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Evolution – a process of change in a certain direction

That pretty much describes my blog. Perhaps I should rename it: The Evolution of Karin. Anything is easier to say than my current blog name, but I digress. My point is to let you know that, once again, my blog will be changing because, once again, my life is changing.

Earlier this summer I picked up a temporary job doing some filing for a company where my friend works. It lasted four half-days. About a week later they asked if I’d be willing to come in twice a week to do more filing and pick up some other responsibilities. I agreed. Not quite two months later they asked if I’d come on full-time for an extended temporary position (roughly a year). I agreed.

It’s not that I don’t want to write anymore, but this is the direction my life is going, and I’m pretty excited about it. As a work-from-home freelance writer and out-of-control extrovert, I had my moments of insanity. I had to get out of the house. Though I loved substitute teaching, the uncertain hours made it nearly impossible to schedule anything. Staying at home all day, however, gave me too much time to dawdle, day dream, and waste a bunch of time. The part-time gig doing office work got me out of the house while still letting me write.

When the full-time offer came up, it freaked me out. I didn’t want to quit, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go back to a M-F, 8-5 schedule. I’m still not sure if I’m ready. I do know that I have peace about the position.

So where does that leave my writing?

I spoke with one of my editors and agreed to continue with some work for him, but I won’t be doing nearly as much as I used to. I want to devote what little writing time I have left to my novel…and book editing. My first editing gig was about the most fun I’ve had in ages, and I’m excited to do it again. Unless someone is on a really tight deadline, I figure I can edit books on the side.

That still leaves a lot of work for me at home: the bills, cooking, cleaning, outdoor maintenance, etc. I’m not worried, though. We hired someone this summer to mow the lawn (and I’m going to chat with him about snow removal for the summer). The hubs and I have already agreed that we’ll eat out 2-3 times during the week (thank you BOGO coupons). Matt also made one of the most romantic, seductive offers I’ve ever heard: “Let’s hire a cleaning lady.”

SCORE!

All of this will also effect my blog. I’m cutting back with the writing (since this doesn’t yet pay), but especially with the details. I spend way too much time looking for photos and their credits. I spend way too much time trying to make my blog pretty. I know there are ways to profit from my blog, but they take too much time.
Enter my sister, Camille. Camille (aka Cam-Homeo) is my new blog manager. I type. She posts. It’s a beautiful thing. (She’s pretty experienced – check out her blog here).

In order to make the most of my time, without shorting my readers of any valuable/fun info, I’m re-tooling my schedule. Check it out:

5th – Writing Post
8th – Link/Book Review
12th – Writing Post
15th – Guest Blogger
19th – Writing Post
22nd – Link/Book Review
26th – Writing Post
31st/1st – News/Updates

(And on the 3rd of each month I’ll be at the Barn Door)

In my mind, this will work beautifully. In real life, we’re gonna have to wait and see. In the meantime, I invite you to share your favorite links/blog posts with me. I’d love to share them with others!