Michelle decided to start this year’s blogathon again beginning today. A post a day can be challenging between busy weekends, trying to write for pay and grasping for ideas, so the blogathon is great discipline for all of us.

Here’s our group of freelance writers [moonlighting as bloggers] participating in this year’s blogathon, as well as links to their blogs:

A Traveler’s Library by Vera Marie Badertscher ~ Books and movies that influence travel.

Serenity for the Self Employed by Heather Boerner ~ Advice for the self-employed among us.

Expert Editing and Writing Service by Melanie Bonsall ~ Perfection in style, structure, grammar, and clarity.

Film Gecko by Jane Boursaw ~ May Movie Madness and other film-related stuff.

Horrible Sanity by Danielle Buffardi ~ Random thoughts of a mother & freelance writer.

Sona Charaipotra ~ entertainment topics and Ishq in a Backpack ~ travel and food, both by Sona Charaipotra.

Trust the Universe by Rosie Colombraro ~ There is always a Plan B.

A Life Divided by Sue Dickman ~ Food, gardening, travel, books and more.

Bike with Jackie by Jackie Dishner ~ Improving your life with the B.I.K.E. spiritual navigation tool.

Blog Salad ~ The literary equivalent of fruit salad and Cyclorati ~ Exercising my cyclophilia, both by Ron Doyle.

Big Government in Your Wallet by Kelly Estes ~ Political decisions impacting your household.

Blogging ‘Bout Boys by Jennifer L.W. Fink ~ With 4 boys between 11 & 3, this writer knows her subject.

I’ll Have What She’s Cooking by Sydne George ~ Good eats.

Wine on Tuesdays by Debra Gordon ~ A blog devoted to the wine lifestyle.

Floating Ink by Nancy Hall ~ How to fit making art into your every day life.

Write Beyond the Cubicle by KT Hinderer ~ Musings of a full-time freelancer who quit cubicle life.

The Write Elizabeth by Elizabeth Humphrey ~ Introducing creativity into daily life.

Suddenly Frugal by Leah Ingram ~ Tips for frugal living.

This Dame Cooks by JoAnn Jagroop ~ Recipes from Alaska to the South Pacific.

No. 2 Pen Blog by Sara Lancaster ~ Full service writing and communications company.

Freelance Fiction by Doug Lance ~ I get paid to tell sweet, sweet lies.

Sign in Ink by Jared Lopatin ~ Everyday life as motivated by astrological happenings.

Wrecking Ball Report ~ Today’s daily humor, with a dose of headlines and MountainDaddy ~ Doing daddy duty while working at home and from the road, both by Eric Mack.

Sonoma on the Cheap by Lisa Mann ~ Free and cheap things to do in the Sonoma County, California Wine Country.

What I Weigh Today by Joy Manning ~ A food writer reflects on weight and body image issues.

It’s in the Genes by Amy Rauch Neilson ~ Thoughts of a breast cancer survivor.

Jennifer Netherby by Jennifer Netherby ~ Musings of a freelance writer.

WordCount by Michelle Rafter ~ Freelancing in the digital age.

Polka Dot Suitcase by Kate Reilly ~ Finding fun in everyday life.

The Writer’s Journey by Meredith Resnick ~ Bestselling authors, professional creatives and emerging voices in quirky dialogue about how they write and why it works.

Digital Mom by Melissa Sais ~ Raising kids in a digital world.

Martha and Me by Brette Sember ~ One Martha Stewart makeover every day.

Eco Pregnancy and Baby – Living green during pregnancy and Health Writing Hints ~ How-to tips, inspiration and resources for health writers, both by Kathy Summers.

Western Gardeners by Jodi Torpey ~ Your online guide to gardening in the West.

Webb of Science by Sarah Webb ~ Where science meets life.

The Green Soul Guide by Jennifer Willis ~ Where sustainability and spirituality meet.

Please visit and leave comments on these great sites.

Be looking for some major changes on my blog this month too. (Aren’t you just dying of curiosity now?)

If you have a particular topic that you’d like to see discussed here, please drop me a line.

Here’s to a happy May!

I’m a freelance writer and the mom of 9-year-old twin girls, a 5-year-old boy, and a nearly-4-year-old boy. We live in a big old farm house in the middle of nowhere with two dogs, two horses and two cats, homework, extra-curricular activities, preschool, a large yard and garden and the juggling of three (at-home) part-time jobs. To say life is crazy would be spot on.

I recently decided that instead of just watching other people become known as parenting experts, I’d do better to start getting my name out there too. After all, no one ever accomplished anything by simply watching and wishing. We’ve been through epilepsy, febrile seizures, depression, allergies, asthma, food intolerance, hernias, chronic sinus infections, accidental poisoning and a host of other ailments that tend to run through every household. Though we’ve never had a major health crisis, we’ve had a few scares over the years.

As with all kids, mine can come up with the most hilarious comments and observations, particularly my 5-year-old, who possesses a vocabulary that surprises me almost daily. Tips, news, advice and parenting updates will all be available here, plus I’m happy to answer any questions you want to throw at me. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find it. I’ll tell you stories that will make you smile, some that you’ll think you could have written yourself, you can relate to them so much, and maybe even a few that will make your eyes blurry (from tears, that is).

This parenting journey is filled with twists into the unknown, turns that slam you up against a concrete door, happiness beyond what you ever could have imagined existed, pain over situations you can’t control and above all, continual learning by trial and error. It’s heartwrenching, consuming, scary, lonely, amazing, frustrating and uplifting all at the same time. And no expert or book can tell you exactly what you should do. You know your kids better than anyone else, so it’s up to you to pick and choose the elements of good advice that help you be the best parent you can be. I’d like to help you create your own brand of parenting and remind you that you’re not alone on your own journey. 

I hope you enjoy reading this blog as much as I know I will enjoy writing it.

Stop by again soon!

Sarah