I say

At my new job, reporters rotate weekly writing a roughly 500-word column in the editorial section of the paper ... on anything. My first entry is due January 12.

It can be controversial, witty, entertaining, insightful ... or even a sob story. The only requirement is it be about something in my life.

You'd think I'd have a bounty of ideas, between this candid venue and my semi-adventurous life (at least it is in my eyes). But somehow, my mind is as blank as an empty page.

And I'd love some suggestions.

I suppose I could share about my Christmastime experience with my mother-in-law: how she broke down in the middle of Costco when my husband told her we weren't coming over on Christmas, but instead going to their Christmas Eve get-together — she refused to give up a night with friends, rather than start a new tradition with her growing family — and how that back-and-forth banter eventually led to our compromise (never again!) of going over to her set-to-music, Clark Griswold-esque home for dessert. And I could mention one the gifts we received: a 1500-volt electric bug swatter. Fabulous.

Hmmmm....

Or I could recount my surprise summertime trip to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island for our one-year wedding anniversary, and how, once we reached the ferry after a five-hour drive, realized we had left the garment bag hanging in the closet at home. A little back story: when you stay at the 150-year-old hotel, you have to be dressed 'in your finest' after 6 o'clock — men in a suit and women in skirts or dresses. That meant we couldn't go to the five-course dinner, couldn't dance to the hotel band or head up to the cupola bar for a drink. And we were there for three nights. After my very sweet husband let me cry on his shoulder and then calmed me down, we went on a mini-shopping spree for first-night outfits, and were also able to get my very patient mother to go into our apartment, grab the garment bag and ship it to the island. Fortunately, it was there by our second afternoon.

Maybe I could share about the excitment of becoming a first-time aunt and the anticipation of waiting for the baby girl who is almost here; the joy of newfound friendships, even those unwavering admist the rocking of a cruise ship veering off a hurricane's path; or the discovery of talents you didn't know you had.

It would be fitting to talk about New Year's resolutions that for the first time I am more than determined to keep, and I don't mean in the habit arena. Dreams I've stumbled upon and hobbies I want to better persue. Or perhaps, most importantly, the constant presence of God's hand, from blessings to frustration to complete vulnerability.

I suppose I have a wealth of moments and memories to share, or maybe a brief re-introduction to a community that has gotten to know me these past four years is all that's needed.

I guess a weekend's worth of brainstorming will tell.