Once More With Feeling!

Hello Friend,

I've missed you. It's been ages since we've hung out and chatted... or rather, since I rambled on to you. It's funny you know, how hard it is to break bad habits, and yet so easy to let the good habits fall by the wayside. For instance, that good habit of typing away in my shiny space here, getting out my "real" camera and taking pictures of interesting things, and sharing what's going on in my little corner of the world.

I know that you know how busy life can get. A hundred reasons to fall away, and the longer you go, the harder it is to start up again. I have an admission though, I was feeling a little slump, my spark wasn't sparkling quite as bright and I lost a bit of the passion for my blogging life.

Truth is, I write this blog and do what I do because I love it. Not to have thousands of followers, not to have comments in the double digits, and not to be a big time blogger. This year was the the 7th anniversary of me starting this blog, way back when I had no idea what I was doing (not that I have much of a clue even now). I have been blown away over the years by the friends I have made, the community I have found, and the endless inspiration out there in the world. Still, - and I'm sure you have heard this conversation before - things have changed in the blogging world and I was having some trouble changing with it.

I had a moment recently, a real doozy of a moment in fact. I'd lost that loving feeling, I did. It led to a conversation with The Engineer and whether or not I should chuck it in, say so long it's been fun and go on my way without looking back. Fortunately, The Engineer knows me well and told me that I had better give it a real go again, that I should really throw myself into it and fall back in love with Lola Nova, otherwise I would regret. Regrets are the worst. After all, I am Lola, well at least part of me is, and I need to give myself another chance.

This is my shiny space where I can find a moment of peace, a little beauty, no small amount of fun, all while connecting with like minded, kindred folk. This blog helps me to record my gratitude, it keeps me going and making and holding on to that little bit of youthful anarchy that I never completely outgrew.

So, I'm back. I will keep on keepin' on, me and my rambling and making and finding my weaving way home. In that spirit I am linking to my first ever blog post, because it's good to remember.

Wow, I guess I haven't lost my ability for a good long ramble after all.

Thanks to you all for hanging in there with me.

xo

Flickr Friday - from way back

I was looking through my Flickr account today and came across this pic from the first year I started blogging. I loved making this dress. Oh look at those curls!

Happy weekend all!

Frankly, Lola...

I know that I have waxed on about how this blog is my happy, shiny place. More than once, I'm sure.
Most of the time I choose to skip the yucky stuff, you know... the it's a hard day 'cause everything went wrong, the house is a wreck and smells of kitten poo (how is it possible that such a small creature can create so much poop?).  The days that are way too busy, always trying to catch up and always falling short. Those days that I just want to hide under a pile of coats and there's no bloody chocolate in the house! We all have them.

For instance, I don't share my endless disappointment that I have not yet developed the super-power of stopping time... not even for 5 piddly minutes... good gravy! I don't talk about how my striving for balance in this life looks a lot like an elephant in roller skates riding a Tilt-A-Whirl. I don't over-share my past aspirations (I really wanted to be a Solid Gold Dancer! Sadly, I reached full height several inches short of the required leggy-ness. Also, I was not a particularly good dancer). So you see, I don't like to complain. Okay... so sometimes I do talk a bit too much about my tempestuous relationship with The Laundry.

I also try to keep the real personal stuff out of view. Sometimes the real hard times, are quiet family blues; we need to sing them away in private.

I also sometimes forget to share the really great day-to-day stuff. Stuff like reconnecting with an old friend one hasn't seen in ages and ages. Like having a long overdue date night with the Engineer, dinner with friends, and seeing a really great band. I forgot to tell you about a sleepover we had with old friends - our kids have been friends since they were babies and it was so much fun! Or I don't often mention how lovely it is to sit in the garden at the end of a long day.

Sometimes I even go as far as disappearing from this place for days and days.

Yet, when I do spend time here, I am always surprised and so very pleased that many of you stick with me, come back, read my posts, leave wonderful comments and make me smile!

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.