I just thought to look to see when I began blogging and realized that May 08th was my four year birthday.

In the last four years...
*I've written a lot of dumb posts.
*Admitted to watching a lot of crap TV.
*Talked a lot about Lilly Pulitzer.
*Shown way too many photos of shoes I've purchased (and probably didn't really need).
*Seen every last friend get married.
*Seen most of my friends have babies.
*Seen many of my friends have second babies.
*Volunteered.  A lot.
*Complained about it.  A lot.
*Come full circle and fallen back in love with both volunteer gigs.
*Taken on too much.
*Admitted as much and did nothing more about it.
*Talked about politics.
*Deleted all posts about politics due to comments.
*Blogged several times about my dislike of blogs making me type a word verification while holding my breath and standing on my head and reciting the Gettysburg Address backwards and doing high kicks.
*Typed in the word verifications anyway.
*Traveled to weddings.  A lot.
*Found myself completely out of weddings in which I will be bridesmaiding because all of my girls are hitched.
*Sewn.  A lot.
*Sworn to close my business and work a regular 9-5.
*Not followed through on closing my business and working a regular 9-5.
*But continue to swear it's around the next corner.
*Cooked.  A lot.
*But not as much as I should.
*Gone gluten free.
*And dairy free.
*But then went dairy full a few weeks later when I realized I could not part with good cheese and yogurt.
*Become a lover of almond milk.
*Went gluten full in March the day before my fashion show.
*Regretted it and have re-committed to be gluten free.
*Except for two crust pies.  Because pie is sacred at the casa de crocodile.
*Blogged step-by-step with photos how to make your own pie crust.
*Likely convinced no one to make their own pie crust.
*Gained a LOT of weight.
*Lost a little of that weight.  But really very little.
*Seen my fur baby show signs of aging.  And cried in fear.
*Seen myself show signs of aging.  And cried in fear.
*Not yet spotted any gray hairs.  And rejoiced for a small victory. Even though I color my hair and honestly don't care.
*Gone from not ever wanting children to being consumed by wanting children.
*Shared a few of my less than happy childhood experiences (Monster Mondays).
*Thanked God for the courage to share as I have seen it help others.  Shock of all shocks.
*Given up some dreams. 
*Questioned why.  A lot.
*Made new friends.
*And thanks to giving in and joining Facebook, I've managed to keep most of the old friends too.
*Made in real life friends from my blog.
*Made if we are ever in the same state we will surely be in real life friends from my blog.
*Gone from not telling a soul I was blogging. To telling Bestie.  To finding out lot of friends were reading it.  To not caring and just telling anyone about it.
*Have not found a church home that feels right.
*But have not done a great job at searching and giving second chances either.
*Have had regrets.
*Have had small but lovely successes.
*Have floundered.
*Have learned new skills.
*Have found a lot of clarity.
*Have felt old.
*And sometimes young.
*Until I talk to my kids and realize I am not young.


I have no idea what the next 12 days will bring, let alone the next 12 months.  But I hope to find more clarity.  More peace.  More motivation to blog.  And more laughter.

Thanks for being such a big part of my life, girls (and a few guys too)!  You're the best friends I've never met.  A constant source of laughter and encouragement and love and creativity and fashion and fun!