Sorry Cornerview friends, blogger friends, Ohio friends and family, but this not a very beachy post. The tides are turning for my little family and me. I am generally the type of person that tries to live more in the moment and not worry about the future. Well, today I must question the future a little; we have just found out that the company my husband works for is packing up and moving to Georgia. They are taking some people with them and leaving others behind to fend for themselves. This is what we know right now, we are either: 1. moving to Georgia, 2. losing our only income which leads to 3. finding a new job which can transplant us anywhere in the US (the city I live in right now is considered a dying city because many companies are in bankruptcy or moving). We won't know about the possibility of Georgia until the end of July.
Molting Caterpillar
I am trying to look at our new situation as a new chapter, a way to possibly make our wonderful little life even more wonderful. I honestly have been feeling anxious lately before this big news, like we needed a change in some way. My feelings must have made an impact somewhere and new doors are now opening. So I intend to remain optimistic and carry on. I need to warn you though, I feel the need to help with the income and soon will be changing my blog around a bit (perhaps a website instead)....will probably have to add some advertising and finally open that Etsy shop I've been considering.
To all of you in the same boat, isn't life really all about change when we least expect it? I leave you with a haiku by OneMultipleCode.
full caterpillar
who sleeps in the early spring
ignorant of wings
For some reason, I'm feeling the growth of wings............
51 comments:
just found you from corner view! wow, lots of change ahead for you - i don't think beaches would be on my mind at the moment either! good luck with your etsy shop - i took the plunge about 6 months ago and have been delighted with how easy and fun it is!
Lisa I know how you are feeling! My husband lost his job about a month ago and we are in limbo right now. I hesitate posting about it only because then I have to really think about the future realities of it all. Right now we are enjoying the time with Daddy! Opening your etsy shop is a fabulous idea! You are so creative and inspirirng! I am thinking of you!
Wow, Lisa. It sounds like wings are definitely coming. I'll be thinking of your family in the coming months and hoping that wonderful opportunities open up for all of you. I'm sure your etsy shop will be fabulous. ;)
The recession seems to be closing in on more and more people, but I like your attitude about it.
Good luck!
Lisa, wishing only good things for you and your family. Your blog is so inspiring and you aren't selling out if you need to make those changes. I will still be a follwer. Good Luck.
Michelle
Oh, Lisa! You have a great attitude. Good luck with everything.
Lisa, i wasn't going to blog about it either...but for some reason felt the need. Thinking of you too, wishing good things your way.
Silly, thank you for your support, you are so sweet!
Thanks everybody for you well wishes and support. I knew this community of bloggers would be wonderful about this.
Lisa :)
You have a great attitude. There will be growth, learning, and joy in your days ahead.
I wish you the best!!! :)
Oh Lisa.. I am so sorry. I am not a big fan of change, and even if you are, it's hard to take that leap. My prayers are with you. Everything will work out and it's great you are staying so positive.
(And hey look at Kim, she lives in Georgia and it looks like paradise.)
Good luck and I am excited to see the changes on your blog.
hey lisa-sounds like you are in for some big changes. i´m sure they will all be good. what you put out always comes back in spades.(at least that´s what i believe...:)) and yes open your etsy shop! maybe this is the little push to get you started. (i keep checking to see if it has opened...) you are in my thoughts sweet lisa!
Lisa,
I so admire you and the inner strength you have. I love your optimism - and the peace that I'm sure that brings to your family. You have exciting days ahead!! I, for one, would love to see an etsy shop... :)
Blessings...
I love the metaphor to the haiku you left. It is so very fitting. I know good things are in store for you and your family!
I just heard that story this morning on NPR. I'm really sorry you're having to deal with that. This economy stinks!
I just found out this morning that all the teachers at the school where I work will be taking a pay cut next year, because it's a private school and enrollment is down.
Good luck with your shop and with whatever you decide to do as a family!
I pray that good changes come soon. Maybe this will push you to move forward creatively and open up new doors for you and your family.
Sending you big reassuring hugs..
You are right in thinking about this as a new possibility, an open door to better things. I'll be coming back to see what you are doing!
I hope this is the start of something wonderful for you and your family, wherever that path may take you.
It is so hard when we are left in limbo - we've been dealing with that issue for over a year now (long story), so my heart goes out to you. I, for one, think it would be FABULOUS if you opened an etsy shop :) you are so creative and sharing that with the world would be a wonderful thing :). And where ever you land, there will be a reason for it, even if we don't always understand right away. You'll be in my thoughts and I look forward to your new adventures, be they where you are now, in Georgia, or over the moon!
Hugs,
Jen
Lisa, with your wonderful attitude I'm sure there will be great things in store for you and your family. I'll be thinking about you over the next few months. I think an etsy shop would be great-you have so many wonderful ideas!
I will keep my fingers crossed that all turns out well. And a change in your blog wouldn´t stop me from coming back...no way! ;)
Take care and good luck, Jeannette
Dear Lisa,
Im so sorry you have to face these challenges. But I think that you are right, your wings are growing and they are going to be so lovely! Im looking forward to your shop opening it will be great! I never win any of the felties you make : ( so Im looking forward to having a chance at one!!! Take good care of yourself during these challenging times, your going to be wonderful!
Sincerely your blogging friend
Jane
I don't know if you're a religious person or not, but here is one of my very favorite bible verses. It's found in Matthew 6.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
It's really been comforting me lately. I hope it's meaningful to you too.
I took a voluntary layoff in December thinking my husband's job was safe. He was laid off last month to everyone's surprise. Sometimes my stomach aches with worry and sometimes it flips with excitement at the thought of changing our entire lifestyle out of necessity. I've never been a risk taker and I'm not overly fond of change. But, we do what we must to stay sane.
Looking forward to seeing the Etsy shop and the possible new layout of your blog! I will follow your words regardless.
Crescent, yep, that would be the company you heard about on NPR....and I agree this economy does stink!
Emily, thank you for taking the time to write those beautiful words. You don't have to be a religious person to understand the wisdom there.
Jen, Amanda and Lisa....sounds like we are all in a similar boat. I knew that posting this would bring similar together; it's good to share experiences together. I'm here for you special ladies.
And everyone else....you are all such wonderful people and I am so glad to know you. Thank you, your words and wishes mean the world to me!
Lisa :)
Oh, I wish this weren't such a common story right now. But the creativity that has arisen from all this forced change is remarkable! Sounds like you will take THIS community wherever life takes you, and I'm betting you have "real live" community supporting you, being the kind of person you clearly are...
d
Sending you hugs! You are incredibly talented and inspirational. Warmest wishes for your family's new directions.
First, I stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago and have been delighted thus far! Thanks! Second, My family is going through some rough times with employment and relocation and what not.... Our journey started in August and we still don't know when/if we are going.. We've had a huge loss of income that fell right in with a huge tax error so that our outgo is more than our in... But I am finding peace. And when I came across this quote yesterday I thought "yes, that's it exactly"...
I think these difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes around worrying about are of no importance whatsoever. Isak Dinesen
Sharna, thank you so much for the quote....it speaks of so much truth and as I get older, I am becoming more wise of this. Best wishes to you and your family through the tough times. It sounds to me you have the best attitude to keep the family moving ahead.
Booty and Karen, thank you so much for the hugs and well wishes.
Lisa :)
I'm sorry. Change is difficult and the not knowing doesn't help.
But from reading this post and your blog you have a great attitude and a wonderful spirit.
I'm sure that whatever comes your way you will remain on top and it will only be wonderful for you and your family.
Yes indeed change is constant and you are speaking of perhaps big change. I wish you only the best. May your path be clear and full of grace!
I hope everything goes ok with the big decisions you have to make !! New chapters are good ... and with your attitude, I think this new chapter will be VERY good !!
This is all too common right now isn't it?
But your attitude is wonderful, and really, when life does what the heck it wants, that's what we are left with - how we choose to perceive it all.
Wishing you tons of strength and creativity.
Change is always an exciting adventure, even thought it can be worrisome at the same time. I'm sure things will be wonderful, and the positive thinking a true asset.
wishing the best for you and your family during these uncertain time.
Oh Lisa... I know how unsettling this news must be for you all. Your attitude is so positive and strong - if anyone can face this challenge head on, it's you.
I look forward to supporting you through your Etsy shop !! It is perhaps the universe guiding you closer to a goal.
Hugs to you all and those sweet darling girls.
If you end up scanning the map for places to relocate Maine is lovely this time of year :0) X0 X0
I wish you all the best as you grow your wings and venture into this new chapter in your life. I understand that restless feeling; I seem to get that right before big changes happen in my life to. I know your Etsy shop will be great!
Oh Honey! I'm so sorry to hear your news. Thank you so much for sharing it, though. You know I can relate, so I won't drone on about that. But, I will say that you and your beautiful family are such a gift to your community and our shared virtual one. And now your gypsy wings have the chance to open! Terrifying, sad, exciting and oh! so, beautiful. May you fly with grace and joy. I am with you sweet friend.
Found your blog recently and I love it! Any changes you make to it will be fine; I'll keep looking! I'm sorry to hear about all the upheaval in your life...I think an economy like the one we are in gives us all an opportunity to get really creative...and creativity is one of your strengths! Your talents will be welcome anywhere :)
your attitude is wonderful. here's to growing wings!
Hi Lisa
So great that you're looking at this new situation with such a broad and beautiful perspective. Change is so hard. But whatever happens, know your family will be taken care of. The etsy shop is a great idea!
Take care!
Becca
I hope that these changes bring wonderful things for you and your family and the next chapter is even better than the last. Love the images of the caterpillars and the haiku. Your blog is an inspiration and the need for advertising and Etsy is understandable. I'd love to shop in your Etsy store!
Dear LIsa, I have only begun to follow you blog for the past few months, and I have so enjoyed it. Thank you for the inspiration, I am about to take the road of unschooling rather than Kindergarten in the fall, and it is blogs like yours that has filled me with belief in the magic and beauty that learning should be. So, thank you. Change is good, scary and usually in hind site it is a great thing. I wish your family the best in the weeks/months to come! again, thank you!
Terri
Don't worry big sis! Where ever you go I am sure there is a masterschool with my name on it nearby :) Bobby said you cannot get to far away...who would he have to hiss at :)
I just sat down to read the fiftysomething posts in my Google Reader and discovered this one.
I'm so sorry to hear about your possible move/husband's job loss. My own husband's job has been in limbo since January. He has been laid off here & there (in fact, this week he was "off" for three days-he may file for unemployment, but it doesn't pay near what his regular salary does).
Go ahead & do the Etsy shop--I've had two sales and mine has only been up for a little over a week! If you do it-let me know & I will tell all of my friends!
I'll keep your family in my thoughts because I know what the uncertainty is like--you try so hard to be positive & think positively (one door shuts a new one opens and all that stuff...), but it is still scary.
Take care...best wishes.
~Jessica
Keep up the great attitude! I don't know what I would do in this situation, but I don't think I would handle the uncertainty as gracefully as you are.
You are totally inspiring and I know your etsy will be very successful.
Oh Lisa...I can relate! My husband has had to change jobs a few times this year due to companies closing down. We have considered a variety of options as a family. I think that opening your etsy shop is a wonderful idea! I will be thinking of you and your family. Everything will work out the way it's meant to be because you will keep the magic alive for your children, no matter what.
Lisa,
I can't wait for your Etsy shop to open! I will be right there beside you buying EVERYTHING there! :-) I will be praying for your family! You are such a inspiring person and I hope that everything works out for you and yours!
I know change is hard, and things like this can be scary (esp. when you have kids!!!!), but I always look to radical life change as a life lesson, in a way...if that makes sense. Always an adventure. I think an Etsy shop is a great idea! :)
It was a couple of weeks ago I made a similiar post on my own blog. I was so lost and scared. We didn't know if we were going to survive. It happened with no warning...and no money in the bank account. I can't put into words the pain I was going through...but it has worked out okay. It took a couple of weeks but my husband found a different job. One that is actually better than the one who gave him the pink slip. By the grace of god and the help of family we were able to pay our bills. I'm proud of how we handled the situation as a family. It showed me just how we've grown. My husband and I cried together and supported one another rather than growing more separate. We became more spiritual together. My husband would have never left his other job--and this one is actually better...so while it was hard really a door was opened for us. When I posted about this on my own blog I was hesitant to do so. The emails I received letting me know I wasn't alone probably helped more than anything. While we know it is happening all across the country--it hadn't affected my friends and family so I felt alone. It isn't fair. There is no fairness at all in this recession. People who work hard every single day, pay their bills, and are good citizens are being affected. I don't usually like country that much but have you heard the Hank Williams Jr. song Red, White, and Pink Slip blues? I have found it to be somewhat therapeutic...I will keep you in my prayers. I know 100% that it was because of prayer we were able to get through this.
You sound amazingly positive Lisa...a good thing. Yes change...it frightens us, tests us but opens so many doors that can enrich us! Breathe friend.
Sorry to hear that your life is being disrupted right now. It's wonderful that you can be so optimistic about it. I'd love to see you open an etsy shop. I'm sure it would be full of things I'd like. :)
Fly little one fly!! :)
I think you work so hard on your sweet blog, that of course you should make a bit of money off of it. Yes, it's nice to just share, but at the end of the day your blogging and time and patience and love is worth something, isn't it? I know I would still be a daily visitor!
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