On January 7, 2008, I started this blog as a way to keep track of what I was reading and after four years I’ve reviewed every book I’ve read. That’s 382 books. As I look at that number and then check my 5 star ratings I see that I’m terribly stingy, only 14 of those reviews earned a 5 star rating.
I’ve enjoyed blogging and like the creative aspect as well as the community of book lovers I come in contact with every day. I love doing my weekly quizzes (but I’m always hoping more people will participate) and talking about movies. I plan on doing a few new things with movies this year that I’m excited about.
Blogging used to be something that I could spend hours a day doing, writing and visiting other blogs, but with the arrival of Gage in October 2010 that is no longer a luxury I have. Last fall I had to seriously clean out my Google Reader. I felt bad eliminating some blogs that I loved, but I had to make time for the people who actual comment or email me directly. This has helped, although I’m always weeks behind with some of you. I only have and hour or so a night so sacrifices must be made. This is the year that I plan to start replying to comments. I have been hit or miss on this in the past, but it’s a new goal.
The popularity of Sundays with Gage has been a nice surprise for me. I’m a fairly private person – I hate airing dirty laundry and such, but it’s been refreshing for me to share some of my thoughts on motherhood and have you share yours. I plan to continue because you seem like it and so do I! When Gage tells me to stop embarrassing him, I will 🙂
I hope that my loyal blogging buddies and new ones alike will stick around this year. I’m feeling like I’ve still got more to say. I am inspired everyday when I open up my Google Reader and see what you very smart readers have to say. Thanks for making me smarter.
If you haven’t entered my giveaway for Thrity Umrigar’s latest, The World We Found, go here. You have until Tuesday to enter for a signed copy.
*the change is format is just for today, I think.
Stacy's Books 
Wow, 5 years! Congrats, Stacy. Wishing you a wonderful year and looking forward to more Gage stories.
Thanks, Mary. Gage knows he must entertain his fans, LOL.
I can’t believe that much time has passed, Stacy! 5 years already. A very happy anniversary to you. I love everything about your blog and look forward to each time I see a new post from you. Here’s to 5 more years! (The format you’re using today is very pretty. Just for today?)
You are so sweet, Kay! Just for today. But I’ll bring it back for parties 🙂
Five years is a lifetime of blogging! Don’t beat yourself up about going through your Reader every day – just do what you can and don’t worry about it. Happy blogiversary!
This year I will have a much more laid back attitude and we’ll see what happens.
Wow, such a new fancy look for your blogiversary! Happy blogiversary!!!! And many more! :–)
Thanks, Jill. It is pretty isn’t it? I just don’t feel this pink everyday, but for special occassions, yes 🙂
Congratulations on 5 years!
Thanks, Jill! So happy to have discovered your blog this year.
I love your celebratory look! It has been a pleasure getting to know you through blogging and I wish you many more to come, however it works out!
It’s my blogging buddies that make it worth it 🙂
Yay 5 years!!
Hard to believe, right?
Such a veteran you are! Congrats on learning to let your blog evolve with your life. I am clinging to our blog by one of Tedy’s whiskers these days so I hear you on the time issue. But it is such a valuable part of my world – you and the other special people I have met through blogging. Your design for the day is breathtaking. You should keep it for a while – a blogoversary present to yourself ;0)
Blogging isn’t always easy, but this year I’m going to try and take the pressure off so that it works for me instead of stressing me out. Please continue to hold on to Tedy’s whiskers!!!!
New visitor here! Happy Blogoversary! 😀
Thanks! Hope to see more of you around here.
Happy blogiversary!! I recently celebrated my 4 year in November and I can’t believe it’s been that long.
The years do fly by, don’t they?
Wow, five years … Happy Blogiversary, Stacy!
Meeting wonderful authors like you here and in person is a big part of the fun, Beth! Thanks for stopping by so often 🙂
Congratulations on 5 years!
Thanks, Carrie!
Happy Blogiversary, Stacy! I’ll be sticking around! 🙂
Thank you, Joy. Readers are appreciated here.
Congratulations on Five Fabulous Years my friend! I plan on sticking around until I can’t type anymore, so whatever you post, I’ll read. I know what you mean about cleaning out the blog reader. With so many its hard to get the ones I consider friends. I have a core group, and we all seem to frequent the same blogs.
Like the new look and I will try better on the quizzes. Some of them I just can’t figure out sweetie. I’m not that smart or knowledgeable on those topics I guess 🙂
You mean the reason you don’t play is that you don’t know the answers? I hadn’t considered that. I’m going to work on a Jen friendly quiz!
I can’t even hazard a guess sometimes. I sit at my desk (at work of course) and say out loud, “What the heck? I have no freaking clue.” Don’t do Jen friendly on my account. I’ll just have to come up with crazy answers when I don’t know. If you don’t mind 🙂
Crazy answers are always welcome (some quizzes I even give points for them!).
Wow, I took a Christmas holiday from blogging and come back to see a whole new look here. Very nice. And, I can’t believe you’ve been blogging for four years! Where did the time go? I’ve enjoyed the various items you post about. We seem to have similar tastes in books and I love to hear about the movies. But – your experience with motherhood and Gage have been pure joy.
You are so sweet, Margot. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’ve known each other for years 🙂
I really enjoy your blog!
Happy Anniversary!
Aw, thank you.
Yay! Happy 5 years!
Mostly happy 😉
Of course we’re going to stick around! Happy blogiversary!
Thank goodness you are aren’t leaving me!
Happy Blogiversary its been great reading your blog over the past year 🙂 i find these days I really only catch on blogs early in the morning on weekends when everyone is sleeping. I have to do another cull because I cant keep up with the ones I have. I think that rule if they dont comment back (or you dont have time to comment) then you need to consider having them in google reader. Sounds harsh but as you say, at this stage in our lives time is limited, and our little men come first. Best of luck for 2012.
Yes, our little men do come first 🙂
5 years blogging is quite an accomplishment!
I have recently found your blog, and intend to return often. Looking forward to your posts in 2012, and your quizzes 🙂
I love finding new blogging friends 🙂
Wow! Loving your new look. Love that you lasted 5 years. Love that you gave yourself permission to do what you can and leave the rest. I love your quizzes but they are SO DAMN HARD! : )
I keep hearing that! I’ll see what I can do 🙂
That’s a lot of blogging, and a lot of books! Congrats on your longevity – I love visiting your blog to see what you’re reading (and what Gage is up to!)
Gage is always a draw 🙂
Happy blogiversary!!
Thanks 🙂
Congratulations on five years!! Here’s to five years more!
Thanks, Michelle!
Five years, YAY! I love how your blog has evolved, Stacy! – Watching Gage grow up, the quizzes, the memes, and of course the reviews. And I adore your blog’s new look as well!
I know everyone comes by for Gage and the quizzes 🙂 Thanks, Stephanie.
Happy 5 years!! I love your blog and you were one of the first people to start commenting on mine way back in the day! I love how we’ve evolved and made this little part of the internet ours. I so enjoy the Gage Sundays and I try really hard to do the quizzes. I can’t tell you how many times I’m tempted to google but I never do, that’s why I stink at them!! They’re hard but fun 😀
Loving the new look too!
Thanks, Staci! I didn’t know I was one of your first commenters! The time just flies by, doesn’t it? Thanks for not googling – I know it’s tempting.
Happy blogoversary! I’m so glad I discovered you when I started. You accomplish so much, way more than I do and I don’t have a new baby!! You have a wonderful, interesting, fun (and pretty pink!) blog that I always enjoy visiting. Thank you for sharing your life and all of the great recommendations for books and movies. I hope to keep visiting here and doing quizzes for a long time to come! 🙂
Thanks, Debbie. You are sweet. Whenever I visit your blog I always see you chilling in your hammock 🙂
Wow you’re 5th year, that’s awesome Stacy. I’ve loved seeing your special family times and little Gage, thanks for sharing. My favourite blogs are the one’s that share something of their own life, not just their thoughts on books. I visit in drips and spurts, some weeks are better than others but I do try to get around my favourites every week 🙂
I know I get to blogs in spurts too, but it’s the time we have so we have to do what we can 🙂