Two Year Bloggoversary!

Well, folks, today I have officially been blogging for two years.  And things are a far cry for Our So-Called Life’s beginnings, when this was primarily a “mommy blog,” read mainly by my family and friends.  I never expected to find such a diverse audience, or to still have something to say everyday! 

So, to celebrate the fact that all of you have found your way here, and that I haven’t run out of things to say, I would like to share some of my favorite posts, from over the past two years.

Slice of Life/About Our Family

This is the Bean
This is the mini-me, destined to lead a ridiculously charmed life.

Breaking from Tradition
I bring home the bacon, and Rob does the sewing…How we differ from the norm.

The Journey of 1000 Miles
Beanie read her first word!

Jumping on the Bandwagon (sort of): We Don’t Need Permission!
A response to the Romney/Rosen debate–why we don’t need any popular culture or political figures to endorse our lifestyle.

Life Lessons
One particularly difficult Mother’s day.

Just the Three of Us!
Why we’ll remain a family of three.

Natural/Green Living

Off-the-Grid Tuesday: The Perfect Cup of Coffee
I’ve got it perfected.

Vaccines: Yes, I’m Going There!
It’s a hot button issue, and we all need to be educated.

Kicking the Sugar Habit
Why I gave it up!

Myths About Organic Food
Research cited, debunking a lot of the myths people hold.

A Great Off-the-Grid House!
Our friends’ tiny house, on Beaver Island.

Special Needs/Autism

Discipline and Kids With Language Delays
It’s a bit different, when your kid doesn’t talk much.

This Isn’t Holland
Our journey with the Bean, is not about the destination.

Reality Jolt and Labels
My journey, after I asked to have Beanie tested for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Sailing

Stuck in Alpena, Running Aground in Misery Bay, Lamenting, and Our Victorious Return. (And Facing it Again, the next summer).
Our adventures on Thunder Bay.

When the Gales of November Come Early
A rough storm comes through, and causes havok in the marina.

My First Love
Before Moonraker, there was the Sonnet.

Since We’re on Top 10′s…
The top 10 things I love about cruising!

Under the Bridge
Sailing under the Mackinaw Bridge, from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, is a right of passage on the Lakes.

You Might be a Sailor If…
Some sailing humor!

Lessons Enroute to Manitou
When we almost got to meet the Gichee Manitou, on the way to South Manitou Island.

Back to Reality
The difficulty of returning to life on land.

Parenting

A Word on Extracurriculars
Why you shouldn’t overbook your child.

Mommy Wars, Mommy Guilt, and Other Fake Ideas Invented by Society
Don’t let them make you feel guilty and competitive!

“You Can Do it All” and Other Lies We Believe
You can’t do it all, and you don’t have to.

Minimalism–Possessions and Decluttering

Mismatched Plates
Some thrift store fun!

Natural Selection and Thrift Store Clothing
The evolution of my minimalist wardrobe.

The Biggest Worry (and why it should be an non-issue)
Don’t worry about what other people think!

Is Simplicity Simpler? A Test
In a fully stocked house, would we still choose simplicity?

Fly Lady Friday: An Interview with “Fly Lady” Marla Cilley
Yes, I interviewed the Fly Lady!

Minimalism: A Beginners’ Guide
How various minimalist bloggers got their start.

You Might be a Minimalist If…
A bit of humor!

Walled in by Possessions
Our possessions keep us from interacting with each other.

Minimalism–Philosophy

Everybody’s a Hypocrite
I’m a hypocrite, and so are you.

The Election is Over–Now Cast Your Vote that Really Counts!
It’s how we live, not just how we vote, that makes the difference.

The Valley of Love and Delight
Finding our way to the “place just right.”

Why I am Unfriending Facebook
A big decision I made, that I still don’t regret.

On Gifts, Giving and Unevenness
Reciprocity is a myth.

Consider, for a Moment…
Consider, that your reality is incorrect.

Moving Beyond Possessions
Minimalism is about more than just getting rid of stuff.

Rethinking the Human “Race”
We are not in competition with each other–at least we don’t have to be!

New Host, New Name, New Perspective
From Our So-Called Life, to Journey to Ithaca.

Clearing Out Emotional Clutter
Getting rid of that clutter in your head.

Life Lessons

Thirty, Flirty, and Thriving!‘
Life begins when the 20′s end!

Control, Worries, and Quieting the Disquiet
A walk on the beach, to clear my mind.

Hafemania: Daring to Soar
My friend’s husband gets some help completing his bucket list.

New Year’s Eve: 1995 and 2000
By far the most personal post I have written–the story of how an upsetting adolescence gave way to a beautiful adulthood.

And, My Personal Favorite Post, Thus Far…

It Matters
Everything we do–great or small–matters more than we realize.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it…And I look forward to many more years!