A Blurb on My Blog

I started this blog having no idea why I was doing so.  I had a vague notion that others were doing it and enjoying it, and so I set one up.  I wrote a post.  A very dull post.  And that was it for seven months.  In that time, I felt as if I had something to say about the education debate raging in this country.  Not many teachers weigh in on the debate, or at least not teachers who are still in the classroom, because there is a current gotcha political environment that keeps them quiet.  I have been extremely careful to not name names or identify students in any way, but even that makes me wary.  I don't have much to say that is positive in regards to teaching.  So, I try to stay neutral on the subject as much as possible and not use this blog as a platform from which to groan about my work.  "Try" is the operative word.  Sometimes it is hard.

I wanted my dollhouse more like this..

And less like this.

Also within that time, my daughter was reaching the age where a dollhouse would be appropriate.  And I got to thinking about my own design sensibilities and the miniatures that are available on the market today, and there seemed to be a disconnect.  I didn't want the wood-fired stove, the high-above-the-toilet water tank with chain, and the hand pumped water spout sink.  My dollhouse was going to be modern and fabulous; no washboards or lace curtains in my little home.  And so, I thought I'd try my hand at making designer miniatures.  Well, that is proving time consuming and difficult, but I am not quitting.  I may be sidetracking myself a bit with the latest dollhouse renovation project that I have taken on, but it seems to have created another opportunity with this blog.  I am starting to network.

So, I am hoping that this will lead to a different direction for The Hard Way.  My most popular posts are still not the ones regarding miniatures - it is a niche market at best - but they are starting to infiltrate the top five more and more often.  I have joined two contests, and a link party.  I am excited about this project.  I have found that I am much better at styling a dollhouse than I am at building one.  It has been a fun journey, and I am looking forward to where all these detours take me.