Monday, March 1, 2010

There.

That felt good and it was a long time coming.

For a few months now I've felt like I had this stress that could not be relieved. I knew what it was, but I wasn't ready.

This past week it became too much.

Day after day of readers I liked saying nasty things to me; numerous people were telling me they were leaving and not coming back.

When someone tells you they are leaving and not coming back, it is always a predecessor of growth. It would start all over again, and just get bigger and bigger.

I was exhausted. I didn't want more growth.

I had gotten used to the haters. They were pretty stupid; I wrote them off as willfully ignorant. In the same comment they would tell me I was stubborn, arrogant, unwilling to change or admit I was wrong, while declaring that I contradict myself SO MUCH, citing examples of how I did things one way here, then changed my mind, denouncing that way of doing things and deciding to do it a different way some where else. What the frig?! Maybe they were pulling my leg, because it is hard to believe that people are that stupid.

It wasn't the people that I thought were idiots that drove me to shut down the blog, it was the people that I liked.

I had been asking Dan all week if we could shut it down yet. He said I had good things to say, things that people needed to hear, that I should give it more time.

Finally, on Sunday, I hit my limit. I begged Dan to let me shut it down. He saw how exhausted I was and conceded.

Then I reconsidered... and thought maybe I could keep it.

I went to church uncertain.

Our pastor is doing a series on fear and each week I've been moved to trust God more deeply, fearlessly.

This week it was about money. I had made a combined income of close to $1500 in February. I knew God was our safety net, but I wanted an extra safety net as well. God was telling me to trust him and only him, so I did.

I'll still write here maybe once a week, and I want to continue to be the Wednesday contributor at Frugal Hacks, so I'm not going into hiding. I'm still here, sharing my ideas.

108 comments:

  1. Glad you will still be posting occasionally.

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  2. LOVED your blog and am glad to see your over here :)
    I am so happy that you did not let the negativity get you down!

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  3. I am sorry you felt the need to shut down your other blog I really did enjoy it.

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  4. Good for you! Godspeed in your endeavors!

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  5. You have to do what you have to do. I will miss your other blog but that is my own selfishness talking. I always live by 2 things.
    1. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you!!!!
    2. If God brought you to it then he will bring you through it!!!!
    I will still visit your blog as I so love your posts & enjoy them so much. Sad part is that others are just so mean, ignorant & unhappy in their own lives they have to try to make others feel bad in theirs. Oh well, God is watching over you & will guide you to where you should be....

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  6. I'm sad! But it is completely understandable. But could you post some of your recipes here? Particularly the crock pot cream cheese?? I hope you start to feel less stressed!

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  7. oh emily!!
    i hope that you don't go away. i can't even imagine what it would be like to have to deal with haters (my blog has no readers). but, i know that God has used you and you have blessed my life in ways i didn't expect. before i stumbled upon your blog i didn't even realize that being frugal could be a lifestyle... and a fun one at that! i love when you talk about God, and how He is working in you and your family. perhaps all of my reasons for wanting you to not go anywhere are selfish... but, i don't want you to go!! your blog has moved up to the first one i check everyday... i know that i don't comment often, but perhaps i should have more to balance out all the haters. do you remember the email i sent you? perhaps not... but, i don't email bloggers!! that's crazy. but, you had so profoundly affected me... and my life, i had to tell you!! i hope that you write... and allow the people that love you to continue to listen in on your thoughts, your ideas and your amazing love for God. i'll be thinking about you, and praying for you and your family. much love! nikki

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  8. I'm sorry about the big fiasco. People are very brave to speak and speak online when they would never be so bold in person.

    WOULD IT BE possible for you to put the blog back, but make it closed to comments (erasing all comments, too) and just no longer post there? Sort of like an archive. I was just starting to read through your old posts and was gleaning a lot of good information!

    Thanks!

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  9. Emily, I'm sorry that the haters got you down although I can't blame you. I really enjoy your thoughts and have found you very inspiring.

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  10. Emily,
    I am glad that you are still going to post. I will admit that I will miss your daily postings as you were the first blog I used to check in the morning. I like your ideas and hearing about your family. But I'm glad that you will still write. I hope you will still write about the things that you do with your boys and what you get up to during the day. And I hope you will still tell us about new things that you have tried in the kitchen. Those posts are always interesting.
    Good luck Emily and God bless,
    Eliza

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  11. Sorry to see you closed down the blog, Emily! I really enjoy reading about your latest adventure!

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  12. Well, I am very glad you are continuing to blog. I hope you will post some of your recipes on this blog that were posted on your last blog. I read a lot of your last blog and kept meaning to read the rest "later", but later came too late apparently LOL. Anyways, I was following you on there and I'm following you on here -- not because I agree with everything you say, but because I find your posts thought provoking and some of your ideas great enough to make me get off my butt and try them. I hope this blog is a lot less stress for you :)

    Christina

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  13. Glad to see you back.

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  14. I don't get it. Won't people just come here to comment, accuse, make-fun of, etc? Why didn't you just disable all comments on the other blog. That way you could still write and get your great ideas out there like you say you feel led to do. Also, why didn't you just stop all advertisement? That would be 'trusting' God as well. Seems to me like there is more of a reason since those could have been easily accomplished in other ways besides deleting the blog.
    Misty

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  15. Oh, I'm so sorry for all those mean people! I truly, truly looked forward to reading your cool ideas every day, so I'm sorry you shut it down, but I'm glad you won't have to deal with those crazies anymore. :) I'll be praying that God will erase all of those mean comments from your memory. I do think your decision was probably best...

    oh, and I found this site from your profile a while back, and I thought maybe you would have written something on this site about what happened with the last one...just fyi :)

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  16. Hi Emily,

    I am not an obsessed reader or follower, but I did read your other blog most days. I don't know how you lasted as long as you did. But I did feel a sick feeling when I couldn't find you, worried that someone had done something or that your little one was ill again. I'm sorry that it went so haywire for you. I hope it is smooth sailing over here. I will be checking back some, hope that is alright.

    Shan

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  17. Emily,

    Hi there my name is Meg. I have been a daily reader at your Under $1000 Month blog but not a commenter. I have to tell you how sad that I am to see you end your blog. I found it to be truly inspirational and thought provoking. My husband and I live in Boston. We are graduate/medical students trying to make it on a shoestring budget.

    I was wondering if there is any way to access your Under $1000 Month blog as a reference tool? There are some ideas that I have yet to try out. If you do start to post again please let me know. You can contact me at u2sal@hotmail.com BEST OF LUCK!

    Cheers,
    Meg

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  18. So glad to have found you again! But I will miss the old blog, too.

    BTW, I was sent you a message on Facebook. I believe I told you it was me & gave you my blog link. But incase yI didn't, well now you know. ha ha!

    God Bless!

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  19. hi Emily,
    So sorry to hear of all the stress this has caused you.I was shocked this morning when your blog was gone. I just goggled a ? about it and read the comments. It lead me here.I have never commented before, although I have enjoyed all your ideas and recipes. I am a 58 year old retired woman and have been able to find many useful ideas, even though my own children are long gone. I wish you the best.Will we be able to get some of the old info back? Jean

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  20. Emily,
    I'm so glad you're still here. I didn't discover your other blog until just a few days ago and couldn't stop until I had read almost all of it. You have the courage that I wish I had had when I was younger. I don't know how you held up under the attacks so long, though.
    Sometimes you just have to pull back, take it a little slower - will be looking for your contributions on Frugal Hacks.

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  21. Emily,

    I am so sad to see your blog go, but if that is the way that God has led you, I'm glad you were able to make the jump.

    I will check back here, and hope to continue to hear your ideas.

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  22. What's the difference between posting here on this blog and posting on your other blog? Are we going to get a different type of blog here?

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  23. Emily,
    I think it was a good decision. It was a neat idea you had in the beginning, but it turned into a forum of contention. My personal opinion, not saying it's right, is that you would have a lot of positive and interested followers if you just wrote about how to save money, rather than opening it all up to every aspect of your life, then arguing with everyone who disagrees with you. You definitely had a lot of spiteful, ugly personalities following your blog, and I'm really sorry you put up with that as long as you did. I sincerely hope you will find peace in your decision.
    Best,
    Stacy

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  24. Hi,
    I'm not sure if you are reviewing comments on here but I hope so:) I found your blog via a snark site I'm on so decided to check it out for myself and was pleasently suprised when I saw it. I may not have always agreed with some of things you wrote but I found your blog to be a great insight into a lifestyle that is very different from my own. Plus the frugal tips were great! I do hope that you continue to participate on Frugal Hacks and that the haters will leave you and your family peace now.
    I wish you all the best for the future.
    Sarah

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  25. Emily,

    Are you going to be able to move Blogher here? Will you still be trying to make some extra money by this blog?
    I thought you were doing great with the extra income. Sad if you lose it.

    Susan
    http://susan-chicdaisy.blogspot.com/

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  26. Thanks for all the encouragement.

    Nikki, I very much remember your email, and I'm touched that you emailed me even though you never email bloggers. (:

    RB and Meg, I think I'll undelete the blog in about a week and leave it as an archive.

    Anon 9:47, I'm going to post about whatever I want on here, and write strictly frugal stuff on Frugal Hacks.

    Erin T, I'm going to be taking it slow on the boys room redesign, instead of sticking to the three week deadline I was going for. It'll be a few months before the bunks are built, and I'll be keeping my eye out for the other pieces to make the room complete. Then I'll post about it.

    Anon 3:59, I'm going to have much stricter comment moderation. I needed a new atmosphere.

    Kimmy, this won't be strictly frugal, although it probably will be frugal in nature sometimes. This will be whatever I feel like writing about.

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  27. Thanks for answering back :) I too am thinking of starting a different blog to focus more on my crafts and etsy business.

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  28. Sorry you had to go through all this! I hope you are doing fine. I never read your old blog but no one deserves so much hate. I hope you guys are financially stable and able tot provide for yourselves!! sending blessings your way!

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  29. Emily,
    I am so glad to find you again. I posted on your other blog a few times mostly about self sufficient like posts I am deeply saddened to see it end as are alot of other people. Diaperswappers has an entire thread devoted to the loss of your blog. You were an insperation to alot of SAHM's most of whom thought good things about you!

    Wish I could have sent you some hot chocolate a few times when people were extra mean. Just wanted you to know that your blog blessed many people and putting it back up is an excellant idea, archival only or puttting it back no comment even I would still read as I am sure would many. But you must do what God leads you to do.

    Take care, I loved having a glimpse of your life and I pray that Dan will be richly blessed as a pastor and you will be able to fufil your dreams of homesteading.

    Its sad when so many are so convicted about not staying home with their kids and doing so with personal sacrifice that they feel they must attack you. You threatened the devils territory just remember that. I look forward to your posts on frugal hacks, and here.
    Anna

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  30. Emily, I am so happy for you. Take a deep breath now! I hope this blog will be much more peaceful for you. God bless. I'll keep on reading!

    dustin @ www.onlydustinthewind.blogspot.com

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  31. Although I've only commented twice, I enjoyed reading your blog daily. Your life is very different from mine - I am a reform jew and I live in a wealthy suburb of NYC and teach in a large public school. I really enjoyed your seemingly grassroots approach to life, parenthood, child rearing and education. I'm glad that you haven't given this up entirely - you have so much to share that is interesting and informative.

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  32. I only found your blog recently, so unfortunately I wasn't able to read all of the posts. But, I had been enjoying reading everything (from oldest to newest).
    What you shared about yourself and your life was refreshing, different and inspiring. Now I am disappointed that I didn't tell you that sooner (I'd been holding out commenting for when I caught up with your most recent posts).
    I'll look forward to continuing to "catch up" on your archives, but will miss new subject matter and comments.
    Thank you for putting yourself out there.

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  33. I stumbled across your other blog and for the past month or so checked it almost everyday! I had no idea the horrible things that were being posted all over about your blog until I went searching for what happened to it. I may not always agree with everything you post but sometimes when we look outside of the box we can learn and people really need to find other things to do with their time then contribute so negatively. They are spending a tremendous amount of time and energy to hurt you, but please remember they are only hurting themselves. Thank you for your positive contributions. I truly enjoy every read.

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  34. I hope I'm not one of those friends who disappointed you... Anyway, how is friend to find you? I had a hard time locating you.

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  35. I'm sorry to hear you had such trouble at your old blog, Emily. I enjoyed reading the frugal posts. I'm glad you can start fresh, I'll be looking for you on Frugal Hacks!
    Jenn

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  36. Good for you. I guess I must have missed the comments on your last post. I was busy and read it in a reader. I'm sorry it got so bad, but I'm sure you feel very relieved.

    I'm glad to hear that you are thinking of keeping your other blog up as an archive; there is a lot of valuable information there. I sent my sister links to several of your recipes because you make things seem so simple and she is just starting out trying to cook from scratch.

    Blessings,

    ~Andrea

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  37. Emily - Thank you for responding to my e-mail and leading me here. I'm sorry you had to go through all the heartache. But keep up the great work here.
    Thanks!
    Ellen

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  38. I have to say I was a little sad when I clicked on your recent post and "this blogger was not found", but I understand why you had to do it.
    Maybe this should be a lesson to all of us who DID like your blog to actually come out of hiding and comment once in a while! It would get anybody down only hearing from nay-sayers everyday. Anyway I'm looking forward to being able to use your blog in the archive form, and hope that you have lots of fun with the new, stress free blog.

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  39. You inspired others with your old blog!

    http://thepittsburghpair.blogspot.com/

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  40. Good luck hun, I love your stuff and will follow you here. Michelle frugalredneck.blogspot.com

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  41. Emily,
    I'm sorry you decided to shut down your other blog. I can't say I blame you though! It's hard to be criticized for every choice you make by strangers on the internet.

    I have been sprouting rice this past week. My husband thinks I'm nuts but he'll learn!(= Thanks so much for the inspiration.

    God Bless,
    Melissa

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  42. Hello,

    I wanted to add some suggestions. You could start your blog again, with a new title and a similar yet less personal focus...or whatever focus you'd like, and keep all of the good info you shared about frugal living. There were some very interesting posts about ideas on how to do things which most people would never think of. For instance, the post that made me start looking at your blog was the one about flour products being a rip-off. It never even occurred to me before then that I could make my own tortillas, noodles, etc. Why lose all of that good info, and your newly-developed and much-needed income as well? Just today I was wanting to look up that taco seasoning recipe, but couldn't.

    Anyway, that's what I think.
    Stacy

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  43. There you are! I used to read under $1000 every night before bed, so when you didn't post for a few days I was getting worried! I only just checked you blog and found it wasn't there.

    Just so you know, I loved reading your blog. I didn't always agree with you but I loved your ideas.

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  44. I am at least relieved that it was your decision and not that your blog had gotten hacked or something. It was your right to write and yours to stop. I do wish you had written an "I'm going away now" sort of post on there but I also understand the need to fully pull the plug. Good luck to you and your family!

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  45. I will miss under1000amonth, but I'm glad to hear that you'll be putting archives up. I had just started reading through them and I was really enjoying your perspective. And good for you on deciding that the income wasn't worth it. I thought I was typing your address in wrong when it didn't come up, so I googled you. I found the "other blog" and man! That was unbelievable. I am amazed you stuck it out for so long. Really, just the time and energy those people devoted to tearing you down- unbelievable. I still cannot imagine how a blog about frugality could inspire such vitrol. Anyhow, I look forward to reading more from you. You inspired me to try sprouting adzuki beans, and I love the crockpot bread. Thanks, and I hope to hear more from you in the future!

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  46. Susan, no I won't be bringing BlogHer, and I don't see myself trying to make money from this blog.

    Anna, I think that last paragraph in your note just inspired next week's post. Thank you. (:

    Org Mommy, I adore you, and am excited that you read my blog at all. This may seem weird, but you seem like a bigger blogger than me, since I read you long before I even thought of blogging myself. No, you didn't disappoint me at all.

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  47. Em,

    I'm happy I've found you here. Thanks for your soaking rice entry. I have done it twice already and my family loves it! I am hoping you will write about your experiences baking in your roaster. I have one and rarely use it. I tried to make banana bread and after baking it for four hours it was still raw inside.

    Thanks,
    Cori

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  48. I found your new/old blog via facebook. I'm sorry to see the other go. I am the one who was born in Maine :-) And I am do it my own way sort...kinda like you. I didn't comment often, but I did enjoy your perspectives.

    I hope that you one day reopen Under 1000 again. Otherwise, the haters win...and the rest of us lose a great resource.

    take care...

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  49. Oh and I forgot...this is my favorite cheese making website. I think I am going to try marscapone next...

    http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/cheese/cheese.html

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  50. I was afraid that you had finally reached your limit and shut down your blog. I was sad. It was my favorite blog. But, I completely understood. There were some horrible comments directed at you. You hung in there longer than I would have!LOL

    Anyway, glad to see you didn't completely give up writing. I really don't share the same views with you when it comes to following Christ(not that I completely disagree...my views are just different:), so I doubt I'll frequent this blog much. However, I'm THRILLED that you will still be sharing your advise on frugality on Frugal Hacks! Now I'm looking forward Wednesday's!

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  51. If you're posting about Anna saying that working women are in the Devil's world then I hope that you're not agreeing with her :(

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  52. Thank goodness I read FrugalHacks, I was so sad to see your blog had disappeared! I felt like the ideas were great for me as we're gearing up to enter a PhD.

    I'm sorry some folks don't know how to be civil and kind over the internet.

    I'm glad you had the courage to dump what was hurting you.

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  53. Emily,

    My heart goes out to you. I cannot believe the criticism and the hurtful comments that have been "out there." What is it about "ye who are without sin, cast the first stone." You put up with it longer than I could have. I gleaned a lot of good from your blog. Take care.

    Martha C.

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  54. I clicked on your link in my favorite the other day and the old blog was gone! I love reading your blog even if I don't comment often. I am sorry people are being nasty and it got too much.

    I found you again through Happy(atheist) homemaker. Yay! Keep writing, Emily.

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  55. I'm sorry it had to come to this. I am one of those don't go to the lengths you do but support your right to do so.
    People on the Internets sometimes get it into their heads that just because you "put yourself out there" it gives them the right to criticize, judge, tear you down, be mean, etc. It doesn't. They don't have to act that way. It's childish and reminds me of schoolyard taunting. There's no reason for it at all. They claim it is out of concern for your children and say that they are worried, etc, etc. There are plenty of kids in the country and around the world that could actually USE their concern. I just get those types of "hate" blogs.

    Whatever. Doesn't matter. I'm with the camp that thinks you should either re start the blog without comments or make a new one with all of your tips on it. I found some of them to be quite interesting!

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  56. Emily,
    I am glad I found you here. I was really missing your posts. :)

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  57. Emily, I had just found your Under1000 site and was enjoying it. You had (& will have here) a lot of good stuff to share. Forget those hatemonkers, they obviously have some serious problems. If they come back, DELETE them. This is your blog! Take care of you and your family and I'll be checking back often.

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  58. emily,

    i'm sorry that things went so wrong. regardless of the drama and meaness, you did reach an audience. and you made money doing it. there are some good suggestions on how to keep the drama down, for example disabling comments.

    i don't know if it's too late to still have blogher and others ads, but maybe you'll reconsider reopening the other. it may equal less income, but i know people will still read. you would still earn and be sharing your ideas and thoughts.

    i emailed you awhile back, but never heard back from you so i'm not sure you received it. i really hope that the issue i mentioned in the message (if you did receive it) never came to fruition and has to do with your decision to close the blog.

    take care...and give your sweet guys a big hug.

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  59. Emily! I am having withdrawals! I keep going to check your blog, then I remember it's GONE : (

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  60. Cori, unfortunately, I've had the same experience with my roaster. We haven't had a chicken dinner served on time in weeks because I've had to leave it cooking. This week, I've finally put it in the donation pile. I wish I had never opened it!

    Lynne, that's who I love for cheese, too!

    Mrs Brown, I don't plan on this being a topics in Christianity blog. It will come up, just like it did in the other blog, but this will be about whatever I feel like writing about, as opposed to the structure I had on the other blog.

    heather, I did get your email and thank you. I didn't really know how to respond, but I'm going to be writing in a few weeks (here) about that whole topic. It's an interesting one! But it had nothing to do with me closing my blog. (:

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  61. From one mom to another...love your blog. Just keep doing you and dont worry about everyone else! Stay strong!

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  62. Let me try this again. Blogger just ate my comment. I thought either Blogger had gone nuts, or my favorites link had. Glad to see you are back. I almost deleted the link to this blog about a week before you shut the other one down. I checked it, hoping you might have said a goodbye to tell us what was happening. Glad to see you just moved over here.

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  63. I liked your blog too. I certainly didn't agree with everything you wrote, but I didn't have a problem with most of it.

    I wish you would keep posting on the other site (as someone earlier suggested) and just turn off comments. You write well and your topics are interesting. The haters only want to be heard as they spew-- the rest of us, I gather, would be happy just to read and gain information in silence. :)

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  64. Emily,
    Oh how I have missed reading your blog. It was so much part of my day and I enjoyed reading it very much. I hope that you continue to live your life and raise your family how you choose without letting all the "debbie downers" knock you down. I look forward to reading this blog and look forward to your contribution to my life.
    Sue

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  65. Are you going to post your recipes over here? I was using some of them but never wrote them down!

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  66. This is only the second or third time I've commented on your blogs but I wanted you to know that I enjoyed reading your blog for all of the frugal tips and because it challenged me to rethink my lifestyle. My husband will be going to medical school soon and I need to be learning to save all the pennies I can, as we will be on a very tight budget for a very long time. I loved all your recipes and ideas. I agree with the above poster- couldn't you just continue the blog without the ads and no comments allowed? You could also just post about frugality and not your personal life. That way we could still get your wonderful ideas but people couldn't mess with you. Your blog was a blessing to so many of us and I was counting on it in the future! Thanks so much, Katie

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  67. My husband and I support Gospel for Asia. So happy to see how you have personalized this page (I especially like the links you listed in the sidebar on the left). I like this background, but miss the black and white ;o)! Have a restful day.

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  68. For what it's worth I really enjoyed your blog and commented a few times myself. It was always the first one I check in my Google Reader and I got a few ideas also, so thanks. I don't blame you for shutting down I stopped reading the comments a while ago (because I can't stand to read negative comments like that). Thanks for leaving up the blog as an archive, I will definitely still reference some of your old posts. God Bless!

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  69. Emily, I am so glad you posted something on your old blog, I didn't know what to do when I went there one morning and it was gone! I LOVED it and it was the first one that I would check every day. I don't blame you for shutting it down. That type of negativity can just bring you down.

    I added this blog to my favorites and will check this one now.

    I am glad you feel better about your decision. I wish you and your family the best. After all, that is what you are trying to do anyway, do the best for your family.

    I look forward to reading your posts here.

    Jenny

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  70. I was very concerned when your blog was shut down, and am relieved to know that you and yours are OK. I completely understand your retreat. Thank you for keeping a little window open for those of us who feel like we have gotten to know you and love you.

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  71. Hey Emily,

    I miss your blog! It was one of my favorites and I read it every day along with the comments. I'm sorry that there were so many haters but I think it's because you're quite thought provoking and have the ability to make people want to speak their mind.

    You were very inspiring to me and though I didn't agree with everything you did I always figured that was just because there's probably no one in the world I could agree completely with. God created us all differently. I hope you're finding happiness in everything you do and I know God will bless that. Your faithfulness is a great tribute:)

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  72. Hey Emily, I was just thinking that if you do find yourself missing the other blog you could always start it back up and turn the comments off. Then your could share all you ideas and not hear what everyone else thinks about them! Of course, then your missing out on all the comments that you DO want to hear, but maybe after a while you'll find your "meanies" have left and you can turn comments back on? And then you may get to keep the nice paychecks coming in. I'd still read even if the comments were off...

    Anyway, just a thought. If never going back to it is what's good for you then I am so happy that you made that choice!

    dustin
    www.onlydustinthewind.blogspot.com

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  73. I'm glad to know that you'll still be writing! You are truly inspirational and while I don't post comments often, I did look forward to reading your blog every day :) I wish you peace in this new one :)

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  74. Emily sorry you had to shut down your other blog but I completely understand. I have followed you over here as I enjoy your posts. Good Luck.

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  75. What is really the difference if you post here or on your other blog??? The haters will follow you over here, don't you think?
    I enjoyed reading.

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  76. Emily, I am sad that you are quitting your blog because I really liked it. I just forwarded your last post on your old blog to my daughter and daughter-in-law, who introduced me to you, and said, "I hope she didn't quit because of rude comments"! Then I came here and found out that was the case. I'm sorry so many people were rude. I appreciate your old blog. You gave me enjoyment every time I read it! Thanks!
    Kathy
    a frugal empty-nester from Missouri

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  77. Emily -- Followed you over from under1000, although I never commented there (I know, terrible habit, reading and enjoying, but not commenting!)... I just wanted to tell you that I can't believe the viciousness that some people display when they respond to you and your husband.

    While you and I couldn't have more different backgrounds, beliefs, and lives, I have a great respect for your right to live as you choose... and I don't see you exhibit anything but love for your family.

    I wish you the best, and I am glad to see you posting here!

    Angel (yes, that is my real name)

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  78. Emily, I am thinking about when I was a teen and in my twenties. I turned myself every which way to make my parents, my husband, my Lord happy. By the age of 30 I was in therapy. I look to the Lord first, then I live my life. Sometimes my husband is not happy with all I do (or don't do), and my mother and my sister truly don't get me at all. But that is their problem, not mine. If I had been writing your blog back then, I would have felt just as you do, scorned, defeated, etc.. But there is something about maturity that takes away that need to please. You will grow into that maturity one day. You are doing an awesome job as a wife and a mother. If you choose to make cheese rather than buy cheese, so what? I choose to use a coupon to buy cheese, because that is what I like to do. I put my clothes in the dryer most of the time because that is what I like to do. I don't spend money on designer clothes and purses, because I don't want to. Don't try to bend to fit everyone's idea of who you should be. Be true to yourself.

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  79. I am sorry you closed the blog. I disagreed with you on almost everything but I enjoyed your writing style and insights. I know people were nasty - and I'm not saying I would have been able to deal with that after it crossed the line into threatening to email your pastor and call CPS - but I also think "ehhh, maybe I could have for the money."

    I'm either event, as a long time member if some of the forums from which the hate sprang, I wanted to share my belief that it was the success of your blog and the money you made that really brought out the hatred. If people are unsatisfied with their own lives, and then find out you are making/saving more than they are, the claws come out. I watched people grow progressively nastier as you became more succesful and (knowing those communities) understood immediately what was happening. Not that it changes anything, because unfortunately bad motives aren't always directly apparent to third parties, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

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  80. Chicken cooks very well in the oven (in a glasss dish or casserole, with lemon juice or cut up with potatoes) or stovetop (saute in a frying pan with olive oil..yum). I saw in your pics that you have an oven in your kitchen. Does it not work?

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  81. I loved your blog - I make my own tortillas and bread because of you!

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  82. I will miss your other blog, but thank you for linking to this one so I can keep following your musings!

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  83. I am have been a reader of your blog for awhile and found it very interesting. I am sorry people felt the need to be cruel to you. When I was growing up my parents always said "If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all". I wish you and your family the best.

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  84. I am bummed to hear the roaster doesn't work well. Do you have multiple crock pots or just one? I've found having different crocks of various sizes is very helpful to me in the kitchen.

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  85. Hi Emily-

    I only ever posted 1 other time, when your son was sick. I just wanted to tell you that I am sad that you closed your blog because I read it every day. But I understand.

    Like others have said before, I am ashamed to also say that I came across your blog because of mean comments people were making in other forums... I thought to myself, "I need to go check out this crazy lady's blog!" :) But from the minute I started reading, I have liked you so much! I don't care what other people say. You seem like a wonderful person to me, and your blog was always interesting. I honestly don't have any of the same beliefs as you, and I wasn't really trying to live frugaly... lol. But your posts always made me think. And I loved hearing about your family as well. I also have 3 young sons.

    As a previous commenter said, I too was feeling a bit nervous when I went to read your blog and it wasn't there. I was worried about you! But it's so good to find that you and your family are all doing well! I just want to wish you the best of luck!

    Chelsea

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  86. I read your other site now and then and I always found it amusing. While I disagree with you on many things, you often presented me with a new perspective and made me reevaluate me previous thoughts. Sometimes I would scroll through the comments, and to me, these were pure comedy. So many people so adamant and angry over someone they don't know! My goodness, the passion and fury was unbelievable!

    That said, I didn't think it was anything you couldn't handle or something worth shutting down your blog for until I came across one of your "hate" sites, and OMG I could not believe the terrible awful things people were saying about you! To think that one person has so little a life to dedicate an entire site to mocking you.... it's just sad. Really really sad. After seeing that I completely understand why you decided to terminate your blog. I am impressed you lasted as long as you did! I think I would have broken down earlier.

    Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and that I think you have handled everything amazingly. I wish you and your family the best of luck in the future!

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  87. Thanks to all for all your kind words. I do hope you ontinue to read me here.

    About starting fresh on this blog, I feel like I needed a new atmosphere. I guess I could have changed the background there or the layout or something. I also needed to change blogging frequency. I feel like twice a week, once here, once Frugal Hacks, will be just right. I might throw in a third here if there is a product or book I want to review. That is the one blog perk I might have a hard time giving up, free stuff to review.

    *~* We love GFA too. I wrote about them back in the day, and am thinking of doing a book review or two of some of their free books.

    Pam, I'm glad you're here! Sorry to worry you.

    Diana, I do hope to be thought-provoking in my posts here, too, but hopefully without inviting the nasties.

    Anon, I thought maybe I could stick it out for the money after Dan said I could shut it down, which was why God pressing on my heart about trusting him with money was the clincher. I figured that about those forums, but it's funny because they truly did contribute to my success.

    Gianna, the oven works fine, it is just big and not energy efficient. Crock pot chicken always comes out perfect with no effort, and I was hoping for the same from my roaster.

    Mrs B, I just have the one, but I try to do mostly one dish meals, so the one crock pot usually meets my needs well.

    Chelsea, many wonderful readers came from those sites, and I commend them for being open-minded enough to see me with their own eyes. I think I would have a hard time liking me if all I read was what those people wrote. Sorry to have worried you!

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  88. So sad that you had to shut down your blog, but seriously, how much abuse can one person take? People are so mean. Hopefully you'll continue to post random thoughts here and take away the good wishes of your supporters.

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  89. It seems like the critical people were more offended by the nitty gritty of your personal life. Quite honestly, they would have been aghast at mine at that stage of the game also, perhaps for different reasons. Also, as a young mom, you deserve the privacy in order to make mistakes. You don't have the confidence that comes with many years of making decisions with life. It's not that you aren't doing well for the stage of life you are at, you are. It's just that it's hard to be confident and humble and laugh at yourself when you are young. But stay blogging. You are a good writer and people love what you are doing.

    As far as me being somehow very experienced at blogging, well, I get 4,000 page views a month. I have some tried and true followers who make my day on a regular basis. I don't get high traffic, but I do not make any waves with people (usually). It suits who I am, and I am happy to not have high traffic. (even though the $39.00 blogher check came in, and that was nice) Anyhoo, please comment on my blog when you do have time to go there, so I can remember to drop by!

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  90. Emily, I'm so glad I finally found you. I am sorry you took the site down, I really miss it. However, you have to do what is best for you.

    Thank you for putting it back up as I have several of your pages bookmarked for recipes and ideas.

    Thanks for the time you shared.

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  91. You should really be stronger than anyone who puts you down. Sure, it is HARD to take criticism, especially from people you like. But isn't that what FRIENDS are for? Not to just pat you on the back, but to tell you when there is room for improvement? Yes, there are trolls out there, but even you said the trolls didn't bug you. It was when people you LIKED started telling you that everything you were saying wasn't necessarily the best way. So can you just not take the truth?

    I honestly can say I enjoyed your blog. I didn't agree with a large percentage of it, but I still enjoyed it. The point of a blog isn't to make everyone happy - you are there to write and get your word out and reach out and make a little money in the meantime. You did all of that. Who gives a rat's patooty if you got bad feedback? Grow a thicker skin! Dooce would have been gone LONG ago if she had caved in.

    I say you ought to start that blog back up again. Be strong!

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  92. I enjoyed your site immensely (it was what inspired me to start my own, and to believe that I could make financial changes in my life that would enable my husband and I to have kids and allow me to stay at home to raise them) and will greatly miss it. I continually refer to your 5 month update post on how you had monetized your blog, and if you ever get a chance to give a final update or any last advice for those of us who would like to emulate your success, I know it would be much appreciated! But in the meantime, rest, relax, enjoy your family, and I'll look forward to your new posts at this site

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  93. I had just found your other blog, so of course I'm sad to hear how people treated you. I wonder if they would do so if they were invited into your house, as apposed to your blog. Should it be much different? Anonymity sorta takes away our desire to even attempt to bridle our tongues, doesn't it? I'm sorry for the nasties, glad to hear God's winning out over them and even the nice ones, and thank you for what you have shared and will share.

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  94. Emily, I was heartbroken when I clicked my bookmark for your blog and found that it was gone! You are my FAVORITE blogger! Your life is so interesting and thought-provoking! I am going to miss seeing your posts daily, however, I understand your reasoning. Sometimes a change of scenery is needed.:) Is there a possibility that you will ever re-open Under 1000? I loved, loved, loved it! You freakin' ROCK!

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  95. People that are unhappy with themselves are crap stirrers lol that is the best way to put it, dont let them get to you, what they say is only to get you upset because they are so unhappy with there own lives, I say ignore them and block before long you will weed out the bad seeds.

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  96. Emily, if you cook several things in the oven at the same time, once the food is cooked and the oven is turned off, you can leave the over door open and allow the heat to warm up your kitchen. Just make sure that the oven is turned OFF and the children are not near the oven.

    I really think that you should rethink not using the oven. Would you perhaps accept a challenge, to try to use it for one month, and see what the change is in your electric bill?

    You would be amazed at how QUICKLY food cooks. There is such a theory that "time is money". In other words, you could have more time to spend with the kids (and even leave the house more) if you were able to spend only an hour cooking, versus waiting six hours for a crock pot or roaster to cook dinner.

    You can "whip up" a loaf of bread, roasted chicken and vegetables, and a dessert at the same time - in less than an hour - and then have the rest of your day to do whatever you wanted!

    Would you consider trying? I would love to see what kind of homemade recipes you could come up with, using a modern oven. I would bet money (I don't gamble but it's just a saying) that you would be surprised at what you can accomplish using a "luxury" like an oven, and it wouldn't be that expensive in your electric bill.

    If it will help, I will pray that you will experience the wonder of humbleness in just trying a suggestion from a fellow Christian. Until we open our eyes, can we see the glory...

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  97. I may not have always agreed with everything you said on your old blog, but I am glad to see that you're back. You see, everyone's ideas are important (yours included), even if not everyone agrees with those ideas. No one has the right to berate you or say hateful things because they disagree with you. Remember that your ideas are important, even if some people are to immature to admit it when disagreeing with you. Welcome back, Emily. You've been missed, and your ideas have taught me a lot.

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  98. I had just found you so I am glad you are still here posting some. The posts I got to read I enjoyed! I am sorry you received so many hate comments. How sad. :( Anyways I got inspired to do a touring journal on my blog like you were doing. (hope I don't get any hate mail from it) I just really like to see other peoples homes and see how the organize and thought maybe someone might like to see mine. Anyways, I will keep checking in on you and hope you keep posting! I am blogging @
    5happycampers.blogspot.com

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  99. Gianna - I think trying the oven would be great. But she isn't "waiting" for the vcrockpot to cook - she puts the stuff in and can walk away - that's one of the great things about a crock pot- no watching it :) Also, there are some things you can cook at the same temperature, but a roast, bread, dessert? I don't even have room in my oven for that. It would just be the roast. I don't see what's so bad about the crockpot usage - fix it and forget it :)

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  100. I'm glad that you had the courage to blog here instead, you do not deserve such criticism, I've never seen anything like it........

    It's brave of you Emily to start over here and speaks volumes on your character, I look forward to your posts.....

    Mom in Canada

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  101. I had found your other blog via a snarky site. I'm sad to see it go but I do understand your reasoning.

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  102. sorry you shut down your blog, i read it everyday and enjoyed your idea's, etc. I completey get why you shut it down and that you need to do what you have to do.

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  103. I enjoyed the other blog and am sorry you had to close it down. Nevertheless, you are right; you don’t have to put up with the stuff you were getting over there. I cannot believe how nasty some of those people were. It makes me wonder how they could live with themselves.

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  104. I am so sorry that you have to deal with all the mean ignorant people out there. I really loved your blog and I am just floored at the rudeness of people over and over on the net. I can't even count the blogs that I really enjoyed that suddenly went private or closed down. Its so very frustrating for those of us who enjoy them, but I totally understand the frustration you feel as well. I am just sad that so many people out there waste their time criticizing others. I mean, its simple to just not go to a site you don't like or annoys you...it takes a concious effort to go to a site, you know? Again, I am so sorry for you to have to deal with that. I look forward to seeing your posts here.

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  105. I'm sorry for the jerks. Thanks for taking your time to write us, I'll miss your other site, but I understand. Thank you again for your insight.

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