A blogaversary go-green giveaway (and the winner is…)
** MINDYMOM is the winner of the Envirosax tote! **
Three years ago today I wrote my first blog post over at Kvetch Blog, my first-born blog.
February 16, 2006
NOTHING EVER MAKES PERFECT SENSE
and the following is no exception!
A stranger made me blog. Well, not really made me, but enticed me. Just more proof that everything happens for a reason.
I met my friendly stranger the way so many of us single-folk do…online. Since he wrote to me first, which is a sign of impeccable taste, I decided to reply after only three weeks of contemplating the $35 it would cost me to do so.
For a week, we corresponded. I was taken in by the fact that not only did he reply, but he found me funny and charming. So, not only did he have good taste…he was bright as well.
When one of my emails mentioned being “a writer at heart and by nature” he asked me if I blogged. I knew what he meant, knew it wasn’t something he shouldn’t be saying to a virtual stranger (pun intended)…but he said that he thought my writing was well suited to blogging, and I, in the privacy of an early morning foray online to read his thoughts, agreed.
So, here I am.
Thank you, Michael with no last name, where ever you are in cyberspace, I think I have found blog-heaven.
For a while I used a pastel polka dot Blogger theme. You know the one. But it wasn’t long before I needed to flex my inner bloganista and spruce it up.
So I went with this:
At first, my readers knew me as Kvetch. Or Kvetch Blogger. I was anonymous until I decided to out myself and become more personal. I never used my kids’ names. I still don’t. Except here you can read about when they found out about the blog and named themselves!
So for about two years I wrote about life and family and friends. It gave me the confidence to write for publication. It introduced me to the online world of writers, agents, editors and publishers.
And then I wanted a new image. A little more subdued with a slant toward writing. So we came up with this.
And then…it got a little too personal with some comments — and I stopped blogging. I also did not want to write about my daily dalliances so much as I really wanted to write about life as it pertains to writing. I wanted to step away from Kvetch blog and I did.
Which brings us here today.
Some of you have been around since the beginning. Such troopers. You get an extra piece of cake. Some of you are new friends. Doesn’t matter. Cake all around!
In honor of this milestone — and I think it is one — I’m giving away one Envirosax tote bag (retail value $8.50). Just leave me a comment about blogging. Your experience. Your first post. How your blog has changed with time. You can enter more than once by commenting on my Examiner page, or by Tweeting the giveaway (if you Tweet it, let me know).
I’ll choose a winner at random later this week.
Hooray for the single Mom. I’ve been a single Mom of 5 for 8 years now and there’s nothing I’d change about it–well, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow wouldn’t be bad.
I started blogging right after a car accident at the end of 2007. I had three major surgeries to repair my knee (Which still needs more work) and I was stuck on the couch for many months. My first blog was about my personal “bucket list” and I’ve never been that mushy ever again…well, maybe once in a blue moon. My blog is based on whatever crosses my mind–and that’s usually a lot of nothing. I’m snarky and I don’t sugar coat anything. Every once in awhile I surprise people with something heartfelt, but I prefer to keep my heartfelt side here at home with my kiddos!!
Love finding your blog via twitter!
Three years? Really?
I remember the day we met. Our eyes locked across a crowded internet connection. No wait. That’s not it. You commented on my blog and then I responded and then you commented back and then I commented on your comment and then I went to your blog and commented and then… three years later.
Glad you’re my friend, on-line and in real life.
AM,
I remember when we met in real life! I knew I could come up to you and that we’d hit it off! I was right!
Amy
Wow. Three years is a long time in blog years! Congrats on such a great milestone. I’ve only been blogging six months but I really love it. It is hard to find a balance on what you write about, isn’t it?
Debbie,
I think you have to let the blogging change as you want it to. Trying to write what would be read got me into trouble on the first blog – took the fun out of it. Write what you feel passionate about and people will read it! I know I love your blog!
Amy
Daily Blonde,
I’m glad you found me too and vice versa! Welcome! 5 kids? I’m in awe!
Amy
Amy, Congrats! Three years is a darn long time in blogland. I’ve only been at it a little over four months and it feels like I’ve been doing it forever! I’m glad I found you, or you found me, or whatever. Keep on blogging – you’re a real pro!
Congrats on the anniversary! I think I’ve been blogging for about three years, too. Amazing how the blog changes and morphs during that time.
Congrats Amy! I seem to have a love-hate relationship with my blog. I can never get it to do exactly what I want. Glad I have yours to read in while i wait!
Happy Blogaversary! I had no idea you had been bloggong for so long – being that I was only recently introduced to your online wit and wisdom what? a couple months ago?
I’ve been blogging for real since Nov 2008. A year prior to that I had posted to my blog but never did more than that. (as in reading other blogs and commenting) Now, it’s a big part of my life where back then it was just putting some thoughts out into the universe/blogosphere every once in a while. Now I post almost everyday and blogging is a daily ritual. OK, I’m addicted.
I used to be more personal but that only lasted about 3 months or so and now, believe it or not, not so much. I ask myself before I write, do I care if millions of people know this about me? if yes, then it gets written
I blogged as part of a group on our Year of Gratitude (YOG) last year/do editor/writing-related posts for the Rose & Thorn, and that got me interested in having my own blog. Since September, it’s been great!
Congrats on your blog evolving! Hugs
Happy blogoversary! I don’t think my blog has changed much in the almost year and a half I’ve had it, but I do find I give in to my laziness more often and I don’t think my posts are as well thought out as they used to be. That’s something I’m trying to work on.
Good grief, has it been that long? Happy blogoversary. You were one of the first bloggers I “met” and to comment regularly on my blog and make me feel at home in the blogosphere. I was sad when you stopped kvetching. I’m gald you’re back in the game!
And now I feel like I really, really, really need to do something about my tired old template.