To My Readers

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Hi friends,

I’m really sorry that I’ve been missing in action. A few of you have sent me emails saying “Where the heck are you?” and I really appreciate it…and apologize for my absence.

I am so grateful to each and every one of you that have taken the time to read my thoughts and follow my projects. We are indeed of like mind, and (as Anne of Green Gables would say) kindred spirits.

In a nutshell…I’ve been overwhelmed and a little fried. You see, my day job is kind of like this:

In fact, I’m pretty sure The Devil Wears Prada was written by someone who was actually in my job at one point. Although, I may have read that on Wikipedia ;-).

And at other moments I’ve felt like this lady:

But with better makeup and clothes (sorry Ms. Brockovich)…and I probably cry a little more.

I’m not complaining – I imagine many of you feel the exact same way. That’s why I’m willing to pour my heart out here. I just wanted you to know what happened, and reassure you that I am coming back.

I love writing, and sharing fun ideas and inspiration with you. With all the craziness in my life, it’s a much needed creative outlet that feeds my soul. And I’m glad that it can occasionally inspire some of you in the process.

Thanks so much for your friendship and loyalty.

With Love,

40 Suburbanites Said:

Anonymous said...

Oh do I ever feel your pain. My former boss actually said to me one day "You know...your Devi Wears Ralph Lauren"? I'm not kidden. She even looked like Meryl Streep's character. Yikes.

At least she never threw her fur coat at me.

Hugs from Kentucky. Hope you are able to rest this weekend. :)

Diane at Perfectly Imperfect Life said...

Thanks for letting us know you're OK.

I was starting to worry about you!

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

My job is killing me, too! Last week was a 60 hour week and this week will be about 55 hours. I'm EXHAUSTED and feel your pain. The good news is that July SHOULD be better...at least I'm praying it will be! Hope things lighten up for you, too!!!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I worked for someone like that once too. Blech.

Make Do and Mend said...

So strange how we feel protective of those folks whose blogs we follow. (Hopefully that doesn't come across too weird.) I have been popping by for only a couple of months, but when I kept coming to the same post, I thought, "gosh, I hope she's okay." So, from a new follower, I'm glad that you're okay. And I hope work gets better real soon!

claudia b said...

omg AnNicole, I hear you - I worked for a pretty cultish place once, they were a new brand of asshats, I swear. Hang in there!

Meghann said...

DUDE!!!! I was really starting to worry about you! Im so glad that you are ok...even though work has been rough. I used to work a job where I would come home and drink a bottle of wine and just cry over it.. SUCKED!!! So I totally feel your pain! Take care Lady!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Awww, thanks so much everyone! It's so nice to know I'm not alone! I'm loving your stories :).

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

AnNicole,
I am feeling your pain! I started a new job for the summer, and I am now working everyday. It has left me a little (okay..A LOT!) overwhelmed. I had a breakdown to my husband last night about it all. I haven't been able to post on my blog as much either and that makes me even sadder. Ugh. I did notice that you hadn't posted in a while too and wondered if you were okay.
I hope things get better for you soon. I will say a pray for you.
Blessings,
Traci

Unknown said...

Nothing better than a good break to revamp and feel "you" again! Enjoy! :)

Mary Catherine said...

glad you're okay. just don't let blogging become another thing you have to do until you don't even enjoy it any more and wonder what the point of your life is :) we're happy to hear from you whenever. in the mean time, take care!

Lila said...

Understand completely! My last job, although good and successful, I felt like a complete pee-on and it drained me. Fortunately, I found something that I enjoyed better. Hope you find some relief!
Lila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets

Anonymous said...

Hang in there!
Looking forward to your return. -EJ-

Terri Smith said...

I can surely relate AnNicole. Just so glad to see you back and that you've still got your sense of humor. :)

Sunshine & Grins From Georgia,
Terri Smith
http://dimpledragonflies.com

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Whew.. ok! As long as you're alright, we'll be alright. Sorry things are tough right now, but we all get it. Take all the time you need!

Donna

Annie Louise said...

Thank you for sharing your struggles. I was worried about you, take your time, relax and breathe and above all else take care of yourself. Jeanette

Deanna said...

Ditto to all the previous commenters and we'll all be here when you get "back"! Take care of you!

Anonymous said...

Kindred spirits indeed! I feel your pain! "This too shall pass," is something that gets me through, and if it doesn't pass - get a job where you are valued! Life is too short.

Chin up!

Briohny

Sharon@Sharon at Home said...

Hope you feel better soon ... we'll be here when you get back.

Wishing you well.

Karen said...

I had a boss like that once. I was fired and never felt so much relief. It isn't healthy to work for a person like you've suggested your boss might be.

Hang in there and polish your resume!

Mary said...

I blogged for two years and finally hung up the "Gone Fishing" sign for good. Sometimes I want to go back, and I will but probably not consistently. When I started--I had so much to say and was very consistent. But life intervenes and priorities change. It started to feel like a "blogligation"...The best solution is to blog when the inspiration strikes. Job/Kids/Life/Blog. We feel your pain! Just post when you want to and don't feel bad about it. xx oo

Pogue Fam said...

I hope it all settles down for you soon :) You don't know me but I really enjoy reading your sweet blog! Looking SO forward to seeing the results of your living room re-do!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

You know I love you and have worried about you. I don't care if you blog again as long as you're okay and still fill me in on the gossip in your life :) :) :). Seriously though, it's great to see you pop back in and share your heart.

Anne said...

Yes, first of all, take good care of yourself. I'll be checking back because I enjoy reading your blog so much! Hugs to you.

prashant said...

Hope you are able to rest this weekend.
Contextual Ad Network India

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, AnNicole, I'm SOO glad to hear that you're okay. I was getting worried. :)
Take some time to relax, we all need to recharge, all of us fans will still be here!

Becky in SC said...

So good to hear from you! I don't blog, but I could spend countless hours following all my bloggers. I can only imagine how time consuming it would be to actualy write a blog.
Girl, you take all the time you need and we will all be right here waiting for you when you get back!!
Much LOVE from good ole' SC

jayayceeblog said...

My worst job like that was working in a law firm. We were on the 20th floor and more than once I realized there was a reason the windows didn't open!!! Hang in there!

Melanie said...

Girl, we have all been there. Life happens and the blog is the last thing you need to worry about. We are all still here and just wanted to know that you are okay. Take care and have a great weekend.

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Girl - I reached an unacceptable level of stress this week at work - I actually broke out in hives. For real. I totally get where you are coming from and it is hard to balance work and the blog. But the main thing is that you need to take care of you - not us. If you don't have the energy or strength to get a post out, trust me - we will all understand! :)

angela | the painted house said...

Thinking of you...

Tiffany said...

dang day jobs, stinkers.

Rachel said...

Glad you're still there!!!! :) I've missed your posts.

Haley's Hopechest said...

Aw I'm really starting to worry about you! I read this a few weeks ago and thought you might take a few days off but, it really has been awhile! I hope you are doing ok. Thank you for all the inspiration you've already given us so far. Take time to feel better and we will all be waiting when you are ready to wow us again. xoxo

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Just checking in to see if you were back yet. Sorry you've been feeling so overwhelmed. I can relate to the stress of the first job you mentioned--"The Devil Wears Prada" brought back so many stressful memories that I had a hard time sitting through it!

Anyway, wanted to say hi and hope things are better for you soon. Hang in there! :)

Casa Mia said...

I understand completely. I am feeling the same way! Looks like we're walking in the same shoes! Hang in there, take care.

Tatum @ Tatum's Take said...

Funny post! This is my first visit to your site. I will be back to visit it again.

Alicia @ Sweet Ava Kate said...

Hope you come back soon! Really miss your inspiring ideas and creativity. Praying the job situation is getting better. Hugs from Texas!

Meghan said...

Hi AnNIcole. I was just checking in on your blog and hoping you're doing okay. I take long breaks from blogging too (especiallu when work brings on STRESS) but I am just hoping that you feel inspired by something that brings you a renewed sense of joy soon.

Lettered Cottage said...

We love you, and we can't wait to come visit you! We'll go out for dinner and have a slumber party.
We'll talk about pillows and paint and laugh til we can't breathe.
It'll be awesome. :-)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Layla