Sunday, November 20, 2016

Safe spaces

This post contains no politics. This is a safe space for all, regardless of your political persuasion. ;-) 

Thanks for all of the great feedback on my last post. You made all of the difference. I've been blogging for five years, and love the community. I love the learning. I love reading about how all of you juggle your finances, and your families, and your priorities. I'm unwilling to give that up because a few people (one, really, because the troll accounts mostly link back to one person & a warning to the troll that it was pretty easy to figure out who was involved) have said hateful things. Really, really hateful & nasty things about my two kids. For you, troll, I will send positive thoughts your way that you receive the help & support from your family & friends that you so very clearly need.

Instead, I'll continue on my path of posting about my life, our budget, recipes & menu plans, and the family. You may notice that I've turned on comment approval & have removed all of my photos. I'll likely be back with photos, but none of the kids. Oh, and that's a real Hawaii picture from our 10th anniversary trip last year. It's the view from outside Mama's Fish House, in Maui. So stunning. What an amazing place.

And, for the trolls. . . your comments will get no airtime here. I won't publish them. But, for every nasty comment, I will do one act of kindness in my own life. My way of offsetting the negativity and turning around the ugliness. :-)

All other comments are always welcome. Thanks for so much support - this is an amazing group!

Back to my regularly scheduled life.

  • Today included soccer (in the rain), for Nick's final game. A 2-1 victory, with my mini player putting in the last goal of the season. Heart melt, despite the fact that it was 55 & pouring buckets. And, a pizza party to celebrate the end of the season.
  • I'm packing & getting everything ready for Hawaii in three days!!!
  • I'm also cleaning the fridge, running every errand imaginable, and starting my Christmas shopping
  • And laundry. So, so much laundry. 
That's all for me. Wishing everyone a lovely Sunday! 

24 comments:

  1. HP - I missed all the horrible craziness. But I am glad that you are still posting. Sending you and your family positive thoughts. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!!
    Pru

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay! I'm so happy that you decided to stay! I was heartbroken for you when I read your last two posts after my own blogging break...Good for you for NOT letting the trolls get to you! There are A LOT of us out here in the blogging world you love you and your blog! (((hugs)))

    ReplyDelete
  3. No bragging about 55 degree weather, we have 3 inches of snow right now. Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. Fair enough. It's supposed to be 85 in Hawaii. ;-)

      Delete
  4. Victory for kindness! I'm so happy you've rejoined the blogger world and of course with grace and dignity. What a concept-for every negative comment, you'll do (another) act of kindness. Enjoy your beautiful family and vacation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!!! It was motivating to me to think about turning the negative into a positive. I was a little afraid to expose myself to more negative comments, but now. . it's an opportunity to remind myself to do something kind. ;-)

      Delete
  5. YEAH! So, so happy you will continue blogging. Have a fabulous trip to Hawai'i!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Delighted you are back!
    Susan
    PS: your boys are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you! They drive me crazy at times (yesterday - too much time cooped up in a rain storm), but I love them anyway. ;-)

      Delete
  7. I am so glad you did not let he/ she/it keep you from what you were doing and enjoying. I find giving ugliness a platform just increases it. Also I love your act of kindness idea. I might have to use it myself! Really glad you changed your mind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right- just increases the crazy if you give it a voice. Trying to lead by example for the kids, and myself. We could all use more kindness in our lives.

      Delete
  8. I have been lurking in the shadows for a couple of years, and I greatly enjoy your blog. I was so sad to read that you would stop blogging, and I was SO happy to read that you are going to continue despite the trolls. Don't let them win!
    Lots of love from Denmark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! And, Denmark - amazing! And, on my list of preferred travel destinations one day. :-)

      Delete
  9. YEAH!!! I will take up that mantra as well. Trolls have kept me away WAY too long!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Come back! I, for one, miss you & love reading your blog.

      Delete
  10. So glad you decided to keep blogging. The trolls cannot win, nor hate nor racism. Good for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Agreed - keep on fighting the good fight of kindness for all.

      Delete
  11. Hooray! I'm really glad you're back too.
    I also LOVE the idea of doing a nice act after a negative comment. I'm going to incorporate that as well. What a wonderful idea. Welcome back!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hurrah!! So glad you decided to keep blogging and not let the trolls win. I love your idea of positivity in the face of negativity - brilliant! Have a wonderful holiday xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Somewhat recent commenter here, but so enjoy your blog and it's continually positive tone, and so happy you are continuing on here. :-)

    Love your idea of offsetting negativity with equal acts of kindness. The happiest of Thanksgivings to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Belatedly, I'm so happy to have come back to find that you've not left. This entire month has been a ball of overwhelming stress (not least because of the election! I blogged about it but am lucky enough that I rarely have trolls, I suppose that's a testament to my very small group of loyal readers ;)

    I will say that choosing not to carry on in the face of abuse isn't letting them win, because their winning is allowing them to keep poisoning your life, and as a mother of a minority child myself, my first instinct is to protect the kids. While most of us may enjoy seeing the photos you'd have shared of your kids, their safety is paramount, and I couldn't blame you for a second if your decision was to leave. But I am awfully selfishly glad you're still here!

    ReplyDelete