My Two-Year Anniversary!

Two years!

Two years!

 

I started this blog two years ago. Plus one month.

It seems I forgot my own anniversary!

When I started the site I expected to have a few hundred people view the site every month. I mean, how much traffic would a blog about some old house in Emporia, Kansas, get?

Now, twenty-five months later?

Rather than the expected 5,000 views, there have been 459,605 views. This astounds me.

While this is nothing compared to the million page views PER MONTH which Old House Dreams receives, I am nonetheless gobsmacked at receiving 459,605 views.

During these twenty-five months there have also been 2,786 comments. That is YOU, saying hello.

Hello!

It’s a delight receiving a comment. My computer or iPhone or iPad alerts me when I receive a new email, and when I check to see whats up, my heart picks up a bit when I read the words: New Comment On Your Post. I stop what I am doing, click on the email, and read what you have to say. I love it!

I live alone, sigh, so the blog has proved a wonderful, amazing way to reach out across the globe to others. I have even been contacted by a reader in Australia! This just blows my mind!

During these twenty-five months I have learned that if I can’t figure something out about the Cross House, all I need do is ask you! And you respond with advice and ideas and sources! Sometimes even with drapery!

Doing the blog takes up a lot of time, which I don’t have. I find the time by cutting out other things in my life. Eek! Still, there is no question in my mind that the blog is a good thing. It is simply amazing! Oh, how I wish the technology existed when I was young! I wish!!!!!!!! It is incredible to have an idea, and then by magic have it become something not just in my brain but available for the whole world to participate in.

Wow.

And is there a better way to chronicle the restoration of a fabulous old house?

Through the blog, too, I have met dozens of people. Some have become friends, and I treasure these new relationships.

So, to me, to you, to all of us…

 

...

…happy anniversary!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

39 Comments

  1. Andi on August 5, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    And here is to so many more anniversaries! 🙂 Congratulations!

  2. Alecia T. on August 5, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    Happy anniversary! I have only commented once and it’s been at least a year ago when I randomly stumbled upon your blog and took the entire day to read all prior posts. I get excited when I see a new post Notice in my email. My husband will ask what I’m looking at, noticing a smile plastered on my face, and I reply “the old house blog I follow,” and he knows exactly what I’m talking about because I’ve enthusiastically described it to him a few times. I only wish there were more old houses in Houston TX so that even us 30 somethings like my husband and I, could buy and restore them. You have shined a light on the beauty of old homes and it now burns in my heart, whereas it didn’t before. Please keep making time to share both the small and large changes. Your passion and writing are inspiring to so many.

    • Ross on August 6, 2016 at 12:21 am

      Thanks Alecia!

      What lovely words!

      A comment like yours makes such a difference. Because, I realize that I am not writing in a vacuum. People read this stuff! People might be inspired by this stuff! People might get a smile on their face by this stuff!

      Well…ZOUNDS!

      Thank you. My heart soars.

  3. Stephanie on August 5, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    Well I couldn’t let an opportunity to post a comment pass me by after reading your introduction. So…I scrolled down and read Alecia’s comment and she literally said everything I was going to write. Whoop whomp.

    I found your blog from a comment you made on Manhatten Nest, then I fell down the rabbit hole and read everything. I too am in my thirties but live in Seattle with a 1920’s home – that keeps me busy. I enjoy seeing your perspective and what you choose to “make right”. For what it’s worth I have even taken the time to find Emporia on a map. Not sure I will be in Kansas anytime soon though…

    Keep up the amazing work. It is wonderful to follow on your journey. I appreciate the time you take to bring us all along.

    • Ross on August 6, 2016 at 1:00 am

      You found me via Manhattan Nest? How?

      • Cindi M on August 8, 2016 at 4:46 am

        If you click on the name of a poster, it takes you to their blog or website. I’ve found a number of blogs that way myself.

  4. Paul Tyler on August 5, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    You’re amazing Ross! ?

    • Ross on August 6, 2016 at 12:22 am

      You make me blush!

  5. Julia on August 5, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    Happy anniversary! Thank you for inspiring me, making me laugh and increasing my vocabulary (I now try to work “in situ” into most conversations). What you have accomplished in such a short period of time is truly amazing. Cheers to you!

    • Ross on August 6, 2016 at 12:15 am

      Ahhh, an in situ comrade!

      This made me burst out laughing!

  6. Colin Boss on August 6, 2016 at 1:39 am

    Happy Anniversary Ross. Coming to you from me, a Scot working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where I’m amassing the cash to allow me to follow your lead and restore an old home. I only found your blog a few weeks ago and am already hooked. What you (and the previous owners accomplished is incredible. It’s such a lovely house, cudos to you for the work you have done so far. Colin

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 7:53 pm

      A Scot working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?

      Wow!

      Nice to meet you! And my mother is Scottish!

  7. Cindi M on August 6, 2016 at 4:39 am

    Congratulations and happy anniversary, Ross! I don’t remember how I found your blog but it wasn’t Manhattan Nest because I remember seeing your comment there. But I did go back and read all your posts. You have me paying attention to light fixtures and wondering if some ugly piece of crap might be hiding it’s true beauty and worth! Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

  8. Mary Garner-Mitchell on August 6, 2016 at 5:22 am

    Congratulations, Ross, on the 2nd anniversary of your blog. Each post is a delight, and my heart leaps whenever I log into email and see “Restoring Ross” in the “from” list! I love the lighting posts very much, too. Your projects are true bright spots in my day. Keep up the good work and know how very much it is appreciated here in Ashland, VA!

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you, Mary!

  9. Mary Garner-Mitchell on August 6, 2016 at 5:28 am

    (OMG! I used “in situ” just three days ago whilst texting a photo caption to a friend!!! I thought to myself… “Where did that come from?” Mystery solved!)

  10. Kelly on August 6, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Happy Happy Anniversary!!! 🙂

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you, Kelly!

      (Note to readers: Kelly is the Goddess of Old House Dreams.)

  11. Bethany on August 6, 2016 at 8:34 am

    You have the perfect combination of a great house and story with a funny, entertaining writing style. NOT all old house blogs have that and I don’t bother with the ones that don’t. I am disappointed every time I check in and there’s not a new post from you, but I guess you have to work on the house sometimes LOL.

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 7:57 pm

      …and I have to work sometimes on my business, too! Thanks for the kind words, Bethany!

  12. Sharol on August 6, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Happy anniversary!!

  13. Carrie Segura on August 7, 2016 at 1:32 am

    First, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Second, bless you for doing the blog. I gleefully await new posts.

  14. Elin Noller on August 7, 2016 at 5:18 am

    Just want to point out. You have readers in Sweden too 🙂

    First thing I do when I log on my laptop, is check to see if Ross has made any updates to his blog.

    Following your baby’s transformation is amazing 🙂

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 7:59 pm

      Sweden?

      I am agog!

      SOOOOOO nice to meet you! And thanks for saying hello!

      • Elin Noller on August 19, 2016 at 12:57 pm

        Nice to meet you too 🙂

  15. Merryl McRae on August 7, 2016 at 10:39 am

    Happy Anniversary and Congratulations on a super duper job well done. I can see the Cross House smiling. Can’t you?

  16. Del on August 7, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Happy 2nd Anniversary Ross 🙂 Much Love & Warm Blessings for many, many more to come xxx :)Hugs from Del- Australia 🙂

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 8:00 pm

      And heeeeeeello Australia!

      Thanks so much for saying hello!

  17. Linda on August 9, 2016 at 2:26 am

    Happy Birthday to your blog. I only discovered it a couple of weeks ago and then spent about 2 days reading every single post even looking the house up on Google Maps.

    I love reading about your journey.

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 8:02 pm

      Every post?

      I do the same thing when I discover a blog which I like!

      You are a kindred spirit!

  18. Barb Sanford on August 9, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    Happy Anniversary to you and the Cross House! I’ll drop a bottle of champagne by the next time I’m in Emporia, and you and your house can celebrate 🙂

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 8:03 pm

      And YOU can celebrate with me! Of course, we will likely be drinking from paper cups!

      • djd_fr on January 16, 2017 at 5:05 am

        Sacrilège!

  19. Cross House Fan on August 10, 2016 at 11:05 am

    I am not from Australia, but from Nicaragua and follow your blog, too! Keep going!

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      Nicaragua!!!!!!!!

      Wow! I am just amazed! It feels so great knowing that there are old house lovers all over the globe! And that we can say “hi” to each other!

  20. Vicki on August 11, 2016 at 5:31 am

    Congratulations! And thank you for sharing. I’m another reader from Australia. We don’t really have old houses like yours and to be truthful it is not my style, but I love following along anyway. Your passion and enthusiasm is wonderful and I can’t turn away 🙂

    • Ross on August 16, 2016 at 8:06 pm

      ANOTHER Australian!

      Well, it is a delight meeting you! Thank so much for saying hi!

  21. Karyn Semple on May 19, 2020 at 10:41 pm

    Binge reading your blog in Ontario, Canada in 2020 and loving it! I love love love old houses but I live in a new build, so I live vicariously through blogs like this one!

    • Ross on May 19, 2020 at 10:45 pm

      Very nice to meet you, Karyn!

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