Seven years!
January 26, 2011Here's a visual, to help you cry. My baby then:
And now:
I know.
Before I start looking at more pictures of my son as an adorable toddler and spend the rest of the afternoon bawling on the couch, I wanted to say thank you. The last seven years have been action-packed, in both excellent and terrible ways, and through it all you've supported me, cheered me on, and given me a kick in the ass when I needed it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
According to my stats there are many of you who read and never comment. Which is fine, but today, please say hello! Tell me who you are, what brought you to Finslippy, what you're up to, what your favorite cheese is--whatever. I really don't care. I mean, I care, but I'm not going to demand you tell me your life story. But I would welcome hearing your life story! If you felt like writing it. I'll stop now.
As a reward for commenting, you'll be in the running to receive a copy of my friend Jessie Sholl's new book, Dirty Secret. I wrote about Jessie's book on my Redbook blog, but I wanted to do a giveaway here. Dirty Secret is Jessie's story of growing up with a mom who's a hoarder, and it's a doozie of a book. (And yes, I did just write the word "doozie." I couldn't decide between that and "humdinger.") It's funny and harrowing and ultimately uplifting. You will enjoy it! So comment, and a week from today I'll announce the winner.
Reader Comments (946)
OK, I was kind of crying too, looking at those comparison photos. Congrats, lovely Alice, on seven years of awesomeness! xoxo Christine
I honestly don't remember how I found your blog, but I have been a regular reader for a few years. You are a wonderful writer, very funny and very profound at the same time. Love to you and your family. My favorite cheese is St. Andre. Best at room temperature, of course!
Happy birthday, blog!
I think I've been reading for 4 or 5ish of those years. I don't remember how I got here.
I like provolone.
hello. and congratulations! my favorite cheese is gorgonzola, which probably makes me an official freak.
Hi there, I rarely ever comment (sorry) but believe I found you through Sleep is for the Weak?
Hello from another long-time blogger! I've been reading for quite a while, too -- I remember reading the water bug post out loud to my boyfriend at the time, and I'm not sure it made much sense to him, what with all the snorting and pauses for breath-catching.
I'm velocibadgergirl and I like gouda. I can't even remember how I found your blog, to be honest. I've been reading it since just before I started mine, so for about 5 1/2 years now! Happy blogiversary!
Happy Birthday! 1st grade homework is the worst :-) I'm new at your blog, but I expect I'll be staying until it's in high school.
Extra Sharp Cheddar. I know! Boooring!
You have shamed me into commenting. I've been following you for years in a very non-creepy manner. I think.
I have 3 kids -- 8, 6 & 4. I am 80% gray and not even considering the move to the gray side. Your bone structure works with the short hair; my face is chubby and benefits from long hair. Growing out my gray hair would take years.
More than anything else, Alice, you make me laugh. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
I don't remember how I found you, but I've been following along for years! I so enjoy your work. Happy 7th!
I read your blog. I think you're funny. And lovely. And you and I went to the same college (although you graduated a few years ahead of me. Also, I was dorky-dorky, and I suspect you were dorky-cool, so we probably would not have met there, anyway).
Happy blog bday! I keep meaning to send you the photo of the "Alice Bradley Drive" sign that I took, hmmm, 4 years ago for you down in Foxborough, MA. No idea where it is stored, though, so you'll have to close your eyes and picture it!
A friend pointed me your direction about two years ago, and I love the blog. It make me laugh, and it's perhaps a little too relatable sometimes. You know, in an "Alice-please-get-out-of-my-house-you-creep" kind of way. So, yeah, thanks!
Busted! yep, I've been lurking. *hangs head in shame*
Congrats on 7 years.
Well since you asked... hello! Right now in my fridge I have goat cheese and Gouda, two of my favorites. More importantly though I have Ben & Jerry's in my freezer.
I've been reading your blog a long time, I don't remember how I found you. The first post I remember is reading about when Henry told you the babysitter hit him, and then you died. I think I would too, but at least you made us laugh! I enjoy you.
That toddler picture of Henry is possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen on the Internet!
I don't comment often (except I did maybe an hour ago on your last entry, but whatever, it is a slow morning at work), but I've been reading for about four years. I have no memory of which Internet worm-hole sent me here, but I will be forever glad that it did, because you are made of awesome. I met you in person at BlogHer in NYC, and when Rita Arens introduced me to you and I said something really cool and suave like "OH YOU'RE THAT ALICE! I LOVE YOU!", you were nice enough to smile and nod and not run away. Bless you for that.
I have no earthly idea how I originally landed here a couple of years ago (and I have to admit that I'm not a commenter). But I'm so glad I did! Seven years! Bake yourself a cake or something!
I don't remember how I first found you.
I don't like cheese.
Can I still win the book?
Happy blog birthday!
My son is sixteen months right now! I am in total denial that he will ever be an actual BOY. Congrats on your anniversary. I've commented a few times before, but I'd still love the book.
Oh and favorite cheese? I'd have to go with this local goat cheese called Monocacy Ash. I also love Midnight Moon, this goat gouda that's delish . . . basically any goat cheese, I guess.
Alice, congratulations on your longevity! I honestly don't remember how I found you-I'm sure from a link on another blog. Hope to still be reading your blog seven years from now!
Congrats on 7 years, Alice! I don't really remember how I got to your blog... must have been a drug induced stupor... I probably was referred here from Google reader's suggestions. Or maybe one of those linking wormholes from blog to blog to blog, possibly starting with dooce. ANYWAY. I've never commented, but have been reading for years. I live in DC - Theology grad student. Female. Work at starbucks.
Muenster.
i can't believe he's so big. i can't, i just can't. isn't it strange how these people you don't really know can carve out a little part of your heart?
happy blog day! i believe i found you through your oh dee doh post about your office tour. i came over and never left.
Those pictures made me tear up. My son is almost 9 mths old and I just want to drag this time out longer.
I don't fully remember how I found your blog. Maybe through Momversation?? I don't know - but I do know that I'm glad I did. :)
Hi! Happy Blog Birthday! I'm usually a quiet reader - busy enough with grad school and running a business that any non-essentials (and some of the essentials) just don't get done. In spite of that, I have enjoyed the occasional reading. Also, I have no clue how I found you! But here I am! :)