This year has truly been a whirlwind for me. To be honest, it was probably one of the hardest years of my life. I don’t open up too often on this blog, I guess because I feel so exposed. But would you blame me? As bloggers, we open up our homes, our creations, and our lives for the entire world to witness. It’s scary sometimes. Not everyone likes what we do, and they certainly aren’t afraid to tell us about it either.
The scary 5th decade of my life began in January, and I yearned to find the identity of this 40 year old mom of 4 kids again. I needed to CREATE, to be artistic again, in some fashion. After much coaxing and encouragement by my sisters, Home Stories A to Z and Little Page Turners, I launched Sand & Sisal on December 10, 2010 and went full throttle with it for a few months.
I loved being creative! It’s who I am. I felt REAL for the first time in eons. But, blogging is not understood by a lot of people, as I soon found out. My choice to spend time with “y’all” and the laptop, became a huge point of tension in my personal life. Some things, ok, a lot of things, had to be worked out. Sparing the overly personal details, that “working out” basically meant the blog was put on the back burner most of the spring and summer.
During that time away I became a REALTOR. I’m proud of that accomplishment. I’ve always had a passion for homes! I had been a stay at home mom for 15 years. Switching back over to working full time and being a mom with 4 kids, was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done! Kudos to all you working mamas out there! Balancing work and home is something I haven’t quite mastered yet, but if you have any tips, let me know! It was a difficult and trying episode in my life, but by some miracle, things were worked out, and I was able to start creating and blogging again this past fall, this time with FULL support from all members of the family.
I hope to continue creating and growing this blog throughout 2012. I need to tell you, my wonderful readers, how much I APPRECIATE YOU!!! You lift me up every day, with your kind words and encouragement. Only about 10% of all readers leave comments, and not all of them are always sweet, but know that I appreciate anyone who even takes the time to click over and view Sand & Sisal. Thank you for following on Twitter and Facebook and subscribing. You All Are The Best and I hope that I can deliver valuable tutorials to you in the future that you enjoy! I look forward to what 2012 brings!
Wishing You & Your Family All the Best In the New Year!
Kim
Kim! What a year it has been! I’m glad you ‘figured it all out’ and are looking forward to blogging in 2012! I look forward to continuing to read your blog! I hope to see you again at Blissdom this year & Haven too!
Talk to you soon!
Funny you should mention the topic. I am always so torn about whether to have mine and my family’s information “out there”. It’s hard to know the right thing to do but I so enjoy blogging…
You are an inspiration! Thank you for writing…I love your sweet blog (: Happy New Year! xo Michaela
Beautiful post – congratulations on all your successes!
Great post Kim! I think it takes every blogger time to work it all out — it is such a life change! I’m so happy to hear all is well! Happy new year!
Congrats on becoming a realtor! Doing what you love and finding balance is what is important at this stage, really in every stage of life. So glad you are going to continue with your blog! You are so creative and your blog is so nice! You are truly an inspiration to a novice like me!
Oh Kim I don’t know you but feel like I do!I adore Beth and her blog and had no idea you were sisters! I think we all juggle the blogging/mamma/working thing and never master it. It just seems to get easier through trial and error and at the end of the day there is nothing more important than family. Best of luck in all your endeavors for the new year and I can not wait to read more!
Glad you decided to stay, enjoy your blog and didn’t know your sisters blog too. I follow one and will check out the other. If you get a chance come check me out! Happy New Year!
Happy 2012, Kim!
I look very forward to following along with your blog again this next year!
😀
Congrats on becoming a realtor.
But hun, 40 is the start of your 5th decade! Don’t worry I’m 33 but have lived in 5 decades LOL
Glad the difficult season of life is moving into the past and making way for a new frsh one to come in.
Here’s to 2012 =)
I am so impressed you are a realtor, blogger and mother of 4. I have always loved your blog and have made several of your recipes and crafts. Please keep up the great work! Best of luck in 2012!!!
Wow, does sound like a very eventful year! I just made the choice to stay home after my third was born and I agree I don’t see how mamas of several kiddos handle working and the rest of everything. Congrats on your realtor gig!
Your family is beautiful and I’m glad you came back to blogging again!
You do such cute things and you are always so sweet!!
What a beautiful picture of you & your family! Congrats on becoming a realtor too.
Wishing you a Happy New Year, Kim!
I think it’s awesome that you found a creative outlet just for you! 🙂 I’m glad Beth helped talk you into blogging–you are very talented! I’m always annoyed by rude comments…I wish people would just not say anything rather than leave something ugly. Here’s to hoping for more positive comments in 2012!
Thank you for sharing such a personal post. Congratulations on your success. Wishing you peace and prosperity in 2012!
Kim,
Thank you for such an honest post. I usually don’t leave comments but wanted you to know I appreciate you for laying it out there. I look forward to following you in the New Year and wish you all the best.
Thank you for sharing and being open! I would never had known this was a new adventure for you too. I’m greatful for bloggers that share their stories, tips, frustrations, and lessons learned. I look forward to continue supporting you. Happy New Year and may it be filled with joy and success.
I’m so glad that you write Sand & Sisal, I love to see what you create! Thanks for sharing your talents with us. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Love you sis! Beautifully expressed post. Much love & success in 2012!!
Happy New Year Kim!!
Happy New Year, Kim!!! So look forward to following along in your journey!
🙂
shaunna
BEAUTIFUL post Kim! I have to admit, sometimes you wonderfully creative bloggers seem so perfect. Posts like these remind us that a real person is behind these AMAZING posts & projects 🙂 LOVE your family picture!! Praying for you my blogger friend & a joyful 2012!!
It’s so nice to find your sweet blog at the first day of the new year… Happy and healthy New Year to you and your familiy from your newest follower!!
*Jutta*
Happy New Year ….very inspiring blog here = ) Love it …
Happy New Year. I enjoy reading your blog. And your creativity inspires me.
I’m one of those that stops by often but doesn’t leave a message.I want you to know your blog is one of my favorites I enjoy myself ever time I stop by and I am glad that you plan to share more of your wonderful ideas and thoughts because I would have missed you had you chosen to stop blogging.. Looking forward to seeing what you will be sharing in 2012 Happy New Year and hugs from Savannah, Cherry
I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed all the things you are writing about. You are doing a fantastic job and I look forward to all your posts, or blog or pins or what ever the right word is.
I am so looking forward to what you will be doing in 2012! Keep up the great work.
All the best,
Robin
Congratulations from Portugal – your blog is an inspiration!
Ok you cannot be 50 (or did you mean fifth decade is 40 years old)? Either way you look FAB. Seriously.
and I love your blog 😉
I realize you wrote this awhile back, but since I am a relatively new follower I just came upon this post. I can SO relate. People who don’t blog have NO idea how much time and energy it takes, especially if you do it as well as you do! It isn’t just a 15 min. a day post and boom you’re done. There is so much that goes into each post, not to mention each project that it can be hours of work each day, mostly unpaid! That usually starts to cause friction with someone. And trying to keep up with the comments and the following others and commenting, all of which are necessarry to be successful, but darn they take time! I hope that 2012 helps you find a balance that you can live with because I love your blog and would hate to see you give it up, but ultimately you have to do what is best for you and you are the only one who knows what that is.
I will pray for you and continue to come visit and comment to let you know you are appreciated. Have a great day and thanks for sharing with us!
Maureen
I understand about time. I started way back, guessing 2009 and it was easier and less time consuming. Now, with everyone moving over to another site, I just seems so complicated! Also, my family is all grown and out of school – I’m older, and no little one’s to write about. I did my home redo’s quite a few years ago, so I lack material to write about. A bit like being “burned out” ! Right now my blog is just sitting there being ignored by me. I guess it’s all about priorities!
You are so right about time consuming– I wish you luck with your decision and you can always go back to it when the time is right, too!
Thank you Connie for your kind comment. It hasn’t been easy but I need to let go of the “striving to succeed” part of blogging and just blog and write as I feel led. The blog has flourished this past year, growing faster than I ever thought possible. Don’t give up on your blog either. It’s a creative outlet. Use it for your own expression.
All my Best,
KIM