Well, I didn’t exactly tell you my party was going to be celebrating my first year of blogging, did I? Now you know.

Thank you all for coming. Amazing turnout really. So much to remember. Here’s a recap.

(Going down my blogroll from top to bottom. If you are not on here, it means I haven’t reached you yet. I didn’t forget you. I’m only about 1/3 of the way down. I’ll pick up with Laura tomorrow and keep working my way down.)

I rarely am a calm hostess, and this time was no different. My nerves got the better of me waiting for everyone to arrive. In my frantic state, I had my husband putting up the last of the wall hangings that had never made it back up after our house was painted. He muttered something about crazy blogging under his breath, but obliged. He’s a good egg. In fact, he’s a mighty fine egg.

The girls, who were playing with a babysitter in the playroom, kept running to me for attention. Hannah wanted cuddles so I didn’t have time to lay the appetizers out.

I was thrilled when Xtessa showed up with her sister, some dimsum, and a bag full of firecrackers. They had flown from Hong Kong directly after watching Chinese New year fireworks. Unfortunately Anya stayed home. Rachel was disappointed. I complimented Xtessa on her poetry as we chatted and finished setting out the food.

Unga Chunga showed up next, letting us know that her daughters would be a little late. They were picking up the Karaoke machine, she told me. Her phone kept ringing, and she was constantly checking the caller I.D. The calls were coming from Annapolis. We decided to ignore the calls and I asked her what hair product she was using. We have some of the same hair issues.

Claire arrived next in a London Taxi cab, with a bag full of books. I gave her a big hug and we discussed her trip to New York. She handed me a lovely bottle of Vodka. That was all she’d be drinking, she let me know. It was great to finally sit down for a heart to heart. What a sweet soul she is. I predict very good things in her future.

Belle was the next to come, accompanied by her impressive kiddos. Her husband was out of town and unable to attend. They had just come from watching the Chronicles of Narnia. I gave her a big kiss on the cheek and asked her to show me how to do a particular backbending Bikram yoga pose. She looked so lovely trying it. I gave it a whirl and fell flat on my back. As I was lying on my back, I thanked her for introducing me to yoga. We put on some Mozart and she handed me a box of Mozartkugeln. My girls were delighted with the company of her children, who were lovely and even did a little dusting for me.

Melody and family came fresh from Lakes Entrance. They were looking spiffy. Melody was wearing black Mary Janes and a new pair of jeans. Monet had a swimsuit on and kept saying “Poooooooool.” Melody handed an incredibly yummy looking plate of cupcakes. Monet looked at them, clapped, and said “Ah-bee.” (Happy) I was mighty Ah-bee, too.

I was thrilled to see Angie arrive, more than nine months pregnant. I gave her a brief tour of the house and she told me my new paint was sexy, but needed two more coats. The walls were thirsty, she explained, and then she offered to paint them the next day. I suggested she rest. She protested vehemently and I laughed and told her I like her spunky.

Birdwoman came with her mother. The hubs and kiddo had to stay home. Her mother dumped out the pot of Dunkin Donuts coffee that my husband had brewing and started a pot of Maxwell house. “Ah coffee,” she sighed as she watched it brew. I congratulated Birdwoman on her impressive mastery of United States civics knowledge, and she gave me a scathing review of “The Jane Austen Book Club” novel. I let her know that her review was VERY helpful indeed.

Blog Boy came up behind us and gave us a review of the most recent video game covention. He hopes that it will be an annual event. He was such a good kid, I couldn’t help hoping so too. I looked for his mom, but couldn’t find her.

Catherine Newman came in without Michael, Ben and Birdy. She was concerned that they might start barfing and left them at home. Someone at Ben’s school was sick last week. I laughed and gave this beautiful woman a heartfelt kiss on the cheek. So similar, and yet so different are we. I showed her the For Sale sign next door to me. (Hint, hint) She didn’t take the bait.

Carol was exhausted after hosting a reception for the blog olympics. She came wearing four silver medals and leading her Friends of the Friendless Marching band, each carrying a different finger food and marching in perfect unison. I told her how much I enjoy reading her journal entries from high school. Then I asked her to give me her best Lucille Ball impression. She’s good, I tell you.

CCAP arrived with baby Abby and CCAP’s Boy. Abby’s laugh had as all enraptured. We were too smitten to notice the fact that she was spitting up all over the place. Charlie, my dog, was licking it all up. “Get out of there, Charlie!” I hollered. Then I looked up and saw the room staring at me. “She gained 15 pounds licking up Hannah’s spit-up when she was a baby.” I explained, defensively. They all turned pale.

I was so happy to see Cori come in with her three kids and a magnificent chocolate and rasberry torte. Unfortunately she was tired after a rough night of sleep. We compared our neorotic sleep routines, talked about the U.K., and then Cori stunned me by squeezing her entire body through a beak. That got a lot of attention.

Couch Potato called from India to tell me he couldn’t make it because he had an exam the next day. I think I’ll be back from my blog vacation soon, he told me. He had been blog craving. Great! I exclaimed. Good luck tomorrow.

I looked across the room and saw Pia setting up a bake sale for Body Armor, a national effort to collect money to buy body armor for our troops. I bought some chocolate chip cookies as we chatted about our favorite places in Manhattan.

How wonderful it was to see Stephanie, Jason, and little Sydney again. Sydney looked absolutely beautiful in her new pink glasses. Steph and I talked about the class she is teaching this spring. She’s a natural at teaching, I tell you. We discussed dream houses.

Tamara and I oohed and ahhed over the photos of her new yoga room. Do you think you can really keep Baby Girl out? I asked with a hint of envy. As we were talking she sat down, crossed her legs and then sneezed. As I said “Bless you” she looked down and noticed that her panties were caught in her zipper. It was a most inopportune moment, but we laughed it off.

Dahlia walked up as we were giggling and wished us both a “Happy New Day.” I thanked her and told her, yes indeed, a woman’s OB/GYN is often not there to deliver a baby. The first time I gave birth I ended up with a 65-year old cowboy type. Quick, stern, and to the point. He did the job. And he praised me. “You did one helluva job.” he told me the next day, holding out his hand to me for a firm handshake. The next time I gave birth, I had my OB. He was not as good, it turned out. A bit rough.

Dave came in next, looking dapper and about 25 years old. We took Dave’s advice and all took a moment of silence to focus on being unhappy. This created the disharmony that we needed to make it a truly happy party. Thanks, Dave! I wanted to tell him it was “positively yogic” but I wasn’t sure if it really was, so I had to consult with Bonnie.

Then we all heard a patter on the rooftop. The door swung open and Vegemite, coming all the way from Australia, exclaimed “I’m still Heeeeeeeeeeeere!” We all cheered and blew kisses. She wished us all a Happy New Year and then whisked herself back to a Australia. Another moment of unhappiness hit the room.

This unhappiness, made me think of Meredith. She couldn’t make it to our party. I missed her so.

But just when all was looking grim, Genuine flew in through the open window, dressed in superhero gear. “The Bobs are over!” he shouted. “The year is starting for me. I am thrilled to announce a new product I developed. It will make your kids disappear for three days and bring them back in perfect spirits and health.” There was a murmor in the room. The women purred. No one wanted to buy this product in the open, but I witnessed quite a few parents whispering to Genuine in the corner.

Dear, sweet Holly, with the heart of gold, arrived next. She brought delicious looking tacos. “I thought they make your head break!” I exclaimed to Bug. “Not anymore,” he proudly announced. “They’re my favorite.”

Next Zee came riding a sexy black motorcycle, her long, thick hair blowing in the wind. She had a great new hairdo and looked very buff. She handed me a drawing. It was beautiful and I was glad to know she was feeling creative again.

Interstellar Lass ran in wearing running gear. Nick and Elle followed, carrying Turkey tacos and all the fixings. “I’m so glad you didn’t run away.” I whispered to Elle. What an inspiring family, I thought to myself.

The talented Leanne came in looking for a place to hang up a incredible painting of my dog, Charlie. We decided on a spot and then chatted as she cleared my cupboards of all junkfoods. I thought about asking her to move in with me.

There was momentary silence as James Andrew Lockhart recited Japanese poetry. I walked over, smiled, and introduced myself to him. He responded by reciting a poem.

She smiles..
the sun rises
to see.

I blushed and thought about inviting him to be the house poet. Upon consulting with my husband, I decided we didn’t need one.

Captain Jean Luc was the next to arrive. He was hungover from his Christmas party and hoping to dazzle a few of the ladies. I told him to take lessons from James Lockhart.

“I am free of the FLYLADY!” shouted Judy. Everybody cheered. She handed me queso and chips and I offered her a latte. While I got her latte ready, I noticed that she was cleaning my sink. I decided not to bring the matter up in discussion.

What a breath of fresh air it was to meet the effervescent homeschooling Julie and her photogenic kids. She makes me want to live out in the country. I gave her a big hug.

Kenju came with an amazing bouquet of flowers and marinated asparagus. Apparently, she arranges flowers professionally. I booked her for an event at a local museum. She screeched when she saw Charlie, my dog, diving in for some guacomole that had fallen on the floor. Guacomole can be fatal to dogs, Kenju told me. Not to mention the waistline, I added.

Average Mom arrived with family in tow. She was wonderfully friendly, but seemed concerned about a possible black-out. We moved closer to a lamp. Girl Terror hit it off famously with Rachel. They both poured over the World Atlas Rachel got from her grandma for Christmas. Geography buffs. I loved talking with Tammy. She made me laugh.

The wonderful Kimbofo arrived from England on her bicycle. Technically, she was right on time, but she kept apologizing for being late. She said the Grenediar Guards had held her up. Apparently, she didn’t have her camera for proof. Uh-huh. I smiled and apologized for not finishing a single book in her book club. I blamed it on the guards.

Wonderfully reflective Kismet wandered towards us with four year old Amy who was holding a pink tackle box. “No river to fish in here.” I explaIned to Amy. Rachel and Girl Terror took Amy’s hand and they all ran off together.

By this time, I had to pee really badly. I excused myself and made my way to the bathroom where I found Knitting Cat scrubbing away with Method cleaning detergent. It smelled lovely in there. Like Lavender. I gave her a hug and told her to go help herself to some Chai tea instead.

When I was finished in the bathroom, I saw Ladybug Crossing and snuck up behind her. She was telling the story of giving birth to Little Ladybug. How would you have felt to have had your minister accidently show up during your labor and then be trapped there with you until your husband showed up? We were practically on the floor laughing. As we were giggling away she saw her UPS man drive by the window. She ran and shouted to him to leave the package with her. He told her it was too heavy.

Boy was I glad to see Lassa, whose blog is up and running again. She came with her four gorgeous children. Her two teenagers added new excitement to the playroom babysitting situation. Janey joined the four year old girls, while Codey hung out with mom hoping to find a baseball buddy.

The incredible Last Girl on Earth showed up with a huge rubberband blogger ball. “What? No REAL band?” I called over my shoulder as I ran to find some more rubber bands. “Who needs a band when you’ve got bloggers!” she called back to me. By the time I returned she had everyone singing made-up verses to “Too much Fun” as they tossed the blogger ball around. Leave it to Last Girl to get the party rolling.

To be continued tomorrow.

(It’s not too late for you to get on my blogroll. Let me know if you’re not on there. I’ve got about two-thirds of my blogroll to get through yet. There’s still time to add you.)