I was single-mom-ing it last week while my husband was out of town on business. Actually,  “single mom” is a bit of an understatement, since I was also single cook, single driver, single dishwasher, single taker-out-of-trash… you get my drift. My kids are great and helpful, I emptied my week of complicated scheduling, and picked easy and still-fairly-nutritious dinners to make BUT by Friday I was pretty much shambling around like the Living Dead. Doesn’t help that I sleep poorly while my husband’s away (it’s like I’m used to sharing a bed or something). It’s hard being on call all week long. You never go off duty.

By the time my husband–exhausted from his trip–got home on Saturday, my introversion was raging in full force. This takes the form of retreating into a room–any room with a door!–with the same music looping over and over again (Gaelic Storm and Loreena McKennit this time around) and losing myself in a world in my head. I also ignore any and all social media/RSS feed/news/anything that requires me to make decisions, but after a day or two of getting time to myself, I’m ready to face the world again.

So hello, world. How are you?

This year I implemented this fabulous Thanksgiving tree idea. The kids have had a lot of fun sticking on leaves, and I’m happy that they’re focusing on giving thanks for all the many blessings that have been poured out on us.

I am fortunate beyond reckoning. Since it would take far too long to enumerate all the things I’m grateful for, I want to focus on my many writing-related blessings.

I’m grateful for my husband, David, who let me stay home and write while he delivered pizzas for a living back when we were first married. I’m grateful for his continued support, and for his invaluable help in building my crazy worlds.

I’m grateful for my three children, who bring light and laughter to my house, and who have trained me to write in frenetic 10-minute segments. Plus, they keep me from wallowing in my emotions and being all self-absorbed.

I’m grateful for my friend and crit partner, Jo Anderton, who has stuck with me through story after story. I’m grateful for her incisive criticism and encouragement. Couldn’t have asked for a better beta reader.

I’m grateful for all the writers, blogs, and communities who have taught me so much about the craft and business of the profession. These include–but are not limited to–the Online Writing Workshop, Holly Lisle’s articles and writing courses, and the bloggers on my blogroll on the right (which needs much updating!). Thanks to all those hardworking professionals who take the time to inform newer writers.

I’m grateful for all the acceptances and rejections I’ve gotten along the way, and how each of those have been a milestone on this journey.

I’m grateful for all of you who read and comment on my blog–Prue, Megan, Deb, Kirsten, Tia, Tammy, and anyone else I’ve forgotten in my old age.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.

… for not blogging much this summer, that is. My husband got a new job that requires us to move from Vermont to Virginia. The last several weeks have been really busy with decluttering, packing, and cleaning–in between driving children to all the summer camps I signed them up for in a fit of misguided enthusiasm. But now the house is on the market and the kids and I are back in school. I hope to be blogging from Virginia soonish! *crosses fingers*

In the meantime, how are you?

At home, living in the moment, enjoying and focusing on my own life.

Playing the piano. Planting wildflowers. Watching caterpillars turn into chrysalises.

Marveling at “I Spy” books with the Baron. Doing index-card-sized art with Miss M. Consulting with Sir I. over what should go on his summer reading list. Connecting with my husband.

Cleaning house (and cleaning it again, and again). Making stacks of to-give-away clothes and put-in-storage toys. Hanging laundry (then running back outside to rescue it from thunderstorms).

Taking walks. Identifying flowers. Watching the children delight in biking, scootering, playing catch, running around in the park, playing hide-and-seek.

Journaling. Praying. Mindmapping. Simmering stories.

It’s been a long time since I was last here. Where have you been in the last month? How are you doing?