I had this header for quite a while….
This one never made the cut.
I loved this one – that was a peony that I had in my apartment when I was working in San Diego for 6 months. I took several pictures of it. Remember those blue glasses?
My very first laptop which was white. I still miss that color. But boy, was it heavy compared to today’s laptops. I liked this brown color scheme on the header.
Oh, and this was pretty! All of these were in use at some time or other when I was still on Blogger.
Have you guessed why I’m showing you these?
If your answer is “Claudia started this blog 18 years ago on February 17th!” you’re right. I debated on posting about it the day before my blogiversary or the day after. Before won out.
The photos of me are shockingly young compared to my current state of gray hair, weight gain, and double chins. I wish I was still thin, but Don still loves me, so I’m good.
My friends, it’s crazy that I’ve been blogging this long! Crazy! Most people who were already blogging when I started, or who started around the same time, are no longer blogging. They’ve either mysteriously disappeared from online, or have moved to Instagram or Substack. Sadly, some have left us. But there are a few that have hung in there all this time. We’re a rare breed these days.
I’ve loved most every minute of it. Truly. The minutes I haven’t loved are when there were technical problems, or when the blog would briefly disappear in the Blogger days, or when distasteful people would leave distasteful comments. One of the major plusses of moving to WordPress on a host/server was the ability to block someone. And, since it’s my home, I do just that. Had to do it again just the other day. But everyone who writes a blog or a substack or an IG post has to deal with that kind of thing. It’s the way of the online world.
But let’s shift to the best thing: YOU. All of you. Some of you have been with me since pretty near the beginning. Some of you joined in much more recently. It ebbs and flows. I have been so blessed by your friendship, by your comments, and by the community we have built here. Not me. WE. What a blessing it is! I treasure each and every one of you. I have met people from all around the world, virtually. And yes, it is virtual, but I would also say it is very, very real. My world opened up that day 18 years ago and it has expanded ever since.
You have been with me when I’ve traveled to other cities on coaching assignments, on trips across the country, or to Paris and London and Edinburgh. You’ve been with me when I’ve had work on Broadway and when I worked on a film and had an unexpected opportunity to act in that film. You’ve watched me plant gardens and mow lawns and you’ve listened to Don play the guitar and sing his songs. You’ve cheered me on as I took on the renovation of a dollhouse, crocheted blankets, made quilts and scarves, started oil painting, added to my collections, and suddenly started buying dolls in my late sixties (“What the heck, Claudia??”)
And you’ve been right here for me in times of loss. In this 18 years, I’ve had dear friends pass away, we’ve lost our two dogs, Riley and Scout (we just passed the 10th anniversary of Scout’s death.) I’ve lost my mother and my father and Don lost his father. You’ve been such a source of comfort and support.
I thank you for all of that. From the bottom of my heart.
I don’t know how much longer I will be doing this. I suspect it will keep going for a year or so. But probably only that. As I grow older, I run out of things to talk about. Our lives here are quieter. We aren’t working as often as we’d like to. We tire more easily. At some point, I’m going to have to fold my blog tent and move on. As you know, it’s not inexpensive to maintain this blog and that’s another consideration.
My blogging friend Kim, of Dear Daisy Cottage, was faced with that scenario when TypePad, her blogging platform, suddenly announced it was closing down. She wrestled with what to do. Should she move to another platform? Or should she just fold her tent? She had been blogging as long as I have – I think even longer. She finally came to the conclusion that she would end it. She took screen shots of all of her posts, said her goodbyes via the blog, announced it on Instagram. We all came together and thanked her for her beautiful and positive posts, for her lovely home that she decorated so beautifully, for her dogs, and her grandchildren, all of whom made an appearance on the blog. She’s still on Instagram and though it isn’t quite the same thing, we can see her there, we can read about her life there.
I think she was lucky. The ultimate decision whether to save years of posts was pretty much taken out of her hands. TypePad has disappeared into the ether.
My blog will disappear when I decide to stop blogging. I’ll take Kim’s advice and take screen shots of my blog posts.
But none of that is for now.
It’s just a heads up for all of you. I’ve never worked at ANY job for 18 years.
Only here.
Thank you my dear friends. Here’s to another year together.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Congratulations on your anniversary, Claudia! I’m just a commenter, not a blogger but I think many bloggers think of their blog as a diary to keep track of what is going on in their lives and help save their memories. It’s been a lot of work for you but think of the wonderful history of life you have saved. I hope you keep it up! Thanks for all of your posts!
Good Morning Claudia! Congratulations on 18 years blogging! I am only a couple of years behind you and have had a blast connecting with miniaturists around the world for years now, but yes, sadly, it is a dying thing. I refuse to migrate to instagram or FB. I like the descriptions, the how-to’s the words! involved in communication about a topic I am passionate about (miniatures in all their forms) and just don’t enjoy the snapshot show-don’t-tell process. That doesn’t feel like connection to me. And miniatures are a lonely hobby without the internet! Who would ever know (or care) about your dollhouses if you didn’t have the internet?
I will be sad when you close up, but I do understand. A few years ago I got paranoid about blogger abandoning the platform and made printed copies of all my posts….. I could use the copier at work… it took me a long time, but I have been keeping at it even in retirement. I figure, this is where I put my creativity… why not save it for posterity? And yes, a blog is a journal and much of your life is recounted here and that is important to acknowledge! Best of all is that the comments are here too and can be revisited as well. Keep on keepin’ on…. it is a community and it does matter! Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your life! :):)
18 years sure goes by in a blink doesn’t it? I started following you I believe in 2010….the year I finally joined the rest of world, and bought an iPad. I was looking around for home decor bloggers, and you commented on another blog I had discovered. Whatever you said interested me.
Life isn’t as full as it once was…but it’s still interesting. And I’ve always appreciated your take on things. And, yes…I do remember those blue glasses.
And, some of those headers lol. Your blog is always interesting, entertaining…and at times educational. I learned a lot…from egg cups to Blythe dolls, and everything in between. And…I look forward to whatever comes next.
Enjoy your day! ;)
Congratulations on 18 years!
I’ve been here for a long time but not quite from the beginning.
I’m glad you’re not quite ready to go yet.
Take care
Congratulations Claudia, I’ve known your blog for a long time. I was researching Harper Lee’s book, which is one of my favorites, and I discovered you. Hugs,e desculpe meu inglês.
Congratulations, Claudia. You did good! Hugs, Elaine
happy anniversary with mhc! and as many more as *you* want, dear claudia. :)
what a lovely recollection of eighteen years of you sharing your life and loves with us. thank you for taking the risk, the time, effort and money to do all of that. thanks also for the inspiration, comfort and support, encouragement, book/movie/tv show recommendations, friendship … all of it. :) same for what i’ve received from the community of wonderful people here at mhc.
i found mhc and you probably twelve years ago (so maybe post-blue glasses … but they and you look great). don’t know how i got here, but am glad and grateful to be here.
you are a blessing and you are loved.
kathy
I stumbled onto your blog for the miniatures, though I don’t work on minis myself. But the blog was and is so much more than that. I don’t comment on every post but yours is the only blog I read from the first word to the last. Your blog and its readers give me the realization that there are good people all over. And you don’t ever put on a phony face, Claudia. I can always count on your opinions, likes, dislikes, good mood and bad to be real. There is no sugar-coating, which I appreciate.
Thanks for all the years. I haven’t been reading for 18 years but I’m sure it’s been at least 14. Happy early blog-versary.
Don’t leave! Yours is one of the few blogs that start my day and I’d miss you terribly.
Thank you for mentioning Dear Daisy Cottage today. I started following her blog at about the same time I started following yours and when it was no longer there… I was so disappointed! I’m happy to now be able to see her on Instagram. Reading her blog was like reading your blog. I can tell you are both fun loving, down to earth human beings with hearts of gold. Neither one of you has a mean bone in your body and reading your blogs (yours and hers) makes me feel like we are longtime/forever friends.
Much love to you and Don. Have a wonderful day/week
Congratulations! What a blessing you have been to me!
Claudia, I am still not sure about how I discovered your blog. It was a golden day! Thank you for making us part of your life and creating this lovely community.I consider you and those who leave lovely comments to be my friends. As long as you have the stamina I will be reading and when you decide to “retire” I will have happy memories.xo
Such an accomplishment, Claudia!💕 I came on board when the blog was probably in it’s second or third year … so I’ve been here for a while. It’s been so much fun to follow along! You’ve introduced me to egg cups, a variety of books, beautiful pottery, and the list goes on. Thanks to you I found the courage to tackle my dollhouse (I was terrified I’d ruin it!), and to fully jump into the world of miniatures. As you’ve slowed down, so have I … but I continue on with my reading of your beautiful blog. Thank you for all that you’ve given to us by sharing your life.
I remember that old blog header well. I first started reading your blog when I still lived in New South Wales, and I continued to read it when I moved to South Australia seventeen years. I will continue to read until you fold your tent. I don’t comment very often, but you blog has been a part of my morning routine for a very long time now, and I will miss it when it folds. Thank you for sharing your life with us for the past eighteen years.
That’s a lot of photographs and thoughts. Congrats on your accomplishment!
Congratulations, Claudia! Your words echo my thoughts as well. What a wonderful community we have. I’ve been part of it since 2007 and I wouldn’t give up a minute of it! Wishing you MANY more years of bringing us into your world!
Thank you Claudia for giving me something to look forward to every day. I know how much
work you put into this and it is greatly appreciated. I still want to live in your house! Love all
the pictures you post. I would love to have your stove! Happy you made the decision to keep
on going. Take care and keep warm! Hugs to you and Don.
Thank you, Dear Claudia. I cannot express how much you and your blog mean to me. You have delighted, informed, educated and given me hope.
You are a best friend,
xo,
Kaye
Claudia….thanks for sharing your lovely site with us all these years. You have built a precious community. Verna