something dawned on me last week.
i used to get excited to scrapbook. i used to find a picture or take a picture and have a story to tell.
now, i take a picture and i get excited to blog it.
lightbulb moment: this blog has totally stolen my scrapbooking mojo.
so.
i need to refocus. because scrapbooking is more important to me. i dont want this to replace it. i cant let this replace it anymore.
this was a perfect outlet for me in the last year. this blog came at the perfect time. literally two days before mckenna went into the hospital. i used it to update, to vent, to celebrate, to gain so much support and love from you all. i thank you for that.
but in the last few months, the blog for me has changed. and right now, i feel it is best for me to continue only as a photo blog. i will not be leaving the old blog up, and i will not be publishing any of my old posts online. i hope not to lose your support, and i hope you understand.
i cant thank you enough for staying with me during a year that i never thought could happen to us and then thought would never end.
i am so ready to face 2006.
with a fresh start.
peace.
t.
i am so excited that you are going to be scrapping more. i LOVE your blog, i’ll miss it,but somehow i will make it through.: )you totally inspire me to be the real “ria” and to do what’s best for me and my fam. i hope you realize what an inspiration you have been to so many people. you are such a good, real, fun person. never ever change.( i feel like i’m signing your yearbook.: ))
take care.
ria
Tara – you are my hero. thank you for sharing your talents to those of us who admire from afar. i marvel at your insight, your honesty and your decision to do what is in your heart….brava!
Cheers
Christine
Love your new banner :)
Alette
I have loved your blog over the last year Tara, to read about a woman of such strength, to read about your Daughter’s Triumphs, to see your kids all grow and thrive.
but most importantly to have shared your life , and one of such bravery, was a pleasure and a priviledge.
Peace to you, and the most amazing, safe and healthy 2006 to you and your family.
Ngaire
xxx
Nope–I just don’t think I can be as sweet and kind as everyone else… I am gonna miss my coffee and morning Bloggin with Ms. T…. :)
But if less words means more photos….. hmmm then I can be gracious and say thank you for sharing a slice of your life and letting all of us know what a tremendous person you are!!
Keep those awesome photos coming!!
We luv ya!!
i’ll so miss your musings on daily life…but cannot wait to see your pictures (which i love just as much!) please, though, keep us all updates on McKenna’s continued recovery! love ya!
From across the pond, I will miss all your insights into daily life and stuff generally
but will look forward to seeing more LO’s from you …take care of the nose jewellery, just had mine re-done for my 40th birthday !!! nose studs rock …
Louise – Essex – UK
just wanted to say i will miss
reading your incredible thoughts,
but i’m so excited to see more of
your scrapbooking work.
i’m so glad you will continue with
a photoblog–your photos are always
so inspirational.
best wishes!
WTG on this photo blog!
I feel you. I’ve reorganized my scrap stuff and started spending more time with the paper and stuff. It’s so therapeautic for me and I’m sorry I missed it so much. I imagine you love it even more than me (actually, I know you do) and am glad we’ll at least get to see your photos. I love getting a peak at what you’ve done. Thanks for sharing! :-)
I use my blog as a way to record the moments and journaling before I forget. That way I can go back and copy the notes and scrap. :D
Hey Tara girl I will totally miss your posts but you have to do what is right for you. I am however so glad that you have decided to at least keep the photography part of it. Your photography never ceases to amaze and thanks for taking the time to share it still.
big hugs
Tara, Thank you SO much for what you have given us. I enjoy reading everything you post and your photos are simply inspriring (believe me, I am saving up for you!!). I look forward to seeing your work in the future and if possible any words you wish to share. :) Thanks
I understand your decision, but I’ll be sorry to see this change. I always, felt, reading your blog that not only did you GET it, but you weren’t afraid to say it either, and it was refreshing. :o)
Good luck!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooooo sorry to read that…
I totally respect your decision. You are such a breath of fresh air, Tara. The passion and openness with which you live your live are inspiring. You will be missed.
Go scrapbook. :)
I’ll miss your insight on life, but am happy to still get photo inspiration from you! You’re amazing :).
You’ve been an inspiration to me..as obviously to many others…thank you
it’s all good, T. will look forward to seeing the pictures still! :)
what? now how will I keep up with you? I will miss that but I love your beautiful photos. They inspire me. i guess that I will just have to pick up the phone…
c
You and your sweet life story will be missed more than you know…
Take care!
Work is going to be sooooooo boring without you. We will have your pictures and thank you for sharing so much of yourself and for always being real and bringing the human side of being a mommy (I know I needed that). I definately respect your choice and will be here daily waiting for new pics as usual. Thanks again.
Tara,
I will miss your “slice of life” posts, especially in regards to mothering 4 kids. You really inspired me as a mother, as well as in scrapbooking and photography.
I understand your motivation because I have been feeling the same. I started a blog in March this year, and although it has been great for sharing my life with family and friends, and making new connections and new friends, it has definitely taken a bite out of my scrapping time. But the whole format of blogging has also inspired me to journal more when I do scrap, and create a cleaner, simpler, and faster layout. So it’s been good, too.
I’m sorry you pulled your old posts, but getting a focus here and setting it up more professionally is refreshing for you.
Best wishes to you, and thanks for the continued photographic inspiration.
Hey T! I have to say that I am totally supportive of your decision but I also have to say that I am a bit disappointed. Not just because I love reading everything you post, (You inspire and lift me everytime I read) but mostly I’m disappointed because I have felt in the last year since it started that I have gotten to know you again. Other than the odd phone call and yearly Christmas Card, we had lost touch, and for me at least, this was my way of not feeling that with you. I hope for 2 things to come as you stop posting so much. #1, that you continue to love and create the amazing scrapbooks you have always made, and #2 that we do better at keeping in touch. More emails, more phone calls, etc. Good luck with your scrapping! I’ll still be checking the blog to see pics but I’ll miss reading about your random days and your every day thoughts and stories soooooo…… call me girl!! Love Ya! -Mar
Tara – I totally understand. I’m just happy that you will keep it as a photo blog.
Would you still post your photo a day? even without much info – I found it inspiring for “real life” shots.
Can’t wait to see more scrapbook layouts & altered stuff & have a wonderful holiday season!
I know *exactly* what you mean. I used to have a powerful drive to scrapbook because I felt that I needed to get the stories down. Something would happen and I would just NEED to scrap it. Lately I haven’t felt the need to scrap ANYTHING and I realized it was because I was already getting that “fix” from my blog. I wish there was some “best of both worlds” medium that I could find (and you too)! I’ll miss your posts but totally understand where you’re coming from!
So sad to see you go, but happy that maybe your mojo will get you back into the 2peas garden…I miss seeing you there….
I’ll keep coming back to check in….don’t you worry!
Hope things continue to go well for you!
As someone else said – you owe us nothing! Love the new banner and am really glad that you’ll keep inspiring us with your gorgeous photos. Happy New Year Tara. Peace.
Very sad for me to hear this but I understand as well. I hope you will turn your posts into a book or something some day (maybe with some new chapters). You get at what’s real, raw and that’s not easy to do. Peace to you and your beautiful family.
Tara, thank you for sharing with us. Your family, your scrapbooking, your story… you! I’ve found it all so inspiring.
:)
I’ll be perfectly honest here. I didn’t even know you WERE a scrapbooker until fairly recently (the “I’m a Simple Girl” post). I found your site because of your stunning photography and then finding out you scrapped too? Well that was like finding two prizes in my crackerjack box! Yeah, we’ll miss reading you, but I know more of us feel the same as you and applaud your balls for saying it outloud. You do what you need to do, no apologies necessary! You’ll still be putting good stuff out there and good stuff will still be happening. (LOL, my “My name is Earl” analogy.)
hugs and take care, t
Yeah, what you think is pretty cool, but what we REALLY come here for is the photos anyway. :p
I’ve always felt that the blog came at such a good time for you. Such a good outlet for you, when it seemed time was a factor. That you realized that fact in part of the change is good too. I will also say that I LOVED reading your words as much a viewing (feeling) your photos. But life changes and evolves and it’s on to the next faze. I REALLY miss your scrapbooking too, as I’m sure you do! So here’s to the next faze! Come on mojo!!!
Well I for one am exciting to start gleaning all types of inspiration from your scrapbook pages again! Have so missed seeing those in the garden!
ack!!!! I go away for the weekend and then come back to this oh no! So sad. :( I do understand though. I came to your blog almost daily, and will truly miss the daily photo posts(will miss it alot) getting a glimpses inside your home. Your life. But I will take what I can get at least you arent gone for good.
I am soooooooooo going to miss this blog. Its my very most favoritist :)
Not that I don’t understand, I do really!…just being selfish and Im sad.
like another person said….its like someone told me I would never have another Diet Coke again….what will I do everyday before I go to bed!!! I looked forward to your words, your stories, you’re the reason I too became a blogger. But like they say all good things must come to an end. We’ll still have your photos. Good luck, you’ll be missed.
Wow, T. I’m so happy for you to have had a glowing moment of realization (those seem to be few and far between for me!!) . . . and I’m also sad that the vehicle by which I got to know you (and love you!) will be no more! Thank you for giving me (and all of the other “stalkers”) a glimpse into your life, and your mind. You’ve truly been an inspiration to me!! I really can’t wait to see what’s next for the fabulous Miss T! (((Hugs!)))
you’re lucky i’m moving over to CA or i would be starting a revolt against this decision of yours! the world will miss your words tara, but at least we still get to see your pictures. they are magical. xx
Well, I for one will log in faithfully to see your photo blogs. Please do include pictures of you and your family from time to time. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Looking forward to seeing your work in Simple, and perhaps you’ll be back to share with us once in a while (can always hope).
:)) Nancy
Well, I can’t say I’m completely surprised as this tends to happen with us artists. We get utterly consumed with One thing and have a hard time finding balance. I hope this is a good break from you and that sometime you’ll come back and give us updates and whatnot. I LOVE your photos but the stories you share with them are what really touches me. I know there are many more great things in store for you and I can’t wait for you to share them. :) So, good luck!!
PS- Alex and I are counting down the days until our shoot in March! :)
Good for you! I will miss your posts, but celebrate the taking back of your life the way you want it. God Bless!
Life is all about growth and change. I will really, really miss your blog but you know what? Its not about us…its about you. I admire your willingness to change. Go with it.
As the trainers at the gym always tell me, if you don’t like your results, change something! So, good for you! I hope that you find renewed energy for scrapbooking!
I hope we can keep in touch, though… by email, phone, messenger swallow (of San Juan Capistrano), whatever!
{hugs}!
I will sure miss your blog Tara…love reading and laughing and crying…you are so inspirational to me. But I can still see your work on 2peas and Simple…. :) enjoy more scrapping time!
awww…. so sad. I will miss it so! you have to do what is best for you.
Tara,
Your blog was THE ONLY blog I’ve visited on an almsot daily basis…you have made me see things so differently! Just the way your thoughts have impacted my actions and thoughts I can’t tell you. Thank you for everything and you will be sorely missed!
I again look to you with admiration for rethinking things through and making a change. AGAIN, you have inspired me to look at my life, reevaluate and refocus. And, you know what? I really needed it!
HUGS!
Dawn
Okay Tara. I’m sad. NOT because of the decision you’re making, but it was so wonderful to read your blog and see everyday REALNESS about you and feeling as though I was getting to know you. I know you from the scrapbooking world, and now we both have created photography worlds. AND ISN’T IT HARD NOT to let photography overrule the scrapbooking. It’s stolen my mojo as well. I still scrap, but I look forward to clients more now..crazy huh?
I wish you all the best, and from a mom with two on the autism spectrum, I really enjoy your journey with McKenna even more!!
Sherri Winstead