The Monster in Your Closet

I hope the paths ahead of us are even more delightful than the ones we’ve traveled thus far!

First, thanks! I wasn’t thinking clearly enough to comment in-depth on your posts yesterday, but I loved everything I saw. I can’t wait to read more. Second, it’s so true about the unexpected twists! Every time I look on my little son sleeping, I smile and wonder at the weirdness of these turns. When I met my son’s dad–one time before leaving for Japan–I’d never have supposed he would one day be an intrinsic part of the greatest gift of my life . . .

So excited to see what other surprises are in store! And, of course, to learn more about those ahead of you.

Thanks for stopping by here and saying hello. I’m so glad I stumbled across your beautiful entry yesterday. I look forward to reading those yet to come!

Thank you! I’m likewise looking forward to reading your future posts, including one I was about to read when my son awakened from his nap earlier.

My old bio was fairly ridiculous, although it did include some humorous excerpts about me as described my brother-in-law Nick.

I don’t think anyone who’s raised three kids can speak of their “only” claim to fame like it’s small! So that’s three full-time jobs–each of which is so much more and more awesome than a regular “job”!–and a few other interesting experiences knocked off, with more yet to come. I’m excited to see the part that’s yet to come!

Speaking of drinks, know how many I’ve made in my life? I think I’ve mixed some Dr. Pepper and Captain Morgans. I might’ve even done the same with Coke and Captain Morgans! I love a good drink, but I sure haven’t made any myself. Maybe I should work on that?

The books! OH, the books! Trick yourself into writing 100 words a day when you’re not really “looking.” (Like flying in The Hitchhiker’s Guide, since we’re citing sources here!) You’ll accidentally stumble across the finish line and not-so-accidentally relish the feeling of having done it! Once you’ve done it that once, you’ll find it much easier the next time around.

Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I look forward to more discussion in the future!

Thanks for saying hi! Also? Ditto!

It is! The site’s just a couple months old. It used to be darker overall, but that got tired fast!

Glad to hear it (re: Elizabeth Wakefield ). Thanks for having a blog for me to stumble upon! I lost track of time and didn’t have as much time to read as I’d like, but there’s plenty of time yet to remedy that.

Thank you for stopping by here, and for your kind words! After reading “A Mother’s Pearls,” I’m likewise looking forward to reading more of your posts.

I’m so thankful for the “parenting” and “life” global tags on WordPress, by the way! They’ve led me to such thoughtful, articulate people. Yeah!

I’m glad to see the “yay!” at the end of that

Thank you! I’m getting a little more comfortable–maybe on a monthly basis as opposed to something so small as a “daily” one!–describing myself as a writer. I think my compulsive need to write is probably as good an indicator of being a writer as anything else

Holy crap, you’re amazing!
I can’t tell you how much these words make me giggle, seeing as my brain automatically filled in “ly ridiculous!” after the “amazing.” Thank you!

I actually brought a few Sweet Valley High books with me to Orcalab. Something about them felt like home to me, even if I hadn’t read them for a few years at that point. I still remember lying in my tent with those holiday specials and thinking, “I can do this!” That’s the power of the Wakefield twins.

The killer whale research really was amazing! One of my favorite moments was when folks all boated over to a social gathering, but I stayed on “the cliffs” by myself (despite my then persistent fear of the dark, and the large beasts who roamed the island). In the morning, I got to witness a mama whale roll over onto her back to permit her still-orange calf to feed. I felt like I was in a dream. Even now, all these years later, I still remember the magic of that moment. Aah!

I suspect all people who start down a path–toward writing, being president, being an astronaut–start out thinking it’s probably a dream, at least in part. Luckily for us, in most cases, those folks kept on pushin’. As it sounds like you intend to!

Didja get your story up today, BTW?

Most of the time, it feels invigorating! Days like today, I want to take a one-week bubble bath and forget about anything resembling work. (Li’l D would be in his dad’s care for that period, obviously!) Thank you for stopping by! The rooting-on from here will be mutual

Everything I read said there was a pretty slow ramp-up period, so I’ve been kicking back with that–though it’s been pointed out to me my approach might be too kick-back, what with blogging buddies not realizing I’ve written anything non-blog! :p

I spent most of my time in Okayama-ken, which isn’t too, too far from Osaka. I worked in public schools through a government contractor. I loved it! How’s your daughter enjoying the experience so far?

Thanks for visiting, Bruce! How could I not like your Rapture post with its #2? That had me laughing aloud.

My pleasure! I thank you for visiting here as well!

Thanks so much for stopping by here, Sandra! It’d been so long since I meandered away from the blogs I’ve long subscribed to, it was delightful to peruse a few new blogs. There’s so much perspective and so much to learn from this here blogosphere, I only wish I could make my living in it. OK, I kinda wish I could make my living in it. I suspect I might enjoy it a little less if it were what I had to do.

As is, I love it, and I’m happy to have made your blogging acquaintance!

Thanks for stopping by, taking a peek and saying hello! It’s good to see you here, and there.

Finding time to blog is fairly easy–it’s keeping up with all the fabulous comments I find hard! I often wish bloggers had an extra half-hour in every day dedicated to this purpose. A great deal of the joy of blogging is, after all, in the community and the connections!

I’ve missed Valentine’s Day, so it’d be silly for me to wish that back, but I hope your’e having a lovely weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Hee! I, too, feel gratitude and chagrin when introduced to new bloggers. “But . . . but . . . I can’t even keep up with the ones I follow!” Still, it’s lovely to know, and to have their words to look forward to when I have some time to sit and peruse.

I’m glad you found your way here, especially after your comments on my last post, and I’m looking forward to reading more about you!

Thanks for stopping by, J M! My apologies for taking so, so very long to say so.

Aw! Thanks for saying so, Doug. And thanks, too, for leaving me a little breadcrumb trail reminding me to go visit your blog. I haven’t been keeping up on blogs as much as I’d like recently, and mean to convert some of my Facebook energy to WordPress energy effective immediately. There are so many beautiful words here, with yours among those most of all!

Thank you, Suzy! Sorry it took me so, so long to say so. I was grateful then and I remain grateful now, even though I failed to actually say it timely.

I am grateful, Vanessa! Thank you, and I hope the new weekend upon us is kind to you!

I volunteered my sister to be Jessica, which is amusing in retrospect because she’s much more Elizabeth-like than me (as far as the traits that made me want to be Elizabeth).

Man, oh man. That second paragraph of your comment. What can I even say about that, except I LOVE YOU?! Bwahaha, but you have a knack for bringing the laughter!

I don’t get to read every post, but I love every post I have read so far. I’m looking forward to more in 2013!