This post was written before I left Iowa but I just could not hit Publish until now.  I think you will understand. 

Thanks for the memories, North Iowa Bloggers.  It’s been fun. I felt like I needed to write this but I just can’t seem to pull the trigger on the “Publish” button because it makes it real.  But today is the day.

The very first meeting of the North Iowa Bloggers

I have made some great friendships.  (I call these girls “family”.)

Created a lot of memories. (And one whimsical wreath.)

Laughed more than seems possible.

Visited more restaurants and shared meals in places I never would have without you.

Cried more tears than I should have.

Grown more as a writer than I ever would have without these connections.

I will never forget the first get together at Casa De Chiles. (And neither will the neighbors!)

How about the Oreo Tasting Party?

Or the, dare I say it, our EPIC trip to Chicago?

Or the latest cruise on The Lady of the Lake in Clear Lake?

I knew the day was coming for awhile but I would not be honest if I did not say it is kind of a horrible feeling to realize that my name will no longer be associated with this group.  To see a listing of blog names and not see It’s Just Life on the list will sort of break my heart.

I was one of the “originals” and as the group grows in numbers it is also defining what it is and what direction it is going.  When Jeni of Jeni Eats and I announced that we were moving out of the area there was a lot of talk about us being “expat” members but I guess that is silly to even entertain since we are no longer going to be in the area and after all—the name of the group itself limits membership.

But it is time to move on and gather my memories, pack them along with my belongings and bring them out when I am feeling a little disconnected perhaps.  I have always prided myself on making transitions fairly well and I am hopeful that this will be the case as I transition once again.

So I bid you all a sweet goodbye as I leave North Iowa.  Part of my identity is changing.  A big part of the past year and half have been tied up with this group and it has been a very diverse group to belong to and maybe that is why I loved it so much.  We all brought different things to the table and shared friendships outside of our organized gatherings.  Even though I am leaving please continue to follow each of them.  All the info is located on the North Iowa Blogger website.

Special thanks to Sara for getting us together in the first place.  Without her we probably never would have connected. But with social media we can stay connected no matter if we move to St. Louis or Brevard, North Carolina.