"We work to become, not to acquire." — Eldard Hubbard, author

I've always had a journal, although I've not written faithfully in quite some time. And so the time has come to start my blog. I'm not sure where this will go each day, but I feel compelled to write. I recently started my own freelance writing business from home and for all my careful planning, I have to say I've gone about it all wrong. I have no nest egg to draw on, no solid clients to the pay the bills and no confirmed assignments from magazines. I have only my wits (which I fear I may have misplaced) and my ideas to push me onward.

And so I go into my office each morning having sent my three guys off to school. I'm very busy, you know. My desk has neatly arranged colorful folders, giving the appearance of lots of work. And indeed, if half of my prospects come through, I would be very busy (and hopefully have enough money to pay back some of my line of credit).

And yet, for all my concern about lack of work, I find I'm sleeping quite well at night (aside from the weekly dreams about public humiliation and inadequacy). I'm where I'm supposed to be right now. Does that make any sense? Not to my husband, who fears we will have to sell the house and downsize to pay the bills. It makes perfect sense, however, to three people—Ryan (11), Patrick (9) and Michael (5). Mom may be at her computer, but she's also here and accessible and that means the world to them and to me. And in a way it means a lot to my husband. He just can't help worrying—he's a bottom-line individual.

People always told me that starting my own business would work out for the best, that I wouldn't skip a beat or that there are plenty of ways to manage. I'm still trying to figure out if that's true. Maybe. It's still too early to tell.

I am grateful to have the chance to at least try. And so we'll give this blog a try. You may find a mix of things here. I'm going to shamelessly promote my work with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). I'm president of the Cleveland Professional Chapter and co-chair of the National Freelance Committee. You'll read about our efforts (under the steward of John Ettorre) to bring together the many members of Cleveland's creative class. And you'll read about my passion for improving and protecting journalism.

My boys will enter from time to time. They are the source of all things good in my life and I find endless inspiration in their antics. And Riley, my yellow lab pup who keeps me company day in and day out, also will make appearances here. And I'll share what I've learned about writing, business, marketing and trying to live a balanced life.

And so I'm off on another adventure.