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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Happy 4th Anniversary, That Old House



I am trying to type as little as possible.

I had another surgery this morning on a malignant
melanoma on my left arm.  I know, bummer.
But this should take care of the McNasty, so all's well.
After I emailed or texted family and friends,
I thought, "Now to tell my blog family."
And I remembered a post I wrote just two years ago,
on the 2nd anniversary of That Old House.
This week marked the 4th blog anniversary,
and so I'm repeating that post.
Partly from laziness, or enforced idleness right now, but also because it is appropriate.
It's about why we blog.  Or at least, why I blog!
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Two years ago today, on October 1, 2008, I hit "publish" for the first time,
and to my astonishment found that I had begun a blog.

There was one picture of the house, from the realtor's listing.  That first post is here.
(Links to my old posts are in red; links to other blogs are in bold type.)

The picture that stole my heart, in the Multiple Listing ad.

My next post was not until Halloween,
when I was feeling rather nostalgic for Halloweens past, and rather sorry for myself.
No pictures.  I was just doing this to hear myself think, sort of out loud, and to help myself
come to terms with leaving our old house, where we raised our girls, and living in this new-to-us old place.

That Halloween post of 2008, I didn't put up any pictures from the past.
I was missing my girls (their little selves) and our old Craftsman house too much.

Next post was early December, about Thanksgiving
By now I had visited some other blogs, and I realized I had to include some pictures.
It took me all day to figure it all out.

I confess I used Mary's beautiful Little Red House blog as my inspiration.
Mary, they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Also in early December, I got my first comments, which completely astounded me. 
Remember that feeling?  It's a Sally Field at the Academy Awards moment.  

A few more posts, just ramblings and a few pictures, and then Cindy of Applestone Cottage found me,
and suggested I participate in a blog party.  My first jump into a meme, or blog party, or linky party,
was on February 7, 2009 . . . about the transformation of our master bedroom from wallpaper Hades:


to soft blue Heaven.


The blog party? It was Metamorphosis Monday, at Between Naps On The Porch.
 It was Susan's 4th MM; I think she's up to her billionth by now, and it's still a favorite of mine.  

I got 26 comments on that post -- 26! -- and I knew
Cindy had been on to something when she suggested a blog party!

This was fun.

And it continues to be fun.

I also think it's more than just fun.

We don't have those neighborhoods anymore, where the women chatted over the garden wall, trading gossip and mutual support -- but we have our computers.  As women have done since the dawn of humankind, when they gathered in someone's cozy cave while Gorg and Vlomp were out hunting whatever early man hunted -- we have managed to find one another and communicate.

Our garden walls may be virtual, but we can still trade that chat and that mutual support.
I wonder if, when Al Gore invented the Internet, he ever envisioned this happening?  :-)

So thank you, my blogging friends, for two years of laughter, some tears, loads of fun and inspiration, and for being there -- out there somewhere -- because it's wonderful to realize I'm not always talking just to myself.    -- Cass


No linky parties today.  Just me, just talking, over the garden wall at That Old House.

15 comments:

  1. Well, Happy Blog Birthday, Cass! It's my blog birthday too; tomorrow!
    You started off much the same way I did. I was in awe at my first comment too. So glad I did this blogging thing. It has changed my life and I've met so many wonderful gals just like you. Here's to lots more blogging and blog buddy-making!
    Glad your surgery is behind you too and hopefully you can move on from that.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  2. Hope you're feeling better and glad it looks like they got it all - take care...

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  3. Happy Birthday Cass (or should it be anniversary or should it be blogversary?)

    -- I found you shortly after you started and became a lover of That Old House! Congrats on four years -- I, too, started blogging in 2008!

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  4. Happy Anniversary! Hope the next surgery goes well so you can type 4 more years. Always enjoy your post and reading about your family.

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  5. Cass,
    Congrats on 4 years. Excellent! And God bless your recuperation!
    I already read your first posts when I first found your blog. Enjoyed them thoroughly! And I still remember them.

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  6. Happy 4th blogiversary! Just had my 4th about a week ago as well... my, where did these 4 years go!!

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  7. First, Happy Blogaversary! However, I am choking on the words, surgery, malignant melanoma. NO NO NO. You, my friend, are at the top of my prayer list. Now I must try to catch up on your blog to see if this was mentioned earlier. Sending you Big Love, Deb

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  8. Happy Blog anniversary. I really enjoy your blog. Prayers for your health. I am sorry to hear that things are not well for you. Sending love and prayers your way.

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  9. It sounds like we all started off in similar ways. Happy Anniversary. I enjoy your blog and your humor! So sorry about the surgery ... and thankful it sounds like all is well.

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  10. Please feel better, sweetheart, and don't over do it just yet. There's plenty of time for that in a few days.

    Wallpaper Hades ... love it!

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  11. Congratulations on keeping it going for four years! I am sorry to hear about the melanoma, but it sounds like you are on top of it. I have had various skin cancers, too, and those 'little" surgeries hurt like hell, don't they?

    I like the way you compared blogging to visiting over the back fence. Blogging totally saved my sanity, I am convinced, after we moved into this neighborhood where everyone is extremely standoffish about five and half years ago. I miss my blog -- it is still hidden for a while. You may know that the pornographic spammers and the scrapers found me. I am still reading the blogs, and I hope to resurface soon.

    Take care of yourself.

    Ellen

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  12. Sending healing thoughts your way. Congratulations on four years. I'm looking forward to many, many, many more from you.

    Lois in SWPA

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  13. I'm backtracking on reading your posts and didn't realize that you had another surgery. First and foremost, I'm thankful that they found the melanoma and are able to remove it. I pray that all goes well from here on out.
    And now...congratulations on your anniversary. You're right. Blogging is much like talking over the neighbor's fence. Too bad we can't invite our friends in for a cup of coffee or tea, huh? But I love it anyway ;)

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  14. Your girls' pose from Halloween of ’08 is very adorable, Cass! They look so cute in their costumes, especially the one wearing the rabbit costume. I think he's cuter! :P Anyway, I'd like to congratulate you on your new master bedroom. It’s a masterpiece!

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    1. I like the one wearing a pumpkin suit, Elinor. Personally, her face is cuter than the one wearing a rabbit suit! :D Congratulations too, Cass! Your master bedroom looks so classy.

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