One year ago today I began my blogging journey. I started it on a whim. I was pathetic and inexperienced and had NO readers, but over time I began to make friends. Much to my surprise, I found MY PEOPLE!!!
Last night I was moved to tears when I returned home from a trip to find bloggers wishing me a happy blog birthday. How did they know? Because a dear blogging friend, Felicity, surprised me with a birthday post. Right there on her lovely blog, a blog birthday post for me. How am I so lucky? Could she be any sweeter to have made note of this milestone? I had never heard the world “chuffed” before making friends from Australia. But now, it is the perfect word to say how I feel. I’m chuffed. Chuffed, touched and humbled.
Blog friends are the nicest friends around. YOU are all the nicest friends around. I feel blessed beyond measure to see your friendly messages pop up in my comments. Do you realize how just a simple kindness like a comment or a visit can transform my day or the day of everyone you visit? You are all thought of as precious friends who take time out of your life to say hello, ask how I am doing, invite me to tea or inspire me with your ideas. Your kindness does not go unnoticed.
Thank you for being a part of my life and making this year the most exciting adventure! I wish I could name each and every one of you by name and give you all a big hug. YOU have made this year fantastic for me. I cannot thank you enough.
I want to host a big party to celebrate, but between a bridal shower this weekend, the wedding in a little over a month (eek) and the possibility of selling our house and perhaps even moving out of state, my life is over the brim full. What I would like to do is to postpone the festivities until I can focus on a big shebang…prizes and all.
Thank you for your patience, your support, your prayers, your encouragement and your friendship. I enjoy sharing ideas here, but most of all, I enjoy being friends with all of you.
Love to you all and BIG HUGS TO FELICITY!!! I nominate her QUEEN FOR THE DAY IN BLOGLAND!
Melissa
PS. Big surprise for next week…I am going to be on BLOG RADIO. Holy cow, that should be scary for all of us. More details to come.
photo: House to Home, Ideal Home July 2008
Blessed are we to have found you! I do hope you will move to Wisconsin
Melissa:
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday….I’m glad I found your blog last year…..Hope to keep reading you into the years to come. You have introduced me to many new sites.
Twitter: melissalewis
says:
So glad I found your blog! Though it’s really easy to find, just click on just about any other blog out that, and there you are. You are all over the place now, AS YOU SHOULD BE:)
Wow, I feel like I am having a party! So nice of you all to pop in. I am so glad you are all my blogging buddies…
thanks for being so sweet!
Happy Blogoversary, dear Melissa! Making your acquaintance over this last year has certainly impacted my life! You are one gifted and classy lady. And, you have such a sweet and tender spirit.
I still marvel that you and I began blogging right around the same time and put “OJT” to task. Then, through the process of putting our heart and passions in an open place, we started to connect with souls that we otherwise may never have met. AND the world becomes even smaller as we realize how so many of our new friends know each other. Amazing!
Right now, you are very much in the place that I was when I began to blog. You’re standing tiptoe in a sea of change endeavoring to keep your nose above water. I know that I birthed my blog to become more buoyant and to celebrate how faithful God is. What an adventure you will have to write about…
You know how I love words… I have never heard the word “chuffed” before. So, I looked it up. I love the definition! What a grand way to sum up a glorious year of blogging!
Main Entry: chuffed
Pronunciation: \ˈchəft\
Function: adjective
Etymology: English dialect chuff pleased, puffed with fat
Date: 1957 (A year before KJ was born)
I conclude with a poem…
The Inspired Room
Authentic living
At The Inspired Room
Prompts perpetual giving;
No room for gloom.
Melissa dispenses
Joie à la carte;
By quickening our senses
With remodeled hearts.
KJ (2008)
HUGE HUGS, KJ
Thank you for the beauty, the kindness, the inspiration. Thank you for being down to earth and still manage to be inspiring. A whole, godly woman. (God is in all things, bright and beautiful).
God bless you and your family.
How time flies! Wishing you many more inspired days!
Congratulations, Melissa! So glad you started blogging and so happy to “know” you! Happy Birthday, TIR!
congratulation on your blog birthday, and thank you for being always there for us to have fun and inspired at a same time.
wish you luck and a big hug
Hello! You are fun! Great blog! And Happy Bloggie Birthday!
Your blog is so beautiful and inspiring. Congrats on your one year blog birthday! Many Blogging Blessings, Dana
Happy blog birthday
Happy blog birthday!!! You aren’t getting older, you are getting better!
)
Happy, happy blog birthday, Melissa! Congratulations on accomplishing so much since you started. Hard to believe it’s only been one year! So much has happened in such a short amount of time. Moving out of state? Blog radio? Do tell!
Happy one year blog birthday Melissa! You have a lot going on right now lady!!
Hugs,
Penny
blogging friends really are the best kind. I had no idea the level of kindness, and thoughtfulness out there until I started blogging. Happy Birthday!
I was taking a lil Bloggy Break and missed so much…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope it was grand! I enjoy visiting you ever so much…I don’t get around as much as I’d like to but I try!
Hugs,
Robin
Congrats on your blog birthday! Wishing you many more such momentous occasions!
Happy Blog Birthday! I’m so glad you blog – I always enjoy it. Have a lovely day!
Jennifer
Yay for YOU sweetness, happy happy happy happy blog BIRTHDAY!!!!!
and many more…..ok, i won’t sing cause that wouldn’t be very nice. Aww, I’m so glad to “know” you in the bloggy world….lots of love from MD to you!! 
I could never imagine bloglandia without you!! HONK HONK Hooooooonk!! xoxooxxo
HAPPY HAPPPPPY Bloggeee Birthday!! Mwwwuah
You are the sweetest, Melissa. With all you’ve got going on you’re going to have to give yourself a break! Seriously, we will all be here when you get done with all your busy-ness. What a blessed time you have coming up with your family events. Take it easy on yourself during this time. Now I must check out this new and fascinating word “chuffed.” I have an Aussie internet friend, so I’ll have to ask her.
(Hope this doesn’t post twice… I think there’s a ghost in my computer!)
Blessings,
Christi
Happy Bloggy Birthday, my sweet friend! Isn’t it just fabulous to meet wonderful people through our blogs? You are such a sweetheart and your posts are from your soul and heart – which makes it no surprise to know you have so many friends. I just love you!!
Hey, you are going to be one busy gal, so just know we are here and wish you all the very best through each path you go down the next few months. If I lived near you, I’d be there to help.
Hugs to you and Winston,
The Doogs and Becky
Today it’s my firt visit! Congratulations!!
I’m sure I’ll return!!!
WoW Congratulations on staying in blogland that long and also happy belated Birthday! Also, Blog Radio what is that exactly? I love this photo you have – I believe I am going to have to steal it. Is it your home? Daisy~
Happy belated blog birthday! I’m rather quiet, not commenting much, but I do enjoy your blog very much. All the best for your next year!
Loving your blog! Found you through Bliss. Chuffed – what a great word! Happy Blogging Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I’m new to the blogging world and love your blog. Your home is gorgeous and you have a great style. I’ve had my blog for 2 months and feel inexperienced and looking for my people as we speak. You have given me hope! Thanks for being a new daily read!
Wow, Melissa! Your cup overfloweth with warm wishes from so many. May I add a drop as well? You inspire and charm us all with your words. Congratulations and Alfie sends a woof to Winston.
Lisa & Alfie
Happy blogday!
Happy days and happy wishes to you! I love stopping by here… wish I could do it more! xoxo
Another happy b’day wish to add to all those amid your virtual table display!
Emily-Sarah
I’ve been on a trip (still am) and can’t believe I missed this! Happy Blog Birthday!
I love your blog. Your pictures are so lovely and give me a calm feeling and you are so down-to-earth and “approachable.”
Keep up the wonderful blogging!
A belated Blog Birthday wish to you!! Keep it up for many years to come! I love coming here, learning and getting inspired by you!
Congratulations on the completion of the first year of your blog. You have certainly done a fine job and inspired many, many other bloggers. Thank you for all the wonderful posts you’ve provided for us all.
Thanks to each of you who took the time to make my first blog birthday so special!
xoxo
Sorry I’m so late, Melissa…is there any cake left for me? Just crumbs? well I will happily toast you and your blog with just crumbs! congrats on the milestone, that is wonderful!!