Slowly but surely I'm packing, wrapping and sorting my belongings to move two miles south. Monday night I sat on the floor for two hours sorting through items and re-found keepsakes I only lay my eyes on once a year.
Tucked into these keepsake files and decorative boxes are the biggest pieces of me. I've saved cards from my favorite people: 21st birthday card from my parents, Valentine's Day card from my seester, birthday cards from friends, "just because" notes from my grandparents - little pieces of paper that mean the world to me.
A brightly colored box is filled with writing and design clips, notes from my co-workers, constructive criticism and praise from my editors, and letters of encouragement from my family and friends.
It made me remember the things I'm passionate about and the people that make my foundation. And then it made me think of the point I'm at in my life. I'm in my mid-20s. I think I've made a decent path for myself and feel like the future is bright, and I want to continue learning from and sharing with fabulous women.
Which is why over the next month, you'll see some changes at Laid-off Ladies. Kate has decided to exit the site to pursue other adventures, but I'm here to stay. Graduating college, entering adulthood and taking charge of life is a lot to handle, but there's so much fun that can come with it!
With that in mind, Laid-off Ladies is going to focus on all things women, for women (don't worry, men, you aren't banned - anyone's welcome!), focusing on those in their 20s (or in their 20s at heart!) who are taking on new adventures, loving life, clinging on to their forever friends, going through break-ups, finding new jobs, getting married, loving single life and celebrating it all. Right here we'll have a community where we can laugh, share advice, maybe cry (I'm a little sensitive, not gonna lie) and look toward the future while loving the present. Are you in?
I'm really, really, really (!) excited about the site's re-invention and wish I could get started today, but these boxes aren't going to pack themselves. Over the course of the next month you may see some changes. The blog's name will probably change (my mom highly disliked the Laid-off Ladies name to begin with because we weren't laid-off, we were living the "laid-off lifestyle." We tried to be transparent but the name is a little confusing - plus, there's only one lady now!). The URL will stay the same, however, and the content will be mostly the same but the budget content won't be as strong.
Do you have any thoughts? Hate it? Love it? Any ideas? Please share! I can't wait to start this new adventure ... I'll even print out today's comments and put them in my file to read next year.
xoxo,
Lisa Marie
*photo courtesy of flickr.com
Good Luck LML!!! I am excited and excited for you, this will be awesome. Love you lots!!!
Posted by: Kaity | Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 01:18 PM
Yay Leese! I'm really looking forward to see what you'll do! I love your musings and can't wait to read more of them. :) Love you!
Posted by: Maura | Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Aw, thank you girls! You prove it again and again: I have the best friends in the whole world! Love you, too! Can't wait to make you guest blog! xoxo, LM
Posted by: Laid-off Lisa Marie | Thursday, October 01, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Leese- I'm proud of you and this blog, even as a guy I have to say I enjoy reading your posts. Especially the 'like/dislike' lol you must have felt so much better after a lil venting! I know how that feels! Hope all is well!
-Anth-
Posted by: AJL | Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 05:52 PM