How it all began.... (Over half way!)

So I've just realised I have more than passed the half-way mark of this massive year-long project and I have not even recognised it on my little blog at all! Tsk tsk, very remiss of me! I seriously cannot believe I have posted a photo every day all year without missing a single day!?! Crazy-town.

Golf clap for me please, if you will!

Handy Mark installing the new dishwasher - what a champ! The only hiccup was when it
tipped forward when getting slid in, he grabbed the top and sliced his fingers on some metal.
War wounds for his efforts!! Funny boy :)

Realising this also made me reflect on what got me started on this whole project to begin with. Yes, my dear Amber inspired me to take part when I saw her gorgeous blog! Yes, Gregarious Peach started it all with heading up this awesome project. But really... it would not have happened with out my biggest cheerleader of all - my hubby Mark!

It all began when years ago I discovered a pile of old journals in a box somewhere (from probably late teens to early 20's). I cringed and wanted to burn the lot but Mark leapt on them with glee and devoured them all with relish - with my permission of course! Yes, much 'aww'-ing and 'oh really!?'s followed! After reading them, he begged me to start journelling again but I just wasn't interested. He bought me gorgeous journals as gifts to inspire me but I couldn't get any enthusiasm to start back in. 'Sorry, honey, I'm just too happy these days to want to keep a diary!' I told him consolingly (after all, aren't journals best for pouring out all your woes and romantic anguishes etc?! Not to mention the poor sappy poetry!)

Then he tried to convince me to write a book! Um.... sorry, honey! What on earth would I write about?

Then the signs of the times caught up and he confidently told me I should start blogging. Me??!! Blog?! What on earth would I blog about? Why on earth would anyone read it, especially with the zillions of other cool ones floating about?! He cajoled, he begged but sorry, no interest, I just didn't think it was for me, was intimidated by the idea of such exposure and commitment, let alone thought I had anything remotely interesting to write to entice readers!

Truth be told, I was touched by his devotion, enthusiasm and belief in me, but I honestly thought it was not something I would ever do.

But then Documenting Delight came about. When I saw my friend Amber blogging, it suddenly seemed a little more real and like something I could be part of - it had a time frame, a purpose, a goal and taking a photo a day seemed easier than having to write something every day!

So I rashly (like seriously, spur of the moment after reading Amber's blog one morning over breakfast) set up the blog in about 20 minutes and nervously did a couple day's posts before sending the link to my sweet husband. I was so terrified to tell him (or anyone!) for some reason!! I seriously felt so crazy vulnerable.

Well, that night in his study he got the link and clicked through, moments later bursting into the lounge with a huge smile and cheer. So cute! He was so happy and supportive - how blessed I am to have such a great guy cheering me on!

So really, I think it was his enthusiasm and belief in me all along that really gave me the guts to start this little blog. Now, bless his heart, he is telling me I should be writing a newspaper column too (umm?!!) and I know he thinks the $100,000 book deal is landing on my doorstep any day (err!!!!). Ok, ok, like a proud parent he may err on being a little too proud and believing, but it sure is nice to have at least one faithful daily blog reader - thanks, babe! :)

And now here we are. Almost two-thirds of the way through. What I will do after this year is complete... I don't know! I doubt I can keep up this daily commitment, but I would feel sad to stop completely... and of course I do have a rather big new project coming up too (a baby!!). So we shall see. Right now I'm just going to focus on completing this year, and being grateful for my loving husband for his slightly-biased but always-encouraging support!