I’ve had one red bull too many in my desire to clean before family arrives tomorrow, and now there’s nothing left to do but sit in this quiet house and wait for the sounds of my rainy street to make me ready for bed.
Aside from the red bull, there’s the knowledge that tomorrow morning huffingtonpost.com will run a piece I wrote on being fearless that’s keeping me awake tonight. That and the knowledge that I am officially blogging again. My dear friend surprised me this spring with tickets to Blogher inspite of the fact that I had no blog at the time and no clear plans for writing in this arena again. But it was just the thing I needed.
In that forum–750 women completely energized by the notion that blogs are changing the world–I felt completely at home. I connected with my “other” Kristin Noelle, befriended my very own superhero Andrea Scher, and analyzed the virtues of shared power with the amazing Lisa Stone. I found a kindred spirit in Tracey Clark and remembered the feeling of home in the delightful Karen Walrond. Susie Bright made me laugh by the pool and Romi Lassally gave me the confidence I needed to take a chance and write on a topic that scared me shitless. I met people like Shuna who love immigrants the same way I do, and sages like Claire who remind me how glorious the path is ahead. I came home intoxicated by the possibilities and ready to blog again–determined to create the best website ever, dammit! (Read: Jen drives Dave slowly insane as she alternately tweaks his every move and provides continuous commentary on the evolving state of their relationship while working on websites together. Fun!)
There’s more I could say–about Mark & Meryl or how my little people saved me or about Happy Anne or Nancy & the blessings or what happened on the coast or how this artist found her way and learned the magic of Capital Letters. But there’ll be plenty of time for all that. Trust me. The best is yet to come.
September 5th, 2006 at 5:48 am
I am honored to be the first to welcome you back. I knew there was a reason I couldn’t sleep (you know, apart from the obvious: a 3-yr old w/ coughing & crying all night, and a 1.5-yr old that took a tumble onto the concrete sidewalk today, which meant me & kim got to spend the whole holiday in the emergency room). So, welcome back dear Jen,
tim
September 5th, 2006 at 9:04 am
Welcome back, my new friend. I’m thrilled to see this beautiful new corner of the internet — I’ll be back often!
K.
September 5th, 2006 at 9:22 am
Blessings; Tim
September 5th, 2006 at 9:37 am
WELCOME BACK!! The site looks great. I’m excited to read more.
September 5th, 2006 at 10:36 am
Hurrah, and welcome back! The site looks gorgeous, and I’m looking forward to reading your blog.
Blessings,
Dylan
September 5th, 2006 at 11:10 am
well, don’t you look pretty! I can’t wait for the next Red Bull!
I’m going over to HuffPo now to see what you did.
September 5th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Yay, Jen!! We saw this coming, and it looks great! I’m always grateful for your gorgeous art - written and painted. Keep up the good work!
Helene
September 5th, 2006 at 11:22 am
Jen,
All is right with the world again. Welcome back.
September 5th, 2006 at 11:45 am
welcome back! oh, i love the new look too!
September 5th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
This looks beautiful! Welcome back. You’re someone who made me want to blog, so I’m thrilled that you’re back at it.
September 5th, 2006 at 1:18 pm
i’m glad you are blogging again. the site looks great. welcome back.
September 5th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
there is balance in the world again
good to see you back… and it looks lovely!
September 5th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
I’m soooo happy you’re back. I love the colours and words here.
September 5th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Welcome back — we’ve missed you!
September 5th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
My party hat is on all day. A hundred cheers, dear friend!
September 5th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Adam & Sarah Walker Cleaveland, who were blessed to have you, Jen, be a part of our wedding celebration and give us one of the most beautiful blessings….we welcome you back! And we’re so excited to join you on this journey…
September 5th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
welcome home! i l-o-v-e the look. excellent.
yippeeeee!
peace,
holly
September 5th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
jen..
looking forward to it! and by [it] i mean the explosion of needed grace through your blog..
peace!
mark
September 5th, 2006 at 10:46 pm
Hey there! What a fantabulous new site! I’m a first-time visitor, sent on over by your “other”, Kristen. Welcome back! May it be for you a fabulous adventure!
September 5th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
How wonderful to stumble across the wisdom of an old friend. Even though you guys are far away from us you would be surprised to know how often we think of the good old days living in a crappy apartment surrounded by friends. Now that I am a mom, I don’t know how you did it…You actually had time for friends AND maintained a relatively sane family. We are still a work in progress. Now I will be able to visit you regularly. I love this blogging thing! Blessings- Lori (and Eric)
September 5th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
jen! jen!
how happy i am!
your art is Beautiful
and so is your
unfolding journey
-blessings to you dear
friend
kelly
September 6th, 2006 at 2:46 am
Welcome back to blogging!!
September 6th, 2006 at 6:41 am
How lucky the blog world is to have such a beautiful soul return to her keyboard.
September 6th, 2006 at 7:22 am
oh, oh, oh! i am vaklempt jen! welcome back!!
September 6th, 2006 at 11:21 am
Greetings and solicitations…
Welcome back dear friend,
not that you really had gone anywhere, of course.
September 6th, 2006 at 11:56 am
SO GLAD to see you back…welcome…and blessings!!!
September 6th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Add me to the chorus! One more who is very happy to see you back
September 6th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
I was a lurker at your old blog and I loved it. I really missed your words of wisdom and had to come out of lurkdom to say…I AM SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK…I look forward to the future of your new site.
September 7th, 2006 at 12:53 am
yay - happy dance happy dance happy dance! I’m so glad you are back. The blog world missed you!
September 7th, 2006 at 7:49 am
The new site looks good!
September 7th, 2006 at 11:43 am
welcome back, jen. it’s been more than long enough.
September 7th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Welcome back! I’ve missed you!
September 7th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Woo hoo!!! and welcome back!!!
And, dude, I’m GREEN with envy that SUSIE BRIGHT reads your blog. You are even way, way, way cooler than I thought.
Missed you,
Other Jennifer
September 8th, 2006 at 12:46 pm
Jen,
I am inexpressibly happy that you are writing and making art online again! I kept you in my Favorites list all along, just in case.
Blessings and good wishes and ecstatic happiness from me!
September 8th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Hooray! You’re back. Lovely, lovely web design.
September 9th, 2006 at 9:16 pm
I COULD NOT be happier. . .Oh this is good news good news indeed. . There have been so many times I have yearned for your words! Welcome back my treasured friend!
September 11th, 2006 at 12:50 am
yeah! Today is a good day!
September 13th, 2006 at 10:35 pm
Jen, I feel honored to be in your blog. And I feel deeply grateful to have you in my life. Ditto from Mark. xoxoxo