In the last six months, the small staff of Grace has changed dramatically. Our former designer moved to the newsroom and our former editor took a position at another publication. So that just leaves me.

Admittedly, I was a bit concerned about the new people I'd be working with because the former staff (just three ladies) got along well. Well, I am happy to report I had no reason to worry.

Faye, the editor, is great. She has good ideas, doesn't like being referred to as "the boss" and is mom to a great little boy.

Kara, the designer, is hilarious. She likes motorcycles and good food and is mommy to a scrumptious little person who also has dark hair.

But about two months ago, she began to scare me.

Originally, there was the silver tree in the corner of Kara's desk. The decorations changed from Christmas stuff to Valentine's Day stuff to St. Patty's Day stuff. Cool, no problem. Very cute.

Then as spring was approaching, these little "things" starting popping up on her desk. It was just three or four at first, then two more and two more, until one day it was like her desk exploded in technicolor miniature figurines.

She's got at least two dozen items, including a shovel and pail, a buddha, a treasure chest and a vacuum, all no bigger than half a pinkie.

There's even a sticky note: "SHRINE of all things TINY."

Wouldn't you be scared?

So to introduce a new column beginning next month called "Me Time" by about hobbies and minor obsessions, I figured we should get to the bottom of Kara's mini obsession. Here's the deal:

When she was a kid, her mom (Ruth) had a collection of miniature items that were all doll house related.

"She would let me play with them even though I would break or lose them," she says.

From that grew her love for miniatures. She scours the aisles of local craft stores searching for anything tiny. The only things that limit her are time and her disposable income.

When Kara returned to work after maternity leave and her mother began caring for her baby, Kara spent $70 to replenish her mom's collection, as a thank-you.

"I wrapped everything individually in tissue paper and put them in teeny tiny boxes. I told her 'You're only gonna get a couple of years before [my daughter] wants to play with them, so enjoy.' She has it displayed in her bedroom, safe and sound," she says.

Kara recognizes that her mini obsession might be a little over the top. As I interviewed her for this story, I caught her eyeing a mini mirror hanging from my desk that a friend brought back from Korea. (Thanks, Nacho! Get lost, Kara!)

"I'm curious as to what psychological thing this relates to," she says, with a laugh. "I know there's probably a lot wrong with me, but I wouldn't want to change it 'cause I love it!"

Get in touch!

We are looking for women to feature in "Me Time" whether they have a hobby they pursue with a passion, or a collection that brings them a lot of joy. Email suggestions to f.trafford@theday.com or k.gathers@theday.com.