is a single mama in the city, super-savvy editor, writer, video host and shameless shoe whore.
In which I make a triumphant return
Sunday, February 4, 2007 
If this was one of my grandmother's stories, the door would open slowly to the big party with all of the cast members sipping cocktails, revealing me, looking slightly different under a halo of soft light, apparently emerged from a supposed grave.
Gasp!, the crowd would turn to circle around me.
We thought she was a goner!
She looks so fabulous for surviving an electrical explosion, a fall down an elevator shaft and brain surgery!
Are those extensions or has she been gone that long?
And I would simply nod. Yes, I'm back. I am finally back.
That is how it would be if I was a daytime diva. The reality is that my life has just been my life and I simply needed a hiatus from Sassafrass. No family members weeping as the bandages are slowly unwound from my head, no surprise children and far fewer evening gowns. Just all of the bits of real life that add up to make a few transitions, some stress, too little sleep and just...too much.
So I took a break here so I could give my energy and attention to all those other details. Here are five highlights from my leave of Sassafrass:
1. Mama's got a brand new gig. In the New Year, I began a great new gig over at That's Fit, a healthy living blog. I'm thrilled to be writing FitBeauty, a feature on all the styley aspects of living well. Read it, smear it on and then work it with me, grrrls.
2. Some of my favorite writers set up shop in the blogosphere. Help me give these mama bloggers some support at Comfort Food, DFW Mom, DunnBryant and HSJ Writer.
3. I finally met Danielle of the fabulous Foodmomiac in person! We had a delightful take-out dinner and a conversation that I think could've gone on much later (sigh...the old kiddo/career alarm clock comes early, don't it?).
4. Lil E discovered neminems (not the rapper, the irresistible candy), my brother and his fiancee set a date for their wedding (just to prove that Virginia is, in fact, just for lovers?), I finally decided that Getting My Shit Together this month means using my Christmas money to hire a cleaning service come in at least once (which is not related to this next bit, honest), and not one but two mice invaded our snug little home, sending me into a complete stupor, to my mom and dad's house for three nights and eventually to my therapist. Nice, right? Thank God for my extraordinarily patient, brave, rodent warrior husband who offed one of the offenders and then hooked us up with some funky electrical devices that keep those fuckers away for good (or at least that's what I choose to believe...and my therapist fully supports me in that).
5. Our plans to bridge the gap from playing house to buying a house were averted by some (ahem) job changes, but we've made a good compromise, I think. We're almost-officially looking for a condo that can hold us, a booty-load of toys that make too much noise, too many plastic tubs of sadly neglected craft supplies and fraternity t-shirts, and maybe (eek) at some point, another child (no no no, not yet...not even close). So if anyone knows of a great deal on The Perfect Place for a very quiet loud but lovable little family, let me know.
There have been connections and there has been chaos, and I think (touch wood), we're OK. My Soapie will have to remain in syndication, even if I've worked very hard these past few weeks to perfect my long, slow stare. It's good to be back, my friends. It's good to be back.
