If you are a first-time visitor and have found your way via the 5 Minutes for Mom, The Ultimate Blog Party 2008, welcome to Woolgatherings! My name is Melissa, and here is a basic laundry list of who I am to help you determine if you’d like to stick around or not *but please do!* And because I’m sure you have a gazillion blogs to get through on the party list, I’ll be brief and present just the basic facts:

I’m a 30-year-old Virgo. My birthday is September 22.

I have 3 children who like to believe they run the house. They are 8, 6, and 2 and BIG TIME maggots. We love them anyway.

I met my husband in an online chatroom (not a dating site), and we’ve been married happily for 9 years. We met, got married, bought a house and had a baby in less than a year (and not in that particular order!)

We live in New York. (no, not NYC)

I’m halfway to earning my college degree in both elementary education and nursing, but I work at home as a freelance writer under the name Lis Garrett. edited to add: I am not currently in school pursuing those degrees! Although I write mostly web content, I am branching out into print publication, as well. Lis Garrett is where I document my thoughts on and experiences with writing. My daughter and I are working on a collaborative short story about a mischievous cat (and that’s all I care to divulge).

Although I’m a registered Democrat, I’m fairly middle-of-the-road with my political views. Close-minded people really tick me off, though, so I rarely discuss politics or anything too controversial on this site. My blood pressure is high enough as it is.

I love to watch TV. I have many favorite shows, the extent, of which, is embarrassing. Thank goodness for DVR! There’s LOST and The Office and Heroes and How I Met Your Mother and 30 Rock and . . .

I’ve been know to read, too. When I find a book I enjoy, I’ll even ignore the TV!

I talk about people.

I talk about parenting.

I talk about cool sites and products.

I talk about whatever the heck I feel like, such as gardening, good news, and my son’s challenges (which are a challenge to everyone else, too)

I host cool contests and encourage people to do nice things.

I’m the guest judge for March’s Write-Away Contest, hosted by Scribbit.

By the way, this is what I look like, although I’ve taken to wearing my glasses on a full-time basis. ‘Cause, you know, your body starts to do weird stuff once you turn 30. I just can’t wear contacts anymore. Phooey.

One of my most popular posts is How to Make a Pirate Hat.

One of my most popular pages is Support Entrepreneurs.

Yes, there’s a lot of fun stuff that goes on at Woolgatherings, so be sure to stick around!

*If you would like to visit the homepage, click http://www.MelissaGarrett.wordpress.com . Don’t forget about my other site at http://www.LisGarrett.com . *