tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post7169832509498448093..comments2024-02-02T07:13:37.313-06:00Comments on Like Merchant Ships: Getting a few things off my chestUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-41804225478166087392008-05-25T18:53:00.000-05:002008-05-25T18:53:00.000-05:00I love your blog! It is so positive, inspirationa...I love your blog! It is so positive, inspirational and educational. Thank you!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00107121929040664178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-32609333356790147442008-05-23T10:39:00.000-05:002008-05-23T10:39:00.000-05:00i think you are great and an inspiration to all.i think you are great and an inspiration to all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-4356605766981813152008-05-21T21:50:00.000-05:002008-05-21T21:50:00.000-05:00I've never posted on here before, but I do read......I've never posted on here before, but I do read...and I do smile. <BR/>:-) I appreciate your positive approach to life, your fresh ideas, and your love for the lovely. Thanks for keeping the unpleasantness at bay!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03399663278970048427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-4291259894372655092008-05-21T16:38:00.000-05:002008-05-21T16:38:00.000-05:00Girl, just like spilled milk on the dinner table -...Girl, just like spilled milk on the dinner table - wipe it up and move on ... And you have! I appreciate your blog and don't know what would happen if I couldn't log on to you or ERRATIC HOMEMAKER - Shucks, that would be a domestic crime to most of ya'lls fans!<BR/>I appreciate your Godly wisdom, your warm spirit, and Emily Dickinson-like candor... You rock, girl!<BR/>Be encouraged and let the spilled milk get soaked up by the great big beautiful offerings you pour onto to us each day -<BR/>They'll have their day- and they should know that it's best not to mess with God's annointed either... :) We all know 'whose' you are!<BR/>We all love you, Meredith!<BR/>Keep on keepin' on!<BR/>CHEERS!<BR/><BR/>Working Mama in the NW (Latrice)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-63760081220102030142008-05-21T05:35:00.000-05:002008-05-21T05:35:00.000-05:00Keep blogging! Rise above the negativity-it's not...Keep blogging! Rise above the negativity-it's not about you but rather a very dissatisfied, bitter person who chooses to spread their toxicity. It is obvious to those of us out here reading. The "off" comments stand out from the rest. Glad that you are moving on. I love to read your blog and enjoy the pictures, too. Blessings! JulieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-82603774484409726562008-05-20T17:53:00.000-05:002008-05-20T17:53:00.000-05:00I totally understand your sentiments. But I have ...I totally understand your sentiments. But I have to say when you don't mention that you have cheerios on the floor and a layer of dust and struggles with kids.... it makes me think you don't have those struggles. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, I enjoy your ideas and your posts. Thanks for adding the part about the cheerios on the floor!<BR/>=)3boysmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04681527386218906722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-36566528931246609572008-05-20T09:58:00.000-05:002008-05-20T09:58:00.000-05:00Hi Meredith, be strong ! you are these things and...Hi Meredith, be strong ! you are these things and don't let anyone take them from you.<BR/>Remember Proverbs 31<BR/>25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; <BR/>she can laugh at the days to come. <BR/><BR/>26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.Pattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08505042214124811641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-91432350843346241582008-05-20T09:17:00.000-05:002008-05-20T09:17:00.000-05:00Meredith,I know there is already a really long lis...Meredith,<BR/>I know there is already a really long list of comments but I thought I'd add my note! I came upon this blog not all that long ago in kind of an interesting way. Woke up in a terrible, negative mood one Saturday. Sick of everything, just going to stop trying with the house/meals etc., what difference does it make anyway... Finally forced myself out of bed and to my Bible, where I read Proverbs 31 because I knew it would be good for me. Went on with my day, somewhat improved. Later on, totally without inspiration for my meal planning (always done on the weekend) I googled "Sunday dinner." You guessed it--one of the top hits was the 1950s budget menu. As a lover of vintage cookbooks I couldn't resist clicking. That, and I thought "Like Merchant Ships...what a strange phrase to call something..." (I can be just a tad slow sometimes!) Anyway, I of course realized shortly where that came from, that it was the second time within just a few hours I had been led to that same Scripture, and that perhaps this was a little something more than a coincidence. <BR/><BR/>I have been a regular reader since then, and you have been very inspiring to me in both your approach to life and in the quality of your writing and presentation. I have noticed the bizarre, negative comments from time to time and can only imagine this comes from a sort of people who have nothing better to do with their time than surf the net looking for victims and get some sort of thrill out of writing things they would never say to a person in "real life." The sort of people who feel threatened by openness, honesty, and good. I suppose they are to be pitied, but I'm really sorry you have to be exposed to it. Thank you for all the good, positive, encouraging thoughts and ideas you put out there--even if the topic is the furthest thing from my mind (like maternity clothes! LOL) I am always so glad I stopped by and read what you have to say. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-40681858981272615432008-05-20T08:07:00.000-05:002008-05-20T08:07:00.000-05:00Meredith, yours is the first blog I read everymorn...Meredith, yours is the first blog I read everymorning (right after my daughter Jeana at Days to Come). You inspire me to look for beauty in everyday items. Too bad "anonymous" is unable to see the beauty in you.Jan/lost-strayed-or-stolen.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08107832787231548950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-42400767769177148252008-05-20T07:04:00.000-05:002008-05-20T07:04:00.000-05:00Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us eac...Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us each day. I am sorry for those that feel like it is their due to share "their garbage" and aim it at you. As one of your friends who don't understand URL from anything else, I commend you for sticking to your guns and keeping your blog upbeat and an encouragement to all who read it. Thank you for your bright spot in my day.<BR/><BR/>MindyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-15590330670927485092008-05-20T00:00:00.000-05:002008-05-20T00:00:00.000-05:00meredith,Wow. I guess I haven't been reading the ...meredith,<BR/><BR/>Wow. I guess I haven't been reading the comments as much as I thought. I didn't know you were getting rude responses and I am very sorry to hear that you have.<BR/><BR/>I am just like everyone else who have posted here - I look forward to reading your blog everyday. I can't tell you how much you have helped and inspired me. Thank you so much!<BR/><BR/>I pray you can find a way to stop the negative people from ruining your blogging experience.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, again, I just love your posts.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00495298953834229360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-30216552579528017402008-05-19T20:32:00.000-05:002008-05-19T20:32:00.000-05:00I didn't read all the comments cause I'm barely ma...I didn't read all the comments cause I'm barely making it to the internet these days (new baby! yay - but oh my word). BUT Meredith, I really love your style, your perspective, your photos, and your willingness to share it with us! You are really an inspiration to me as a stay at home mom. Thank you and please keep blogging!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-54444059001823619642008-05-19T19:50:00.000-05:002008-05-19T19:50:00.000-05:00Go ahead and post under anonymous and add your nam...Go ahead and post under anonymous and add your name to the bottom of your comment--it doesn't bother me at all! <BR/><BR/>It's only when people say something ugly and then don't post their name that makes it bothersome. <BR/><BR/>I should have made that more clear. I just don't want to lose the wisdom of so many of our older readers because of Blogger's hard-to-understand directions for signing up.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-30470694464914305422008-05-19T18:47:00.000-05:002008-05-19T18:47:00.000-05:00Meredith, you said: Sharing the struggles (and the...Meredith, you said: Sharing the struggles (and there have been a lot this month, haven't there?) invites negativity to stay.<BR/><BR/>This is so true, but you are not at all the cause, source, enabler of the rude comments. The rudies pop up at even the most happy times and try to steal joy. They won't succeed!<BR/><BR/>Your faithful readers understand that you are not a negative blogger, but you are genuine. So you vent a time or two. We'll hear you out and hopefully help bear your burden. But thanks for the determination to not wallow. Keep spreading sunshine- we'll keep cheering you on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-40392699556590170982008-05-19T17:57:00.000-05:002008-05-19T17:57:00.000-05:00Dear Meredith,Please know that I would be absolute...Dear Meredith,<BR/><BR/>Please know that I would be absolutely devestated if you ever took your blog down.<BR/><BR/>Also, I only post under "anonymous" because I have no idea how to do it otherwise. I tried to sing up, but never figured it out so that it would say my name.<BR/><BR/>I always try to sign my name even though I post under the heading of "anonymous".<BR/><BR/>We LOVE you Meredith. Please, please stay here.<BR/><BR/>LOVE!!!!! Heather from SeattleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-10272532649756889992008-05-19T16:15:00.000-05:002008-05-19T16:15:00.000-05:00I have had a few negative comments that totally tu...I have had a few negative comments that totally turn me off too....sorry...<BR/><BR/>If someone sends me an anonymous comment that is mean spirited....I won't publish it!<BR/><BR/>Keep Smiling!Traceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11064113501129840818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-22057342168304489302008-05-19T15:38:00.000-05:002008-05-19T15:38:00.000-05:00I discovered your blog today via Living, Learning,...I discovered your blog today via Living, Learning, and Loving Simply! I'll be visiting more often. I like what I see. Blessings to you.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17014249793481688415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-48756530245327887062008-05-19T15:18:00.000-05:002008-05-19T15:18:00.000-05:00I have just stumled onto your blog and look forwar...I have just stumled onto your blog and look forward to reading some back post. I to think we should rise to the occasion and be more positive. But, from recent real life expierences, it is difficult to be positive. That is referring to my own blog.<BR/><BR/>I have looked back on my own blog and it seems like it has become a place for me to complain. That can be good and or bad. Good, in the fact that no on here in the house has to listen to me, bad, I realize how negative I am.<BR/><BR/>And truth be told, I am a very upbeat person. So in readin this blog, I will now be posting in a different light. Thansk for giving my a swift kick in my complacant blogging life.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04689263509227953924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-66617811277114383032008-05-19T15:16:00.000-05:002008-05-19T15:16:00.000-05:00Meredith, although our children are all grown and ...Meredith, although our children are all grown and on their own now, I love to read your blog and remember those years when our boys were small. I appreciate you sharing this time in your life with us! The occasional unkind comment brings such an ugly note to an otherwise gracious and beautiful blog. The only possibly reason I can think of for these snipes at you is jealousy. I wonder if there are those who don't see that they themselves are the reason that their lives are not as fulfilling and blessed as the one you share with us via the blog. It's easy for me to say that I pity these folk, as they haven't taken aim at me (I have no blog for them to) but I do feel sorry for them. You cannot be a loving and beloved wife, mother and daughter and say such hurtful things to a stranger. <BR/>I love your blog. Thank you for it.<BR/><BR/>JaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-30442227094633404952008-05-19T13:37:00.000-05:002008-05-19T13:37:00.000-05:00Meredith,The words written about Dolley Madison by...Meredith,<BR/>The words written about Dolley Madison by her biographer would suit you as well. (You have..) an 'unassuming dignity, sweetness and grace . It seems to me that such manners would disarm envy itself, and conciliate even enemies'. (How dare anyone spill ugly on you! It calls forth my inner Mama Bear. YOU! Naughty blogger, in the corner...write Galations 6:7 out fifty times!!)<BR/><BR/>I already know that you will access the perfect outfit for the wedding. You know everything you need to know, and are amazingly resourceful. <BR/><BR/>Your blog is a bright spot in this world. You, our friend, are salt and light. Or as my D.D. said around age three, 'A salty light!"<BR/><BR/>Shine on sister...and may God send you a time of refreshment.<BR/><BR/>((Jen))Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-74640591091453405742008-05-19T13:12:00.000-05:002008-05-19T13:12:00.000-05:00Yes, there are mean spirited people out there! It ...Yes, there are mean spirited people out there! It ceases to amaze me really.<BR/><BR/>You are of course are a very beautiful person inside and out. As testament to the many people that visit.<BR/><BR/>But enough of the mean spirited people. Lets get on to the task at hand!!!<BR/><BR/>Everyone woman wants to feel pretty, especially at a special event. Since you asked for opinions I'll chime in with mine. :)<BR/><BR/>I think most people know what kind of style and colors look best on them.I bet right now you have envisioned in your mind what type of clothes you wish you could find!<BR/><BR/>There have been occassions in my past where I needed just the right outfit and couldn't find it. Its very very frustrating, I know! What I did in those times is buy a pattern in the style that I know looks good on me and made my own. <BR/><BR/>I suggest you buy that singer, buy a pattern, buy the perfect material and make your own! You are so resourceful and creative I know that you could make some stunning outfits that you would love and feel great in!<BR/><BR/>I loved the midnight blue pantsuit! I think you should find a similar pattern and make some outfits for your trip. Use the same pattern and make them all different. <BR/><BR/>Maybe a solid taupe colored one for the wedding. For other outfits pick out your favorite colors, make some sleevless, some short sleeves or 3/4 sleeves. Make black pants with a white top, etc. <BR/><BR/>You get the idea. :) <BR/><BR/>Please don't get discouraged and get to the point of just wearing anything. That will just make you have an unhappy trip. <BR/><BR/>We're all rooting for you to find or make ;) that perfect outfit! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-676278009181075012008-05-19T12:56:00.000-05:002008-05-19T12:56:00.000-05:00Another frequent reader, non-frequent commenter ch...Another frequent reader, non-frequent commenter checking in here. <BR/><BR/>Try not to worry about the negative, unkind thoughts. Unfortunately, there are rude people out there and those of us in blogland have realize that.<BR/><BR/>I locked the door on my blog. It's something to consider. If you decide that way however, a lot of people will miss your advice on frugality and your "down to earth" yet professional way of expressing yourself.<BR/><BR/>Chin up, Meredith. I'm pulling for you.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03463562057911563820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-69612194525336633602008-05-19T12:49:00.000-05:002008-05-19T12:49:00.000-05:00Another very frequent reader ~ very infrequent com...Another very frequent reader ~ very infrequent commenter: I love reading your blog and the inspiration it provides. I love the pictures, too ~ as someone else mentioned, it's like reading a beautiful magazine full of ideas. Thanks for what you do.aby914https://www.blogger.com/profile/11539449153680751141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-55868994376105857512008-05-19T12:26:00.001-05:002008-05-19T12:26:00.001-05:00I'm sorry you had some rude comments on your free ...I'm sorry you had some rude comments on your free advice about the wedding attire! <BR/><BR/>I was thinking about you because when I was pregnant with both of my kids, I was in Florida, in the summer time! I would choose a feminine sleeveless dress that you might feel comfy in, and a light sweater or cape. That way, if for some reason the party moves indoors and the a/c is on, you won't get chilly. <BR/><BR/>Honestly, I'm sure you will look great no matter what you wear! Expectant mothers just have a glow about them!<BR/><BR/>Blessings to you~Karen_https://www.blogger.com/profile/06141278589206458687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-39680614115277120772008-05-19T12:26:00.000-05:002008-05-19T12:26:00.000-05:00Lizzie, I'm afraid you misunderstood. The comment...Lizzie, I'm afraid you misunderstood. The comments on the dress post are FINE--I ASKED for constructive criticism and I got it.<BR/><BR/>That's what I wanted.<BR/><BR/>What I did not want on that post--or on any number of recent posts--are ugly and angry comments like "You are so fat, why do you even try?" and "You are the worst kind of stingy cheapskate I can think of" etc.<BR/><BR/>Pure rudeness that cannot be called constructive criticism in any form.<BR/><BR/>Some people have seen these comments pop up before I could get a chance to delete them, and that's what I wanted to talk about.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.com