overflowing, but I’ll find time for your posts. Yay! I’ve really MISSED you.
Jackie W.
Forgot you were growing your hair out too ! I wimped out & cut mine off. It was just too much hair for me & the end of a perm was the worst. Yours looks great ! Maybe next time I can grow it out without a perm.
Amy J in SC
Being new to the blogging world I never knew you were gone but I’m so glad you’re back so I can have some good readin’.
Anita
I agree with Pioneer Woman, you are so pretty. I came across your blog through Pioneer Woman and I have to say I love your homeschool post over there.
I’m looking forward to stalking, I mean following your blog.
rebecca
I am glad you are back. i had kept you on my feed reader Just In Case. :)
And your hair looks great!
Jen
1. Your homeschool room is BEAUTIFUL. I’ve seen it before (via photos), but it still amazes me.
2. SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK!! And, for that one nasty person who happens to probably hate everybody and everything, there are ALL THE REST OF US who love you and love reading about your life!!
xoxo
angela
I’m ecstatic that you’re continually working towards balance and listening to your body and taking care of yourself. And honestly loving the fact that you’re going to be blogging about life sometimes. Em is absolutely beautiful and I love seeing her personality come out. The hair is awesome!
Nancy
So happy to see you back. I kept you in my Google Reader, hoping to see you again. :)
CJ
YAY!! I can’t wait to hear more… I didn’t delete you from the feed reader either, cuz I was hoping and praying you’d come back. YAY!
Amy
OMG I am so glad you are back! I”m going now to put your blog link back in by blogroll!
AND…..your hair is GORGEOUS!!!
OMSH
Thanks ALL for the warm welcome – gives a girl a bit of spunk in her step!
BOSSY
Ahhhhh, Bossy has been confused about the whole hiatus thing. Confused and right there with ya, sister.
sam {temptingmama}
Your hair! OMG it looks fantastic Heather!!
Glad you’re back, my gawd this year has flown. Hopefully you’re here to stay!
xo
Jeana
So glad to see you back, Heather. And I love your hair! You look BEAUTIFUL.
the inadvertent farmer
I am so very glad you are back…you left just when I discovered you and I was so sad! Can’t wait to see what you have to share with us! Kim
KYouell
Hee hee. Glad to see I’m not the only one who kept you in my Reader. To paraphrase the Amigos in Happy Feet, “You’ve got stalkers!” — but in the best kind of way.
I’ve been avoiding not only my blog but all others in an attempt to pretend that my life doesn’t suck. I think you should post some of your singing in a valiant attempt to uplift my life.
Comment if ya wanna.