So glad you joined us Carole. :-).

A number of things for me. I'm a loner in general and wanted conversation and some of the topics were extremely interesting and had something to say about them. I honestly don't remember what my first post was. I used to keep copies in case GW collapsed but then my computer collapsed with all my GW postings. Regardless I absolutely love it here and am glad I got over my debilitating shyness and have been happily posting semi-regularly for several years. Even the changes brought on by -houzz- hasn't stopped me from continuing. :-) :-) :-).

Carole - Your posting name is so cute.

I don't remember what my first post was but I know it was in kitchens in 2010 in the Kitchen forum when we were redoing our kitchen. I've only started a couple of threads but I don't tend to do that. What if no one comes to my party?!

I know what you mean about being a loner. In my career I was always "on" in a sales and marketing position. But irl I tend to be much quieter, and hesitant to jump in. I continue to enjoy the discussion side especially, often thinking-"that's a question I could have asked". Thanks for the welcome!

I am glad you have graduated from lurker to active participant!

I remember exactly when I found these forums. It was in 2009 and we were redoing our kitchen. I had to tear out one backsplash as it was a terrible choice. I googled for help finding a backsplash and GardenWeb popped up. Although no one was actually able to help me find a tile, the moral support was amazing.

I stayed with Kitchens regularly for years trying to help other avoid my mistakes. I ventured onto this side as well as The Kitchen Table. I will sometimes go to Hot Topics but rarely post. there.

ETA: Blfenton, are you joking? EVERYONE would come to your party :)

I had just bought our CT house and was planning the K reno. I had actually just reno'ed a kitchen in a prior home, and was annoyed by the fan noise of our new Viking wall oven. In that home, the oven was at the end of a run and was right next to a swinging door into our DR. I hated hearing the oven fan while sitting in my formal DR.

Appliance people didn't know what I was talking about, but GW did. New wall ovens had more powerful fans for code reasons, hence the noise.

So ... no wall oven in my new home. In fact, I got a LaCanche the size of a small car, which I love and would never have come across otherwise.

I also started out on the Kitchen forum as we were getting ready for our major kitchen remodel. I was so happy with the great advice I got there, which saved me/us MAJOR money, time and headaches, that I moved on to Decorating after that. Sadly, though, in time I got frustrated with the rude “professionals” that started inserting themselves in very negative ways more and more over there. These days, I tend to stay here on the Conversation side. Nice people over here with good, practical advice if you ever need it. Lots of other interesting posts, as well. And, we don’t put up with rudeness, which keeps things friendly and welcoming here.

I bought my first home in 2004. I had already found the "Trees" forum for work. I was hosting my first family Thanksgiving in my new home and as a mostly vegetarian, had no idea how to cook a turkey, so that's what prompted me to post on the Cooking Forum. Subsequent issues with choosing paint colors caused me to venture to Home Decorating, and then I found "Conversations" when I realized that folks on Cooking and HD had enough good sense to ask them about other home-making/life-making issues. The Cooking forum used to have a conversation thread and I was there until it disappeared and most folks migrated here. I stayed because once I got help, I wanted to pay it forward and help others.

Kitchen reno for me too in 2012. I had found a granite I liked and googled it and GW popped up—-and a whole new world I never knew existed. I had pretty much made all my kitchen decisions before I found the Kitchen Forum....sigh, I probably would have changed some things with the forum’s help, but quickly moved to the Home Dec forum and was delighted as I've always had an interest in interior design. Was there for awhile before I found the Conversation side.

Lots of changes here in the last few years. Home Dec has seen a big turnover and I lost interest. Participation in Conversations has dwindled in the last few years—-it’s not as active and lively as it once was but still a fun place and a good source for all manner of subjects. Three years ago I wandered over to Hot Topics, but that has taken a turn for the worse in the last six months or so so I don't post there as much as I used to either. It’s a shame things have changed so much, but I guess nothing stays the same forever.

I don't recall how I found conversations, but came to GW for ideas about a bath remodel and kind of got hooked. In my job before retirement, I had a fast paced job in a Legal Aid office, where I screened all the callers and did the initial advising about what people needed to do before they could get an appt with a lawyer (and only about 1% ever qualified to see a lawyer, so I was the only person to ever give them any help/advice at all). So it was answering 5 phone lines and doing crisis intervention and problem solving/advising all day long. I really, really miss the problem solving aspect of that job and find that popping around some of the forums here, gives me that "fix" and hopefully helps some people.

Newfiewoofie, I can't believe we've been denied that fabulous posting name for so long! Welcome!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Newfies Rule! I had 2 Newfs at the same time (seems crazy now) Lola, who I raised from 14 weeks, and Mowgli who I rescued after Hurricane Katrina when he was approx 2 yo.. They both lived long happy lives and lived until 12 and 11 years respectively. Sometimes I laugh out loud when I think of the antics that went on. They crossed over few years ago, about a year apart. I always read the posts about your pets and the photos make me smile-and tear up a bit too. Mtn, I remember you had a project where you were redoing a guest house.-long time ago. And I always followed the wedding convos as my children were getting married. You've all been there for me through thick and thin-without even realizing it. Sometimes it was just a good escape for a while.

I remember how I found the boards, but not what prompted my first post. When my daughter was in preschool (that would have been 2007 or 2008), one of the other moms was renovating a newly-purchased house while I was contemplating a kitchen remodel. She was the one who told me about GardenWeb. But I have no idea how long I lurked before I posted. I'm not particularly reticent, so I doubt I gave it a lot of weight.

Newfie - I'm glad you decided to join in. I hope you're enjoying your retirement and post often.

Sadly I discovered this place in 2001, AFTER a major addition to our home. I was happy with the outcome but I would have tweaked some things along the way - like soft close cabinets, air switches and a different back splash.

We moved 2 years ago and in our new place we gutted the kitchen, 3 baths and removed some walls. This time I was prepared for every little detail.

Maire

Hi. I had some sick rhododendrons and googled how to treat them. I ended up at a forum on the gardening side. I was in the planning stage of a kitchen Reno and noticed Kitchens on the list of forums. Actually it was Kitchens and Baths at that time. It was very helpful and when my “ class” finished their renovations, we all moved over to Cooking, which had a Conversations side at that time. I posted a lot there and then one day Cooking Conversations disappeared. Boo hoo. After that ( since I don’t cook much), I found Home Decorating Conversations and have been here ever since. First GW post ( during Spike’s era), was in 2002.

I stumbled upon GW when I was researching FL washing machines. I was in and out until years later when we were remodeling our kitchen. I‘m sure I spent hundreds of hours on the Kitchen forum but finally lost interest in that topic. I wandered around the other forums and discovered this side of HD. I’m not all that much into decorating but the people talking on this side sounded like me so I asked if I could “join in” here. That was many years ago and I love this group!

I also started on the gardening forums, then gradually explored others. I remember "The Garden Party" forum was one of the early ones and "Garden Junk", and "Garden Accoutrements". Don't remember when I started to visit the Home forums and KT.

Kitchen project for me, too. A local friend asked if I knew about “That Home Site.” This was...ack, probably 12 years ago?

The majority of my friends IRL aren‘t interested in talking about decorating, and certainly not to the degree that we do here, so that’s why I keep coming back. These days I rarely venture to the original decorating side; I just come here to visit the people I “know.”

Kitchen project for me, too. Never did the project, but as first time house-owners it seemed every time I googled about something, the best responses were on GW (well, That Home Site! back then, around 2000 or so). Took me a loooooong time to create a login, then a looooooong time to actually comment on someone else’s post, with great trepidation even so. Can’t remember starting my first post at all! I‘m sure I edited it a thousand times before I hit Submit!

Googling kitchen reno stuff brought me to GW. And the most amazing advice has kept me here. It’s a total joy to pop in and read what’s going on.

Can’t imagine 2 Newfies! You must be a saint. :). Our Newfie is 160 pounds of hair and drool. Lol.

Yes Newfie, my IttyBittyStoneHouse!

((((((Hugs Amy)))))

Thanks Eld!!!

2005, when we were building a house. Thanks to GardenWeb, I made some great choices that I would never have known about otherwise (travertine floors, tapmaster, bluestar range...) I used to spend a lot of time on the cooking forum but this forum is my favorite. The sense of support here is second to none.

(Amy, how are you doing these days? We need an update!)

What really convinced me to finally "speak up" was the genuine feeling of camaraderie that I feel as I read these blogs and replies. In some ways it's easier to chat about certain concerns or ideas while you are mostly invisible. And I love all the recipes and foodie stuff too. Glad2b-my newfies were tiny compared to yours. Around 125# each. But big enough... And sometimes the conversation topics just hit the nail on the head-e.g. I'm contemplating buy a new car and that thread has some valuable info.

Welcome newfiewoofie! Now that you've "outed" yourself, we'll look forward to seeing you join in on many more discussions!

And Amy, it's been a year already? Wow. Yes, please do update us on how all is going in your life when you can.

I discovered the gardenweb side back in the late 90's when I was trying to look up information on shade gardening. in 2002, we were in the late stages of our kitchen remodel and our washing machine died. While researching them, I found the home side of garden web, the appliance forum and the kitchen forum. I kept up with the kitchen forum for a little while (lurking) and I posted a couple of before/ after pics of the kitchen (a small 1957 kitchen). Then began lurking again in 2004 when we bought a house with a very 80's kitchen. Lurked a bit in the bathroom forum (I should have delurked and asked opinions when we did our master bath - made some mistakes - oh well) Posted a little in the kitchen forums in 2007-2008 or so when we remodeled our kitchen - eventually got bored and started lurking in the HD forums instead. I mostly lurk in the background, mostly because I've been doing it so long... but feel like I know all the regulars. While I mostly lurk and "almost posted" a few times, I've gotten a lot of inspiration over the years - not just things but ways of deciding on what to use and do.

Ida and Jojo, Thanks for thinking of me. I am doing well. Surprisingly I am completely over my ex-husband. Weeks pass and I do not even think of him. He did me the biggest favor by asking me for a divorce! We worked everything out and had a smooth divorce and he has been paying me monthly without fail thus far (given he kept the house in the divorce). I did find out he was cheating on me with a distant friend). Not sure I ever mentioned that. I was upset for a couple of weeks but let go of my anger. It wasn't worth it.

So, I have been living on my own in a sweet little apartment that I love and have been working a lot. I have been on some dates but only for fun and to get my feet wet. I am nowhere near ready for a relationship.

I can't believe it has already been a year! However, at the same time it all seems so long ago.

You guys were right that I would be okay and land on my feet. I do not know what I would have done without you all! You have no idea how much you all helped me through such a difficult time. Hugs to everyone!!!!

Amy, it's good to hear you are doing well and are moving on in a good way!

I discovered That Home Site while researching ranges for our new build, so I started in BAH. That was in 2005/2006, and we just closed/sold that house yesterday. Bitter sweet, and I got teary eyed at closing. Felt like such an idiot, but at least I didn't have full on tears (like now!). Once I discovered the Decorating and Convo side, I knew I had found my people. LOL I am 100% a house person, and while I don't usually post questions, I love sharing with other people that are passionate about interiors, and seeing what everyone is up to whether it's decorating or the more personal side of your lives. After my parents passed away, I appreciated each and every kind word. Thank you for sharing and caring!

I started coming here when remodeling a bathroom in 2005/6 or when planning a move in 2007. Spent time on the pools board when we added a pool after our move. That board was really active at that time. I rarely post a question but have learned so much about so many topics here. Home related and not.

So glad, Amy, that you are doing so well 1 year post such a traumatic end to a relationship.

I discovered the Kitchen Forum in 2008 when remodeling the kitchen at the riverhouse, our second home. Thank goodness I did! I visit The Kitchen Table as well. I agree that the people here as well as The Kitchen Table are a great bunch. Always lovely, helpful, wise, and generous.

Somewhere in 2015 I found the Kitchen Forum here on GW. Was housebuilding. Eventually I checked around the rest of the overall site. Don't remember when I came to this forum.

I think I asked a technical question about fireplace-because the GC and his foreman didn't agree on how to make it happen according to the plan, and be able to pass an inspection at the same time

(I got helpful answers, that predicted the result quite precisely-no they couldn't make it happen, and it's quite an atrocity that bugs me to no end and I really want to redo it-but it did pass the final inspection, which let us move into the house on time-we had guests coming from abroad and from other state with their plans and tickets lined up. We had a week to move in and settle before they flew in)

Or maybe it was a question about marble slab..?

In short I don't remember. In any case it was asking for some more or less specific information. Maybe it was 2015 or 2016..after reading your answers I realize I'm really a newbie still

Why I stayed? well I started reading..)))