resolutions and expansions

Mostly the idea of a New Year's resolution appeals to me.  But being the all or nothing kind of girl I am, I think it is only a good idea if I can and will achieve it.  A discarded and unachieved resolution is like going to the trouble to buy really good new socks and having them fall behind the dryer never to be seen again. 

However, being a tad of an overachiever, I am careful about what resolutions I make. I will not be pleased with myself if I don't complete it, yet how reasonable is it that I will be able to hike the 100 miles of wilderness, the hardest part of the Appalachian Trail, this summer in Maine? 

You get the idea.

Plus, being one that likes to be successful, it doesn't hurt that this year I started and set my resolution simultaneously.

My 2012 New Year's resolution is....to start writing a book.

Wow, that seems big to say.  But note it is just to start it, not to complete it.  (That will likely be my 2013 resolution.)  And I've already started. I have 7 entire pages written.

I started writing a book literally 11 years ago and worked on it on and off for 4 years. I got about 130 pages in.  Then we had Ella and my life twisted and morphed into an entirely different landscape than my 20-something, childless outlook and I just couldn't seem to pick it back up.

A book I just finished resonated so deeply in me, I felt like I knew each sentence that would come next, almost as though I was writing it as I was reading.  The dawning of inspiration began and a true want to write returned.

I told Sandi that I had an idea but I wasn't sure when I would ever make the time to write. I was certain that if I were to write I would have to MAKE time for it, time would never present itself on a silver platter to me. The house would have to be less clean (and I would have to be okay with it) and I would have to get less sleep if I were to create what I've heard so many successful writers tout: a writing schedule.

Here is the good news: writing feeds me and fulfills me in a way that emptying the dishwasher, cleaning the office and reorganizing the shoes by the back door for the third time in one day never could. It is a way for me to balance the every increasing demands of my life as a (mostly) stay at home mom and recently as a mostly single mom.

If you will forgive the drama....writing could be my salvation. 

In a related note, I have decided to expand the blog.  I'm not entirely sure how but I think I'm ready.  I'm going to start with changing the name. I want something reflective of what it is that this blog offers, something about the value of honestly and realness with parenting and living as well as healthy lifestyles and eating and , of course, trying to take chocolate milk away from kids. 

I'm in the brainstorming stage.  I tried "two girls" .com because I liked the double meaning but that was already owned by some porn giant.  "Just us girls" is a domain for sale, but for $2500.  I want a name that is easy to remember, easy to read when it is smooshed all together and, mostly is representative of my blog.    I also need a major overhaul of my layout and pictures but that is so out of my league it is like asking a preschooler to read Shakespeare. 

If anyone has any ideas, I am open!