Farewelling friends....

 

 Mimi's Rock Cakes...source Simple Savings

 

Hello to the person from Hamilton, Waikato who frequently visits this post. I do not know who you are, nor why you visit here so often, but your visits are noted :)

Some of you know me from a money saving website here in Australia. If you do, you would be aware that they pay me for a newsletter contribution, and have done for some years. That bit of pocket money meant that I felt justified in supporting their very friendly forum, with long stretches of my personal time. It also meant that while there was a bit of extra pocket money attached, the family tolerated my long stints on the computer, playing in that forum :)

That site is now in review mode as they work out how to refresh their business, and their immediate chosen strategy, until they decide where to go next, is to release me from my paid writing commitment to their newsletter, to reinstate an old favourite contributor, who left some time ago after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing. They cannot, apparently, afford us both. The lady in question has been called 'a brilliant writer' hence her comeback, which I confess, stung a little. I never claimed to be a 'brilliant writer', but I always wrote from the heart.

This has been a blow to me as it's come without warning, effective immediately, and whilst I'll miss the money a little, I will miss the friendships, and what I felt I could do to help people see a life beyond poverty and struggle, more.

The way has been left open for me to return in an unpaid capacity whenever I like, but I know that would now be very difficult.

I am both sad and relieved. My own life has moved beyond penny pinching some time ago, and it's only when I return to the site in question, that I feel the savings gene kick in....lol. I deliberately played down our very wonderful trip last year, as I felt it was disrespectful to members who are struggling to pay the mortgage and put food on the table, to share too much. Likewise I do not speak of trips to the ballet, theatre or a plethora of wonderful activities in which we immerse ourselves, for the same reason. There is more to me than a 3 week rotating menu and shopping at Aldi ;-)

I've had a book in the works for some time now, and they have promised to help promote it, so this will free my time to focus on that project.

I will miss you all more than you can ever imagine. That forum has been a lifeline to me in so many ways over the years, and to be displaced through no wrongdoing on my own part, is very hard to take.

Anyone who would like to stay in touch can find me here, of course. Can I ask you, encourage you even, to steer anyone who notes my absence to A Tray of Bliss? They can also email me through here.

One door closes, and another one opens. I wonder what will come next?

With Love, 

Mimi xxx