Wednesday 6 February 2013

Blogiversary, Waitangi Day and Prayers

Yesterday (5 February) this blog celebrated it's first blogiversary.  It's amazing to think it has been a year since I started writing here!  

Today is also Waitangi Day here.  A public holiday - yay!  it is our national day.  A day where we commemorate the signing of the Treaty Of Waitangi.  Below is a little information on the Treaty for those of you who are interested in learning a little more.

The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand’s founding document. It takes its name from the place in the Bay of Islands where it was first signed, on 6 February 1840. This day is now a public holiday in New Zealand. The Treaty is an agreement, in Māori and English, that was made between the British Crown and about 540 Māori rangatira (chiefs).
Growing numbers of British migrants arrived in New Zealand in the late 1830s, and there were plans for extensive settlement. Around this time there were large-scale land transactions with Māori, unruly behaviour by some settlers and signs that the French were interested in annexing New Zealand. The British government was initially unwilling to act, but it eventually realised that annexing the country could protect Māori, regulate British subjects and secure commercial interests.
Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson had the task of securing British sovereignty over New Zealand. He relied on the advice and support of, among others, James Busby, the British Resident in New Zealand. The Treaty was prepared in just a few days. Missionary Henry Williams and his son Edward translated the English draft into Māori overnight on 4 February. About 500 Māori debated the document for a day and a night before it was signed on 6 February.
Hobson and others stressed the Treaty’s benefits while playing down the effects of British sovereignty on rangatiratanga (chiefly authority). Reassured that their status  would be strengthened, many chiefs supported the agreement. About 40 chiefs, starting with Hōne Heke, signed the Māori version of the Treaty on 6 February. By September, another 500 had signed the copies of the document that were sent around the country. Some signed while remaining uncertain; others refused or had no chance to sign. Almost all signed the Māori text. The Colonial Office in England later declared that the Treaty applied to Māori tribes whose chiefs had not signed. British sovereignty over the country was proclaimed on 21 May 1840.
The Treaty is a broad statement of principles on which the British and Māori made a political compact to found a nation state and build a government in New Zealand. The document has three articles. In the English version, Māori cede the sovereignty of New Zealand to Britain; Māori give the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands they wish to sell, and, in return, are guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands, forests, fisheries and other possessions; and Māori are given the rights and privileges of British subjects.
Now, getting back to my original topic.  I find it hard to believe I started this blog a year ago now - Wow!  We introduced domestic discipline into our relationship in October 2012. A little over a year ago.  I plan to post separately on how we got started and how we have progressed to where we are now.
I had been a serial lurker on blogs for quite some time before I took the plunge to start my own and start commenting on other blogs.  It never ceases to amaze me the level of support, comfort, encouragement and advice everyone here has extended to Rick and myself and continue to do so.  I am truly grateful to you all.
We pour out our hearts and souls on these pages.  Our worries and fears and also share in our achievements, excitement and the good things in our lives.  I share far more here than I ever do with real life friends.

The friendships developed here go beyond others simply understanding this lifestyle we have chosen and the knowledge that we are not alone.  In some ways, I feel I know a lot more about all of you then I do about some of my real life friends and family.  I feel a deep connection to my blog friends.
This community has so much to offer and I gain so much from being a part of it.  I am grateful that I have a husband who understands this, and my need to connect with other people who 'get it'.  I am grateful that he fully encourages my participation.  We all know this lifestyle is not always an easy one.
Being a part of this community and starting this blog has benefited us both hugely.  This blog has become a tool for us in our relationship.  By me writing my thoughts and feelings and sharing what we do, it provides a mechanism for us to gain a better understanding and perspective.  Certainly, at times for Rick to understand my thoughts and feelings and how certain things have affected me.  It has enabled us to make some positive changes in our relationship.  The wonderful advice and support we have found here helps us in this process more than I can say.
At the moment I know some of you are facing great challenges.  Some of you are facing challenges with health issues and others are facing a range of different challenges.  It truly saddens me and I want you to know Rick and I extend our arms to you in support and encouragement.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thank you all so much for your friendship.  I am looking forward to seeing what the next year holds in store for us.

49 comments:

  1. Oh congrats on your blogevarsary
    And may I say , how very interesting. I admit I know absolutely nothing about newzealand, so interesting to read about other cultures.
    Wow it sounds so exotic where you live. It must be beautiful :)

    I totally agree with the support this community offers, I think I would have gone crazy if I didn't have this place to vent and receive support from all you lovely people.

    I am also very sad about the things that are going on at the moment with different people. It makes my problems seem so trivial.

    Anyway I wish you a great national holiday, I'm guessing you have wonderful weather and will be celebrating out doors. Have fun. I wish one day I will be able to visit your beautiful country, it defiantly on my list of places to see x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Missy, thank you :)

      Glad you enjoyed the history lesson :) New Zealand is a lovely place and I'm sure you would enjoy it. I hope you do manage to visit. We did have an enjoyable day. The weather was lovely but quite windy so a little cool.

      This community is amazing isn't it? I'm so relieved and glad to see that there has ben some positive news from some of our friends.

      Thinking of you and hope you are now feeling a little better.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  2. Congratulation on your anniversary! I'm glad your blog has been a boost to your marriage. And thank you for the history, I love hearing about other countries. Sure would like to visit someday.

    Hugs,
    PK

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi PK, Thank you! This blog has been helpful to us in so many ways. I am so thankful that my husband understands what this community means to me and that he gains a lot from it as well.

      I hope you go get to visit. I'm sure you would love it here! Glad you enjoyed the little bit of history :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  3. Happy Blogiversary! :) I am so glad you decided to write about your journey! I have learned a lot from you....AND Scrappy ;)

    Have a great day!

    Hugs....

    ~Lucy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lucy, Thank you so much :) I learn much from you as well. Many a time your posts have given me great food for thought. As for Scrappy, I think I would prefer he didn't teach us as many lessons LoL.

      Am thinking of you and also waiting patiently and excitedly for news of little Gracie :)

      Wishing you all the best.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  4. Roz,

    Congratulations on your first blogiversary. This community is very special.

    Same as Missy Jones. I knew nothings about the Treaty, very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

    Enjoy your day.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ronnie, thank you so much :) I never imagined when I started this blog just how wonderful this community truly is and how much everybody would come to mean to me.

      Glad you enjoyed the little history lesson :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  5. Happy Blogaversary Roz! And happy Waitangi Day to you and Rick.
    You are so right, this is a very supportive and caring community and one of the reasons is because you're in it! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awe, thank you so much Mr BB for your kind words :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  6. Congratulations Roz. Happy Waitangi Day as well. I enjoyed reading about the history of your beautiful country.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joey, thank you :) Glad you enjoyed the history.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  7. We are the fortunate ones here Roz.

    Through your blog, and through your comments on our blogs you have offered insight, support and encouragement. You and Rick ( hi Rick!) have been a huge help to myself and Barney- helping me through a very difficult time, and by doing so you helped others through my experience. I am truly honoured to call you my friend and I hope that you continue to blog for a very long time!

    Much Love and HUGE hugs my coffee buddy!
    Willie

    Oh and PS thanks for telling us more about your country ! I can't wait to show Barney.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Willie, my bedtime tea buddy! Awe shucks, thank you so much for your wonderful words. This brought happy tears. I often feel inadequate in my comments and that I just ramble here so I am so happy and honoured if I have been helpful in any way. Believe me, you have certainly helped me. The honour is mine my friend.

      I'm glad you enjoyed my little history lesson :)

      Much Love and Hugs
      Roz

      Delete
  8. Thank you Roz, for sharing your journey with us, for your encouragement in your comments and for being so consistent in your presence here in blogland. I've so enjoyed getting to know you through your blog and hey, thanks for the history lesson. I don't know enough about your land. :)

    Blessings to you today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Susie, thank you so much for your lovely comment. I have very much enjoyed getting to know you and always appreciate your comments. You always provide encouragement and sound advice and I learn a great deal from your blog.

      Glad you enjoyed the history lesson :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  9. Happy blogaversary....your blog hot only helps you on your journey, but it helps us also. Thanks for the info on your homeland, always good to learn more about places I have not had the fun of exploring.
    hugs abby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Abby, thank you so much. If though my writing I can help anyone else in any small way I am deeply humbled and grateful.

      You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  10. Happy Blog Anniversary and as the others have said...thanks for sharing your country's history with us. I always enjoy coming here to read what you have to say. Wishing you and Rick continued DD and marriage success as well as your blog. You are a bright spot here:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi SNP, Thank you so much for your lovely comment and for the encouragement, support and wonderful advice you have given me. I always look forward to hearing from you.

      I enjoy visiting you and love your stories :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  11. Happy Blogaversary and I, for one, am glad you are here. Enjoy visiting with you. Thank you for the history lesson. I love learning about history.

    Continued good wishes on a successful journey in DD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sunny, thank you so much, and thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement and advice you have always given me. I truly appreciate it. I always enjoy visiting your page and reading your ramblings :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  12. Happy Blogaversary! And Thanks for the history lesson - always fun to learn new things. It is a wonderful communtiy and I send everyone best wishes... :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terps, thank you so much:) I never would have dreamed when I started how much this community would mean to be. It is simply awesome. I'm glad PK bulled ... um ... encouraged you to blog.

      You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  13. Happy Blogaversary!!!!!

    Thank you for all the love and support you give all of us too. I feel strongly about bloggy friends too, isn't it funny how quickly strangers can become dear to us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stormy, thank you so much :) It is amazing the great connections we make isn't it. I never would have dreamed when I started this blog just how much everybody here would come to mean to me. It really is awesome.

      I always love your blog and learn a lot from you.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  14. Happy Blogiversary and Happy Waitangi Day as well, Roz! :) The history lesson was interesting. I admit that I don't know much about New Zealand, though the pictures I've seen look lovely. I've enjoyed getting to know you and look forward to learning about how this journey started for the two of you. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Grace, thank you so much :) I've enjoyed getting to know you too. I always enjoy your posts and learn a lot from you. Thank you for your encouragement and support.

      I hope to finish my post on how we started and our journey so far soon.

      Glad you enjoyed the history lesson :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  15. Happy Blogiversary and Waitangi Day!
    The history lesson was pretty cool. I've always thought NZ would be a lovely place to visit. Had a neighbor from there when I was young.
    You're so right about the Blog community. I'm pretty new and admittedly very timid still in my own participation but I draw so much strength from what others share.
    Looking forward to learning more about your and Rick's journey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catrinka, thank you so much. I'm glad you decided to start your own blog:) It really is an amazing community.

      You're welcome, glad you enjoyed the history lesson :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  16. Happy Blogiversary and Waitangi Day to you Roz. Thank you for sharing the history of Kiwi country with us.

    It is awesome people like you and Rick that make this such a wonderful community. Looking forward to the next year of your blog.

    Joining you in sending healing energy and prayers to all those with health and other issues.

    Blessings,
    Cat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cat, thank you for your lovely comment. I feel very humbled and extremely blessed by the wonderful comments I have received. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support.

      Glad you enjoyed the history lesson :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  17. Happy Blogiversary, Roz!! I've so enjoyed reading about you and Rick. I feel like you always have something interesting and insightful to say in your own unique way. I look forward to another year for you two! ((((hugs))))

    Oh, and I I hope you have a lovely Waitangi day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Riley, Thank you so much for your lovely words. Happy Blogiversary to you too!

      I really enjoy reading about you and Cael as well and always learn something from you.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  18. Roz, it has been so wonderful to get to know you! I am so glad that you started blogging, and are sharing so that we can share in our journey, but also gain advice as we venture forth in our own. :) Congratulations on reaching a year in blogging! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Es May, Thank you so much for your lovely words :) I've enjoyed getting to know you and enjoy reading your blog.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  19. hi Roz im a day late sorry, but happy annivesary for your blog - awesome :) we must have started blogging around the same time :)
    not sure how i feel about the treaty of waitangi....dont want to get political but its good to have a day off anyway
    hugs kiwi xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kiwi, thank you! Never too late! I can't believe it has been a year. Neat we started around the same time eh?

      Yes, I know what you mean about Waitangi. I'm not sure about it either and prefer to stay away from the politics of it all.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  20. Happy Blogiversary! Hope you enjoyed your holiday too:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tess :) We did enjoy the day off, it was very welcome in the middle of the week. We had a nice relaxing day.

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  21. Happy Blogiversary Roz! This community is wonderful and you are an important part of it. Thanks for sharing your journey and for the neat history lesson. I love history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Zoe, thank you so much for your lovely words. Your posts always give me food for thought. I'm glad you enjoyed :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  22. Happy blog anniversary and thanks for the history lesson. Happy to have you in this community and look forward to reading your posts in the future.

    FD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi FD, thank you so much for your lovely comment and I'm glad you enjoyed the history lesson :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  23. Congratulations on your blogiversary!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. So many comments, I am obviously late. Plenty others have said this, but I'll repeat it: you have given as much as you have received, and your writing helps and informs many others.

    Interesting history piece, too. You could say more with good effect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Malcolm, never too late, I really appreciate you commenting.

      Thank you so much for your kind words :)

      Hugs,
      Roz

      Delete
  25. Happy Blog Annv

    ReplyDelete