My friend Debbie has a theory on this thing we call life. She reckons it happens in seven-year seasons, and that every season will eventually fade to make way for another. She tells me now that this season is almost over. That the universe is nudging us towards change: hers a gentle shift on the map, mine a beautiful, cataclysmic all-embracing upheaval.
This week Finley has been at home and my usual routine has been turned on its head. It has in fact been something of a lesson in real-life: time away from what is my greatest addiction without the usual cold turkey I am prone to suffering whenever reality insists I switch off my beloved laptop. And I felt it Readers: that switch in focus Debbie foretold only this past weekend. Not for me this time that gnawing sense that I am missing out on something on-line, but instead concentrated effort to make space in my life for the new little family we will become when Richard moves in.
So much is changing now. The next month is likely to bring huge change as Rich loses a job and starts a business, lets his house and transforms mine into a home we can all thrive in together. We will be a family. I will be a wife. No, really. ME. A wife!
Being a single parent has been a gift. Though five years ago I could not even have begun to imagine writing that sentence, I now know it to be true. Single parenthood has taught to be emotionally and financially independent. It has shown me that I can be brave, fearless, occasionally even reckless and that even in the face of adversity I will survive, still smiling, still clutching my babba, still lighting my candles and hoping for a better tomorrow. And now perhaps for always, perhaps only for a while, (never say never) single parenthood is over and though I welcome the opportunity true partnership will bring, I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I did not admit to feeling apprehensive too.
But life doesn’t stand still does it? I have said it before and I no doubt I will say it again. If there is one thing I hope I have taught you in seven years of blogging it is this: that there is no sense in fearing change, that it will happen regardless, and if it doesn’t, our most essential selves will rot. I hope you have seen me trust my instincts enough to draw back when I need to: to gather my wits again and get back on the road. I hope I have taught you to listen to what your heart tells you and keep on keeping on doing what your head tells you. I hope you know now that your authentic voice is the only one worth listening to…
Things change. People change. Our purpose in life is shaped not just by ambition, but also by circumstance and we are obliged to adapt too. To take on new roles and find a way of shaping our personal ambition to suit them. For me this means re-focusing my work on-line. You see I have been coasting for a long time. Dithering. Afraid to change the status quo. Sometimes now I suspect I am repeating myself. Forming the words you know I am going to say. Feeling constantly pressured. Muddly and fuzzy brained. Boring us all!
We have of course been here before. I am in the habit of re-arranging the furniture whenever I sense tedium setting in and I am not afraid of it: I am not afraid of saying my life is changing and this pretty parallel universe of mine must change too, if a swift decline into monotonous oblivion is to be avoided and my passion for blogging re-ignited all over again. And so I am signing off for a while. To concentrate on making space in my head for a new life. To write some stuff I am proud of. To finish a few projects that are still undone. To make MUSE as good as I know it can be. To re-design
To lie in the sun. Read. Enjoy my home. Choose curtains and kitchens and skirting boards. Take a holiday. Hug my little boy. Kiss my grown man. Argue about paint. Deny my love for
I will still be available on Twitter. Posting Instagram photo’s from my day there and sharing all the usual nonsense. The
I love you all. I hope you understand.x
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The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Autumn House 
Notes From Isolation
I understand completely! you will be greatly missed.xxx
All the best of luck and love to you all. (I am shocked though and will miss this lots). x
Well, I'm sad, but I applaud you for being brave enough to embark on this new journey. All the best, until I see you here again!
I am happy for you! I'll see you when you get back…
Oh I'm so sad! Amen to twitter for allowing me my daily brocante fix and I wish you all the luck in the world xx
One does occasionally have to take stop and take some time for themselves. You've been doing this for years and you deserve it. Congratulations for making what must've been a difficult decision, and God's best to you in whatever comes your way! Enjoy – life, Richard, Finley, Cath Kidston ;0), decorating, and anything else you may have put on the back burner or not paid full enough attention to! Hate to see you go, if even for a short while! Leslie Anne ><,
,
Didn't we see this coming? of course we did!!! And we can't be happier for you and your little house full to be as one family. I will miss the newsie stuff but you can fill us in later. I would love to hear what Fin is like after the tooth area heals. I believe we have a same thing happing here.
Anyway, blessings to you all and prayers for a happy time together!
Yes it's the 7 year itch!! Have heard of this but wish you the best of luck!! Xx
Oh Susie, that will be it, the seven year itch! Will go away, scratch my self senseless and come back calmer one day soon.x
So happy for you,not so good for us, but real life and love must always come first.All my dearest wishes.
Happy happy life to you!
We miss you already Alison, but we understand you must take time during this exciting chapter in your life. I look forward to hearing all about it.
P.S I am loving MUSE
Bertie xx
I've been reading you since you started and watched your heart break and mine did too for you. I also watched the transformation of you and am OH SO proud of you! Happy Life to you Alison. I send you and that wonderful Finn and your Sweet Richard all the happiness your home can hold. Thank You for letting us in all these years and for giving us so much advice and laughter and inspiration. God Bless.
Well that just sounds terribly healthy and useful. I hope your concentration helps smooth out the transition. Much love to all of you as you work on blending and opening your life to each other.
I will miss you and your news – your blog was the first one I came across and is still my favourite! Enjoy life xx
Have been reading your posts for the longest time now . You always have something to share. I have cried and laughed with you. We will miss you but I wish you the happiest new life!!!!!!! I am so excited for you and Finley and Richard I know the three of you are going to make the most beautiful family. Congratulations and good luck to you.
Hugs,
Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens
I am so happy for you all, Alison! A new family, a new life…so many blessings. I'm also glad that you'll still be "around"!! 🙂
So on this new season of your life, I heartily congratulate you! I'm craving a little change of my own and waiting for it to come. I am the hugest supporter of going off the grid when necessary. But I will allow myself a tiny little "sigh" – reading your blog has still been one of my favorites! 🙂 But I know there is much stirring, brewing and stewing in you that needs to have its time, and perhaps something new and even more interesting will emerge. Ummm…. It might go without saying, but if you ever want to talk writerly things girl-to-girl, I'm always eager to! Writing can be a lonely pursuit, for me at least. I find myself desperately wanting to talk to someone about plots and POV and revising and writers block. And by talk I don't mean just leaving comments on a blog. So if you ever find yourself wanting to connect, come find me!
Of course we understand!! You've spent so much time pouring out to us and now it's your turn to be poured into! I'm so thrilled for you. SO glad you are taking this time to just be. Have fun! We love you always.
Alison, Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your life. As a fellow blogger, I know how draining it can be (especially when its your business). Your insight of the need to put it all on hold to the sake of your family and creativity is inspiring. I look forward to your triumphant return and more scrumptiously inspired posts! Much love and blessings to your new family mama! Lydia <3
Well, I have been reading your blog (and not commenting) for years and it has been an inspiration. I will miss reading your posts but I support your decision to put your real life ahead of your virtual one. Go, truly experience and revel in this new life you, Finley and Richard are building. Make it authentic and be happy. Best of luck in all and I hope to see you back online again someday.
YOU GO GIRL!!! And after you give us a hug and a pat on the head don't you DARE feel one ounce of guilt about going! You have shared so much with us all and we'll be just fine. Now it's about sharing primarily with you and yours and knowing YOU'LL be just fine. Enjoy LIFE Alison dear even more than i know you will. Devour the simple little ordinary things in a way that you've always taught us to. Life can be so… 'half-way' sometimes when one tries to live such a large chunk of it in front of a computer screen. And although your reasons were appreciated and loved by us, I think we all understand it's your time for change now. You can go sighing contentedly knowing that we are sighing contentedly whilst we light our tea lights, place our "spoiling" little scented soaps in a crystal dish, tie our lavender scented "pinnys" round our waists and get on with our "Seasonal Scrub" thanking you for inspiring each and every little "puttery" moment. (And for our "scrumptious" new vocabulary too!)
Thankyou Alison dear, you've worked hard to share, inspire and teach us and we'll be just lovely, contented and fine. Now off you go to be the same.
(my only regret is never quite understsnding what on earth a "lavender cream" is) 😉
Hugs and much love to you,
Lauren Mumford
Well, you have been my special cyber puttery treat all these years and now I have to let you go. I feel sad for myself, but more than that I am thrilled for the momentum of your life. There is much love for you out here- from people you will never meet, people who never even comment, I'm sure. I hope that you feel the energy of that. You are supported beyond your family, friends, and acquaintances. People all around the globe hold you in reverence. I am excited for you. I have been inspired by you. I wish you happily ever after.
As somebody who has only recently found your blog I will be sorry to see you go on your extended leave. I do, however, understand completely and wish you every happiness as you start this new and exciting chapter in your life.
I can't remember who it was that said FEAR stands for False Expectations Appearing Real. Enjoy this new start to your life and as they say, feel the fear and do it.
Ruby x
You go, girl. Sounds like you've got LIFE organized very well. Enjoy it! 🙂 Will keep following your around via Twitter, etc.
Exciting!!!
Thank you so much for sharing all these years Alison, I'm so happy for you. Family is THE most important thing and I salute your commitment to making time to adjust to your new lives together. I wish you every hapiness – you deserve it x x x
Alison, we will miss you, but you have already left such a legacy through your blog. That will keep 'oldies' who have followed your blog for years, and new readers, satisfied for a long time to come! Take this beautiful break (for I know it is just a break – even if extended) and come back refreshed and eager to share yet again.
Take care of yourself, enjoy this time of rest and renewal, and we'll see you whenever you feel that you're just bursting to share with us!
Just a great big thankyou and best wishes. I found your blog during what was a difficult time for me and it's been one if my inspirations for making changes. Enjoy all that comes your way Alison and enjoy just 'being' free for a while! Xx
Just a great big thankyou and best wishes. I found your blog during what was a difficult time for me and it's been one if my inspirations for making changes. Enjoy all that comes your way Alison and enjoy just 'being' free for a while! Xx
Alison, I wish you all the fun this new adventure has to offer!
Dear Alison, You have become like a dear friend who's name I look for in my in box. I can only reiterate all that everyone else has said – in one way or another – and wish you the 'bestest' of everything, every day and in every way until you come back.
Barbara
I've been reading since 2006 and never really commented until recently, but I've enjoyed every blog post, every puttery treat, every vintage lady picture you've ever posted. You've truly been an inspiration to me and I'm grateful to have gotten to read your stories. Take care, and congratulations on all the new exciting happenings in your life. <3
Best wishes for great love and happiness for all of you !!!
Of course I will miss your posts but I completely understand the need for some time out and to enjoy the "real" world! I remember when I moved into my own home and this was the point I thought ahhh I'll be blogging photos of gorgeous vignettes I've created and daily baking challenges but of course you need to get yourself sorted before you can even think about any of that!
Enjoy your happy time with your family and now I have my new iphone and Twitter app I will be keeping updated with all that's happening in Brocante-land!
Take Care and will be waiting for your return,
Victoria xxx
Oh, I will miss you so, but totally understand. I don't know how you manage everything you do! Looking forward to reading Muse, and hope you let us know when great things happen.
Thank you, Alison, for all the lovely books, websites, recipes, treats, and essays, you have enriched my life. I wish you a wonderful future together. I will be here if you decide to come back! XOX Diane
Congratulations, not only for this wonderful new era in your life, but for having the bravery to follow your instincts and your heart and put the most important people in your life (including you lovely!) first. Many people never quite achieve doing this and regret it later on in life…….. Life is, after all, for LIVING!!! I'm so excited for you! Like all the best, deepest friendships, you can always pick up where you left off as if we had seen each other only a moment ago………… a bientot! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Congratulations, not only for this wonderful new era in your life, but for having the bravery to follow your instincts and your heart and put the most important people in your life (including you lovely!) first. Many people never quite achieve doing this and regret it later on in life…….. Life is, after all, for LIVING!!! I'm so excited for you! Like all the best, deepest friendships, you can always pick up where you left off as if we had seen each other only a moment ago………… a bientot! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Alison, good luck (not that you need it) and best wishes for your break, I hope you have a spectacularly good time and return when you're refreshed and raring to go. You are wise about change; I should pay attention.
May your life be filled with roses and sunshine, lazy h xxx
Thrilled to read your news and sad to see you go (even if only on extended leave).
Having watched you deal with your heartache and then gone through mine, I have to say you've brought hope to me, showing me that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.
Have a wonderful time. 🙂
Much joy. Lesley xx
I'll really miss you, but am happy that you're having a well needed break from blogging! Keep in touch!
Congratulations on your decision. Every tidbit of your writing has always been a gift. It will be a delight to see you again in the future – whatever incarnation.
Congratulations on your decision. Every tidbit of your writing has always been a gift. It will be a delight to see you again in the future – whatever incarnation.