Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Year number six

It seems the busy-ness of the summer season has caused many anniversaries and birthdays to go by without the accompanying blog post.  In this case... the birthday of Coffee Tea Books and Me!  I am now in my sixth year of putting thoughts onto screen.

CTBandMe was created when Stephanie convinced me to give blogging a try.  I had been writing a combined e-mail to Stephanie, Uncle Gibby (my sister's husband in Florida), BB (my sister-friend in Texas), and Kathy (my other sister-friend in New Mexico).  Unfortunately for them, once I began blogging I no longer had time for personal e-mails and they were often directed to "the blog".  :)

At that time, I wondered what I would write about.  Although I have written often since I learned to read (and I can't remember never having been able to read although I'm certain there were lessons), I had not committed to this kind of writing.  I had written for a "Jesus People" newspaper, and a corporation, and many Bible Studies... but never this thing called a blog.

The Sunday Afternoon Tea series was begun fairly early and I really doubted I could find something to write each week for those posts.  Here it is all these years later and I never cease to be amazed at how something pops up during the week.  This week I had a spark of inspiration when passing a construction zone (some people's brains are just wired differently... sheesh).

So much has changed since those early posts.  We were still in the midst of 24/7 homeschooling and I was spending many an evening waiting for Christopher to finish fencing (yes, as in swords) and many an hour at the Community College reading at their library... once again waiting... as we combined college classes with actual schooling at home.  I used to tell people my method of homeschooling was "Homeschooling by Waiting".

Needless to say, Christopher did not have his driver's license at the time.  He was taking a few classes at the Community College to round out our homeschool classes.  He eventually did get his license, took his senior year of high school full time at the college, spent his freshmen year of college there and then transferred to the University where he is now a senior on paper but a junior in reality.

I was adjusting to Stephanie living 1,000 miles away and she "only" had three children.  My husband was trying to get used to being on S. S. Disability and we had not lived in our home in the country very long.  Uncle Gibby would soon leave us after having lived a long life and both hubby and I were working seasonal jobs at the bookstore.

I had no idea at the start of all this that it was a good time to begin writing again.  I took many people along with me as my family made the transformation from "kid still at home" to "kids no longer at home and taking over their room as my own".  Although we still call it "Christopher's room"... much as one would put "George Washington slept here" on a door of an inn.

There are many parts of blogging I enjoy.  It gives opportunity for writers to... write... without worrying about getting published.  I leave that to my brilliant writer friends who write books.  I love meeting people I've long admired through my blog.

But most of all, I have come to love getting to know some of you as friends.  I can't imagine life without you in it, even if I don't comment often on blogs... or e-mail often... or especially snail mail often... you are in my heart and often in my prayers.  Thank you for the times you have circled the wagons around me in times of crisis and conflict and Job-like summers.  :)

Here is to year number six...

Picture: Blue Stove: allposters.com

21 comments:

Heather L. said...

Congratulations!!! I am so thankful you started blogging and you were one of the first blogs I found when I started blogging (which must be 4 years ago now, I guess).

Anonymous said...

Thank you for blogging. You add some spark & joy to my day!

God Bless!

Lori in PA

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Wishing you another 6 great years... maybe you continue to have the 'heavenly' inspiration that touches the hearts of so many, including mine!

Congratulations! Enjoyed reading how you started.

Deb said...

Happy Blogiversary to you, Brenda...and many more years of sharing your heart with all of us.

Sherry said...

You have such a lovely blog, and I enjoy reading about your family and your books and your walk with the Lord. Keep up the good work.

Kimberly said...

Congratulations! And I'll be here reading for as long as you are writing!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Raising a glass here to you Brenda!

I am thankful you blog and thankful to have become a friend this last year or so!

Long may you write - you are such an encouragement to me!

Deanna

Susan said...

Happy Blog Birthday from one of your readers - I am pleased to follow you from here in Zurich, and I especially enjoy the Sunday Tea writings. Thank you for blogging.

Meredith said...

Happy anniversary! I hope you have had a lovely cup of tea to celebrate.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

Happy Anniversary, Brenda! Or Happy Blogaversary? I was trying to figure out when I began reading your blog. Perhaps four or five years ago, during the end of my husband's illness, or soon after his death. That time is a little cloudy in my mind, but I know that your blog was very comforting and inspiring from the beginning. And still is.

Thank you, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I have been reading your blog for about two years and have gone back and read the archives. I love your writing, your inspiration, your "realness", and your cozy, comfortable home. Prayers and best wishes in this next year.
Sharon in Texas

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Wow! Congratulations on 6 years of blogging! What an accomplishment! I'm so happy that you blog. You're always such an inspiration to me and you know how much I enjoy your blog. Here's to many more years of wonderful posts!

Scrappy quilter said...

Congratulations on year six. Yours was one of the first blogs I read and I was hooked on blogging. I didn't start blogging for another 4 years, however I read yours first thing each morning. I'm so glad you started blogging and I look forward to reading each blog entry. Hugs

Ann said...

Congratulations! I enjoy your blog so much I hope you continue for many years to come. Blessings, Ann

Malinda B said...

What a journey you have been on and how much life has changed in six years!
Of all the blogs I have subscribed to through the last several years, yours remains one of my all-time favorites.
You have mentored me in so many ways, even though we've never met! This is when technology is an immense blessing!
May the Lord continue to bless you and your precious family as you have been to so many of us readers.

Under His Wings,
Malinda @ vintagehomesteademporium

Rebecca said...

Compared to you, I'm a relative newcomer (though I sometimes feel like an old-timer).

Many of the same joys YOU have experienced have been mine as well.

Aren't we blessed to have this wonderful technology at our fingertips - literally!?!

Andrea said...

Brenda,
I don't even remember how I came to your blog, but I remember when I saw the "pantry posts" and your posts about the Depression I was hooked.
You are such a joy to read, I check on you every day, and I prayed for you and your hubby when the lightening struck, thanking Him for your safety on the gas line issue--WOW!!
You've become one of those friends who I get to hear from every few days, and I count on it.
Blessings!

Bess said...

Congratulations Brenda! And you may not have a book published, but you are definitely "published" and probably touch far more lives more often and more profoundly than if you had written a book! I hope to be reading your warm insight and wise words for many years to come. Bess

Vee said...

A hearty amen to that! Year six that is...

Becky K. said...

How wonderful! There have only been a few times that I have truly been at a loss as to what to write and that was because I knew I'd better not write what was on my mind...lol.

Amazing, isn't it? How the words can flow when we are sharing our hearts with friends.

I like, very much, to come here and read. I don't comment often...but I read.

Thank You.

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Thank you Brenda...for the many years of your heartening, thought provoking, diligent writings...for sharing your world and wise perspective...for your friendship and support. While it's true that you've blessed my life even before this blog...I'd like you to know that it always makes me smile to see an email notification that you have recently posted on your blog! Thank you so much for all you do.
Love and gratitude to you my kind friend, as always.
Warmly,
Tracey
xxx000xxx