Mystery Giveaway and A New Leaf

(Card by Letterary Press on Etsy)

If you are a regular reader, you may have noticed that I've not been a regular writer lately.  I've been completely swamped by the demands of the beginning of school, and totally overwhelmed by life in general. 

My new mantra for the 2009-2010 school year is:  SIMPLIFY.  I'm hoping that, in simplifying my life, I will have more freedom, more time, and more fun.  I want to enjoy what I enjoy, do what I have to do, and let go of as much of the rest as possible.

For example, I have 532 blogs in my Google Reader, or I did until yesterday, when I dumped them all and started all over again.  I now have 42.  I am letting go of my fear that I will miss something if I don't read every new blog post under the sun.  If there is something that I am supposed to know, the Universe will get it to me somehow.  I want to savor reading my favorite blogs again, instead of racing through them to get through the list!  

This sounds great, but, I am aware that with three children under the age of ten and my own tendencies towards hoarding and disorganization, it will not be easy going.  All I can do is try, right?  Then again, we all know what Yoda has to say about that...

In this spirit, I will doing a Post #413 Mystery Giveaway, in which I will de-stash and reward a lovely reader at the same time!  

As in previous Giveaways, the package may or may not contain:

--Something to sew with --Something to knit with --Something to read --Something to listen to --Something Japanese --Something French --Something vintage --Something pretty --Something useful --Something frivolous --Something mysterious... Leave a comment on this post by Friday, September 25th, 8PM Eastern Time and you'll be entered to win.

Comments

[Cindy]

I have heard a few people doing this - I don't know if I am that brave though - sad isn't it. It is a great idea though, you will soon see who you are longing for.

[Paige]

Oh, how I can relate to your words! Would love to have a shot at your giveaway...

[lexi]

I'm inspired. I'm going to dump all my blogs from my reader too. So much guilt, and in one swoop - begone! Thanks for providing me with the impetus!

[Lisa Leggett]

Hi There,
I stumbled into your blog today, and I like it here, it's nice so I'm sure to be back! I'd love to be entered in your giveaway. I'm sure what ever it may or may not contain would make me oh, so happy!
Have a great evening,
Lisa

[ikkinlala]

My tendency toward disorganization is part of why I rarely follow the blogs I read. I'd never be able to keep up.

[kristina]

I'm definitely trying to live more simply. It's so hard sometimes though...especially with so many new books being published all the time: definitely my greatest weakness :) And how did you ever keep up with so many blogs?! K x

[Mary]

Definitely simplify! I'm trying to do the same thing!

I'd love to be entered in your giveaway. :)

[Andrea]

(Um, your efforts sound wise. Not your events. Don't plan big events. Not simplification.)

[Andrea]

Aye yai yai! Honey, that is more than a few blogs. Whittle them down. Whittle away.

Man, perhaps we need to start a Blog Readers Annonymous. (Ha! ha! didn't realize what the acronym would be 'til I typed it.) They'd make you confess when you read blogs in private or to make yourself feel better or when you you compulsively visit every single blog in on eof those massive giveaways. I think your Yoda video could be played at every meeting. (Until we'd all want to scream, "BUT I'm trying!!!")

In any event, your events sound very wise. Carry on.

(Does it show a lack of commitment to simplification on my part that I'd LOVE a bit of your stash???) ;)

[Laura Matheny]

I don't know how you read that many blogs to begin with -- I follow three blogs, and not very well.

Anyway, I agree that you don't need to worry that you're missing something key, and it's always a good idea to take a deep breath and let go of something.

And I'm totally up for a mystery giveaway!

[Jessica Levitt]

Oh no. I hope I made the cut... :) I'm totally with you on the need to simplify though... :)

[Nova]

532?!

[Carol]

Simplication is a wonderful thing. I applaud your efforts wholeheartedly.

I only follow about 30 blogs, so I'm consciously keeping it simple.

Thanks for the mysterious giveaway!

[amy]

simplify is the key! i am getting there, too...

i wrote you a comment a week or two ago and also sent you an e-mail...you have me for the claw swap, but i wanted to also send you something. please send me your snailmail address to amylswitzer (at) hotmail (dot) com when you get the chance!

ciao!

[Frogdancer]

I'm following about 150 blogs at the moment, but thankfully most of them don't post every day. I'd have no life if that was the case.

(The Imposter's Daughter is now in Perth being read, then she'll be off again somewhere else...)

[Maiz]

I've got quite a few blogs that I'm following these days, but nowhere near 532! I'm also always struggling to simplify and purge stuff, but I'd welcome a KSC package any day!

[Valerie]

Ooh, I love the idea of a mystery giveaway. And getting rid of everything in the Google Reader. Genius. I may have to follow suit one of these days...

[Natalie]

Simplify...yes, I like it.

Not always good at it, but I like it.

Good luck.

I am very impressed with your google reader purge. I've been trying to clean up mine but in a two new, one out sort of way. Yeah, not very effective. hehe. such is life.