Sunday, September 25, 2011

Can We Talk?

tea_for_two

To be quite honest, I think I have been a bit out of sorts lately.   You might have sensed that because I feel like  it has shown in a couple of my recent blog posts. 

Overall, I have a pretty sweet life.  In the scheme of things, I have few stresses and nothing major to complain about but these past six or seven months have been somewhat hard on me emotionally. 

During the past couple months that I have spent so much time caring for our sick and old pets, I have definitely been affected by the realization that there is a good likelihood  neither of our two dogs will be around much longer.    It has been difficult and extremely sad watching Bo’s body give out before his spirit.  I know 14 year old Jasmin is on borrowed time too.  It’s always hard losing one beloved pet but  I am reminded every single day that we are probably going to have to deal with losing both dogs very close together.

Even after more than six months of being a full-time resident of Hooterville, some days I still find myself feeling displaced out here in the country and very homesick for my previous home and the city I grew up in.  Despite my best efforts, the house in Hooterville still doesn’t feel like home to me yet.  It’s familiar but not “home,”   if that makes any sense.  Maybe that’s to be expected when you live in  one place *forever* and then move away.

The list of home improvement and decorating projects I want to do to this house is  still quite lengthy but,  for the most part, my motivation to do them  has become non-existent.    Every night, when I get into bed, I  think about those projects and tell myself, “Tomorrow I’m going to work on… __insert 1 project from list here__.”   However, when tomorrow comes, I find 101 excuses not to start  that chosen project.  Then, that night, I have the same mental conversation with myself again,   “Tomorrow I WILL work on…”   but usually I don’t.   

And not only do I not feel inspired to work on house projects, I certainly don’t have the focus or motivation to blog right now either.  Currently,  writing posts for my  blog feels more like an  obligation rather than the fun hobby I want it to be.  I’ve seriously considered  just shutting my blog down but there is a part of me that isn’t ready to throw in the towel  quite yet.  I have really enjoyed the warm and friendly blogging community, as well as the creative process of blogging, so I hope my enthusiasm for blogging returns.

In the 2 + years since I started this blog, I have never actually taken what I would consider a formal break.  I think now would be a good  time.  So, after much deliberation,  I’ve made the decision to step away from my blog for awhile. 

I’m not sure  how long it will take me to recharge and regroup but  I do hope you, my sweet, loyal readers,  will still be out there when I get back.

26 comments:

Betty said...

I understand of so much of what you wrote. It is hard to lose a pet, but when you know it is coming soon it is just more horrible. Our Mandy was that way. We had her for 16 years and her health started going downhill and it was heartbreaking losing her.

It took me awhile to call this place home too, after we lived in our first home for over 18 years. It will come in time and you will call it home just like your first place.

We are redecorating our home and I am just like you. I am getting so tired of the projects and try to make excuses for putting them off, but I know I must finish them now or be stuck with them unfinish til after winter and that will be too depressing.

I think my problem is the depression that goes with menopause which I have now entered into.

Sorry for the long post, but we will miss you until you return to blogging. Take care until than.

Loui♥ said...

Shari..
I totally understand..
take as much time as you need to care for your beloved babies.. try to make peace with your self..you've given your all.. now it is time for our Master above to guide you through this difficult time of letting go..
when you feel strong enough mentally and physically, then return..we, your loyal friends/blogger buddies will be right here waiting and cheering your return..
warmest hugs..
Loui♥

Rebecca Nelson said...

Been there, Shari! Just returned from a full week off and even though my blog-break wasn't planned (sick from wrong meds) I enjoyed the down time away from work and blogging. We all need it. I will be doing more of it in the future as BLOGGING IS SUPPOSE TO BE FUN!

I've lived in my home for 19 years and the thought of moving is scary. No plans to do so but sometimes I wonder about getting old and the stairs and WHEN the right time will be.

Take all the time you need. Your fans will be here when you return.

BE WELL!

xoRebecca

deb said...

It's interesting how the "excitement" of changes in life (moving, remodeling, redecorating) fades when we get bigger projects done. Then, I think day-to-day life catches up and we need to regroup and allow ourselves to just rest.
I hit 60 last month. My husband and I spent 2007-2010 taking care of my mom (she was 89 when she died last October). We had retired and came back to my home town (a place for which I have little or no love) and had her with us until about the last month of her life. Long story and I certainly won't bore anyone with the details, but it's taken me a year to decompress.
We're now seriously considering selling the very small place we purchased to care for my mom (we had been fulltiming in our motorhome) and moving to Colorado to be closer to my daughter, son-in-law and first grandchild. I'm feeling a little scared, but hopeful that it will be a good thing!
Making changes, moving, menopause, life cycles, and all the upheaval that comes with living can be daunting and I'm happy that I'm a year away from the difficulties of my mom's last years.
Be gentle to yourself - you've experienced A LOT lately and there's more to come to deal with your dogs (they are family). It'll get easier, but take all the time you need to find some peace for yourself...

Jocelyn said...

Shari, take your much needed break. There are things in life that are very stressful, and moving is one of them. I hope you will come to love your new home, especially since your daughter is right there too. I did not experience the displacement when we moved, but I have felt displaced since my youngest is in college now. As a homeschooling Mom, I've felt that I need to find my "place". Take care and enjoy your down time. But please come back and update us when you feel like blogging again. We'll be here :-)

In friendship,
Jocelyn @
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

eleven-o-one said...

Oh Shari, I hate to hear that things are not going better. I feel for you and your beloved pets. As you know, I lost my two babies earlier in the year. I was just thinking yesterday about my new kitty which we got before Shadow died and how very glad I am to have her around. Even though I miss my Shadow and Callie, Bella brings such joy. She also cheered Shadow up before he died.

Anyway, I totally understand the blogging delimma. I keep having to remind myself "It's a hobby...not a responsibility." But we will be here when you get back and one day it will be fun again.
Virtual hugs from your virtual (but real) friend, Fran

The Green Pea said...

Hello Shari, I enjoy your blog and will miss you. Sorry about your sweet pets. I took the summer off from blagging too. I am having a hard time getting back to it again. Take a nice rest and enjoy yourself. sandi

Cindy said...

Hi Shari,
I'm so sorry for the pain that you are feeling after moving to your "new" house and dealing with your two sweet old dogs. My heart goes out to you. Enjoy your break and perhaps you will feel better soon and can blog again. You are on my blog roll, I will see when you are back.
Big hugs, Cindy

CaraRose said...

Shari, Just want to say, you will be missed. Totally understand!

sharonavinger said...

I will miss you. I hope you will return - and sooner than you might think.

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

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Bring Pretty Back said...

Shari- first of all hugs to you about your pets. We feel the same way about our dog coco- as a matter of fact she was at the vet this week , she had a little bump taken off and the vet is sure it is cancr - so ....
I understand the need for a blog break to recharge your batteries!
We will be here when you return!!!
Thank you for the SWEET comment you left on my blog about the book! That was soooooo nice of you to say.thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Hugs and we will see you soon!
Kristin

Adrienne said...

You're not alone, my friend. Life gets hard and sometimes it takes the steam out of you! You need a break - I'll be here when you come back. Praying for you - for grace and strength for each day.
Hugs,
~Adrienne~

eleven-o-one said...

Hi Shari,
Just thought I'd say 'hi'. Hope you are doing well and feeling better. At least the weather has been nice, right?

Take care.
Fran

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Hi Shari, I"m with you 100% on how you feel with everything. MY heart goes out to you concerning your dogs too. That is tough to deal with and just looking at your precious dogs just kills me to think that their time is coming.

Blogging really isn't my kind of thing, probably because it takes to long.... I can't get cable where I live out here and it takes forever. If I do post anything it will not have any comments available because it's hard to get back with people.

I'll be thinking about you and pray that you'll be able get through this whole ordeal with you.

Big HUgs~

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Oh my heart hears you. We know about old and sick loved furry purry pets.

And tho' this is my first time here, I want to add my own wishes for a special grace for this season in your life...

Bring Pretty Back said...

Shari, I think my computer is too far gone! I am calling a guy tomorrow that works out of his home and I am hoping he has better news for me. But....I don't have my hopes up! GRRRR!
Have a pretty day my friend!
Kristin

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Hi Shari...

Hoping things are going well in your House in Hooterville........just wanted to know you're missed, and I hope the break is giving you what you need right now....

Huggies,
Spencer

Rettabug said...

Hi Shari,

I hope you're enjoying your mini-break! Sounds to me like you have been overwhelmed with too much lately. Trusting your instincts & stepping back a bit is very smart.

Thanks for the info on computer virus protection.
most appreciated,
Rett

p.s. I'm sad to hear your pets are failing. So difficult!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hope you are in better spirits now. You have a lot on your plate. I have dealt with the same situations and it is not fun. Wishing a good week to you...Debbie

faithful love said...

Shari,
You have been going through a lot of changes, and staying busy is one way of dealing with it, but eventually it still catches up with us....

I moved away from my family and home too, 20 years ago...it's hard...I made a lot of friends here, but now they have all moved away...I feel so apathetic at times...menopause, empty nest, lost 2 dogs, and became a grandmother...as women, we have so many hats...we can be someone's daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, etc...and sometimes we forget who we were, all those years ago...the face looking back at us doesn't look so familiar anymore, and through our pets, friends, and family we do have face that time is moving full speed ahead...whether we like it or not...we need to take better care of ourselves...to rest, reflect, and rejuvenate....maybe a visit "home" would do you good...sometimes being away can make us look forward to the arms that hug us...we find out that a house is not a home as much as the people we love there....
Feel better, hope things are tolerable, and that you are enduring the emotions you are experiencing....our pups count on us, and it's such a helpless feeling not being able to help them...take care of yourself....

Blessings,
Faith

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

HI, Shari, thanks for the sweet note! Sorry you are going through a rough time, I'm sure you will feel like coming back to blogging again. And you will get your mojo back in decorating, until then, enjoy your break. Blogland will be here when you get back.

Sorry we didn't get to meet up, I didn't make a big announcement before I went down there, we had such a short time & really just hung out with the family & ate a lot. we did stop by the store Southern Hospitality in Plant City, wouldn't that be a good place for me to meet up with folks? They have some great Christmas stuff if you haven't been in there.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Many Blessings to you and your love ones this Thanksgiving..Hugs and smiles Gloria

Donna said...

Hello, Shari,
This seems so weird to me, because I was getting ready to do a post about my blog and when I had started and some things I had been comtemplating about it. So I went back to my very first post, and had one comment, and it was from you. So I thought, I want to go to Shari's blog and tell her how much I appreciated it, and then I find your post about taking a break from blogging.

I'm sorry about your dear pets. Losing something or someone we love is the hardest thing we have to face in this life. I wish for happier times for you, and that you will soon learn to love your new house. (I'm going back right now to look at you house in Hooterville :)
Have a great break, and gets lots of thing accomplished.
D

Karin said...

I'm so sorry about your pupsters, Shari. Sending love and keeping you in my thoughts. ♥

Grandma Linda's Daydreams said...

I just found you, and followed you,even though you are going to take a break. It's really hard to find a balance, which is what the topic of today's seminar for newbies,"Growing your Blog", is about. I know you are coping with a lot now, with your pets health failing, and moving recently too! It's really hard to handle all the changes and hurts in life, and blogging helps me. I can see that many fellow bloggers will be holding you close in thought and prayer, as will I. I wish you peace and hope your spirit will be renewed and that it helps knowing so many care about you! Love, Linda