Day 242 or Remembering Why

Well, Sunday's post was less than inspirational. Thank you to all of you who commiserated with my "out-of-gas" mentality. I love blogging. It has brought me great solace, great friends, all around great things. And most of the time, I can't wait to pull out my laptop. But last week was just not that week. Thanks for understanding. It's nice to know that you guys are here on my bad days, as well as my good ones.

So yesterday I was dragging around in my less than inspired state and three things changed that. The first seems silly but maybe is not so silly after all. I got out of the house. I love thrifting which is something not easily done with children. So my husband watched the kids for an hour or so while I went to my favorite store (Savers! If you have one in your city, you must check it out!). And while a little retail therapy can do wonders, I really think it was getting out BY MYSELF! As moms, I think that we can forget how important it is to take time to be by ourselves. So silly, yes but no.

Secondly, I was contacted by Hotels Combined. They found my blog and saw my desire to help support Heifer International which makes me say "YAY!" They have a fabulous program where we as bloggers and tweeters can earn money for charities simply by spreading the word about their company. How much did this inspire me as a blogger? There is power in the word of mouth and I am thrilled to Spread the Word for Hotels Combined . You can choose from three great charities -- WWF, World Vision, and Make-a-Wish. While all three are wonderful -- World Vision is really in line with my goals supporting Heifer International. This made me feel like, yes, my blog matters. So thank you, Hotels Combined, you have no idea, how good you made me feel! And here's the great thing -- if you want to support a charity, it's so easy. Contact them at charity@hotelscombined.com. Or check them out at Spread the Word for Charity (http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx).

I recommend HotelsCombined.com and sent $20 to World Vision!

You can shout and help too.

Finally, and most personally, I was reminded by my daughter what is real. What is true. And what I will miss desperately one day. And she reminded me why I have to recharge so I don't get burnt out, run-down, and "fried" and miss out on moments that will pass in an instant. She called me into the hallway where she had created her own version of hopscotch with her old crib quilt and imaginary stones. At first, when she called me away from my cleaning, I sighed. But when I listened to her and realized that her beautiful little three year old imagination had imagined a very detailed and specific game, I was entranced and enchanted. And I thought, "This is it, Traci! This is the life you don't want to miss!" And too soon, these days will be gone. I don't know that she will remember this game tomorrow but I will remember it for as long as I have breath in my body. And then I thought, "I have to blog about this!" and I knew that I was back. "Yeah, baby!"

So there it is. I am coming out of my funk. Can't promise that I won't fall back but I'm going to remember this. It's my blog and as several of you pointed out, it's supposed to be fun. So here's to more fun (Blogging and otherwise!) And I should be around soon because a LOT of the fun of blogging is visiting my friends!