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Winner! Plus a fond farewell for now....

Friday, August 1, 2014

Happy Friday, My Lovelies!  I have a winner for my Mad Tea Party giveaway!

*drumroll, please.....*

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Congratulations, Beth!  Send me an email with your address and I'll send it out to you ASAP!


With a very heavy heart I must say goodbye for a little while.  So what will I be doing during this time?  Some of you know that I'll be homeschooling Shelley for the rest of high school, and I'll be spending most of my time refining curricula and developing a plan to help her reach her goals for the next chapter of her life.


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I love this kiddo!  I also want to enjoy her big sister's last year in college.


Shelley chose art as her elective this year, and don't you know that I'm thrilled!  She'll be taking lessons from my art teacher with me as well as exploring art at home and at Auburn University monthly.


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We'll use art journals across the curriculum this year.


We're still about a month out from finishing the backyard and patio, so I'll be planting even more hydrangeas (different varieties), plus many other plants, planters, and turf.  I'm trying to finish before school starts, so I'm on a strict timetable! 

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I will also continue painting, and I hope that we get lots of use out of our studio.


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Thanks for the adorable Mason jar, Donna!
Donna has one of the cutest studios in blogland.  Check it out here!



I hope to paint a few paintings on rather large canvases, and I'll continue painting my minis


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"Winter Apples"



Tears are running down my cheeks as I write this.  I hope I can return to blogging one day, but so much of that depends on Shelley and her progress. We have a lot of work to do!

I will check back in with y'all after Labor Day at the latest.  I hope that I don't have to give up blogging forever, but for now.....

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

44 comments

  1. All the best to you and Shelley as she finishes high school! Your beautiful posts will be missed, hopefully you can check in once in a while :)

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  2. I admire your putting all you focus and energy on those things that really matter...real life and your family! Whenever it is the right time for YOU to come back, we'll be here waiting Ricki Jill!
    Many blessings to you and your family,
    Cindy

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  3. I will miss you but family comes first and I admire your devotion to your daughters. Hope you will be back soon but so happy you are taking the time to do what you need!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  4. We will miss you dear friend. I always enjoy coming to your blog and seeing what you are up to. As far as bloggers are concerned you are one of the best, but we do know that their is a life outside of blogging. Good Luck.

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  5. Enjoy every minute with your girl!! You won't regret giving your family 100% of your attention. Plenty of time to come back to blogging later! xoxo and Life to the Full, my friend!

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  6. RJ, I will certainly miss your happy posts and beautiful home and art. Taking on home schooling is a huge commitment, and I wish you all the best. Shelley is a lucky young lady to have you as her mom. I know she will thrive with your guidance. She looks so regal doing her jumps. Your daughters are both beautiful young women.
    Good luck with all the upcoming details. I hope you will stay in touch. I will miss you, dear friend.

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  7. I'll miss you, RJ! Please check in from time to time. Best wishes to you and Shelley.

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  8. You will be missed! Good luck with home schooling. I know that it will be a success for both Shelley and you.

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  9. Selfishly I'll say that I hope you don't stay gone long. I do understand though. You and Shelley could both blog about home schooling or specifically about art. :)

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  10. I wish you all the best. Family time is so precious! Your blog is lovely, so I hope you do come back when you've taken care of all that matters to you the most. Wishing you happy days, Michelle

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  11. See you soon ricki! It's never goodbye!!

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  12. Best of luck to Shelley as she finishes high school and best of luck to you over the next little while as you work with her, and work on your own projects.

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  13. I'm on a break right now too. You will not be sorry you did this for Shelley. Best decision I ever made as a parent. Enjoy and know you will never get everything done you have planned but that is okay.

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  14. As long as you don't give up those creative activities that make your heart beat. :)
    <3

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  15. You are a wonderful Mother and I wish you all luck. I hope we are able to keep in contact.

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  16. Wishing you all the very best from Normandy as you embark on this next life stage, good luck to you & all the family.

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  17. Ricki Jill we will all miss you. Your wit and wisdom, and most of all your creativity.
    Wishing you the best in all your endeavors. Home school requires lots of prep and hard work, and I know you will do an amazing job! Best wishes to you and Shelley for a great school year!
    Big hugs,
    Patti

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  18. We will miss you -- but you are doing much more important work. You have your priorities straight. I may show up at the art class one day, you never know!

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  19. Dear RJ, I have to say I'm sorry you will not be a regular in my "inbox" for awhile. More important plans comes first and being there for your daughters comes first! I know you Will do an amazing job homeschooling Shelley. Enjoy this time with her, and remember you can always pick up blogging again. Keep in touch......

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  20. We'll look forward to your return, but your priorities are spot on! Blessings to your and your daughter. This is a wonderful investment of your time with greater returns than blogging. :) See you before too long!

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  21. I have been off on a break for the better part of the year. It's hard to put things on hold, but there are things that wait and things that move on. Your experiences in the next year will give you a new perspective and a stockpile of ideas. Just imagine how much you will enjoy it when you have space for it again.

    All the best on this new venture. Warm wishes for this to be an experience that fulfills you.

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  22. Going to miss you:)
    Best wishes for a happy productive school year!!!

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  23. We will miss you, Ricki Jill! Enjoy this time with your kiddoes, and we hope for sporadic updates!

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  24. RJ,
    You'll be missed but what a great adventure you and Shelley will embark on. I hope you'll be able to return one day, I always enjoy your posts.
    xo,
    Karen

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  25. RJ,
    You'll be missed but what a wonderful adventure you and Shelley are about to embark on. I hope you'll be able to return to blogging one day.
    xo,
    Karen

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  26. I so know where you are coming from Ricki Jill. Our children come before anything else.
    Good wishes to you and the family through this big year. But remember to take time for yourself as not to burn out or over do things.
    Take care
    Amy

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  27. I will miss you! What fun lies ahead though! Enjoy your time with a teenager! It goes by too fast.

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  28. Sad day. :( Hope you come back soon!

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  29. Will miss your posts!! Have a great time with your daughter!! :D

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  30. You will be missed. I hope that you do find time once things get into a good routine to come back to your blog. It sounds like you have such a wonderful adventure ahead. I would love to hear about it. Good Luck with everything. Have a great school year!

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  31. I'll miss your posts, but am glad you have your priorities in the right place. Blogging will always be here (well maybe) and there is only a short time to get your daughter's last year of high school done right. Good luck and keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you.

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  32. I am still catching up on blogging after our vacation. I was wondering why I had not heard a peep out of you in blogland.

    Good luck with home schooling.

    You will be missed.

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  33. Oh I will miss you so much! I totally understand. I took the summer off to work with the girls and am just now getting back. It seems you and I are always on opposite schedules. I always enjoy your posts. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and look forward to seeing your posts when you decide to come back.

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  34. I think what you are doing is wonderful and at the end of the day, it's really your only choice. Your family is blessed to have a strong and loving woman at the helm! Best of luck to you and Shelly...

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  35. We all admire you so very much my friend! I hope you'll come back to blogging when you have time. I posted books today and couldn't help but think of you! What a difference you've made in our lives! Wishing you the very best. Sweet hugs, Diane

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  36. I haven't been around much lately, and was just coming over to catch up......I'm surprised and sad,but know you are making the right decision for your girl. Your link on my sidebar isn't going anywhere and will be ready to update whenever you decide to come back. All the best to you and your daughter.

    I have been wanting to ask what you think of the new "Outlander series" on STARZ? Hubby and I were so happy with the presentation and the actors who have been chosen for all these wonderful characters. Outlander may have just pushed Downton Abbey from my #1 fave spot!

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  37. You will be missed sweet friend. But you must do what is best for your girl and your family. We will be right here waiting for you. Blessings and hugs,

    Janet

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  38. RJ, email me if you want some help with curriculum planning. I have lots of resources that I can provide for you.
    I can imagine your decision was well thought through and I admire your resolve.

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  39. Hope things are going well. Miss seeing your posts.

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  40. Good luck with homeschooling! Hope to see you back soon!

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  41. Oh My Gosh! I will miss you so much!
    But really, blogging is so secondary to family. I get it! :)
    Hope you will pop in and stay in touch with us.
    ~Liz

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Hello!

I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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