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Thursday 12 April 2012

...catching up

Ladies, I always seem to be saying this don't I?

Truth is, it has been a very busy time for me personally this past 6 months or so. For anyone who doesn't know, my wee mum has been extremely unwell. My mum is a very private person and would bring forth a pink canary if I were to go into all the details here on my blog, but she has coped with over 30 years of serious and debilitating conditions. There was a hospital stay in October and she was admitted again just under a month ago and things are quite serious for her at present. Like anyone else in this situation, and I'm sure we are legion, I want to be there for her as much as I can, and so that means not being in other places.

I had hoped to make a big noise about our upcoming 3rd anniversary in May, but somehow, that doesn't feel right, and so we will be hosting a 'belated birthday bash' at a later date.

Right now, we'll be moving forward in a small way, with a little release in May. The mechanics of the store are moving as normal, due to the invaluable help that I have from my family and my assistant. Shipping is grand, and emails are being answered, although it may take a day or two longer than usual.

My drawing time has been limited, but I have been filling endless notebooks with ideas while I wait at hospital, and I look forward to getting these all into polymer at some later date. I just wanted to let folks know where things are at the moment. Thanks for listening.

58 comments:

  1. Claire, you only have one mum so make the most of having her while you can. Crafts are never the priority, just the additional bonus, in our busy lives. Family MUST ALWAYS come first, no question! Kx

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  2. Claire - I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, along with your Mum, and the rest of your family. You can't get time back - so enjoy these moments the best you can. Sending lots of love - and hopeful prayers...

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  3. Sorry to hear your mom is still feeling poorly. My mom had her own big health crisis earlier this year. Its just awful when someone you love is that sick. Keeping you in my thoughts! Sending you love

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  4. Put your mother first - it's the right thing to do. We'll all be here waiting for you when you're ready to celebrate the WM Anniversary :-D
    Tara x

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  5. I do hope all turns out well for you ... I'll keep you both in my prayers

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  6. Many hugs and best wishes to you and your family. Family always comes first and is always the most important. We'll wait as long as it takes for the stamps! Much love!

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  7. Thoughts and prayers for you and your Mum today. Being the care giver is a huge, important, and often draining job, May you have the strength for each day and what it brings. The time you invest (not "spend")with your Mum will hold many memories for the rest of your life.

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  8. Hugs to you Claire. Family is the most important thing--the stamps and your customers aren't going anywhere while you do what you need to do. :-)

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  9. Thinking of your mum and you. Family has to come first so take all the time you need.

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  10. Bless you Claire but please don't worry. Your family are more important than anything (even stamps) and we will still be here when you are ready to come back. Love to you and your dear Mum.

    Lynn Wild X

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  11. Big hugs and prayers for your mum and your whole family Claire! It's so wonderful that you get to be there with her and for her!! Everything else will be there later! Hugs!!

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  12. Claire,
    Wishing you and your mum the best. You are right where you should be right now- with her! :-)

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  13. Big hugs Claire - I agree with all the other ladies - you're right to take the time with your precious family. We'll all be looking forward to the WMS belated birthday x

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  14. Claire,

    I'm sorry to hear that your Mum isn't well and I wish her all the best! Take your time to be with her, that's more important than anything else. Family always comes first, everything else can wait.

    All the best
    Carola

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  15. Claire, Take care of your mum and don't even think about anything else right now. You won't be able to go back later and get back the time you lost or "try to get it right". You have your head on straight and your priorities are where they should be. Listen to your heart and you will never go wrong. Be strong! Hugs! J

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  16. Everybody has already said it bit you can't have the time back and what time you have is so precious. It's definitely time for you to be selfish. Take care of yourself. You will be in my thoughts. Thelma

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  17. Blessings to you and your mom, Claire! So sorry she is ill.

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  18. Take all the time you need, we will still be here. This time with your Mum is precious and your family need what's left of your time. Take care.

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  19. I will be thinking good thoughts for you and your mom, Claire. It is so wonderful you are able to be with her at a time when she needs you the most. It's just stamps. We all can wait and enjoy them whenever we get them.

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  20. Be where you need to be...the rest can wait and will be there when you are able to give it your attention. It's precious to be with you Mum.

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  21. Family first but be sure to care of yourself too!

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  22. Wishing you, your mother & family all the best. I just brought my mother home from the hospital about 2 hours ago. Family always comes first. It's a good thing I'm not allergic to dust! Take care of yourself, too. Your mum is fortunate to have you.

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  23. Sending you hugs and well wishes for your mum, Claire... I hope things improve soon!

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  24. I love that you put family first!! Prayers for you and your balancing act and for you Mum.

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  25. Thinking of you and your Mum, Claire. It's tough going trying to be there for your Mum, your kids, your husband and your business. Sometimes **things** have to go on the back burner. I'm sure that everybody understands that you need to be there for your Mum right now and that catch up might take a little bit of time. You're not saying never, you're just saying it will take a little longer.

    Remember to eat, try and get some sleep and breathe.

    Hugs and positive wishes being sent your way.

    Ali B xx

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  26. Claire- You definitely need to be with Mum right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

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  27. Oh sweet Claire, I will be thinking of you! We ALL will! Praying for your mother, brother, and the whole family, too. Many hugs!!

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  28. So glad to hear from you Claire - even with this continued sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with your mum, you and all of your family.

    many hugs to you!!

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  29. Sweet Claire, You just take care of you and yours....don't you worry about us. Family first.....Sending you a big inky hug.....

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  30. You are doing exactly what you need to be doing...
    taking care of family!
    Stamps are fun...
    but family is life...
    and we'll be here to celebrate with you when the time is right.
    Sending thoughts, hugs and prayers! :)

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  31. Sorry that you are dealing these things, it's hard when parents have health issues. But it's wonderful that you're in a place where you can focus on her. There will be time for the rest later.

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  32. I wholeheartedly support you putting family first. We Waltzingmouse fans/addicts will be here when your life is less filled with taking care of your mum and yourself. And I hope you are taking good care of yourself since you can't be as good of a care giver as you would like to be if you don't take care of yourself.

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  33. Claire, you are where you are needed. Hoping that all goes well for you and your Mum.
    We are not going anywhere. Happy to wait until we hear good news.

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  34. Sending lots of positive thoughts to you and your family. Keep breathing Claire, and don't worry about us - we will all be here when you return!

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  35. My thoughts and prayers are with you Claire, and also with your Mum. I know what you are going through, having recently been through similar with Mum in Law and also 12 years ago when my own mum lost her battle against cancer. Everything else should take a back seat. You have your priorities right. Sending Hugs your way x

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  36. None of us are going anywhere so our thoughts are with you, your Mum, and your family as you spend time together. You are where you need to be. Blessings.

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  37. You and your family are in my prayers.

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  38. Hi Claire
    Family should always come first - mums especially. We do miss you but you'll be back when you can so for now please know that you, mum and your whole family are very much in my prayers right now. Hugs too.

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  39. Keeping your Mum in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you - thinking of you. Deirdre

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  40. Claire, you only have one mother, be with her, she now needs you! I wish you and your family all the best! Hugs!

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  41. Mums are very precious, you make sure you look after her, your family and yourself. Take care, sending all the positive thoughts I can. Hugs, Deborah xx

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  42. Oh, Claire, you are definitely doing the right thing for your mum and for yourself. Family is quite precious so take whatever time you need to be where you need to be. We will be here whenever you return. My thoughts & prayers will be with you and your family. HUGS!!

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  43. Family is so precious especially our Mum! I lost mine last August after a valiant fight with Alzheimer's so please no apologies or reasoning needed. You do what you have to do - the stamps can wait! Blessings to you and your family. You will certainly be in my prayers.

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  44. Thinking of you and your mum and your family. Love and prayers for you all. Family first all the way.

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  45. Well wishes to your mom and strength to you, Claire, during such a difficult time. {hugs} Dana

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  46. Prayers coming to you and your mum from California.
    Wishing you peace and comfort at this time.

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  47. Thoughts and prayers sent your ways; reading your post is actually inspiring - it shows that you have your head in the right places and know how to prioritize. i think everyone can appreciate anyone who puts family first...if it were my mum i'd drop everything too for the most important person in my life.

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  48. I can totally relate to your situation Claire. I moved my elderly father in with me last fall and he too is in poor health. My "normal" has vanished but what a precious time this is. You and your mum will be in my daily prayers. God Bless You Both!

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  49. Dear Claire ,my heart goes out to you ...your mum and family.
    The thing you do right now is the best there is...giving time to your mum and family....they are the most precious ...
    Sending my love and hugs your way.

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  50. So sorry to hear that things are rough. I agree-one mom spend all the time you can with her. She must love having a daughter like you.

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  51. juanita in california16 April 2012 at 08:03

    Sending prayers, positive energy and healing thoughts from across the Atlantic, Claire.

    Please take good care of yourself and your sweet mum and know that your friends in the stamp world are with you.

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  52. you do what you have to do: to be with your mum as much as you can. lots of love from me and I will be thinking of you.

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  53. It's so hard to watch loved ones suffer, and you've been doing this for such a long time Claire. My heart breaks for you. You and your family continue to be in my prayers, and I'm so glad you are able to be there for her. I'm sure she appreciates that even more than she can express. {{HUGS}}

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  54. Family is always most important and it seems like we have them for such a short time. Hoping and praying that things go well with your mum!

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  55. Dearest Claire, wishing your Mum and family nothing but the best. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers :) Sending big cyber hugs your way :)

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  56. I do hope your Mum feels better soon! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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  57. Family always comes first Claire. So take your time and take care of your mum. I will be praying for her and your family. Hugs.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment, :) I read them all and I appreciate you taking time to visit!