Eff, it’s been a hard year for me. EFF. Like, the hardest year since ever. How about you? You hanging? I’m taking this Fall one day at a time, one foot in front of the other, sometimes even one half hour at a time.
But I don’t want to get off to a bad start on this post, so let’s start off by watching Jimmy Fallon and will.i.am break it down in the best video to hit 2014 Ew, ew!
I love Jimmy Fallon, for realsies. The man can do no wrong, and he’s a constant spotlight of happy in my nighttime routine. His SHOW I mean, his show. Jeez!
I haven’t been updating Petit Elefant a whole lot lately, and I don’t want you to think I’ve abandoned you altogether. I really haven’t. In fact, I spend my days composing blog posts in my head while I go about my life. I have a lot of things to say to you guys, but I can’t get them out of my head and onto the page. I’m paralyzed with fear and sadness, leftover emotions from this hard, hard, horrible year I’m in the middle of living.
In August I shared a little of what’s been going on with my daughter Sofie health wise in a post for the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign. Not only were your comments so kind and encouraging and uplifting, but combined with the efforts of other Shot@Life Fellows, you helped raise over 80,000 vaccines. That’s EIGHTY THOUSAND, in case you didn’t catch it. Thank you from the bottom of my ever-living heart. The children you helped save with vaccines are very real.
Anyway, Sofie has had the worst year of her young life and in the midst of it you guys did something awesome. It was one of the few bright spots in 2014 for our family. I’ve been asked by my sweet girl to stop talking about it. She’s tired of hearing about herself and wants some privacy, so I won’t get into details. The gist of it is that I’ve been ripped to shreds emotionally (and physically, frankly) this year, in a way I’ve never experienced before. I’ve dealt with some fairly horrible stuff in my life, but I’ve never quite made it to the bottom. I can tell you after the last 10 months, I’ve been to the bottom and it’s bad. I’m totally obliterated and literally taking it one day to the next.
I haven’t posted much, but plan to as I move forward past this heartbreak. Thank you for being such a great community. Thank you for your kindness and your loyalty and for spending a part of your day on Petit Elefant. It means the world to me.
Allison
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
She’s so beautiful. You’re so beautiful! You guys are amazing.
This year, much like 2005, was a garbage year and an amazing year. Both this year and ’05 brought me my babies (amazing!) and both had me experiencing a too soon death of a parent (awful, though it’s always “too soon,” they both went long before they should have). At least I had some beyond words positive, but what a roller coaster!
I hope that the remainder of the year and next go much more smoothly to you and your daughter. She’s absolutely beautiful.
Wishing you and your family the absolute best! Prayers are heading your way as I type. Health and happiness to you and your family!
Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way, Allison! You are an amazing mom and Sofie is so lucky to have you.
Hugs and much love to you and your family. Take it one day at a time and do it with the knowledge that we will all carry the load with you.
Hugs
love you guys to pieces
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs.
Hello Allison, I just found your website today and while enjoying your funny/cool stuff, happened upon this post about your terrible 2014. In the hopes of giving you an incredible coping tool, I wanted to share something called Faster EFT. I am a practitioner of this method, which helps people eliminate emotional suffering, even while in the “thick of it” in real life. It’s strangely amazing stuff. I really hope you’ll check into it, either on my website or at FasterEFT.com; if you do, it will be something that you and your family can use/rely on for life. I know you’re into thrifty/cool life solutions and this one really takes the cake. All the best to you and your beautiful family :)