Thursday, January 21, 2010

Let's Review Shall We?

It was one year ago today that I entered the blogosphere. What kind of word is that anyway? A totally made up word is what kind. Anyway, it means that today is my blogaversary. Again, the word? Also totally made up. And aren't you glad to know that after one full year of blogging I can still use so many words to say so little?

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing back on January 21, 2009. My husband had been encouraging me to start a blog because apparently I have a lot of words and also a lot of opinions and he needed them to go somewhere besides pinging around the inside of his head. Technology is not my friend but I jumped in anyway, muddled through the set up, and relied a lot on the kindness of my children and strangers. I remember being completely surprised at my first comment. Huh? Someone who doesn't know me is reading this? Oh wait, they do know me. My first comment was from our former Young Life leader in England. Oh I do love those Young Life people. I envisioned my blog as a journal of sorts and I guess that's more or less what it has turned out to be. Some days serious, some days not so serious. I like it that way I think so for now no major changes. I am trying to post more regularly mostly as an exercise in self discipline...writing about nothing takes an enormous amount of self discipline y'all.

I have a little giveaway going on in honor of my blogaversary (we need a new word here Mr. Webster) and I'll announce the winner in a minute. I thought I'd steal borrow an idea from Letterman (not a fan anymore, sorry) and do my own 'Top 10'....be sure to read all the way to the end to see if you won my fabulous prize. My pretty good prize I mean.

Top 10 telltale signs that you're a blogger

10. You have a camera and you're not afraid to use it.

9. You don't even try to hide the fact that, yes you are actually taking a picture of your dessert when you are dining out.

8. Your family all piles in the car to go somewhere which could be France or could be the dry cleaners...and your child and or your spouse says, "Mom/Honey do you have the camera because you know you'll want to write about this."

7. You steal ideas use recommendations from people you have never met for paint color, barbecuing pork chops, furniture rearrangement and establishing some new holiday traditions.

6. A black bear leisurely lumbers through your back yard while you are standing on your deck and you think, "Wow, I hope he comes back so I can get a picture for my blog."

5. You start cleaning out closets, organizing the pantry and finally de-junking the basement, not because you have suddenly acquired more self discipline, but because you are thinking those before and after shots will be good for three or four posts- minimum.

4. You re-evaluate your sense of pride and decide yes, it is fine to discuss- your age, the anguish of ab flab, the fact that your internal thermometer has gone haywire, and a whole litany of child rearing issues beginning with potty training right on thru how and when to have 'the talk'.

3. You're glad you have a pet because not only does she love you unconditionally but also because she can always be counted on for 'material'. Same goes for small children. And teenagers. Really kids of any age.

2. You begin to pay closer attention to all that is beautiful in this big wide world...you notice and appreciate more of the little things...a changing leaf...a rainbow...a tear.

1. You are grateful for the strangers who have come into your life. People you have never actually met but who make you forget that you have never actually met. People you would someday love to sit with for coffee or a glass of wine while you have a nice long face to face and heart to heart chat. Strangers you call friends.

And most especially you know that while there is much heartache and sadness in this world there is also much kindness and joy. And it is meant to be shared.

Thanks for reading...for sticking with me through my move and my moods and my musings...for your encouragement and humor.

And now without further ado, the envelope please...well, the tiny little folded up piece of paper my husband drew out of a basket this morning please....the winner is...


That's you Lumberjack's Wife...Congratulations! You can email me your address and I will send some goodies your way.


And yes, I realize I should have photographed the prizes unwrapped for all the world to see but my favorite little shops always ask, 'Would you like that gift wrapped?' and I cannot say no.

I may still have a few things to learn.

20 comments:

  1. Congratulations to "the Lumberjack's Wife" who I recently have come to like because of how funny she is and she doesn't even know it. See how the blog world works?

    I love your top 10 and congratulations on your "blogaversary".

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  2. Cool top ten!! and right on the mark! you've learned well! LOL...happy blogaversary!

    Suzanne

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  3. I, too, cherish the strangers who have become friends through my blog -- including you, Joyce!

    Hugs,
    Catherine

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  4. Congratulations and GOD bless! I cherish every friend I have made through the bloggy world. What a blessing!!
    andrea

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  5. Happy Anniversary! Ok, this is the greatest post. LOVE IT. Irony here, I am totally late and told myself 10 minutes ago I had to get off. But here I sit in a robe sans makeup and LATE! :) Have a super day!

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  6. Looking forward to being one of those strangers that you actually get to drink a glass of wine with -

    Happy Anniversary!

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  7. Oh my goodness! Would you believe you actually made me cry when I got to #1? I'm a mess, aren't I? Happy Anniversary!

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  8. Happy Blogaversary Joyce! Loved your Top 10, they were dead on! Very fun and as usual, done with great humor!

    Congrats to your giveaway winner!

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  9. Great Top 10! And all so true too. :)

    Happy Anniversary!

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  10. Loved your top ten...and could I have TEA when we sit a spell ??? ; ) As you know, I've been up to my ears in this move and away from blogging. I'm glad I made it to your 1st blogiversary. (Missed the drawing, congrats to the winner!) My one yr was last NOV when we were moving...oh well.
    I also read your random post and am very concerned, b/c I'm am umm...42! : )
    It was fun learning more about you. I hope to return soon, but still dealing with post holiday and move "stuff". This lease home is much smaller and doesn't have storage or a basement. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I guess I should donate and toss more...I really do have too much.
    Ok, I'm rambling now...Congrats on one yr "stranger" bloggy friend of mine.

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  11. OH...just read about the book you "won"! How cool is that?!? Love it. Now I HAVE to return sooner than later...lol Funny how we began blogging about the same time and I "found" you early on...isn't that "spectacular?!" (that's the word you like...right?!) Did you teach English, by chance?

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  12. I'm sure I missed out on a great prize, but congrats to Lumberjack's Wife. And Happy Blogaversary to you, Joyce.

    I love your top 10. When I read the one about cleaning out the basement, garage, etc., I recalled the time I blogged about cleaning out my refrigerator. Evidentally I should have done a better job, because not too long afterward my oldest son posted on Facebook a picture of buttermilk from my fridge that was about 6 months old.

    I was also reminded of the tables I've set just so I could participate in Tablescape Thursday.

    I have found that my new phone with a decent camera has come in handy lately for blogging purposes, but I did feel compelled to explain to the salesman at Academy Sports why I was taking a picture of their sign indicating that they would open immediately after Alabama won the national championship to begin selling championship merchandise. Blogging definitely causes you to look at the world differently.

    Lately I haven't posted as many entries, joined as many memes or visited as many blogs as I would like to. Seems like the holidays took a toll on my blogging time.

    Got to get back to it.

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  13. Congratulations Joyce on your whole year of blogging! I have enjoyed right along with you. And thanks for encouraging me to get into it too...my blogaversary is not too far away!

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  14. LOVE the top ten idea, you are oh so very clever!!

    Congrats on your blogaversary!!!

    Amy

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  15. Oh, drat! What a day to stay away from the computer! Look at what I missed out on seeing first thing! Thanks, Joyce! I am so excited!

    I have to ask-did the black bear thing really happen to you?!? That's hilarious. But all your top ten things are totally true and I am glad I am not the only one.

    And what is up with me posting pictures of my big ol' fat and ugly pregnant self on the internet? Why? Why do we blog about the things we blog about?

    Thanks! I will email you my address pronto. :)

    Happy Blogaversary!

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  16. Nr. 5 was so right on! Your top 10 rocks!!
    Congrats to Taylor and to you for your one year blogiversary! I´m glad I found you!

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  17. Happy Blogaversary! I love your top 10. Right on the money!

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  18. Happy blogaversary mom! I love you! MISS YOU!

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  19. Congratulations on your one-year blogoversary, Joyce! Loved the top ten! They were very clever AND true!!! :-)

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  20. I love the list and it is so true. I was in Target today and wished I had my camera when I saw their new cute spring things!

    blog + friends = blends :)

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