Once upon a time I was a successful prosecutor with a heavy caseload and an immense knowledge of the Laws of Evidence.  In my leisure time, between preliminary hearings and closing arguments, I devoured shelter magazines and dabbled in remodeling on the side because deep down inside, I loved interior design.  Then I got pregnant, and left my job at the District Attorney’s office.  Then I had two babies.  Then I opened a law practice.  Then I started a blog ~ a blog about what I love.  Then I closed my law practice and took a leap of faith. 

I did something brave, something dangerous, something very risky.  I changed course, and I changed careers.  I realized that I truly do love home improvement, great design, interior decorating, and DIY projects.  It’s those subjects that keep me awake at night, not memorizing the exceptions to the hearsay rule.  

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I love the thrill of taking on a new venture and teaching myself something new.  There is always apprehension and fear, but in the last few years, I’ve learned that challenging myself is the definition of taking a risk, and it is absolutely thrilling.  It’s why I experiment with power tools and paint, with recipes and gardening, and then write all about it.  With the risk comes the thrill.  It’s dangerous, and it’s addicting.

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With all of the craziness of the last two months, it goes without saying things are completely wacky around here!  We’re lost in transition somewhere between the start of spring and the chore of cleaning up Christmas. 

I solicited the little ones to help me over the weekend.  Their idea of cleaning up is helping open the “presents”.  I tried to warn them, truly I did. 

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Hello hello, happy Monday!  Hope you had a great weekend!  There’s a lot going on this week around here.  Wish I had a ‘finished’ project to reveal today, but nope, just a whole lotta ‘works in progress’.   I have a fun craft to show you tomorrow, but today is a holiday, a slow Monday, a day to sit around in my pajamas with my kiddos.  Here’s just a few tidbits, musings, and thoughts from the past weeks.

First, I must share, I’m really enjoying this book with my morning coffee.  Don’t you love the cover?  And the teaser?  “An encyclopedia of forgotten yet delightful chic, useful, curious and otherwise commendable things from times gone by.” 

It’s filled with all those nostalgic things we treasure from the good ol’ days and hunt for at flea markets, plus the novelties we spy in old movies and hear about from our grandparents. 

Why yes think we should bring back braids, car tail fins, double features, kitten heels, pocket watches, and wicker baskets on bicycles ! 

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Next, the sad and happy news.  A tragedy occurred in our household a few weeks ago.  My Nikon D60 clicked its last.  I was snapping away.  Click!  Click!  Click!  Then all of a sudden I heard this. 

Cah-click.  Cah-click.  Cah…… 

Then nothing. 

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Today is just an ordinary Tuesday for most of you, but for me it marks the two year anniversary of my blog!  Yay!

What a year! I never imagined so many opportunities would come my way and I am so grateful to all of you who visit now and then, thank you SO much!

I’m one of those many multitasking moms, but lucky enough to be able to work from home, blessed with good health, great kids, a supportive husband, and a plethora of power tools.  Life is pretty good, and I’m thankful everyday. 

I often get these questions: How do you balance it all and get so much done? How do you manage your time?  How Do You Do It All?

My friends, let’s face the truth.  No one can ever “do it all”.  Not unless you’re Martha Omnimedia with unlimited resources and highly paid staff to cater to your every whim.  Then yes you probably can do it all, I suppose. 

There are plenty of things I don’t do, and for me, that’s the key to the ‘balance’ question.  I’ve decided what I can accomplish in any given day or week, what I have to sacrifice to get it done, and the power of saying ‘No’ to the things that won’t work for me and my family. 

Life (and blogging) is an ongoing treadmill, and Year Two taught me a few things.  But like a runner who’s been running for awhile, most importantly it taught me to find my stride.  The last two months have been extremely challenging.  I flew to the east coast three times in six weeks, all the while doing all the other things I ordinarily do.  I can’t believe I haven’t fallen down or gotten sick, which is nearly impossible when you’re on so many airplanes and picking up all those germs on every hotel doorknob and elevator button. 

I absolutely could not have stayed afloat this past year without my eternally patient husband, daily devotions, the support of some ‘got your back’ moms in my community watching over my munchkins, and Dori’s ‘just keep swimming’ attitude!  

I’m pretty disciplined with my time, but I’ve also learned to be forgiving of myself.  My house is never perfectly straightened, dust free, and it is rarely ready for company.  So what?  Perfection is not my goal, contentment is my goal.  Dishes and laundry and kid toys pile up, clutter creeps in, and to tackle it all I just keep swimming. 

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