For me like everyone else using the Roman calendar, January has been the start of a new year. And this year it also just happens to be my very first anniversary on Steemit!
Now I have to say I was a bit of slow on the uptake here on Steemit (as I was getting this post done, it's nearly February!) While @Krystle and 
Heaven knows I can talk/type under wet cement, so it was always going to be a match made in heaven… Still it really took me until the middle of 2017 to actually start blogging. And had my washing machine not kicked the bucket I may never have taken the plunge.
My initial motivation
So my very first foray into Steem, was to avoid the 10 minute drive to 
Steemit to the rescue!!!
Well Steemit, and by Steemit I mean Steemians came through. I was quickly embraced by this fabulous community, upgoated (no that is not a typo, its a TeamAustralia thingy) and resteemed and really encouraged by everyone I had interactions with on the platform. I was so amazed and very grateful.
It wasn’t too long and I was able to go and buy, not a second hand washer, but a brand spankin’ new one, with which I have developed a deep emotional relationship. Now whenever it tinkles it’s little tune on finishing a load, I think of Steemit…
Hardfork…
When the Hardfork happened not long after in 2017 we all had an amazing run of payouts and that allowed me to power up and spend some time on curation and hanging out a bit on Discord mostly in TeamAustralia and PAL.
When I wasn’t involved in Steemlords or some other crazy fantasy challenge, I was persuading friends to join up and I’m stoked to say some of my recruits have already gone on to become moderators, and are Steeming up the platform (pun intended)!
Steem to heal
Steemit has continued to deliver change to my life (and my families) in January 2018, after my Mum passed away in late December 2017, it was mostly Steem that funded a short 3 day vacation for our ‘small’ family of 20.
Dad’s birthday followed her passing so closely, while we were all still grieving, so celebtating seemed impossible especially at home surrounded by her memory. But not showing we cared about him too, was impossible as well, he was turning 87! What if this was his last birthday!
Being able to take a short vacation instead of having a party for Dad made a really difficult time in our lives just that much easier for everyone, especially Dad.
Thank you!
So in conclusion I would just like to say thank you so much to everyone I’ve bumped into (so to speak) in the last year… You’ve all been amazing, helpful and very patient on the numerous times when I’ve had no idea what I was doing (not that the situation has improved much lol).
It’s been an amazing ride so far and I’m hoping that his year I can manage to run more than one competition, and this time hopefully not involving toilet candy!
Looking forward to year 2!
Thanks for reading...
Steem on!