A Blog Post I Never Thought I Would Write....

It is with a very sad heart that I write this blog post today.....It's something I never thought in a million years I would ever say. A part of me is still in shock, yet I feel like some sort of explanation is overdue. Please forgive me for making this long....

It all started two months ago. I was visiting my parents while they were camping and my boss at Inque Boutique called to tell me the company had been sold. The worst part was that we no longer had jobs. {insert tears here....}

However, there was some talk that the new owners would want me to carry on with my job duties...so there was some hope...I flew to Ohio to meet with the new owners...I thought everything went well. They said they would let me know....

Well, today they did. They have decided that they have "other priorities" and I am not needed. They will continue to sell the Inque Boutique products they purchased, but future new products are not in the plan and sound very unlikely. :(

Needless to say, I'm sad. Inque Boutique was my third child. I gave Inque Boutique my heart and soul...everything and every minute I had was devoted to the company.

It's weird to think the new owners will be selling my stamps, with my name, with my picture, yet, I'll have nothing to do with it.

I'm sad, BUT, I'm not bitter. I loved working for the previous owner and I know this wasn't personal. Business is business and that means you do what you have to do.

I am SO grateful for the things I have learned. I've learned so much about marketing, graphic design, dealing with China, gosh...so much...I could of never learned the stuff I did in a college classroom. I'm taking with me more knowledge about business than I can ever imagine.

And the people I've met! Let me tell you, I have met some of the most loving, caring women! I've loved traveling to teach at stores, I've loved taping the videos and getting emails from customers. This job was a PURE joy. AND a Blessing. I loved every minute. Even when I would get up at 4am to check my emails....I LOVED my job. {more tears} You just have no idea. (feel free to stop reading here...I'm typing for therapy at this point.....)

Many exciting things happened to me at Inque. I got to create a line of paper, ribbons, felt embellishments, and SO many stamps! Someday, I'll have to count how many stamps I designed! :) And, last month, I realized a dream. I went on National Live TV on QVC, and demonstrated my own stamps. That was the ultimate. I assure you, that was the most incredible feeling. It all ended on an incredible high. That's a good thing. I couldn't ask for more than that. Really. It's just hard to think that someone else now has my 'baby'. I ache knowing all the hard work we put into each and every item. It does hurt. I can't lie that it doesn't.

But, I'll survive. In the scheme of life, this is only a minor curve ball. This is nothing compared to what others are going through now. Job losses, foreclosures, bankruptcy....so many things are happening right now to friends of mine...my situation is small potatoes.

Lucky for me, I worked because I wanted to... not because I have to. Before Inque, we were a one income family and we were doing just fine. We are fine now, too.

I'm down for now, but I'm not out. :) Don't feel sorry for me. I'll be ok. I know God has a reason for everything and let me tell you, I have my trust in Him.

As I look to the future, I have a few options. I'm taking it slow and I'll chose the one that's right for me and my family. You certainly haven't seen the last of me! {grin}

But, for right now, right this second, I need to grieve a little. I need to pack up the papers, felts, brads, ribbons, chipboard...and save them for another time. I can't look at it all right now. It's too much.

But, the stamps...ya gotta love the stamps. I won't be able to pack them up. :) For now, I'll leave them out and smile at them. Probably blow them a kiss or two. Soon, I'll pick them back up and create again....