Thursday, September 20, 2012

Retirement

My very first sentence on my very first post:

"And so it begins: the documentation of the journey we began in July 2006 to expand our family!"

And what a journey it's been...and I'm so incredibly glad I made the leap into that rabbit hole. It was intimidating to put my thoughts and feelings out there and share every nitty-gritty detail with complete strangers...some of those strangers have become some of my closest friends.

So as you have probably guessed by now...this is the last post for me here at Reproductive Jeans. Over the last year, especially in the last few months, it's become more difficult for me to find the words to write here. I've composed a million updates in my mind, but get cold feet when it came time to log in and post something.

And I know that it's because I feel silly talking about all the random stuff that now floats in and out of my mind, and hardly any of it revolves around acronyms like IVF, IUI, 10DPO, etc....

Is it strange to say it makes me happy and sad at the same time? Because it goes without saying, I'm grateful for the IF community that I will always be a part of, and it makes me sad to say goodbye to a place that literally saved my sanity. On the other hand, I'm happy to wrap up this chapter of my life and move on to write more freely about what life is like for me now...

Goodbyes are tough. Whether I write many more paragraphs or only a few sentences, I don't know that I'll ever be satisfied that it's enough to convey my heart-felt thanks for this space. I will always treasure it. Always.






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Let me know in the comments if you'd like to get an email from me when I set up my new space... (please make sure to leave your email address if its not associated with your blogging account!!)



61 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I'm grateful to have crossed your path. Change is hard, but inevitably it molds us into who we become.

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  2. You've been a source of strength and encouragement for a lot of us, so thank you, my friend...

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  3. crying... Thank you so much for being such an inspirations. I am honored to somehow be part of this journey with you. Love you!!

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  4. Thinking about you all the time. You are an amazing, beautiful person. Pleae do email me when you get your new space going. e.u.crainet (at) telus.net (no periods or spaces).

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  5. JJ I'm sad to see you go, and I hope you will let me know if you set up housekeeping somewhere else. You have given so much to thia community over the years and I am proud to count you in my circle of friends. Much love and best wishes for you and Mook and O.

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  6. As always, thank you for sharing & being an amazing part of the IF community. You know I always wish you nothing but the best in your upcoming days & years.

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  7. You were a rock during my IF journey too. Please send me your new link. You have my info. ;)

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  8. Thank you for leaping into the rabbit hole. Without that leap of faith I might never have found my best friend.
    Love you!

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  9. I do understand your decision. But that doesn't make it any easier to know that you won't be writing here anymore. I have learned so much from your journey and I am very thankful that our paths have crossed. Thank you for being there for me with your blog and supportive comments on mine. I definitely want to know when you start a new blog.
    Many {{{{{hugs}}}}}} to you my friend!!!
    mode101a@aol.com
    <3 Astral

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  10. I am so thankful to have found you, my sweet friend. Please let me know when and if you start blogging from somewhere else. xoxo

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  11. Please keep me in the loop! Looking forward to random thoughts about life in the new space whenever or if you find time to start again.

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  12. Love you JJ. So happy to have shared in your journey and you in mine. ((hugs))

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  13. I definitely want to follow you girlie!

    Roadblocks and rollercoasters at gmail for com.

    ((hugs))

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  14. I will miss you here.

    Hit me up when you do move. Herewegoajen at gmail.

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  15. I've so enjoyed your blog through the years. You were the first "stranger" I reached out to during my IF journey, and you were so gracious and helpful. Thank you for all your words - and I would love to follow along on the next chapter. Sending you hugs and love from Texas. :)

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  16. Yes, would love to continue reading your everyday posts. claudiaflores78 at gmail dot com.

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  17. Of course I want an email about your new space!!!!

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  18. I totally understand the need to leave a space..Please keep me in the loop when/if you set up another blog! melryan25 @ gmail . com. (No spaces)

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  19. JJ-- I will miss "seeing" you in this space, but I totally understand. I've contemplated officially shutting myself down, too, but for now, I just hang on in limbo, half-in and half-out. And yes, I would very much like to continue to follow along with wherever you go from here.

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  20. DONT FORGET ME! Yes, I want the email to follow you wherever you go. I have to say, my heart sank when I read the title, but life is about change, and you gotta do what you gotta do. Bless you dear friend. You are a sanity saver for me!

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  21. You are retiring the 'Jeans' and getting a new pair of 'Jeans'?!! You have been a great support for so many of us. I would love to continue to follow you into your next chapter!

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  22. Thank you for letting me stalk you all this time!! I most definitely want an email when you set up a new home: bigpandme at yahoo.com

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  23. Bitter.sweet. Thanks for being there for all of us. So glad I found your blog. And, you know where to email me when you do set up shop elsewhere...

    ((HUGS))

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  24. It is with mixed emotions that we chane gears, I stopped my anoyn infertility blog after the twins were born and it felt strange.

    Would love to keep in touch

    Runnadinerun at gmail dot com

    Duck

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  25. I've been contemplating retiring my old space as well, but still can't seem to do it. Would love to follow you to a new space and keep up with what is going on in your life.

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    1. Hey Summer - email me so I can send ya the new info :) reprojeans at gmail dot com

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  26. it's been quite a journey. and yet it goes on.
    please let me know if/when you create a new space.
    of course wishing you well on your next steps.
    xoxo

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  27. I am sad to see you go but I understand why you feel like it is time to move on. I would love to follow you to your next space, when you get it set up. unwrittenblog [at] yahoo [dot] com

    Good luck with everything in the meantime.

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  28. Definitely want to follow you into your new space. Not a very regular commenter, but always reading. E.phantzi@yahoo.com

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  29. I'm sorry you've had such a rough journey, but thank you for allowing us to travel with you. Please let me know where you travel to next!

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  30. I would love to keep up with you!! Please let me know where you land.

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  31. I'm sorry to see you closing down your blog, but I definitely understand why you're doing it. Please let me know if you'll be writing somewhere else one day. You know how to reach me via twitter, I hope ;-) Take care!

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  32. Sad to see you go. I too closed my blog recently. Still following you on FB though. Yes, let me know if you switch locales.

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  33. Please do tell me when you move.

    g

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  34. I would love to continue to follow you!

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  35. I'm sorry to see you go, but want to follow you in your new space - hope to hear more from you there. Good luck!

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  36. With retirement comes a new place and a whole new door of opportunity.

    I certainly would love to follow your journey in your new space so please let me know where you set up!

    You welcomed me when I entered the blogosphere with open arms and I will always remember that. You are one special lady you know that?

    xxx

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  37. Replies
    1. Hey Shannon - would you email me @ reprojeans at gmail dot com? Your comment/blogger name doesnt have an email associated with it. Thanks! :)

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  38. Fighting back tears here, too. I can't even put in to words what you have meant to me over the years. You wrapped your arms around so many of us. I wish you the best on your new journey and hope to tag along!

    Love ya!

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  39. Send me an email, I'd love to read your new blog. God bless!

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    1. Hey Allie - would you email me @ reprojeans at gmail dot com? Your comment/blogger name doesnt have an email associated with it. Thanks! :)

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  40. I would like to follow along to the next space. Sending good thoughts.

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  41. Please email -- here's to great things ahead!

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  42. You hold a fond place in my heart from my earliest blogging days -- thank you for all of the support you've provided, and for helping me feel so much less alone in all of this.

    Wishing you all the best in the next chapters of your life to come! Please do email me if you set up a new space -- peesticksandstones at gmail dot com .

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  43. Long time reader here! Would love to follow you to the next chapter. Thank you so much for all you've shared on this blog...it has helped more than you will know! douglasap8 @ yahoo dot com

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  44. I would love to keep in touch in the years ahead! Hope life is full of good things!

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    1. Hey Crystal - can you email me at reprojeans at gmail dot com - I cant reply to your comment with the new info since there is no email listed. Thanks!

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  45. Send me an email too please. ckhenders @ yahoo dot com.

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  46. I too would like to follow your new chapter. mycakebytori (at) gmail (dot) com

    Thanks!

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  47. Longtime reader but I seldom comment. I would love to hear how your little family is doing.

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  48. yes, please keep me updated...miss you.

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  49. Would love to keep up with you at your new digs.

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  50. Replies
    1. Don't know if the email address came through... res8msmith at gmail dot com.

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  51. Although I am a crap friend, it doesn't mean I love you or wonder about you any less. Please include me if you continue blogging as I would love to keep tabs on you. xoxo <3

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  52. Oh, JJ, I am here from LFCF and am speechless.. I was just thinking about you two days ago, wondering how you were and hoping all was well.... And then this. I am so so very sorry and am wishing you all the strength in the world. If you want to share the details of your new blog, please send them to me. (I had been following you since your REDBOOK days, and my DD and your Oliver are only a few days apart in age. But since I was just a lurker, it felt wrong to be asked to included in a private blog...)

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    1. Katherine - I dont have an email address to contact you, so if you see this, please send me a note at reprojeans at gmail dot com :)

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