I don’t really leave comments on blogs any more. Most of the stuff I read is via RSS and if I am on an actual site, well, I guess I’ve gotten used to the threaded discussion features of social media platforms and writing something in a comment section feels a bit like throwing a bottle out to sea. But as a person who continues, for some ill-advised reason, to keep her own ancient blog on life support, I still love comments. Even the spambots get me briefly excited, especially the weirdly poetic ones (actual excerpt: You can see wells in many fairy tales where you make a wish, push people into them,Womens Paul Hornung Jersey, and consume it for bathing or drinking purposes.)

Anyway, if you’re out there, stop and say hi, will you? Just because … why not. Tell me where you’re spending your online time these days (me: Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, whatever’s still trickling into my Feedly, Google News, a game called Subnautica). Tell me how old your kids are (10 and 12). Tell me what job you’re doing now and whether you enjoy it (freelance writing still, marketing articles, and yes — but I really miss working with people and I keep looking for a good volunteer/part-time-something that will offer more in that department). Tell me about the last book you could not put down (Behind Closed Doors; it wasn’t the best writing in the world but it sure kept me interested). Tell me, are you doing okay? (Yes. I mean: mostly? Mostly yes. Ugh, mostly looks like MOISTLY. I am MOISTLY doing okay, MOIST of the time.)

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dani
dani
6 years ago

hi!
skipping to the important stuff:
cat (the kid, not my feline) is FIVE now. that freaking flew by.

I’m in the same boat – freelancing from home. I TRY to get dressed every day. but sometimes I end up in my workout clothes all day. and then I feel bad about it. I do miss seeing people though. but then again I also kind of don’t.

READ THIS! I think you will TOTALLY DIG IT:
Hard Magic: Book I of the Grimnoir Chronicles
by Larry Correia

Carly
Carly
6 years ago

I’m a long time reader of yours from Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada (about 45 minutes northeast of Toronto). I’m a journalist turned dog walker who also sells spiced honey from home. I’m 4 years post major mental health breakdown and am a loud and proud advocate for mental wellness; I organize a local walk and last year almost 200 people came and we raised more than $20,000 for local resources. Im in a book club and just finished reading, for the second time, All the Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It’s in my top 5 and won the Pulitzer in 2015. I highly recommend it. I rarely comment but read everything you write. Keep it up!

Kat
Kat
6 years ago

Online – Facebook and Feedly almost exclusively
Kid – 4! Has opinions and ideas. Not all of them are bad.
Job – still a small animal vet. Like it most days. Today I got blood all over my top and am squeezed into a too small scrub top while we wash it.
Book – the storied life of AJ fikry

Lynn
Lynn
6 years ago

I’m reading all the way from Belgium here. I think I’ve been reading since Riley was born? I remember him being a suspicious baby, anyway. I’m doing great. Still spending my online time in an oldschool way – messageboards and chats, mostly.

Lauren
Lauren
6 years ago

I too have been reading whatever still trickles into Feedly. I also check Facebook, NPR News, and sometimes Twitter or Instagram when I’m procrastinating on work. My son is 9 and my daughter is 6.5. I’m a copyeditor for art history books at a museum in LA, but I’m originally from Corvallis. ; ) I have award time reading without instantly falling asleep at night, but the one that kept me awake recently was “The Alice Network” (a great thriller about a female spy ring during WWI). Life is pretty great when I can manage to stop thinking about the news.

Jen B
Jen B
6 years ago

I hang out mostly on Instagram and Reddit. I still follow a few blogs in feedly, but people really don’t post like they used to. I don’t have a lot of free time to read, but I remember you recommended the book “You” and I really, really liked it. It was right up my alley!

Caitlin D
6 years ago

Hi! I’ve been reading (and enjoying) your blog for probably seven years now but hardly ever comment. I have two boys, ages 5 and 7, and I’m mostly a SAHM, though I do a little bit of medical writing from home. I enjoy it, and I love the flexibility it affords me.

My marriage is going through some upheaval at the moment–we’re working on fixing the distance and lack of affection that has grown between us over the years. I think we’re going to come out of this stronger, but it’s lots more work than our previous routine of sitting on the couch staring at our computers every night. (When I am staring at my computer, I’m usually on Feedly, Facebook, Twitter, and a little Instagram. Twitter stresses me out, but I’m hesitant to leave it because I feel like I get most of my news there.)

My youngest started kindergarten last fall, and I’m trying to spend more time on myself, since I feel like I’ve lost track of who I am and what I like since becoming a mom. I’m trying to put more effort into my appearance and be more social, but I’m an introvert, so we’ll see how long that lasts.

I recently read and enjoyed Commonwealth by Ann Patchett, though the child-neglecty parts stressed me out. Made me feel like a good mom though :)

Lucy Fisher
Lucy Fisher
6 years ago

Online – FB, and a few remaining blogs from my avid ‘mommy blogger’ reading days (of which yours is one), and a few websites. I’ve retreated on FB into the echo chamber of ‘like minded groups’ type interactions for the most part, since the election. I read twitter and Insta on my phone only, and my twitter activity outbound is limited mostly to replying to the POTUS and VPOTUS’ tweets with various insults and swears.

Kid: I have a nearly 10 year old girl child, who is pretty amazing.

Job: Is fine. I like what I do, I’m often not busy enough, and I work with a very small group of people (several of whom I manage), so I get quite lonely here I am realizing. I’m making an effort to see more friends outside of work hours to make up for that, but my efforts are often rewarded with flake outs and cancellations, which is giving me a bit of a complex. I get to travel for work occasionally, which I really enjoy for the clean, quiet hotel rooms alone.

Reading: Oh my God I can’t even tell you. I chew through discount-bin Kindle ‘murder/thriller/crime’ fiction novels and don’t even remember the names or authors past the first couple of pages. The last time I paid full money for, and subsequently read, a real book outside of that junk genre? No idea.

How am I?: I’m okay. I feel fat and gross, but also have had a gym membership since before Christmas that I haven’t used yet. I feel too busy/overwhelmed/lazy/tired/apathetic to go, but none of my clothes fit and I’m full of self-loathing about it, so, you know. There’s that.

I’ve been reading your blog for so, so long Linda and I can’t tell you how appreciative I am for your words. I devour them the instant they arrive, and I’m so thankful to you for still putting them out there. Truly.

Julia
Julia
6 years ago

Tell me where you’re spending your online time these days
I spend way too much time looking up villas I want to rent around the globe, and planning vacations for friends. I had a slight travel obsession…

Tell me how old your kids are. none.

Tell me what job you’re doing now and whether you enjoy it
I’m a software test engineer, aka quality assurance, in the big apple. the big soggy frozen apple, at present. been doing it for 19 years. I’m good at breaking things, so it’s alright. I have an art degree so I lucked out with a career path that pays me enough to travel and fiddle around with arty stuff.

Tell me about the last book you could not put down
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women. OMG GO READ IT IT’S ARGHHHHH WTF ARGHHHHH ARE YOU SHITTING ME THIS IS REAL? THIS REALLY HAPPENED? WHY HAVEN’T WE BURNED SHIT DOWN YET IN REVOLT?

Tell me, are you doing okay? Okay, sure, I think. I’m turning 44 and feeling way more tired and old and fat and strange and yet at the same time, frustrated with myself for feeling this way. Life is too short, who gives a shit if I have grey eyebrow hairs now and I gained a lot of weight…I’ve lost 20lbs so just be happy with the current and live in the moment instead of constantly looking at future goals. Before I know it or maybe even realize it, there will be no time for future goals. Well, this went kind of dark.

Anyways, been reading you almost from the start, I found you linked on some old diaryland sites and you’re one of the few bloggers I kept up with all these years later. Also, you have lovely hair!

Amy Mc.
Amy Mc.
6 years ago

Hey there!I have been following you for years and are so happy you are still writing.

Let’s see…I get sucked into Instagram stories daily (Busy Phillips and Oliver Hudson crack me up), use Feedly to keep up with blogs. Can’t stand FB anymore and try to avoid it.

My kids are 14 and 11 and the challenges with them grow every day. It doesn’t ever seem to get easier.

I have worked in marketing for over 20 years. Somedays I enjoy it and others it is just a job. I am on the agency side and wonder if it is time to settle on the more stable client-side at this age.

Deana
Deana
6 years ago

Online, mostly Politico, The Washington Post, CNN, Buzzfeed, NPR, Ravelry and Facebook (some twitter, but mostly only if tweets are linked from somewhere else). Recently gave up my android based “Egg, Inc” game addiction and picked up a new one…”Bubble Cloud”.

I am a longtime reader, yours was one of the first blogs I ever really fell in LOVE with…way back when and along with Stephanie McPhee (Yarn Harlot), the only other one I still read. You have no idea how thrilled I was when you started writing again!!!

I am married going on 25 years, with two children…21 year old son, and 17 year old daughter, finishing up her senior year and heading off to college over the summer.

I work full time outside the home as a financial controller for an automotive manufacturing company in the deep south.

I read mostly free reads on my kindle, and shamefully it is mostly historical romance and young adult fantasy.

How am I? Fine-ish. Feeling old and fat, but I started Weight Watchers for the first time in probably 20 years, so we will see how it goes.

Please keep writing and sharing. Your voice is one I miss when it is silent.

Jennifer
Jennifer
6 years ago

Longtime reader checking in! My kids are 10 and 8, and I first started reading you when you were purple is a fruit. I do healthcare research, and I love it (mostly). The last book I liked was We Were Liars – I was stuck in an airport for HOURS, and that was a great diversion. I am doing OK, thanks for asking. Your writing is wonderful, and I’m glad you have kept your blog going.

Trina
Trina
6 years ago

Hey there! My kids are 13, 10 and 2.5 (nephew in foster care). I am a Facebook & Instagram user mostly (feel free to friend request or follow me, I’m pretty boring). I just started using Snapchat because of the 13 year old daughter. You are the only blog I read these days. I used to be an avid follower of your Aunt, Kirida (Mona), Swistle, Bleeding Espresso and Catherine Newman. You were the first blogger I ever followed starting at Purple is a Fruit and I continue because I love your writing, You kept me sane when my kids were little. I was so glad to know someone else thought their 3 year old sucked as much as I thought mine did. I never open my Feedly anymore. The only reason I know you’re posting is because I’m still on your email list. 🙂
I am a stay at home mom who is planning on going back to work part time next school year unless something crazy happens between now and then.

Elizabeth_K
Elizabeth_K
6 years ago

I comment all the time on your blog because I want you to keep writing. My kids are 9 (10 in 2 weeks), 8 and 6. We just got a puppy and he is adorable and exhausting. I lived in Seattle and defined misery as the most miserable person on the world, and we finally last January sold everything and moved back home to Arlington, Va. and I’m so glad to be home every day feels better than it has for at least four years. I work full time — my husband stayed home for 8 years but found a part time library job when the littlest went to kindergarten and he LOVES it. Just the office gossip, you know? I read mainly romance novels now, and I’m obsessed with Cecilia Grant for her three excellent, excellent romance novels. Thanks for asking; thanks for writing; thanks for sharing your journey. You are incredibly brave.

Jenni Sullivan
Jenni Sullivan
6 years ago

Hey Linda – long time reader..blah, blah, blah. 10.5 year old boy and 6.5 year old boy children, plus a chocolate lab and a husband on hand. Husband has a brain tumor, and it makes life more interesting FER SHURE!

I am an Administration and Operations manager at a large university and it keeps me busy, if not satisfied.

I just finished Lies You Wanted to Hear and really liked it. Obsessed with reading when I can – trying to get into Goodreads, if only to remember what I’ve already read and what others are reading as well.

I do the FB/Instagrams, but also spend time on super informative sites like People.com.

Emily
Emily
6 years ago

Online time these days: on stupid Facebook curated down to a select list of people and sites. A short list of sites via Feedly (yours since oooof 10+ years ago?!?!)
Tell me how old your kids are: there are no kids only dog but she’s my world.
Tell me what job you’re doing now and whether you enjoy it: as all people do in Seattle I work in software. Love my job, the team who work for me, and the people in the Seattle office. The company is a mess but oh well.
Tell me about the last book you could not put down: picked up “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Ashwood here at the rental house I’m currently vacationing at. Liked it.
Tell me, are you doing okay? Summer 2016 had a major depressive episode, summer 2017 was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Now starting 2018 by getting my damn self HEALTHY. Currently on vacation in the USVI so I’m definitely ok right now.
Thank you for still writing Linda. It makes me happy to still hear your voice. ❤️

Missy
Missy
6 years ago

Hi Linda. I’ve been reading your blog since I first discovered blogs 10+ years ago now. I quit my corporate job 3.5 years ago to be a freelance writer. I am blissfully happy with the choice even though I’m a little poorer. I don’t miss a thing about corporate life! My son will be 12 in a couple weeks. We’re renovating a little craftsman bungalow which has been a a pain in the ass project but I love our house overall. I read some stuff on Feedly, mostly design blogs. I absolutely adored the book The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells. I love popping in and reading little snippets of your life. You feel like an old friend.

Lisa Ann
Lisa Ann
6 years ago

Greetings from NYC – been reading your blog forever so I guess that makes me ancient as well. Glad you’re back to updating it – I know you’ve been through some tough times and glad you’ve gotten to a good place. I just finished “American Marriage” — absolutely did not want it to end. Now onto “White Houses” – I’m a subway commuter so lots of reading time for me! I work in print publishing, and for the most part, love my job. I fear for the day when I have to find a new one. I’m also trying to catch up on “The Americans” – no zombies but lots of Russian spies.

kate
kate
6 years ago

Long,long time reader and happy to comment so that you know we’re still out here, listening. Answering the questions is sending me into a thought spiral though, so I’m going to skip that part.

Tara
Tara
6 years ago

Hi. My boys are four and 10. I can’t remember all the questions, and it’s really hard to see on this phone! I spend my time on Instagram, Facebook, Feedly, Pinterest. I stay home but I am thinking of doing a small business from home… Not a pyramid scheme. I have only been reading garbage lately. Whatever cheap books book bub thinks I will like.

Amy
Amy
6 years ago

Hey there. I’ve been reading you since before I left my last employer in 2004, before you had kids. I left that job then to start my own business (architecture) and I’ve been doing it ever since and I LOVE it. I never read books any more – between the internet and work and family there is no time. My kids are 12, 15 and 18. My husband is 60, and has spent a lot of time in and out of recovery, so there’s that. I’ve shared some of your posts on the issue with him and he gets it, and is rooting for you like I am.

Leona
Leona
6 years ago

Hi, Online time I look at but never post on facebook/instagram/snapchat – even commenting here is weirding me out a bit! I have 2 kitten furkids, 4 months old and tearing the house and my hands apart! I am a veterinary nurse and love it, dealing with humans is the worst part, but making dogs happier and better the best ever job! Adore reading your posts, and glad you are mostly ok, I’m the same really, I’m on a rollercoaster, but its currently on the flat level.

anne nahm
6 years ago

Omigod, first Helllllloooooo! I had to scroll down while halfway through your post to say this. OK, going back up now to read the rest.

ETA: Where I’ve been: I feel like I’ve gotten the tech equivalent to food poisoning lately, especially twitter. Just like this tired, flinchy reaction about not wanting to ‘go there’ if that makes sense. I don’t want to read one more shitty thing that’s going on, and I don’t want to be reminded that I’m putting my head in the sand.

As a result, I’m watching more series TV lately, and listening to more podcasts.

But having said that, I am always glad to see you on the internet, and wish I saw you more!

sooboo
sooboo
6 years ago

Mostly I’m on Instagram, Twitter, Previously TV (formerly TWoP) and various news sites. Still no kids, just cats and a husband. I earn my living as an artist which is fun and sometimes frustrating, but mostly awesome. The art making part is the best part and the business part is fun when it works out. Sadly, I don’t read that much besides The New Yorker but I do listen to a lot of podcasts and audiobooks. Currently listening to I’ll Be Gone In The Dark by Michelle Mcnamara. If you’re into true crime, it’s good. I’m doing well for the most part. Things could always be better but ultimately I have lots to be grateful for. I’ve been reading your blog since before you had children and I’m so glad that you are still writing here. It’s a real pleasure to read your posts.

Pictou
Pictou
6 years ago

Here in Eastern Virginia, I’m retired, a potter and planning a wedding for my 40 year old daughter.

I mostly read twitter and instagram and trying had to divorce myself from Facebook.

I’ve just finished reading Fire and Fury and it was such dreck! I’m now re-reading Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth to get the nasty taste out of my mouth.

Olivia
Olivia
6 years ago

I have been reading your blog for about nine years, I think. I comment less these days because of limited time, and feeling like it’s just noise in the wind most of the time. I hang out on FB, and three or four blogs I started reading years ago that are still going and haven’t gotten completely boring (yours is one of them), and I still play lots of Candy Crush.

Kids are almost nine and six. Recently divorced, working as a paraprofessional with SSN high school students (loving it). I have been reading the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I think I’m okay, mostly.

Gigi
6 years ago

Hi! I miss the comments in blog posts. I have found a few blogs that actually get comments and wonder how they do that.

Online I’m usually either reading blogs (and occasionally commenting), on twitter or floating around on Houzz/GardenWeb.

My son will be 24 in October – how?!

I’m the Dept. Administrator for the Legal Dept. of a large company – but I miss the good old days before we were bought; granted back then I wished for something different – now I know…the grass is always greener.

The last two books that I’ve read that were so good I couldn’t put them down: Jodi Picoult’s The Storyteller and Nick Cutter’s Little Heaven.

Am I ok? I could be better but basically, yes. I am ok.

Whitney
Whitney
6 years ago

Hi Linda,
Before I answer, I want to thank you for your blog. I enjoy everything you write.
Now, your questions:
Instagram, Feedly…Netflix.
No kids, three cats, one husband.
Data Manager for a livestock feed company, going on 25 years. Enjoy it, yes, though think occasionally about making a change (not very seriously).
Book – In a Dark, Dark Wood…don’t know what it was, but it scared me, and books don’t easily scare me.
I’m doing good. I’d like to be in better shape, but all-in-all I’m pretty good.
BTW, I’m another reader from Canada….just west of Toronto.

Monique
Monique
6 years ago

Sorry for the weird double post, will you delete my previous unfinished one? I obviously don’t comment much.

Hi Linda! I’m a long time lurker, I’ve been reading your blog since before Riley – I found you on 12% Beer. My on line time is spent on FB and a handful of blogs I’ve been reading for years. I have 3 kids – girl 24, girl 19, and boy 9. I drive a school bus for one of the largest school districts in my state and I clean a church. Neither of these are things I originally went to school for, but I like them well enough and they fit our family needs and schedule. I am struggling with reading lately. I normally love to read, but I just can’t deal with any more conflict right now, even if it’s in a book and I know it’s going to be resolved. Personally I’m doing ok. I’m in therapy because I have three really awesome friends who think I’m wonderful and I decided that since I trust their judgement in everything else, I should trust them in this, and am working on liking me.

Mel
Mel
6 years ago

Long time reader from California. Two boys 13 and 9. Stay at home mom. Love your writing style and blog. Please keep writing!

Libby
Libby
6 years ago

I’ve also been reading since your Diaryland days. Wasn’t going to leave a comment since I have cancer, but saw both Jenni and kate’s comments, so that makes me willing to say hi.

Laura
Laura
6 years ago

I’m a terrible lurker and I don’t think I’ve ever commented here. I’ve been reading your blog since Riley was a baby, I think before Purple is a Fruit, which I also followed. (My kid, now 16, is still a ridiculously picky eater; I’m starting to think that she might not outgrow it!) I also read other blogs that have been around for years and still update at least occasionally: Amalah, Miss Zoot, James Lileks, Dooce, Mimi Smartypants, Woulda Coulda Shoulda. That and crosswords (because I’m apparently 80 years old) is pretty much all I do online. I’m not on Facebook.

I’m a hardware engineer and I generally like it. I’ve been at the same company for 10 years now. I read a lot of books–I think the one that I recently enjoyed the most is Young Jane Young (Gabrielle Zevin). Honorable mentions to The Stars Are Fire (Anita Shreve) and Genuine Fraud (E. Lockhart), which were both very compelling. I’m doing well.

I enjoy your writing so much–please keep posting!

Stacy
Stacy
6 years ago

I love your blog, I’ve been following it since I was 18 (9 years now). I even scoured to find the blog you had before when you were pregnant. Through my engagement, marriage, divorce, and everything in between I’ve been reading your stuff.

I spend most of my time on facebook or twitter and generally recognize that leaving comments just frustrates me more but I can’t help it sometimes. And eeeeeeevvvery now and then I feel like I do make a good point that will make someone reconsider something.

No kids but getting closer to thinking maybe it is for me. You having kids later than the people I knew was a really good thing to hear because I knew I wasn’t ready for a long time but was afraid of missing that invisible window of “a good time to have kids”.

Currently working for a company I hate but pays ok. Actively looking for a way out but (as I’m sure you know) Bellevue WA isn’t the most friendly area.

I haven’t been reading nearly as much as I used to but if I could recommend one author that I love (she also has an amazing you tube channel called Ask a Mortician) it would be Caitlin Doughty. She is amazing and (despite, or maybe even because of) the morbid subject, she is hilarious and personable even in her writing. I think you would genuinely love her.

I’m doing…alright, struggling with trying to gain weight. (yes, it’s a thing) But I finally started seeing a therapist after years of wanting to and that’s been helping.

I’m so happy anytime I see a notification that you’ve posted. It makes my day better regardless of what type of post it is. I love you humor but also just your insight and experiences. I hope you continue writing for a long, long time.

Melody
6 years ago

I have been reading your blog since Riley was a baby. I am happy you still update and wish all my other blogs still did too. I care about all those strangers and their kids who I will never meet!

I am okay. I am an accountant so I am going through the period at work where I question my career choice because I am so busy right now. I really love my job the rest of the year though and I have a lot of flexibility at my firm.

No kids yet, but this is the year I have decided to become a (single) foster parent. I am freaked out and excited by this. Because as it is, I just spend stupid amounts of time on Twitter getting boiling mad about politics, which is not helpful and I do feel like there is something missing in my life. I keep thinking about how different my life could be a year from now.

Jeannie
Jeannie
6 years ago

Wow. That’s a lot of comments!

For me … I’ve been reading for a while. I think you’re one of the funniest blog writers around and it’s been so nice to have a sense of humour in the parenting trenches. My kids are 12 and 8, and I do communications work for non profit orgs in Vancouver. It’s not thrilling but it is decent work.

Doing ok? Yeah, for the most part. One of the things I love about your blog is your clear addressing of anxiety and self confidence and I have the same issues and I’m … doing mostly ok. Wish I worked less, wish I had the courage to work less. But life is pretty good. :)

Tina
6 years ago

Hey there…I am not sure how often (if ever) I commented in the past…I’ve used a blog reader for so long, its hard to get out of it. And I can’t remember when I started reading…long ago, when you had two but they were little.

Keeping me busy? I hate to admit I waste WAY too much time on FB, on silly games, or reading blogs. But I also homeschool my four boys (14, 12, 8, 7) and teach at our co-school (we go to 1x a week, we hire teachers and at home we work on things assigned by the teachers. So I teach my own kids and then teach several science classes, grade papers & lab reports, give test, etc. And we’re ramping up for a high school next year that’ll I’ll be joining in leadership for, that’ll meet 2x a week, so we’ll be there more often. I love it, I love teaching, discovering its something I’m really actually gifted at, not something I stumbled into because I didn’t know other options. So we’re busy. Add in 4 kids wanting to play soccer, the older to reffing… I’m enjoying a slower March before that all starts up again.

Last book I read that I LOVED– “Castle of Water” by Dane Huckelbridge.

Melissa H
6 years ago

Hi!
Thanks for asking since I never comment. Been reading since you were at purple is a fruit

Kids boy 6 Girl 12 (very close in age to Riley which is how I first connected with your blog and started my own. Feels like there’s a big cohort of 12 year olds who were the infants that started the mommyblog movement. Anyway

Job. I’m a university fundraiser and it’s great but 12 years in I’m actively looking for a switch.

Online: lots of twitter and IG and I still follow about 15 blogs including yours.

Books. I liked Little Fires Everywhere. I started an at work book club the book club with no assigned reading and we just share recommendations. It’s great and has gotten me mostly out of my trash romance novel reading

I’m really good actually. Yes I want a new job but kids are awesome hubby is awesome I recently got back into jogging/running and overall stuff is great. If only my house were cleaner.

Amber
6 years ago

I’m still hanging in there with you! I’ve loved your writing since way back in the olden days. :-)

I’ve got two daughters, and they’re 10 and 12. My oldest’s birthday is February 3, which is close to one of your kiddo’s bdays, right?

I work in marketing for a university, and I’ve done that for the last eight years. I like the job, but I also just had to email HR about the leadership in my department, so it’s not exactly going GREAT these days.

I’m mostly on Instagram, I guess. Also Jezebel. Ehhh…is that it? Could that be all, really? YouTube is a thing I do, I guess. I recently went down this terrible spiral of Poppy videos. Have you experienced Poppy? They’re oddly creepy and compelling.

Books: I recently read “The Stars are Fire” by Anita Shreve. It’s not my usual thing at all, but I really, really loved it. It’s like a coming of age story about a woman who’s well past the age that that normally happens. “Refrigerator Monologues” was SO GOOD. The author of that book, Catherynne Valente, has a book coming out in April soon called “Space Opera” (tagline: In space, everyone can hear you sing) and I AM SO EXCITED.

Overall, I’d give life right now a solid 6 out of 10. :-/ Hopefully things pick up soon. Who knows!

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Jo in Kansas, mom of 6.5 yo boy, wife to recovering alcoholic. Mostly on FB, IG, Twitter (I miss you in there. I know you went private and I understand, but you tweets cracked me up like no other.) I recently moved back to my hometown area and am starting to regret that decision. So many Confederate Flags. SAHM until recently and went back to work in our county extension office and starting to regret that as well because I miss my kid something fierce. Currently reading Sloane Crosley’s “How Did You Get This Number”. I get very excited when I see you’ve posted! I adore your writing. Please keep it up!

Super Sarah
6 years ago

I’m still here! Still reading! Its been about 11 years, maybe more. I stopped blogging a long time ago but can’t bear to take my blog down even though my eldest is off to highschool next year and is googleable! I get my social media fix on instagram mainly although I post less than I used to. I can’t believe its been 12 years since I left my career in finance behind in London! Now I work for a local council and love the change in pace and the creative pursuits. I have been listening to audiobooks on my commute and loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, I really didn’t want it to end! xx

Monica
Monica
6 years ago

I’ve been reading you for a long time. Somewhere between kid 1 and 2. I still enjoy keeping up with a few blogs here and there, Facebook and IG (I follow you.) My daughter just turned 11 last month and we are busy with her virtual schooling and dance schedule. I haven’t had a chance to read a book in awhile (need to change that) but getting ready for a spring break trip to Colorado with friends. We live in FL and are headed for the cold, is that a reverse spring break? I am mostly doing well but deal with a lot of anxiety that has affected my daily life. I do the best I can do.

Lisa
6 years ago

Tell me where you’re spending your online time these days:
I surf Facebook and I hate it, Twitter to stay informed but oy what a dumpster fire it is out there, Instagram because I love photography and tumblr where I write and follow several others that post original personal narrative, blog style. I’ve been reading blogs since 1999 and yours was one of the firsts I found, way back in the day. I always enjoy your posts and appreciate your honesty and authenticity.

Tell me how old your kids are:
I am child free by choice, but have two beloved cats, ages 13 and 11, and a husband, age 44. We’ve been together 16 years, married for 11.

Tell me what job you’re doing now and whether you enjoy it:
I’m a project manager for a Fortune 500 company. Most of the work I do has to do with corporate philanthropy, so I’m happy my efforts go toward that. I have an MFA in photography and begun my career working for non-profits, so it was hard to go to work for The Man, but I enjoy not being broke all the time, being able to pay my bills, have a little fun and save for retirement so I don’t have to work until I die. I have very pragmatic goals in this stage of my life. I will be 43 in April.

Tell me about the last book you could not put down:
Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson. I’ve loved every one of Isaacson’s biographies and this one was no exception. It was fascinating, inspiring and illuminating.

Tell me, are you doing okay?
For the most part. I am lucky to have my husband, and all four of our parents are well and live close. My husband and I have good jobs and a good life. We are weathering middle age as best we can. Aging is hard at times and it seems like the older you get, the more frantic the search for meaning gets.

Michelle
Michelle
6 years ago

I’m all over the place online these days but mostly still FB and Instagram. My kiddos as 10 and 13. I am working for two Montessori preschools as the Office Manager, I sub at my little guy’s public school, I tutor, and I’m a photographer. I love it all! I haven’t read anything for a month. My brother died suddenly and unexpectedly on 2/4 and my brain is still behaving like a cracked out squirrel monkey with rapid cycling bipolar disorder. I am mostly ok. Keeping busy, spending oodles of time with loved ones, and running a 5k this weekend.

Holley
Holley
6 years ago

I love your blog! I love your writing!

Kelly
Kelly
6 years ago

Never actually commented on a blog before :)
But I love reading yours on Feedly….spend the rest of my time on Instagram.
I live in Denver, have a 3 and 5 year old, sell real estate, and am just starting to realize I need to find some interests of my own again after being buried in tiny-person-land. Don’t even know what that looks like but need to do something different and for myself.

KateB
KateB
6 years ago

Love reading your blog. So good to hear from you more often lately.

I am leading your parenting life a half year ahead of you. Boys who are 12 (13 on Sunday!) and 10 1/2. Love them. They annoy me. So proud. So tired. It’s a good life.

I direct a Preschool and I LOVE it!

Obsessive about Twitter for the last year and a half (wonder why) plus Instagram and Facebook and Feedly.

The Hate U Give was my best book of last year.

Laura
Laura
6 years ago

So happy to read your posts again. Long time reader from MN. Most check Instagram and Facebook but I check for a new post from you almost daily.

Three kids. Two boys 10 and 7 and a 4 year old girl.

I’m a teacher. 1st grade. Wish that I loved it more, but most days it’s exhausting and I’m frustrated and worn down.

Keep writing, your honesty is refreshing.

Amy
Amy
6 years ago

Hiya! Still reading, also on Feedly, and yeah, also rarely comment anymore. I’m a longtime reader, too. Let’s see: I live in a little rural town south of Olympia, WA, I have a 4.5-year old (kill me now) and an 18-month old, I own my own skincare business, work in state government, and also raise cattle with my hubby on our little farm. I hang out on FB and Instagram, listen to a lot of podcasts, and haven’t finished a book probably since I was pregnant with my preschooler (wait, do children’s books count?). I feel mostly good, although massively tired. Our preschooler somehow started sleeping in our bed in September and we haven’t been able to get him out and keep him out yet. I think I got hit in the face three different times last night. I also learned that we only remember our dreams when our sleep cycles are disturbed…and I am having a lot of wacky ass dreams.

Betsy
Betsy
6 years ago

I’ve been reading your work since Riley was a baby. You used to write for a mom blog….I forget the name of it. Ugh, now it’s going to bug me.

I spend time on FB, Instagram and Pinterest. I hate that I spend time on FB.

I work in corporate finance for a large company. Right now I’m overwhelmed with work, and my stomach hurts all the time (hurts like anxiety, not a disease, as I clarified for a coworker today).

I really loved The Alice Network and could not put it down.

I’m mostly ok. Need to get the anxiety back under control, but that will come.

Jenny J
Jenny J
6 years ago

Hi Linda! I’m so glad you are still blogging. You and Swistle are like the only ones left. I so appreciate you both. My kids are 5 and 9 now. I can’t believe Riley is 12! I mean, I can, but it seems weird that you have been my imaginary internet friend for over 12 years. I’m moistly good as well, but the state of things in the world REALLY gets me down. I FINALLY decided I’d had enough of sitting in 4 hrs of traffic a day and got out of IT. I’m still a PM, but at a real estate company. I try to stay off Facebook, love Instagram and my trickle-y Feedly. If you have not yet, read All the Light You Cannot See. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read.