Wednesday, May 30, 2012

It's Not Goodbye ...


I have never been a fan of goodbyes.   I think that stems from my childhood.  As a child, I said goodbye to my sister when she married and moved out of the house.   Then my parents decided to move from Florida when I was 12 years old, I said goodbye to the only friends and home I knew.   From there, I moved with my parents three times in the span of 2 years.  That’s difficult for any middle school kid, let alone a shy girl with a different name. 

To this day I still don’t like goodbyes.   Just the finality of the word goodbye gives me the chills, so I don’t say goodbye anymore.  

So I won't be saying goodbye to you today.  Instead, I am blogging to say … see you around.    

Yes, I’m leaving my cyber friends and the warm, cozy home of The Romance Dish.  

While I absolutely love blogging and reviewing here at The Romance Dish (and who could have better partners than Andrea, PJ and Gannon, right?), I realize the demands of my (and my family’s) busy schedule are becoming overwhelming.   I work fulltime in a supervisory position at a law firm.   I also have two boys who are growing up faster than my mind and heart can keep up with.   And don’t forget the loving hubby is who has always supported my love of romance novels.   It is time for me to devote more of my time to my family while our boys are home.   That is where my heart is.

But don’t think you will never see me around!!   My love for romance novels will keep me in the sphere of all things romance.  I will be stopping by from time to time to see just what is going on.   And as you know, there is always something going on here ;-)

Before I go, I would like to thank Andrea, PJ and Gannon for the years of fun at The Romance Dish.   Thank you for including me in this fantastic venture.  I have so many wonderful memories of our time together, like Russian accents *vbg*   But I thank you even more for your love and friendship.   You each have a very, very special place in my heart.  

And thank you dear readers for you encouragement and support.   You are a wonderful group of ladies with a kindness like no other.   Thank you for embracing me and The Romance Dish.

In honor of my last day here, I’m offering a wonderful prize today.   One random commenter will win a signed copy of PARIS IN LOVE by Eloisa James.    I personally attended one of Eloisa’s signings and had the book signed.   

So my dear friends, please tell me where is your favorite place to meet up with a friend you have seen in while?

Guess I'll see you around!!

~ Buffie

84 comments:

  1. I don't like goodbyes either, so it's really a see you again sometime soon.

    I tend to catch up with friends at this lovely little coffee shop down the road. They don't give us the evil eye when we order nothing but coffee & sit for ever talking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tend to catch up with friends at this lovely little coffee shop down the road. They don't give us the evil eye when we order nothing but coffee & sit for ever talking.

      How lovely, marybelle! I wish I had something like that close by.

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Marybelle!! Your little coffee shop sounds wonderful. I love sitting in a quiet corner with a friend.

      Delete
  2. I hate good bye :( But thank you for everything you done for the blog you will be missed!

    I love catching up with my friends over lunch or some where we can talk and just catch up. Since having kids (whom I loves with all my heart)its hard to keep up with old friends and what everyone is up too so its nice to go and sit down to lunch or catch a movie or just something to connect :)

    :) Thank you again and SEE you around

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Savannah, like you, we also hope Buffie won't be a stranger around here. :)

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Savannah. You and your friends sound like my girlfriends from high school. We try to get together every few months, even if it is just a small lunch it is always nice to see each other.

      Delete
  3. We will miss you, Buffie! Hope to see you back here for visits.

    Re your question: I like catching up with friends at one of our homes. Second choice is to get together at a coffee shop and "dish."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure you'll see Buffie's smiling face here from time to time!

      Coffee shops seem to be a favorite place to gather. A couple have opened here but neither has been able to make a go of it. Wonder why that is?

      Delete
    2. I will be stopping by from time to time. So you are a coffee shop gal too. I don't drink coffee, but you can find me sitting in one of the coffee shops around town visiting with a friend.

      Delete
  4. So sad to see you go, Buffie, but good luck to you. I like to catch up with my friends for dinner and a movie and another friend likes to catch up over margaritas and shopping.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shopping and margaritas sound like a delightful combo. Especially the margaritas! ;-)

      Delete
    2. It's sad for me to go, Jane, but it's the right decision for right now.

      I love eating and shopping!! And when you combine those with my favorite people, it's even better ;-)

      Delete
  5. I am sorry to see you leave. I hope you visit often. It is hard to give up something you enjoy, but children do grow up to fast and you can't get those years back. Even understanding hubbies don't want to share too much of your time.

    My husband was in the Air Force for 24 years and we were lucky enough to be in close knit units. They have been having reunions every 2 years at different places around the country. These have been wonderful, bringing together friends who are scattered all over the US. It isn't the place that is important when we visit, but the people. We will be heading out to visit our families and old friends next month. Most of those visits will be in homes. It is nice to be able to sit back and relax and not worry about taking too much time at a table in a restaurant. Our high school class is having a mini-reunion, so there will be a couple mixer type nights which work well for a group that size.

    Best of luck and enjoy the extra time with the family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How lovely that you still have reunions with your Air Force friends. Sounds like they are fun times!

      Delete
    2. Thank you do much Pat. Your reunions sound like fun!

      Delete
  6. But, but, but...Where will we get our Hot Dishes now??

    We will miss you Buffie, but I completely understand your decision. The boys just grow up so fast, and I speak as a mom of an only child and a 24 year old one at that. Enjoy the time with your family. In the spirit of "Paris in Love" I will only say Au Revoir and look forward to seeing you around.

    I get together with friends at monthly book club meetings. I connect with family at holidays and birthdays in each others homes and keep in touch in between by phone and Facebook.

    Till we meet again,

    Flora

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, thanks so much Flora! I don't know about the Hot Dishes ...

      I must say that reading Paris In Love helped me make this decision. You have read it, so you know why.

      Delete
  7. I also hate goodbyes. Saying "see you around" makes it less painful. :) I usually catch up with old friends at home or theirs first and then on to a pizzeria near my home or a cafe near theirs.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Carol! There is a local pizzeria near my home too and my family tends to be there at least once a week. My favorite pizza lately is beef, spinach, tomatoes and black olives. YUM!

      Delete
  8. sorry to see you leave the blog but happy you'll get to enjoy more time with the family:)
    I struggle to make time for books and blogging all the time too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Bella. It is hard to juggle all the balls without dropping any of them :-)

      Delete
  9. So sorry to see you go, and I don't know how we will do without our hot dish.
    I so understand the boys growing up on you, my daughter grew up, married and moved 19 hours away.
    See you around the blogs my friend, you will be missed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dianna!! My youngest son turns 10 this weekend and I just can't believe it. Thank goodness the child still loves to curl up in my lap and hug on Mom. And yes, I do believe he will always be a "momma's boy". His poor wife ... LOL!

      Delete
  10. Goodbyes are sad and you will be missed. It was a pleasure to visit with you here and read your great posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Maureen. I have loved my time here and enjoyed each and everyone of you.

      Delete
  11. I will miss you here and wish you the best of luck. All good things must come to an end. Time flies by so fast - my kids are grown and I have one granddaughter who I cannot believe is 3 1/2 already.

    Enjoy this time with your family and look forward to seeing you here from time to time.

    Thank you for your parting gift contest. That is so sweet of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Pat!! I am looking forward to the extra time with my husband and boys. And yes, you will see me from time to time.

      Delete
  12. Buffie, I'm sad that you're leaving the Dishes, but I understand that your family and professional responsibilities take priority. I'll miss you. I wish you the best, and I expect to see you around here and on FB.

    I get together with friends at every opportunity. Usually in RL the gatherings are in homes, but some of my dearest friends over the past eight years are those with whom I talk in online groups and via phone and email.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the kind words, Janga.

      I must agree with you regarding online friends. I have had many conversations via online chats that have made me happy. It's always a pleasure to talk to a friend, even if you don't hear their voice.

      Delete
  13. Buffie, you already know how Andrea and I feel. We are going to miss you so much! It's been a world of fun creating TRD and breathing life into it together. I wish you all the best! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  14. parting is sad but wishing you the best of happiness and enjoyable times with yuor family and future. Love this place and will visit.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Best wishes on a life filled with wonderful times. Sad to see you go. I enjoy spending time at a special cafe/bakery in town which has a wonderful European atmosphere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooooh, did you say bakery? I love just about everything in a bakery :-)

      Delete
  16. Sending much love, Buffie! You are one of my very favorite people on the planet! Best of luck and I hope life slows down enough for you to cherish every moment! <3!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm so sorry you have to leave! I hope you enjoy your time from the blogosphere and come back occasionally for guest posts and hot dishes :)))
    Don't enter me in the giveaway, I just wanted to say thanks for everything you have done and give you a hug x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Enjoy your time with family :) They grow up so fast. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet you in person, Buffie. See you around! (Don't enter me in the giveaway as I've already won a copy of the book.) Wishing you the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Kellie!! It was wonderful meeting you in person too.

      Delete
  19. Buffie -

    We will miss your posts and hope you drop in once in a while to let us know how much your enjoying those special times with your families.

    Have a great time with your children - they grow up much to fast. My words of advise would be to cherish every moment, every game you drive them to, those times they call you the stickest Mom around!

    Before you know it you'll be looking back and thinking I miss those days when the house of full! Make memories now that will last a lifetime!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jeanne. I'm trying to treasure the every day moments with my boys because I know the time will come when they will not be in my home every day.

      Delete
  20. Oh, Buffie, so sad to see you go. I still hope we manage to connect at things like RWA or other conferences around the place. I so enjoy hanging out with you and the other Dishes. By the way, once a Dish, ALWAYS a Dish! I hear you on the busy life and I wish you all the best with your projects. And thank you so much for being such a wonderful friend to me. Oh, no, heading off to sob into my cup of tea!!!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My dear sweet friend!! I will miss you too. But you know that just means you will be getting more emails from you. I'm still trying to convince the hubby's boss to send us to your homeland for a visit ;-)

      Delete
    2. You know, one day I am going to take you up on that!

      Delete
  21. I too hate goodbyes and hope to see you around sounds so much better. I wish you all the best! I have one best friend and we try to at least do a day of shopping or get together and play cards with some other friends. It's hard in today's world - everyone is so busy. Actually the internet helps us keep in touch the most!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The internet sure does help to keep in touch!

      Delete
  22. Since I live 800 miles away from my children, I only get to see them twice a year for a few days each time I visit. We always get together at my daughter's house for a couple of days of feasting and talking but one of the evenings, usually the night that I arrive, is spent at a small, corner bar called The Torch. Cheap drinks, the best hamburgers in town and absolutely no atmosphere at all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen, The Torch sounds like my kind of place. Hamburgers are one of my favorite things ;-)

      Delete
  23. Thanks Buffie for all your contributions on this blog. Family is the most important thing, so enjoy this next phase in your life.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the sweet words, Annie. Yes, this is the right decision for me and my family. And yes, I will continue to read romance. I love it! It always lifts my spirits.

    And yes, I always have a book with me. It helps with have apps on smart phones. I have 6 romance novels downloaded on my phone now ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Buffie,
    Sorry to see you go good luck to you in whatever you do... I will miss your posts but we all have to do what we have to do... Enjoy your family and ahve a wonderful summer...


    Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. forgot to add I meet my friend Dani at half price books they have a sitting area there and we just catch up

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Donna! Love that you and your friend meet at the bookstore!!

      Delete
  26. See ya around :) Best of luck to you and I applaud your decision to make more time for you and your family. I love to meet friends at starbucks :) Back in the day it was Borders cuz they had the coffe shop and comfy chairs (and it was an excuse to buy books once we were done!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Erin! I am looking forward to more family time.

      Delete
  27. You'll be missed, Buffie! Hope to still see you around - both online and in person at a conference or two *g*

    ReplyDelete
  28. Goodbyes are never fun! I want to wish you the best with everything and do hope we'll see you around. I have all kind of friends, those I see often and those every once in awhile and it's always a joy to meet with them again. I really don't mind where I see them so long as we can chit chat. Often it's a restaurant, usually a new one so we can all share in that experience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Na!! It seems like food brings people together. !

      Delete
  29. We'll miss you. Good luck with everything!

    ReplyDelete
  30. My favorite place to meet up with a friend is a nice quiet restaurant so we can have a good meal and great conversation. Good luck Buffie, hope to see you around the web. :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. I haven't met up with long ago friends but my closest friend and I always head for the mountains here in NC when we get time. Our lives are often busy and it may be a few months in between seeing each other face to face instead of the phone. In the summer, we go spend the day on the side of a river bank and just relax and in the winter, we take drives on the dirt forest service roads that meander around mountain tops.

    We all understand your reasons for leaving but I am glad, for you, that you had the time you did with these women here. And it will be good to see you pop in occasionally too. :) Enjoy those young years with your children. They grow up SO fast! I just watched mt baby walk down the isle and into a wonderful life this past Saturday. Beautiful wedding and I couldn't have been happier or more proud of the wonderful woman she has become.

    ReplyDelete
  32. We are really going to miss you Buffie, hope to see you around. I do understand that sometimes life gets in the way and something has to give.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I meet up with old friends over food of course. Usually at a restaurant so we don't have to cook but can enjoy ourselves! Sorry to hear your leaving, but totally understand. I have two sons who are growing up way too fast as well, makes me weepy sometimes. I hate goodbyes as well. I went seven schools as a child, and still hated it after the 6th time. I can relate on the name thing as well, was always hard to get new people to say my name correctly. Good luck to you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. oh buffie.. i wish you plenty of good, luck and success in the future. don't forget to drop by here every once and a while.

    i always pick a shopping mall, cause we live in different areas so it's better if we pick a shopping mall that located somewhere in the middle. there i can just hang-out, watch movies, shopping or have a meal together.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Good luck, Buffie! We will miss you. Please stop in every once in a while to say Hi!

    I meet friends I see quite a bit in a restaurant where we can eat and talk.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Aww sad to see you leave Buffie, but I completely understand you. Working in a demanding law firm myself I can't devote as much time to readinga nd blogging as I would like and I don't have a family yet. Make the most of the time your boys are still little and at home and enjoy those romances you'll get to read! Hope to see you around and good luck! :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Another law firm worker, eh? It can be very demanding at times.

      Delete
  37. I agree with everyone. Sad to see you go but TOTALLY understand the need when life gets so full. I'm sure great things will happen for you. Best of luck and I hope to see you again on here.

    Tami :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tami! I'm sure I will see you around

      Delete
  38. Ahhhh, Buffie....
    So sad to see you go, but I hope we still see you - just not as often as we do now.
    I truly understand "where you're coming from". I have repeatedly had to make a conscious effort to cut back on things I love to do in order to do other things I love. We all have so many "balls in the air". Aren't we lucky?
    As for your question, there is a diner around the corner from my house. I go there for breakfast around 8:30 am and gab with various friends (one on one) until probably 11:30 am or later, never worrying about being booted out. There was ONE occasion when the place got filled up so we left as soon as we realized, but other than that, lots of gabbing time was had by all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Laney!! Your little diner sounds fabulous!

      Delete
  39. Ouch.. late but why?? I hope we will not say goodbye but till we meet again. All the best, buffie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Eli! I'm sure I will see you around :-)

      Delete
  40. *sniff* You and your reviews/posts will be missed, my dear friend. (((HUGS)))

    ReplyDelete