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Tuesday 12 February 2019

A Year Ago ...

Hopefully I managed to get the blog changes done without messing anything up -  and to start out fresh, I figured an anniversary event would make a good post with which to launch ... it's our first blogiversary :>))




So how did I/we arrive here? .... on Feb 7th of last year, after I spent most of January delving into DD/ttwd Blogland ... and 10 days after I pulled Frank into my discoveries, I got up the courage to send a joint email to two bloggers whose blogs I had read end to end ... Ella (Ella Ever After) and Meredith (New Twist After All These Years). I had focused on their blogs because they and their spouses were close to us in age. They were also high school sweethearts as were we. The subject line of that first email was ... 'A Newbie Here, Waving :>))' ... and to my excitement and surprise they both responded the very next day. Welcoming and supportive are the first two words that come to mind. 




Truth be told, I was a bit ahead of the game, having already started work on a private blog to use as our personal journal as we explored this DD/ttwd world. Once I'd admitted that fact and then shared a post I'd posted privately on (Feb 6, 2018), they tag teamed me with encouragement and kind words. My thought at the time was Frank and I were too new to this DD/ttwd for me to be publicly blogging about it all and I should just keep on with the private blog version until we figured out where we were going. However, they both assured me I would fit right in and encouraged me to check the Public setting in my Blogger Dashboard. One year ago, on Feb 12th, 2018, I did just that, at the same time as both of them gave me a helping hand into Blogland with simultaneous announcements on both of their blogs. 




... so thank you again, Meredith and Ella - I couldn't have done it without you ... 


... and to all of you out there in Blogland, who've dropped by over the past year be it just to read, to provide supportive comments and suggestions, or to write behind the blog emails and offer friendship - thank you! ...

Together you have given Frank and I a sense of belonging ... to this wonderful and supportive community in the ttwd corner of Blogland 💖

30 comments:

  1. Hi NJ and Frank, happy first Blogiversary! Wow, a year already. I'm so glad you reached out to Ella and Meredith and that they encouraged you to blog publicly. I always enjoy visiting :)

    Love the new look :)

    Hugs
    Roz

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    1. ... and I always enjoy seeing your comments - here and on other blogs, Roz! ... and yes, it's pretty amazing to find a year has gone by already ... nj ... xx

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  2. I remember when I first dove into blogging. If it wasn't for my friend Lillie and Lucy I'm not sure I would have had the courage. The best feeling was being able to support other new bloggers in the spirit of 'paying it forward' I suppose. I had started to blog before I even brought the idea of this to B! LOL. So you can imagine the fear I had. That fateful October led to over 6 years of soul searching through blogging.

    All this to say, I hope your D/s blog continues to lead you to to the many wonderful personal places and invaluable lifelong friendships mine did!

    Congrats to you!

    willie

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    1. Thanks Willie! ... it been a trip this past year. I am looking forward to the next ... nj ... xx

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  3. A very happy 'blogiversary' Here's to many more years of blogging :)

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    1. Thanks, Morningstar ... I'm not sure I will ever be able to hit the milestones that some of you bloggers out there have hit but I will carry on and see where it takes me :>)) ... nj ... xx

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  4. Congratulation! I think you can now see that you most definitely belong. I hope you enjoy blogging as much as I have!

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    1. Thanks, PK ... I do enjoy it when I have something to write about ... however, I have hit a couple of dry spots ... then it gets tough. Not sure I will ever make the 12+ yrs you have but we'll see where the road takes us :>)) ... nj ... xx

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  5. Many congratulations on your first year of blogging, Nora Jean!!🥂 Love your new look! Great idea to pop it out on this lovely occasion!

    I have very much enjoyed both reading here, as well as reading your comments both on my blog, and others. Wonderful to have you, and Frank too, around. Thank you so much for sharing!! Many hugs,

    ❤️Katie xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Katie! ... it seemed like a good fit to do both at the same time :>)) ... nj ... xx

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  6. Happy belated first Blogiversary. Glad that Meredith and Ella encouraged you. Here's to many more.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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    1. Thanks, Ronnie! ... I am too - it was good of them to take me on :>)) hugs! ... nj

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  7. Happy 1st!!! I've so enjoyed getting to know you. And - I LOVE the new look. I saw it on my phone first this morning - and it's beautiful. Had to pop in on the computer to get the full-feel. Super love. I think Blogger needs a "love" button. LOL

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    1. Awww, thanks, Shell ... I'm happy to have met you as well these past several weeks and I am glad to hear the mobile blogger view looks good as well ... nj ... xx

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  8. NJ,
    Has it been a year already! Congratulations on your 1st Anniversary! You are a most welcomed blogger here and we do love your posts. Now settle in for year # 2.
    Meredith

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    1. Thank you, Meredith, my friend. I am happy to have been able to live up to your expectations :>)) I am looking forward to another year of blogging! ... nj ... xx

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  9. Congratulations! And to think that I just started following you, I have a lot of catch up to do. Looking forward to reading more.

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    1. Hi Blondie and thank-you! ... it's good to have another experienced blogger on board, hanging out here now and again :>)) ... nj ... xx

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  10. Hi NoraJean and Frank:

    Belated Happy First anniversary in blogland, and sharing your lifestyle with everyone. The more the merrier, and I will be home for a while, so will happily enjoy reading about your adventures.
    bottoms up
    Red

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    1. Thanks, Red! ... travels have ended for now, eh? ... I hope home is somewhere warm and not in the heart of the 'Polar Vortex' ... happy to have you reading here while you take a break from your adventures ... nj

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  11. Happy 1st Anniversary of blogging! That year went by soooo quickly it’s hard to believe.
    I’ve really enjoyed coming by your place in blogland to read what’s happening and see what’s new with you and Frank, and I appreciate all that you share. May year number 2 be rewarding, fun, and full of adventure for you both. Love your new look!

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    1. Thanks, Laurel! ... the year did go by very quickly ... not always a good thing when you get to our age ... lol! ... I am happy to hear you enjoy dropping by and look forward to seeing you here this year! ... nj ... xx

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  12. NJ, I am so glad that you got tag teamed by quite the Dynamic Duo and they brought you here to blog. I love the new look here! Very nice! I look forward to having lots of fun here and to us all making up new words to add to your ttwd dictionary! It's been fun being a newbie blogger with you this past year! Don't know where I'd be without ya! Congratulations on a great blog and a nice looking one at that! Congrats on one year to Frank, too! Hugs! Windy

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    1. Haha, yes, the Dynamic Duo of Mere and Ella ... glad you like the new look, Windy! ... I am sure you will have lots to offer up for the dictionary, my creative friend :>)) Thanks for hanging out with me in newbie Blogland this past year ... couldn't have done it without you either! ... I'll pass along your congrats to Frank as well ... Hugs! ... nj

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  13. MJ, Happy blogiversary. :) It's a bit overwhelming, isn't it? Publishing that first post. :) I'm glad you did. :) And your blog looks great. :)
    Hugs, EsMay

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    1. Thanks, EsMay! ... yes, I am glad I did as well! ... nj ... xx

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  14. Congratulations on making it to a year- as you know many don't. I hope to be able to say congratulations for many more years to come. Great work on the blog!

    Evelyn

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    1. Thanks, EC! ... I am glad to have a first year under my belt ... eases the pressure some :>)) and happy to hear you like the new look ... nj

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