Hey there. Long time, no blog. For months I've been saying to myself it was time to get back on the wagon and blog. Ideas have come and gone, usually in the middle of a mind clearing morning run or long dog walk. I'd get home with every intention of sitting down and writing and a million other parts of my day just distracted me: a sink full of dishes, a new client, laundry, bills, projects etc. Life. A good life and fortunate one, but scattered as any other woman's while trying to juggle its pieces.

On some of those morning runs and walks it dawned on me that my blog, and writing has been a touchstone since life at home became my full time focus. When my children were little and I was in the throes of new full-time motherhood and all it entailed, my first blog gave me a creative outlet and a release. It connected me, not only to other women and readers in similar straits, but to a side of myself I hadn't indulged in years.

Design school was a whole different kind of whirlwind. It took a huge leap to resign from the teaching job that was waiting for me. (picture a frazzled mom of toddlers on crutches gimping into the principal's office for comic relief.) People in my world, and even strangers said I was nuts. Nuts to give up a steady paycheck, a career I had spent time and money earning, a pension and the safety net it provided. Someone actually asked me what I would do if my husband ever left me? Seriously. Another said I was crazy to give up such an "cushy" job. Clearly someone who has never done said cushy job.

Others said I was ballsy. Ballsy because I was going out on a limb after something I had been daydreaming about for years, ballsy to try something totally out of my comfort zone. I'm not sure it was either and honestly, I don't really care.  I do know lots of people don't have these options. Going back to school and putting in those hours at night upended our routine for sure. Laundry piled up, dinners were crappy BUT I didn't have seven kids and a job like my dad's mom did, or two jobs and a child like my mom's mom did. Perspective was a good motivator.

Today, I'm somewhere between those two worlds but my blog, that touchstone, has had false starts and stops and has pretty much fallen to the wayside. From a business standpoint, I know I should be on it and schedule it a few times a week as part of my work responsibilities. From a personal standpoint, I've begun to realize I need to do that even more. 

Earlier this year, as my business started to take off a bit, I struggled with feeling both fulfilled and guilty. I also really started to miss the company of other people to work and collaborate with on a daily basis. I contemplated chucking it all and going back to the classroom. And the universe replied.

Days later, a friend of my sister in law's reached out. Among many hats, she is a blogger, an artist, a mom, a runner and an entrepreneur. We connected to talk about blogs and business and creativity and life. Our conversation invigorated me and was the jolt I needed to keep at it. It also got me thinking about all of the other talented women I know who work hard outside the home, who stay home and manage so much, who create, who share, who check us when we need it, who lead, who don't take sh*& and who nurture others.  Women have such a powerful knack for being a network for each other. It made me think about incorporating them into my blog and really, gave me the drive to get back in the saddle.

I don't want to promise a set schedule for you just yet, BUT I do plan on featuring a talented woman from my circle and beyond in some way from time to time. 

Next week, I'll have a round-up of hand-made gift ideas from a group of women in my community. Throughout the month, I'll highlight each one of them in separate posts and show you how to incorporate their wares into your home.

If you're still reading, thank you. I look forward to giving this a go and connecting with you all.

Until next week,