Hello dear readers, I’ve missed you. Have you missed me? Have you been wondering where I’ve been and what I’ve been up to? Well, not much, only taking a break from the blog. After six years, I felt like I needed a break and to re-examine where Go Gingham was going.
My break began with summer off. A family trip to Alaska to visit family and then college tours with my senior in high school. When we got home, my computer broke and I took that as a sign to take a longer break. (My computer is still broken. The monitor is shot and I’m looking at this on my TV. Uggghhh!)
After summer, I got a full-time job at a school with a regular paycheck and full-time benefits. But, they expect me to show up every day. (Can you imagine?) That has put a crimp in my gingham routine.
Also this year, I celebrated turning 50 by training and running my first (and only) marathon. It was time-consuming and sometimes painful but I had such a huge sense of accomplishment when I finished! I’m not sure my body has completely recovered from 26.2 miles but I am happy to say I did it. Marathon? Check!
Now that I have less time for the blog, what I’ve decided to do with Go Gingham is to share things that I want my kids to know. With one of them in college and the other about to go to college, I want them to be able to access our family recipes, know my methods for making household cleaners + laundry detergents, how to save money, and just general good for the environment living. They’ll also need my latest recipe – make your own mouth wash!
If you can benefit from any of these topics, I hope you’ll continue to read Go Gingham. I only plan to post once a month or so depending on my schedule. I’m also going to quit sharing on social media. There’s only so much time in a day and I do want to share here but I don’t have the energy or time to share elsewhere.
Thank you for your concern and emails asking if everything is OK with my family and me. All is well. I just needed a break from the blog and when my computer broke, I took this as a sign to take a longer break and think.
I’d love to hear your feedback about these or any other topics you’d like covered. Email me at sara (at) gogingham (dot) com or leave a comment below. I’d also love to hear about how YOU are! I’ve missed you, dear reader.
What have you been up to the last 6 months or so?
Go Gingham 
I have been absent, too. I don’t visit social media as much now as I did 6 months ago.
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Hello Sara! Awesome for you to complete a marathon. I’m 46 and went back to college to get my degree to become a personal trainer. Going to be a grandmother too. My 17 yo is expecting a baby boy this February! I love reading your blog. I am glad that given your busy schedule you are still making time to pass on such great information. Have you given any thought about having some of your readers contribute articles to your blog??? I, myself, would be interested in doing something like that. Perhaps some of your other readers would too.
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Congratulations on completing your marathon! That’s quite an accomplishment! My husband did one – and done – a few years back (he has now switched to sprint triathalons) and the training time was immense. I follow you on Bloglovin so when you pop up there I will be thrilled to read a new post – and continue to follow you even if it’s sparse or sporadic. Enjoy your new job – and anymore time of from social media.
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Welcome back, Sara 🙂 ! I’ve been thinking of you, hoping all was well. Congratulations on your marathon and your job!
We’re in a very similar stage of life. I’m 49, and this fall saw our middle child go off to university. I confess it’s not been an easy transition for me. We do still have our almost-12-year-old at home, but I miss our older two. I’ve also been struggling with trying to stay positive about our children’s future, most especially with regards to the environment. I would ask how you’re managing with the latter (especially in the light of Trump’s views on climate change and the role of the EPA) but that almost seems like an unfair and too-personal question. So I’ll just say I’m glad you’re writing once again — I’m looking forward to your monthly posts!
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Welcome back! Glad to know you’re back and will keep Go Gingham running. Speaking of running, congrats on the marathon! Happy holidays!
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I DID miss you and your wisdom!! I’m happy for your break and all those accomplishments! I’ll happily take anything I can get…. enjoy the lightened blog schedule.
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Welcome back Sara, I will monitor your reduced offerings.
Enjoy every day, at work or play.
Cecile
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I’ve been busy with college searches, working more hours at my job than I should and wistfully checking my email for blog updates with cost saving ideas, yummy recipes, inexpensive gift ideas or just hearing about your latest travels! So pleased the wait is over!
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Hey all. Merry eveything from dc. All good here. Busy and quite all at the same time.
Costa threw a lovely 65 bday to me. Yikes. Medicare….friends came and we had a great time. Everyone was really in the mood to be together.
C good. Me good. Redskins not so good.
Off to ny we go for xmas.
Glad all good with all of you.
Alaska,is on my list…someday.
All the best. Love from me and my greek. Xo
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So glad all is well with you and your family. Congratulations on your bucket list accomplishment! A once-a-month post would certainly be welcome and topic sounds great. I have missed the
regular communication.
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I have missed you and have been taking breaks too. Glad you’re back and hope to read more in the future.
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Have been looking for you. Glad you are back, but also glad you are cutting back. Thank you for your blog. Merry Christmas.
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I enjoy your blog and will continue to read and enjoy once a month. I think we go thru stages in life and changes are usually necessary. Congratulations on your marathon and your new job. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
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Welcome back! I have missed your blog! I love the inspiration it provides. I turned 50 last week! My goal was to complete my 200 hour certified yoga teacher training…Check!! Congratulations on your marathon. 🙂
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Hey Sara – glad you are doing what works for you! I am working on end of the year budget review etc. and remembered you had a good post about simple budget planning — so I thought I’d check in! I will be happy to keep seeing your posts in whatever way you want to do them! You have so much good info!!! Thanks, Sara! Let’s have a catch up phone call over tea in the new year!
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I found myself checking in to see if you had posted anything lately, so I’m glad you’re back. I’m interested to know if you’re able to keep up with your frugal ways and work full time. I loved reading about how you cut back expenses in order to stay home. I’m happy to hear that you’ll be blogging again –
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Hi Sara!
I just happened to check in today–glad I did–I did wonder what was up with you. I had a sneaking suspicion that, with your kids getting older, your life was transitioning, and I was right. Congrats on your full-time job–I bet that’s a huge change for you. Glad all is well. 🙂
Doing fine here–lots of changes on my end. I’m 51 and while no marathons are in my future, I did join a gym a year ago and I use an elliptical and weight machines–my plantar fasciitis makes me avoid high-impact activities. Important to keep our bodies healthy! My mom moved out here last June–she spent a year in her own home after dad died but her vision is declining and being alone and driving wasn’t a good plan any more. It’s a good change, but it’s been very challenging. Like having a part-time job. I *think* life is finally settling down with this transition. My kids are 11 and 13. I think that in the back of my mind, I was envisioning myself moving into a part-time position at this stage of my life (I work as a substitute occupational therapist for the flexible scheduling) but I’m not sure that regular, scheduled hours are in my near (or maybe any??) future. Mostly I’m ok with that but sometimes I’m jealous of people who live “normal” lives. I dare say there are those out there who are jealous of my lifestyle, so I guess I just need to get over that. 🙂
Anyway, good to have you back!
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