Two years - can you believe it.

I was going to sit down this morning and whitter on about all sorts of random things when I noticed on Typepad that I've been blogging for two years now. Yes, two years. I started on March 5th 2006 and I can't believe that I'm still going.

In that time I've turned into a hoarder magnifique, tried lots of new crafts, improved my knitting, discovered Japanese craft books and started and loved plant dyeing. It's been an amazing two years in which I've gained masses of self confidence in my crafting so much so that I started selling on Etsy and Ebay. The blog also gave me something that I did for myself where I wasn't Amber's Mum or Tom's wife I was ME. But more than that it's given me lots of new friends all over the world and the most amazing holiday ever to America last year (where we stayed with complete strangers, now friends that I knew through my blog).

I love being a stay-at-home Mum but I do find it very lonely. Maybe it's my upbringing but for me the nuclear family sucks. I was brought up in an extended family environment and there were always other adults and children around. I'm at my best when surrounded by family, when my house is full and I prefer going on holiday with my sister and her children. The more the merrier. So blogging has in some ways filled that hole in my life. It's given me a community that I grew up in but don't have anymore.

I have 'met' some amazing women online who've become dear friends. I've also loved the interaction, the sharing, the advice giving, the support and friendship that goes on in blogs. It's made me realise that even though we've all had such different upbringings we're essentially the same underneath. We all want to be good mums/wives/daughters/citizens whilst struggling for some sort of creative life for ourselves.

So I want to thank all of you who have ever left me a comment. Thank you for reading my ramblings and admiring the stuff I make. Thank you for encouraging and supporting me. Thank you for all the advice you've ever given. Thank you for sympathising when I've needed it. But most of all Thank You for just being there and dropping by. In my turn I hope I've given something back to you - maybe a bit of encouragement to try something new, a laugh or just another view point ......................

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I've noticed in these two years that people change their banners with alarming frequency. I've had the William Morris picture at the top of my blog for the whole duration. I wonder if it's time to have a change myself - a makeover as it were. Trouble is, the picture seems to go so well with the name Echoes of A Dream. Maybe it's new home, new life, new banner time.

Comments

[lucette]

Dear Simmy, I too enjoy your blog and your crafting and family adventures. I meant to post after the big move, so I'll wish you the best in your new home.
love the banner

[Kate]

two years is pretty amazing. congrats! my quilt blog is only one and a half, but my family blog is 5 and a half! Anyway, about your banner - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I changed mine once, but only because i can't leave stuff alone :)

[stella bella]

WOW! 2 years!! Congratulations! I love your crafts and writing and it inspires me so! Please don't change your banner (or name!) it just suits you! Anyway, best of luck!

[Kristin Nicholas]

Hi Simmy -- I'm so glad you and the kids are settled. What a giant upheaval. Amazing thing - our blog world, isn't it? Without it, we would have never met. It's just the perfect thing for women like us who are involved in raising families - and like you said in this post - don't have real family close. I suppose the sense of family is changing these days. My only regret is that Mark, Julia and I never got to your beautiful place in the Cotswolds. Although, I know your new place will have charms all its own. XOXO to all of you, especially to you w/ the anniversary of Echoes of a Dresm.

[Marie]

Happy two years anniversary Simmy! I, for one, enjoy every word that comes from out of your head and makes it past your fingertips onto my screen. I feel like you are a good friend and that I could share anything at all with you. I can remember feeling lonely when my kids were growing up. They had school, my ex had his job and I had an empty house. I filled my days with housework, and crafting and cooking. It was good. I didn't have a computer then. There are days I long for the solitude of those days and the time to do all the crafting that I used to do. Oh well, time does march on and now I have to work for a living! My world has been greatly enriched by my online friends I do have to say. It's pretty wonderful. I sure could have used some of them back then!!! I am so excited that hopefully we will get to meet one day soon! You and the family will have to come out to Oak Cottage one Saturday and spend the afternoon and have dinner with us! How exciting!!

[Barbara]

I love your header pic. It goes so well with your blog.

Congrats on your two years. It's fun being part of this isn't it!

[Jo]

Always a pleasure to visit your blog, I kind of see your banner as a 'classic' but change it if you feel the need, I'm sure you will find another classic just as fitting!Happy blogiversary!

[liz]

happy blogday! I hope you are having a proper celebration - with cake!!! I love to see what you bake so remember the picture - and enjoy your blogday.!!

Lizzi

[michele]

I love the banner photo but maybe a change is in order to coincide with the move. Good luck settling in.
happy Easter
peace