Friday, March 8, 2013

Back In the Saddle: A New Blog

A year later I'm so glad I made that final request to keep me of your blog-feeds, because I've got some pretty exciting news! I'm teaming up B-Stew to start a new blog.



We're two friends who are so similar in many ways but have somehow ended up in different worlds. Brandi's blogging from Mt.Rainier where she's a park ranger, I'm holding it down in Pittsburgh, & we'll hopefully find some common ground somewhere in between.

Our First Posts:

Is it Edible? (by Brandi)
Cirque du Yoga (by Lauren
Craft-Fit Workout (by Brandi)

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Final Signoff

 (source)

You've noticed by now...
          ...the post that haven't been written
          ...the flashbacks that haven't been posted
          ...the stories that haven't been told

But I think you deserve to hear it from me. You guys deserve an ending that is thoughtful and respects all the time you've poured into this blog and into my little corner of the world. After nearly 2 years I'm putting this little blog to rest. And after nearly 2 years of reading along on your part, I hope you'll indulge me for just a few more minutes...

Reasons Why
A few weeks ago I went to PodCamp and sat in seminars about all things blogging and online. It turns out a weekend I thought you reignite my blogger's heart actually ended up giving me peace about walking away.

Every seminar harped on one issue over & over... WHY? Why are you blogging at all? Why did you start? And the answer to that question should drive all the when's and who's and how's. The truth is, my why doesn't apply anymore.

I started Heya, Sparky! because I felt like there was a fire in me that had gone out. In order to get it back I wanted a way to document the good in life on a daily basis and remind myself of all the things that helped to spark that fire. And it worked for a long time. I have loved sharing pieces of my life on here, telling stories about nothing and the biggest things and the weird things and the everyday things. It helped to teach myself how to be happy again after losing grip during a crazy time. Now that WHY is a habit whether I document it or not... it's turned from a blog theme to a way of thinking, which is a really good place to be in.

But lately it's started to swing the other way. The blogger's guilt. It's not as easy to set aside time, and so when I do post it's not as good as I want it to be. And then I feel almost as bad as if I hadn't posted at all. There are so many people I've met here that I adore, the last thing I want is for this to be a place where I'm resentful and hurried and unappreciative. So it's time to let it go.

In the Meantime
I want to be a better reader. I want to pour the time I do have into OTHER people and their nooks of the blog world. I haven't been as good a friend as others have been to me, and it's time to reverse this.

I want to create things, make my home beautiful, and cook special meals.

I'll be running again. In fact Tink & I are training for a very big, long, terrifying race. Barring any injuries, major life changes, or bouts of actual sanity, we'll be training for a half marathon in the Spring. Yikes!

And I'll be investing in my church. Every Wednesday there's a group of the most wonderful people you'll ever meet sitting in my living room, talking about God & life & people & world suck & hope. There are books to be read, study to happen, and people to love... & I can't think of a better way to spend my time.

A Final Request
I don't know if this will be forever. I still have plans for "someday" and all the things it could hold. A little handmade shop, a new adventure, or even just another WHY for another time. Something tells me that eventually I'll be back, although probably not under the Sparky name. But it would mean a lot to me if you'd keep this little blog on your reader so that when that day happens I have a way to tell you.

Ok. Deep breathe. This is the hardest part....

Thank you for being here. From times when I was deliriously happy to times when I was a wreck, you guys have added to the joy in my life in unexpected volumes. I will still be around, but as "just Lauren" for now. No amount of bold or italic font would be able to hold the weight of these next three words so I hope that somehow you understand everything they're trying to say: I'll miss you.

much love,
Lauren




p.s. For you amazingly loyal Flashbackers, I don't want to leave you high & dry. So I'm handing you off to another Flashback host. I promise she'll take you in & give you a good home & love you just as much. (well maybe not as much as me, but pretty darn close)

Friday, September 23, 2011

Week 60 + Prize


Ok I'm running behind this morning & don't have a flashback ready. I'll slap one up after work, so if you're on the late-bus too you can still enjoy it.


How about, to make it up to you faithful flashback-ers, we do a little prize?


Everyone who links up today will be entered to win a $15 Amazon card, just because I think you're wonderful. So send your buddies over to join in the fun & we'll all have a lovely Friday!

(prize drawn at random on Monday)

flashback time...
  1. Share a flashback of your own. Dig through old photos & tell us a little story of days gone by. Click the little blue "Add Your Link" button below to link up.
  2. Grab a button & add it to your post to let others know where the party's at.
  3. Click click click... Stop by others' blogs who are linked up & leave them a little comment love.




Monday, September 19, 2011

M-o-n-d-a-y

Monday, Monday... Can't trust that day.

There's really only one good cure for a case of the Mondays, and that's a case of the giggles. Am I right? So in case you haven't seen it yet, enjoy the cutest video that I've seen in a long while. And what I'd love more than anything is if you guys would share some fun in my direction too! Leave me a comment with your favorite online laugh of the moment. Happy Monday!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Week 59


I've used plenty of facebook photos as Flashback material, but this is the first time facebook itself is the flashback. I would call this the FB caption that will live in infamy... or... people shouldn't talk about what they don't know.


And for the record, this isn't a real bone. :) It's a prop for the school dance back when I was teaching.


Oh you guys, indeed.

flashback time...
  1. Share a flashback of your own. Dig through old photos & tell us a little story of days gone by. Click the little blue "Add Your Link" button below to link up.
  2. Grab a button & add it to your post to let others know where the party's at.
  3. Click click click... Stop by others' blogs who are linked up & leave them a little comment love.





Thursday, September 15, 2011

It's Fall...

 (source: We Heart It)

I don't care what the calendar says, today is the first official day of fall. The air is cool, the first leaves are on the ground, and my hoodies are begging to cuddle up. And while I've never been a fall fan, only for the fact that I know that dreary season follows whose name I dare not say for fear of waking it early... I promise to do my best to embrace the crisp air & savor the flavors of fall.


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

A Wicked Night Out



Tonight I have plans for a Wicked good night...
I bought the tickets months ago & my night at the theater has finally arrived! I've never seen this show before (I know, I'm the last in Western Hemisphere), plus I always love a night on the town like a classy grown-ass woman would, so here's to making the most of it!

So what's on the agenda?

First is wardrobe. My incredibly talented friend, Kristen, custom made an infinity dress for last weekend's wedding so it will be take 2 for that hot little number. I just need to decide how to wear it, there are so many options!


Next up, focus on the details. Another blog I follow just posted today about Wicked Sweet Nail Polish Collection.... could that be anymore perfect?


And of course, a lady needs a proper escort for a night out. Who knows what could happen on the streets of Gotham City? (If you're an out of towner you might not know they just finished filming the new Batman movie here... which makes me totally geeky for that last statement! haha oh well) I've got the arm-candy covered, my good buddy Dylan will be playing the role of gentleman escort for the evening. Classy, right?

(hear no evil, seek to evil, speak no evil, eat no evil)

Have a good night, my pretties... and your little dog too.