Date: July 02, 2008 01:01 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
My baby is almost 4 months old now, so at this point last year I was starting to read those books and say those things and get stupid...and this made me smile. Beautiful first chapter. I also love Christmas.
Author's Response: I don't know how I missed this until now, nqllisi, I'm so sorry! I have a friend who is just over the 31-week mark...with triplets!! Pretty soon we're going to be covered in babies! So glad you enjoyed this and thanks for the review!
10 [Report This]Date: January 06, 2008 11:26 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Okay, I'm tired and so this is going to be pretty blunt so send the kids out of the room for a second.
I fu*king hate babyfic. Seriously. No offense to those who write it, and from the amount of it that gets written people must really love it, so no offense to those folks either. It's just not for me.
HOLD ON - this is a positive review. Just stay with me a second.
I was chatting with someone when I started reading this, and I even said to them, "Oh damnit, Allentown is babyfic -- I'm not going to like this." Except Allentown isn't just babyfic -- and I'm glad that I stayed with it because usually I shut my browser the second the pee stick turns pink.
I just burned through all eleven chapters and I'm sitting here now all sniffly because it was just so incredible.
In my opinion the best fics are those that are true to the characters, and true to canon (or fanon - hello, Jonathan), but build on both in a way that adds to our understanding of them. This entire story is so spot on. It takes the JAM storyline in a direction that is interesting and fresh, but also feels familiar. I really have been missing our show lately, and this fic was as satisfying and enjoyable as the actual show, so kudos to you, sweetpea.
I'm glad to see this story was awarded a ribbon. It's well deserved.
And that video made me all schmoopy. :D
Author's Response:
Okay, I love you so much it hurts. When I first started posting this story, I was afraid it was going to be pegged as babyfic - and personally, I have nothing against it at all! If it's done right (See: LoveFool) it's wonderful. But I knew this wasn't about the baby, really. Poor little Natalie was really just a plot device (like Karen, only...smaller) for Pam's storyline. I was worried that she seemed ambivalent about being pregnant in the beginning - I think that would be a real emotion she might have, but I know a lot of readers don't want to think JAMbabies wouldn't make her the happiest camper in the park.
Anyway...thank you so much for reading this and, what? As satisfying as the show? Good grief, that might be the best thing ever! I've been missing J & P and the whole gang so much these days! Stupid greedy studios! The video was my first (obviously!) attempt and I'll admit that I was bawling like a baby while I was finishing it. Couldn't have done that without all your hard work.
Thank you so much, Susanita, for sticking with the story and for this awesome review. :-*
Date: January 06, 2008 06:16 am Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
I really enjoyed this sweetpea. You've painted a lovely story with your words and Jim and Pam - happy with themselves, each other and a little one are my undoing.
You've got all that here and more.
Thanks for sharing this little glimpse of what could be with us.
Author's Response: xoxoxo, thank you so much. The little family really melts my heart, too, and I'm glad you enjoyed this. Here's hoping we get to see some happy NEW moments for real and not just the ones we imagine here in the archive. So glad you enjoyed this.
Date: December 28, 2007 08:08 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
okay, I'm going to sound like a total dork and agree with another reviewer-- I've seen this on here and just immediately assumed Allentown, PA. haha, but I am so glad I actually clicked and read it.
This is amazing. The last chapter was ridiculously great. Like this..
I jogged around to open the car door for her and she held her arms up for me to pull her out. I bent down so she could put her arms around my neck, and when I got her to her feet, I think she actually said, “Oof.”
I don't know, just something so simple yet poignant about this. It's weird the lines that jump out at me in this story (it always is lol) but there's such an easy grace with your writing. I love this story!
Author's Response: You know what? Not dorky at all! I really loved that little image you mentioned of her holding her arms up for him to help her, so thank you so much for mentioning that, katoepotatoe (cute name!). Thank you so much for the compliment! I wish somehow we could see a pic of each writer as they finish a story and get ready to post it. This right here? Is the antithesis of grace. Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
Date: December 16, 2007 08:15 am Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Sorry I'm arriving so late to the party! I've been so busy lately that I haven't had a lot of time to read much of anything.
Also, I'm not really sure how this story has managed to go on for so long without me really noticing! That's my bad for not being very observant.
That being said, I loved this first chapter! ChristmasDork!Pam might just be my new favorite Pams of all the Pams. Seriously, I'm a HUGE Christmas dork myself, but Pam in this chapter puts me to shame! (Even if Johnny Mathis is on the radio right now. That's just a coincidence, I swear!)
You have such a flair for their dialogue and banter! It's just a treat to read. It's as though we're watching a brand new "secret" documentary of their post-show lives.
And I'll add my own voice to the chorus of those who are applauding the copious use of the term "mucous plug." As disgusting as that sounds (Yeah, I'm a guy...what of it?), it nonetheless cracked me up. :)
Oh, one last thing: Pam with little glasses halfway down her nose? Yeah. Might just be the cutest image yet. :)
Author's Response:
Mose! Come on in! Care for a Cosmo? Beer? Scotch and Splenda? You've already got the Johnny Mathis going on and is there anything better than hearing, "It's a marsmallow world in the winter..." No, no there isn't. Just one thing: never, ever use the word "copious" and "mucous" in the same sentence again. :-D Sounds like the dorky, mouth-breathing gladiator...Copious Mucous. Anyway...
Christmas!Dork Pam is a doll, isn't she? I loved writing her and Jim's reactions to her so much. Your comment about this being a secret doc of their future - wow! That's a huge compliment. Writing the banter, it's seriously addictive. I love doing it so much.
I've always thought that either Jim or Pam (or maybe both) is a contact-wearer. Personally, I have a serious desire to see Jim in glasses, but Pam's pretty darned cute in them, too. Appropriately dorky and darling, I'm sure.
What fun this was to read! Thank you so, so much!!
Date: December 08, 2007 12:04 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
I love this story! You have such a comfortable writing style. The reader doesn't have to work at all to enjoy every last word. The structure of the story, as well as your way with words make the flow so easy and beautiful. This is such a comforting, warm story, full of so much life. I love the perspective on Pam and Jim's future together, and all the ups and downs they have to face. Honestly it's the perfect companion to a hot cup of coffee on a cold snowy morning. I feel like I could read this forever. Absolutely wonderful! Keep it coming!
Author's Response: Wow! What a wonderful review, PBeesly Sweater! This story's not exactly fluffy, so it's great to read a review like this. I'm so glad you're enjoying it, and chapter 6 is in the works! Thanks so much for the kind words!
Date: December 03, 2007 08:34 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Ok....hellish, hellish business trip. Oh Sweetpea, I love Christmas, and LOVE a Jam Christmas more than anything! How adorable was the first Christmas gift, and then the baby booties....LOVE. i think my favorite moment was when Jim was talking about not being able to really see the "personality" of a tree because he didn't have her artistic bent nor was he slightly insane. lol. I can't wait to see where this is going!
Author's Response: I'm so sorry I'm late in responding, LoveFool. I really love thinking of these two sharing their first Christmas together. In my twisted mind, Roy probably took some of the fun out of it for Pam by not going along with or indulging her excitement. Jim would just embrace it all, even if he doesn't quite get the tree thing! Thanks so much for the review!
8 [Report This]Date: December 02, 2007 07:39 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
I just loved Pam's excitement over unpacking her ornaments during their first Christmas. And how sweet that on their second Christmas Jim gave her a first christmas together ornament and she gave him little white booties. Such sweet and warm Hallmark moments.
Author's Response: Hee! I'm so glad you liked this, kaystar. That's kind of my own personal thing with ornaments and I thought I'd share that with Pam. Remember her excitement when she opened Jim's teapot? Yeah, Pam likes Christmas ornaments. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Date: December 02, 2007 06:45 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Ok, so if I actually nudged you into posting this, I'm really, really glad. And four freakin' chapters! That's like second drink squared, I guess. Or something.
So let's see what I especially loved in this opening chapter besides Jim's POV, which I always have a special fondness for. Oh yeah, this:
I picked Taller and told her it was because the tree had a jaunty personality, and she agreed, saying it reminded her of me.
Heh. Jim = Tree. Smort. Climbing ensues.
Arrgh! This line made me cry in the OR today!
And no matter how many Christmases we have, I’ll always remember the second one because she gave me something I didn’t even know I was wishing for.
Good thing I'm sitting behind the drapes giving the anesthesia so nobody can see me all weepy. And why are the words so big all of a sudden???
And this?
“I’ll help you find it.”
Had me laughing out loud. Seriously.
The start of another classic for sure. :)
Author's Response:
You totally nudged me and I spent a good portion of yesterday getting these chapters posted. I'd tinker, I'd edit, I'd paste it into the interface and read it and tinker some more, fix the formatting, hit preview, fix, adjust, lather, rinse, repeat. But I'm so glad I finally got them out there so I can start on chapter 5. And I'm glad to see someone else had some formatting problems, too!
I originally had Jim pick "Fuller" and then I thought of the Taller=Jim=tree thing and I KNEW someone would make the connection to CLIMB. God love you for that! I'm sure there were some readers who were totally grossed out by the mucous plug, but it's so damned funny to me. You work in the OR - you've seen it all - so probably nothing can gross you out!
Thank you so much for being such a cheerleader and a faithful reader and such a great reviewer. You rock so hard.
Date: December 02, 2007 12:47 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Ok, I think this was the best chapter of fic I've ever read that used the phrase 'mucous plug' so often. Yes, Pam, some aspects of baby-making are really gross. You'll get used to it.
"I have you and you’re making me a baby." HA! Like she's knitting him a scarf. A really long stripey scarf.
Author's Response: You are too funny, lisahoo! Yeah, Pam better get over the idea of retaining any sense of dignity at all. So true about the scarf and I didn't really think of it like that, but so funny. Hey, is there a Dundie or maybe a coupon for Chili's for mentioning 'mucous plug" most often in a fic?
10 [Report This]Date: December 02, 2007 10:45 am Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
This? Is really, really good. I love hearing about their first Christmas together - it's exactly how I would have pictured it. You also have them down perfectly. Their banter and back and forth - just perfect.
On to chapter 2!
Author's Response: kells, you're too sweet! I was a little afraid of making Pam too wide-eyed and girly with the Christmas stuff, but even a bitter old hag like myself is a sucker for Christmas ornaments. I seriously LOVE writing the banter. It can be tough to get it right, but when it comes together and I think it sounds true to my ear, man, it's such a thrill. Even better when I read a review like this and know that someone else appreciated it. Thank you so much!
Date: December 02, 2007 09:46 am Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
I was about to move on to part two but felt the need to comment on part one first. Simply, I loved this so much. You made me feel so nostalgic (in a happy way). “I guess the baby stays juicier while it’s cooking with the plug, huh?” Loved it. Such a funny image that made me grin. This a perfect slice of Christmas. On to part two.
Author's Response: Hi NanReg! So nice to hear from you again and thanks so much for making this pitstop. I'm so glad you liked the "juicier" bit - that came to me because I was brining a duck while I was working on this chapter...and well, that's probably more than you wanted to know about the weird sources of my inspiration! This story started with Christmas because when I worked the timeline out in my head from the conclusion to the beginning, it just worked out that way, but it was really fun to write Jim and Pam at Christmas. Thank you so much for the review!
Date: December 02, 2007 08:01 am Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
So much to like! 1st person Jim - a bold move, sweetpea ;-) Also, as usual, you write their dynamic so well - love how supportive/humoring of Pam he is and how intrepid about this strange new pregnancy thing. 'Ugh, Jim, pregnancy is disgusting...' ha! great line - I could so hear it. And I loved Jim calling upstairs on his cell and offering to help find the plug and this made me feel all smooshy: 'I have you and you're making me a baby. I have nothing to mope about.' Aww. More, please.
(And on a personal note - the term 'mucous plug' was precisely the one that freaked me out during my 1st pregnancy. Along with 'bloody show.' I remember feeling mislead, like it was supposed to be this beautiful thing, and instead I get non-stop puking and mucous plugs?!? The indignity! ;-)
Author's Response: Colette, you just cracked me right up! I totally fogot about "bloody show" - who thinks these things up? It's always so great to read a review from you. I always pictured Expecting!Jim to be very unfazed by the drama and very accepting of whatever weirdness comes along. I also think he's amazed by the whole thing, and totally thinks Pam is making that baby just for him. First-person Jim is definitely a challenge, but for me, first-person Pam is even moreso. She's so much nicer than I am, she's younger, cuter, cooler, and she has a great boyfriend/husband. I have absolutely no point of reference with her at all! Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful review!
Date: December 02, 2007 07:34 am Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Yay Sweetpea! I am so looking forward to reading many, many chapters of this! You write Jim and Pam so freaking well. Like, this is how I imagine them. Also, I feel the same way Pam does about the mucous plug. Yikes!
And the title makes me think that maybe our fair lovebirds will start a new life in the other Pennsylvania city that is also the title of this story. Hmm, can't wait to see if I am right or wrong about that hunch!
Author's Response: Hey, sudzygirl, it's always so good to hear from you! Poor Pam, right? Her world is getting rocked all over the place. I'm not going to say a word about your hunch. It's killing me, but you can't make me talk! Thank you so, so much for the sweet review!
Date: December 02, 2007 06:33 am Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
This was just really funny, and so true, and just...all around great. I enjoyed every word. I'm so happy right now (and the mucous plug is truly, really gross. Pam should not be thinking about it so early in her pregnancy....TMI).
Author's Response:
Recorderalways, I hated to be the one to let Pam find out about the mucous plug, but..COME ON! "Mucous plug" is comedy gold, Jerry! If Pam thought Dwight and Angela dating was gross...she's in for a bumpy ride, here! I'm so glad this made you happy and thank you so much for the review!
10 [Report This]Date: December 01, 2007 11:15 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Oh man, Sweetpea, you're killing me over here. This is making me teary. Well, admittedly I'm moping at the moment and writing angst, but still. So... perfect.
I love the interaction here, the way they're so comfortable with each other, but not... complacent? They know what they have. Also, in this line:
“A, those are not bad grades, and 2, of course, the baby is responsible. Junior’s already causing trouble.”
I love that Jim says "A" and "2". And the mucous plug: hilarious. And gross.
Author's Response: thirty, the A and 2 thing never fails to crack me up, and I'm so glad you lmentioned that. And isn't "moping" a great word? I was really afraid the mucous plug might be too much and frankly, it gags me just to type the word mucous, but it was too funny to me to leave out. Thanks so much for the review!
Date: December 01, 2007 11:05 pm Title: Chapter 1 - The Beesly Guide to Trimming Your Tree
Ohhh I loved this, Sweetpea!! The banter was perfect, and I can't wait for another installment. Bravo for a lovely take on babyfic! -CH
Author's Response: Oh, CH, I just love meeting like this! Thank you for being my first (TWSS, of course) reviewer. You know, the baby thing just evolved out of nowhere. When I finished this chapter and checked back to my outline, it said, "Jim and Pam have been dating about 8 months." WHOA! How did that happen? Thanks so much for the review!