A farewell and thank you to all...

Last month brought some changes to my life. My husband and I have parted ways and we are listing our place for sale.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help and support since I've been part of this wonderful group. This spring when I went through my ordeal with my chickens several of you offered to send me eggs when I was ready to start up again. Thank you so much for the offers, but unforunately I will not be able to take you up on the offer. I am not sure where life will take me, but at this point I can`t see me being able to keep chickens.

Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone, and let you know...

I am very sorry to hear this. I know that you loved your life you had and always provided us with beautiful pictures. I personally would love you to stay around here if, you are able, and I look forward to pictures of your new life, may it be better and fuller and happier.

Jen please check your PM.

I am very sorry to hear your news and also hope you'll keep visiting this forum. Your posts have always educated, entertained and at times, calmed me. I would miss that very much.

Take all the best of care and I hope we continue to hear from you here.
xo

Silkie, I know you are going through a lot right now. If you think of us and have a little time, let us know how you are doing. We care about you.

I am so sorry for what you are going through and wish you all the best

So sorry to hear this I hope you can stick around, hope you find hapiness on your new road. Take care, plz stick around!

Oh silkie, life is so full of twists and turns and it is hard to know what lies ahead at times like these but know that all will be well again one day. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your life with us here on the forum, including what you're going through now.......because it is life and many of us have been there.

Lean into it, the joy and the pain and keep your face to the LIght.

I will hold you close in my thoughts. And, given your passion for poultry, I can't imagine you without those critters again in your life one day.

Sorry to hear this as well...

Remember to always look up, never down. It's hard to see where happiness and a promising future may lay when your chin is down. No matter where you go in this new chapter in your life, stop in to say hello and catch up, there are many people here that will miss you.

Wish you all the best.

I completely agree with Jonny! It may be tough on you and your girls now, but it only gets better from here (at least once everything is finalized)! As long as you try to stay positive. You WILL end up with chickens again. Life WILL be better. And you WILL be happier and healthier for it. Hang in there, we got your back.

Very sorry to hear this. Do stick around and let us know what you're up to.

Oh girl, I have recently wondered many times where you have been, I know now. You have been in a dark place, and still are. That will pass, and you will again be happy. Been through a few dark places in my life with men in my life, but have been in a bright place now for over 30 years. Happiness will again be with you. In these days, always look to your children, your family, you know this I am sure. Your children will need your smiling face more than they ever have, as they too will be in a very dark place. The sun will shine again. And when you feel that sun shining strong enough to come back to visit us, with the pictures that thrill us all to death, we will be waiting with open eyes. Take care Silkie, this too shall pass and you will be happy again, just like you have been before. Do, still, find something good to make this day good, look to your children. CynthiaM.

We'll all be thinking of you during this difficult phase of your life. As ChicoryFarm said, thank you for letting us know of your situation, Silkie. We all truly wish only the best for you!

My heart goes out to you and I wish you the very best, where ever you may land.

Thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

I think that things will get better after while. My girls and I are in a good place, and have the support of close friends and family. (They`re relieved that I`m out of the situation). It will all work out in the long run, I know.

I will pop in here once and a while when I can. I just don't have internet right now (I'm at a cafe for coffee).

Just thought I would pop in say Hi and what's up.

I am off to my first day back to work after being home with my kids since they were born. I'm so nervous about it. A few weeks back I ran into my old boss from the Craft Store and asked if I could use them on my resume, and she said sure,but I was coming to work for them. It's been 12 years since I've worked there and the store has changed and expanded lots so I will need to be retrained. I'm not the same person who worked there all those years ago. It will be weird working with the public again and I feel pretty shy about it. Not really sure if I am ready (I still feel overwhelmed and emotional at times) and am unsure how it is going to work with the kids and school holidays and that sort of thing. I've never had a sitter and the whole thing freaks me out.

I have also recently got my learners license again. I've had it several times but living out of town and always having kids with me has given me little opportunity to actually drive. Now I really need to do this so that I can have a life of my own. (must admit though that I totally hate driving. Ha ha ha)

So, this is some of what has been going on with me besides missing the whole farming thing and trying to get all those other tough things figured out. Oh, our house is also now listed on Remax, but now the ferry is out so I expect it could be a while before it sells. Although I am praying someone comes along and is so thrilled with the ride across the river in the cable car that they snap our place up.

Anyways I think of you guys often and sometimes pop in to read a post or two.

Your stronger than you think and can definitaly pull this off. As for work it will come back to you quicker than you think, the memory is there just needs to be dusted off.

Oh driving now too wow. Crumy time of the year but it really sounds like you grabbed the bull by the horns!!

The sitter is the only thing I would ever worry about too so I feel your anxiety there.

BEST of LUCK SB.

Good to hear from you Silkie! I have been thinking of you and all the tough stuff you are probably having to deal with right now...
Sounds like that will be a good thing working at the craft store, Im sure you will figure it all out, the most important thing working retail is customer service and I think you would be great at that!
Maybe you can make and sell some of your creations at the store, I remember your photos of some exquisite earrings you made from feathers...
Hope you can find a caregiver for the girls that you are really happy with, that will make it much easier.
Take care!

Having past employers embrace you with open arms has to make you feel good! I know that being home can undermine one's confidence over dealing with 'the real world'. Don't worry, they say it's like riding a bike, it will all come back to you. And until it does, remeber the rule, Act As If.

Act As If means that you fake your way through dealing with customers, even if you are nervous and quivery inside. Because someone who comes in to buy yarn or glue has no idea how you are feeling and won't know, unless you begin to cry or pass out or something. So take a deep breath, pretend you are on stage, in a play, acting the part of the super smart and perky craft sales lady, smile, and FAKE IT! Pretty soon you will realize that you are not faking it and you really are confident, competent and comfortable. Because you are, you just have to convince yourself.

Step by step life becomes yours, better, less scary. When you realize what you can live through and survive, you will be impressed and amazed at yourself, resilient, bolder, braver, tougher, smarter. All those great things. You will wake up one day and say, "I am Silkie, hear me roar!"

Thank you for the update. I wonder about you. I cheer for you. I know this is scary and super hard. BUt you will win. Good luck in all of it.

I agree with Uno.
My oldest sister always said fake it till you make it. She was always getting jobs she was totally unqualified for. I would always ask her what she was going to do and she would say she didn't know. I have to say she always rocked whatever job she had.

I hope you have a great day and remember to have FUN too!

I'll be praying for you. Take it one day at a time.

Hi there Silkie,

So often people hear of our problems and say "I know how you feel"...and you wonder if they actually do, or if they are simply trying to make you feel better. Well Silkie...I can say to you that I really do know how you feel. In 2002 I found myself divorced, and the newly single mother of 4 young children...all under the age of 7. I had no license, nor had I ever even really driven a car because my husband did all the driving. I only had my grade 11 education, and hadn't been working because my husband had wanted me home to raise our children.

Well...to make a long story short, I got a job at a bread store...in customer service. I was angry, sad, lonely, scared...I didn't want to play sunshine and roses to people, ask them how they're doing...blah blah blah...when I was so miserable inside. But I went to work every day (riding the bus there and back), I did as Uno said and faked it...pasted that smile on my face and acted perfectly pleasant...a joy to be around.

Over time I saved money to take driving lessons, got my license; bought an old '89 Honda Accord from SGI Salvage and spent months slowly fixing it up little by little; and then also little by little...day by day....my fake smile at work started becoming genuine. I began to thoroughly enjoy many of the customers I would see regularly. They became a welcome diversion to my dismal thoughts on the tough days. After 2 years of working, I went back to school full time and finished my grade 12...it wasn't fun to be finishing so late in life but that didn't matter...I did what I needed to do for my children's future.

Since then I have received my Parts Management Certificate and have worked in that field and enjoyed it; and I now hold an Educational Assistant certificate and work with autistic children and I absolutely love it. The one thing that pushed me forward through it all was my children. They needed me most, and I needed them. I was a single mother for 9 years Silkie...literally doing it all on my own.

What I am trying to say is that you CAN do this Silkie, and you will! Slowly...over time...the days will get brighter for you; you will get stronger; and you will persevere. You may be 'breaking up', but you're not 'breaking down'. You don't have to. I believe that. I didn't think I could ever do it on my own...but I did and I am a much stronger and more independent woman now then I ever thought I could be. You will be too. Take it one day at a time, fake it if you have to, don't EVER let anyone disrespect you. Surround yourself only by those people in your life who truly support you and are positive thinkers. I know how scary this time for you must be...it's terrifying...that's the truth. However...life is such a gift Silkie...don't ever give up believing that your life has so much value and believe that it does get easier.

I agree one hundred percent with others who have posted here. You will have chickens again Silkie. If chickens bring you great joy, don't close the door on them just yet. Only say that you don't have them "for now", but you will again soon .

You have all the strength you need to create and live a wonderful, fulfilling life for yourself and your children Silkie. Just be patient, keep your arms and heart wide open for it; and it will come to you. Please believe me

You're in my thoughts Silkie. Take good care.