Are you wondering what’s going on?
Yeah, me too.
It all started about a week ago. I received an email from my web host telling me that our accounts (i.e. blogs) were using too much CPU. When I questioned what exactly that meant, they said that the number of php requests were overloading my databases and slowing things down for the rest of the people on my server.
I rearranged a few things, updated a few scripts and though the CPU percentage went down, it didn’t go down far enough. My web host gave me three options:
1. Whittle my content down to the acceptable level. Considering I had whittled everything I was willing to whittle, this wasn’t an option.
2. Upgrade to a dedicated server. This sounded great, so I priced dedicated servers – it was going to run us anywhere from $40 – $100 a month – to sustain a HOBBY?! Uh no, I don’t think so.
3. Move or delete our accounts.
I opted for number three.
And I feel pretty relieved by this decision, if you want the truth. Blogging was taking way too much of my time. I wasn’t really putting a lot of thought into what I was posting, I was just posting fluff, junk really. Why was I wasting so much time on silly stuff? My writing was suffering, my business was suffering and I was spending all my time thinking about my next post.
Something had to stop. And my web host took that decision out of my hands. And I’m glad to be back among the living.
I will miss not having the control – there is very little I can do here, behind the scenes, without paying for it, but again, perhaps that’s for the best, at least for now, at least until I can get my head above water once again and catch some things up.
Sometimes it’s just better to call it quits and walk away for a while. Not saying I plan on calling it quits as far as blogging goes, but this is definitely a reality wake up call for me.
I haven’t really given up, I’ve just redirected my energies into something a bit more productive. I still plan to blog, but only in moderation. My goal is to post once a day, here at wordpress.com. I’ll keep my posts relevant to my life/observations/work/writing. And I will only post photos that I’ve taken, or someone close to me has taken. No more stock photos.
You can find my RSS information in the sidebar and if you have any questions, you can always contact me. I haven’t really gone anywhere, I’ve just relocated. 
Do you smell that? It’s the smell of a new beginning.
Ahhhhhh….. I think I’m going to like it here. 
testing
I like the new places, and I was going to pass you some Excedrin, if you need it still let me know
I have had the too skinny kid, and the I don’t want to shower kid too. As for clothes shopping and me, not friends.
hey karen, your new place looks great and i hope you’re happy here. i look forward to visiting the new place and see how you’re going to streamline things. i’m glad you’re not giving up on blogging and i think you’ll be happier by simpligying.
I’m glad you are happier with your choices. I’d have done the same thing.
May I ask– what web host did you use? I am having problems now and then, and am keeping my own options open.
Mrs. Mecomber,
I am currently using Lunarpages. We’ve used them for years and have never had any trouble and we’re still not having any trouble. They emailed me this morning (their customer service is TOP NOTCH) to tell me that my CPU usage dropped DRAMATICALLY after deleting my blog.
And it’s funny, but when I tried to delete one specific folder, it wouldn’t allow me through my FTP program – I had to go through my CPanel. I think that’s a bit suspect. So now I’m wondering if maybe I had some sort of virus script on my blog that was constantly generating requests.
At any rate – it was a blessing in disguise. Now I can focus my energies on more productive things.
OK, help me – can I not see your PhotoHunt? Yea, I’m super late but it takes me this long to get here LOL
I’ve relocated 3 times over the past several years… as long as nothing “bad” happens, I’ll stick where I am…
Oh no, my icon up there looks like a meany ROFL
Now I understand. I’m glad you didn’t have to delete your blog because of some stalker or something. I give you credit for knowing when it was time to slow down. How liberating!
I did the same thing a few months ago. I was spending far too much time writing about subjects I wasn’t really enthusiastic about and paying for the privilege. It was a relief when I decided enough was enough – I actually feel quite enthusiastic about blogging again.