Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Ella's First Birthday!






Cannot believe that Ella and my blog are turning one year old.  It was April 26, 2015, that my first post went up.  And it really did feel like I was having a baby!  Goodness, labor and delivery took forever.  Ask Meredith.  It was her encouragement and unflagging support that made me believe I could have a blog.  By the time we got to Saturday, 4/26, I am sure that somewhere out in blogland, Mere was shouting, "Ella, you can do this.  Just shut up and push!"






For others more tech savvy than I, learning to use Blogger was probably quite easy.  I stressed over this and even searched for a book called Blogger for Dummies.  There wasn't a current one at the time .  That made me worry.  If Blogger was so simple that there wasn't even a Dummies Book, heaven help me.



I did finally find an old book with some basics, but it was a bit out of date.  It still felt like a security blanket.  In the end, it was better
to find the latest information with Google.  Sam was a lot of support, too.  I really don't think it would have happened without him.  Mere's advice was "...just play with it.  You'll get to know it better."  Basically, I left the whole design just about as plain as it could be and forged ahead.  I have often wanted to make it prettier, like Katie T's.  Maybe someday.



I knew I wanted to be Ella.  It was my grandmother's name, and she was such a good lady.  An angel, who made angel food cakes and smelled like lily of the valley.  As a young girl I often wished that I had been named for her.  In many of my childhood make-believe games, Ella was who I wanted to be. 





The "..Ever After" part came because it felt like a fairy tale was coming true for me.  

           Once upon a time, there was a girl and then a woman 
                           who held a secret for so long... 

Well, you know the story.  So, once I had Blogger ready and a name chosen, I set to work on a first post - an introduction of sorts.  Have never liked that first post, but I left it there to remind myself that I could always improve.  Both Meredith and PK were set to send some readers my way.  Mere told me that PK was sort of the "queen bee" in this corner of blogdom, and it was very helpful to have her mention my blog.  She did, and this year I have come to discover she is the sweetest queen bee you could know.  Finally I pressed the magic orange button that says, "Publish."  And my blog was born.







A year later, I love the writing very much; it's been a long time since I have had a reason to write.  Now, there have been over 70 posts!  Visiting other blogs and commenting gets me thinking and talking to Sam about ttwd and the life we have chosen. 


                    And friends - for them I am most thankful.


Of all the good advice dear Meredith has generously given this last year, the piece that has been most important to me was simple and very powerful.  She said, "Stay honest, and be true to yourself."  It has been at the front of my mind in every post, comment, and email for these 12 months.  If Ella wrote it, it's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.







                          Thanks to all the readers and friends 
                     who bring me so much joy and fulfillment.


                                         I love you guys!!




13 comments:

  1. Hi Ella, what a lovely post :) I'm so glad Meredith encouraged you to start a blog. Congratulations on your first blogiversary! I always enjoy reading here and you give me food for thought. Thank you too for your lovely comments to me for your support :)

    Hugs
    Roz

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  2. Happy Blogiversary. So glad you had that encouragement to come over to the land (at KT calls it).

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  3. Ella,
    I knew from the moment we first wrote to one another, your blog would be a winner. Happy Blogiversary, Ella. We look forward to many more posts.
    Meredith

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  4. Love stopping by. Happy Blogiversary Ella. Very happy you are part of this community.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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  5. Happy Blogiversary Ella! I always enjoy reading your posts.

    Rosie xx

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  6. Happy Blogiversary Ella, it is great to be your friend!
    love Jan, xx

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  7. Happy blogiversary Ella. It's good to have you here.
    hugs
    DF

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  8. Happy birthday! Queen Bee - sounds nice, I've always felt like the bar fly that just like to hang around and listen to what was going on. You've done a wonderful job being true to yourself and being yourself. That's what draws the people to you and now that you have you're stuck with us.

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  9. Happy Birthday and Blogiversary, Ella and Ella Ever After! So very happy Mere was there to encourage you and you trusted her enough to hit the publish button. You are definitely a lovely addition to our blogland family. I agree with PK...you have done an awesome job of being honest and true to yourself. Looking forward to more in the coming year.

    Hugs and blessings...Cat

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  10. Wow, one year is a wonderful accomplishment, congratulations to you!
    I love that you took your grandmothers name, both a beautiful and important one for you to share and describe how you are living your life completely thanks to ttwd.
    Your posts are fun, thoughtful, and insightful. I hope there are many more to come.

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  11. Happy 1st blogiversary Ella. It's been wonderful getting to know you and Sam over the past year. Your posts are always so well written and interesting.

    Hugs Lindy

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  12. Wow...congrats on the 1 year, and we are very happy that you joined out 'family'.
    hugs abby

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  13. Happy one year blogiversary! :-) A lovely blog it is! Hugs

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