I Am Going to do This! And It's been a Year.

When I started posting a year ago I am not sure what my goals were. I just knew I really enjoyed reading other blogs, getting some great ideas, and was touched by the friendships that flourished between many of the bloggers.

I had no idea of how get readers to my post. I had been following some blogs I enjoyed so I decided to seek advice. I sent out an SOS to Kim at Dear Daisy Cottage . She e-mailed me many suggestions and was kind enough to comment on my first post. Kim, a huge thank you goes out to you, without your encouragement, I would not have published even my first post. I was a little discouraged as I received no comments on my second and third posts. But I had promised myself to give my blog a year.

So as I look backward at the first year it is with mixed emotions. I certainly enjoy at the end of the day turning on the computer to find comments that are always so heart lifting, full of praise and encouragement, and sometimes the giggle I need to to give me a lift. So thanks so much to all of you who have stopped by over the year. A special heartfelt one for the friends who are so constant in their visits and sweet comments and to those of you who offered technical advice when I couldn't figure it out.

I have found out one thing. Blogging does require a lot of my time. Somehow it also seems to carry with it some stress. You know: Am I posting often enough? Will the people who leave comments get bored? How come more people aren't reading my blog or coming back again. Should I have a give away to boost my readership? Should I be spending my time blogging when so many other things need to done. Guess I need to give all these things some thought. However, I thought you might enjoy reading my first post so I have republished it below.


(My first post)
Although, It is only April and still cold here in Kansas City, I have decided I will get my feet wet. I set up a blog in September 2008, typed a few blogs I never posted, lurked on my favorite blogs, and got cold feet. But I can do this. Right!

So, now I need a catchy name for my blog. I lurked and lurked. OK, most people use a cute name for their home or their name. Bluebell Cottage or House at the End of the Lane isn't quite right for a 50's ranch in urban Kansas City (no we don't still have cows in the street) as my sister-in-in law in CA believes.

Well, maybe my name, Stella, what can I do with that. When I was in high school in the 50's I so wanted to have one of those cute names. You know, Debbie, Barbie, or Cathy. Who would name a child Stella, my Mother that's who. After all, it was the custom to name children after their family. My grandmothers were Stella Odessa and Charlotte Pearl, so with much love I was named Stella Pearl. As I grew older, I realized Stella wasn't bad ,they could have named me Charlotte Odessa and they probably would have called me Charlie O.

Today, I have learned to enjoy the comments about my name when I am introduced to someone for the first time. This generation comments, Hey Stella's Got Her Groove Back, those of you who remember Marlon Brando in, On The Waterfront, Stelllaaa, and an older generation says, Oh, Stella by Starlight. Stella by Starlight is a song most of you are probably not familiar with. It was written by Victor Young and featured in a movie "The Uninvited" in 1944. It was played as an instrumental in that movie and lyrics was written for it in 1946. It was recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1947 . So, I had three choices and since I am a romantic, Stella by Starlight it is.

I really am going to post this and hope all of you out there will kindly leave a comment so I can get to know you.
Stella