About

This has been the basic setup of my about page for seven years:

Writing during naps is my favorite non-waste of time. Except my kids don’t nap anymore. So when I can, I fit writing into the three billion other things I have to do each day. I really should be saving the planet, the animals, and the children. For now I selfishly work on saving what’s left of my sanity.

Professionally I’m a brand strategist, editor, writer, independent academic, and brand naming consultant.

Also professionally, I’m raising wonderful human beings and am too captivated by the roller coaster to do anything but hang on for the ride.

42 thoughts on “About”

  1. Ok, so I just bought 10 books on ebay. Why oh why didn’t I start reading your blog before I did that? (Well, because I haven’t had a single moment to myself since you started the blog, but that’s beside the point.) Who needs books? As long as you keep posting daily I can use your blog as my nighttime reading for a thought provoking and laughter inducing escape from MY day. However, seeing as your main career right now is raising Peanut, which leaves your life completely unpredictable and at the whim of the toddler gods, there may be some days where you can’t post. And then what would I do? Good thing I bought those books on ebay today!

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  2. Oh, hurrah. Having become the proud parent a new (at this moment) 7-week-old boy, I am so thrilled to find a wonderful source of parentally ambivalent fellow-feeling.

    I suspect I will be back, over and over.

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  4. Okay, this might sound really stupid, but I’m willing to risk it at this point.

    I’ve been reading your blog since the Infinite Jest-athon of last summer. And I figured its about time I give some verbal appreciation.

    I’m very, very impressed and encouraged by, thankful for and appreciative of all the things you write about. Not to mention relieved that there are parents in the world like you.

    I don’t know if this means much coming from a complete stranger who is also not a mother nor will be for awhile, but to read your interactions with Peanut and your struggles and frustrations and all that comes with it really gives me hope for the human race. There are a lot of reasons it gives me hope, but one of the greatest is that I never wanted to be a parent like my parent but never really saw anything close to what I was imagining until I stumbled across your blog.

    So thanks. I really hope you do reap what you’ve sown and will no doubt keep sowing with Peanut and Hazelnut too.

    I don’t remember why I started reading your blog (other than something about IJ, I’m sure) but now I can’t really stop and don’t intend to. So… I guess this is just a really cheesy but absolutely genuine thanks for what you write and I really hope you know that the way you live your life has given at least one person a bit of hope that wasn’t there before.

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    • That was very touching, anonymous, and made me feel just about as respected as I’ve ever felt in my professional endeavors. To have someone say that they appreciate my attempts to be human is about the best gift I could ever get. How very generous and decent of you to speak up. As inarticulate as the following may come across, I really, really appreciate it.

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  6. Hi! Found your blog only recently, but love it already! Good, no nonsense writing about the bloody difficult gig that is parenting.
    Cheers!

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  7. Just found your blog, where have been my whole life, ahem I mean my mommy life? And why wasn’t your “Living with a newborn” post mandatory reading in every birthing class?

    This will sound inappropriate and creepy but can we be best friends?

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  8. Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is wonderful, let alone the content!

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  10. Thanks for the comment on my blog. I’m so glad it led me here. I love what I’ve read so far and I think you may have the best blog name ever. Can’t wait to read more!

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    • Well that’s incredibly sweet…and daunting. I don’t think my writing has ever been called inspiring before. Yikes. Hope I far outstrip your expectations!

      Good luck with your novel!

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    • Thank you so much for your kind words.

      The cruel nature of parenting is that the crappy sleepers are also usually terrible nappers. And they drop nap early.

      Maybe the good sleepers and good nappers turn out to be grotesque later. Small wishes from the sleepless…

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  17. This is really inspiring to me. I’m 21 years old, in school, and really have no idea where life is going to take me. But I meet so many people, of all ages, that are raising kids and seem to be really unhappy about it. I’m tired of hearing negativity when I should be hearing how great and how rewarding it is. But you really seem to be doing something right, and enjoying yourself, which is what my parents did. :)

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    • Thanks, lilbrigs. You may want to hear that parenting is great and rewarding, but it’s also harder than anything most of us have ever done before. Studies show mothers are less happy than just about any other demographic. Children are the absolute best thing I’ve ever had in my life, but not for all 24 hours a day.

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  21. New blogger, new instagrammer, new tweeter, and old as dirt. I just emailed your site to my 30+year old daughter and new baby (since I don’t know how to do the other ones yet.) Massive credit to you (and her) for choosing to stay home as your highest “profession” joy and calling. Please continue to hang on—when you look back, it has gone really fast….God bless!

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  24. I haven’t read all of your blogs/posts yet, but I just wanted to let you know that I came across your name and clicked on it to bring me to your site. From what I have read so far, I really enjoy what you have written. And, not to mention the wonder pictures you have also. I can’t believe how well those pictures are on the screen, between your writing and pictures, I feel like I’m right there watching from behind where I’m neither seen or heard but I can see and hear everything. Keep up the great work!

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  25. I completely relate. I love that you emphasized how you are a professional writer, but also that your profession is raising your children. That is a wonderful view to have on being a mother. I’m excited to follow :)

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  26. I happened to stumble across your blog and have enjoyed reading your posts. One of my goals is to better my writing skills. This is one area that I find difficult- conveying my thoughts on paper. In a way the reader understands what I am trying to say. Often times my mind works quicker than what I place on paper. It’s nice to read your style of writing.

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  27. I love the idea of grabbing a notebook or laptop and jotting down anything and everything when my daughter naps. I’m a new mom, so the idea hadn’t really occurred to me. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply

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