Wednesday, December 30, 2009

~A FRESH NEW YEAR..and JOY...~



I want to thank all of you, my blogger friends, for giving me one of the most fun years ever! So many of you helped me learn..and of course, as with all of us, there are those special ones that have stolen our hearts with their kindness's that went so far beyond anything we ever expected to find doing something like this.

My very first post was on December 6, 2008! I had accidently found Mary at Little Red House, fell in love with the idea and decided to try it. Little did I know I was heading for a wonderful, creative experience that would introduce me to some of the most wonderful people with like interests, such as home, family, decorating and cooking! And even taking walks in all kinds of weather!

I am sure everyone comes to blogging knowing little about what is in store for them. We bumble and make mistakes and finally break down and ask some kind soul for help! NOT once did I find anything but a willingness to help and from that came friendships that are amazing.
Most of you I will never meet, and one day one of us will just suddenly be gone. Being one of the older ones, :):) it will probably be me. I just want to say this. If and when this happens...I want you all to know that you have been one of the joys of my life.
I have seen new babies, new pets, new husbands, boyfriends, and even new cars and homes! We've lived through tradgedy's of the loss of a loved one, lost pets and heard words that betrayed pain both physically and mentally and stood by feeling helpless with nothing to comfort them with but words on this computer. It was difficult! Some even had close calls with their lives and health.
Yippee! We made it my friend!

And the outpouring of love and sympathy when illness has hit us...the sharing of favorite recipes, the joy of finding a bargain when shopping and of course experienceing the fun of "giving" (which reminds me..I am about to do my first giveaway within a month or so and I am a nervous wreck!) And of course there is the joy of seeing gorgeous homes and dreaming of what it must be like to live in such a home!

We have learned how to make something from nothing and to use what we have and make it into something wonderful! We have seen cozy homes, from mobil homes, to lovely mansions to make us gasp! To find so many that share my interests and...even a few with gray hair which comforted me. This was my first year of going gray... what an experience! *smile* Such words of understanding and compliments got me through it.
Laughing, of course!


We get to visit countries we will never get to visit and learned about the people and the beauty of the way they live and think. (Hello, Christer!)
It's been such an experience and difficult to explain to those who haven't experienced it..
To meet so many women, and a few men, that share their lives and times with us and enrich our lives...there are no words!
A special thanks to Debbi for my beautiful backgrounds! (HUG!) The ones that made us smile and burst out laughing with their stories and talent for telling them! And the photography talent! I have gone shopping and seen the countryside of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and taken exciting rides on the back of a motorcycle at 73 years old! I have gone on walks into bogs and watched snow fall and ..and the list goes on and on! To all of you..what a gift you have given me!

It's been fun! I have learned I can love those I have never met and never will, and the experience has broadened my thinking, and..I am grateful! You all have blessed me so much and I thank you and wish you the happiest of New Years in 2010. See you then! I thank God for each and every one of you~!
Love,
Mona

*A brand new little great grandson (Rocco) weighing in at 9lbs 11oz. And was born yesterday afternoon. Does the name fit ..or what? *smile* (I got his weight wrong the first time...ah well!)

*I hope Patrick, the father of our seven children and 19 grands and greats, sees all that is happening. I think he does. God is good!

31 comments:

  1. Mona~~

    This was absolutely so well written and true...I could just cry. I think you have put in to words what so many of us feel. Excellent!
    I have so enjoyed getting to know you. You are one of the sweetest ladies I have never met (!). You are such a faithful follower of my blog and many more and your comments are real and touching. I am so blessed to have met you!

    Have a wonderful, happy and healthy New Year and congratulations on the birth of Patrick!!!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  2. Oh what a beautiful post! Now Mona, that wasn't a little great grandson -- that was a strapping great grandson -- 11 lbs! *ouch* Mona, I know that those who don't blog couldn't possibly understand these friendships and yes, it is possible to love friends that you'll never meet or lay eyes on! Oh I'm praying that God blesses you really special for 2010 -- just like you've blessed us with your delightful blog. See ya in the new year friend!
    Cheers!

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  3. That was a wonderful post! Congratulations on that strapping big boy! Happy New Year.

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  4. Mona, I love the way you desribed our blogging experiences. You said it perfectly.

    Congratulations on that new baby boy!

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  5. Hello Mona,
    After reading your beautiful post, I just wanna hug and squeeze you too death! You are so sweet and I feel like I could walk into your home, put my feet up on the couch and you and I could talk about everything! You are so precious and I'm so glad I found you.
    I'm new to the bloggging world and I agree with you completely. It's so hard to explain blogging to people who do not.

    They really dont' know what they are missing.

    Happy New Year to you my dear. I'm looking forward to 2010 with an open mind and heart.

    ~~big hugs~~
    Sissie

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  6. Mona, Dear,

    You've been one of the highlights of my day all this year, and it has gone so FAST!!

    I'm just a month ahead of you in this blogging world, and I still don't know much about what I'm doing. Your pages are filled with color and light and beautiful images and lovely borders and scenes---the toile is perfectly YOU and all the ribbons for a lady are just right. And I, too, am in a pastel/florals time of my life---I love all things romantic and pink and soft and lacy.

    Looking forward to the New Year---looking in on your bright cheery pages are a lovely treat with first cup every morning!!!

    rachel

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  7. This is just a wonderful and beautiful post. Thank you for saying things in a way that I can not...but I feel just like you have described. You have been such a pleasure to me this year. I am so looking forward to another year for us to blog...all of us will be a year older..and, as you say, I am one of the oldest..I sure am planning to be around for a few more glorious years.
    HAPPIEST NEW YEAR, MY SISTER FRIEND.
    and, I am pretty sure Pat is seeing everything from up above....and loving it.
    xo bj

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  8. Hello you lovely, wonderful person. I just had to stop in and see what you are doing today and I'm so glad I did.

    I want to wish you a happy New Year's Eve tomorrow and a day filled with sunshine, family and happiness. Just reading your words today has brought me warmth on a very brisk, or rather COLD winter's day. I come visit you when I need to feel your warm friendly hugs, Mona.

    Please go into this new year knowing that you are loved by so many people who will most likely never meet you.

    I am wishing you all the best in 2010 and beyond....

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  9. Hi Mona!
    I have so greatly enjoyed meeting you this year! I am looking forward to 2010 and wishing that all of your wishes and dreams come true in 2010.
    xo
    Penny

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  10. Well put Mona and I'm thankful that I found you this year! Happy New Year friend!!

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  11. Mona,
    You are one of the dearest souls and I am so glad that I have gotten to know you through blogging. This was so well written and so close to your heart, thank-you for making my 2009 a better one! I am so happy to have found you and I love your gray hair and beautiful smile! I am so glad your still blogging because if you quit I would be awfully sad. Hugs and Happiness for 2010~
    Love Ya,
    Cindy

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  12. Happy New Year Mona! Your words in this post were just so perfectly beautiful, especially the part about loving people you've never even met...it's so true! I'm so happy to have found you, and look forward to lots and lots of visits in the new year...Congratulations on your new big baby boy!!! Hugs, Paulette

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  13. Happy New Year Mona. thankyou for your words. I hope you do not mind I have directed any of my blog readers to your site to read them as I feel they say so much about my journey and meeting so many diverse and amazing people. Who I would never have met without this amazing www. (much as I am not very technical minded) lol
    May your 2010 be full of family, love contentment, and hope.

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  14. 'Love ya sweet Mona! You have expressed so eloquently what is in the hearts of most of us. Thank you dear friend.

    Congratulations on preciour Rocco. Weighing in at 11 pounds is not a baby but that poor mama birthed a child. Kudos for her!!!

    I'm sure Patrick is looking down upon you and your new great-grandson with great pride. You know not a one of us are guaranteed tomorrow. I have a plaque that reads:

    THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE LORD,NEVER SEE EACH OTHER FOR THE LAST TIME.

    I firmly believe even if we never meet on this earth someday we will meet. I'm also looking forward to meeting your Patrick. My best friend and I are goin' to meet under the chocolate tree so I'll meet you there too!

    God bless and have a wonderful New Year my friend.

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  15. Oops!!! I do really need to proof these things. Precious Rocco. Sorry!!! :o)

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  16. What a beautiful post. I have so enjoyed meeting you this past year. I hope you have a very Blessed and Happy New Year. Hugs, Marty

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  17. Writing and reading blogs really gives new friends and I mean friends even if I almost never met anyone of You all.

    I love to see how similar and yet so different it is to live in our different parts of the world. But in one way it was easier before the blogs, nowdays I always get worried when it is a fire, a flooding or a storm somewhere on this planet of ours, now I know people every where :-) :-)

    Have a great ending of this year and a great beginning (and continuing) of the comming year!
    Christer.

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  18. Wonderful post, Mona. You said it all for all of us. Here's to a New Year...2010! I'll be up at midnight to ring in the new year and will be on my computer early in the morning to write a New Year's message to all my blogging friends.
    Love you, Balisha

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  19. Very beautiful...so many things I would like to say to you, too and the other bloggers I 'meet'! It is so much fun to learn from others and be inspired! I'm looking forward to the New Year and I'm so glad you are a big part of the FUN I have! Happy New Year, sweet friend!

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  20. Mona~What truly warm words...you touched my heart and moved me to tears. I haven't been blogging very long and like you have come to love friends I may never meet. I'm still amazed by the outpouring of support here in this vast blog world.
    I look forward to a new year of continued visits with friends like you.

    Sweet wishes,
    Sara

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  21. Happy New Year Mona. Hope this is a great and wonderful year for you. Love ya! Hugs

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  22. Mona thank you for such a heartfelt post. You are right, it is amazing that you can love people that you will never meet but nevertheless still feel so close to them as if they are your next door neighbor.

    I look forward to spending this year with you.
    Hugs and much love, Sue

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  23. What a beautiful New Year Message. I am new to blogging but I already understand something of what you are saying about the bond that is shared across the globe through blogging, and your words here confirmed my growing sense of this. How lovely to find this channel today. Greetings from England :-)

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  24. Dear Mona, getting to know you this past year has been one of my greatest joys. Your comments always make me smile and/or laugh out loud. I love your charming posts about your life and am astounded by your gift for decorating. Although we will probably never meet in person, I wish, wish, wish we could.

    Love and Hugs,
    SMB

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  25. Mona! Happy New Year! Your post is so sweet and I feel the same way about blogging and all our bloggy friends. I love your New Years message :) Talk to you soon!

    All the best,
    Allison

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  26. I've only been blogging half as long as you Mona but I agree with everything you said. I've seen several signs on blogs lately that say "blogging friends ARE real friends" and that is just how I feel. Cheers and Happy New Year to this whole beautiful cyber community!
    Dawn

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  27. What a beautiful post! So glad I've starting reading your blog. And thank you for visiting mine and for the encouragement. Here's to new friendships in 2010.
    VictorianGypsy

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  28. Sweet Mona,

    I am SO glad that this last year brought you to Blogland. You are precious and dear to me my friend. Cheers to a bright new year :)

    XO,
    Dena

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  29. Dear Mona, You said so much in such a fantastic way. Foe those of us who have become friends through blogging, we truly have a bond that others do not comprehend. I hope to read your posts for a long time to come. Hope the new year brings you many good things!
    hugs, Sue

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  30. God bless you in the new year and I know he will. Glad to have found you this year. I really love your blog.

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  31. I am in absolute agreement with your post here! My sentiments exactly about the wonderful blogger friends found in this world of blogging.

    And no matter if the visits would like to take are not as frequent as hoped for...whenever they are possible...it is like coming home to a long-time friend :o)

    Thank you for your sweet comments! I do appreciate you stopping by...Do come back any time~

    Blessings & Aloha!

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Thank you SO much for sharing your thoughts! Your comments are very important to me.