And thanks for the explain on the name, Bobbi Jo!! Good to have you with us!! = )

And ya’ll have covered all the good topics like snotty noses and spit-shined faces!

OK-I can only reflect on the last few years of this blog. I commented and expressed my myriad opinions pretty regularly, then hunted Tori up at FF a few years ago. I looked everywhere, asked Russ if he was hiding her out somewhere, stalked the corridors–no dice. Finally, when we met face-to-face and I said,’I’m Alyson…auburn60′, she grabbed me,we hugged and squealed–LIKE I REALLY MATTERED!

Tori, you are definitely the difference: in this blog and in blazing a path for those of us who participate and those who sit quietly by and admire. You are my FRIEND and SISTER.

Like Linda B said, “This IS a family, but more than that, it’s a NICE family! I’ve been on other “community” sites and I’m tellin’ ya, it seems there was always some argument or outright brawling going on all the time! This place is like an oasis. It’s refreshing!”

GHINN – I was a “lurker” for a while as well, I was too shy to join in, but I’m glad I de-lurked and glad you did as well.

LINDA B – I still look forward to meeting you at my next trip to Frankenmuth in the future.

JONNY – love your posts

Tori loved your story about Madi and your brother – you are truly blessed !!! I come from a family of 3 sisters (me included) and I am youngest (and don’t think I remind them constantly about it – tee hee)

KINDNESS and LOVING-KINDNESS abounds here in BLOOMR-LAND — now where is my box of Kleenex

“Have you ever sit in church when you were a kid and your nose started running and you didn’t have anything to catch it with, and without saying a word, your mother passed you a wadded up used Kleenex from her coat pocket with some lipstick on it where she had blotted her lips?”

uh… no. BUT, said piece of paper would come out to wipe something off the corners of my mouth, or face with, AFTER she first put a little bit of her spit on it! Talk about gross!! It was better at restaurants, though. Clean napkin, water from one of the cups, glasses = )

OK, was that indirectly directed at me! Basically you hightlight the fact that Tori’s got a handle on it, at the same time sending a little message of love letting me know I’m not quite up to speed on that one yet!?! You know full well I have a hard time reading between the lines, that neuro-not normal, or was it typical??, thing I got going on, so you gotta give it to me straight, girl!!

Have you ever sit in church when you were a kid and your nose started running and you didn’t have anything to catch it with, and without saying a word, your mother passed you a wadded up used Kleenex from her coat pocket with some lipstick on it where she had blotted her lips? And it kind of grossed you out, but you had no other choice but to uncrumple it and use it? I don’t know why that came to mind, but it did.

(I love you, LindaB.)

And the reason, I believe, for all this good family “Ma and Pa Ingalls” atmosphere is because of you, Tori! You are an outrageously kind person. There’s not a pretentious bone in your body. Anyone who would tell folks on her blog about her poop-eating dog is not a person who puts on airs! You are sympathetic, compassionate, honest, sincere, and a lot of other nice things! And you are very very funny, but you know when to be funny and when not to be. You have a good “mix”.

And some credit also goes to this particular group of people. It’s like someone purposely brought together a bunch of people who know how to discuss things politely and respectfully. I think that’s kind of rare, isn’t it? You even broached the subject of politics, a deal breaker just about anywhere, and it was discussed fairly and gently. And no one got hurt! Just try that one anywhere else!

I didn’t know anything about blogs when I joined up——-still don’t know much except for what you’ve told us, but I’m glad a found this place. It has brought me much joy. Thank you, Tori Taff!

**Bridget: Thank you for the writing prompt and for stopping by! Come back anytime!

**MostlySunny: Wow– I LOVED reading those different translations.

**Helenatrandom: I am sorry you are going through a rough time, but I am really glad you are hanging out with us.

**DELIVERED: *passes you a kleenex, pats your back*

**Jessica: Ha! Talk with your hands all you want around here! (And I love your blog.)

**Silver Hair Fans: So glad you started hanging around with us…

**teegeesykes: I really ought to email Jonny and have him read this. He actually talks to me now!

**delightedabroad: Well I don’t know how functional we are– but we are FUN!

**ginnh: YAY! YOU DELURKED!! And trust me, we mess up comments all over the place around here! Well, OK, I do.

**rachelbaker: I cannot imagine the ‘bloomr without you and your mum.

**jonny: If you ever try to leave this community, we will hunt you down and force you back! And you know us well enough by now to BELIEVE THAT!

**KellyBurton: My sweet new friend… (Let’s do some damage this weekend!)

**bettyrwoodward: You add so much to all of us. And you write with such a lovely accent!

**Stribet Kat: And you are a very welcome addition to this family.

**belinda: You and Troy are so dear to Russ and I.

Thanks Tori, for the kindness you have given back to all of us! It always seems like you know exactly what we need and when we need it. Just the right story, just the right picture.

I can honestly say that mine and Troy’s lives have been blessed by kindness and love from the Taff’s and we are so very thankful for it.

Hugs,
Debbi
aka Stribet Kat

OK, back to passing the tissue papers around and sharing childbirth stories…

Speaking of which, I’m going to need to hear more of this birth story.

Thankful for you, who is deserving of kindness.

Tori, the stories of the kindness of your real-life family are very moving. Thanks for providing us with this cyber family where everyone is so encouraging and accepting. May the loving-kindness continue!

XOX

T

Love coming here!!

Loving-kindness – Hebrew “Chesed”. Other English versions render it as “steadfast love” (NRSV), “lovingkindness” (NAS), “loyalty” or “constant love” (REB), “love” or “unfailing love” (NIV), “faithfulness” (TEV). A love that continues inspite of circumstances.

We’re here for you and each other. Thanks for taking time to connect with us and making us laugh, cry, think and crack each other up! It’s a good thing!

Thanks for posting, Tori.