Happy Anniversary at the Winters Day In(n)
Thursday, February 08, 2007I was so intent on posting my newsletter yesterday that I completely forgot that it was also my one-year blogaversary, too! I've been mentally planning this post since before Christmas, but I think it shows a new level in the evolution of procrastination to be planning a post that far in advance, and to still not write it until one day late. Heh. (And that does not, by any stretch, guarantee that the content will be any more worthwhile than normal, just because I've planned it for three months instead of three minutes.)
So, I want to say how thankful I am that Colleen introduced me to the wonders of blogging. She was a good friend before, but an even better friend now. She is not the only real-life friend with whom I have developed a deeper relationship thanks to blogging. Vicki, whom I met when she sponsored me into the Pampered Chef business in 2001 (goodness gracious, has it been almost six years already?), started a blog last year, too, and it's been so good to have the same good ol' discussions about "taboo" topics that we used to have. My other "real-life" friends with blogs do not post as often, but it is so great when they do--Amanda, whom I've known since we were six, Ang, who also happens to be my sister-in-law, Christa, a long-time scrapping and church friend from Sylvan Lake, and Candice, who is the wife of an old pen-pal of mine, and when we met a few years ago, we totally hit it off!
Blogging came at a very opportune time for me--having just recently moved, I desperately needed to feel connected to a community. Also, with a baby who was only a few months old, I needed a creative outlet that did not require the sit-down time commitment of scrapbooking. Blogging provided the opportunity for both--but I really had no idea to what extent when I started.
Because of blogging:
- I have learned HTML (I know my computer-savvy brother is just tickled pink that his sister actually figured out how to program her own template);
- I have flexed my creative writing muscles, and discovered that I really enjoy writing. And what's more, for some strange reason, you enjoy reading it!
- I have recorded precious daily moments in our lives that would otherwise be long forgotten by now.
- I have felt at a distinct disadvantage when talking to family members who read my blog, but from whom I rarely hear. (That's the beauty of the comment button, for those who Choose to Use--blogging suddenly becomes two-way. However, the phone is good, too!)
- I have learned immensely more about the world of health and nutrition than I would have committed to memory if I had only read it once and that was it.
- I have been immensely entertained and learned more about knitting from talented knit-bloggers such as Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, Jesse Loesberg, Parikha, and Alison.
- I learned that you can be a Christian, and one of the sweetest people ever and still like Harry Potter from Heather Anne. (By the way, Heather Anne posted a really great article about this on her blog last week. I was going to reprint it here, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. However, I strongly recommend that you go over there and read it.)
Thank you, all. Now my contacts are plastered to my eyeballs, and I should have been in bed an hour and a half ago. Here's to another year of growth and friendships on the World Wide Web!
13 comments
Happy Blogday!
ReplyDeleteBloggy blogiversablog!
ReplyDelete(Have you noticed how blog-speak is so similar to smurf-speak? You just replace every instance of the word "smurf" with the word "blog."
Thanks for mentioning me! I'm finally sombody.
(By the way: My daughter made the cookies and they all disappeared very quickly. They were great. Thanks.)
Hello, Talena.
Talena! Congrats on one year! Thanks for the mention! I enjoy visiting your blog and now I have some new blogs to visit, too! Thanks for your friendship!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fencer!
ReplyDeleteScott - You are so right. That made me chuckle, because smurf-speak was very popular in our house when we were teenagers. We would smurf our smurfs whenever the smurf took us.
Glad you liked the cookies. Hiya, Scott.
Denise - "Sharing Friends" is so much fun, isn't it? Thanks for the congrats! Happy Friday!
I'm glad you started blogging too! You are an EXCELLENT writer, and I LOVE all the pictures you post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks BIG bunches!!
Love you!
Mom
Mom, I'm blushing. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Anniversary. I am glad we bumped into each other. You more experienced thrice over) and diverse perspective on motherhood has been really useful, interesting and reassuring
ReplyDeleteRohini - Thank you! And it is so nice to have a blog friend where the crush is mutual! Tee hee!
ReplyDeleteHippo birdie two ewes.
ReplyDelete:)
It has been fun reading your blog over the last year. I just wish I had more time to update mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention and Happy Blogiversary
Happy 1st Blogday, Talena. I love your blogs and was pleased when I found out about it. I love being able to catch up on what you're doing and "discuss" things with you.
ReplyDeleteI also love when you stop by my blog and offer your special two cents. Makes my day every time!
Love and hugs,
Vicki
Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and Jubilations!
Thanks Talena. You're not a bad 'un yourself. ;-)
Happy belated blogaversary! You are beyond sweet and kind. I love the idea that we far-flung few, strangers but for our words and most intimate thoughts, can make such lovely connections. Also, I love your site. I've seen it develope and grow and it really is a beautiful place to spend a few minutes a few times a week. Best!
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting today! I want to make sure you get my reply. Make sure you sign up for follow-up e-mails on this post, as I will be replying to you in the comments section here!