Whoa!
It doesn't feel that long. Granted, for those first two years, I didn't know much about blogging. Much of that time was spent floundering around, figuring out this new medium of technology and communication. In fact, it was an article in Writer's Digest discussing blogs that convinced me to give it a shot. (The biggest selling point: Even a techno-idiot like me could get one up and running in under 10 minutes.)
Four years later, I can hardly imagine my life without blogging.
I've made many dear friends, some of whom I'm met in real life and others I haven't met but still hold dear. I've learned a ton about myself. About blogging. I've learned how to find other blogs. I've laughed and cried reading others' posts. I feel like a better person in some ways. Wildest of all, I've spoken at a blogging conference. (I'm still basking in the glow of that one.)
According to Feedburner, my little corner of the blogosphere has over 300 subscribers. It has nearly 200 Google Followers. (I remember thinking it would be so cool to reach 100 and break the two-digit barrier!) I don't have a huge blog (I'm no CJane), but I love where mine has gone and is heading, and I appreciate everyone who drops by and takes time to read my ramblings.
Thanks to you all!
To celebrate, I plan to have some kind of fun giveaway/contesty thingy.
("Thingy." Yeah, that's about as specific as I have it so far. As the concept crystallizes, I'll give out more details.)
In the meantime, if you or someone you know would like to sponsor a prize for my 4-year bloggy-versary, please drop me a line! I'd love to have a bunch of fun goodies to give away and for the whole thing (whatever it ends up being) to be a boatload of fun.
I might even break out my knitting needles to make something for one winner. Hmmm . . .
Finally, I've mentioned this on Facebook and Twitter, but might as well do so here, too, because I'm kinda excited about it.
For literally years, I've thought about what it would take to be featured in Utah Valley Magazine, especially after seeing other (much bigger) writers like Brandon Mull get in there. Recently Jeanette Bennett, editor and owner of Utah Valley Magazine asked little 'ol me for an interview. I was kinda pleased. (Read: jumping up and down excited.) We had a great 45-minute chat at her office, and the interview came out in the July/Aug 2010 issue.
While I'm certainly not cover material like Brandon Mull, I did get a 2-page spread, which surprised and tickled me to no end. I'm tempted to frame it and hang on my office wall. ('Cause I'm a geek like that.)
My neighbor Heather Adams took the picture of me. We had a great photo shoot earlier this year for a new bio photo for Band of Sisters, and they used one of the pictures from that shoot. Heather's an awesome photographer, and I love how great she made me look!
You can see the issue online HERE. (I'm on pp 58-59, or on the lower left menu, click on "Ladies Gaga" and turn a page or two.) What's wild is that a friend of mine from my youth theater days is also in the very same issue: Mindy Young, on page 28. We met the summer before our senior years in Lehi's youth production of Joseph. (Mindy played one serious come-hither Potiphar's wife!)
Okay, back to the original point:
- In less than two weeks, on July 21: 4-YEAR BLOGGIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
- Ideas, sponsors, requests: Send 'em on in!
22 comments:
Wow! Four years!! That's just crazy! I'm so glad you are here and that I've gotten to know you.
It sounds like you are planning quite an anniversary bash! Fun! And also, I liked that you used "to no end" in this post because I don't like when people leave off the "to" and just say "no end". :)
Congrats on the Magazine feature and your four years of blogging. My very first blog went up a little over two years ago. It's been nice to use it for feedback and making friends.
Annette, congrats! I really like that picture of you.
And I had no idea blogging even existed, 4 years ago.
Loved your article. It made me feel especially good to see that other people have all but given up scrapbooking.
Fun to read about Mindy, too. And a couple other people I knew!
Apparently I started a whole ten days before you did. No idea how to celebrate this year but giving things away is a lovely idea.
I volunteer to send one lucky person a parcel of not-available-in-the-US chocolate bars.
Ooo...and I agree with Kristina, that's an awesome photo of you. The spread looks amazing - congratulations!
Wow! Congrats! On 4 years, but most especially being featured in the magazine. It's a great article! I was so pleased to be able to say "hey, I knew that all ready!" You rock, Annette!
Congratulations on four years and a cool article!
4 years ago? Shoot - I barely learned about blogging 2 years ago (okay... 2 1/2 maybe) stinkin' amazing! Gotta go check out your beauteous photo :)
seriously, that is one lovely photo of your lovely self! and is it weird that I know at least two of the other people in the magazine (Barta and Janet... okay, not TOO weird, I was a theatre major after all... pretty much ANY of use knew these two!)
congrats on the article!!!!
Congrats on the magazine article. I already cut it out and framed it because I am creepy like that. I feel the same way about blogging and I have only been doing it for 6 months. Thanks as always for stopping by my blog.
Congratulations on four years! I love reading your blog.
Hey! Wait a second, this article says that you will be publishing a Middle Grade historical series about the founding of St. George! Didn't you write those a long time about, but the publisher decided no one would buy them? ooo, I hope this is true. I 've been interested in reading them ever since you mentioned them.
Four Years.... I'm not there yet. I think I started at the end of 2008. But I'm with you on how the blog take shape as time goes by.
That is exciting about your two page spread. I would totally frame it if I were you.
That is so great! Congratulations on your 4 years AND your big article! wahoo!
Congrats on four years! I'm so very glad you did because that's how I found you and your wonderful books. (BTW, Band of Sisters frequently pops up in my mind. A scene will just come to mind at the perfect time to remind me to just breathe and take life a step at a time. Thank you for that.)
Loved the article about you and LOVED the pic! You look awesome! (P.S. How cool of you to mention the thing about literacy in children/moms! See how wonderful you are?)
Congrats on honors well deserved! Isn't it a small world?! I am excited about this historical St George series--is it okay I am not in Junior High?
Congratulations on your upcoming 4th year blogaversary and also on that arcticle. That is really awesome Annette! Did my flat daddy family every contact you?
Only four years? Brings to mind the jingle from that old cigarette commercial--"You've come a long way, Baby." (Not that I'm comparing your blog to a cigarette in any way...well, maybe it is a bit addictive).
Seriously, congratulations and I can only hope to break out of double digits in four years.
Nice article, too. It's about time you got statewide coverage. Next up--national!
You've got two years on me, but like you, I have come to love blogging.
I will assist you in reaching that 200 number by following as of today,
=)
So many congrats to offer - congrats on nearly 4 years! (My 4 year is in October.) Congrats on the lovely magazine spread! And congrats on the blogging conference talk!
P.S. I think I want to win Kim's gift :) !!
So I have been away, slaving over cleaning stuff, kid stuff, and homework stuff to finish up coursework and totally missed this post!!
Congratulations on the magazine coverage. That is just really cool. I just sent you a message via facebook.
I am now headed over to check out the article so I can come back and say congrats all over again.
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