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It’s good when friends catch up with one another after a move.
Already, I’ve had friends drop by my new web home. And I must say… it really made me feel good.
After all, think about it. How many times have we let friends slip between our fingers because life has taken us in different directions? How many high school classmates do we keep up with on a regular basis? College buddies? Bridesmaids? Former co-workers? And the list goes on…
So to have friends think I’m worth the effort of tracking down really tickled me. Of course, I had every intention of forwarding my new address. And looking back on it, I probably should have waited to make the URL switch until later — but like a kid at Christmas, I couldn’t wait.
My new web address is AnEverydayLife.com — short for “Stories from AN EVERYDAY LIFE” — which was my original subtitle, when I began my blog, almost sixteen months ago now.
So you might wonder what instigated the move? There’s more than one reason.
First, I’m not the best of Mesta — and to imply otherwise, with a name like bestamesta as my chosen website, was becoming a tad uncomfortable.
Second, I don’t plan to live in Mesta Park — or at least, in this particular lovely old house — for the rest of my life. I want to live in a historic one-story, if my husband I can find one to fit our needs. Because already my knees are a little arthritic — and my bones are growing thin. Not a morning goes by that I don’t think of falling down the stairs, as I carry my Scottie princess down in my arms to begin a new day.
Third, when I began my blog, I imagined I would write more about life in Mesta Park than everyday life in general. But it hasn’t worked out the way I thought it would. Keeping a blog is truly an evolving process — even the name I began writing under, has changed with the times.
Some may recall that I wrote my first posts under my middle and maiden names — remember “Ann Pappas?” — because I thought it might grant me greater freedom to express what I wanted to say, perhaps even open the creativity coffers that I once enjoyed as a child. But within a few months, it didn’t feel right to write under anything but my real name. So quietly, without fanfare, I made the change.
In the end, the best of Mesta Park is, and always will be, the old homes that fill the historic district that I currently and proudly call home. It could never be my website. So when my bestamesta.com URL subscription came up for renewal a few months ago, I began quietly pondering a new name. And after two months of reflection, I opted to return to my original subtitle, albeit with a shortcut version.
The old URL subscription will quietly expire on April 5th. And between now and then, if you drop in at good old bestamesta.com, you will automatically be forwarded here, to my new web address. After that, I don’t know where bestamesta.com will send you… but I hope you’ll eventually find your way here.
May my new URL address stay the same — even as I (and the place I call home) continue to evolve.
I had noticed but have been too busy to ask why the change. Now I know.
My friend J often complains that his blog title no longer refelects what he’s about, and since you can’t change it, he’s just had to change his sentence below the title instead.
Yes, blogs do evolve. I’ve felt for a long time that mine has changed and yet the title still fits it. IT may even subtly shape it.
best of luck with it all,
Viv
xx
Viv,
I do like change. I know some don’t, but I seem to thrive on it.
By the way, I’m in the midst of reading your novel — Viv, your characters are memorable — it’s always good when a reader begins to care for a character’s well-being.
I’m hoping to devote the rest of my day toward reading it. It’s a rainy day — and all my odd jobs are done — a perfect time to curl up with a good book.
Thanks for leaving a note.
Janell
I find change hard, but that’s because I am afraid a lot of the time. The last few years I have tried very hard to do things that scare me, things I don’t want to do. Recent triumph was overcoming my fear of heights enough to go to the very top of the Eiffel Tower with the kids on the trip I was running the last few days. I shook and I shook all the way up and all the way down and nearly threw up when I finally got down again. But I did it. I even sent texts from the top as well as taking pictures.
I’m glad you are enjoying the book so far.
xx
viv
Viv,
Being afraid of heights, and ignoring that third level of the Eiffel Tower myself, I took the opposite stance as you — I stayed on level two while my Dad and husband went on!
There are other ways I am stepping out of my comfort zone though.
However we do it, scaling new heights gives us a fresh perspective on life and ourselves.
Janell
Janell
I’ve been meaning to write you for a long time and I apologize I’ve taken so long. I love your blog and so glad to find your new name so I can find you after April 5th. Frank & I found a house to buy in OKC over Christmas. We are in Surrey Hills on NW 109th. We put our house on the market in January and the first couple bought it. Then we sold our lake house to our son’s best friend. Can you believe it? We are in an apartment behind Randall’s until October 1st when we retire and move to OKC. I can’t wait. I feel God has been leading us through this whole process. I am looking forward to spending time with my elderly parents as you did when you first moved back home. Their time with us is so precious. I will call you soon so we can get together.
Carol
Carol,
I am so pleased to hear your news. Congratulations on all of the changes — I’m so glad everything is falling so easily into place.
Surrey Hills sounds like a golf course community. I seem to recall you talking about one when you and Frank were here least May. I will hope for Frank’s retiring self that it is!
Six months will zoom by fast — especially as you tenderly regard the area and friends that have nurtured you in your Gulf Coast home. Relish it all dear friend.
And no need to apologize for our sparse communication — it works both ways, doesn’t it? But I will look forward to renewing friendships over lunch, when you and Frank get settled. And if you need something in between then and now, please let me know.
I celebrate your new beginnings. Anticipation is half the fun.
Janell
Jsnell,
This is a wonderful move! It’s much brighter and more spacious, and the title too, more embracing. All the best on your reinvention… we all need to do that every now and then.
Thanks, Arti.
It’s been amazing how a new blog look and name has already stirred the pot of creativity.
Reinvention — yes maybe that’s it. Or perhaps, closer to the mark, is that both the name and the look are closer to the mark of who I truly am — at least in this very minute of time — allowing for my own mini-Easter resurrection.
Janell
Janell
I shared your blog with my daughter, Shelley, about your writing work shop and your writing website. She has a desire to write as well and after seeing the “Julie & Julia” movie it really brought back her longings. I may need your advice for my wee gardens in Surrey Hills. Can’t wait to have you over!
Carol
Carol,
I’m not at all surprised to hear of Shelly’s interest in writing, especially as I recall her creativity and her leadership at the Women’s Retreat our Reunion group attended together — how many years ago now?
Tell Shelley I’m really enjoying the on-line class at Shewrites.com. The class is affordable –$99 for four weeks — and a great way to stretch my writing skills. I heartily recommend their program.
And as for your garden, I’d love to help. You let me know when and where, and I’ll be there.
Janell