Friday, May 27, 2016

Let Me Be Clear

A few weeks ago Hometalk featured our shutters on their Friday evening Facebook page. 

This is the third time it has happened. It is fun and it brings in a little traffic. 
When I wrote up the Hometalk post, I made the statement that our house was builder basic. 
Someone took issue with it in a comment. 
The person said that I needed a "reality check". 
Here is the reality. 
I understand that I am very blessed. 
I understand that my home is beautiful.
It was an affordable housing option back in 1993. 
Texas houses were a bargain.
We have three children and they were fortunate enough to each have their own bedroom. 
I understand that at this point in time our home doesn't look like a builder grade home. 
It was a builder basic home. 
That was my statement.
The finish out on this larger home wasn't extravagant. 
It was middle or bottom of the line. 
Paint washed off of the walls. 
The carpet was a low quality. 
The windows are terrible. The wind whips through them like crazy.
Wolf spiders could waltz right in under the old front door because there was a huge gap. 
The light fixtures were the least expensive on the market at the time. 
But, we are DIY-ers and we have DIY-ed or hired out all of the upgrades to this home. 
Is it builder grade now? 
No.
It isn't because we changed it. 
This is what I don't understand about social media and the internet. 
Why does someone feel the need to be unkind? 
This is my blog - my experience - my opinion. 
Blogging takes a lot of work and sometimes I'm just weary of it. 
(It's May but summer is coming)
Bloggers come up with an idea, we execute the idea, we take pictures and edit and finally we write and edit the blog post. 
Then we promote our blog post on platforms like Hometalk.
It takes a lot of work. 
The old adage comes to mind. 
If you can't think of anything nice to say - don't say anything at all! 
That's all for now. 
I think I need a latte. 
Katie

22 comments :

  1. I am so sorry you had to experience that. The readers on Hometalk, literally are haters. I have had similar experiences as well with them and their Hometalk facebook page. A lot of bloggers (I belong to a couple of facebook groups for blogging) are starting to pull away from HomeTalk because of that and the fact that they don't promote our posts on SM as well as they used too and are now making $$ off of the Ad's they're putting on their site.

    I can't tell you not to let the haters bothers you, because it bothers me too. I rarely post anything there anymore. But I am also a big mouth, and will fight back when pushed like that. No one would ever say such things like that in real life, if they were standing in your home. Plus, if you were to go back and check the profile of those haters? They are not other bloggers, but people with no complete profiles....that means they troll the internet looking for trouble. Again, I am sorry....I wish the team s at HomeTalk would monitor that crap!

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  2. I don't know what was exchanged. It doesn't matter. I too no longer participate in HomeTalk for reasons that Christine mentioned. What I do know as a "real life" friend Katie is that you have a kind and VERY grateful heart. Unfortunately people have come to believe that in hiding behind a computer it's ok to say things that are unkind and untrue. You know who you are and be strong in that. Blessings my friend.

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  3. Your shutters look great on your house. It is awesome that you all were able to DIY the whole project. It is also wonderful that you shared the process in case it helps/inspires others. Please don't let negative people bring you down.

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    1. Thank you, Ellis. You are so sweet. It just always amazes me what people will say. I can't wait for summer.

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  4. Katie, I'm sorry someone was stupid. Hate to say that but that's what it is. Just like Christine said, they hide behind a screen and say things they would never say in person. You've done a fabulous job with your house! I'm always wanting to brag on the fact that you are actually the one who does a lot of it too. There are so many people who appreciate the DIY and budget approach you take. Do not let the haters get you down. We've got your back!

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    1. Thanks, Stacey. You are so sweet. I'm so ready for summer and I can't wait to focus on my blog for the next few months. Haters are going to hate. Like Christine said, I think they just troll around looking for things to say.

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  5. Katie,
    totally agree with you, hate that you had that experience! What's the point, I haven't been able to figure that out! Like you said, Nothing nice to say it, then don't!
    Rebecca

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    1. Thanks, Rebecca. I shouldn't have let it get to me. I'm ready for summer and more DIY.

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  6. No one is being forced to read your posts. If someone doesn't like it - well simply move along. Your home is just beautiful and you put a lot of hard work and elbow grease into it. You should be very proud.

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    1. Thanks, Fran. I've read a lot of mean comments on the internet. I don't understand why people feel the need to be negative. It was just a long, exhausting last month of school and I let it get to me.

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  7. Katie,
    Your house with the new shutters looks wonderful. The realty of the housing market is that it varies all across our country. How one builder completes a house in the northeast is totally different from how a builder completes a house in Texas. They may look the same on the outside, but are totally different. When people all over the country, and world, read our blogs they are processing it through their own experiences, not through the realty of our area. One of the reasons for reading blogs from other parts of the world is to have a glimpse into that culture and locale, but there is no way to experience fully that culture through such a short,one-dimensional look into it.

    Communicating through the written word is H A R D!!!! Even good friends have difficulty sometimes in their written communications. What one person writes does not convey the body language, facial expressions, kindness in a voice, etc... It sometimes comes across as hard, cold, critical even when the writer had no ill-will at heart. Have you ever heard a fellow Texan say, "Oh, she's a Yankee," when referring to something that the 'Yankee' said? That means the Texan recognizes different regions have different ways of communicating and what comes across as rude or hurtful was not intended to be so. That's just the accepted way of talking to one another elsewhere where no one would take offense at the very same comment.

    Katie, I know you personally, know you have a firm grasp on reality, and know you have a beautiful spirit. Keep on writing your blog and sharing glimpses into your world with us. We love hearing from you.

    Judith

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    1. Thank you, Judith, for the sweet words. I need to get a tougher skin, I guess. This house would cost a fortune up north but here in the 90s it wasn't expensive. I also don't think they have as many cookie cutter homes up there.

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  8. Katie, from what I read from other bloggers.....you gotta roll with the punches!!!! The shutters are great...

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    1. Thank you. I agree. It was just a long month and I let it get to me! School is over for the summer and I'll have more energy to DIY.

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  9. Amen! - I hope you enjoyed your latte'! Now, have a wonderful weekend and Enjoy the hard work you have put it! Blessings, Cindy xo

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  10. Never, EVER, feel like you have to defend yourself, especially in your blog or on any social media. Simply don't. If you had said you loved builder's grade you would have had haters and also on the opposite side of the coin as you experienced. My experience is that if you spend the time defending or explaining yourself you are letting the enemy know they upset you. No response is the best "s*rew you"!

    Love...

    Jane

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  11. Dear Katie..I'm sorry you had to have this happen...your home is beautiful and I don't understand why certain people can't be happy that you are so blessed. You shouldn't ever have to defend yourself like this. I've found that people that say mean, hurtful things are generally just jealous and I just try to ignore them.
    Bless your heart....and thanks for coming by to see me. :)

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  12. Your house is gorgeous with those beautiful shutters. Some people just can't stand it if anyone else is blessed. I call it a reverse snobbery. They would have cows if anyone criticized them in any fashion. No matter what you say (or post), there will be some shallow person making disparaging remarks. Do what you have been doing and we will all come visit! Too bad you're so far away...I would bring freshly picked organic strawberries and fresh eggs from our chickie babies. xoxo

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  13. It's unfortunate that people feel the need to say unkind things...I can only surmise that these are unhappy people with nothing better to do. It's like I used to tell my son - bullies make other people feel bad so they can feel better about themselves. Your shutters are beautiful, your home is beautiful, and those of us who read your blog know that you have put your heart and soul into your home. Hope you enjoyed that latte!

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  14. Katie,
    Keep being you, write from your heart, share what inspires you.
    I had a similiar experience a few weeks ago, right then and there I decided that this is me, how I feel and who I am.
    I have spent many years arriving at this place and it's been a journey, so I guess join me and be kind, or don't join me at all.
    Our world is off track...
    Jemma

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  15. Katie...I hope you got your latte, but I'm sending a hug as well!! People who are jealous often try to belittle other folks. Your home is just as lovely as you are, and I always enjoy a nice visit with you.
    Blessings to you,
    J

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