I've not been blogging long. Only since June of this year. I've been lurking at my favorite blogs for a long time though. Which, I thought, made me an expert. Apparently not.

Over the years I've read posts from even the most thick skinned bloggers about how hard it is to get emails and comments from the public. It made me scared. I didn't want to open myself up to ridicule and judgment. I don't have the thickest skin. I'm a squishy emotional marshmallow half the time. I can't handle that kind of truth.

So I was wary to join "social networking" things. I did OK with Twitter, but really it is 140 characters. What can happen? Who is even following me? (Uh, nobody.)

So then I did another blog thingie. It was OK. I got a lot of spam for off-the-wall websites selling information and cheap products. Not really my thing. Whatever.

So then I got invited over here to "Cre8Buzz!" I had low expectations. To say the least. I almost didn't do it. Who needs it? I've got a life and about 4 people who read my blog on a regular basis. I'm fine.

Turns out you are a lovely group of people. And I am reading some very inspiring and well written and funny and real blogs that I would otherwise never have seen.

So thank you. For exceeding my expectations and giving me a taste of my first online community. I am feeling a part of something bigger. And I am grateful for that.