Monday, June 20, 2011

Five Years of Blogging - And Counting

It was June 20, 2006 that I published my first blog post. At that time, I had at least 11 family members who were blogging as well. Kristen was encouraging me to blog, but I thought it was a foolish waste of time. Then she introduced me to Diane from Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals, telling me I had to read her posts, we had so much in common. We soon became kindred spirits. We have actually MIRL (which I soon learned means Met In Real Life) on two different occasions.

So, here is my first post:


"I have entered blogland with fear and trembling. Feisty is sitting on my lap and Care Bear is here too. I don't have time to think or write, but just wanted you all to know that Kristen has launched me. There have been so many great messages in the last two days that I feel I need to do some explanations. I will do that as time goes on. I just wanted you to know I'm here. Just Call Me Grandma Dawn!"

Blogging soon became very important to me, much to the delight of those who knew of my original opinion. I seldom get more than one post done a week these days, but I used to average 3 per week. I never had a huge following of dozens of commenters, but I have made so many special friends. Dwight has become so accustomed to my quoting my blog friends that he even asks me how they're doing. I have also been privileged to meet 11 of these awesome women in person. Two of them have provided us with lodging when we've visited Kevin in Maine. What a blessing!

Blogging was so much fun back in those early days. We all seemed to have so much to say. There were lots of "memes" which were fun post prompts which went all over blogland, and helped us get acquainted with other. I didn't participate in those too often, but some still do on a regular basis.

There were contests,weekly themes which linked us to each other, and such things as "Christmas Home Tour" and "Home Town Tour." This is how many of us met each other. We've celebrated each others' "Bloggiversaries" with giveaways. We've celebrated 100, 200, 300, 400 posts, etc. I just finally reached my 600th post, which is far fewer than many friends have written in 5 years.

I often try to remember how I connected with each of my blog friends - if you remember how we first "met", please let me know.

Many of our friends have quit blogging, and I miss them very much. Facebook has taken the place of blogging for quite a few of my friends. I love Facebook, too, but the writing piece of blogging was so special. I am in awe of the writing of some of these women. I keep telling some of them that they need to publish.

We have shared good times, bad times, happy times, sad times with each other. Blogging buddies and many we didn't even know prayed the little preemie twins to a healthy delivery, and have enjoyed watching them grow up through my many pictures and stories. There are so many amazing prayer warriors out there in cyberspace!

Sometimes I get to the point where I can't think of anything to write about, and I consider being a blogging drop-out. Then I think of all of the friends I would miss so much, and I keep going.


23 comments:

Linds said...

Congratulations! 5 years is a long time, and it seems as if we have known each other forever, doesn't it - I met you through Becky. Way back at the start!
I love the writing too. And the fact that our internet lives are all sort of intertwined after so long. Keep going, Dawn!

SentimentsbyDenise said...

Wow! Congrats! My 5 years came and went at the end of April with no fanfare (mostly because I haven't updated since mid-April!). This remodeling project has taken over my life. I do get a few status updates typed into Facebook often, so that helps me stay connected.
I'm so glad I found your blog (through Barb's "A Chelsea Morning", I believe). You've been a dear blog friend over these years and I appreciate the honesty in your writings. Keep posting and I'll try to get back to it very soon!

Needled Mom said...

Congratulations on five great years of blogging. I always look forward to your posts, Dawn, and would hate to see you stop.

I met you through MM when she told me about the twins. I read for a long time before I began blogging, but MM's encouragement got me into it.

Susan said...

Congratulations on 5 years, Dawn!! You have a 7 month lead on me and I just looked and have 938 postings. Oh my!!!

Your post says everything I feel, too. Blogging has added so much to my life and made so very many important connections that I never would have dreamed. I remember telling Mickey the first day I started my blog, "well I hope SOMEONE leaves a comment."

Don't remember exactly when we met but I'm pretty sure it was through your sister's blog which I use to love.

Glad you are one of the 10 I've been fortunate enough to meet and that will soon be 11 & 12 and I am so eager. I've never been disappointed in any I've met. I think we've all been very REAL here in blogland and presented ourselves just as we are, worts and all!!!

I'm hoping to get back into blogging on a more regular basis now. Sometimes I feel like quitting but just can't see myself doing that. There are many of the bloggers that I truly miss who have given up.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Amy said...

I'm so glad you keep going! I first "met" you back when Kristin was pregnant with the twins. It's been a while since then.

Carole Burant said...

Happy 5th Blogiversary, dear Dawn!! I'm trying to remember how we first met in this delightful blogging world of ours...if I found you or you found me! lol Whichever it was, I'm just so happy and feel blessed that we have become friends through here. I hope neither one of us ever stops blogging! Even if it's just one post a week:-) It's my dream to one day be able to meet you in person, oh how wonderful that would be. I've always felt like you're here for me whenever I need to talk and for that I thank you. Here's to many, many, more more blogiversaries:-) xoxo

groovyoldlady said...

Oh...Please don't ever quit writing, my friend! I know I've been a slacker, but I'm aiming to get back on track so I can blog at least once a week. FB is NOT the same as blogging! Without blogging I would have missed the honor and privilege of "meeting" you and praying for Kristen and Kevin and hearing their stories and praying for the twins. Worse yet, I would have never met you in real life! YOu and Dwight are very special to our whole family - and it's all because we both took the time to put our lives into words on a blog.

I love you, Dawn!

Linda said...

Happy Fifth Dawn!!! I am approaching mine as well. It hardly seems possible.
You are one of my very first blogging friends and I have been so blessed by our friendship. I too have had thoughts of just walking away from it all (rather recently, in fact) but I would really miss those who have become so dear to me.
I am thankful for this amazing medium that has brought us all together.

Robin said...

What a wonderful milestone to celebrate! Happy Anniversary to you my friend. I can't remember how we "met" but I am definitely looking forward to MIRL someday!
My blogging has become very slow and like others I have the best of intentions of picking it back up again. It's not facebook for me - it's just a very busy life! But I still love the blogs!

Hootin Anni said...

Five years....that's a great accomplishment my dear Dawn!! And I do consider you a friend that has blessed me in so many ways. Our common denominator, so to speak, is Colorado of course, but you are an inspiration to us all who follow you. Trust me. I enjoy reading your posts each and every time. Facebook, I did have a few months on it, but chose to think it was way too collegiate for me...like a popularity contest and the commenting was way too minimal and not very personal. I didn't like the fact that all the 'unknowns' wanted to be a 'friend'...without even introducing themselves. I much prefer the outlet of blogging still today. Just think, if it weren't for BLOGGER you and would never have met. Oh....tell Dwight that everything's hunky dory here in Texas. rofl

Congrats my friend.

Robin in New Jersey said...

Happy five years! I am not sure how arrived here, but it must have been at least 3 years ago. It may have been through Barb at Chelsea Morning? Or it may have been longer than that and I may have found you by doing a google search when I had a child who was going astray and I came across Praying for our Prodigals. In any case...I am glad I found you and I am glad you are still blogging.

I like blogs so much more than FB.

Sam said...

Congratulations! You're one of the few bloggers (of the ones I read anyway) who is still going strong after 5 years. So many sort of fall out of it and I am SO GLAD you haven't. I'd really miss you if you went anywhere!

I can't remember how we first met. Can you? I just know that we became fast friends!

Sharon Lynne said...

Happy Anniversary!
I have enjoyed SO MANY of your posts. And it was fun to come to your home when I was visiting relatives in your area. I KNEW the house, because of your pictures! You were just as wonderful as I expected...and even more.

(Hopefully I'll post soon.)

Ms. Kathleen said...

Dawn -- I don't quit remember how we "met" but I know it was early on. I actually prefer blogging to fb over all. FB is good for keeping in touch with friend and extended family who don't blog and I have thought often of late of quitting fb.

I am so happy you are still blogging - stick with it! It is a shame many quit. I think one good post a week is fine....

Well, to bed early for me tonight. I have a big day tomorrow - and I'll blog a little about it!

Love and Hugs!

Laurie in Ca. said...

Happy 5 years Dawn. I remember meeting you when I first started my blog, our sweet Kelli sent you over:) I haven't dropped out but have been on a long detour of ups and downs this year. I only use facebook as a "Drive Thru" to make sure all my friends are okay:) Keeping Kevin and Angie in my prayers and hope so much for Gods best in their lives. I will email you soon to catch up on life.
I love all the pictures too, you are so good:)


Love and Hugs, Laurie

Nadine said...

Congratulations on doing this for the last 5 years. That is quite a long time. I feel like I know your family through your beautiful posts. I don't remember how we met, but I'm glad we did.

P.S. Thank you for your encouraging words on my last post. I've missed blogging on a regular basis and hope to do better.

nancygrayce said...

You can't drop out now! Too many of us depend on you. Funny, I do the same thing....quoting my blog friends and Russell usually says "who?" But he "knows" you and a few others.

I cannot remember how we met, but if I go back far enough I can probably find out. I can hardly remember this morning! :)

Glad to be your friend!

Unknown said...

Happy 5 years of blogging!
A lot has happened in 5 years and I'm glad you have shared and continue to share part of your life with us here. Once a week posts are better than nothing, so keep it up. :-) We would really miss you if you stopped blogging altogether!

grammy said...

don't be a blogging drop out...
I know facebook is taking over...
but I don't see it replacing my blog
I sure have slowed down this summer...but that is alright ...everyone else has too.
I started as a weight watcher kind of blog and i am not sure where I got you or you got me???oh well.
Congratulations (o:

Glenda said...

Hi, Dawn! I haven't blogged as long as you have but I've certainly "met" some wonderful people - including yourself! I've always admired your ability to handle so many things so well - and your deep love for your family!

Hope you have a blessed Sunday!!

kpjara said...

I feel so blessed to have known you, if only through blogging. I know we would be the best of MERL friends! You encourage me and bless me in so many ways through your writing. I hope you're here a long time.

Midlife Mom said...

Don't ever stop blogging Dawn! I have been a real slacker lately and have thought of taking a bloggy break but I'm afraid if I stop I won't start back up again. I can't remember how we met, I know I was looking for Christian women to blog with so maybe it was through that, do you remember? I hope we can meet up in July but as you know I have to take things a day at a time around here. If it's meant to be it will happen, if not we'll try for the next time. :o) Had some rough days last week but hopefully this week will be better. :o)

I remember when we all found out about the twins and how we were all praying for their safe delivery. What an exciting time!! So glad that they arrived safely and are thriving!

Take care my friend and keep those posts coming! I may get behind but I do catch up eventually with all of them!!!

Susie said...

Congratulations on 5 yrs of blogging! Can't truly remember how we met (Becky maybe?) but I'm so glad we did. Glad we can still stay in touch a bit through fb.
xo