A new day, a new gig, a happier me.
Things are looking up; my mood is lightening a little more each day, and the sunshine and warmth that’s been poking around these parts lately has had more than a little to do with that. For a stretch of days last week and the beginning of this week, it has been sunny and in the 70s, and that is RIGHT up my alley. I’ve had the opportunity to prepare garden beds and plant flowers. The physical work, time outside, and thoughts of beautiful gladioli, dahlias, cosmos, and yarrow bursting open some time in the future all swirl together to make my step a bit more sprightly.
When I haven’t been playing in the dirt, John and I have taken Braden here and there to various parks and playgrounds around our area. I have really missed doing that, and so has Braden. It’s not that you can’t do that kind of stuff when it’s cold – that’s what jackets and hats are for, after all – but my kiddo happens to have a serious HATE relationship with his face getting cold.
And I wasn’t too keen on seeing how he’d feel about a ski mask, so yeah.
But for days recently, we’ve been riding down slides and pumping our legs on the swings, and I’ll be damned if that doesn’t make me a gagillion times more giddy than a glass of red wine.
I do not forsake thee, red wine. I just place you aside for a short time. We shall join again, I promise thee.
Monday night, I was able to hang out with some lovely blogging ladies at the UBP IRL in Nashville, snarf some red wine and cheese, and have my husband and kiddo not far away from me. That was pretty freakin’ nice, too.
And I’ve just started a new writing gig, to which I was referred by the always lovely Sarah (Imaginary Binky).
It’s helping me find my “big girl” journalistic voice, which is kind of cool, in a challenging and frustrating way (can you say, “Lotus has to learn how to get a point across without droning on and on and on for eons?). Yeah, you could say I’m not the Queen of Brevity. And then you could say it again, scream it, and finish by stamping it on my forehead.
So I’ve been setting things up and writing my very first articles as Nashville Parenting Examiner. I’ll be writing a lot of locally flavored items, as well as many general parenting pieces. I’m planning on writing about events and activities that will be of interest to people in this area, and also publish a regular spattering of opinion pieces that anyone can get their head into. In addition, I’ll be hosting giveaways there, and giving general information that is helpful for all parents.
On top of all that, I’m planning on spotlighting Parent Bloggers I know and love (could this be you?) that I’ve built relationships with during my time on this website. Groovy, right? I think so. 
I’ll be counting on page views and subscriptions to keep me afloat, so anyone subscribing, visiting, and commenting? Will make my day.
The RSS feed is http://www.examiner.com/RSS-6205-Nashville-Parenting-Examiner
The related Twitter account is nashvilleparent
So, warmth, sun, fun, productivity, accomplishments… laughter, mirth, time with family… I’m seeing good things. It’s feeling pretty good.
Why, I’ve been so inspired by happiness lately that I even shaved my legs for the first time in over a month, trimmed the ole’ 70s bush and frolicked in the sheets with my husband. And while you may think, “UH 1) TMI and 2) So?” it’s a big deal here, considering that the last time that happened we conceived a baby. Yeah. Read the archives a little and do the math. You’ll see that it’s been an awfully evil long time.
Psychologically crippling fears resist logic and desire and can put you in places you don’t want to be for even a second. And then they keep you there for indefinite amounts of time. You even start feeling that the pain that’s being caused you and your most beloved is all your fault; you should just wake up, break out, get better, damnit.
It just can’t be forced. Something’s gotta give, one way or another.
It’s giving. Finally, it is caving in and crumbling away. Bit by bit.
And as it falls off of my shoulders, I’m feeling that shine again, the one that comes from inside. Not the same shine as before, from the same girl as before, but that’s okay.
Every day of this adult life, I’m learning. I’m always in process; this is a journey. The waiting for the completion of who I am and where I’m going is pointless. I am ever changing. It is time I accept that and who I am right now, ready to welcome the next change, whatever the moments that pass may hold.
Just be, right?
I’m workin’ on it.
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Breanne
Totally dropping my congratulations on the gig, it sounds super awesome, and I’m super psyched for you!
I wish it was slightly warmer, so the kiddos could Park it Up.
I know this is my first time commenting your blog, though I do read it regularly, you are amazingly funny, and perfectly sarcastic.
Again, congratulations!!
Breannes last blog post..beautiful_waste: @Marcus105 I’m trying to figure-itate ways to get her to join Twitter, though I don’t know what good it would do either of us.
Breanne
Oh poop, I meant slightly warmer here. Sorry if it had caused any confusion whatsoever.
Breannes last blog post..beautiful_waste: @Marcus105 I’m trying to figure-itate ways to get her to join Twitter, though I don’t know what good it would do either of us.
Athena
awesomeness – congratulations on the new job and also on the lightened heart. You deserve both and lots more.
MUCH LOVE!
xxxooo
~A
Athenas last blog post..M&N March 09
LaskiGal
YES for the new gig! Stretching those journalistic muscles will be fun . . . and, invigorating.
“Finally, it is caving in and crumbling away. Bit by bit.”
And a huge, big yes to that.
I feel good things headed your way. Lots and lots of good things.
Keely
This makes me happy to read.
It’s hard to “just be” sometimes, isn’t it? I’m slowly learning how to do that and be less hard on myself and I feel all the better for it.
Keelys last blog post..Confessions from a mother of two
Twitter: Keely
Charles Colp
Your breakthroughs give me hope and hearing about them is my medicine thank you for everything that you do and your writings remind my wife and I why the world is still amazing no matter how orderly and dull it seems sometimes and you remind us to take pleasure in the times our kids do something only they would do (3 year old buying $150 worth of games on the Playstation at 3 am is funny till you pay the credit card he charged it to) your stories really inspire us and we can’t wait for your next post.
Veronica
Sunshine and warmth! Yay! We’re heading into winter now, so I fully expect to see all your lovely spring photos and get jealous. Hehe.
Congrats on the gig too!
Veronicas last blog post..Dirty Nappies and Cheese
'cuz I'm the mommy, that's why
I’m so glad your shine is coming back. And congrats on the frolicking. Doing that for fun with yo’ man is good medicine for both of you! Looking forward to checking out your new writing gig!
‘cuz I’m the mommy, that’s whys last blog post..Bad Day at Work
lceel
Good for you, Lotus. Good job, good mind, good health. Good for you.
lceels last blog post..100 Word Challenge – Myself – and a Photo
Twitter: lceel
HappyCampers
Your feeling better is so good to read….I always worry about you!
And congrats on the writing gigs. that’s exciting!@
HappyCamperss last blog post..Welcome Spring!
witchypoo
Going over to subscribe now. And, the way I always got through tough times is by repeating the mantra “Nothing lasts forever, the good, or the bad. This, too, shall pass.”
witchypoos last blog post..Stealth Parenting
AnnD
That is so cool! I just wanted to send my congrats on your new gig! You deserve it, you are so creative, entertaining and intelligent (a rare combo)! They couldn’t have picked a better writer for the job!
AnnDs last blog post..Having almost everything to lose. Again.
Jennifer S^N
Wonderful news! I am so very happy for you. It sounds like your Mojo is back with a vengeance, just itching to fill the vast internet with a lovely dose of wit, humor and sarcasm! Fabulous!
Jean
I’m glad that you’re feeling better. That is wonderful news! And congratulations on your new writing job.! You’re an awesome writer and you will do very well with it.
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas
Congrats!! I’ll go subscribe right now.
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritass last blog post..Ugh
Twitter: amy2boys
Jennifer
I love the way your words paints the picture. I can totally see you standing up and shaking the sorrow off, like a statue breaking out of it’s mold and shaking off the marble. Beautiful. I’m glad you are starting to feel better.
Jennifers last blog post..Good-bye Diets, Hello Food
Heidi
That’s all so nice to hear! You deserve it all my friend.
Heidis last blog post..Expectations
Colleen - Mommy Always Wins
SO happy to hear that, Lotus.
SO happy.
Colleen – Mommy Always Winss last blog post..You know your day is going to be bad when it starts the night before.
Twitter: mommy_wins
cbrks12
So glad to see the sunshine entering your life again!
Jamie
I always get in post holiday funk and the first days in the 70s here brighten my mood considerably (and hey I DO tend to drink less wine then, too!)
So happy for your new writing gig! Congrats!
p.s. Brevity is not mah thing either.
Madness
I am just too happy that you trimmed the 70′s bush and got you some .. ohhh yeah … gettin some always makes my day.
matter of fact .. I’m thinkin I’ll go do that right … NOW.
WooHoo!
Mr Madness thanks you:)
Madnesss last blog post..hearthealthy
Angella
Congrats on your new gig, Lotus! You deserve it
Angellas last blog post..You’re The One True Thing Know I Can Believe In
Jennifer A
Congrats on the new writting gig, and all your happiness.
Jennifer As last blog post..Dear Store Buyers of Girl’s Clothing, sizes 7-10
VDog
I’m so happy for you, hun.
xoxo
VDogs last blog post..Best Freakin’ “Ass-ets” on the ‘Net
Twitter: VDog
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]
I *heart* you totally and completely, 70s bush and all.
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]s last blog post..I’m the mom blogger all the mommy bloggers read
T@SendChocolate
Spring has sprung, and that always helps. So glad you are able to see the beauty again, sweetie.
T.
T@SendChocolates last blog post..Quick! You Have 140 Characters To Tell Me How Much I Rock: Go!
Miss Britt
YAY FOR NEW WRITING GIGS THAT (i assume) PAY!
Miss Britts last blog post..Oh, the places you’ll go. Without me.
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Malia
I’m so glad you came out Monday for the party! I’ve been more than a little “down” lately and I was very inspired and uplifted by all the conversation and happiness going on in my house that night.
And I’m very happy to hear that marital relations are on your agenda again! It may have been TMI to some people but I know what you mean and how monumental it is! You go girl
Malias last blog post..Channeling Donald Rumsfeld
perpstu
I’m so happy for you! Congrats on your new gig!
perpstus last blog post..Catching Dreams
Twitter: perpstu
bejewell
SUCH great news, on all fronts! There’s nothing better to help you heal than some fresh air and a new challenge.
bejewells last blog post..Laryngitis Can SUCK IT
Domestic Extraordinaire
looking forward to seeing you at your new gig. Heading there now. Hugs!!
Domestic Extraordinaires last blog post..Still alive