For the Record
I can barely remember how I used to view this blog, even though it’s only been alive for a year and a half. But right now, on this weird slip of time halfway between October and December when Wisconsin decided to welcome its first snowfall, the kind that’s relentless but won’t stick, I just wanted to say, in case you didn’t already know it, that from here on out, regardless of what it means for my traffic, I will not be posting if I don’t have something to say.
I’m not sure why it’s a big announcement. I know in my heart I’ve been doing it exactly this way for quite some time now, but I can’t remember if I’ve made this clear to you, The Reader, or not. I also don’t know whether or not you care. I don’t know what you think. I don’t presume to know a thing, except that sometimes a girl feels the need to state the obvious, and sometimes she feels the need to compensate, and also that sometimes things are not what they seem.
The truth is, the cat is leaking his life all over this house and Dave came home two days early and every single day, somehow, impossibly, Emma says the funniest thing I’ve ever heard but before I can jot it down and enshrine it in cyberforever it’s a new day and she has once again said the funniest thing I’ve ever heard and so the moment is lost. And Gretta is at an age where all I want to do is protect her which is why I rarely mention her on this blog anymore and these snowflakes are so fat that they hold their own weight for ten or twenty minutes before they dissolve and I had the most excellent chardonnay and giggles on Saturday night and before that the most amazing meatballs and I’m not sure you realize how much I love my family and I am hopelessly behind on reading your blogs and some of you are alright with that and some of you are not and I hope you are listening to me when I say that it may not ever be a tit for tat, do you accept that? I’m a girl who wants to be everything to everyone but it may not be possible, and you have to decide for yourselves if that’s okay because really all that matters is whether or not my God and my family and my editor are still speaking to me and she is and they are and He/She is and so this is the part where I say
if you’re still here? Then it’s for the right reasons. And, for that?
I thank you.
slouching mom says:
still here.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Pare says:
Everything to everyone is so freaking overrated and I’m still waiting for you to understand that and I’m pretty close to just accepting that you never will and I love you anyway and shit is this comment over yet?
November 16th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Mariah says:
You’re so silly, we, The readers that adore you are still here. And, the fact that you capitalized ‘The’ in ‘The readers makes us feel special, or at least it made me feel special.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Xbox4NappyRash says:
Mais Oui, Maggie…
November 16th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Redneck Mommy says:
Still here.
No matter what you write.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Insta-Mom says:
No matter how often or how rarely you have something to say here, I will come because it seems that every time you say something, I find myself better for it.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
catnip says:
Sounds good to me. Pretty much my blogging philosophy too, I’ve just never said it out loud.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Maura says:
While I’m still relatively new to your blog, I think it’s great that you’ve made clear what you want it to be to you. Because in my mind, that’s what’s most important about a blog.
Yes, it’s one of those “does a tree make noise when it falls in the forest if there’s no one to hear it?” kind of things; a blog needs readers (to some degree) but if you’re not doing it on your terms and for your own satisfaction, it loses something.
I’m all for letting a blog be what it needs to be to the writer; that’s a win. If readers come, then it’s a win-win. But there’s still value in making it what you need it to be first and foremost.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
muskrat says:
Your editor called. She says you rock and to go enjoy some snowflakes and meatballs.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Melissa says:
I’m okay with that! ;o)
November 16th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Heather says:
But this is world is meant to be what you make it. Do what is right for you. We’ll be around.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Black Hockey Jesus says:
just flip them all the bird and see who sticks.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Jim says:
I’ll be here for your posts. It’s the best way. I try not force posts. It’s not being true to the writer that I hope I am. Thank you for being true to the writer that you are.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Marinka says:
Like where would we go? It’s not like it’s snowing HERE.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
flutter says:
I’m not going anywhere…maybe in a few ways, but especially when it comes to you
November 16th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Susan says:
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
schmutzie says:
I value your honesty, Maggie. OF COURSE you should write here when you feel it is a worthwhile and positive experience. That’s what will keep this place humming. I’m staying.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
A Free Man says:
Traffic be damned!
Almost everything I read here is of amazing quality, so I kind of thought you were doing this anyway!
November 16th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
OHmommy says:
Oh, Maggie.
Whatever you do or don’t do, please do not send your snow this way. I am not ready for THAT.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Maria says:
You know I ain’t goin’ nowhere.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
mamatulip says:
Good freakin’ God, I love you.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Secret Agent Mama says:
I’m just honored to be here (and there.)
xx
November 16th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
sweetsalty kate says:
well of course! of course. completely natural and good.
xo
November 16th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Emily says:
Thank goodness.
I think we should all make the same commitment. “I solemnly swear that I will not speak unless I have something to say. Something that is worth hearing. Something that is worth saying. And not just a vanity fishing trip, hoping that you comment on my blog, on my writing, and my lovely singing voice.”
Amen, Maggie!
November 16th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Alicia says:
Heh. I feel like if I don’t come up with SOMETHING once in a while then people will stop reading altogether. But I am a student, and this is the end of the semester for crying out loud, and I don’t have anything to say either except “Oh my goodness, I am so tired and hungry and can you believe I have another thing piled on my plate? and I forgot to buy TP at the store again, I forgot to go to the store, in fact and…”
Anyway, your blog is great and I, for one, will read even if you don’t post every day.
November 16th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Daisy says:
When you write and what you write is yours. That’s good enough for me.
November 16th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
meredithwinn says:
good to hear this typed outloud. glad you gave yourself the voice. seems like the natural flow of things, and that, i believe, is all good.
November 16th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Woman in a window says:
It’s good to flap the laundry. It seems so much fresher after (and you never know what’s hiding in there.)
November 16th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Tricia says:
Dammit. It’s fine, okay!
November 16th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
krista says:
i read these wonderful things you say and i immediately want to comment just to give you a virtual high-five/head nod.
but then i don’t want to comment because i don’t want it to seem as though i’m commenting purely to get you over to my blog.
so i sit with my comment in my mouth and it tastes cold and hard like metal because my whole point in commenting in the first place is because your words touched something familiar in me and i feel compelled to comment.
blahblahblah…
i’m high-five/head nodding right now. that’s all.
November 16th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Pamela says:
Because isn’t that what blogs are for?
And good for you for being so completely in love with your family, and dedicated to your God and your Editor.
(I was going to type ‘screw anybody who disagrees’, but then I thought better of it.)
Also? I love your labels. They crack me up.
xoxo
November 16th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
pgoodness says:
I would read you if you posted your grocery list, to be honest. But I get what you’re saying.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
LaskiGal says:
Oh, Maggie, thank you for saying what many probably feel . . . life is what feeds our words, but if we don’t make time for it, can’t . . . then where does that leave our words?
And sometimes, the words belong only to us.
You clearly know what is most important, who is most important, what matters and what doesn’t. You GET it.
I don’t think you’ll lose one reader . . . and if you do, so be it. We’re still here.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
kd@abitsquirrelly says:
**sigh** Perfectly stated. Thanks.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
derfina says:
Present and accounted for. And will be. No tits necessary.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
qt says:
Love & Happiness, that’s what its all about. write when you can. But jesus god, I mean, stop by my place once a month at LEAST!!!
November 16th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Coast Rat says:
Hey Maggs:
The way you are talking about posting, is the way I have been going for a few months now. I write when I can, and when feel up to it, and when I feel I have something interesting to share with folks out there on the web. Whoever has time and is interested in reading the posts, that’s OK. I don’t have big numbers anyway, and that is not important to me. What is important, is sharing what I can share when I can share it, and reading and commenting on the blogs of others I enjoy reading, as I am able to. Your readers will understand. Hope it isn’t too cold up there yet.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Captain Steve says:
That is the most impressive run-on sentence I have ever seen.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
anymommy says:
Sounds about right to me. Hugs and air kisses. Watch the snow in front of the fire for me, I’ll wander down a deserted beach with my little ones for you.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Mrs Parks says:
Rock on Maggie!
November 16th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Jennifer H says:
I get it, believe me. And for the record, I’d read anything you write here, and it would always be worth the wait.
(And I wish I’d thought of what derfina said)
November 16th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Brenda- Seriously Mama says:
I will always be checking in, even if you wait until next year to post. Your words are amazing.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Natalie says:
Maggie, no matter how much I might passive aggesively whine that you never visit me, I ADORE you and ADORE your blog and even if you never said “boo” to me again, I would still be here reading.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Fran says:
You rock, sister. Take care of your family. Enjoy them. Love them. We’ll keep (no date code on blogs, bloggers, blog-fans).
November 16th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
thatgirlblogs says:
well now you’ve totally set yourself up, because I expect BIG things when you decide to speak!
Or not whichever. Love you either way, it’s a great blog!
November 16th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Jennifer says:
I’m cool with all that!!
November 16th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Rachie says:
Of course I will still be here. And I will still check your blog every time I check everyone else’s on my blogroll because I don’t ever want to miss a thing you have to say.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
emmysuh says:
I don’t think any of us would ever want you to be so tied to this blog that you miss out on your LIFE! Your family sounds amazing, enjoy every single second of it, and fill us in when you have time and energy.
And for the record, I consider it an honor when you drop by, it’s like a treat at Christmas time, so you when you CAN make it, I love it, but I understand you’re busy. Like the rest of us!
<3
November 17th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Dr. Cason says:
I’ve visited only a couple of times and each time I’m happy and grateful I found you.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:57 am
vodkamom says:
I”m here. although when you said tit for tat I kind of chuckled.
I love that you post when you have something to say. My new motto.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:11 am
Angel says:
Everything is give and take, Maggie, and it’s never done evenly. Some days it’s your turn to sacrifice. Some days it isn’t. That’s just how it goes!
November 17th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Renée aka Mekhismom says:
I mean really. Was this necessary? We are here, will always be here and I personally feel like it is a treat whenever you have updates. No pressure from us. Just anticipation for the next brilliant update from you.
November 17th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Miss Britt says:
Here.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:09 am
the cubicle's backporch says:
Even though I’m a new reader, I still read you!
I’ve gotten pretty good about skipping over the political posts on everybody’s blogs. Or at least 54% of America’s blogs. (Or whatever % he got!!)
November 17th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Carolyn Online says:
Well, I’m concerned about your cat but other than that all is cool with me.
November 17th, 2008 at 7:36 am
tysdaddy says:
That last paragraph contains one of the longest sentences I’ve ever read.
Very cool . . .
November 17th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Betsey Booms says:
I’m pretty sure we’re not going anywhere. There is no where better to be.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:27 am
ms. changes pants while driving says:
i like you =)
November 17th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Alison Veres says:
Hey Maggie —
I’m still here — but probably not for the right reasons. I just want to steal all your wonderful, devoted, adoring readers and have them come to MY BLOG, and Praise Me and Adore Me! But clearly, this cannot happen, because your readers are SO DEVOTED to you that I read in comment after comment that they’re going to keep coming here — EVEN IF YOU WRITE NOTHING AT ALL!! How can I compete with that? So Dammit. I’m going to keep coming too. Manipulative bitch! How did you DO that?
November 17th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Mojo says:
If you tried to be “tit-for-tat” just with everyone who comments here, you’d never get anything else done. You’d spend your entire day responding to comments and then? You’d have no time left to ever post anything new. It’s the price of the fame you’ve justifiably earned and speaking strictly for myself I could not be happier to see it.
Even if it means you don’t stop by as often.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Gwen says:
Dude. These are the only kinds of blogs I read: the ones that don’t pander and that understand the difference between cyberlove and the real thing.
For the record.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Gypsy says:
Sounds fine to me.
Also? I just got Cheeto goo on my keyboard. Sigh.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Mo says:
Still here not matter what you write or how often you write it.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
we_be_toys says:
Oh yeah, what you said – ditto baby!
I had to give up on the frequent postings because it didn’t seem like I was writing my best and honestly, my real life HAS to come first. I don’t see how you could possibly find the time to read the blog of every reader in here! I’m totally okay with you reading what you want to read – it isn’t why I read you, to get comments, but then you knew that. So write what you want, when you want – it’s jiggy with me, yo!
Heh, heh – you said “tit” (“Dammit Beavis!”)
Also, my deepest condolences on the ill cat – oy, do I know that scene! Ask me if I’ve had the heart to gas the ancient piddler at my house, or to kick out the bad male cats who insist on leaving their scented calling cards on the wall. It sucks to be a squishy marshmallow! Sure, all the cats love me, but I’m so tired of steamcleaning and baseboard wiping, ya dig? At least you have comic relief with the munchkins!
November 17th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
enthalpymama says:
Oh, gosh, I was pretty excited that you came and visited my blog at all. I didn’t expect it. How can someone with so many people commenting possibly look at all those blogs? I don’t comment on yours expecting you to comment on mine. I comment on yours because I think yours it worth commenting on. (Of course, I was all giddy that you stopped by).
Being new to the blogging world, I suppose I am still under the delusion that if I write well enough, people will actually want to read my blog. So, I also read yours for inspiration. Consider yourself one of my “mentors” if you will.
Of course, I just announced my being ‘on break’ just before I read yours, and we are having a relentless snow that doesn’t stick . . . I could have just linked to yours and not bothered writing today. But, that would have missed the point.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Rebecca says:
I found your blog via Madison Magazine’s blog, it’s great. Did it snow yesterday? I missed it. I thought the first snow was today.
Anywho, when I first started blogging I wrote quite often – twenty-seven posts last November. Now I do about 1 per month. And sometimes it’s a photo, which doesn’t even count. But people come and they comment and they’re still there. It’s at the point where you know your commenters are old friends and they’ll always be there kind-of-thing. : )
November 17th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Fannie says:
I do not understand the FRETTING woman! Enough with the hand wringing – go hug your girls!
November 17th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
just beth says:
dammit, maggie. just so you know, i’m here for you for ever. even if YOU don’t want ME.
have fun,
xo
b.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
HeatherPride says:
You will NEVER get caught up on that blog reading, your kid will always be the funniest person in your life, and I will always love you even if you NEVER make another comment on my blog!!!
November 17th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Missives From Suburbia says:
I never read someone’s blog simply because they read me. I read them, because the writing is interesting in some way. Life is too short and family is too demanding to sort my blog reading any other way.
I’ll be here.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
jill says:
I will always be here to read what you wright, and I only write in my blog when I have something too say, which I know is not as often as I should, but thats just the way I think it should be!
enjoy the snow, it’s 90 degrees here and has been raining smoke and ash, I am so ready for some cold weather!!!!!
November 17th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Angella says:
I hear you. Completely and utterly hear you. You put your family first, and share when and if you need to. It’s the only way.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Tootsie Farklepants says:
I accept that. I’ve felt the same way from time to time but I knew that if I posted something to this effect, I’d suddenly have unlimited blog fodder.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
But Why Mommy says:
Just be with your family and enjoy your life. I’ll be here when you come back. Where else am I going to go, its winter in Wisconsin.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
chanda says:
Hola Chica! Im still here.. will always be here to read what what you have to say. I LOVE your writing, and you and it inspire me to keep at my writing (god help it!
.
I never came to visit with the “tit for tat” ( where do you suppose that came from?? ) attitude that some may have. I suspect most of your readers come here just to read what you have to say.
So relax babe! Write here when you want to/need to. Read who you want. I love you regardless.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
merlotmom says:
Oh, I get you…and I’ll be right here. Oh, and the snowflakes, we have them too, although here in LA they don’t melt, and we don’t call them snowflakes, we call them ash. Blech.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Mr. Chuck says:
So your saying you won’t post unless you have something real to say not some phony BS posting to make people run to your blog and lavish praises on you? Good that means my friend still has her integrity Good Night!
Mr. C
November 17th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
SAM says:
I’m a day behind (as per usual), but whatever you do, Maggie, it will be more than okay or fine, dammit. It will be perfect. And I will be here. Or there. Wherever you need me to be. And isn’t this why God invented RSS feeds and Twitter?
xo
November 17th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
crazymumma says:
at the niagara canandian version of blogher this summer past, we, at our roundtable were discussing what one did if one hit a dryspot. You know. Pictures, memes, stuff like that. I said, blogs appear to me to be about writing. If one has nothing to say don’t say it.
be authentic.
Enjoy your chardonnay. And your family.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Kelley says:
Babe, I love ya.
And that is all that matters.
I don’t get to everyone’s blogs all the time either, and some have left and some have emailed angry and some have even bitched in my comments. But you know what? They are gone now, cause they were not reading for the right reasons. They were reading for the reciprocal hit, the tit for tat comment, the hope to become Dooce.
Meh.
I write for me. And my friends.
And you, my lovely, I consider one of my friends.
Smootches.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:05 am
prefers her fantasy life says:
Still here.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Rhea says:
What a lovely post! I think we all understand that life takes over and other things are precedent. As it should be.
I pop over and read when I can. And I enjoy your writing.
)
November 18th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Jett says:
My readers have come to understand that I almost always have something to say; I just am probably busy having more adventures and the keyboard is not paramount when there are adventures to be had.
One day I will perhaps be old and unable to move much (prolly due to the aforementioned adventures) and then all of these things will come falling out of the tips of my fingers unbidden.
Live your life, laydeh….there is plenty of time to sate someone else’s voyeuristic tendencies later on down the line.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Sheri says:
Maggie,
Kids grow up so fast, so enjoy them EVERYDAY and everything else will somehow fall into place!
November 18th, 2008 at 9:50 am
magpie says:
And you’re welcome.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:28 am
JES says:
[Debated commenting on this, finally went with my gut.
]
Just wanted to add to the other comments here: We don’t want (or — shocker! — expect) you to be everything to us. But we will be bitterly disappointed if you stop being MAGGIE to us.
November 18th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Jess says:
I totally understand.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
sizzle says:
I so feel you on this one. Do what you need to. We’ll still be here.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Pare says:
GAWD, could you please post even though you have nothing to say ALREADY?!
Kidding. (I’m on deadline and am doing anything but writing, duh.)
s’later
November 19th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Heidi says:
You go girl! I feel like you only write when you have something to say and I respect that. I will still be here. Go enjoy yourself. That’s more important anyway.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Corine says:
Still a newbie to your blog, but definitely still there and hear your every word!
Keep doing what you do! Its awesome
November 19th, 2008 at 7:41 am
blissfully caffeinated says:
Maggie, you so crazy.
xo
November 19th, 2008 at 9:33 am
bejewell says:
I’m SOOO late to this post and it’s late at night, too, so whatever I say will come out sounding sleepy and a little off, so I won’t say much. Just this: I love reading your blog. Whether it’s ten posts a day or ten posts a year, I’ll keep coming back.
And that is all.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Kedra says:
Definately still here…and will be
.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:11 am
LiteralDan says:
I’m in pretty much the same spot as you. I feel so guilty but sometimes you just have to prioritize no matter how many nice people get neglected. Like you say, they’ll still be around if they’re worth it.
It’s almost physically painful to mark unread posts as read when I haven’t… like I’m lying to Google and they will come track me down to shame me.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Rock and Roll Mama says:
Still here Dammit! Hah, couldn’t resist. It’s a good blog philosophy. I didn’t really get how much like a baby a blog is when I first started it. If my blog were a baby it would be dirty and poopy and screaming and wanting to have another go at the parent lottery. Well, we do what we can.:)
November 20th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Mary says:
See. So many of us feel this way. See. Look how many people support you. See. I didn’t say, “I told you so.”!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:57 am
kat says:
I’m right there/here with you. Not much time to blog, even when I do have something to say. I’ve got a post in me but I just don’t have the time right now.
I’m glad you’re not going to keep trying to keep up. It can drive you crazy. I’ll still read you whether you read my blog or comment my blog or WHATEVER.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:26 am
arizaphale says:
How well put was that? Let me tell you something funny. The other day I was trawling through my spam trying to find a nutrimetics email about a declined credit card >:-( when I stumbled across an email from you! Don’t know why yahoo had spammed you but I was tickled to see your thanks for my comments! I think all of us appreciate that you take time out of your schedule and get to us when you can. I know I do!
And isn’t real life engaging sometimes?
November 26th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Jeremy says:
I was just thinking this morning about how you, SP and I were doing the NaBlo thing a year ago.
Time.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am