Mom's Begonias
Sometime this morning, my little blog counted its 30,000th visitor. 30,000! When I started writing last fall, I remember watching as the “site stats” numbers change and being thrilled to hit 100! I recall the excitement I felt when the number hit 500, then 5,000, and later, 25,000. It’s crazy fun to take notice of the numbers … but also to look at what resonates with others.
Now … here I am .. roughly 10 months later with 235 posts archived, 2,689 comments from you, dear readers, and 176 active subscribers.
I’ve been “Fresh Pressed” twice.. the first time, my post about Christmas music blaring on the radio the DAY AFTER Halloween hit a nerve with others. “Sorry Frosty, not yet” was featured on Word Press’s home page on November 1, 2010. I was so green to the process that I didn’t understand why I suddenly had so many comments. 110 people commented and 46 bloggers “liked” the post enough to leave their smiling Gravatar on my home page.
I’ve written a lot, and it will not surprise anyone who knows me well that my single largest category has been based in “attitude.” HA! Following that, the categories I have written the most about are: life, family, home, love, personal, relationships and thoughts. I’m proud of these for they are testament to what matters most to me.
Imagine my surprise when my emotional post about bawling my way through the Royal Wedding called “So, did you watch?” was Fresh Pressed on May 3, 2011? 4,793 people read it, 137 bloggers gave it a “thumbs up” and 334 posted comments. For days, I was very busy responding to each and every comment … but oh was it ever fun!
For all the delightful visitors that popped in, the “Akismet” functionality also managed to block 822 Spammers. Kind of like checking on a mouse trap, it’s satisfying to know the little buggers didn’t make it through. Take that !!
Search engine terms that let others find me have included the following:
- boogity boogity boogity amen
- what dreams try to tell us
- the best you you can be at any moment is yourself
- princess diana funeral
- william and harry
- i found faith in my mothers kitchen
- turbo jam
- mj’s baked delights
- no mom jeans
- confidence at any age
- what does doubt mean to you
What I can’t easily articulate is how validating this blog’s interaction has been for me. Yes it’s thrilling to be featured on Word Press’ home page but it’s also empowering to have struggled to write on emotional topics and later feel a connection to you via your heartfelt commentaries.
It’s both the creative outlet and the connection to you all that brings me back, time and again.
When I told the hubbs that I’d hit the 30K number today his comment was, “well you’re a pretty normal gal and I’m sure others can relate to you.” He knows me well and his words mean a lot. Especially since he’s never once read my blog. In his words, “I don’t have to; I know you, and I know who you are and what you stand for.” The funny thing is, he’s in so many of my posts, and the topics I write about, we’ve often hashed out together long before I start writing. He’s proud of me and doesn’t hesitate to tell others what I’m up to. “Did you know she writes a blog?” he’ll ask. Funny man.
Attitude, life, family, home, love, personal, relationships and thoughts.
Thank you for visiting .. please come back again! 
You never let me down, MJ. Your blogs are interesting, funny, enjoyable and inspiring from where I’m standing.
Thank you so much for your kind comments; I have enjoyed every step along the way .. and I thank you for being along for the ride! MJ
Just proves others also see your awesomeness. Yay for you. Hugs,
Ter
Thank you, Ter. And to think, taking that little blogging class is how we met .. and how much fun it’s been … Cheers! MJ
235 posts in ten short months! What a flick! And it has been fun to read watch you laugh, teach, share, smile, cry, cry again…well not so much fun for the last two
, wish us a happy “Cheers”, wonder and question in just the three months I’ve followed your site. Congratulations on a 30,000k run.
Hi Georgette, thank you for your sweetness, I do appreciate you reading, commenting, and coming back to do it all over again … Cheers! MJ
It’s a routine I enjoy, MJ. Always love reading your posts and commenting. As Leroy said, you don’t disappoint.
Well .. thank you very much for your kindness and generosity. Have a wonderful day!! MJ
You & I have a couple of things in common, MJ. At this moment, I have had 30,805 views, and I also began blogging 10 months ago! And I’ve also been Freshly Pressed twice!! How about that?!
But my hubby does read my blog every day! I think he wants to keep up with what I write about him!
I look forward to your posts, and am so glad that we have become blogging friends! I wish you continued success with your blog.
Isn’t that neat that we have these things in common, Dianna? So fun. The funny thing about hubbs reading/not reading is that I hear him tell others about what I’m up to and he’s clearly proud of me, but I have to chuckle b/c he’s never been on it – not once. Oh he’s heard about the topics and he’s been a big part of the conversation when I’m wrestling with a topic or issue .. so, in a way, he’s part of it, too.
Congrats to you on your stats, progress and all of that but mostly thank you for sharing your sweet personality and thoughtful observations – and sunsets – with all of us! Cheers! MJ
PS. At our local short track race last night, the chaplain (who also, by the way, married my hubby & me) prayed for the pastor who prayed the “boogity, boogity, boogity. Amen” prayer last week. And mentioned how he had brought the attention of so many people to prayer this week. And…. I was waiting for it… at the end of his prayer last night, yes, he said: “boogity, boogity, boogity. Amen!”.
now THAT was perfect – ha!! MJ
You and your blog don’t look a day over 25K!
Congrats on the milestones, MJ. Thanks for all the goodies and tid-bits you’ve shared with us over the past 235 posts! ~ Lenore
Congratulations! You are honest and believable and most of us who subscribe to your blog, probably think of you as a friend. Way to go!
Well if that isn’t the most heartfelt compliment, I don’t know what is .. thank you, friend. Cheers! MJ
I am so proud of you. Thanks for being such a shining example.
and thank YOU for visiting
Cheers! MJ
I’ll be honest with you…just about every time that I think that I’ve done a good blog, I read one of yours and think “well…that was nice while it lasted. I’m not up to her level yet.” You write very well, are grounded and let us “see” your light shine through your blog.
And…(my computer froze up dang it!)…even if I didn’t blog I would still enjoy reading yours.
Sweeter words were never shared; thank you, friend. MJ
Well, if it makes you feel better, I do the same, Rich!! The plethora of talented, thoughtful folks out here in the blogosphere can feel both inspiring and overwhelming … I like how you write: up front, wry, witty and bloody hilarious. Not to mention .. real! That’s what keeps me coming back for more. Cheers! MJ
Thank you!
I have a couplea good blogs ready to go…just waiting for the right time.
R
they’re all good
Cheers, MJ
Congratulations! I’m not surprised by your success. Yours is a blog that keeps readers coming back for more!
Thank you sweet Terri. The thing is, I write for the same reasons that most of us do .. to have that creative outlet and to be inspired by others. I appreciate your kindness .. MJ
Wow! Congratulations to you! What an impressive milestone–and what a tremendous investment of time, effort, spirit and heart. Well done!
Thank you, Karen. It’s been, as they say, “quite a ride!” Cheers, MJ
Congratulations MJ! Thanks for continuing to share your heart with us
and I am grateful that you come back, time and again, Jaclyn Rae
, MJ
What an accomplishment! I’m so happy for you and thank you for sharing your wisdom, and for so often expressing what I think/feel, only haven’t articulated. As I say, kindred spirits! It’s nice to find, and a real pleasure to see someone whose work is so deserving of notice achieving success. I’ll be proud to say I read your work when you only had a few thousand hits, one of these days when you’re celebrating the release of a book or some other achievement!
Sheila
Aww Sheila, you are such a sweetheart. I appreciate your sweet, heartfelt comments more than you know. I also appreciate your steadfast support and kind words of encouragement along the way. Cheers! MJ
Pingback: I nearly missed it! | Emjayandthem's Blog