My Own Little Corner of the World

What I love about writing is that it’s just me and my computer. Some days the words come easily, and some days it’s like pulling teeth. But no matter how hard or easy it is, I’m the boss.

Unlike singing or acting, there is no audience to please unless I want there to be. My writing can be as private or public as I decide. It’s the one time I feel completely in control.

As I sit in my office, which is really just a corner of my bedroom, I feel at home and at peace. I look up at the picture my sister Sandi gave me for Christmas a few years ago.

That was the Christmas nobody felt like they could spend one more penny on gifts, and the family changed the gift-giving rules. Instead of taking a name out of a hat and buying a gift for someone, we would have to give our secret person a present from around our homes.

When I opened up the gift from Sandi, I squealed with delight at the gold frame and rose print I’d always admired whenever I was in her home. Each time I look at it, I think of her, and how she took the time to pick something for me that she knew I would love.

The desk I use was once my Grandmother’s. The same grandmother that I’m named after. I wonder what she would think of my writing and the magazine I’ll launch this month. Would she be surprised that I found my calling in writing instead of performing on stage?

I’m sure she would cringe if she saw her beautiful mahogany desk covered with pieces of paper and marble notebooks. Even though I love my computer, I still need to write things down on paper. Pencils and pen caps litter every spare corner.

My low-tech copy of Webster’s is perched on the jewelry box my husband gave me as a birthday present a few years back.

I had first envisioned using my grandmother’s desk as a dressing table. That was how she used it. My makeup and brushes were neatly arranged on a tray bought for that purpose. My perfume was laid out, and all the pretty things I had been collecting for years finally had a place to sit.

It was my plan that I would be able to keep everything neat and orderly. It looked very pretty and I enjoyed it for about a day. My daughter Lizzy found the makeup, perfume, and jewelry just a little too tempting. It quickly got tiring to see my makeup spilled all over the tray.

I don’t think I’m the dressing table type.

Now that the corner is my office, I’m very strict about who can sit at my desk. The only person who can work at “mommy’s” desk is mommy. I don’t even let Joe work at it. For the first time in my life I claimed something off limits to everyone but me. Oddly enough, as soon as I stood up for my right to have my own space, everyone respected it.

As I stretch out my back I can see the pictures I keep on the pin boards behind my desk. Images of my kids as babies and toddlers surround me, as well as pictures of a younger and thinner me. Pieces of paper with story ideas and to-do lists are there to remind me of all the things that need to get done before the big launch of my magazine.

I love my corner of the world. A place that’s all mine. It may never be featured in a magazine as the best way to use space or be pinned on Pinterest as anyone’s idea of the perfect place to spend a few hours. But it’s mine, and I love it.

Well, my business partner, Val Curtis, and I are only two weeks away from the launch of Bonbon Break. The first issue comes out July 16!

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to receive our newsletter. If you haven’t had a chance to, you still have time. Go to bonbonbreak.com today. You don’t want to miss it. You can also now go to our Facebook Fan page, www.facebook.com/bonbonbreak, or follow us on Twitter,www.Twitter.com/bonbonbreak.

I’ll never be able to adequately thank everyone for visiting me each week here at the dishwasher and for supporting me in my new endeavor. Much love to you all.