Additional Answering.
Mood:  bright
Topic: Motherhood
So, I got some late questions which I now will answer, while we're at it.

Kristie asks: Do you still have postpartum depression?

How much are you working?

Think you'll go back to being a paralegal full time?

How's your novel coming?

What's your novel about?

Think you're going to have any more kids?

If you got pregnant again, under what circumstances would you get an abortion?

And I answer: Working one at a time: I think I am still working through my postpartum psychological issues. It was never really depression anyway, more a sort of mania (just before the roof caved in I was trying to just take on more and more in addition to existing overload). Add to that the fact that hormones play a major role in the psychology of women, and I am both breastfeeding and perimenopausal. Oh, and by the way my mom has lung cancer and I've been dealing with all that. Of course I have issues! I can say with absolute confidence that I'm not COMPLETELY FUCKING MENTAL anymore, though.

As for how much I'm working: Unfortunately I still only have the one client, which is my husband's firm, which has just dropped a huge, huge project analyzing tons of evidence (which means tons of billable hours!) in my lap. I probably do about 20 hours a week if they have enough work for me, which usually they don't. All this means that I suck at earning money and I also suck at keeping house.

Returning to full-time employment? We're going to try to avoid it. As I told Ben, I think it would probably drive me crazy -- shit, it already DID. If we can play this right, I can make enough money freelancing and keep my flexibility. I want to be there for my kids. Sam is taking tae kwon do and he'll be starting kindergarten in the fall. Working full time, I can't take them to lessons or pick them up at 3 p.m.

Novel? I have never tried to write a novel; I am a shitty storyteller. I was trying to write a parenting book, but for now that's shelved in favor of activities that can ACTUALLY EARN ME IMMEDIATE MONEY. I wrote a children's book (who hasn't these days?) and need to make time to doctor it up pretty and try to sell it to someone. Who will probably tell me to bugger off, but what the hell.

I'm absolutely not going to have any more kids; Ben and I are taking EXTREME PRECAUTIONS to ensure no conception. Ben and I are happily married and not dirt poor; we don't like the idea of throwing an unexpected Crumpacker kid in the dust bin, so we are MAKING SURE that abortion will not become an issue. No more accidents.

So that is that. Now, y'all try an Ask Me Anything yourselves! But I bet you won't . . .