This is sort of my blog-i-versary. I don’t really have a set date because well, there were several starts and stops. It took me almost an entire year to figure out what I was going to do with my little corner of the internet and so my early posts are a very strange combination of topics. It wasn’t until I realized that I needed to filter LESS not MORE that things fell into place. I thought I would take this moment to tell you what I learned this first year.

1.) Writing several times a week is a lot harder than it looks. When I tell people I blog I get one of the following reactions; a.) blank stare b.) an “oh really? I should do that” or c.) “does anybody read it?” The truth is, it is hard to do. Oh, it was fun and heady the first couple of months but quickly (sometime around July) it started to get painful. Frankly, I’m not that interesting and writing 3-5 times a week can be a stretch sometimes.

2.) The internet is filled with lovely people. I’ve made some amazing friends this year and met some incredible women. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’ve never met them in person, but I know their stories like I know my own. I’m proud to be a part of the “mommy-blogger” club because we are an impressive band of sisters.

3.) The internet is filled with people that have no sense of humor. I’m sarcastic and I get the fact that sarcasm doesn’t always translate well in the written world but c’mon people – really? I periodically post in some public venues and I’m always amazed at the vitrolic responses I receive on the most basic, humorous posts. It has made me very sympathetic and understanding of bloggers like Dooce. I can only imagine the hate-mail she receives. Eegads people, lighten up.

4.) I would do this even if nobody read it. The most surprising, and yet obvious, thing I’ve discovered is how much I have missed writing. My bachelors degree was in creative writing and I suppose I always assumed I would be a writer some day. My blog has really allowed me to pursue that. It is nice that people read it and even nicer when people comment, but fundamentally I do this for me.

Lastly, I have not finished this year without the amazing support of my parents, my husband and my readers. David has been unabashed in his support and even designed my header graphic. My parents have read every post, and as always, have been my most honest critic. My lovely, lovely readers who have rallied to my support, laughed at my jokes, provided me with wonderful tips and lead me down new paths of discovery — thank you. Thank you all. I hope in 2009 I continue to entertain you.