Thank you for finding That Old House amidst the chaos of the Internet. We are delighted that you are here.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Happy 2nd Birthday, THAT OLD HOUSE




Two years ago today, on October 1, 2008, I hit "publish" for the first time,
and to my astonishment found that I had begun a blog.

There was one picture of the house, from the realtor's listing.  That first post is here.
(Links to my old posts are in red; links to other blogs are in bold type.)

The picture that stole my heart, in the Multiple Listing ad.

My next post was not until Halloween,
when I was feeling rather nostalgic for Halloweens past, and rather sorry for myself.
No pictures.  I was just doing this to hear myself think, sort of out loud, and to help myself
come to terms with leaving our old house, where we raised our girls, and living in this new-to-us old place.

That Halloween post of 2008, I didn't put up any pictures from the past.
I was missing my girls (their little selves) and our old Craftsman house too much.

Next post was early December, about Thanksgiving
By now I had visited some other blogs, and I realized I had to include some pictures.
It took me all day to figure it all out.

I confess I used Mary's beautiful Little Red House blog as my inspiration.
Mary, they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!

Also in early December, I got my first comments, which completely astounded me. 
Remember that feeling?  It's a Sally Field at the Academy Awards moment.  

A few more posts, just ramblings and a few pictures, and then Cindy of Applestone Cottage found me,
and suggested I participate in a blog party.  My first jump into a meme, or blog party, or linky party,
was on February 7, 2009 . . . about the transformation of our master bedroom from wallpaper Hades:

 
to soft blue Heaven.


The blog party? It was Metamorphosis Monday, at Between Naps On The Porch.
 It was Susan's 4th MM; I think she's up to her billionth by now, and it's still a favorite of mine.  

I got 26 comments on that post -- 26! -- and I knew
Cindy had been on to something when she suggested a blog party!

This was fun.

And it continues to be fun.

I also think it's more than just fun.

We don't have those neighborhoods anymore, where the women chatted over the garden wall, trading gossip and mutual support -- but we have our computers.  As women have done since the dawn of humankind, when they gathered in someone's cozy cave while Gorg and Vlomp were out hunting whatever early man hunted -- we have managed to find one another and communicate.

Our garden walls may be virtual, but we can still trade that chat and that mutual support.
I wonder if, when Al Gore invented the Internet, he ever envisioned this happening?  :-)

So thank you, my blogging friends, for two years of laughter, some tears, loads of fun and inspiration, and for being there -- out there somewhere -- because it's wonderful to realize I'm not always just talking to myself.  Have a splendid weekend!  -- Cass


No linky parties today.  Just me, just talking, over the garden wall at That Old House.

40 comments:

  1. Cass, congrats on two years, this is a very nice post! Blogland is a fun community and it's always nice to see what everyone is up to! Hope the rains have stopped where you are-happy weekend:@)

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  2. Happy Anniversary!!! I am so glad you decided to start a blog. I have so enjoyed it since I found you. You have created a beautiful home and I always enjoy reading your posts. Now on to the next thougsand years. Hugs, Marty

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  3. Had an oops in posting! Let's try again!!

    Congratulations on 2 years of blogging!! I am working towards my first year blogging party- I didn't post but like 3 or 4 posts for the first 6 months of blogging! My fantabulous sister was my only follower the whole time! When I was grumbling about how my blog was so blah no one was reading it- she was like- go out and join parties and comment on other peoples blogs to meet them! Duh!! So I did & the fun has begun!!! Now I am hosting my own party! Love your darling house and enjoy your posts!
    Happy weekend! :)

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  4. Cass,
    Thank you for this blog. I'm just finishing my first month of blogging and it is so nice to know everyone feels that way at the beginning. I guess I started out sort of just talking to myself, kind of like a journal. But now I feel like I'm talking to all the ladies whose blogs I read, even though they don't know I exist. I'm heading outside right now to work on my yard so I can participate in a party soon. Working up to that :)
    Cindy

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  5. Congratulations on your second anniversary. I'm glad I found your site - good reading, good laughs, real life and some better-than-real-life.

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  6. I personally am so glad you started a blog because I so enjoy visiting you. Your home is gorgeous and it's always great to see a fellow Jersey girl here in Blogland!
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  7. Hi Cass,
    Congratulations on your 2nd anniversary! I love visiting your blog and your lovely old house full of charm and happiness!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  8. Hurray for you on your second anniversary. I feel the same as you do, the virtual garden wall and everything! Here to many more years, Cass!

    XO,
    Janie

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  9. Happy Anniversary! Your blog was one of the first ones I followed with any regularity (followed without really "following") and you are one of the reasons I started blogging. What a beautiful post.

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  10. Happy Blogirthday! My how time flies by. I know when I come here to chat over the fence that I will laugh out loud or at least smile. I'll marvel at your "deals" and envy your "finds". More than anything I'll know that it was worth my time.
    Thanks so much for sharing with all of us.

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  11. Happy Happy Second Blogversary, Cass! I'm so glad to have found you, love your wit (you make me LOL, really!!) and you have made That Old House a part of my life...at a local antique shop, I have seen dinnerware and think, 'Cass would SO love that'! Thanks for meeting at the back fence where we hang up our laundry for anyone driving by on the interstate, errr, interNET, to see...sometimes it's the lace petticoats and sometimes the stained napkins, but it's always such fun to read your take on what you're doing. Please continue!

    Thanks!!

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  12. I love your house. It's a dream for someone like me who wants to live an an old house before my days here are over.

    I will be back

    Janice

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  13. I'm so glad you learned how to push that publish button!

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  14. Happy Anniversary Sweetie...
    What a beautiful share, and I so love talking over the garden wall with you today and every day I come to visit.

    Your decorating is always such a joy to me. And I love your deals that you find. So much fun.

    We have shared laughter and tears the last two years, and I can't wait for the next zillion to come sweet friend.

    Many hugs and so much love, Sherry

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  15. I love your description of the garden wall - that's exactly what blogging has taken the place of.

    Happy 2nd Birthday!

    xo
    Claudia

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  16. Can't remember which blog I found you through, but I've been so glad I did. Love your home and your wit!! Congratulations!

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  17. I found That Old House early on -- and it's a favorite daily stop. Congratulations on your Two Year Anniversary -- blogging is fun and for me, my blogging friends take the place of my work friends now that I've retired. It's places to visit and thoughts and ideas to share.

    And I'm so glad that I met you Cass -- you have always brightened my day!

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  18. I love your post and Happy Anniversary. As a fairly new blogger, I'm still feeling my way and still getting to know people. And I'm loving it. Never thought of it the way you describe it, but so true!!
    And as a former Morris County resident, who still misses it, I know what you mean about missing the past. Every time I get homesick for "up north" as they call it here at the shore, I remind myself that I miss my life as it was then, with my daughters still little and at home. Those days can't come back and I've made a life here and I'm loving it!
    Thanks for a great post.
    gail
    adventuresininnkeeping.blogspot.com

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  19. Congrats on two years! It is amazing our journey in blogging. How fun to look back! Enjoy the growth and keep on blogging.

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  20. Congrats on two years of blogging. It's quite an interesting thing, isn't it? Like over the back fence or at the water cooler. I'm glad I've found your blog --enjoy reading your posts and seeing your pics! Have a great fall weekend!

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  21. Happy Anniversay!! I love visiting your blog and reading your posts and seeing your photos. Enjoy your weekend.

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  22. Happy Birthday That Old House. I too love gathering at your garden wall. Thanks for creating such a wonderful blog and keep up the good work.
    Lisa

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  23. Happy anniversary, dear Cass! I have enjoyed your beautiful home and your wicked sense of humor. I'm SO glad to have "met" you and I look forward to many more great visits to That Old HOuse. :)
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  24. Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary! The world of blogging has definitely replaced some of the "earlier" ways of communicating.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  25. Hi Cass: First off, Congratulations on your 2 years blogging. I have really enjoyed your posts, your home and of course, your witty wit. I'm not much of a meat eater but I sure like the looks of those mashed potatoes and peas. Have a great weekend. Hugs, Deb =^..^=x5

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  26. How odd. There are 26 comments!
    Happy Birthday to "That Old House"!!!
    I love your blog, Cass. And you were one of the first bloggers to become my friend in Blogland :)
    xo, misha

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  27. Happy Blogiversary my jersey friend ! Btw - did you happen to catch House Hunters this evening - the family was from Tenafly !

    hugs from a bit further north,
    gena
    www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

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  28. Congrats! Good to know after two years you still can come up with creative and wonderful posts.

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  29. Happy anniversary! I am so glad I found your page last month and I so enjoy talking over your garden wall. Look forward to many more visits.

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  30. Cass, I would SO love to be leaning n the other side of that wall :) Congrats friend
    xoxo Pattie

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  31. Happy Anniversary!
    I too am an old house LOVER!
    Come and take a peek at our new old home!

    Hugz Dolly

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  32. Cass, I absolutely love visiting you over the garden wall and your way with words on this post! You know, the first time I came to see you I just about squeeled. You have the most perfect, lovely home evah! And it couldn't belong to a nicer gal. Happy Anniversary :)

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  33. Cass, I was surprised too about what happens once you find yourself connected with all these amazing women. It's a joyful place to be.

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  34. I so agree with you. Someone said something the other day about the time spent blogging and I mentioned that this is such a healthy outlet for our creativity, our sadness and fears. Our need to be heard. I just wish there were more hours in the day to keep in touch because my list of blog friends grows every day and I hate to miss what they have to say.

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  35. Oh I forgot to say Happy Blog-versary Cass. I always love visiting you. You are one of the best.

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  36. how could you not have been missin' Pumpkin and Bunny? :) how very sweet...

    Happy Blog Birthday (I like Birthdays better than Anniversaries :)

    and here's to many more!

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  37. Hi Cass!

    Well happy birthday/anniversary x 2 years!! I love your comments about chatting over the garden wall..today so many women have so many responsibilities at work and home and blogging is a way to reach out and find time for ourselves to share and get to know people who have common interests! I love seeing what others have done and their beautiful homes and gardens. I've learned from other bloggers and continue to get such wonderful inspiration! Your blog is one of my favorites!!

    Congrats!

    Miss Bloomers

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  38. Cass-

    Happy Second Blogiversary! I always enjoy reading your posts. Your wit, your fabulous writing style, and your gorgeous photos really inspire me. It is such a joy to visit with all the bloggers across the country and have a peek into their lives. I guess that's what it's all about!

    -Pam

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  39. Happy blogiversary, Cass. I so enjoy my visits to That Old House. You have a marvelous sense of humor, share beautiful photos, and lots of inspiration. Keep on Blogging! ~ Sarah

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Thank you for visiting That Old House; it's always exciting to find new comments -- they are treasured! Because of increasing spam, I have reluctantly eliminated "Anonymous" commenting. Legitimate anonymous commenters, please forgive me! You might try using "Open ID" instead. Blogger's spam software worked for a good long time, but, sadly, no longer.