One year ago today I started this blog.

Wow. I cannot believe this year has flown by so quickly.

I’m not sure about the protocol of celebrating one’s… blogiversary? Blogoversary? Blirthday?

Should I jump out of a cake? Bake one? Buy myself some more bandwidth? I really don’t know… so, I guess I’ll just look back on what has happened in the past 365 days.

Actually, a whole lot has gone on in my life this past year. And now it is documented for posterity.

Of course, there are some things that I didn’t share, either on this blog or my Pinks & Blues Girls blog – a girl has to keep some things private – but for most of the big things that were happening in my life or on my mind, I am glad I had this outlet in which to vent, discuss, cry, scream, yell, wonder and laugh.

This has been a defining year for me. To paraphrase Charles Dickens, it has been the best of times – for instance, the birth of my beautiful nephew, Benjamin; and it has been the worst of times – dealing with the illness of, and the devastating loss of my beloved dog Bismarck.

I also had to confront my fear of the dentist and get my wisdom teeth removed.

I started a business, an online review site for moms called Pinks & Blues, with my mom and sister.

I talked about the horror that was my senior year of high school.

I went to Dog Mountain in Vermont with Steve and Ryder to honor Bismarck’s memory.

I invited you to my house to see my Christmas decorations.

And, of course, we welcomed Seth into our family, first as a foster dog, and then as a permanent addition. He wins you over like that. We love him, Ryder loves him, and we know Bismarck loves him… that’s why he sent Seth to us.

So thank you to all my friends who have been here for me this past year… reading, encouraging, helping, lending an ear. I am grateful to have all of you.

With love,

Jane