
Photo from my very first blog post - May 25, 2005
I began this blog on May 25, 2005. Six years of blogging. Crazycakes!
- 2842 posts
- 21,037 comments - every single one appreciated and enjoyed
- 1,029,192 total page views
- And many many small world stories, contacts, blessings shared and friends made.
I began blogging as a way to have my rattlings all in one place. I had previously been sharing stories and thoughts in a message board format, but as some of my favorite sites began to close their doors - those ramblings were lost forever (horrors). And while I used to sit more frequently with a pen and notebook to - I enjoy this format so much better. I love the interaction. I love the small world connection. I could do a blog post on those stories alone - there have been several gems over the years. Perhaps this weekend I'll compile some of my favorites. I have three empty squares on my Memorial Day weekend calendar. (THREE!!!) The possibilities are endless...what should I do?

May 2006 - I was pregnant for Mark in this picture. Ali was teaching at the Scrapbook Zone.
I suddenly have the itch to go short hair again. I shed some huge tears during Ali's class, but I'm sure it wasn't the hormones because I wasn't the only one. Although I might have started it.

May 2007 - Brian.
*sniff* They grow WAY too quickly. I take back what I said this morning about wanting them all out of the house after listening to them bicker their way through breakfast.

May 2008
Brian again. This still seems like yesterday, his femur break. My stomach still knots up when I remember the actual moment, and I still tell the kids to quit jumping because I do NOT want to have to go through that ever again. Ever. Evereverever. He's fine now. The posts that I did during the whole spica cast process are the most searched for keyword on this blog. What was a stress relief for me, has unexpectedly been a resource for others. I didn't expect that, but if my words and sharing can in anyway be a help to anyone...Bonus.
2009 - The Nature Center
When I look through the the last six years of Mays, I can quickly see that we are creatures of habit. Every May I have pictures of us at the Nature Center, and pictures of us at The Henry Ford. I also saw at a quick glance that my peonies are WAY behind this year. They were blooming already in 2008, and this year they are barely out of the ground. We've had a LOT of rain this year, and that's an understatement.
This adventure to the nature center was just before my husband's folks moved to Minnesota. We went there again with grandma on Mother's Day this year. See - it's a May thing.

2010
We also go to the farm a lot in May. Habits and routines - or traditions and familiarity?
One thing I have noticed over the years is that I don't always have the time these days to write like I'd really like to. Like I used to. I often say amongst my friends and family that I struggle to find just one uninterupted period longer than 10 minutes to really think and get my thoughts out like I'd like to. Most of my thinking time comes when I'm in the car - alone - on the way to somewhere further than the grocery store, but it's hard to write and drive at the same time, although I do have a notepad and pen near my seat so I can scribble some thoughts here and there.
I'd like to write more. but for now, I'll (have to) be content to get my incohesive ramblings down here and there. (random: I edit an average of 6x per post after it goes live). This is my scrapbook when I can't get to my adhesive. This is where I try to document. I have searched my blog post archives more than once to help me remember the date on which something happened. I have also, more than once, cut and paste the journaling directly from my blog to my scrapbook page.
Occasionally someone will mention that they feel like they are eavesdropping when they visit or read my blog, and please - that is so not the case. The one difference between this blog and the pen and journal from my younger years is I that I only put here what I want to put out there, what I know is not private. I hold an amazing amount back. As my kids get older, I share less and less about them out of respect for their privacy. Occasionally I slip up and delete quickly, but not too often. I'm very careful and cautious. Probably even overly so.
If it's here - then its not eavesdropping.
Honest.