Celebrating my first blogoversary!

Found here

Oh, my stars! This little occasion has quickly crept up on me, given all that's been going on here lately. One year, 187 posts and 3,802 comments later, it's time to bring out the Planet Baby Ceremonial Sparklers to mark my first blogoversary. Woo hoo! Here, take a sparkler and wave it around with me. Ooh, I am *enjoying* this moment with you all, my 364 fellow Planetarians. What a gorgeous bunch you are.

Never, when I hit 'Publish post' on my first post, did I imagine that blogging would bring me so much pleasure, awaken long-hidden talents and passions in me or allow me the privilege of sharing your lives, secrets, hopes and dreams.

Found here

A secret world discovered

How many rabbit holes have I fallen into, like Alice, as I've wandered around Blogland, getting my bearings? Tens of thousands, I'd venture. You know me - clickety click and away I go, discovering more pretty little havens in the vastness of this intriguing parallel universe we bloggers are fortunate enough to have discovered. It's like *our little secret*, don't you think? 

I've discovered so many non-bloggers just don't get it. Whenever I try to explain what blogging is to someone not in the know, so often their eyes just glaze over and the topic changes quickly. Ah, it's their loss, isn't it?

Friendships formed

One year ago, I would have laughed out loud if someone had suggested that through blogging and most importantly to logophile me, through words alone, I would form deep, soul-enriching friendships with like-minded souls all over the world. Or in the next suburb!

I consider myself truly blessed to count so many of you as dear friends, confidantes, partners-in-crime, muses, inspirers and soul-mates. C'est incroyable, the Francophile in me cries!

I've had the supreme fortune of nurturing many of our friendships 'offline' through emails, text messages, postcards, photos, parcels containing presents in the mail and even by meeting in person! I'm a lucky duck, indeed.

This heart from sweet Tina makes me smile whenever I see it

I can't imagine my life without my bloggy friends. So many of you have shown me such kindness, reassurance, wisdom, support, interest and encouragement over the past year. It is just extraordinary to me.

Rediscovering my identity

Over the past year, you gorgeous souls have helped me rediscover who Jane-the-person is, as opposed to Jane-the-wife, Jane-the-mum, Jane-the-daughter and Jane-the-friend. I can't thank you all enough. It's been such a *precious gift* to receive.

Through your encouragement and inspiration, I've awakened my latent crafty side, one I never knew existed before! Never, in my wildest dreams before I started blogging, would I have imagined myself creating this.

Or this.

This.

Or these.

And I would never have believed the delightful finds I'd discover on Etsy and Booko. Thank goodness Planet Baby's new home has plenty of storage for all my new treasures! Now if only I could finish tidying up *my room of my own*... 

What lies ahead

Oh, I have so many ideas and hopes for my blog in the coming year, many of them inspired by the Blogging Your Way course I did - remember this post? Life has taken me down a different path lately but I'm looking forward to acting on those ideas. Several of you have also been collaborating with me on some projects which I'm excited about. Yes, I think this coming bloggy year will be *just splendid*.

I've already started by changing my header, thanks to Katrina Chambers, Planet Baby's Honorary Magician, waving her magic wand. These are the pixies' new gumboots on our new front doorstep. I love the simplicity and pops of colour.

Heavens! Eek, it's late - so much for bloggy rehab ☺. Mr PB is up watching the Tour de France but I'm off to bed before my coach turns into a pumpkin at midnight - 4 minutes to go! Bonne nuit.

Joining in with Laura's Post of the Month Club at Happy Homemaker UK on 30 July 2011.