Monday, May 5, 2014

Motivational Monday . . . and The Blogging from A-Z Reflections Post 2014


I HATE HOUSEWORK!
YOU MAKE THE BEDS,
YOU DO THE DISHES ---
AND SIX MONTHS LATER 
YOU START ALL OVER AGAIN."
(Joan Rivers)

Okay, it's not that bad in my house right now. It's not pretty, but you know what? I don't mind so much anymore. I have so many other things I want to put time and effort and energy into. Housework is no longer a priority. It's something I've come to learn in general but it was The Blogging from A-Z Challenge this April that really solidified it for me. 

During this year's Challenge, I was not only a participant but a Minion (Hi, Alex and fellow Ninja Minions!) My theme - a flash story of 100 words or fewer for every letter of the alphabet - pushed me creatively. I visited lots of blogs - regular and new ones. I commented and returned comments. I "followed" and was "followed." I entertained and was entertained. I learned so much about so many things by reading all of your blogs, I'm pretty sure I'm a lot smarter now than I was at the beginning of April. 

I did less vacuuming, less dusting, less laundry, less cooking. Don't get me wrong - no one went unfed, no one went unclothed (except the tortoises, but they prefer it that way.) I was reminded that life is not about how clean my house is; it's about how full and creative and energized and interesting my world is.  

And you all help make it that way. Thank you.

47 comments:

  1. Your flash fiction was incredible! Seriously, your posts were one of my absolute favorites to read during the Challenge. Great job!!!!

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  2. Housework has never been my priority. But don't worry either. Nobody has ever been unclothed or unfed or neglected in any way. :)

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  3. While Joan Rivers is a slug in my book, I do like the saying. Your the 2nd minion, maybe 3rd I've hit this am which confuses me. I made it a ritual to visit a host and those listed on the special list daily; but never made it here. Were you minions not listed on that list? The linky is so huge, that despite my making a LARGE number of visits daily, no one I've visited today listed on the reflections linky are among those I visited before. Someone good at math could perhaps explain the whole theroy. Anyway, congrats on finishing, and thanks for helping. Don't you wish you could use a leaf blower to re-arrange the dust bunnies! I'm continuing to blog a-z in May

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    1. Each co-host had a number of Minions helping them. I was helping Alex. I believe there's a page on the A-Z Blog that lists all the co-hosts and their Minions.

      And I'm with you on the leaf blower idea. :)

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  4. I may miss seeing your 100-word stories most of all. I hope you still post a few.
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks, Deb! You never know what will appear here on the blog. It's all up to the tortoises…. :)

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  5. Housework is overrated!
    Thanks for being an awesome Ninja Minion. I couldn't have done it without your help.
    And your flash pieces were really powerful.

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    1. Thanks, Alex. And you're very welcome. I enjoyed being a Ninja Minion. :)

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  6. That quote is too funny.
    Your stories were so amazing!!! I enjoyed each one and am so impressed with your talent. :)

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    1. When I first read that quote, I laughed out loud. :)

      And thanks so much for reading my stories and for commenting, Julie. I appreciate it.

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  7. I love that quote. It's not quite as bad in my house either, but it's probably pretty close.

    I know I missed the second half of the month, but I really loved reading your flash fiction. They were seriously impressive.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the stories!

      Looking forward to seeing you around the blogosphere again. :)

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  8. Congrats on completing the challenge. Sorry I didn't find you earlier in April, I have enjoyed reading back over your posts.

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    1. I'm glad you're here now and that you enjoyed reading those A-Z posts. :)

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  9. I had to forgo housework, too. Especially laundry. I found the Write 1 Sub 1 website a great idea, too. Thanks to you, I found that and got lost in the story of Ray Bradbury. Very inspiring. Writing 100 word stories is a big challenge. I hope you had a blast doing it.

    Carey from abundance in the boondocks

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    1. W1S1 is a great motivator! So many of us do the "write" part really well, but then we hesitate when it comes to the "sub" part. :)

      And I did have a blast with those A-Z stories - thanks!

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  10. Less vacuuming and dusting sounds good to me. That's how it is every month here!

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  11. I really loved what you did with the A to Z this year Madeline - the flash stories. I loved them all!

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    1. Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed them all. :)

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    2. I am delighted to have found you via the A-Z...and I was only a reader. But I looked forward to coming here, and I will continue to!

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    3. Liza, I'm happy you're here and that you'll come back!

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  12. What an accomplishment! And your work is fascinating!

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  13. Your posts were awesome. The flash fiction stories were excellent. This is the zone I enjoy.
    Tomorrow I have named you in the reflections.

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  14. Your stories were great. I'm a bit disappointed I didn't find you earlier, but I'll be popping back in to see what else you come up with.

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    1. Thanks, Loni. I hope you do keep popping back in and that you enjoy what you find here. :)

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  15. I loved your stories and am so glad I found your blog. Bah, housework can always wait! ;)

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  16. I loved your short stories. My flower beds suffered. The weeds are winning but I'm going to defeat them in May.

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    1. Thanks, Susan. And I have no doubt you will conquer those weeds.

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  17. I truly enjoyed your flash fiction. You're very talented. And yes, even this Type A personality is no longer a person who has to have a perfectly clean house. I'd rather write.

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    1. Thank you, Jolie. I would much rather write than dust, too. :)

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  18. Totally with you on this one-my house was in really rough shape by the end of April, lol. I'm playing catch up this week!

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    1. That's the problem with cleaning - I can't seem to ever catch up. I think it's easier to give up instead. :)

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  19. Congratulations on your AtoZ journey! I loved all the stories you posted. Your imagination is out of this world amazing. I'll continue to visit here!

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    1. I appreciate that so much! Glad to hear you'll continue to visit. :)

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  20. Cleaning . . . pffft cleaning . . . April was the month of abstract arrangement in my house. lol But hey, everyone was fed and clothed as well while mommy enjoyed the creative buzz in the A to Z challenge. ;)

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  21. Oh my goodness, my house was a disaster through the challenge...which was not good since we just listed it for sale. Yeah, we hired cleaners this time around to keep me somewhat sane. I think my husband should show me how much he loves me by hiring cleaners every month. =)

    It was a blast, Madeline. I loved EVERY one of your pieces.

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    1. Thank you for coming by and reading every day, Crystal. I really appreciated it.

      And cleaners, huh? Not a bad idea….

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  22. Congrats on finishing A-Z, and I'm pleased you gained a new perspective on life through it. Thank you for visiting me at Square Pegs, and for commenting. I enjoyed your little stories. Well done.

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  23. Hello there.
    Congratulations on completing the challenge! Thanks also for helping the regular hosts. I used to be a real fanatic about "having things done a certain way at this instant" kind of person. If I broke a glass, I'd have a complete meltdown...no kidding! Nowadays, I'm more relaxed and I have a new perspective on life. My standards have not changed, they are still very high, but if I break a glass, I just tidy up the mess and replace it with another one. Afterall, what's the value of a broken glass compared to the value of life? Thanks for sharing. I'm just stopping by briefly as I try to navigate the twists and turns of the 2014 Road Trip…don't forget to wave when you see me drive by. (lol)
    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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