March 6, 2009

[Darla Shine]

A lot of you girls have been with me since the day this site began in February 2006. Now three years later, HHC has grown so much and I love it. I love checking in with all of you on HHC every day, once, twice, 10 times a day.

But I am exhausted. I am becoming exactly opposite of what I write about in my book. And that makes me really an unhappy housewife.

So I must prioritize and take my own advice and Get Back To Basics. So the site will go back to the way it was. Much simpler. Where no one represents me but me. There will be no specific women in charge of any topic. You are all the experts.

Dawn, Robyn, Nina, Tiffany, Dina, Jia, Nina, are all fabulous. I adore them. But the site has gotten so huge and the pages take a lot of work for them to keep up. Hey we are all housewives, mothers, and women first. And HHC has become a business, and I don't like the way that feels.

I started this site, the forums really, out of love and my want to help women around the world be happier housewives. Over the last year I have had to hire advertising, sales people, and all that stress that goes with it. I don't want that stress. I never intended for this to become a huge company. If I continue the way it has been going, my family will suffer. When was the last time I baked a cake from scratch? When was the last time I scrapbooked? I really do enjoy all my housewife things just like you all do. But I notice that I just don't have time for it anymore.

I have helped a lot of women. And that makes me feel great. You have all helped each other. And that should make you feel great.

This is a forum for us to swap recipes, advice, cleaning tips, and support. And that is what it should be again. No debate, no bickering, and no tension. Just gals helping gals. Wives helping wives.

This is the one safe place where women who believe a woman should be home with her children can say that proudly and freely.

It is the place where women who have the same philosophy on marriage, and parenting can chat. It is a place where we can be proud of our morals and values.

And as the recession gets more severe. This will be a place for women to rely on one another for support just has it has been for three years.

[lauramt]

So, Darla, your not saying your leaving us? Just trying to refocus the HHC to what is important? My question to you is, what can we do to help? I mean we, as women, love to fix and help with things. Is there anything we can do to help make this site what you want it to be? We can share the workload???

[dippidy]

Good for you, Darla! It's so good to hear you're still putting your family first. I'm with Laura, if there's anything we can do, please let us know.

[Caroline Stanley]

Back to basics, Darla...I think that's your best decision, yet! You have to focus on your health (physical and emotional) and also your family's. God bless you in all you do!

[kelly]

i understand. truly. good luck.

[grayjay'smom]

Darla, I completely understand what your doing/saying!! Thank you so much for all you have done, and are doing for all of us!!

[katie]

I have often wondered how you can do all you do, and still be a happy housewife.
Please let us know if there's a way we can help.

[adivino]

We all support you, Darla!

(So what will your next cake be?)

[suzanne]

What an inspiring decision that shows the true spirit of being a happy housewife. And I would like a piece of that cake -- two if its chocolate.

[Darla Shine]

I am not leavng. We are all staying.

[momof31995]

We all support you Darla.Thanks so much for giving us a place to meet and become friends with other housewives.

[Knit Mom of 3]

Add me to the list of thank yous! Anything you need we're here.

[Dana]

You guys are all awesome!

[Nina Q]

We are all so lucky to have "met" each other!

As always, we should support one another, and we do.


Now, I'm off to find a cool avatar!

[fletchmom2]

I'm with all the other ladies! Thank you so much! This site has shown me that there are other ladies out there in the same boat I am and shown me that if they are floating in another boat that we can all ban together and build a ship! (if that makes sense, LOL) I love that I have a place now that I can go to where every woman understands what I'm going through and what its like to stay at home all day. So thank you Darla and all the other ladies that have made this all possible! Without you we would all still be very lonely and very unhappy housewives!

If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to let me know!!

[josee]

I have been here since the beginning - and always loved it, big or small. I totally understand what you are saying. It has gotten HUGE!

And hey - think how "trendy" you are being! Its all about simplifying, cutting back and focusing on the basics in these recent times.

[dawn]

I'm happy that I had the opportunity to help the girls. Now you girls are going to have to get your own whips!!!

[josee]

LOL Dawn - you will never completely put that whip away. You are too much like me - you like the feel of that leather! LOL

fess up

(and thanks for all the great work)

[Darla Shine]

Everyone is still here to help each other. You are all the experts in life.

[Jia]

I can't wait to see how everyone will get really involved!

[Nina Q]

Me too, Jia.
I loved doing the stuff I did for the page, but it'll be fun to see what other other ideas I can get from mamas.

[Jia]

Seriously!

[shoppingmamma]

I understand and support your decision - finding this site has been GREAT - I do admit I am sad that the pages will no longer be here - I really do enjoy those!!!

[robyn hardisty]

If anyone needs help that I can provide, you only have to whistle at me. :)

[shoppingmamma]

If anyone needs help that I can provide, you only have to whistle at me. :)


geez, I can't whistle! Better start practicing!!!!! ;)

[robyn hardisty]

Touche! I'll accept hoots and howls as well. :)

[dippidy]

Oh don't worry ladies, we have your emails...you won't be off the hook by a long shot!

[kelly]

Touche! I'll accept hoots and howls as well. :)

catcalls?:001_tt1:

[Nina Q]

If you want me, all you have to do is put your lips together and blow!!!!

Or, just shoot me a PM or post a thread.

You know how much I LOVE doing stuff with Sam and all the other kids! I'll still be around doing that.
In fact, there's something new on the Parenting Page right now!

[Slim]

Thank you for the update Darla. I was getting a little weired out and confused.
We are all here to help and support YOU Darla.
You have been such a support and friend to us.

[helen]

God Bless You Darla. You are such an amazing example to us all. I honestly admire you for recognizing what was going on and taking action and making a change that benefits your family. What better example to give to us all here than YOU.
Your book and your life gave me permission to enjoy and relish my life. Your generosity in creating these forums has given me a "home" to come to. I can honestly say each one of you are my friends and I care for you, laugh with you, cry with you and pray with you.
Darla, you have given us more than you know...Your example of how you lead your life inspires me greatly...I too have been feeling the push to get back to basics and am slowly getting there. Thanking for being an example to us and thank you to all my HHC sisters here! i love you all and I love being here with you all. Much love Darla and everybody xoxoxoxo

[Darla Shine]

Helen you got me teary. You all did. I love you all.

[Ness]

Im so glad I found this site.
All the ladies here have been so supportive & made me feel like the choices Id made for my family were the right ones.
Ive found that since being here my home, family, children, husband, me have all got better - THANKYOU!

[momofteens]

I think you are setting a wonderful example to all of us Darla about what our priorities should be in our life. I too love all the ladies here and I would be lost without this website!

[Lauren M.]

Although I haven't been on this site for long, I'm always finding it to be a refreshing and uplifting source of inspiration. Darla, I'm glad that you'll have more of a balance in your home now, and I'm very excited about how this site will evolve in the future. What a wonderful community has been brought together here!!!! :6:

[Martha]

I am not leavng. We are all staying.

:).........I've been with you since the beginning and I sooooo hear what your saying and yes back to basics for me especially now RICK IS RETIRING June 12!!!!