Friday, January 8, 2010

A New Year....a new beginning.....

Hi my friends, I have been absent as of late. We made it through Christmas and the New Year OK. I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I have no pics to post this time, I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive. My absence is due to the closing of my candy store. This makes me sad and happy at the same time. My daughter and I have very mixed emotions about this event. We have had the store for 6 years and built it from scratch. It's been a long hard road and we had a very hard time coming to the decision to close. With the bad economy and rising prices, we are not able to keep the store going. Plus, our distributor closed his doors about 3 months ago. This made it much more difficult and more expensive to get our products. We are fortunate that we have no debt and we didn't want to incur any, so we decided it was a good time to do it.

The good part is: I have decided to finally retire--Yippee! More time for blogging, crafting, gardening, house cleaning, cooking, baking, computer games, and just doing all the stuff that I long to do and haven't been able to.

My daughter will get a job using her degree in Bio-Medical Sciences and she is happy about that. So, we will both have to make some adjustments in our lives, but I truly feel that it will be better for both of us. We may even lose some of this weight that we both gained over the last 6 years! haha
'Til next time, Love ya, Jean
P.S. It's good to be back!

11 comments:

Connie said...

You will love being retired, honey! Sorry about closing your store though; it sounded like fun actually.
xoxo,
Connie

just a little bit shabby said...

Jean,
What surprising news! But I'm happy for you that you will retire. I'm on the road for May when I can get my full social security. (I think you're a couple of months older than me) Congrats and ENJOY!!!
Sandy

Stella said...

I'm sorry you had to close your store. I know when you put so much time and effort into something it is hard to let go. I had several antique booths I closed a couple of years ago. But the it sounds like now you will have time to do some of the things you have always wanted to do. Congrats and have fun with all your new time. Stella

Michele said...

Oh Jean, I'm so sorry you've had to close the store. But yes, I believe you will love retirement. I so wish it would come soon for me, but alas, I'll be working for some time to pay off college for the kids!

Big hugz,
Michele

Anonymous said...

I know it was a very hard decision to close your store. . .this lousy economy has been hard on the smaller shops. I have friends who have also come to the same decisions with their shops. It makes me so sad, because they are gifted people whose wonderful stores brighten so many lives. It does sound like you are ready to "retire" however and I know you will fill you time with lots of great and fulfilling activities. I wish you the best for 2010! Dana

Jenny said...

Oh Jean, what an emotional time for you! But it sounds like you will have new and different paths to spend your energy on. I'm sorry about your store. Times seem like they are not getting much better out there.

Kudzu said...

they say everything happens for a reason :D
it will all work out for everyone!
kudzu

Kim G. said...

Hi Jean! I completely understand about the store, the economy has made it really hard on us small business owners. I hope you will have a very blessed year with plenty of time in retirement for projects ,relaxing, traveling, cooking, all sorts of lovely things, big hugs, Kim

Brenda Eason said...

So glad to have you back. I hate that about the store,but understand. Im affraid we will see more small places closing and I hate that so much.

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

Jean~I'll admit I was getting a little worried not seeing your visits.
I know how difficult it is to make life changes. I've had to pull back (for health reasons) on the craft shows. I'm hoping to sell off my large items in inventory this year. Then I can concentrate on my small web shop. It'll be nice to recoup our basement family room.
It's a shame to see another friend affected by this struggling economy.

It looks like you'll have more time to play with us and that is a "good thing." I'll be looking forward to your return.

Sweet wishes,
Sara

Barb said...

Hi Jean, I am sorry about your store closing. Hopefully, you will enjoy being retired.

Wishing you the very best for the New Year.

Barb ♥