Five Years Later...

I'm really not sure if any of my former readers will see this. If so, thank you for taking a moment to read this message. If you happened to stumble upon my blog, hello and welcome! 

As you can probably tell I no longer post to this blog. I used to blog under the names "Life as we know it by Paula" and "Sincerely, Paula". I came here today to delete this blog, but since there are some wonderful things here that I shared in the past (crafts, DIY, recipes, family and my former popular "Friday Blog Party") are keeping the traffic flowing over here, therefore I'm going to keep this blog open. (I will not be updating anything on this blog including links etc. But if you'd like to follow my new venture keep reading!).

For my former readers I wanted to post a little explanation as to what went wrong, and to update on how life is now for me. Last you all knew I was a married mother of three with a fourth on the way. These days look a lot different for me. And most definitely for the best. 

Through my blog I probably looked like I had a great life. This was not completely true. I used to joke with my friends that I loved everything about my life, except my husband. Obviously this is nothing to joke about, but my marriage was emotionally, occasionally physically, and financially abusive.

My marriage lasted for 14 years. Yes, there were some good moments, but the bad moments made me feel stuck. I was a SAHM. I hadn't worked in many years when I finally filed for divorce. I wasn't emotionally in a place where I could go out and go back to work. I was dealing with anxiety and depression. I was scared of what was going to happen in all aspects of my life, and I was completely overwhelmed.

This is when I abandoned my blog. I have always love writing, and connecting with so many wonderful people through my blog, but I couldn't handle it anymore. After years of feeling this way I finally had a glimmer of hope come my way.

I found a new passion that I'm excited to share...photography! This is something I have always loved, but never knew how to make happen. Now that I have emerged on the other side of trauma and tragedy, I have found my true self and what I was meant to do.

For the past couple years I have gone through tremendous change. I purchased my DSLR camera and practiced, practiced, practiced. I have recently put myself out there offering paid sessions for clients. I also plan to sell digital copies of my landscape photos. I have my new website ready, and have transferred all my social media accounts to my new business name... Paula Jean Imagery.

Life is looking much better than it has for a long time. I'm happy and hopeful, and looking forward to my future. 

Thank you so much to whomever took the time to read this message. Putting my truth out there has been a long time coming, and I am now finally free.

If you're interested in my photography journey check My Linktr.ee where there are links to my website and socials. I would appreciate any support you could give me to help make my dream a reality! 

Thanks to All, 

Paula

Unexpected Announcement

photo credit https://www.livingcoramdeo.com

Hello all! I know you came here for the party, and I had no intention of not hosting this week, but here I am sitting at my computer wondering if I should be taking a break. 

If you were a follower before my blog party started you would know that I used to post regularly. Recipes, handmade things and my kids were my favorite topics. Then a few years ago I decided to take an unannounced break. Everyone wondered where I went, for a good reason, but I couldn't bring myself to open my blog and explain my absence. 

Then one day I decided I was ready to begin blogging again. The only problem was I was in a totally different place in life and things weren't the same. I haven't had the time or energy to plan regular posts, and my blog party became the only thing keeping me going. The amazing thing about the blog party was that it turned into a big party! With many participants! 

I tried to let everyone who participated in my parties that I really appreciated them taking the time to stop by. Especially since I didn't really have much else to share. I've enjoyed all your wonderful comments, and for the follows on various social media channels. What I didn't like was that there were sooooo many wonderful posts shared, and I didn't have the time to visit each one and to comment that I appreciated them linking up. 

So this is where I am right now. I'm really not sure how long this break will be. If and when I do return, I feel that I may start an entirely new blog. It would be nice to have a fresh start, but only time will tell...

Best wishes to you all :)

NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY #283!

How are you all doing? This past week was pretty 

uneventful. We had planned to go dress shopping

for my 14 year old's semi formal, but haven't

yet made it there. She knows the exact

 dress she wants, and it's very pretty. It

almost makes me wish that I was 

her age again...ALMOST ;)

This week I'm going to ask a question and if you'd

like to answer leave it in the comments below! 

The question is if you could go back in time

to Middle School/High School would you?

My answer in short is no. Two things that I really do enjoy 

from way back when were the friendships that I still

maintain, and the music. (Hint..big hair and loud

guitars.) Other than that I can do without the

rest. Especially the big hair.

Well enough talk! It's time to get this party started! 

The party has grown so much in the last six months. 

So much fun! And it's all thanks YOU out there,

for all the shares and follows :)

Are you ready to find some new blogs to read? 

And perhaps gain some new followers? Or 

maybe you'd like to grow your social 

networks, or make a sale in 

your Etsy shop?

 Please link up all your wonderful posts below!

The party normally runs from Thursday mornings 
at 6 am US EST until 3 am US EST Monday. 

If you follow me in any way please leave 

me a quick comment and I will follow 

you back as soon as I can :) 

 I'd love if you shared the party on whichever social

media you prefer..Sharing helps direct more 
lovely bloggers here which in turn 
hopefully means more traffic 
for everyone!

NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY #282!

This past week we had our first dance related activity

for Star..costume check for her dance recital.

Normally Star isn't much into frilly or poofy,

so it was a nice change to see her in the

costumes. Below is my favorite pic that

took of her that day. 

There's still more fun events coming up, so I will have

more to share in the coming weeks.

Now it's time to get this party started! 

The party has grown so much in the last six months. 

So much fun! And it's all thanks YOU out there,

for all the shares and follows :)

Are you ready to find some new blogs to read? 

And perhaps gain some new followers? Or 

maybe you'd like to grow your social 

networks, or make a sale in 

your Etsy shop?

 Please link up all your wonderful posts below!

The party normally runs from Thursday mornings 
at 6 am US EST until 3 am US EST Monday. 

If you follow me in any way please leave 

me a quick comment and I will follow 

you back as soon as I can :) 

 I'd love if you shared the party on whichever social

media you prefer..Sharing helps direct more 
lovely bloggers here which in turn 
hopefully means more traffic 
for everyone!

NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY #281!

What do you all have going on? Crafting, cooking, 

decorating, gardening? Let me know by 

sharing below!  

This week has me preparing for a dance recital

and all related activities for Star, and for a

middle school graduation along with a

semi-formal dance. 

These are going to be a few very expensive months,

but well worth the memories they will bring. I'm

pretty sure I will have some photos to share

during the next few weeks. I certainly 

don't share photos as much as I'd

like, but I hope to have some

good ones soon.

Now it's time to get this party started! 

The party has grown so much in the last six months. 

So much fun! And it's all thanks YOU out there,

for all the shares and follows :)

Are you ready to find some new blogs to read? 

And perhaps gain some new followers? Or 

maybe you'd like to grow your social 

networks, or make a sale in 

your Etsy shop?

 Please link up all your wonderful posts below!

The party normally runs from Thursday mornings 
at 6 am US EST until 3 am US EST Monday. 

If you follow me in any way please leave 

me a quick comment and I will follow 

you back as soon as I can :) 

 I'd love if you shared the party on whichever social

media you prefer..Sharing helps direct more 
lovely bloggers here which in turn 
hopefully means more traffic 
for everyone!