Hey all,

I apologize for my tardiness in cleaning up the old October challenge threads. The beginning of this month has been pretty crazy for me, and a part of that has to do with some news regarding dido6 that she wanted me to share with everyone.

dido6 of course is one of the Writer's Forum Moderators who, unfortunately, hasn't been able to be online much lately because she was focusing mostly on her pregnancy. Well, the pregnancy went well and on Tuesday, she had a baby boy!

For those of you that have talked with dido6, I thought you might want to know! =)

David L.
Writer's Forum Moderator

Do send our congratulations to dido6!  I suspect she'll be busier than ever now!! 

Thank you for that very good news, David.

Will do! I know she'd be happy to know that you sent on your congratulations! =)

And yeah, I suspect she'll be even busier now as well! I think it's already started lol.

David L.

Here's another piece of good news (not as good as hers but pretty good)...I'm reiring at the end of the year!!!  I'll be looking for part time work in 2007, but I think I'll take January to rest and recover from 20 years of city service.

I'm nervous about the finances but, oh, so happy to be free.

Ooooo congratulations dialyn!! That's good news! =)

I'm sure you'll be fine, and that's definitely not a bad idea to take January off. I'm sure you deserve it! =)

David L.

This is an early retirement, so I won't have the benefits of people working 30 years, but, when I couldn't find Eloise and realized she was gone before I forgot her out in the yard all day, I knew I was letting the wrong things take my focus away. Eloise is back, and I am focusing on things important to me in 2007.

And if you need any help while dido6 is busy with the baby, just yell out.You know we used to make a good team.  :)

Yep, I definitely remember :D

Actually, anything you can think of to help out, I would definitely appreciate it. Even though I'm a moderator here, I'm keenly aware that you're the heart and soul of this forum! =)

And I'm glad that you're going to be focusing on things important to you, and even happier to hear that you found Eloise! I know what it's like to have a pet run away, and it's definitely scary.

David L.

Not the heart and soul...just a helper if you need an assist.  I think you are doing fine as moderator, make no mistake.  I'm looking forward to having some free time to do the things that mean the most to me...spending time with friends and writing are at the top of that lst.  :)

Oh Wow, please send my congrats to dido6. Although I am sure that anything you might say to her now will be forgotten in the daze of sleeplessness.

And to Dialyn - congrats on the big decision. I am sure you'll do well and manage to fill up your 'spare time' successfully. lol.

I'm not going to be quite as busy as dido6 (and she must be very happy to be so occupied), but I have my own "baby" projects in mind.  Not real babies, but things I've been trying to get to that I am too tired or too distracted to focus on.  I'll be looking for part time work in the new year, but I have plenty to occupy my mind and time before I settle on anything.

Worth It
J. M. Strother

Diapers
And feedings
And late morning squalls
Snug sacks
And back packs
To carry it all,
Lots of lost sleep
And pacing the floor
But I'd trade if for nothing -
The love of it all.

My dad always said that he would not pay a dime for another kid, but wouldn't take a million dollars for any of them (he had five). Children certainly are a life changing experience, but worth every minute. Congratulations, Diana.

And congratulations to dialyn too, on your pending retirement. I've still got three more years. I'm not too jealous – grrr.
~jon

This is nice to hear!
Do convey my regards and congratulations to Diana, from one proud and exhausted parent to another. :) My daughter is now 14 months and is great to be with. I agree with Jon; for all the tiredness, I wouldn't trade my baby for any amount of rest!

And I'm happy for you, Dialyn. :) I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself, while the rest of us plod on. Looking forward to hear how your writing goes.

Regards,
hanevi.

I'll let her know hanevi, thanks! Also, I showed her your poem jon, and she thought it was awesome! She wanted me to say thanks to you all! =)

David L.

And for anyone that wants to see, dido6 just posted a picture of the little one in her gallery!
http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1340226