Guys, it's been beyond insane since the last time I wrote. My experiment with Podmatch took off with an unexpected intensity, and before I knew it, I was booked nearly every day with interviews. It took some tweaking of the online scheduling calendar, but I eventually figured out how to find more of a balance. I think.
The result has been that I've increased to publishing 2 episodes a week, and I'm often several weeks ahead in the recording and editing process. I'm proud of my little passion project, Join the Conversation with Denise Clark. I'm finishing up my 4th season, and I'm planning a bit of a publishing break for the summer. I have interviews lined up, but I am not going to release them until August. I figure my audience needs a chance to catch up on content, and I need time to reflect on my next steps.
On a family level, it's been a whirlwind. In April, we closed on a house that Gene & I have loved for years, but the time wasn't right. Quick backstory -- this house was in foreclosure & needed a LOT of work when we decided to buy the house on Loyalsock Ave. While we loved our time in our "old new house," we wanted to grow our side business, Family Traditions RV Rentals, and we were out of space for parking. We started looking at houses in a "I wonder what's out there" kind of way, and guess what! The house we loved was back on the market -- renovated and beautiful! We decided to make an offer, knowing that if it was meant to be, it would happen. And it did!
Gene has been hard at work, moving the fencing and expanding the parking opportunities at this house, and we've purchased another camper to add to our modest fleet. I should probably mention that the house has an indoor pool. Yep, you read that right. And who knew? It's Molly's favorite room in the house. Not that she swims, mind you. No, she's above that --
I am not kidding when I say we can't get in the pool without her wanting to be in one of her boats. What a life, right?
In typical Clark fashion, we moved a few days before Gene & I chaperoned Aidan & E's marching band trip to Boston (and of course, we took Liam along!). We left the house piled high with boxes and spent 4 days with amazing talented kids, exploring all the popular sites of Beantown -- from the Aquarium to Faneuil Hall (where the band performed) to a dinner cruise to opening day at Fenway Park.
Aidan's been through a lot, too. He discovered that not every mentor you have has your best interests at heart, and he learned what it's like to be taken advantage of at work. I was proud of the way he handled the situation -- calmly setting boundaries and speaking up for himself. He walked away from a toxic environment and is visibly happier (thinking the pretty girl on his arm has something to do with that, too!). He took the Defense Language Aptitude Battery and absolutely killed it. His score was phenomenal, and it's exciting to see what doors will open for him as he embarks on his career in the US Air Force -- NEXT year! He still has senior year with us, thank God!
Oh, and somewhere in the midst of all that, I submitted my dissertation to my committee in preparation for my defense June 16. As for the next steps for my career, I'm seeking. I'm listening. I'm waiting. What's meant to be will happen. It always does.
