Reflections of my blog roots...

This is my 250th post to Nitty.Gritty. To 'celebrate' such a nice even number I have decided to reflect on where it all began and do a small tribute to commemorate this moment.
Fortunately for me, this blog thing has turned into much more than just words and pictures. It has broadened my list of 'friends' and introduced me to the wonderful world that is 'scrapping', as well as provided many other benefits in my life. I have enjoyed it all very much.
Today, my thanks and tribute goes out to a woman who is 'well-known' in the scrap industry, and she just happened to be the spark that started the fire inside of me. As she has probably done for countless others- not just me.
I picked up the book Clean & Simple Scrapbooking to use up the rest of a giftcard I had been given to at Hobby Lobby. I think it's funny now, looking back, that I had extra money on a card in a store where there is scrap product in more than one aisle. Anyway, I was struck by the colors and design of the cover, having some roots in graphic design made this book appealing to me. However, when I got home and started reading this book I was hooked. I had never been excited about scrapbooking- ever- but this book made me want to learn more.
So, after one afternoon of reading and finishing this book, at my next opportunity, I searched "Cathy Zielske" on my computer, and that is how I came upon her blog,{ 'bits and pieces'}.
I had never heard of a blog before. It was May of 2005. I was now hooked by Cathy's book (she now has two of them out [and I own them both, lucky me!] and you can link and purchase them through her blog), her stories (as a native Minnesotan, her stories and layouts had true meaning for me...I knew what and where she was talking about) and now her blog. Through her blog, I found links to some scrapbooking sites, as well as links to other blogs, which in turn had links to even more blogs.
Eventually, I decided that my life and pictures and stories were equally as important to document, as the other blogs which I had been reading for months now. It seemed to make sense that I should have a blog- if only to keep some of my closest friends and family members updated with my life and that of the rest of my family. But that's part of the irony of this...many of my family and dear friends are the last to check in here on any given day...or even at all. This Nitty.Gritty. has connected me with people around the globe. Some of those people (maybe even you!) have written me lengthy emails and notes about how much they have been touched by this blog and how they think about me in the middle of routine things in life- like during bathtime with their own kids. Or when they order Starbuck's lattes.
I'm thrilled that this blog has helped some of you 'better' your life. Or given you more patience with others. Or helped you appreciate life- even in the middle of a trying time. Or that it has simply made you more grateful for what you already had in life- but just hadn't 'looked at it in that way before'. That to me is reason to keep blogging. It is humbling to think that my stories help others to live differently. Or more purposefully. Wow.
All because of a lady, who made me believe that my words and pictures were worth sharing. If you feel like it, stop by her blog today and thank her in her comments, or drop her an email (czdesign@comcast.net) telling her that she is so cool. More cool than she realizes, I suppose. Thank her for being the seed that planted the idea of Nitty.Gritty.
Really, this whole 'tribute to CZ' is just an excuse for me to post my pictures of the two of us together, as well as the one of us eating a Ben & Jerry's sundae with Heidi Swapp and Emily Waters. I think you'll agree, that it's a very good excuse. And to me, it's even more than that. It's my way of remembering this story in my life, of thinking about the impacts and changes this blog has brought in my life, and of being grateful for the chance to bring my 'cyberworld' and my real life together. That's what I love about blogging. It's not just 'out there' for me. It's real!
And now...I leave you with a commemorative 250th post limerick (you're invited to write one and post it in my comments here)...
There once was a blog; Nitty.Gritty.
Full of pics, real-life stuff, sometimes witty.
A dose for your day,
makes you think, maybe pray;
Always real, here's to more... at least 250!