Wow! Three years have come and gone since I posted my very first blog post on December 31, 2013.
First question: Who ever starts a blog on New Year’s Eve? That just goes to show you that I started this writing venture on a whim. My intent with this blog was to carve out time for myself to write.
Well, with 497 blog posts and over 2 million words published, I can say that I have met that original goal.
This Blog is Now Three Years Old
Somewhere along the way I have “sort-of “defined a vision for this blog. Honestly, my vision is not as tight as it should be. I write and share about what is going on in my life – and my life is all over the place. I have tried (numerous times) to stick with a blogging schedule – but then life happens and that said schedule then turns into a cause of stress and I let it go.
Unlike many bloggers, blogging is not my primary job – teaching is. Yet, I strive to present information that is help and inspirational. I strive to always be professional. I love working with the brands that I have connected with especially Evite. I love getting to know other bloggers all across this country. I love the opportunities that I have had interviewing a number of experts and celebrities to help them share important messages with my readers.
I have invested hours upon hours into this blog. While it is not my primary job and I definitely say that this is a second job since I invest about 20 hours a week – each week – into maintaining and growing this venture. You can say that this blog is my 7th child. But not nearly as important as these six!
Because it is always fun to look back…
Here are the top 12 all-time most viewed posts.
- Bedtime Snacks that Encourage Sleep
- What To Do When Your Husband Walks Out the Door
- Turkey, Kale, and Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
- I Climbed a Mountain and Found Myself
- The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
- I’m Loving My Pampered Chef Brownie Pan!
- Hosting a Winter Tea Party #LifesBetterTogether
- Chicken and Barley Soup Recipe – FMD Phase One
- DIY Cat Treat Jar
- Beef Goulash Recipe #SundaySupper
- Enjoy a Famous Wet Woody from Gar Woods
- Turkey Chili Recipe – FMD Phase One
In thinking about moving forward I have a question for you…
Why do you read my blog? Basically what are you here for? Do you like the recipes? The stories? The travel? The parties? What is inspirational and/or informational for you?
You are one of my trusted readers, one of my email subscribers, Facebook followers, Instagram friends, Pinterest pinners. Why do you return? I would love to hear what it is that brings you back to read my ramblings.
What do you want to read more about?
Time to Celebrate!
I don’t host many giveaways, but I am thinking that celebrating my third birthday as a blogger deserves a party of sorts – so here is a gift for one of my readers. I wish I could give you all a gift! This is a small thank you for being there with me and reading all these words that I write.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for being here with me on this journey – I really do appreciate all of my readers! And here is looking to year four…
What keeps you coming back?
Congrats on your 3rd blogging birthday! You deserve it.
Thank you so much, Brittany!
Happy third birthday to Create a Beautiful Life! Thanks for all the gems, Stacey, and for the opportunity to win a gift card! <3 I love your tips & insights most of all !
Thank you, Molly! And thank you for your continued support.
Congratulations! What an amazing milestone. I’m starting my blog now, hoping to reach that mark one day myself:)
Thank you! Good luck with your journey!
Yes, Stacey, probably the most difficult experience we faced as a family. I am determined not to let it cloud or spoil our shared family history or determine our future either. This sad chapter will not define me. There are incredibly vulnerable moments, but also the welcome realisation of a strength I never knew I had. That is the “hard fought” gift from all of this. No wisdom without suffering, that is the trade-off. My children get it. They are older (in their teens). There was a time when I thought we were locked into a fog of sadness forever. Hard to see light at the end of the tunnel, despite being told it would get better. Incidentally, exercise (hiking/bushwalking) proved a potent antidote to feeling blue. A good tip. Moving forward…welcome 2017! Happy New Year to all and a Happy 3rd Birthday to this comforting/interesting/helpful blog. Bye!
I cannot partake of your gift as I live on the other side of the world! I am a migrant from Africa who now lives in Australia. “What keeps you coming back?”: This blog is uplifting and real. The cheerful musings and helpful advice around everyday things feels homely and uplifting. I recently lived through my husband walking out and that is how I happened on this site. I was seeking to make sense of the pain. I found what I was looking for: honesty, shared common experience and practical advice…something, initially, to hold on to. I didn’t feel like eating, but made the “hand pies” recipe for my children, who loved them! Positively Stacey has helped in moments. A virtual friend when the hour too early/late to reach out to loved ones around or family far away. X
Carmen, it is great hearing from you again! I hope that life is treating you and your children well. I don’t think I realized how far away you were from your family when your life took a major turn in the road. My family all lives in another time zone as well – but only a two hour difference. Half way around the world presents its own challenges. Yes, I am in a good spot. But as you know all to well, it was hard earned. I will never forget the months that I spent crying on my bathroom floor, but it does seem like a lifetime ago. There are times that I still have moments of “why and how come?” and then I look around. I was happy for 20 years in my first marriage, but as I said – we don’t always have control and really we need to play with the cards that we are dealt. I am happy again. And that is a wonderful thing.
Please enter the giveway! I can make it an Amazon card – that should work just fine 🙂 Thanks for being a regular reader!
This is wonderful! A Walmart gift card would be fantastic! Happy New Year!
Good luck DJ! Happy New Year to you, too!
Thank you for the opportunity! <3 Happy new year to you! 🙂
You’re welcome! Good luck!