Friday, July 18, 2008

Anniversary!!!!

 

Yes, today, the 19th July,  is the fourth anniversary of my journal. It seems incredible that so much time has passed. What is even more incredible is that I have been able to keep it going so long.

Admittedly, I do not post as often these days. That is to be expected. I posted so much in the first couple of years and as time passes memories get used up and you find yourself with less to say.

To think I started the journal as a little something different, never expecting it to last more than a couple of months, if that. I just happened to see “blogs” listed on the main page and after having read an example, thought I would give it a go myself.

I never dreamed that four years down the line I would still be writing, nor did I dream of the friends I would make or the lovely people that I would come to know.

So much has happened over these last years. Our first Grandson was less than three weeks old when my journal was born.

The first photo I ever posted.

You shared his babyhood with me and also the birth of our second Grandson. Now Nathan starts school in September and Daniel will be three next month. You have watched them grow.

You learned of my Grandmother, her house and her friends, how my parents met, my feelings on my late brother, my schooldays, some of my working life, ghost stories and historical tales and some of my adventures in tracing my family tree. You have read some of my poetry, shared our photographs and so much more.

On a larger scale we are experiencing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and have shared together the loss of our troops, the tragedy of the London bombings. We have seen the departure of Tony Blair and now rocketing food and fuel prices. Earthquakes, fires, the dreadful Tsunami, the flooding in New Orleans. So much has happened in the world that it is impossible to name everything.

You shared with us the loss of our beloved Pip and our joy in the arrival of Jack and then Leo.

More recently you walked with me through my diagnosis and treatment and shared our joy that I have been given my first year all-clear. Also Daniel’s treatment and operation.

During the last four years I have seen many good journals disappear. Some without apparent reason and with no word of goodbye.  Some regular readers have come and gone also. We have lost dear friends whose journals still remain as a testament to their friendship and their bravery.

We have shared together joys and sadness, worries and hope, faith and despair, we have lifted each other, supported each other, cared for each other.

So, I wish my own journal a happy fourth birthday. I shall continue to write, when I have something to write about or an idea springs to mind. I hope to still be part of our wonderful J-Land community in another four years time.

Finally, I could not have done it without you,  my dear friends and readers. No matter how much effort you put into a journal it means little unless you get comments, unless you get people who like to read what you have to say, unless you get regular followers.  I have been so lucky in having quite a few people who have stuck with me since the very beginning and many more have joined in along the way.

So my heartfelt thanks and love to you all. You have made “Jeannette’s Jottings” something I can be proud of. God bless you all now and always.

Many thanks to Sugar and Donna for the beautiful graphics both in this entry and on my sidebar.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to you on your fourth year. I have enjoy ever entry since I started reading your journal. Give us at least ten more years. I hope you and your husband are feeling well. Good lcuk Bill

Got a new entry,  

Anonymous said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOO HOO! Doing my happy dance fer ya!  :)
So glad I met you & that we have become friends here in J-Land, going through many things together.
God bless you my friend & may your journal see another 4 yrs here!
Hugs,
Sugar

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!!!!!  Wow, four years!!!   And yes, we have learned so much...and so thankful to know such a wonderful lady with a great family...hugs and love,
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Happy Journal Anniversary.
I enjoyed reading this entry very much.
It couldn't have been said better...
May you have many more years of journaling ahead.
Hugs
connie

Anonymous said...

happy aniversary and congratulations,
it has been wonderful geting to know you on line , your ups and downs,
long may your journal continue to flourish,
take care,
sue x
http://journals.aol.co.uk/catslittertray/birdsbeasts--buggys/

Anonymous said...

Happy 4 year anniversary!  Here's to many more years of writing!
Missie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jeanette!  You're right so much has happened!

Anonymous said...

Happy Journal Anniversary Jeannette. I remember the good times with you and some not so good with sad things happening. I am so glad that you are feeling better. I loved to read your history and your ghosts stories. Loved you sharing your grandchildren, pets , and you life with us. I hope you have many more years of happy journaling. Hugs and love, Helen

Anonymous said...

Jean this is a thoughtful informative summary of your 4 years in JL.  Here's to the next 40!  xoxo CATHY

Anonymous said...

Well said Jeannette...and it's been my pleasure to be along on all your journeys and experiences, good and bad.  I'm honored to be one of your readers.  May you have many more years of journaling.  Linda in Washington

Anonymous said...

Good on you. Happy 4th anniversary. I'm glad I started reading and hope you're around for many more.
;^) Jan the Gryphon

Anonymous said...

congrats my friend... happy anniversary
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

(((((((((((((((((((((HUGSTOOU))))))))))))))))))))))))Congrats on your 4 years.I am glad to have you as a friend.Have a good weekend.

Anonymous said...

Congradulations....4 years...goodness you have been a good journal writer..(I was going to say journaler but that dosn't seem quite right !!)   anyway It is we who have shared your journal hat have been the lucky ones. You have encouraged us all along our own way and I for one say a bug THANK YOU... thank you for sharing with us all your ups and downs..thats what makes true friends.  HAve a lovely weekend...if our summer ever arrives...maybe nextweek ?? enjoy it. lLove  Sybil xx

Anonymous said...

I often refer to you as "my friend across the pond".  I really believe if we were ever neighbors we would be good friends. I started my journal in July 2004 too. You were one of the first to welcome me into the Jland neighborhood, I can't remember how we stumbled upon each other...which writing it was..but I am very grateful that I've come to know you and your lovely family. I've enjoyed your stories about your youth, the historical tales  you tell (I love them) the amazing photos/videos and graphics that you have. I admire your strength of purpose in overcoming your fears. I am very happy to have met you and hope to continue our long distance friendship for a long time... Happy Anniversary,love, Sandi

Anonymous said...

Well done

Mary

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Jeannette, I am glad to have been able to share many of the years with you and look forward to a lot more. Love Pat x

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th Birthday to your Journal Jeannette and thank you for sharing so much with us over the years.  Eileen x

Anonymous said...

Dear Jeanette, what a wonderful entry It brought teirs to my eyes while reading it. Your words have brought comfort to such a lot of people.  You introduced me to J-land and altho I am one of those people who have stop writing I still do read others.  I thank you for introducing me to J-land and your letter has inspires me yet again to start writing.  I will post a blogg later to-day.  I thank you Jeanette for sharing your life with me over the past few years. Your freindship and courage over the past years has been amazing. Happy aniversary to you and I do hope you will always keep writing. Kathie.

Anonymous said...

I am glad I have gotten to know you. Happy 4th Birthday to you and your wonderful journal. (((((((((hugs)))))))))
Love you,
Cindy xoxxoxxo

Anonymous said...

Hello Jeannette,  Indeed so much has happened over the last four years and we`ve shared your journey through them all. I`m glad to have met you through the computer and am happy to call you my friend. Your entries have been amusing, scary, very happy and at times thought provoking. We seen you go through the difficult times and watched you come through them all. In all that time you have always been very, very interesting. Keep going with your entries and I`ll still be reading in another four years! Take care dear friend. :o)

Love Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

And what a wonderful journal it's been!  I must say though, I miss your spooky tales.  You are a master of spinning them.  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the four year anniversary Jeannette!
I do believe it was you who encouraged me to start a blog, after I wandered into 'journo land' one day.  And you have been a regular visitor to my Freda's Diaries' blog which came to a sudden stop after some of the buttons went missing.  And I haven't been very consistant with the 'Now that I'm retired' blog which I started up instead.  I did try to do a 'catch up' entry yesterday but either I've been away so long I've forgotten what to do, or another button is missing - as I made a right mess of it :-(
Will have another go today.

all the best
ttfn
Freda

Anonymous said...

Many happy returns for your blog !!

I have enjoyed reading it and hope to continue to do so.  

Keep well - hope you get some time in the garden this summer :)

Vanessa  x

Anonymous said...

Just popped back after having another go at updating
http://journals.aol.co.uk/frdbrow7/now-im-retired.......--d/
and see that the 'edit entry' button has now returned, so have finnished off the entry.  Don't know if my alerts are working,  perhaps you could let me know if you don't get an alert from me Jeannette?

ttfn
Freda

Anonymous said...

Bless you Jeanette for what you have contributed in the journal world, I've very much enjoyed reading your site, feel like I know you and your family.  Happy 4th Anniversary to you dear.  Arlene (AJ)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on four years!  I love how these journals start out and then take on lives of their own!  I'm just popping in to see the site you mentioned.  Thanks for the words of encouragement.  I'm not fit for much more than reading journals and sleeping today.
Traci

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Four Years with your Journal !!!!!!  I love reading it, feel I know you and your Family - Take Care Jeanette - love Joy x

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on 4 years here.  I have really enjoyed getting to know you.

         Julie

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Jeannette, it's quite an achievement. Have to say, giving praise where it is due, you are one of those in J-land who have contributed to a fair flow of new bloggers into the community. Yes you are :-)).

Keep well,

Guido3

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th birthday to your journal Jeannette! It is quite a testimony to you that you've been diligent in keeping it going through all that has transpired. Here's wishing you many more celebrations!

Vivian

Anonymous said...

i am so glad you decided to keep journaling........or i would never have met you.  i picked your journal up along my way through life and have been blessed for having done so.  i have shared in my heart, even if not always by commenting, all of your joys and your trials.  i salute you for having hung in there and defeated the devil and pushed onward.  congratulations, jeannette...............

be blessed dear friend,

regina

Anonymous said...

Jeannette Happy 4th Birthday to your Journal ~ and thankyou for all the help you gave me when I started my journal which will be 3 years tomorrow ~ How the time has flown by ~ I have enjoyed reading your journal especially the Ghost stories you have told us ~ and keeping up with your darling Grandchildren ~ I am happy to know you are my friend ~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

many congratulations jeanette,   not  reading  many journals at the moment,my eyes have  been bad explain more in my  next entry when i do it,and  my alerts           dont.!!!!!!  lol   i am a newcomer  to  jland    my  first  birthday  is in october.    but  i have  enjoyed every minute,and like  you  made  some  great  friends.   you  take  care my  friend  and heres  to the  next  4 years          best  wishes to  you   and family,   take care  love  mort  xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Many, many congratulations on reaching the 4th anniversary of Jeannette's Jottings!  Here's to many more years of enjoyable reading for all your many readers in the UK and around the world.  Love B, D, N & D xxxx

Anonymous said...

I'm very glad you started journaling.  I must have started some time just  before you did as I remember reading all  those wonderful entries .  The ups and downs of 4 years pass by so quickly that it's good to have it written down and shared.  Congrats on your 4 years and many more to come.  'On Ya'  - ma

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary. May you continue to journal for the next how ever many years.
Hugs Jayne

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on writing for 4 years...how wonderful.  I look foward to many more years reading your journal.
xx
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Jeannette, this entry is beautiful! Your journal is something to be very proud of, and I send you congratulations on 4 years! I hope you're here writing for at LEAST 4 more!
Hugs..Pam

Anonymous said...

Woo hooo!  Congrats (a bit late) to you!    I'm so glad  you're here sharing your life with us!

Hugs,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!  Happy Four Year Anniversary to you!
Lori

Anonymous said...

wow 4 years and you still post regulary! good for you, its been nice to share your life with you , the ups and downs.Many more good years to come i hope! beckie x

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary for your four year old journal ..well done you always write such interesting entries ......love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

A wonderful Happy Birthday to your journal!!!
Linda :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Jeannette!  I have so enjoyed meeting you.  I know how you feel.  I have met so many wonderful friends in J-Land.  I rejoice with you in you getting the all clear.  May God continue to richly bless you and yours.

Your friend,

Susan

Anonymous said...

Many congratulations on your four very successful years ,You have inspired so many ,and encouraged alot of us too ,Thankyou ,and many happy more years of Jeannettes Jottings ...lots of love always ..Jan xx

Anonymous said...

congratulations Jeanette, I love to read your blogs and enjoy reading about your family life. I look forward to many more years sharing your news and views, so a big thank you the last 4 years, I feel I know you so well.