But not to my face! 

So, when Noah learned that I had started a blog, he wanted to start one also.  I had been considering asking him to do so anyway as a way to encourage writing, so I went with "his idea" and we created one for him.  However, we couldn't do it here at homeschoolblogger, so we went to blogger.com.  Well, I am impressed with its layout and ease of use, and to keep things simple, I'm moving over there as well.

Here's my new blog address.  Please visit and bookmark accordingly!

http://4grays.blogspot.com/

See you there!

I figured I'd start our relationship off right by passing along a good deal.  If you go to www.restaurant.com  and enter the code EASY at checkout you'll will pay $4 for a $25 gift certificate.  I chose J. Parrino's.  Just read the fine print.   J. Parrino's is valid Thurs-Sun, with a minimum purchase of $35, not including beverages and gratuity.  I can work within those parameters for a $4 date night! 

Here  is an interesting and slightly tongue-in-cheek article by Jonathan Rauch in the  Atlantic titled, "Caring for Your Introvert."   http://tinyurl.com/2lyrny

Here are some quotes that I particularly related to:

"Extroverts are energized by people, and wilt or fade when alone. They often seem bored by themselves, in both senses of the expression. Leave an extrovert alone for two minutes and he will reach for his cell phone. In contrast, after an hour or two of being socially "on," we introverts need to turn off and recharge."

"In our extrovertist society, being outgoing is considered normal and therefore desirable, a mark of happiness, confidence, leadership. Extroverts are seen as bighearted, vibrant, warm, empathic. "People person" is a compliment. Introverts are described with words like "guarded," "loner," "reserved," "taciturn," "self-contained," "private"—narrow, ungenerous words, words that suggest emotional parsimony and smallness of personality."

"The only thing a true introvert dislikes more than talking about himself is repeating himself." Amen!

I'd like to hear your stories.  Are you an introvert who sometimes wishes you weren't?  Do you feel you've been labeled and misunderstood?  Or, are you an extrovert who can now identify and relate better to your introvert friend or spouse?   Let's talk!

First, thanks to diamondsintherough and crazybuzy for my first two comments!  You've encouraged me to keep going.  I really appreciate it!

I am an introvert--completely.  Even starting this blog has made me feel vulnerable in a new way.  Tonight I am suffering from Introvert Exhaustion.  Some people have their batteries charged with socializing, and some have their batteries drained. 

I had to be in large gatherings of people this evening.  It doesn't matter that it was friendly; I had no problems or conflicts.  But all I want to do is crawl into bed.  I am utterly exhausted.  I don't even have the energy to unpack my bags.  

So, why am I sitting here blogging?  I'm wondering that too.  I guess I figured that if I was going to blog, I might as well start!  Or maybe I am looking for the solace of other introverts who can relate.  Or maybe I'm trying to discover what it is about social gatherings that makes me want to go crawl in a dark hole for a long time.  I don't think I have the energy for psychoanalysis tonight.  It could just be as simple as:  I'm an introvert!  It's just the way I'm made, and not a defect in my character. 

Heading to bed now, with my head buried in covers and earplugs in.

Here I am, frozen at the  keyboard during my first blogging experience. Not a good start.  I'm not even going to try to live up to my favorite bloggers, and don't plan on winning awards--how's that for lowering your expectations right off the bat?  I just thought that there are occasionally things I'd like to write.  I don't assume anyone else would like to read them, except maybe my family, but after spending a couple years reading my favorite blogs, I decided it was time to jump in and start my own.  We'll see how it goes.  Jump in!