About a year ago, I was notified by the ABA Journal that my blog was nominated as one of the top 100 legal blawgs for 2008. I was, needless to day, extremely honored.
One of my colleagues in Pennsylvania, Neil Hendershot, wrote about my nomination, including some really kind commentary. He also suggested his own “ask the taxgirl” question:
Kelly, how do you find the time to do all this while practicing law and mothering three kids?
I promised him that I would answer. And so, a few months (*ahem*) after the fact, I’m finally getting around to it.
There’s a method to my madness. You see, today is my anniversary. I’ve been married for 9 years (really? that long?). I’ve also managed a law firm for 9 years. That’s not coincidental.
This isn’t to say that I don’t work hard. Or that I couldn’t do it on my own. Because I think I could manage. But it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. Or nearly as wonderful.
Earlier this year, Sandra Bullock said something that really resonated with me. Speaking to Parade, she said: “You know, I complete me. I’m just lucky that after I completed myself, I met someone who could tolerate me.”
And that’s exactly how I feel about my husband. Not exactly the stuff of anniversary cards, I know. But it’s true.
When I suggested to Chris that he drop Reed Smith and start a firm with me (I had just quit my prior lawyer gig), he didn’t roll his eyes and say no. Well, maybe he rolled his eyes. But he also said okay. He knew that we could do it. And we did.
When I started writing this little tax blog – on a subject that completely disinterested him – he humored me. He pretended to listen to my posts and my articles. And I pretended to listen to his feedback.
In between it all, we managed to have some pretty amazing kids. They’re smart and funny and of course, Phillies fans (I said smart, right?).
So when it comes to finding time for the things that are important, I have to say that I can do it because I have a family (and friends) who support me in fabulous, wonderful ways. And I have a husband who understands me (well, as much as anyone can) and helps me work out all the details – like deadlines and schedules and meetings. But mostly, he tolerates me. And that counts for a lot.
Happy anniversary, Chris… and you’re working on that World Series title for my present, right?
Love is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket or a holding pattern over Philadelphia. ~ Judith Viorst, Redbook, 1975
I’m a little all over the map these days. I’ve been lucky to be asked to write guest posts for a number of high quality sites. I’ve really enjoyed it because writing about tax is just so much fun for me (hey, stop laughing).
So, it was extremely flattering and very exciting to be asked to write for AOL’s finance site at walletpop.com. I’ll be the new girl over there, plugging an occasional tax post. It will still be focused on tax but not exactly the same kind of bloggity-goodness that you’ll find here. So, definitely pop over to AOL and take a look around (you’ll find my first post here) and check out my new digs. But no need for concern, taxgirl.com isn’t going anywhere.
Taxpayer asks:
I love your blog!
I’m a practicing attorney and also a mom, like you. I’ve been thinking about starting my own blog. After reading through your posts, I have two questions:
1) Do you sleep?
2) Do you write your own posts?
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Taxgirl says:
*blushing* Thanks so much!
So, for your first question. Yes, yes, I sleep. I don’t know that I sleep as much as I ought to (I do have 3 kids and a law practice to manage) but that’s why God made coffee.
As to your second question, I write all of my own stuff except for the occasional guest post – guest posts are always clearly noted as such. I also do all of my own research, I read all of my own emails, choose my own “ask the taxgirl” questions, do all of the design on the site (except for my awesome logo which was designed by the fabulous Jay Bevenour) etc. That’s it.
I know a few of my colleagues believe that it’s all about the numbers and they have their minions crank out some posts without attribution. That may be their style but it’s not mine. And I’m not making judgments. At least not in public.
So, there is no taxgirl empire (though excuse me while I take a moment to imagine what that would be like… I’d totally get a Trump combover so that I could be on The Soup). Just me.
I highly recommend that, if you’re just starting out with your blog, you do your own thing. It’s the best way to find your voice and relate to your audience. That said, I wish you the best of luck with your new blog. If it’s at all tax-related, give me a shout when it’s up and I’ll link to you.
Like any good lawyer, I need to add a disclaimer: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give comprehensive tax advice over the internet, no matter how well researched or written. Before relying on any information given on this site, contact a tax professional to discuss your particular situation.
Have a question? Ask the taxgirl! – Now on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/taxgirl
I always appreciate your feedback – it’s good to know what you think I’m doing wrong (so that I can fix it) and what you think I’m doing right (so that I can do more of it).
A reader recently suggested that I tweak the subject lines of the emails in my feed to make it easier to identify. I think I’ve changed the email subject settings so that the subject of the post will show up in the subject of the email. If this works (and boy, I hope it does), it will help you identify and find posts in your inbox. If I’ve screwed it up, who knows what it will say. But rest assured, I’m on it.
Thanks to Konni for her suggestion. I hope that it makes taxgirl even better for all of my readers. If you ever have an idea for making the site better, drop me a line.
If you’re not subscribing via email, give it a whirl here. It’s free and easy (insert random inappropriate joke here).
