[old photo from 2014]

I knew I was going to do a Welcome Back post as soon as I went on Break. I even consciously collected little tidbits here + there to share. There were a couple directions I could have taken this… Here’s where I’m gonna start:

July 2014 – June 2015 | parTEA with me California Tea House Tour, Leg 1.

June 2015 | parTEA with me Company and Signature Tea Line started, focused on business.

July 2015 – October 2016 | parTEA with me California Tea House Tour, Leg 2.

June 2016 | parTEA with me Company and Signature Tea Line launched, focused on business.

October 2016 | parTEA with me Company Launch Party, business took off.

May 2017 – June 2017 | parTEA with me California Tea House Tour, Summer Tour.

June 2017 | Closed parTEA with me Company ecommerce and in-store sales (got too big too fast) to focus on private brand deals + partnerships.

November 2017 | Got hormone disorder diagnosis, focused on health.

June 2018 – November 2018 | parTEA with me California Tea House Tour, sporadic Spot Visits.

September 2018 | Diagnosed with C-PTSD, started Trauma Recovery, stopped all parTEA with me business.

December 2022 | First time taken to afternoon tea since Recovery and Pandemic.

March 2023 | Announced 3rd Leg of parTEA with me California Tea House Tour.

April 2024 | Officially done with Trauma Recovery.

May 2024 | parTEA with me California Tea House Tour, Leg 3 done and BREAK begins!

So this Timeline gives you a basic perception of the past 10 years and the breaks in between. (as if I’m explaining why I took off for 3 months on my resume hehe) You’ll see how I would take some time between Legs of the Tour, to focus on my company or health. Nothing outrageous, totally understandable right? So, it was no big deal when I took a break after the 3rd Leg of our Tour finished. And as I explained in this post, my mindset had changed prior to this particular break.

So what did I plan for this break, and what actually happened on it?

I planned a lot of reading and a lot of relaxation. I planned taking time in my day, whether for homeschooling/hanging out with my kids or for delving deeper into my spiritual activity. I planned to be off all forms of social media. Be present. Be rested. Be alive.

It didn’t necessarily all work out that way.

It took me some time to come down from the hustle + bustle I was living. I tied up some loose ends with the website and my tea boutique, which took longer than expected but glad that was all done. I did a deep clean of my bedroom and bathroom, cleaned out my closet and bookshelf. Started a new memoir and poetry book…

By the second week, I got some bad news from my day job and dealt with that stress. Got inspired to plan some blog posts and even continued some work on a new line for my boutique. Oh yeah, there was also this medical test that my doctor had been wanting me to get done (that now I had the time + energy for) so I went and did that.

May 31, 2024 – I got my test results. What they diagnosed me with, most patients are given only 3 years left to live.

And I didn’t want to tell a soul. I figured when I went, I’d just go and people wouldn’t have known the wiser. I shared with my husband of course, and our kids (they’re 17 + 13). We had our tears…and subsequently our dark humor that only those close to us will understand (and not get offended). “Okaay, if it’s your dying wish!” I spent some time trying to process… Spent some time trying to figure out how I wanted to spend the rest of my days… At only 43, I have lived a painful and traumatic life. It wouldn’t be so bad, I guess.

We didn’t wanna dwell on this. We spent the summer attending our son’s many gigs (he’s the drummer for a band), hung out with our daughter’s friends and their families, watched a lot of Lifetime movies (hehe), and spent a lot of time outside laying out in the sun and being out there well into the evening. As mentioned, I’m a total Book Nerd. (Memoirs and Minimalist Poetry are my genre jams!) Haha, I told my colleague that I probably wouldn’t even finish 2 books while I was on Break… Tell me why I devoured SEVEN Memoirs and a poetry book!!?! I did Minka Kelly’s, Jennette McCurdy’s, John Stamos’, Fat Joe’s (his is incredible, Mommie bought that one for me), Tupac’s Oral History, Paris Fury’s, and Britney’s…for those interested. I was also really looking forward to having Leisure Tea with friends that I don’t get to, when I’m on Tour. I enjoyed EIGHT tea parties while on Break! Went to Julia’s with my sister, K On The Go 3 times (LOL!!), Chelokababi with the OG’s, Muir’s, Four Seasons, and did a Husband Tea at Malaya‘s. I was thoroughly enjoying myself, not thinking about my diagnosis. … But then I realized- even if I didn’t want to share with others, my family would need support when I was gone. So, I was moved to talk about it. I started with my sister and her husband, I only have less than a handful of trusted close girlfriends, then little by little I told a few more if it came up in conversation. And my family was able to get the love + prayers they deserve.

Me? I’ve been good. I have suffered and endured these symptoms for years. Only now it has a name and now I know the culprit. I was back and forth from the hospital with appointments, labs, specialists, tests, more tests- it was beyond exhausting. My case is peculiar (of course it is) and they want to do more tests to understand it better. Am I dying in 3 years? Maybe, maybe not…they’re not sure. But the medical gaslighting was too much for me, so I’m taking a break from it all. I will go back when I’m ready. I decided to share this on my website not for pity, of course not. But I do have somewhat of a public presence (that makes me laugh a little to admit that), so this is my courtesy to you all. Even tho I know I didn’t have to. May you show me compassion if you see me with my cane or using my walker or in my wheelchair. (and may you show compassion to others having to use mobility aids as well!) May you have some understanding if/when I need some, regarding posts or socials. And at least you’ll understand my process, my choices a bit better.

I mentioned before that there were plans of a 4th Leg, but nothing scheduled. And with this new diagnosis, my husband encouraged me to go for it! He says, “who knows if you’ll be able to do another one after this.” And he’s right. So that’s why I’m continuing on. We have 7 NEW Bay Area Spots and 7 NEW not-so-Bay Area Spots to try. This Leg will be 14 months. So I have 14 new Tea Spots to look forward to, one a month. That’s how I will be spending my time. Aside from being a wife, a homeschooling mom, servant of God, and friend (to my few VIP’s)…this Tour, WRITING, and my private gourmet tea boutique will keep me occupied and distracted with good things. I hope you continue to follow along with us! Sit at our tea party tables and share our thoughts about each new Tea Spot! Anticipate the my raTEAng posts, follow us here + on our socials, donate, and continue to support this Tea Community. We love you all. Thank you for being here.

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