Hey friends! Today’s post is purely personal – so I’m not offended if you skip it in favor of crafts and recipes. But, many of you have asked where I have been lately. The short answer is, all over!
We all hit patches in our lives where things end up a bit upside-down. Over the past 2 or 3 years, I’ve moved SIX times with my kiddos, gotten divorced, both laughed and cried through the challenges of being a single mom, moved my craft and art supplies from box to box, storage to studio to storage again, wrote another book(!!!), and now finally, I’m feeling settled enough to the point where I can breathe again. And make things again, finally – stress does a number on your creativity. But I’m brimming with ideas and excitement again, and I can’t wait to share. I have to brush up all my social media skills again, and we can connect wherever you like – whether that’s Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. I’ll be working on those all a little at a time.
So the good news! The new book, Rock Painting for Beginners, was released over the summer. And as you can guess, it’s about painting rocks. (You can buy it on Amazon here.) If you didn’t already know, I have a second website dedicated solely to painted rocks at PaintHappyRocks.com. So I have been keeping creative in some ways, it’s just been behind the scenes instead of here on the website.
The kids are doing well, they’re getting so big! Things were pretty rough on them for a while, because their dad hasn’t been involved with their lives. However, great family and friends have meant they have lots of love, support, and good role models in their lives.
My mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year. She has 2 different cancers, and one is particularly aggressive and rare. But it turns out after 6 rounds of chemo, they have removed her end-of-life doctor from her list and are giving her body time to rest and heal. All of the tumors are either gone, or are small enough to be easily operable. She’s too stubborn to be sick! We are just waiting to hear what her next steps will be. We live in separate (tiny) houses on the same property right now, so we are close enough if either of us need anything, but we still have our privacy.
I am getting back to my old sassy self, and I’ve even had time to binge a bunch of Supernatural on Netflix. I wouldn’t wish the end of a marriage on anyone, but in our case, it was for the best for everyone, especially the kids. We lived poor for a while – like, food stamps, poor. Like living in someone else’s guest room, sharing a bed, poor. It’s a humbling thing, but the most important thing was making sure my babies were safe, healthy, and as happy as could be expected with all the turmoil. I did a lot of commuting to try to keep them in the same school as we moved around. We are finally settled now, though.
Here’s a sneak peek at a fall cocktail recipe that I’ll be sharing tomorrow. I have so many ideas, now that life has finally taken a firm direction! I’m looking forward to sharing with all of you again, very soon!
For those of you who took the time to read a purely personal post, thank you. It’s raw, and unedited, kinda like my life right now. I have appreciated all of you who have checked in, sent messages, and commented that you miss seeing new posts! I have missed it too! I’ll be seeing you all very soon!
I come back and I see that you haven’t updated for a long time.
You are a strong family oriented woman. Loving your family, striving to and very much are doing better. Growing more…Blessings to you and the Family and Mom ???.
Well done for doing the hard bit …. may your blessings continue on an upward spiral!
Thank you!!
I too have wondered where you were but also know how life can throw ya a curve ball now and then. I’m so sorry that you had to experience all that you have lately. Most generally invaluable lessons are learned as a result of the trials that we go through. Makes us stronger than we ever thought possible. So glad your Mom is doing so well and that you are back. ???
Darn spell check. Those question marks at the end of my last sentence are not suppose to be there….it was to be a thumbs up and a smiley face.
Thank you, Barb! My mom just got the good news that she is officially in REMISSION! So despite the recent struggles, there are plenty of blessings as well!
Happy to see you posting again! I’m sorry that you have had to go through such tough times. May God’s blessings shine down on you and your family!
Thank you. Tough times are just a part of life that help us appreciate the good ones! My mom just got the good news that she is officially in REMISSION! So despite the recent struggles, there are plenty of blessings as well!
Missed you. Glad life is improving for your family. And that your mom is kicking cancer’s butt. Good for you both . You did the right thing taking a break from blogging. Looking forward to seeing your latest jewelry creations! BTW, I LOVE your stamping book, & yes, I wrote a review.
Thank you, Barbara. You have been following along and leaving me wonderful notes for a long time now! I appreciate you!
My mom just got the good news that she is officially in REMISSION! So despite the recent struggles, there are plenty of blessings as well.
I have missed seeing your creative post. Use your creativity as therapy and let it his your soul. Look forward to seeing your emails again.
So true! Thank you, Robin!
So glad you are back and things are going much better for you!! Life throws us curve balls but the Universe has a way working things out for your highest good!! Take care and we look forward to seeing what you create!!
Thanks, Stacey. Life wouldn’t be interesting without some trials to make us appreciate the good in our lives – and I have felt so much love and support from my family throughout these trials.
You are on a journey to find yourself and I commend your strength and love for your children.
They say that if we all threw our troubles into a pile, then saw what others had, we would grab our own back. Wishing you peace and good times ahead.
Lisa
Lisa, there is certainly some truth to that! I am so lucky to have a great support system.
God Bless you on your journey and prayers for all of you.
Thank you so much. My mom just got the good news that she is officially in REMISSION! So despite the recent struggles, there are plenty of blessings as well!
So sorry for all the troubles and so happy that you are in a better place now. Good luck to your mother in her recovery. Stay strong and the very best wishes
Thank you so much! We all struggle from time to time, mine just happened to be the past couple years. My mom just got the good news that she is officially in REMISSION! So things are looking much brighter.
So glad you’re back! I went through my own divorce this past summer and as you said, I wouldn’t wish that on my worse enemy. Happy you’ve come through successfully and that your mother is doing better. Looking forward to seeing what you have for us going forward!!!
Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear that. It doesn’t even matter if it was for the best, the process is awful and you’re left with figuring out an entirely new life. Hope you’ve got some good support in your life.
When we spoke you said you would be back – glad to hear your mom is still on a healing path
Darlene
Thank you for reaching out, Darlene! My mom just got the good news that she is officially in REMISSION!
Yes, I did wonder where you went. I always enjoy your work and creativity! So sorry to read about how difficult things have been for you, but also glad to hear that your life has settled down and life is finally giving you and your family a break. You are such a strong and talented woman. Welcome back and I look forward to future endeavors
Thank you for the kind words, Laila! I’m glad to be getting back to doing what I love.
I am so, so happy that you are back! Sorry you had to go through such a rough patch there, but I am glad you focused on you and your kids, and I think it’s brave of you to share your story. Glad things are settling now! Craft a little. It’s good therapy.
It certainly is! Thanks, Alexandra. Rough patches are a part of life, and they help us appreciate the good, I think.
I have wondered where you’ve been. I’ve walked the road you were on and it is a long, tiring journey but looks like you’re nearly home and settled again. Sorry you had to go through that but happy you are on the other side. The new book is great news, I can’t wait to see.
Thank you, Barbara! I am sorry that anyone has had to walk this road, but if the road leads us to a better place, then in the end, it’s worth it.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been through so much. You’re obviously a fighter like your mom (beating terminal cancer – VERY stubborn, I’d say!). Glad you’ve landed successfully and are back to blogging.
Thank you so much, Cindy! I am so happy to be back. I still have most of my supplies in boxes, so it will be sort of slow going at first. But I am enjoying the process and I’m getting all sorts of ideas!