Good morning everyone!
This week marks the one year anniversary of this blog so today is the first day of the New Blogging Year. From my first post, My Unintended Exercise, through my latest post, A Touch of Spring, it has been an exciting journey, and I just can’t tell you how much I appreciate your taking time out of your day over this past year to share this journey with me.
I will start off this New Blogging Year with a conversation Kayla and I had yesterday. She was sick, and Mark was staying home with her since he also was sick. Once we decided that she needed to stay home, both of us reinforced the idea that if you stayed home sick, you needed to rest and be quiet, not play and watch TV. She willingly went back to bed, and when I was ready to leave I went in to her bedroom to tell her good-bye. She rolled over, gave me a sleepy hug, then said, “Mom, can I ask you a question?” I said, creatively, “Yes.” She then asked “Is food included?” I smothered a laugh, told her yes, food was included in a stay at home day, and then beat a fast track out to the car where I could laugh in safety.
During this past year, we have shared a lot of laughs, traveled together and even learned a few things. You have been kind enough to read some of my poetry, read my posts about the history of the Ugg Cave Clan and listen to some of my whining thoughts on contemporary technology and other things.
Some of the posts that both you and I agree were pretty funny include my thoughts on The Perils of Absent-Mindedness, my one post that was Freshly Pressed, Rules I Never Thought I’d Need, Cheese Grits: The Sequel, Please stop Improving My Life, Part I and Part II, Fibber McGee’s Closet and Drunken Puppies.
Together, we have traveled to many places, including Key West, the Smoky Mountains, Destin Florida, Oak Mountain in Birmingham, Pensacola and Callaway Gardens. We also got to visit two fantastic restaurants, Lambert’s Cafe in Foley, Alabama and Captain Anderson’s in Panama City.
You shared the recently discovered history of the Ugg Clan with me in A Highly Biased History of Washing Machines, A Highly Biased History of Bowling, and A Highly Biased History of Bowling, Part II. Research into the Ugg Clan continues, and I suspect that more of it will be revealed as time goes on.
Kayla, my daughter, has featured prominently in posts – the title of the blog is Tales from the Mom-Side. Some of your favorite Kayla stories include Conversations with my Ten-Year-Old, Inappropriate O’Fences, The Art of Gentle Satire and the Vegetarian Veterinarian Veteran .
I had the chance to talk to you about our three extraordinary dogs, Tyra, Mandy and Darwin, aka Bad Dog and No-No, as well as tell you about our first dog, Shadow.
You and I also got to share some of the sweeter aspects of small town life in The 214th Comes Home and Homecoming Parade.
You have thought along with me in a few reflective posts, such as A Day of Thanks and Books: Adventure of a Thousand Lives, as well as been kind enough to read some of my poetry in the posts A Poem for Memorial Day, A Poem for the Fourth of July, Praise, With Apologies to Samuel Clemens Moore and Christina Rossetti and in a funny remake of a popular Christmas carol, The Twelve Days Pre-Christmas.
A couple of other interesting posts including the history of the Thanksgiving Holiday (not the Pilgrims and Indians, but after that) and a discussion of one of the underappreciated tasks in the modern world: garbage collection – go without it for three weeks, and you will never take it for granted again!
Do I know where I’m going in this next year? Absolutely not, but then that’s at least half of the fun!
Thank you for sharing these posts along with me, and here’s to a wonderful second year!
Have a great day!
Nancy
Tales from the Mom-Side 
Happy Anniversary!
I enjoy your posts and follow/read the blog via RSS feed to Google Reader.
I’m looking forward to more adventures as you share.
Thanks Mark! You and Diane are blessings to us in more ways than you know!
Nancy
Am working my way through 🙂
Take your time; I hope you enjoy what you work through!
Nancy
Congratulations Nancy! You have a wonderful blog and long may it continue. I do hope Kayla and Mark feel better soon and you are able to return their TV privileges 🙂
Oh Bassa, you misunderstand my family rank if you think that I rank high enough to revoke Mark’s TV privileges! I didn’t have to worry about him, anyhow; I knew he would rest. 10 year olds don’t always think about resting without some form of gentle compulsion though. Fortunately, they did both feel better by evening.
Nancy
Congratulations on your one year anniversary! I got a real chuckle about “Is food included?” Like the child ever misses a chance to eat!
Hi Mom!
I haven’t notice her missing any chances to eat, that’s for sure!
Love you!
Nancy
congratulations on one year blogging! I have enjoyed reading them.
Thanks Emily! I’m glad you enjoy them.
Nancy
Congratulations and Blessings on your new year writings
Thank you!
Nancy
Congrats! 😀
Thank you!
Nancy
Congratulations!! Your little Kayla sounds hilarious. She is going to keep you on your toes and make sure you stay young and agile for decades to come, I’m guessing. Love your blog and glad we connected. Parabems!
Yes, Kayla can be very funny, both intentionally and unintentionally. The one comment every teacher/instructor/day care worker who has had interactions with her over the past two years has said to me is “She’s so funny!” Just wait until you get to start compiling stories of your own! I can’t wait to hear them. I’m glad we connected, too. I am fascinated to learn about Sao Paolo and life there as an expat!
Nancy
Happy One Year Anniversary of your blog! I love reading your adventures and keeping up with Miss K!
Belated happy anniversary Nancy. I am so glad, and so blessed to have shared part of the past year with you. Prayers and blessings for the upcoming year.
Thank you Drusilla! I appreciate you and your blog too. And all prayers are always gratefully accepted!
Nancy