witticisms by Jess Witty

March 30, 2011

An Ordinary Everyday Goodbye...


Have I ever mentioned how much I {ahem} *hate* change?

Probably not.
It's not really my best quality :)

I am that person that goes to a favorite restaurant and orders the same thing every. single. time.

Boring to you... comforting to me.

 I am that person that likes to be close to others... I'm a hugger; a sympathetic crier {if you cry, so will I; or I'll just start for both of us}.

And so... goodbyes are hard.
Especially this one.

I knew when I signed up to be a Paper Crafts Go-to Gal that I would be signing the contract once... although there might be a possibility of another term, Brian and I agreed that for me, it would be a two-year gig.

And so I signed the papers.
With joy.
And excitement.

And only a few days later... we got a call.
And 7 days after that, I was no longer the mom of just two little Wittys, but three.
{You can read a bit about that story right here; it happened with joy and excitement, too.}

Ha! A newborn in the house... what a way to start a new gig, right?
It has been exciting. And it has been a joy.

And soon, it'll be time to say good-bye. My two years are coming to an end and, man... I've loved it.

So much so that almost the moment I walked into CHA in January I called Brian and said... "What have I done?!" As evidenced by this picture...


Maren and I... giving in to the tears... knowing it would be our last Go-to Gal pic.

I loved being surrounded by my friends {also know as my editors}, my friends {also known as my fellow Go-to Gals}, my friends {also known as all of my industry friends}, and the living, breathing, creative-beyond-belief industry that we're a part of.

But when I left CHA... and came home to the living, breathing, creative-beyond-belief family that I'm a part of and all of the time, craziness, and time {did I mention time yet?} that 3 children who are all at home all day, every day entails... I was ok again.

I know it's the right decision for me.
For us.

I'll still be here.
Doing this.
Still contributing to Paper Crafts as often as they'll take me :)
Still working with Papertrey Ink, too.

I'll just be me... no Go-to Gal.

And things will probably {hopefully} be a little less crazy around my house.
Although that's always debatable.

For me, this has been the fulfillment of a goal... a dream.
A faraway, never-told-anyone, never-really-thought-it-could-actually-happen, dream.
{Can anyone relate?}

And I'm so thankful to have had it.
But there are other dreams out there for me :)

It doesn't escape me that this happens at a when we've been around so much loss. In the last few weeks, my closest friend lost her sister... then Luke passed away... and even as I write this I'm far away from home, sitting with my family in a hospice center, knowing that my grandmother is not far from the end of her days.

Funny how that has a way of putting everything in perspective, right?

So.
I'm looking forward to having a bit more time on my hands to hang with my kiddos in the pool.
Or at the park.
Or on our bikes.
Or car-tripping.
Or whatever.

So this is the perfect card for today...


Thanks to all of my friends at Paper Crafts... you guys are the best.
BEST.

And the other Go-to Gals... Teri, Betsy, Kim K, Maren, and Kim H {who stepped away in January, but we still think of her as one of us}... what an honor to work alongside all of you.
Thanks for being my friends.
 
And thanks to all of you... who read the magazine and join me here.

Later, friends.

53 comments:

Queenie said...

Ooooooohhhhh YOU WILL BE MISSED!!! You always have such fresh, fun ideas for that column!!!

Congrats on the little newborn and your dear family!!! God blesses the hardest decisions that we have to make and I know I will look forward to seeing your beautiful designs in the future!! They'll be a real treat!

itsallrosi said...

Oh no, I'll miss you! But you're right, I'm sure you'll be getting submissions picked up all the time and I'll look forward to your papertrey projects. Love your style, Jessica!

Cynthia Baldwin said...

boohoo! PC will miss you - but I have no doubt that we'll still see you and your work often! Thanks for sharing all your work - and your time - as a Go-To Gal!! All the best to your and your family. :)

FLEUR de Lo said...

Good.
For.
You.

I recently did the same thing, though my career was a different one. I'm not going to lie: while there is no doubt in my mind it was the right decision, while I would make it again and again were I able to turn back the clock, it has been an unbelievably difficult transition. Like you, I LOATHE CHANGE. Without it, however, life would be stagnant. I believe you will never, ever regret putting your family first.

Good!
For!
You!

God bless you and yours.

Sarah said...

I'll miss seeing your incredibly inspiring work as a Go-to Gal. You've made an impact on my crafting, and that of many other readers. I'm glad that you'll continue to do so through your everyday contributions. But I'm even more glad to hear that you're making the choice to put you and your family first.

Glenda J said...

Big hugs to you. Will miss having you as a Go-to Gal but will keep stopping by and checking out your amazing work. You are so inspiring.

Anonymous said...

You'll surely be missed as a Go-to Gal Jess, but moving on to other chapters in your life is stepping in the right direction for you. I know how you will love to spend all that time with your family, and they will surely love it too.
It's not like you're quitting crafting altogether, right ;)
Hugs, Ruth S

Tiff said...

Jess, I will miss seeing you as a go-to gal so very much! I loved reading your story! Thank you for sharing such a personal account of your journey.

Susan R. Opel said...

Love you, my fashionista felt and glitter using friend. yYu are a rock star as a designer and as a mom and as a woman. I'm so very glad that this gig allowed me to meet you. <3

Susan R. Opel said...

Um, "you", not "yYu." Oh. My. Typo!

Chark said...

Best Wishes!! Enjoy those kids while they're still young! Am sending my daughter off to college soon and can't believe how fast it went!

Sara Henton said...

OK now I am seriously going to cry. I just finished reading Mare's goodbye & now you too. It's too much. You're one of my definite go-to's for inspiration...URGH.

I do wish you the very best!!!! And give you the biggest {{{HUGS}}}, I'm a hugger too!!

Carol Metully said...

I will miss you as a Go-to-Gal but will still be spending time at your blog and through PTI!! Good luck and have fun being just an ordinary Gal!!

Amanda M said...

Sad goodbyes!!!! This stinks! Best of luck to you in everything. As a mommy to a growing family as well, I know you have to cherish that precious time with them. You'll be very missed as a Go to Gal!

Stephanie said...

I am a new follower... I just read your post about your third child. Speaking of being a crier... I couldn't get halfway through the story without crying! Such a great story! By the way, I love your work!

Regina Mangum said...

I will miss your inspiration as a Go-To Gal and but your happy spirit will always inspire us as we are sure to see you in the pages very often! Good luck on your new adventures and I wish you and your family all the best, especially at this hard time in your lives. Best wishes!

jen said...

I followed you before you were a go-to-gal, and I'll follow you still- I love your style, both in cardmaking & blogwriting!
Good luck in all your new adventures- and peace to your family in this hard time...

Jessica said...

You, too, will be missed. I have always enjoyed your fresh look at things. I'm sure we'll see you around, but I guess I'll definately have to follow your blog now. Thanks for shariing your life with us. Bes of luck.
Hugs, Jessica

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Well I'm just sitting here with my tissue box this afternoon, seeing all the evidence of what I knew to be an eventual reality. I still don't like it much, being a fellow change-hater and empathic cryer myself. (Has there ever been a day we've spent together without some kinda tears--laughter or otherwise? And then if you throw Maren into the mix, all bets are off!)

Jess, I gotta say that you are one of the most creative paper crafters I have ever known. Your unique vision combined with your insane technique and skill is something I will always admire. I am so privileged to have gotten to work with you the way I have, to say nothing of how honored I am to have gotten to know you so well.

I look forward to working with you in the future, to seeing your artful gifts sprinkled around our industry, and to hearing about the delightful antics of the Witty family as it grows up. But mostly I want to say thanks for being my moxie fab friend.

...oh...and for sharing the Great Wall of Chocolate with me. We will always have that, GF, we will ALWAYS have that!

Love always,
Cath

Geny said...

You'll always be a Go-To Gal to me, I love love love your work and look forward to seeing it on your blog and at PTI! Happy you get a bit more time with your family, they are the most important thing for sure!!

Winter said...

Ok...you totally sounded like me and the whole eating the SAME thing EVERYTIME at the restaurant and crying EVERYTIME I see someone else cry...even if it is on TV!!! So I know how you feel about change! Praying it is an easy transition for you and praying for your Grandma!

Carolyn King said...

Best of luck to you, amazing lady! Thanks for your inspiration... Wishing you much happiness!

Meredith MacRitchie said...

Jessica, I love reading all your posts - I love your writing style. But I just read your adoption story about Noelle, and I was nearly in tears (good tears!). What a beautiful account of how your family came to be! And I have often wondered what the bond to an adopted child might be compared to a biological one... but what you said makes so much sense. I always say "Yes, I have a favourite - both of them." because as soon as I look at the 2 year old, I think "I love you more, you're just so much fun and such a beautiful person", the 10 month old will grab my cheek and pull me in for a kiss, so I think "but I love YOU more because you are so pudgy and cute and sweet" It's something you can't describe properly until you have more than one that is YOURS. You love them all as much as the other - but you don't love them the same at all. And that's what makes it so beautiful to be a mum! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story!

Kimmy said...

Jessica, I have learned so much from you! I will miss you as a Go-to-Gal, but I look so forward to seeing more of your PTI projects. Oh, how I love PTI! Thanks so much for sharing your family story. I just read your adoption story and there are tears on my laptop. Your family is just beautiful...breath-taking, actually. Lots of luck to you on all of your future endeavors. Hugs!

Daniela Dobson said...

You are too adorable!!! Love your little story and the writing here. The card is adorable. You will be missed for sure. Maybe now we can get together and have lunch.

Maren said...

I LOVE YOU!! Thought of you ALL day today....wishing we could have had coffee and given each other another GREAT hug.

StacyC said...

I know this must have been such a difficult decision, but only you know what is best for you and your sweet family. I wish you the best and look forward to seeing your new adventures, whatever they may be.

Now, I will need one commitment from you, a date at a Texas Roadhouse :)

Miss you!
StacyC

Charlene Austin said...

Oh Honey....I've always loved that you are a Go To Gal but even more so I've always loved that you are "Jess". I'm happy your decision is going to fill your life with family, love and memories of loving your family. You'll always be Jess to me. I'm sending hugs and big prayers for you and your family right now. XO.

Kelly S. said...

Ohhh so sad! But I am glad that you will get the chance to spend more time with your sweet little ones! Thank goodness you are still with Papertrey Ink, and will keep your blog! I would so miss your weekly witticisms! Best wishes, Jessica!

see mary stamp said...

Although you will no longer be a Go-To-Gal, I have become a loyal blog follower of your witticisms and will enjoy following you here and with your PTI contributions! Cherish this time with your littles. It goes by so fast!

Brandy J. said...

Jess, you will definitely be missed, but it sounds like you made the right choice for you and your family. I know how hard those decisions are. Why can't all the PC peeps be just a little less lovable? I'm still going to watch for your submissions in my writing assignments so you better keep submitting!

NinaB said...

It was such a pleasure meeting you at CHA. I know you will be a BIG loss to the PC family, but thankfully, you'll still be around and will grace their pages with your beautiful work. I admire you for your decision and I've made something similar myself. Our kids are only so little for a short time. And they are truly a gift form the Lord whom we've had the privilege of raising. Hugs from Croatia.

Ellie said...

you can't get rid of us that easy! I know I will con't to stalk hmm I mean visit your blog and check on your adventures. Thank you so much for all the inspiration via the Go to Gals. On to new adventures!((HUGS))

Broni said...

Oh no! I was so hoping this was a forever gig for you! Hoping for us, anyway. Thank you so much for adding such beauty to the world of crafting...not just in your creations, but in the person that you are! Love ya!

Anabelle O'Malley said...

(((Hugs))) my friend! I know how hard this transition is for you. But, I know that this next phase of your designing career will be filled with lots of adventure, too.

Beate said...

Big {{{{{{{{{{{{cyber hygs}}}}}}}}}!!!

I am with you. Change is always hard for me as well.
I bet your family will be happy to see a more for you just as we are sad to see less.

Good thing we can still come here and get our Jess fix. I am sure we will see you around and I can't wait what you will be up to nex.

Hugs and smiles

Jocelyn Olson said...

Hugs to you! Change is hard...I feel for you. You can look back and be so proud that you fulfilled one of your dreams!

Leslie Rodriguez said...

Jess,

I just read your post on your little girl. It made my cry!! Happy tears, of course! What a wonderful, heartwarming story!

Have fun with your children, make lots of memories with them and hopefully one day, when your kids are older, you'll have the opportunity to be a Go-To Gal again. But for now, they're totally worth it! :)

Unknown said...

You will be missed, but I'm very thankful you will still keep up your blog and other roles. Your 10 minute scrap pile challenges are my fave and that card you made the other week inspired by the pinata - well my family had to eat at a Mexican restaurant after that one!

My thoughts are with your and your family as you go through such a tough time. Hope the special memories make it easier for you all.

Unknown said...

Will always be a big fan no matter what you do. Enjoy your extra time with family!!

Rachel P said...

Wow, thanks for sharing that. I'm a new follower of your blog, discovering it after you joined PTI...and like so many other paper crafters in this industry, I'm inspired by you in a variety of ways. Not the least of which is your success in the industry which is my dream, and one I don't know if I'll ever see realized, but your faith in God and your commitment to your family is also a blessing to read about! I don't know exactly what God has planned for my future within the industry that you've had the blessing to work in, but I will leave it up to Him and trust Him no matter what. His plans are always right! And it seems that you all are in the middle of His will and that truly IS the best place to be. Many blessings to you as you embark on this new phase of your life and deal with the change you've chosen!

Patty O'Malley said...

I don't take change too well myself. Who knows--down the road, you may want to try it again--or not. Enjoy the time with your family--they grow up much too quickly! Beautiful card, by the way!

cards by cara said...

I just wanted to send you hugs ... it has been a tough time for you lately but know that you are in our thoughts. Hugs and positive thoughts to you and your family.

Sheila said...

so lovely this card. =) where did you get the stamp?

Unknown said...

We'll all miss you as a Go-to-Gal but so glad we all know where to find you!! Thanks for all you've shared! :)

Create with Kim said...

tomorrow is a gift not a promise, embrace this day God has given you with your beautiful family!

Raven said...

So happy to be a follower of your own personal blog. I look forward to your future posts and projects you inspire us all with.

Rita Cortum said...

Your cards have been a great inspiration to all!!

Bev Gerard said...

I have so enjoyed watching you on your Go-To-Gal journey .. you will never know how sweet it has been. You are such an inspiration to me, Jessica ... in many ways.

{{{hugs}}}
Mom

Amy said...

Jess, this is the first time coming to your personal blog and I am sad to say I have missed so much along the way! I will be visiting often and I wish you the best of luck with your family and future! You are an amazing designer and I have loved seeing your Go-To Gal ideas and inspiration in PC! Thank you so much for sharing YOU with US! You will always be an inspiration to me!

Sharon Harnist said...

{{Jess}} -- Big hugs & sorry I'm just seeing this, sweetie! We'll certainly miss your Go-To Witticisms but will always look forward to seeing what amazing talents you have to share! Take care of those Bitty Wittys -- I look forward to seeing them SOON!! :)

Jessica said...

I'm sure you will be missed by all the other go-to-gals. I'll be looking for your cards etc in the mag. As I've grown attatched to all of you. Change is usually ok with me,but I find I'm not liking this change. But I'll adjust, and I'll keep checking in here. So enjoy the time with your family. Take care, Hugs Jessica

Margaret W McGinnis said...

You will definitely be missed .. but great fortune in your new adventures! Your work is wonderful and very inspiring ... thanks for sharing!