Time flies when you're having fun...

I knew my blog-a-versary was coming up, but all of a sudden it's March 1st and BAM! Here it is! Today this little ol' bloggy-blog turns four years old. Can you believe it? 

I refuse to get sappy today in this post (believe me, it's hard to control that!), but I do want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you, old and new readers, for your continued support.  And when I say support, you must know that I'm not just referring to you coming here and reading what I have to say. Of course I'm grateful for that, but Nouveau Cheap readers have absolutely refined the term "support" and what that means when it comes to this blog. 

Over the years, I've watched something so special unfold here that's hard to put into words. There's a kind of generosity within this little community that's impossible to define. From leaving comments on the You Tell Me page, to emailing info and photos, to sharing tips on Facebook and Twitter, every single day there is an outpouring from YOU to help others.  

I've thought about this so much over the years, and I've tried so hard to put my finger why so many of you have such a beautiful, sincere willingness to share information here. Why are you as enthusiastic and eager as I am to do this? The only thing I can think of is that people who are struggling to make ends meet (or those who have struggled in the past) know what it's like when someone helps you out, and I feel that we all (myself definitely included) want to "pay it forward" and return that favor.

If you know the thrill of getting a $7 lipstick for $1.50, I think you have something inside you that naturally wants to share that, so that others can feel the same thrill.  

And the most beautiful part of it all is that you never want anything in return for your generosity. I've often said to readers, "I wish I could hug you right now for sharing that great tip with us" and it never fails--the response I always get is, "For all the things you and others have shared here, it's the least I could do."  

I told you I wasn't going to get sappy, and here I am getting sappy. I just want you to know, from my heart to yours, that I never take one ounce of what goes on here every day for granted. I fully understand that this could all go away tomorrow. But while we're all still here, I try to make the most of each blog post I write, each tip from you that I share, and each email, message, comment and tweet I receive from you. I may not always have the time or resources to respond to your emails and messages or share what you have to contribute here on the blog and you will NEVER know how much that pains me. But please do know that I read every single message, email, tweet, comment and Facebook post and it fills me with a type of joy and gratitude that I cannot express to you in words.

You will never truly understand how grateful I am to have you here, and how much I thank you for being part of this community. 

With all the love my heart can hold,

G. xo 

PS: I have something really special planned for my "blog birthday month" and I think you'll enjoy it (coming soon). It's not giveaways (I feel it's even better than giveaways but that's just me) but I do plan on getting back into the giveaway-groove at some point this spring. So please stay tuned!