Photo Courtesy: Elise Blaha



I'm here...I'm just enjoying summer.
And working my tail off.

Trying to make time to do all the things I say I want to do this summer.
Been hitting the beach.
And working.
Attending social events.
And working.
And enjoying every precious drop of rain that falls on our dry land.


And...working.

Photo: Elise Blaha


Even though I'm not the "pusher" I once was, I still get a "high" when I accomplish something.

That thing lately has been a proposal for an article I pitched to a huge women's magazine. The editor liked the idea and said it may be a stretch but I was welcome to send a more detailed pitch. This involved conducting some interviews, which I normally don't do until I've secured a piece and am guaranteed that I'll get paid for the work.

But something inside of me said to go for it Because if I could get this and "break" into this market, that will be huge.

So here's hoping.

I wrote my proposal tonight, proofread it, had my husband proofread it, and will proof it again. Then, it's off. Into the big universe where hopefully, this is it.

This isn't the first time I've had some interest in my work. But last time, my ideas got lost in an editor's inbox, and then another editor came along and changed the "direction" of the magazine...so that momentum seems to be gone. But I'm not giving up hope. I have some contacts and connections there.

And, now, maybe here, at this magazine.

Things have been strange lately. I'm not bogged down with a huge load of work and it's making me feel shaky and unsure of myself at times. I try to push that doubt aside, because I'm fine. I'm making bills and succeeding. And the time not spent on those projects I'd otherwise be bitching about can be spent on the things I really love--books and magazines. So I'm trying to embrace that.

Wish you well, little query proposal. Come back with a big win for mommy!

One of the things that's so important to me as a person, and as someone running their own business, is balance.

For example, I'd been craving a visit to the beach. A good couple hours to unwind on a day with ideal weather. As such, I wanted to get in the ocean and float around a little.

Well, that finally happened today.

I don't know why it was so hard. My schedule's been a tad crazy lately, yes. So it was difficult to get to the beach. Sad thing: I live five minutes away.

After paying $7 to get on, perfection ensued. (Yep, you have to pay to get on the beaches in NJ during the summer. I never knew this until I left the state and thought I was getting a wicked freebie.)

It was a great day. Sun, tanning, water, the smell of salt, podcasts, and random conversations from nearby beach-goers (I'm so the girl that listens in!)

Now, recharged, I'm moving forward. I came home more inspired than ever to write, and I've been going at it ever since. With two new book projects in the works, it's good to be "in the mood." What can I say? I'm a beach girl. It's not just about tanning or the surf, it's about recharge.

It's about balance.

And I'll pay that silly $7 again and again this summer, in search of what I need. Balance.