Out From Under the Floorboards

Mar 3, 2011

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I realized awhile back that my email address isn’t in the sidebar. It used to be, but after some reupholstering months ago, it must have slipped between the cracks. This is not because I want to remain a contact-less voice in the ether. On the contrary, so long as you’re not spamming me or otherwise being nasty, I love to hear from my readers! I used to take the time to write a quick hello to anyone I had seen in the comments more than a few times, but that was back when I was a wanton blog-aholic, checking my stats 5-10 times a day, and yelling at the Toddler to go back to her movie. I’ve progressed.

So, in case any of y’all have been dying to contact me personally to glow on and on about how much you love Apron Strings and how you can hardly get out of bed on the days I don’t post, you can now find me email address just over to your right, in that handy sidebar thingy.

If on the other hand, you can’t stand my smug facade of supposedly raw reporting from the self-righteously crafty mama underground, you can get fucked.

Speaking of blog stats, where the hell did you all just come from? What I mean to say is, errr, welcome new readers! My numbers jumped off the charts yesterday, and are still up today, triple my average. That’s awesomely exciting. Like any junkie, I love me some hits. But I am ravenously curious to know where you all came from. Do tell!

Comments

21 responses to “Out From Under the Floorboards”

krista vossler

March 3, 2011

well, you wanted to know where we came from… i found you because i trying to find this wendell berry statement about housewifery that i had read long ago, and your blog came up when i googled. i was stoked that someone else out there concurred with Berry, but it took me awhile to start reading regularly, i.e, subscribe, because i was a bit intimidated. the last thing i needed to be doing as a new mom is comparing myself, so i had to quit reading for awhile. as my baby has grown, i’ve been doing some growing as well and i’m at a place where i can read other mamas’ blogs and not feel like i suck…well, most days. i’m working on it.

and that’s that. props to you and your blog.

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1. Calamity Jane
  
  March 4, 2011
  
  Hi Krista,
  That’s awesome that you found me searching for Wendell on housewifery! Wow, the Internet really works sometimes! So did you get The Unsettling of America and read the whole chapter while nursing your new babe? Whenever you get the space and time, and you will eventually, you really should. My little quote doesn’t do his complex simplicity justice. The whole chapter, or maybe a couple I can’t remember, is just incredible.
  I’m so sad that you stopped reading because you were intimidated. I did a lot more of the blog brag bullshit in the beginning, just because I was trying myself to focus on anything fun and positive in my life. But as I’ve grown into this blog, its become much more personal, and I have started to focus more on the challenges as well.
  I started out with the “DIY housewife revolution” thing, but have started to become more passionate about this cultural intimidation. I feel this might become my Cause. This way that we all compare ourselves and fall short. I want to champion all the groovy housewife stuff, but I also want to champion just every single person out there who cares and is trying, regardless of how long and impressive their list of what they got done before breakfast is. ESPECIALLY us mamas. There are points in the parenting game where survival is all a person can manage. Feeling guilty about anything does not help when you’re already down.
  I wonder if you’ve read some of my older posts about all this, I’m inspired to make a page for new parents feeling overwhelmed. I really understand where you’re at sister, cuz that was me not long ago at all.
  Welcome back.
  
  Reply
  1. krista vossler
    
    March 4, 2011
    
    Hey, thanks for the encouragement. Yeah, just yesterday I went back and read something you had written about all of our inconsistencies and the fact that we are trying–I’m too lazy to figure out which post it was… But it was very encouraging as well–I’m gonna have to go back and find it so I can quote it on my blog. I actually had read the book The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry a couple of years ago, but I want to get The Unsettling of America and read it too, though there is some overlap between the two books. (His poetry is also amazing!)
    
    Two years ago, my husband and I were living with some single guys on the East Side (of Austin), were growing our own veggies and throwing parties for the very diverse neighborhood. Sounds idyllic, right? Well, it was one of the hardest years of my life–I ended up not having enough emotional energy to go around (I think we needed more estrogen up in there!)–throw in a couple of anxiety disorders (mine) and you have a recipe for disaster! But we were doing what we had wanting to do for so long–living communally and growing our own food in the city, while trying to bridge racial/economic gaps, blah, blah, blah. Long story short, it wasn’t sustainable.
    
    When we left the group, I had a lot of guilt, but on the other hand, I was excited to get pregnant and make a fresh start. Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford to live anywhere near a garden or even green space. My husband bikes to work and we get our veggies from a CSA, but it’s been really frustrating going from urban homestead to apartment life where we don’t even have recycling. We’ve taken a lot of steps backward since birthing a baby due to lots of health issues related to nursing, etc. I find plastic bags in my house and try not to freak. But we’re working our way back to where we used to be and not judging myself means not judging others either–which is a really, really good thing, like you were saying. I try to focus on what we’re doing and not what we’re not able/willing/disciplined enough to do right now. But it’s hard–I’m not gonna lie.
    
    Anyway, thanks again for being part of positive energy in my life. I’ll definitely keep reading.
    
    Peace to you and yours.
Erica

March 3, 2011

Well I don’t want to, like, take credit cause this might not have anything to do with your hits, but I did tell 5,647 (and counting) of my best friends about your blog yesterday. So maybe that helped?

By the way, you should come join the insanity at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Take-Back-Urban-Home-steadings/167527713295518

We’re a group that’s banded together to fight the man. His name is Jules. You’d like us.

Reply
1. Calamity Jane
  
  March 4, 2011
  
  Oh, yeah. That could have something to do with it.
  I have been vaguely keeping up with the outrage. I’ll admit I never was a fan of the Dervais. They just have that shiny blog, we’re so fabulous, look at us, quality that I like to rant against. Still and yet, even I was shocked that anyone could be so ballsy, and so cruelly counterproductive to their own movement.
  (Anyone confused? The Path to Freedom blog people recently TRADEMARKED the terms urban homestead and urban homesteading, much to the outrage of the community, as anyone could have guessed.)
  I’d love to join your group, but I hate faceb**k. Signed up once for a group years ago, and ended up unsigning myself, ungraciously, when I couldn’t take it anymore.
  But thanks for introducing me to your 5,647 friends. And solving the mystery.
  
  Reply
Linda Ashworth

March 3, 2011

Here is the path which I took to your blog. I have been following Zen Habits for about a year after reading about it in a magazine. This led me to Be More with Less which listed one of your posts as a top 50 posts to check out. I really enjoyed you post about reclaiming housewifery.

That’s it in a nutshell. I am 51, married,.. with 2 daughters in college. I live in Pennsylvania. US. I started putting the brakes on and reversing my lifestyle about 10 years ago.

I realized that balance was what was most important to me. Yes, I needed to produce outside of the home, but I also need to take time for my life inside my home. I started making time for life. By learning to appreciate this aspect of living I am learning to enjoy my household responsiblities rather than resent them.

Thank you for providing another voice to contribute to the conversations I have in my head. It’s nice to know there are more of us out there.

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Jessica

March 3, 2011

Well, just this week, I referred two new readers to your blog! So, there’s at least three of us potentially reading you from Maine. Our low temp tonight is -8!!!

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Bob

March 3, 2011

Meadow, you are a national treasure!

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Elizabeth

March 4, 2011

Somehow, I stumbled upon a link to one of your posts, felt the funky emotions (thanks, George Clinton!), and became a Supahfan. Love this blog! Love it!

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Amanda

March 4, 2011

I”m sorry, but I don’t remember how I found your blog. I do enjoy it though, even when I don’t agree with you. I’ve also shared some of your posts with others. Does that count?

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Clra

March 4, 2011

Your Reclaiming Housewifery post so moved me, I mentioned it when blogger Courtney Carver asked for the best posts people had read in 2011. So, you are up on her list of “50 posts that prove our words are important” – you are #42. :) It could be why you got more readers!!! I got a post up on the list too, I’m #23. I am just so happy I found your post on Reclaiming Housewifery, it’s full of so many of the same things I have thought to myself but I didn’t know how to make the words flow to put them out there, and I just love everything I’ve read from you since. You are so freakin’ real and you just speak to my soul in such a genuine, sisterly way, I wanted to share the little gem I found on the internet in your blog. :)

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1. Calamity Jane
  
  March 4, 2011
  
  I did see the referrals from Carvers site and backtracked the link to that list. I am honored. Thank you! Now I need to go check out some of the other 49…
  
  Reply
Robin

March 4, 2011

I found your blog through the Zen Habits–Be More with Less avenue too. I haven’t had the chance to read as many posts as I would like, but so far I like them all! I have to admit I’m kindof jealous, since I’ve been wishing I could stay home and be more housewiferish since my son was born. He’s 3, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon! Oh well, I try to do what I can, bake bread, make yogurt, etc. and planning for chickens this spring!

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Robin

March 4, 2011

Oh, one more thing. I can’t seem to access any of the links in the Reader’s Favorites sidebar. They sound really interesting. I will try to find them in the archives if I have time. Thanks!

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Jenn

March 4, 2011

I found your blog when friend on Facebook posted one of your blog posts a couple of weeks ago. I LOVED what I read!

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growandresist

March 4, 2011

Hi! I found your blog through Erica @ nwedibles (via the take back the urbanhomestead debacle–which I also blogged a lot about.)
So glad to have found your blog! It is awesome!! Can’t wait to keep looking around!

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Julie

March 9, 2011

I also don’t really remember how I found the blog at this point. I am 42, married with 4 1/2 year old. Live in a ramshackle house in Oklahoma City. Bought it for $15,000 and practically everything needs work. We heat with a woodstove, dumpster, get clothes from giveaways. I unschool my kids and belong to a great local group. My husband owns his own business doing search engine optimization and marketing work. We have sort of a commune with the people who live behind us. They have goats, and chickens in a city that doesn’t allow them. It is quite the adventure. Thanks for helping me accept more fully my role as a housewife.
Julie

Reply
1. Calamity Jane
  
  March 9, 2011
  
  Wow Julie, you sound so interesting! What kind of goats?
  OK city isn’t that far away, how do you feel about visitors?
  
  Reply
  1. Julie
    
    March 9, 2011
    
    I always thought of myself as boring! You know I really don’t know what kind of goats they are. We have two baby goats right now. My neighbor who has them has a 4 year old girl that my daughter plays with and they (with their father) take the herd on goat walks. They graze in foreclosed upon or just empty properties. We are wanting to get ducks this spring as they don,t attract as much attention as chickens. Oh I forgot to say that I also am kitchen manager at the Oklahoma Food Cooperative and feed close to 100 people (volunteers and producers) over the two days a month that the coop is open. I have to use whatever has been left behind plus a small budget to put on a vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore breakfast, lunch and dessert on delivery day, plus a vegan, veg, and omni lunch the day before.
    As far as visitors go, I would welcome anyone who wants to stop by or come and stay a few days. If you guys are ever taking a road trip and need a pit stop, come on over.
    Julie
Julie

March 9, 2011

By the way, I have a crazy little red-head girl too, except mine’s hair is straight.

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jean

March 17, 2011

hi! since you asked, i’ll tell ya. it was a crazy, serendipitous little path that brought me to your blog and your very self that spurned me in to the great unknown! i have an infant daughter (my first) and i realized real quick that i lacked so much basic domestic know-how. i started searching online for home making stuff but with an edge, i guess. not sure of the exact terms i used but probably something like indie domestic goddess or some such randomness.

anyway, i happened across your blog and read in admiration. you are DOING IT. i took your (stern) advice and read Radical Homemakers (immediately, because luckily I was at work at the library when I read that). i gotta say, it spoke to me loud and clear and i recognized right away, down in the pit of my gut, that this is the work i’ve been longing to do; i’ve just never had the vocabulary for it.

so we are diving in. i’m quitting my part time job next month, raised beds are in the making, bread is baking, laundry’s going outside. i’ve always planned on homeschooling my little girl (even when she was just a twinkle in my eye), and now i’m just so psyched that both she and i can learn together and that she will get an amazing hands-on education.

i’m going into this blind. but i can’t wait to work and learn and hopefully laugh a lot. i’m not delusional– i know it will be more than i think i can handle at times. but you and others on your path have shown that the payoff is remarkable. thank you for being you and kicking ass and living it, not to mention for demonstrating to others the beauty and accessibility of a hard-working, down-to-earth, independent life. you’re quite an inspiration and i really look forward to reading more.

jean

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