Well dear readers, I think the time has finally come to hang up my hat and to say goodbye to you all. Since we moved house back in February I've felt that this blog has just been dragging along without any sense of direction - which actually sounds a bit like my life really!
The children broke up from school on Friday and for the next seven weeks I want to spend some quality time with them. Amber is already 14 and it might be the last summer that she's around all the time. The boys, being 12 and 8, increasingly need me less but I want to make sure I do fun stuff with them too. Plus there's the epic return to America in August to plan.
I also need some time to think about where my life is going and what I want to put into it come September. I'm exploring ideas like adult education courses and I might try my hand at art and maybe brush up on my German. I'd also like to get out of the house and find a part time job. So there's lots to ponder and do this summer and quite honestly blogging is just a distraction these days.
It wasn't always thus of course, having this blog really did change my life and in the course of two years plus I have learned so much, tried many new things, stretched myself creatively, made some amazing friends and most importantly I've been part of this fantastic on-line community. Of course I will miss you all terribly but I'm sure you will understand that I have come to a crossroad in this 47th year of my life and I need to really think about which road I'm going to take.
So I bid you farewell and send my love to each and every one of you that has read my posts, left comments, sent emails, exchanged gifts and bought things from me. Thank you for being there ...........................
hey
if you are in the area this summer do give a shout.......breakfast at elmers!
-t
Posted by: tony(a) Lemos | July 15, 2008 at 04:16 PM
I have to say I will miss your lovely blog, but I do understand. This is partly why I don't have one to begin with. May things go well with you and yours and if you decide to return we will still all be here...
Posted by: Carla | July 15, 2008 at 04:37 PM
You'll be missed! but wishing you lots of future happiness and blessings...
Posted by: melody | July 15, 2008 at 05:15 PM
I will be sad to see you leave blogland Simmy. You were one of the first blogs I ever read. I am on a blog break myself at the moment and hope to return before the autumn refreshed and renewed. Do you have to stop altogether? I actually feel bereaved! Anyway, I wish you and your family well. You have been through some traumatic changes these past months. It would be nice if you stayed in touch via email, if not I'll understand. Take care x.
Posted by: simone | July 15, 2008 at 05:58 PM
I am sad to read you're going to stop, but glad you have decided to say goodbye rather than just disappearing. I am honoured to have been able to read along with your adventures and, as you know, you were my inspiration to start blogging in the first place and for that I will always be grateful.
Good luck!!!
Posted by: dottycookie | July 15, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Thanks for all your wise and wonderful blogging. Take care and enjoy!
Posted by: Ithaca Waldorf Handworks | July 15, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Sometimes, you just know the time is right to say goodbye. Wishing you well Simmy, in all the wonderful things you'll do.
Posted by: Ali | July 15, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Hi I'm usually just a lurker, but yours is my first and favourite blog, so I shall miss you very much. Thanks and good luck
Posted by: Joss | July 15, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Hi I'm usually just a lurker, but yours is my first and favourite blog, so I shall miss you very much. Thanks and good luck
Posted by: Joss | July 15, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Oh SIMMY.
I shall miss you terribly. Your blog has been such an enormous inspiration to me and I've loved reading it.
I hope you change your mind in the future, but good luck with your endeavours in the meantime.
Posted by: Vonnie | July 15, 2008 at 08:03 PM
It sounds as though you will be having a busy and exciting summer with your family and your future is alive with possibilities. I have enjoyed visiting your stimulating blog. Every good wish for the future, take care and enjoy. Thanks for saying goodbye and not just going :o)
Posted by: Julie | July 15, 2008 at 09:21 PM
We'll miss you too but I understand.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | July 15, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Simmy, it was reading your blog ages ago that made me want my own. Thank you for all the inspiration. I've really enjoyed your sharing your life with us. Wishing you all the best in this next phase of your life.
Posted by: Laura | July 16, 2008 at 12:01 AM
good luck on your journey Simmy. I have always enjoyed your blog, so honest with family issues and such great tutorials. I wish you and your family the best. (you should swing by denver in aug, it should be very interesting with the DNC)
peace
Posted by: michele | July 16, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Simmy! How I will miss your stories, pictures and life. I wish you well and have appreciated your blog. Thank you for all of your help,encouragement and friendship. I hope we can remain e-mail friends in the future. Please
send me your new address by e-mail. Have a wonderful vacation.
Rada
Posted by: Rada | July 16, 2008 at 04:43 AM
Simmy, I don't comment very often, but yours was one of the first blogs I read too. I had just read a number of books about the lives of Indian immigrants in the U.S., and it was so interesting to read about some of the issues you experienced as the child of immigrants.
I also enjoyed your tutorial and stories about family life. Your family and you sound wonderful!
Posted by: Caroline | July 16, 2008 at 05:12 AM
I shall miss you dreadfully Simmy, although I wish you well. I hope that whatever it is you are looking for, you find and that you have a fabulous summer. I hope this doesn't mean that we will never have the chance to meet each other, especially now when we live so close . . . please stay in touch. You were one of my first blogging friends.XXOO
Posted by: Marie | July 16, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Blessings to you on your forward journey!
Posted by: Lizz | July 16, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Awww, you will be MISSED.
Best of luck to you all on your life journey.
Posted by: suse | July 16, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Have fun Simmy. It was nice to meet you.
Posted by: littlejennywren | July 16, 2008 at 12:17 PM
That's sad Simmy, I'll miss your blog. I hope we can keep up email, and of course I'll see you in just over a month.
I do understand though. Sometimes I feel my blog is such a drag too,but I'm so bad at keeping in touch with my family that I really have to give them something. Plus sometimes I really have things I want to share.
Have a great summer.
see you soon.
Posted by: georgia | July 16, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Simmy,
Simply had to drop a line and say "good bye" (albeit VERY sadly & reluctantly). I'm from Michigan and have been reading your blog for 2 years now. For some reason, your blog just really strikes a chord with me and I don't even knit or sew! When you wrote about your husband reading the book "Akenfield", I immediately got online and ordered it from Amazon. Your comments are always so heartfelt and your ideas so very creative. I will really miss your blog. Good luck in all you do and have a great American vacation.
Posted by: Joanie | July 16, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Loved reading, sorry you're stopping but absolutely understand! Good luck with the direction-seeking.
Posted by: Ash | July 16, 2008 at 04:24 PM
You'll be miss but have fun and good luck!
Posted by: wendy | July 16, 2008 at 04:56 PM
oh simmy i really am sad to hear that my original blogger isn't going to be there anymore - but i do understand (especially that 47th year bit!) and i know we'll keep in touch as a friendship that goes beyond the blog has been forged!
loulou xoxox
Posted by: louise | July 16, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Best of luck, whichever road you decide to take...
Posted by: Kate | July 16, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Thank you, too, Simmy, for all the inspiration and insight. Best wishes!
Posted by: Ingrid | July 17, 2008 at 01:29 AM
dear Simmy! i miss you already. i wish you well in everything you do in your life's journey. i've learned so much from you here...thank you for that and thank you for your friendship. much love xx
Posted by: kristin | July 17, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Simmy, good luck with all you do in the future. I shall miss reading about your life and your crafts.
Posted by: Emma | July 17, 2008 at 07:56 AM
I'm sorry to see you go, but I'm excited for you as well. Those points in our lives when we set our sails for new directions are often the most difficult, but worth the experience. I wish you well.
Posted by: Taryn | July 17, 2008 at 08:13 AM
I'm sorry you feel you have to stop altogether, but then again you may have a break and change your mind, whatever you decide, I know I can always e-mail, and I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE (but not in a creepy way ;-) )
Posted by: joanna | July 17, 2008 at 08:32 AM
O... so sorry to hear that. We'll all miss you Simmy! But it's a totally understandable decision, and I wish you well in all you're going to accomplish in the coming years!
Posted by: Meike | July 17, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Loved reading your blog. I shall miss you, but wish you every luck for the future
Posted by: Liz Baker | July 17, 2008 at 11:43 AM
but but but....
I'll miss reading your blog, Simmy! It's been a lovely treat to read each new post, and to look at your gorgeous photos. Thank you so much for the little glimpse into your life.
x
miep
Posted by: miep | July 17, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Aww, Simmy. I'll miss you, but completely understand your need to de-blog. Wishing you all the best in your new projects and directions. Keep in touch.
Love
Nat
Posted by: Natalie | July 18, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Aww, Simmy. I'll miss you, but completely understand your need to de-blog. Wishing you all the best in your new projects and directions. Keep in touch.
Love
Nat
Posted by: Natalie | July 18, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Aww, Simmy. I'll miss you, but completely understand your need to de-blog. Wishing you all the best in your new projects and directions. Keep in touch.
Love
Nat
Posted by: Natalie | July 18, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I must say that although I started blogging in the summer, this summer it seems a bit harder to keep it up. In the last year I've seen some blogs go (and a few come back again) and really I think it's understandable. Our lives don't stay static and that's as it should be.
I used to love September enrolment for adult ed classes when I lived in London, the excitement of new direction and possibilities at the end of the summer - great!
All the best. x
Posted by: Barbara | July 18, 2008 at 08:54 PM
Best of luck Simmy. Hope at some point you come back in the future.
Have a lovely summer :0)
Posted by: dottyspots | July 19, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I am sorry to hear that you are ending your blog. Maybe just take a long break and come back to it if you get in the mood? I have enjoyed your blog so much. I wish you every happiness! Love from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, AnnaMarie
Posted by: AnnaMarie | July 19, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Wishing you all the best as you find your way. And thanks for letting me share peeks into your world xx
Posted by: Leah | July 20, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Thanks, Simmy....I found your blog about a year and a half ago...I googled "felted wool" and your blog came up...I've enjoyed reading it and you've inspired me many times! On my link list you are "something to aspire to" and just to let you know my blog has no real purpose except to make my Mom laugh...You are GREAT!
Posted by: janet | July 21, 2008 at 07:40 PM
You've been lagging and I have been terribly lagging as a reader as well! I'm in my 49th year and it is a time of change isn't it? Good luck on wherever your life journey takes you Simmy. Enjoy it.
Posted by: Mae | July 22, 2008 at 02:48 AM
Oh Simmy I am so sad - I have so enjoyed your blog. But life and needs change, and a blog must take some time to upkeep. Good luck with your new ventures and I hope that you all have a wonderful time again in the US.
I hope that we can keep in touch - as when I am next home again, I would love to meet with you....
Posted by: Carol | July 22, 2008 at 06:10 PM
simmy,
i am sad that you won't be blogging but i truly understand. i think blogging has made such a difference in my life too and with that it has seemed to have made it busier. it has been such a pleasure to get to know you, check in with you and be inspired by you. i have been quite a bit busier this year and haven't chimed in very often but i have been reading...
good luck with what ever path you choose, and know it will be the right one, because it always is.
have a wonderful summer.
-steph
Posted by: stephanie s | July 23, 2008 at 03:16 AM
Thank you for sharing your lives through this blog, Simmy. I completely understand and admire your willingness to bring about a change that you feel will be positive for your family and yourself. That takes much wisdom and strength!
Blessings on your next journies in life!
Posted by: Britt | July 23, 2008 at 02:38 PM
happy living Simmy
all the best
xx
Posted by: Denise | July 28, 2008 at 06:41 PM
I can't believe that I've only just found your blog again just as you are leaving. I began blogging about 3 months ago so its all exciting and addictive to me. So sorry I haven't been along with you for the last few months..I'll catch up later.
Have a happy rest of your life.
x
Posted by: Jackie | July 31, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Goodbye and thank you for the inspiration! Good luck to all your endeavors. :)
Posted by: Christy | August 02, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I came home from my holiday and found your last blog and I will be so sorry if you don't return in bloggingland. I really enjoyed reading your blog: creative and family stuff, the everyday live. Still hoping thtah in september you will decide to write again.
LOL monique
Posted by: Monique | August 04, 2008 at 09:30 AM
i've very rarely commented here, but must say that you were also the first blog i read and have thought your crafts are always so lovely. wishing you the best in all you do.
Posted by: martha | August 04, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Oh my very sad news for all of us.If one day wanting to come back please let me know ill be back to see you again. Know you brought joy to me many times with your tutorials and thoughts.You gave us lots of joy my friend big good bye hug and a bigger thank you for all the time you gave us!!!!
hugs ginger
Posted by: ginger | August 06, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I have been moving house and really havent had time in months to read anything other than email, I am sad that you have left Simmy, your blog is the best and I really enjoyed reading your entries. Happy New Year and Good luck in all you do. I learnt how to make a doll from your site.
xox
Posted by: Kat | December 31, 2008 at 10:26 PM