This will be my 1008th 1009th post on this blog. I don’t think that includes pages either, and I have a section that are pages rather than posts (sorry a bit of WordPress blog speak).
This post will therefore be a bit of a short retrospective through those 1000 odd posts and six years.
It all started in April 2004 when I had a sick day from work. I wasn’t bed bound, but wasn’t well enough to go to work either and my first post was about why I was spending the day home. I setup up my blog on Typepad to begin with and eventually moved over to self-hosted WordPress so I could have the flexibility to do what I wanted.
I had visions of winning all sorts of blogging awards for being a fabulous blog but that hasn’t transpired. I used to vigilantly check my stats but don’t worry about that as much any more. I’ve been listed on a couple of top sites for this and that for Australian bloggers during my six years or so blogging and that’s made me feel good. Those sites don’t exist any more otherwise I would link. I was, however, chosen to be part of the 9rules network.
I have built up a readership and some of those regulars still visit and I appreciate it. I have read lately on others’ blogs that they’ve noticed the amount of comments has dropped off and I think that’s probably due to people Twittering and Facebooking. I do both those things and I know I’m guilty of not commenting as much. I also note that I’ve removed some of the more personal blogs from my reading list either because I got bored with them or the partial feeds gave me the willies. I’m always on the lookout for new personal type blogs so feel free to recommend them to me.
My most popular posts are not really ones that I thought I’d written particularly well, but there they are.
- How to make Tomboy Stitch
- The best banana cake ever
- Sometimes it all gets too much for him (about the tantrum thing that kids do)
- Where I spill a lot on my About page which I need to update.
- How to pose for photos without showing your double chin.
I started this blog as a place to write and I was usually pretty good at keeping it updated. It became a place to write about raising my son on my own and some of the struggles and joys I experienced. Just have a look back through the parenting section to read about that if you’re interested. I don’t write as much about him now as he’s getting older and it’s not really fair to spill my guts about him any more.
About two years ago I started incorporating more of my photos into the blog. I’ve always been interested in taking photos and I like to include images within my posts. A few months ago I even got paid to take photos at one year old twins birthday party. While I enjoyed it I realised it’s not something I want to do professionally because it’s something I like and I don’t want that ruined.
Also about two years ago I was offered a product to review so I started a reviews/giveaways section of this blog. I don’t have offers of products to review flooding in but that’s okay because I haven’t got the time to do that anyway. I like to pass things on but haven’t had much success in getting interest for things to giveaway so am not sure that I will continue with that part of it. The reviews bit works because I still get searches on those things so I think they are useful. And they are honest reviews, hopefully a bit like a friend telling you what they think of a particular product.
If you still do read this blog, thanks again, and I’d love it if you took the time to comment and tell me so. It will make me feel good and serve as a reminder to get my ass over to your blog to return the love.
Jayne says
Yep, still reading and you still rock 😉
Joy says
Wow…that’s a lot of posts Jen. Congratulations on being so prolific…keep ’em coming sweetie.
PlanningQueen says
I am still reading too! Congratulations Jen. 1000 posts is amazing.
Farmers Wifey says
I’m still here, I’ll try to visit more often..xx