2008 has been a pretty good year around here, and we're grateful. (I feel I can speak for Pronto now that he doesn't maintain a web presence.)

We're happy about the new guy, with his adorable Obama ears:



And, we're happy about the big kid, who seems to be imitating gang signs in this photo:



And we're happy to have a roof over our heads, food to eat, a new president, and other great blogs to read.

Last year, I made a resolution to try my best to blog ten times per month. I didn't make it all twelve months, but I did keep my average up. I'm going to call that a resounding victory.

And, I'm planning to write some more in '09. I'll be doing a long-distance triathlon. That'll probably be good for at least a couple of "I fell off my bike" entries. Plus, I think November will be my five-year blogiversary, so it seems a shame to quit now.

Sometimes friends whom I haven’t seen, spoken to, or emailed for awhile tell me they feel like they know what’s going on with me because they read my blog.

In fact, this is probably the best way to keep in touch with me because I skip writing about the really hideous parts of my life. It’s like keeping up with me, but exempting yourself from 75% of the whining and angst. I know that’s hard to believe given the amount of whining and angst that actually gets played out here, but… there it is.

Anyway, today a friend I haven’t been in contact with for awhile emailed about summer vacation plans and confessed that her sole source of entertainment these days is my blog and people.com.

My blog and people.com in the same sentence! Sort of on the same plane!

It’s probably one of the top ten nicest things anyone has ever said to me.