The Future of CQ...

As you know, over the past few weeks I've been on somewhat of a blogging break.  Additionally, we have been traveling quite a bit for the hubster's business...and I work for him, so when he's on the road, I'm on the road.  :-)  I appreciate all of the sweet emails and messages I've received regarding my whereabouts.

While sometimes the traveling is nice, there are times when it isn't so nice...like our recent stint in Reno, NV.  Long days and lots of work.  Most of these business trips make it impossible to write a blog post, much less be able to read and comment on other blogs I enjoy reading.  Additionally, the "lack of internet at home" saga continues with AT&T....lots of finger pointing with no resolution in sight, which also makes it difficult to write posts and read other blogs.

All of this to say that I've been contemplating the future of this Chasing Quaintness blog.  I really enjoy sharing this quirky, hectic, crazy life with you and being able to chat about all of this craziness.  Your comments and our interaction on this blog are special to me and I enjoy the relationships that have developed because of this blog.

My initial decision was to end the blog.  But I do miss you all and really don't want to end the blog right now.  Besides, I have some great stories to share with you like "How To Ruin A Perfectly Good Piece of Furniture in 5 Easy Steps...or Less" and "Why You Should Keep Your Small Children Away From Me When I'm On an Airplane" and "Boiling A Turkey Makes Perfect Sense to Me" and "Why You Shouldn't Throw Someone's Package Out the Door While In Line At the Post Office--EVEN Though It Did Look Like a Bomb Package".   I know he feels like he married Lucy sometimes.


Sooooo, if you will all bear with me, I will eventually find balance to working, no home internet, writing, posting, reading, and commenting again.  If you are a blogger friend, I may not be able to catch every post, but please know that I will be visiting as often as I can!


39 comments

  1. No, no don't end your blog. Just post when you can. We have all been there from time to time. Just leave a little note if you can and if not you'll just be back later. :)

    Hope you are having some fun out on the road.

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    1. Stacey, you are so sweet and thank you so much!! I won't end it but I do feel discouraged when I can't get a post written or I'm unable to visit y'alls blogs. I've got to get my days organized better so that I can fit it all in and not be at the office for 12+ hours a day! :-) No fun while traveling, only work! :-(

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  2. Benita, Fita, Fo, Nita,
    Say it isn't so! Where would I get my dose of Lucy? I understand the battles of no Internet (at my mother's house) and AT&T. Somehow when you tell the tales, there is mirth. When I tell the tales, there is grief. AT&T and I have a want-to-love-you/hate relationship. I want to love having Uverse, but hate all the broken promises.

    Keep chasing quaintness and give us peeks along the way. I am bearing with you. :)

    Judith

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    1. LOL...you always make me laugh...Judy, Judy fo foodie!! :-) Thank you so much, you are so sweet! Yes, it is an ugly battle. Right now, I LOVE hating AT&T...the solution is so simple and NO ONE at that company will walk to the pole at the end of our street and insert a new slot card holder so that we can have internet...it is literally that simple. Sheesh!! I will be posting tales and visiting everyone as I can because I love hearing how everyone else is doing and reading about their adventures....hopefully this problem will be resolved before too long! Hugs and thank you so much!!

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  3. Oh my gosh, I want to read them all. I miss your sense of humor and never, ever worry about reading or commenting on my blog. That's not why I'm in the game. I really enjoy your posts and I'm just glad you're going to around. ♡♡♡

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    1. *to stick around. Silly phone!

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    2. Thank you so much sweet friend! I enjoy everyone else so much and hate it when I'm away. I feel guilty, self-imposed of course, when I can't visit everyone's blogs or respond quickly to comments left by others. It's my OCD that kicks in and takes over my brain...you know that "if you can't do it right, don't do it at all" thing....it's my weirdness I battle most of all over this blog and my incessant need to apologize for not doing something that no one ever knew about in the first place..LOL. I will work through it and thank you so much for your encouragement and support! Hugs to you!!

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  4. I understand where you are coming from, Benita. I went through a period awhile back when I seriously considered quitting blogging. And honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if those feeling strike again eventually. You have to do what is best for you. We, out here, love you and selfishly hope you keep blogging, even if sporadically ;) Hugs to you, Friend!

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    1. I'm so glad you didn't quit Julie...I would miss you terribly!! I'm discovering that it is peaks and valleys of a sort. I probably put more burden on myself than I should about the blog and had totally decided to leave it behind for now. Then I thought about all of the friendships and how much I enjoy them and I don't want to leave those behind. I just need to find a better balance until the internet situation is taken care of at home. Thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement!! Hugs to you sweet friend!!

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  5. We've all been there, Benita...just live your life and if you have the time and inclination to post something, then we will love hearing from you! xoxo, T.

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet support! I will “keep on keepin’ on”….just wanted to give an update on what was going on…I feel weird when I’m away too long! :-) Hugs!!

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  6. I would be very sad if you ended your blog. I think sometimes there is a need by bloggers to always write a post and always get back to everyone right away. There are apologies by some if they haven't posted in a week. I don't see it that way. I post when I have something to say and I comment and visit when I can. Sometimes it can be a few weeks before I get it all together to post something. Don't stress yourself out!!! I would love to read the above mentioned post titles....when you have time!!

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    1. Thank you so much AnnMarie...you are so sweet! Most of my angst is definitely self-imposed. I have an OCD personality and sometimes feel as though I've failed at something if I don't do it according to fictional standards I've placed on myself...LOL I feel bad when I can't visit other blogs regularly...again, self-imposed. I will get over myself and post, read and comment when I can until our travel schedules calms down a little and we get out internet issue resolved at home! Hugs to you and thank you so much sweet friend!!

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  7. Hey, we all have crazy times in our lives...and your blogging friends understand and will be there when you get a minute to breathe again!!

    Big hugs to you, Benita! xo

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    1. Debbie, I think you are all so wonderful, supportive and amazing! After thinking about everything, I just couldn’t leave it all behind. I will do what I can when I can and stop feeling guilty when I can’t! I have issues…clearly….LOL. Thank you so much! Big hugs to you sweet friend!!

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  8. Oh please don't quit the blog!!!! Pretty sure you will be sorry if you do that.

    Do blogging, as you can!!!!! I think that is the only thing, which *should* be a Rule in blogging. And never let it make you stressed. (Gee, how come I can't do that???? LOL)

    And actually, don't you "dare" disappear until you have told us all about those delicious topics, above!!! Don't-you-dare!!!! -gigggles-

    Gentle hugs, Tessa

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    1. LOL…that’s what I was thinking, that I would regret it eventually! I am going to work up a new schedule for myself and try to stick to that and alleviate some of the pressure I feel to “produce” when I’m unable to do so. LOL @ the stories….life never seems to be too boring for us around here! Love and hugs to you sweet Tessa!!

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  9. sorry things are so "crazy" right now for you Benita and I will miss your posts while you are on break, but I totally understand and you need to do what is right for you--Will miss you!

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    1. I miss all of you also and thank you so much! I'm going to try to get on a different schedule with the blog so that I can post, comment, read and respond. My main problem is me and I need to get around it...LOL Thank you so much Darrielle!!

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  10. Just get through the holidays and the rest of this year and see where you are. I can't believe there is only one source for internet there!
    Brenda

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    1. We have been shocked by that fact also. We've called Charter and they won't even come into the neighborhood until there are more homes. Annoying!!

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  11. Hi Benita,
    Just so happy you are being so busy. Traveling takes a lot out of you. Glad you and your hubster make a great team. No quitting the blog just taking breaks is aloud lol! I need you to fill in the stories all the headlines you mentioned sound so fun. Can't wait to hear about them. Have a great rest of the week. Safe travels.
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much Kris! I may have to take a few more breaks, but won’t be quitting…I would miss you all so very much! And yes, I’m working on getting those stories written so that I can share them with you all! Have a most wonderful weekend! Hugs!!

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  12. good grief charlie brown!
    you must have read a stack of old cosmo's when they told us women could/should be super sexy glamourous and successful in every single thing they do every minute and still have the energy of a 6 year old!!! who WERE those people????
    she's old now. is she even still alive? that helen gurley brown broad.
    i always feel so wickedly crude when i use the word broad. :)
    i've read every single comment here in your fan club. and i'm honored to be part of it.
    you take your time darling girl. just relax . . . relax . . . AFLAX . . .
    and tell AT&T that your blog has a HUGE public following and unless they get you connection NOW . . .
    well... you get the picture. you got leverage girl. go past middle management.
    we love you. that's obvious.
    stay WELL. and rest some when you can! we'll be here. XOXOXO♥

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    1. LOL...I do...it has been ingrained in my crazy head that I have to do it all and do it all well. Remember the En Jolie commercial about bringing home the bacon and frying it up in a pan? LOL....I got it in my head at the age of 12 that was what I needed to do and for some reason, I can't seem to let go of that idea! And I love that you feel wickedly crude when you use the word "broad". :-) That is just too awesome! You are so sweet and thank you so much! I love y'all too and do not like missing the chats with my friends...y'all are a special group and we are all connected! I will get my act together and get some rest while I figure out the details! Love and hugs to you!!

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  13. Stay!!! WE love and miss ya..
    And, I owe you an email. Will work on that this weekend. My life has been a leetle crazy too. But, not as bad as yours......
    I'm going out of town, are you in Greystone for turkey??

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    1. Awww, thank you and I would miss all of y'all also...terribly!! Just bear with me....posts may be sporadic for a bit until I can get into a better routine and we find ways to work through the internet issues! :-) No ma'am, we will not be in Alabama for turkey this year...we will be in Nashville. Looking forward to hearing from you and hope that life settles down a little so that you can have a relaxing turkey day!

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  14. Benita I am here to report you are in direct violation of humanity penal code #I24-7 Section 365 – that states it is illegal to simultaneously operate without hormone therapy and home internet at the same time! Now you have two choices – my brother is a lawyer and would certainly help you fight it out but he is not cheap. Or my DIY way - Farm Girl up and take control of your Internet issue! I live rural only ½ hr from the City and have no DSL or free Wifi internet service that is standardly available in Cities and Towns where you just have internet everywhere. I could tell you horror stories of dial up internet service I had just 5 yrs ago while I played the waiting game of our ph company and finally gave up and spent some money that was well worth the sanity for a seemingly essential service as necessary as running water! So consider yourself a Pioneer Woman living in a remote location and spend some time checking out your options, because what you have is a situation that requires some manual manipulation to get Internet every day.

    Options are 1) if you have cell service at your home and an Android phone (pretty much all devices are) you will already have a certain amount of internet service with your cell plan– I beefed mine up to 13GB of data – this bundle with unlimited cell service, text, voicemail and taxes cost all in about $80/mth. Your phone will not automatically provide Internet you have to go into your cell phone Settings button each day and select Networks, Tethering and Networks, Wi-Fi Hotspot (to turn on Wi-Fi hotspot and connect other devices to phone via Wi-Fi). Initially you need to set up your home computer/Laptop to auto connect to recognize your personal cell phone Wi-Fi Hotspot Network entering the same password you setup on your cell phone. As you turn your computer on it will take a minute to connect to your cell ph Wi-Fi network but shows when it is connected and away you go just like a regular person with normal home internet. Your cell phone company will help you walk thru this procedure for your exact cell ph model or send me some screen shots and I can walk you thru. Option 2) give up on the ph companies and go somewhere else like this satellite service I Googled for TN and found this one - $50/mth = $1.66/day = sanity. This is faster t than normal City DSL service so at least give them a call to look at this option if for some reason you can't get your cell to work. http://www.orbimage.com/what-is-exede.php

    Unless you bait your post by sending a scantily dressed pole dancer up to the top of the post don’t hold your breath on a service man scooting up there anytime soon to hook up your neighborhood internet service – it is DIY time girl - end this nightmare! LOL

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    1. Kari, you are just the sweetest thing and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of your help! Truly, you are just gold!! It has been an AT&T nightmare with the internet, not just for us, but also with our neighbors. Two people on our street have high speed internet (AT&T Uverse). The tech told us he needs an engineer to come out and approve installing a larger box with more slots so that the rest of us on the street can have internet. He said it is literally that simple. He provided contact information for us to send emails and make phone calls. Charter said we are 100 feet too far from their service, so we can’t get Charter. The AT&T tech said if someone would approve it, he would gladly help everyone on our street. We just can’t seem to find anyone to make the approval. The people we talk to all state that someone else is being the problem.

      We do have a satellite option…HughesNet. They offer 70 gigs for $130+ a month. The problem is that 50 of those gigs are only available between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6: a.m!! What a nightmare that would be. We definitely use more than 70 gigs a month because of our work. I will check out the link you provided to see if it may be a viable option for us until AT&T gets their act together.

      We have increased the data on our phone service, but we have to split it 3 ways and it gets used up pretty quickly and is pretty costly, so we try to ration it for emergencies only.

      And you are so right…Nothing but bureaucratic red tape and BS! :-)

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  15. These comments have been so much fun to read that I couldn't possibly add to them. Just saying never, never, never. You hear?

    We're here when you're here--except for those times when I'm a no-show too.

    Sending love to our vagabonds,
    Dewena

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    1. Awww, thank you Dewena! I miss when you are away also….these friendships are just so special and are too hard for me to leave! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Love you!!

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  16. Hi Benita! :)
    I miss you, but I know that you are busy! And you know what...your jobs are important because it is the means to be able to retire...and then be able to blog full time and make us all laugh and snort whatever we are drinking out of our noses! ;)
    Hang in there, and just do what you need to do when you need to do it.
    And I agree with other comments I read...it's nice that others comment on all of our blogs, but if they don't, I don't take it personally because I know that we all have lives outside of our blogs.
    Take care of yourself while you are busy working and travelling!!
    Hugs, Kimberley

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    1. Thank you so much Kimberley! I miss you all when I'm away...either traveling or lack of internet! It is frustrating and yes, I would LOVE to retire, buy AT&T and not let any of their executives have internet service...LOL I love commenting on blogs because it is a way to start a conversation and a way to get to know people....I enjoy these friendships so much and they are so special to me...especially when I get to meet some of them in person! ;-) Hope you are planning a wonderful, relaxing weekend to gear up for Thanksgiving! Hugs dear friend!!

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  17. Hi Benita! Where else am I going to go to read quirky, awkward, crazy posts! We would all miss you, so pretty please don't go! I'm glad I kept my old blog to go back to and reread all the memories! A blog to me is my online journal, that we share with each other. We'll be here for you girl what ever you decide. Post when you can! Like Kim said, no need to comment, I've been there, life gets busy, we understand! hugs, Christine

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    1. Awww, thank you so much! And I agree, it is sort of a personal online journal….one that you can share with friends…to laugh, cry, get mad, sympathize, empathize and commiserate…LOL It’s a really special deal for me and just too difficult to give up….so I will post, read and comment when I can and am glad that you all are so understanding…but of course you all are…that’s what friends do, right??!! Hugs!!

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  18. Hello Friend,
    Do not stop, I need your Funnies! You always make me smile, laugh and laugh some more.
    I know life is crazy. I will be taking some blog breaks for the holidays to spend time with family. I just can not fit it all in otherwise.
    Carla

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    1. Thank you so much Carla, you are so sweet! I’m going to post when I can post and take breaks when I need to take a break. You are right, there is just no way to fit it all in! Hugs!!

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  19. Listen lady, if you leave me, I will hunt you down. I gave up blogging once because of some jackass I divorced and the pressures of keeping up. Don't do it. You'll regret it. No one says that you have to post every single day. There are no rules. It's YOUR blog and I, along with many others, love visiting you. Post every 6 months and I'll be here. I promise. That said... I'm really far behind and I missed you. Catching up now.

    love you

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    1. I got over my crazy spell and the panic of not being able to stay on top of the blog has subsided. I think it will get much better when I have my hormone meds in place…LOL I would definitely regret leaving…I would miss all of y’all terribly and I’ve missed you while you’ve been away! I’m so glad you are feeling better and hope that you continue to get better! Look forward to seeing more of your Christmas décor. Love you too sweet friend!!

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Please leave a comment! I do love hearing from you and enjoy visiting your blogs. I will respond via email or by replying to your comment here on my blog! Have a wonderful day!