These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

T.W.O....Y.E.A.R.S ! ! ! ! !

I'm TWO years old!!!!!!


Yep, today is my blogoversary. Two years ago, Caroline convinced me to begin a blog, and against my better judgment, I tried it. And .... as the saying goes .... the rest is history. It is hard for me to believe that I am beginning my THIRD YEAR of blogging!

So much has happened in my life during this period of time. I was in Kansas City, working my butt off, trying to get my home of 30 years ready to put on the market. I was alone except for my three dogs. My husband has died about six months earlier, and I felt angry and deserted in the house refurbishing. I think Caroline knew a blog would be a good outlet for my emotions and would help me to feel connected with the world outside my house. It was a good thing. I think having the blog did a lot of good, even more than the above. Thanks, my dear friend!

Since that day ....
  • I finished, with the help of some dear family member and friends from time to time, getting the house ready, on the market and sold
  • I moved to New Mexico, staying with my stepson for about 5 months until I found my home
  • I held my sweet Mai Lin, the first Shih Tzu in our family, as she left this world to run over the Rainbow Bridge
  • I bought a house ... by myself, scary!!
  • The house in KC sold about the same time I was moving into this one
  • I bought a truck with just myself as an adviser
  • I repainted the interior of this place, had carpet and tile laid
  • I made decisions about new appliances, a filter system for the well, refinishing the driveway by myself, and even though I sometimes trembled inside, I made those decisions, and more, for my future
  • I moved my belongings from KC to NM
  • I sorted through the stuff I moved here, downsizing from 2700 sq. ft. to 1300 sq. ft., then had a garage sale to make it manageable
  • I hosted my friend who was moving to this area for six months while she found a job and house
  • I found a part-time job (even thought I wasn't looking) and began meeting people in the community
  • In the new job, I've learned , in a baptism by fire, two new professions, the world of art and public relations
  • I became a contributing writer and photographer to the local newspaper
  • I joined a book club and became involved in community activities and groups
  • I've made several road trips, one which took me to Georgia and South Carolina, where I met Dawn and Patti
  • I joined clubs and organizations to fill my time and meet new friends (and a couple enemies, too!! LOL!)
  • I've met lots of people and made new friends, IRL and online, too
  • I've become an activist for the ecology and the green, clean future of my state
  • I'm becoming a political activist to a degree, mostly as I learn that some politicians/parties are idiots that don't care about the future of our planet, what our children will inherit, and the quality of lives other than their own
  • I've learned that it's OK to be a woman alone, on my own, strong enough to hold my place in the pecking order, and soft enough to still cry when it hurts
  • I'm more comfortable in my own skin than I've ever been
  • I'm seeing my life in different eyes these days; not good, not bad, just different from anything in my past
  • I am proud of where I've been, what I've done, even the mistakes because of what I've learned
  • I'm in a new place in my life, one that is giving me a more clear vision of the future, thanks to the experiences of the past
  • And I LOVE BLOGGING!!!
It has been a good two years, and I'm happy with my life. It is one that I have truly developed for myself, no regrets. Well, OK, few regrets!!! If nothing else, I've learned that ....


Life is beautiful!!!!


PS - I just found out that at www.blogoversary.com there is a list of everyone who has one on this day! Is that cool or what? I'm gonna go send good wishes to them all! Cool!

31 comments:

  1. What a wonderfully enriched two years Lynilu!!!! You are an inspiration...and I wish you happy blogiversary and many more!!!

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  2. Thanks, Sherry! It was interesting to recap the highlights and realize how much as taken place.

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  3. Wow woman! Look at how much you have accomplished and how much you have grown in the past two years! Congratulations to you and here's to many, many more blogoversaries for you!!

    I am so fortunate to have "met" you. Thank you for your friendship and the massive amount of support you have offered me through my own growth. YOU ROCK!!

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  4. First of all...Happy Blogiversary. I am so happy that you decided to take the plunge into the land of blogs. I know when I first started encouraging (aka nagging)you to start a blog you weren't too sure how it would fit into your life. I personally think it has fit just perfectly into your life. I love the fact that I can click on your blog every day and see what you are doing and it doesn't make you seem so far away.

    It is amazing reading all that has happened in the last two years. Both of our lives are completely different then they were two years ago; both for the better.

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  5. P.S. Happy 2nd Birthday to Miss Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. :)

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  6. Casey, thank you! I'm glad we "met", too, and when I make it to the Great Northwest to visit my stepdaughters, I'll be sure to arrange it so we can say out-loud howdys!!

    Caroline, yes, it was a good thing, for sure. It is good that we can feel more closely involved with each other. I'm really glad!

    Yeah, we are both in far better places, aren't we? I wish we weren't so far apart IRL, but the good in our lives and the fact that we can still share those things with each other is excellent!

    Yeah, yeah, yeah, happy birthday, kid. sigh.

    :D

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  7. What a period of intense growth! 2 years chock full of learning and doing and living. You really do inspire me, Lynilu. Here's to the next 2 years!

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  8. Melissa, it has been a full couple of years, indeed. I hope my life is always like that! Thank you!!

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  9. Dear Lynilu,

    You've accomplished more in 2 years than many of us do in a lifetime! My hat is off to you.

    Happy Blogiversary to the most prolific blogger I know! (And I'm seeing that it could be because you have so much to blog about.)

    Many hugs,
    Betty

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  10. Betty, thanks, but I'm willing to bet that is you listed your accomplishments, you'd be pretty surprised yourself! :)

    LOL at myself! I read this: (And I'm seeing that it could be because you have so much to brag about.)!!! I guess that is pretty telling about me, isn't it??

    Hugs back!

    Teena, thanks! And welcome to my little corner of the blog world!

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  11. Oh my what an amazing woman you are. You have done more in the past few years than many of us do in a lifetime, and I always look forward to reading of your escapades, and have enjoyed the trip immensely. You've done more than I could ever visualize myself even attempting...... and even learned to blog as well. LOL. Thats something I'm still whimpy about learning, that new phase of the computer, despite your kind offer.

    Happy Blogiversary with many more to follow.

    Ruth

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  12. Wow, I feel exhausted reading that list! You are really an inspiration.
    Happy anniversary~

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  13. Awww, what a great post! Congratulations on your Blogiversary! I think I'm coming up on my 3rd year at the end of June.

    Well, I must say, I too am thrilled that you started this blog. Otherwise, I never would've gotten the privilege of meeting the wonderful, sweet, Lynilu! I'm glad Georgia was one of your stops. And even moreso, that meeting me and my girls was on your busy agenda.

    Love ya! Glad to know ya!! ;)

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  14. Now THAT is a list to be proud of!!! You go girl!!!! Can't wait till we meet.... ;-)

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  15. Ruth, you never know what you are really capable of until you are put to the test. That's my biggest lessons and message to others. I was just saying to a friend today that I'm learning to pace myself in the yard work .... 30 minutes working, 30 minutes resting .... as part of doing what I must do. It just is what it is, and I'll do what I must do!! :D

    Thanks so much!!

    Julie, inspiration with perspiration!!! LOL!

    Thanks!

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  16. Dawn, thank you! I'm also glad that I got to meet you and the girls! As I said in the post, making friends has been one of the great parts of these two years, and you're right up there at the top! Love you, too!

    Froggi, thank you! I'm here to stay for a while, so when might you venture this direction? I'd love to meet up!!! Let me know when you're in this general area, and I will figure out how/where/when we can connect!

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  17. Lyn if I can only do 1/4 of the gutsy moves you've made in your life I will die a happy woman. Heck if I can be 1/4 the woman you are I will be satisfied. You inspire me every single day lady.
    You are truly a phenomenal woman.

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  18. Patti, hon, it's as simple as this .... when life deals you a hand, you have two choices ... play 'em or fold!! But thanks, I'll take it!!!

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  19. Congratulations on two years of blogging. Isn't it amazing what we widows can do. I too, downsized and bought a smaller house. Found out I could live alone happily and then found a "new love" and married again. There is so much to be grateful for in my life.

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  20. Maria, thank you! Yes, it is amazing! I think learning or accepting a new life style or circumstance is the catalyst for happiness. From then on, we can see everything as a good, new, exciting, wonderful experience! Life isn't perfect, but I'm pretty good at making lemonade!

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  21. Lynilu--Congrats on the two years and the accomplishments. I love to know women that make so many decisions on thier own and just go for it. Being single for so many years forced me to do many of the things I've done in my life and I'm so grateful for knowing that I can make it in the big world on my own!

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  22. Happy Blogversary to you, too!

    My, what a journey you've traveled.

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  23. MJ, we women so easily allow ourselves to believe that we can't. And you're right, it if great to see others ... or ourselves ... succeeding at life. It's also nice to have someone to share the big stuff with, isn't it? :)

    Thanks, MJ.

    Hey, Maggie, thanks for stopping by!!

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  24. Wow. I'm so glad Caroline convinced you to blog. You've made my life better just for being in it. Happy Happy my dear!

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  25. Happy Blogiversary!! What an incredible two years! I sure am glad you caved. :o)

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  26. Congratulations Lynilu you are a true inspiration for me. I just hope that some day our paths will cross. Daisy and I would LOVE to some day meet you.

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  27. Uh oh, does this mean Lyni is about to go into her Terrible Twos??? Tantrums on the floor at the shopping mall? Refusing to eat her vegetables? :)

    Lyni, I love that you compiled this list - you are such an inspiring role model, you know that?

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  28. HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!! May you have many more years to blog. I visit your blog daily. You are very inspiring. And if you ever get to the Mid-Atlantic states/NorthEast, please look Man and me up. I would absolutely LOVE to meet you and show you around.

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  29. I am totally laughing at Sandra's comment. She really knows you Lynilu.

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  30. Traci, wow, thank, and you, as well. Isn't it funny how some things are resisted yet become some of the best in our lives?

    Jen, thanks, and boy, me, too!!! LOL!!

    Man, thank you, and I hope so, too! I'd hoped to make a trip this fall to see the colors in New England, but with gas prices like they are .... I don't know. But I will, some day, some how!! I really want to meet you guys, also!

    Sandra, what do you mean "about to," I mean, of course not!!! LOL!!

    Thank you, and no, I don't think of myself like that. It is really nice to hear, though! Again, thanks!

    Daisy, thanks so much, and you know that I will look you two up WHEN, not if, I get there!

    Caroline, LOL! I guess she does!!!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!