the 2nd annual list.

oy vey, this took me a long time to compile.

but, a proper birthday celebration deserves proper planning. even when your celebrating the existence of a blog.

so, here we go.  the highlights of my life from the last year:

favorite recipe posts:

i'm certain these lemon bars are served buffet style in heaven.

the french toast served beside the lemon bars in heaven.

the clever rainbow cake.

the year of the tear{tearssssssss}:

discovering my mom has breast cancer.

that stupid boy situation that snuck into my life in the middle of the horrible breast cancer situation.

think pink.  surgery day.

surrendering the title. finally giving into the constant stream of tears that came when we secretly worried my mom had cervical cancer, too.

20 facts. the day we learned that my mom didn't have breast cancer anymore.  and BONUS, no cervical cancer, either.

this is where the magic happens.  since i was already doing so well with the tears, i cried at nostalgic college memories.

{gosh, it's been a rough year.}

learning how to be an adult:

the road trip revelation.

selecting my friends wisely.

a successful life among twentysomethings.

my greatest adventures:

mexico travels with my dad, my boss, and a boy.

close encounters with glenn beck.

the most awkward moment:

defining the relationship in front of an audience.

a perfect analogy:

the dress i still pine for.  sometimes.

the pots i stirred, accidentally.  but never regretted:

uniforms and shift work.  maybe when you're 28 and single you'll feel the same way.

the mediocre uniform wearing, lunch break taking bachelor.  opinion: re-confirmed.

humbling moments:

learning to serve my {fr}enemy.

making friends on purpose.  even with felons.

most clever idea {there's still time before nov. 16}:

birthday ideas for someone you really love.

potentially the biggest mistake i've ever made:

i think i spoke too soon.  and he googled me.  and found all the most incriminating material.  in one spot.  compiled nicely.  with links n' all.

claims to fame:

cake bunting.  ahead of the curve.

if you google me, you'll find my name {and cakes} attached to jen's super famous wedding.

plain ol' favorites:

still grateful everyday i don't have daddy issues.

how to be a love sponsor.

the proper eating of dessert.

making friends:

the day andi met jen.

the day jen met robin and i met brooke.

meeting my twin separated at birth.

the summer of brooke and ashlee.

regrettable in every way...

943 posts on this blog and only one ONE ONE so regrettable i deleted it.  and now i regret regretting it, if that even makes sense.

and since i don't regret it anymore, i'm bringing it back:

it was that time i compared myself to a used ottoman from a furniture warehouse sale - "30 days same as cash". i didn't mean anything self-deprecating about it.  it was more funny than it was pitiful. {the equally snarky and supportive comments from all my people were the.best.part. jen's comment about going to the grocery store convention.  i've never laughed so hard through my tears.}

it was decided a long time ago that both parties in a relationship have 30 days to back out of a relationship upon first kiss.  and, i mean - not like you have a 30 day free pass to make out then ditch out.  it's 30 days to know if it's working or not.  the closer you get to day 30, though... boy, you better be careful.  the table legs have already made their impression in your carpeting.  30 days of propping your feet up, making yourself comfortable in my living space.  30 days i had to get used to having you around, making you fit.

... and then i got returned.

on day 29.

the day before valentine's day.

the weekend before my mom went in for breast cancer surgery.

and the weekend after i took him on an international travel adventure with my family.

convenient timing, mister.

but don't get me wrong.  that wasn't much of a big deal at all this year.  no.