The Absolute Joy of Blogging

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I have been meaning to write this blog post for a long time, and I decided I would take a few moments and really thank everyone who has ever read my blog or whomever will.  Blogging is something I began a couple years ago, and I really knew nothing back then.  I just knew that I loved to write, and I knew that I could do what I had seen others doing.  I had been reading blogs for a while, and I didn't know where this was headed, but I knew I needed to get going.

I remember how hard I worked in the beginning to get people to read what I was writing.  I tried several different things, and I know how exciting it was every time I gained another follower. I remember the euphoria I felt when I got to 100 followers, and every 50 or 100 thereafter.  I subscribed to so many blogs, and I was constantly reading them to get more ideas.

I financed my first giveaway, and that is still something I find myself doing at times.  I remember getting my first sponsors for giveaways, discovering rafflecopter, and so much more.  I remember my blog  turning a year old, and I was always looking for new ways to get followers and new ideas.  I remember the first time I wrote a "This Day in History" post, and I didn't think anyone noticed.  Until I found myself doing it every day, and people actually began commenting on the posts!  I still get excited every time I get a new comment.

Blogging is definitely a full-time job that really does not pay like one.  In fact, I still can't say that I am "breaking even," but my blogging has helped to pay bills in recent times!  So I'm pretty happy!  I have found that my blog is always on my mind.  I go to the store thinking, "What can I find to put towards my next giveaway"?  I am always looking for new ideas!

Blogging is by far one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.  I have remarked more than once to my mom that I am so much more accepted online than I am in my personal life.  I have said more than once that in my life, I struggle to get friends.  Initially, people like me until they get to know me.  And then for some reason, they decide that  relationship with me is not worth the effort, and they break ties with me.  I have a "family" that has told me that  I am responsible for splintering the family apart.  I have an ex-husband who thinks I had an affair and that I am mentally ill.   I have former friends who think that I am just not worth the effort.  Even my best friend from England, Martin, is well on his way to leaving me in the dust.  I can't really call him my best friend any more.  As my mom said, I am evidently just too godly for him.  Oh, well.

But the good news is that the friends I am making through blogging are absolutely amazing!  You can't know how much it means to me when I notify a winner of a prize, and they tell me how much they enjoy my blog!  Or when someone comments and says that they appreciate everything I do for my followers.  And all I can say is that you guys are worth it!  To quote on old Bryan Adams song "Everything I do, I do it for you."  And there is more truth in that than you will know.

I realize up front that I am not perfect.  My winners--if I self-sponsor the giveaway, they may be waiting two months for me to fulfill the prize request due to time and little money.  I really try, but you guys are always so understanding!  Actually, this weekend, I have a lot of prize boxes to get caught up on since I finally got some money in my account!

I hope to be sharing my thoughts with you on this blog for years to come, and I want you to know that you guys are the best.  Every dollar I've spent on this blog is worth it, and I thank everyone for being patient and understanding with me.  Thank you for being there for me, and thanks for all the support.  I couldn't do it without you!