Friday, August 8, 2014

Kind of the Same but Different

I started Robin's Nesting Place in April 2007. I was a homeschooling, stay at home mom who had just begun learning photography. I had a passion for gardening and nature and this was a place to share those hobbies.



My life is quite different now. My children have graduated our homeschool and are happy, busy adults. I started working over two years ago in the neatest vendor mall in our small town. About a year ago I obtained a small space of my own to sell my photography cards and repurposed  items.

I haven't had much time or energy to blog and, honestly, I've been trying to figure out what direction to take this blog. Previously, most of my followers have been garden bloggers, many whom I still follow on Facebook and care about. But...I am no longer the passionate gardener I once was. In fact my yard is a wreck and to continue on in the same vein would be impossible for me now.


It is always difficult to decide how much to share of one's personal life on a blog but a bit of sharing is necessary to gently guide this beloved blog of mine to the path that I am now on so that we are in sync together once again.



Those who have followed me for a long time know that my husband was in an industry hit very hard by the economic downturn. You know that he had a few layoffs, but I never shared the extent of this. My husband lost six jobs in less than seven years. I know, it's hard for me to believe this could happen to anyone as well. How is that even possible?

 His first layoff was after being happily employed for over fifteen years with a wonderful recreational vehicle company, (it no longer exists). The next job lasted almost three years before he was told they could no longer afford to keep him. He was well known and well liked in his industry and another company quickly created a position just for him. Six months later they had to cut costs and let him go,(it no longer exists) . Once again he quickly got another job this time in a different industry, (medical sales). He was there about two years before they drastically cut their sales force to a bare minimum, and once again he was unemployed. This company no longer exists as well. Another, and yet another devastating layoff. Six in less than seven years!

With his career in absolute shambles and now unemployable to most companies, my dear husband spent several months unemployed. At this point, his MBA and his previous success mattered very little to anyone. Thankfully, about two years ago, he had a wonderful friend who took him under his wing and gave him a new business opportunity. It has taken a while for him to be educated in this new field and get established and things are finally gaining momentum. I feel like I can finally breath again. I think we are going to make it!



Why am I telling all of this to you? It offers a little explanation for my lengthy absence, (I've been in survival mode), and because it has a lot to do with the direction of this blog. I've learned a lot during these last few years. I've learned how to survive unemployment six times over. I've learned how to live on the bare minimum. I've lived through some of the darkest days of my life and survived. I've been the wife of a man who has faced devastating loss time and time again and our marriage survived! The stress and pain of unemployment is unique and isolating. It isn't really talked about much. I have a lot I want to say about it, I'm just not sure if I want to do it at Robin's Nesting Place, but if I decide to, now you are prepared.


I just want to start blogging again! What will Robin's Nesting Place look like now? It will be kind of the same, but different. I am no longer just a "garden blogger". I paint furniture now for my little shop and I want to share the before and after pictures. I enjoy being creative and making things, I want to share that process. I still enjoy photography and I will continue sharing my pictures, hopefully they will still bring pleasure and joy to others along the way. For the most part it will remain a hobby blog that I will tie into my little shop. At this point, I don't really know how Robin's Nesting Place will evolve from here, but I hope you will be along on this journey with me and hopefully be blessed and inspired along the way!


Thank you for reading and following Robin's Nesting Place!

11 comments:

ann said...

I started my blog because of you because my grandson and wanted to know more about toads and I found a. Log that you had done on toads. I thought, "I can do this." I admired your photography, your tips that you shared, the stories that you told. Life does change. I used to tell my college freshmen when they whined about an an assignment that we grow in adversity. So of course your blog will keep growing and evolving. It is heartbreaking to hear your hisband's story. My son in law has a very similar story, as, sadly, so do so many other Americans. I look forward to your new direction. I am now building dollhouses and I think you might again have some useful tips on painting furniture. Go, girl.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Thank you, Ann! Your comment warms my heart and makes my day! I can't tell you how much I needed to hear that encouragement! I do have some painting tips to share! I'm off to work but I'll be stopping by to see your blog!

Stacey said...

Robin, gosh you and your husband have been through some tough years! I can understand survival mode. Sometimes you just have to pull in the reigns and something like blogging seems completely frivolous. I think it will be fun to see which direction your blog goes. Your photos are amazing and combining that with creativity and a little gardening sounds perfect to me. Real life is always welcome too. :)

Jean Campbell said...

Some thirty years ago, my friend and I had a saying when the downturn was just beginning and wives were working for benefits, "Middle age didn't turn out the way we thought it would."

Ruth Hiebert said...

I trust that your life will be full and happy from here on in. I love reading your thought and seeing the pictures.Waiting to hear where the road of life will take you and your husband.

Kerri Farley said...

I've really missed you! I'm glad that things are going better and I hope you all are over the rough spots!
and as always - I LOVE your pics!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

It sounds like not only did your husband recreate his work life but you also recreated your life. I can't wait to see what all goes up here. I though you must be working full time now. It is difficult to do everything especially when you are under pressure. I am happy to hear that you are both busy and well.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Thank you so much for the comments!

Stacey, blogging was definitely not the priority, even though I missed doing it, I just couldn't do it.

Jean, middle age sure hasn't worked out the way we thought it would.

Ruth, thank you! We are certainly ready for happier days!

Kerri, thank you! It feels good to have been missed!

Lisa, I have found my niche and am definitely keeping busy!Thank you for caring and wanting to continue following along!

Rose said...

Robin, I've seen secondhand what being unemployed can do. So many people think well, why don't these people just a get a job, but they have no idea. The husband of a friend of mine lost his job of many years and took a much lower-paying job just for the benefits--who wants to hire someone in their 60's?? Anyway, I am happy that you both are back on your feet and have survived such difficult times. Looking forward to seeing what direction your blog takes. Yours was one of the first blogs I read when I began, and I've always been in awe of your amazing photos. God Bless.
Rose

Patricia taylor said...

This is one of the best blogs I have ever read...you are so creative with items and words! You will make it because you do your part and let God do His! You give Him credit for your success while still working your heart out!

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Patricia, Thank you so much for your sweet comment! You are such an encouragement!