It’s hard to believe but I actually started this online journal a year ago today. I’m surprised and sort of proud that I stuck it out.

I do have a tendency to give up on things, and I think I’ve been pretty darn good about writing here. I know I could have been better, but sometimes lack of time, personal issues and other factors just immobilized me. I need to try to overcome that, but then again it might just be the nature of the beast.

One of the original reasons for starting this was to teach myself how to use HTML and I think I’ve come a long way as far as that goes, not that I don’t still have a long way to go, though!

At least I don’t have to use the web shell thingy that Angelfire provides any longer. It’s handy in a pinch, but I’m pleased that I know enough to not have to use it. I still hate the pop-up ads, but I’ve learned that if I click on the window of the page I want to read the pop-ups stop showing up while I read.

I’ve also met, (through e-mail) some very nice people who have been kind enough to read what I write. That’s one of my favorite parts of the internet, writing to people that I never would have had the opportunity to get to know in my day to day life.

So if you’re a reader (I know there are only a handful of these folks), and you’ve never written but would like to please do! I try to respond, and often manage to do so in a timely manner!

There’s a better chance of that happening in the summer!

Obviously I still have plenty to learn about maintaining a page, and designing it the way I like. I know that many people don’t like the look of my pages, and that’s ok. I pick a look for each month that I like and that I think reflects my personality.

I can’t create the page using rubber stamps, which is a bummer, but I can choose designs that remind me of stamping.

It’s a visual thing with me.

The journals I’m most attracted to are those with interesting page designs.

As far as today goes, I went to lunch with Cathy and listened to her complaints about her health, aches and pains. Fortunately we had new gossip about the school system that we could talk about, so we didn’t just have to talk about health issues.

It was fine, I just don’t need to go through this more than once a month.

Matilda’s "surprise party" for her father was a rousing success. Of course when she talked to him last night she said, "Daddy, if I tell you something tonight, you can’t remember it tomorrow!" And of course she spilled the beans.

Never tell that kid a secret!

We all got chocolate from the Netherlands, and the kids got toys.

My brother is wiped out, being on European time, so we cut out early.

Now I have to pull together everything I need to sing in Boston tomorrow. Once I do that I think I’ll try to work on putting some of those clothes away that I pulled out yesterday.

The unending story.