My Best Investments turns one

In the cold, pre-dawn hours of January 2, 2007 I gave birth to the blog you see before you.

If memory serves me correctly, I kicked off this fantastic voyage (cue the Coolio song) with a short post about getting a great deal on a jacket from Lands End.

290 posts later, my little baby turns a year old today. Welcome to our birthday celebration.

If you brought a gift, you can put it on the table in the foyer. May I take your coat?

Now that you're here and comfortable, let's talk a little bit about my baby.

• My Best Investments was actually my New Year's Resolution from last year. My goal at the time was to keep my brain active by writing regularly.

• Before I committed to the title My Best Investments, I considered a few others. For a day or so, I had a blog registered called Suburban Outfitters. I decided that sounded too much like a store that deals in accessories for big SUVs. I also considered the name Pimp My Stroller, but decided that sounded a little too hip and urban for a guy who is exactly the opposite of hip and urban.

• Like any habit or discipline, there have been seasons where I have lacked the inspiration to get off my hump and do the work of blogging. For an extended period earlier this fall, the stress of my work, family and school obligations took command of my time and zapped my motivation to keep posting. A few weeks ago - for no apparent reason other than that I missed writing and missed you readers - I got excited about what I'm doing here. I've been posting my frequently since then.

• I've also had times where I've had to tell myself to step away from the blog since it was moving progressively upward on my list of priorities. During the past year there have been times when I've let myself get confused about where this blog fits with the things I mentioned before - work, family and school. I've achieved the clarity to know that those three things come first.

• I think it's also important to note that since I launched My Best Investments, the University of Florida has laid claim to two national championships and a Heisman Trophy. I'm just throwing that out there. I can't say I'm responsible, but the timing seems like more than coincidence, eh?

The best part of doing all this has been knowing that there's a group of people out there who stop by regularly to read and comment. You have made My Best Investments a lot of fun for me. Thank you.

My goals for the coming year are simple: improve the quality of my writing and make better connections with you as readers.

I hope you'll stick around as we start a new year together. And if you like what you read here, do me a favor and tell a few friends to stop by.

And before you go, don't forget to swing through the dining room for a cupcake and some punch.