I actually started revamping my old site a couple of years ago, but I was never satisfied with any design I came up with. With a very demanding client load, and many of the other curve balls that life can throw at you, it just never got past an inital layout (or six).

Late last year, I decided to experiment with blogging on TypePad. Within about a week I realized that I needed more control over the layout, so I decided to make a big step forward and switch to Movable Type. As I began to play with that, and I tried to wrap my brain around the ways to use the system, I realized that I could do my entire site in it. Movable Type, with a little tweaking, makes a fine lower-end content management system. And by a little tweaking, I mean enough tweaking to send me into a fetal position under my desk at times.

But my knowledge of (and love for) CSS and web standards grew exponentially, and I loved the challenge. I blogged to myself to make myself comfortable with it. I found some amazing resources online on learning the ins and outs of Movable Type, most notably Learning Movable Type by Elise Bauer. (And I had the great privilege of meeting Elise herself at BlogHer...I don't think she knew what to make of my gushing praise...but it was all from my heart!)

So after many months of hard work and conquering a steep learning curve,here we are. A very special thanks to my beloved Sam, for putting up with me adding this demanding task on top of my already heavy workload. And thanks to Ramona and Roscoe, for being the best "kids" I could have. You both remind me, albeit in very different ways, to lighten up a little. And much love to my girl Martha, who left me mid-project after 15 years and a brave struggle with diabetes and pancreatic disease. Work will never be the same without your gentle and devoted (and very large) presence right here on my desk...every single day, whether I wanted it or not. You are missed more than I can ever express.

I'm so excited to move my business into this new phase, and I look forward to the journey. I hope you'll join me!

Currently playing in iTunes: Qu'est est-ce qu'on attend pour être heureux by Patrick Bruel and Johnny Halliday