Tuesday, February 19, 2008

I started this blog on February 17, 2005. I started it for a number of reasons. I was out of a job and I needed something to keep me occupied while looking for another one, I wanted to delve deeper into my love of romance than I could on a message board, I wanted to get to know other romance readers better and I've always loved writing, but didn't know if I had it in me to write a book. I still don't have that answer.

My life has changed so much since that day three years ago. I've had two jobs since then - thankfully I love where I work now.

My sons have both moved out on their own - for good this time. For a while it was a revolving door with one moving out and the other moving back in.

The biggest change of course is loosing Ron. That has affected and changed me profoundly. I don't blog about it much, but I still long for him every day. He was the other part of me. I can go along seemingly doing quite well when I will see something or hear something and it will be as if he just died yesterday and the grief is as deep and keen as if I just lost him. I still haven't been able to go through his things. When I come upon his writing, it's as if he just wrote it out - and then I remember he's not with me anymore.
But in a way he still is. I know he is with me and always will be. I know many readers aren't into the soul mate kind of romance, but that's what Ron was and always will be - my soul mate.

But through all of the changes I've gone through in the past three years, my friends have remained. The group I went back to school with over eleven years ago continue to meet four times a year to catch up with each other. The next get together will be at my place. And I still see some of them other than that. One came to watch the first half of North and South. Now she has to come back to watch part II.

I still get together with my neighbour every Thursday night to watch Survivor.

I've made new friends at my current job. One of them came over on Saturday night.

And I still have all the wonderful people I've met through blogging. Some have disappeared like dear Maili. I hope she comes back to us. But there are still bloggers who've been there from Day 1. Wendy of SuperLibrarian who I was very fortunate enough to have as a room mate in Dallas. Keishon from Avid Reader is still here and I'm so glad of it. Sybil of The Good, The Bad and the Unread and who was another roomie is another dear blogging friend. Laurie of All About Romance is someone who has had a profound influence on me and my blogging life. I've had a chance to visit a number of times Cindy of Nocturnal Wonderings. And then there is Jane of Dear Author, the fourth room mate in Dallas. She's such a warm wonderful person. I also got to meet Sarah and Candy of Smart Bitches. What a hoot they are. And I also had a chance to meet in person and talk with Angie that Nice Mommy/Evil Editor.

And there are so many other wonderful, warm people I've met through blogging that I call friends.

Even in the midst of mourning Ron last year there was fun of getting readers to try Lisa Kleypas's Dreaming of You. That brought so much fun even in the saddest of times. And the absolute thrill of meeting Lisa in person. I'm still awed at that!!

It was wonderful last spring meeting Ames and Nath and having our first Canadian Bloggers Meet Up.

And now of course there is the current Crusade. I've gotten to know Katie and Sula during the hours we've planned and plotted and it has been so much fun. And all the romance readers who've seen and loved it has made it even that much more fun.

I now have a partner - Katie who brings new life and enthusiasm.

I continue to meet and get to know new bloggers and I'm so glad that I do.

To each and every one of you - sadly to many to mention all by name and then I would miss out on some anyway - thank you for the past three years. You all have enriched my life.

24 comments:

Ana said...

A big bear hug to you Kristie....

Yours was the first blog that I started reading on a daily basis and definitely the one that inspired me to start my own.

So thank YOU for sharing your life and thoughts with us .

nath said...

Happy Blogniversary Kristie!!

it's great to hear you sharing this with us :) It's wonderful how blogging has changed our lives right? and I'm looking forward to our 2nd meet up :)

Kati said...

Happy Blogaversary, Kristie! I've enjoyed getting to know you and Kate these past months. I enjoy your blog SO much. Anyone who is so public about their unabashed love of the man love is good people with me! ;o)

And hey, I still owe you for introducing me to North and South!

Here's to years and years of more blogging!

Kwana said...

Thanks for sharing Kristie. I'm new here, but love it already. Here's to many more wonderful years.

KT Grant said...

Thank you for enriching my life and allowing me to have an outlet for my thoughts. You have given me the courage to be honest and tell it like it is.
And of course finding Richard :)

Phyl said...

Congrats, Kristie! Kudos to you for sharing from the heart, good and bad. I'm glad you've found such wonderful friends.

And thanks for all those pictures and video clips from North and South. Keep 'em coming!

lisabea said...

We heart you, Kristie(J)

Christine said...

((( Kristie ))) What a truly beautiful anniversary post. Thanks for sharing your world and your views with me... I wish you many more years of blogging happiness! :)

Jennie said...

I've loved reading your blog since way before I started blogging myself! Your enthusiasm and love of romance is so wonderful and infectious! You make blogland a much brighter place. :)

And we started blogging on almost the same day! (Only a year apart.) I wonder if more people start blogging in the dark days of February than other times of the year. ;)

Wendy said...

Wow - it's only been two years? That doesn't seem possible. Happy Blogiversary, and keep it up!

Marg said...

Happy blogiversary Kristie! Your blog is one of the blogs that I read every day before work. Over the years you've made me laugh, and I have cried along with you and I've joined in happily on your crusades!

Thanks for touching my life.


P.S. I just lent North and South to my boss - although the handover itself was extremely painful for me - wasn't sure I could let go of it!! Spreading the love!

Joanna Chambers said...

Awww sweet. *hugs*

Brie said...

Happy Blog Anniversary, Kristie! {{Hugs}}

Kyahgirl said...

Happy anniversary Kristie...I am happy you are blogging I really enjoy visiting you here! Thanks for sharing your life with us.

Laura

Anonymous said...

Late, but Happy Blogday.

And thanks for blogging (and for all the Armitage pics).

Marianne McA

Brandy said...

Happy Blog-iversary! It a wide world out there and I am glad that you're there!

Anonymous said...

I know that the Romance world provided hope and solace at times of great stress in my own life (when my DH had a heart attack, when my son was deployed to Iraq, when another son had surgery). Connecting with others via blogs and the web, getting lots of new book recommendations, and discovering N&S and the dashing Mr. Armitgage through your crusade had added immeasurably to my life. My heart goes out to you when you think of Ron, and may Romance and your blog bring you comfort and joy at those moments.

CindyS said...

I'm so glad you took that step and created a blog. You have a wonderful open heart and you accept people just as they are and your passion and enthusiasm are contagious!

I'm blessed to have a friend such as you.

Hugs
Cindy

sula said...

*sniff* That was a beautiful and very moving post, Kristie. I feel very lucky to have been able to get to know you better this year and to team up on such a terrific project as getting the N&S gospel out to the masses!

Here's to many many more blogiversaris. *hugs*

Lori said...

Missed your day, but happy belated blogiversary. I've always enjoyed reading your posts, both the happy and the sad. You are an inspiration.

Bridget Locke said...

Aw Kristie, we love you too! :) You're also one of the first blogs I came to on a regular basis. You're one of the sweetest people I've "met" and you introduced me to Richard. :D

Here's to many more years and more Crusaders! :)

Rosario said...

You all have enriched my life

As you have enriched ours. Happy bloggiversary!

Dev said...

What a beautiful anniversary post, Kristie! You've enriched our lives every bit as much as we've enriched yours.

Richard and Derek are just bonuses :-)

~ames~ said...

Happy belated blogiversary Kristie!!! Work has been kicking my ass :( - otherwise I'd have been around more lately.

I'm so glad that we got to meet this year. :P