December was a month of hibernation, I was sick and aside from sending orders and marketing from bed, did very little. Mercury has been retrograde, and I have enjoyed having this excuse for the things I didn't check off my list. Sometimes you have to lay around, read books, and binge TV. I have been watching "Julia" a show about Julia Child. I love this historical drama about race and feminism. I will make sure my son watches it with Nana and me as part of his education, and then we will make a souflé and flambé! He will enjoy the lighting-food-on-fire part!

It felt healthy to be reviewing past mistakes to understand my lessons and put things in order before the new year. I put my intentions on the wall, one of my forms of 'praying', and it looked like this:

I'm emerging into the New Year with clarity, force, and vibrance!

Winter solstice, the longest night and the beginning of the return of the sun, is a time of inner growth and spirituality. We share love and practice tolerance.  My inner work includes pinning messy notes and pictures to my wall to manifest my goals and intentions. It is a reminder to myself of what is important to me  (see my 'prayer' below).

I have been thrilled that we have so many returning customers! When I see you ordering a 2nd or 3rd, or even 5th or 6th pair of leggins and hiking pants, I know we have won your trust and that you love our gear designed for women, for every body! On that note, it has come to my attention that some of your Merino Leggings have worn through in the thigh faster than one would like for a pair of pants at this price. If this has happened with yours within a year of ordering them, please email me and I will send you either a new pair or a really big discount code for your next order (your choice). Part of this inner revision of the Mercury retrograde cycle is about Chickfly, and in that sense, while I may not be making outward leaps and strides this month, we are doing inner work that matters. I know integrity matters, and that it is one of the reasons you all give such amazing support for our efforts at Chickfly. This is how we strive for excellence!

At this time of yearly review, I also want to let you know we are switching factories to a Bay Area manufacturer that comes highly recommended. The previous factory made too many mistakes, and we need a manufacturing house that can meet deadlines. If you have a manufacturing defect, please use the Manufacturing Defect Form to exchange your pants! We will either repair them or replace them and resell your pants at our next seconds sale.

I am happy to say that I remain thrilled with the original bamboo fabric, it has proven itself to be durable and holds its obsidian black color so well, even after three years of use! And you never see your butt through it (this is true for all our hiking pants). We will be continuing to use this great fabric in future designs.

Thank you for taking the time to read this journey of review and revision. I appreciate all of you!