Can you believe it?

Eight years ago today I began New Beginnings. Eight years. So many wonderful things have happened in my life during those eight years. I credit blogland with most of these things and I definitely want to say 

I’ve made the most amazing friends I’ve ever had in my lifetime. Friends that I can tell my deepest darkest secrets too, with nothing held back.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting Eva, Grace, CeeCi, Mthc, Florida Dom, Sunny Girl, and Katie in person and I’ve traveled to Virginia, Ohio, Nevada and California for the soul purpose of meeting some of these fantastic people. And now I have friend in several other countries that I’d love to meet also.

I’ve gained a self-confidence that I did not have before blogging. Blogging gave me a voice and practice at saying clearly what I believed. When you would come by and often agreed with me and encourage me, it made me feel like what I had to say mattered. I thank every commenter I’ve ever had for that.

I don’t know anyone out here who is not special, but two that come to mind are, Paul – who has been a loyal reader and commenter since my very first post on each of my blogs. Except when he has been in the hospital I think he has comment on nearly ever post I’ve ever done and at this moment that’s about 2,306.  He’s known me the whole eight years and never waivered once.

The other person who comes to mind is Bas. Bas credited blogland with extending his life. Maybe we did – I know we brought him joy and happiness and I know he returned it to us ten fold, along with his loving wisdom.

I took over Fantasy Friday in September of 2007 and to date we’ve had right about three hundred new stories. I’ve met great people, that have sent in stories and I’m proud to say that there are several blogs out here now because of my pestering Fantasy Friday writers and my friends that read here.

I’ve become a published author – a life long dream was to let Cassie come to life and despite a rocky start you all seem to embrace her as you did me.

I’ve become a mother-in-law to a fine young man.

I’ve become an empty nester – Something Eva told me long ago I would survive, but I didn’t believe her at the time.

Before blogging the kinkiest thing we’ve ever done in the bedroom was … umm… maybe we left the lights on once, maybe.  Now we have a box full of toys that runnth over – we’ve used blind folds, cuffs, hot cream, flavored oils, ginger, plugs, vibrators, crops, paddles, floggers, straps, belts, hairbrushes, and even a few things I’ve never mentioned here. And should anything else ever appeal to us we’ll try that too.

And most importantly I have a marriage – not a roommate situation, but a real marriage. Nick and I love each other and we like each other, we talk more, we do more together.  Our marriage is still a work in progress and I hope it always will be, but I sure love where it is now.

Again to every person who has ever come by to read and especially to those who have left a comment.