Derfs Unite!

I'm Alison. I'm a single mum with 2 girls (Leah, 13 and Rachel, 10). I love books, hockey and wine, and I blog sporadically at Party of 3. I live in a small village just outside Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and work for the Federal Government. I try to stay sane. Most days, I succeed....usually thanks to the wine.

Hi, I'm Patience. I write at Fatuous Observations. Patience Crabstick isn't my real name, it's a character in an Anthony Trollope novel. I love to recommend good books. I also write about life in my chaotic family with four children, two dogs, an unpredictable husband and our falling-down old house in Virginia, and whatever else catches my fancy.

Leslie W: Youngest of 5, mother of 1, married 32 years to the same guy. I live in Central VA and work in Human Resources and medical billing. I look forward to retirement. My motto is I have too many hobbies to work. My blog (mostly ignored though it is) is In Short...

Stephanie Spencer aka Bad Mom: I blog about parenting & teaching teens, about being a woman & wife, rabid vacationer, reader & writer. I have a pretty healthy fantasy life with an ever-growing potential 2nd husband list. If you follow me on Twitter (thebadmom) or Facebook, you’ll get post updates plus more phone photography of food, cocktails, trees, and manicures than you ever wanted.

Keen, but tired, mother of three, currently expending lots of passion for marathon running (4 and counting) and knitting (but not while I am running). I started blogging 2 years ago but have been less than diligent in the past 6 months mostly because other blogs are better. I currently work at the University of Calgary in the Education Library, where my tech skills are developing quickly, as I discover ways and means of incorporating technology into the classroom. And I adore libraries, not only as a cornerstone of democracy, but also as a cool place to hang out. Oh. And I am Canadian. Which makes me not qualified to comment on things American. But I am passionately interested in your world.

Becky F. Aka Becky in Upstate NY. I'm a mother, BFF to many, nurse, wife and all around decent human being. I have a very neglected blog. Someday I will get around to updating it. For now, I'm just living the best way I know how, loving the people in my life!!

I'm 47, the mother of two girls, a Texas-to-New York transplant, and a writer by nature and training. Struggling to learn to live in my head, in my body and in this world, all at the same time. It's not as easy as you'd think. You can read more of me at So The Thing Is.

Deb Finch's interests include homeschooling, education reform: my way!, college teaching, gardening, reading, knitting. No blog yet, but I do think about it.

Jenn at Juggling Life started blogging as a minivan-driving, married mother of four busy juggling life; She currently is a Prius-driving, adult-educator, sharing her empty-nest with a traveling husband, but is still busy juggling life. She blogs about what she thinks and since she's always thinking . . . Her posts about her daughter's anorexia may be the reason blogging found her and vice versa.

Jennie Lorette-Keatts is the owner of JLK Jewelry. Jennie turns mud into gemstones and stunning jewelry. She lives in Seagrove, NC. You can read more about her on her blog and Facebook Page, which she would love if you LIKED. Sisters have to help sisters succeed, right?

Gary Rith Pottery and blog. "Trying not to be the pesty little brother, but I sincerely enjoy hanging around the group with its great support and friendship. I am a full-time artist in Ithaca, NY, part-time house husband and pet pamperer too. My little beagle Penny is amazingly sweet and we have been trained by Cornell Companions through the vet school to be a therapy dog, and we visit senior citizens and soon will train for hospice care as well."

Green Girl in Wisconsin, Melissa Westemeier, is a writer, environmentalist, mother of 3 boys, former high school English teacher, 2^nd degree black belt and enthusiastic gardener. You won’t find gorgeous photography, inspired craft projects or weight loss tips on her blog. However, you WILL find she’s good for a few laughs and straightforward Midwestern hospitality—preferably outside, barefoot and over a pint of dark beer. She’s also co-founder of Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet.

Lisse is a writer and instructional designer living with her husband and two sons north of Boston. She is a political junkie, but her two main blog projects are centered around storytelling. @ Home in the Worldis her personal blog, and she welcomes submissions to Artifactual, a collection of stories about the stuff we save along the way.

Brenda is Mrs. G's good, trusted friend, a wife, a (former unschooling) mom and a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Washington. She runs her own practice, Eastside Clinical Massage. You can also find Brenda on Facebook. She's derf friendly!

Christal is Wife, Mom, Teacher . . . Current president of my local teachers union - aka union thug. Ardent Advocate for Public Ed, Liberal, Feminist. You can find her on Twitter at christal_watts or her blogs: Five Feet of Feisty and Persephone's Mother .

Kim Proctor-Day is a writer, designer, graphic artist, Mom extraordinaire, attempting parenting for 30+ years. Passionately advocating for equal rights, human rights, adoption, suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Current projects include extensive self discovery, dreaming of sun splashed warm beaches and writing of the great American novel "Journey to Aloha." You can read more of Kim at If It Wasn't This.

~Patricia is an empty nesting single mother of two wildly talented adults. Math specialist (I still get a sick thrill when I see those two words next to my name) for grades 1-5 in a small, rural elementary school in upstate (as far upstate as you can get without falling into Lake Ontario) New York. Fierce and dedicated friend. Loving and supportive extended family member. Irresponsible and easily distracted blogger. Beginning an add on certificate for special education (teaching students with disabilities) on January 26. My one little word for 2013 is hope. You can read more of Patricia at Good Day Sunshine.

I am Linda, or Lala, chief cook and bottle washer at Lalaland. I'm a Boomer-age ex-pat California Girl, in a constant state of adapting to life in the upper Midwestern Plains. I am married to Downtown Dad, and together we have three kids in various stages of leaving the nest. Feel free to drop in occasionally as I try to find the moral of the stories, the funny within the tragic, and the ironic within the weird.

I'm Derf Kate in Michigan, and I'm neglecting my blog because I'm in ...dunndunndunn... Massage Therapy School! Yes, you SHOULD want to be my neighbor. When I'm not studying and practicing on my incredibly lucky friends, I'm a flutist and teacher, a mom of two somewhat civilized children, a wife to a schmartypantz PhD, and the lap for a basset mix dog named Teddy. So, c'mon over and harass me until I write more entries! You can read more of Kate at Some Of This May Be True.

Laura Healy aka The Other Laura lives and scribbles on tiny scraps of paper in San Antonio, Texas. She is a poet, a wife and a mom. She has a blog, One of Three.

Janet is a photographer, owned by a shiba inu, lives in MA, cancer survivor. What else would you like to know?

Becca occasionally writes at Don't Get Me Started, but mainly spends her online time leaving snarky comments on others’ blogs. She loves dogs and cats equally, and lusts after Tom Selleck.

Jessica is a Derf loyalist and an almost-social worker. She's a proud single mommy of an adorable three year old (at least she thinks so). She also does tarot readings on the side. Her house in the Women's Colony would have a library with one of those cool slide-y ladders. On her blog she writes about what it's like to be a 65 year old trapped in a 26 year old's body (right, don't you feel sorry for me?). You can read more of Jessica at I Was Born Old.

Deb (occasionally delurking as DATdeborah): I'm a native Jersey girl--by accident of birth--transformed early on into a true blue Rocky Mountain girl. Colorado is part of my soul. Somewhat of a loner and a bit shy, I am most comfortable in the company of animals, especially dogs. My “blog” is really more of an online warehouse for my favorite journals and pictures. Visit me any time at Peaks and Valleys.

Jenny in NC had a blog for a short time but it was just another thing to feel guilty about not doing, so she gave it up in favor of reading other, better blogs. Jenny grew up in Utah, lived in Washington State and now North Carolina. She graduated from BYU. Mom to 2, daycare mom to 5, and happily married for a long time. She tries to keep her life simple and manageable so she has time to read. Almost an empty-nester, so Jenny is anticipating some downsizing and adventures in the near future.

Kristin H: I have no blog but I do have two kids, a husband and a crazy Boston Terrier named Lily. I am part owner of a laboratory in Indiana where we do something most people have never heard of (analyze engine oil). When I'm not at work or homeschooling my kids, I like to run and bake and read.

~Becky of Needles of Iron keeps way busy with five adult kids, sundry significant other, and five grandgirls. She and the spouse are counting down til retirement, but in the meantime, working away. She spends her spare time spinning knitting sewing quilting (most every day), blogging (sometimes), gardening (weather permitting), traveling the country and seeing the sights, and mostly…enjoying life.

Bethany / SaneMoms: Scattered homeschooling mom of 2 boys who knows guilt intimately, just left 9 years of her heart in Brooklyn, and is loving (mostly) living in the wilds of Pennsylvania. Loves people, a full house, reading, experimenting in the kitchen, and is just learning the cello. Web designs when she has to. Dreams often of tree and cob houses, plans afoot to buy land and build some.

Hi, I lurk at The Manor as Salty Mama. I'm 36 and live in central Texas. I am a RN by trade but a SAHM to my three kiddos by choice. And a self proclaimed slacker with no blog. My husband has been my partnerin crime for 16 years.

~Formerly Only a Movie writes about mental illness and her dog saving the day.

Alikat Corner

Karen is a long-time Derf who lives in WA with her retired husband and 4 sons (one now married and on his own), takes way too many pictures, and blogs at Spokalulu.

Cha Cha is an editor by day, loyal Derf by night. She shacks up with her husband and 4 dogs in an old house that they try to pretend is quaint instead of falling down. She likes to read, to tell random tales of growing up in a small town, and to make people laugh (either at her or with her). Cha Cha is the proprietress of noodleroux.com.

Ilyana at yanamama writes occasional and completely random essays on whatever I feel like, plus some weird stories and maybe a little political commentary. It's my house, my rules, but I love guests and I'll feed your brain if I can't feed you for real.

I constantly lurk at the Manor and occasionally contribute as teacakes; I'm 37, single, work full-time and am trying like mad to save up enough for the last 5 credits of online college I need to get my undergrad degree. I had an active blog on Myspace (blush) years ago and now have one here but haven't blogged much lately. I'm a *very* amateur cellphone photographer, kayaker, slow jogger with asthma and avid book nut, and found Mrs. G through a coworker of mine who is a long-time friend of hers. I love the evolving nature of the Manor and the still-intimate community that has been fostered here.

Navhelowife blogs at Outnumbered part 2.I'm the wife of a retired Navy guy, I am the mom to three boys and two male dogs. I work part time for pay, but I also do things like knit, draw (a little bit), read ( a ton) and churchy things - Children Ministry, Bible studies, and a little bit of many other things. I also love love love old movies, Dr. Who, and tea. I have sometimes been accused of acting like an ADHD Squirrel.

Deborah J would like you to know she's sorry she doesn't have a blog. She feels bad that you're always inviting her in for coffee or marguerita's and she can't return the hospitality. Not so bad that she'll start a blog though because procrastination always wins, and frankly she doesn't want you to see the dust on top of her refrigerator. She'd like you to know that she lives in a house full of eclectic geeks where Shakespeare and Dr Who are both considered relevant sources of quotes, and life instruction. Deborah is a Girl Guide Leader with a group of 10 -13 year old girls. She is often found tramping in the Australian bush, usually begging the girls to slow down. Girls she understands, with 2 grown daughters of her own she is a veteran of the Barbie aisle. Boys?...not so much. Her husband of 30 years calls her scrapbooking... middle age women playing with paper. So?...but that's ok because he also says, happy wife happy life. She's glad he understands that. Next to her computer are a Charlie Brown bobble head, an plastic Einstein bust and a toy Captain America.She's not sure why she shared that, apart from the fact that it probably explains a lot, and she'd like to know where her wind up zombie went.

Molly Murphy Adamscreates art in the tradition of her Oglala, Lakota tribe descendents. You see some of her gorgeous beaded jewelry at her Etsy Shop, Native Couture. She is an artist and art appraiser in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Originally from Montana, Molly now makes her home with her blended family in tornado alley and is learning to survive June bugs, humidity, teens, and to cook chicken fried steak. She occasionally updates her art website and features her smaller work on her Esty page. She is passionate about needlework, advocating for kids with autism and aspergers, gardening, and trying to find a way to cook with cream without putting on weight.

Claudia from Idiot’s Kitchen started blogging about cooking two years ago after repeated requests from friends to teach them to cook something other than fish sticks and grilled cheese. At Idiot’s Kitchen, where the motto is “you shouldn’t feel like an idiot in your own kitchen,” each recipe comes with photos and step by step instructions. In her other (real) life, Claudia is a professional musician playing flute in orchestras from Minnesota to Florida. Which, if you look at a map, makes absolutely no sense. She lives in Tampa with her husband and the three wonder cats.

I am the Girl Next Door aka Mary Ellen. I am a ridiculously happy mother of twins, girlfriend to the Captain, daughter, sister, Aunt, cousin etc. A lawyer by trade to pay the bills, I much prefer sailing and being on the beach. I blog occasionally at Next Door 2 ....Paradise, formerly known as Next Door 2 My Ex. So happy to have left Next Door and moved to the warmth of Paradise to be with the Captain!

Liz has a poor, neglected blog at Liz'a Muzings.

Hi fellow Derfs. I'm a shrink in Texas who uses my blog, Shrink on the Couch, to give myself much needed time on the couch. I'm a woman, a wife, a mother, an east coaster in exile, a liberal, and a slightly obsessive collector of clutter.  I love to watch movies, play scrabble, read Jane Austen, take long walks, cook cajun gumbo and bake sugary goodies for my family.  I am also occasionally kind to small animals. 

I'm Lisa Paul. After a career in television news, then in advertising, I realized the only logical step in my downward spiral of least-admired professions was prostitution. So I became a farmer raising grapes, olives and terriers. I'm much happier now. Well, it didn't exactly happen that way, but then most things on my blog, Leftcoast Cowboy, are somewhat embellished for dramatic effect. Between the tales of winemaking, wild animals and canning misadventures, I write about anything else that strikes my fancy. This picture is me, but it is a portrait of the artist as a young girl. I still haven't quite figured out my camera.

My name is Liz and I live in the Land Down Under. My life has been a never ending series of starts, stops, starts again and so on. I'm starting a blog about just that thing at My Messy Office. I'm the only woman in Australia that is a Forensic Polygraph Examiner and have come to realise over the course of my career every single person in the world is a lier…but it's Ok, I haven't lost total faith in humanity yet. I still have faith in my dogs! I have come to love being in my 40's as it has given me the freedom to let so much go that used to clog my brain, but I'll save that for the blog as well. 

 ~Hi, I'm Tiffany W. I have no blog and while I'm an avid blog reader, I am a terrible commenter. Married and mother to one awesome girl, I currently commute between Raleigh and Charlotte, NC as we wrap up our 12 year adventure in Raleigh in order to transition to a new set of opportunities in Charlotte. These adventures will be sure to include adjusting to our now empty nest, high rise communal living, and in general figuring out what we want to do with ourselves when we grow up. Until then, I use my time on the train to read, day-dream and play endless amounts of Sudoku. Sorry, no picture as I am terribly technologically challenged, particularly when it comes to dealing with my photo library.

I’m Heidi, aka Smalltown Me. A crazy cat lady and avid reader, I blog about the tidbits of my life in a small town. This may include many stories about my darling Homer and the other members of my family, along with photos, recipes and whatever else strikes my fancy.

Sandra is a stay-at-home mom to twin toddlers who refuse to potty train. She is also a liberal, vegan, baker and artist-by-education, who married her college sweetheart and has metal braces, despite being in her 30s. She wishes she were a runner, but has been wearing her fat pants since her daughters were born. She's been writing a cookbook, for what seems like forever; quotes Arrested Development more than is socially acceptable; and relies on the magic and science of anti-anxiety meds to get through life. You can find her blabbering on about her kids, and sharing recipes at Vegan Mother Hubbard.

A bit about me -- I'm a wife, mom, sister, friend and all around crazy lady. I like being creative; in fact I thrive on it. Obsessive perfectionism is my frienemy, so I've always got several projects going at once. Two things that I intend to do this year- blog every day and get my Etsy shop going! I write about a little bit of everything on my blog, but I'm hoping that I can start gearing my writing more towards the creative process and sharing my creativity with the one or two people who stop by to read. Come visit me at Kelley's Casa DeChaos.

Kelly Hargrave Tweeddale keeps a blog called "Running Without Toenails" where she writes about the human condition and anything else that might amuse her. She also has an alter ego of "Invisible Girl" giving every shy girl/woman a voice. These days she sees herself as a poet and most recently she posed as an elite marathon runner finishing five marathons in record time. Here adage to life is not to ask for permission, but rather for forgiveness after the fact. But then again, only if it is absolutely necessary. 

Hi I'm Susan:). I'm a native Floridian currently living in southern CA. After many years of teaching preschool, I became a nanny for my two adorable nieces, and I love watching them grow each day. In my very spare spare time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, sewing, knitting and other crafts, gardening, hanging out at Disneyland and dreaming of the time I will have enough money to travel the world. Also, I'm on the lookout for a Disney/Harry Potter geek husband to share my passions with!

MarthaMc: A Derf, one of the oldest (in years, not in following) ... a loyal blog reader, shy about making comments, not a blog writer. Retired, introvert, somewhat reclusive, procrastinator extra ordinaire who is currently attempting to declutter too many years of stuff. Mother of two fine sons, Grandma to the Amazing 4, MIL to two incredible DILs. Second time on the marriage go-round.Owned by two orange female tabbies, Lucy and Mairsy Doats and recently adopted by a stubborn 7 month old female schnauzer, Annie Okee Doakley. Circumstances mistakenly dropped me where the wind comes sweeping down the plains instead of into a little cottage by the sea where I belong.

~I am a self-exiled Australian entering my third decade in the UK. Still not entirely sure how that happened but CK and I have been living up on our little hilltop for nearly all that time. Somewhat intermittently these days I blog at TrashCan ; it is my not-so-secret-online-diary. I share my life with CK, our two ever-growing "terences", a geriatric old border collie whose life of sleep is occasionally interrupted by bouts of puppiness and napping and My Assistant, my daughter's black terrier who will forever be "The Puppy" despite turning four yesterday.

Susan of the (sadly neglected blog) A Slice of My Life, is Jeep driving, coffee-swilling, mom to two, wife to one and pet owner to waaay too many critters. She enjoys her part-time job teaching preschool and various parent-child classes, writing, gardening (except for the weeding and the slugs), baking and reading. She’s new to the Empty Nest thing and instead of being bereft she is excited to be able to focus on herself a bit more. Susan would also be very excited if you “liked” her Facebook page (just in case she actually starts blogging on a regular basis as planned again!)

Meredith at Whynot Pottery Blog

The woman behind the Minnesota Matron is like most every other working mother: up to her eyeballs in several tasks too many and insufficient time. She has three children – two in high school and a fourth grader – one husband, two dogs, and a middling career at a community college, where she teaches English and Gender Studies. She leans so far left politically that she sometimes tips over and would be a card-carrying feminist if cards were available! You know where she lives.

Hi, I'm Trudy..... I'm married with two grown children, one spoiled grand daughter and a large, furry cat who owns me well and keeps me warm all the cold winter here in Michigan. Don't have a blog but live vicariously through this one. Hugs to all.

A bit about Mainly Alaskan (aka meak): Alaska born and raised, traveled extensively, and finally settled in Maine. Newly wed (9/1/12) and very blessed to have G-Man in my life! He is handsome, hardy, and handy. From a family of wonderfully creative and talented personalities whom also seem to have more than the fair share of mental illnesses. I have a disabled daughter ~ she is a jewel, artistic and insightful ~ we are ever hopeful for positive changes in her diagnosis. My son is in the US Airforce and stationed in Germany (very proud of his service). My step-sons both live in Colorado where they work wicked hard and snowboard in equal measure. I have had some incredibly odd-jobs, including ones involving chicken eggs, fish eggs, and painting eggs. I have two siberian cats. I don't have a blog...yet.

Hey Derfs! I'm susan from the briefly blue state of NC. SAHM of two good kids (one teenage girl who loves to be a challenge and one still-sweet boy who knows I'm always ready to laugh at a new joke), wife to a fine man (who cooks!), and lover of lists, antique/junk/thrift stores, books, red wine, other people's blogs, gardening, and crafty projects (large and small) that I may or may not finish.

Hi, I'm Debbie. My blog Etc., Etc., Etc. is on a long hiatus and one of my goals for 2013 is to get it out of that condition. I'm an expat in Nagasaki, Japan, mother of 2 boys, wife of a Japanese national (why I'm not blogging is beyond me--the stuff that happens around here is definitely blogging fodder!!). I teach, I hula and I try to stay as positive as I can. I also like flamingos, margaritas and The Rock (among other "cake"...and not necessarily in that order).

    Wo 

Hi Derfs, this is Jessie – a different one. I do not have a blog, but love to read them (and have found quite a few that I follow from reading Derfwad Manor). I live in PA about 45 minutes North East of Philadelphia. My husband and I have been married for 11 years (but met when we were in college, so we’ve been together for 21 years). We have 3 girls – a 7 year old in second grade, and twin 5 year olds who thought they would be going to Kindergarten the day after they turned 5. There is also a dog, cat, and goldfish…and a lot of crazy family on both sides. I love being able to come to the Manor, and thank Mrs. G for putting it all together. It was a highlight of mine to be able to meet her, and fellow Derfs this past summer.  

I'm Naomi B. I am a Mid-West transfer to the North East. I am a stay-at-home mom disguised as a Certified Pharmacy Tech. I find that the longer I live, the less I know. I also find that as I get older my love for people is growing and my tolerance for BS is shrinking. I have no blog of my own, but I lurk regularly here and around this community.

I'm Bonnie, a long time Derf and huge fan of Heather and the idea and possible reality of the Woman's Colony. I live in Houston, TX and have two great teenagers and the best husband in the world (he does the laundry! - whoot!). My sorely neglected blog is called Slapstick and I might update it soon. Really...

aphrodite is paranoid about putting her personal info on the innernets.  Thus the pseudonym when commenting and lack o' blog.  She fervently hopes to meet all Derfs in person one day at The Manor. Much love to all!

Kelly is a former communications strategist and shop girl extraordinaire who designs accessories, clothing, and jewelry for gorgeous people of style and substance. She believes in the Oxford Comma, is an ardent feminist, a passionate mama, and she loves you (and Johnny Depp too). You can find her blogging at Belle Curve Design.

I'm Her Imperial Majesty, (outofmytinymind.blogspot.com which I am trying to post on at least once a week again, after an 'I moved to Mexico City' year long hiatus). I'm not actually a princess, although I do call shotgun on the front seat always always.

So right now, I'm a Chilango, transplanted from Merry Old England, who's been rolling along with you lovely Derfs for years and years.

I tweet too, @Fordetta, and generally try to pass on the good stuff, combat the bad stuff and belly laugh as often as possible. While drinking tea. Or beer. Or mezcal. And reading a book at the same time.

If you would like to be listed on the derf blogroll, email Mrs. G. @ mrs.ggggggggggggggg at gmail dot com

Please include a short bio, blog link (optional -- no blog necessary to be included) and a photo of yourself (again, optional).