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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

#SummerBlogSocial: Blogging Surprises!


Today I'm linking up with Liz from  a belle, a bean, & a Chicago dog  and Jessica from Four Plus An Angel for their #SummerBlogSocial.  This is my first prompt post, ever!  So, be kind.

As you reflect back on your time blogging, tweeting and Facebooking, what has surprised you most? 

When I started my blog (exactly six months and seven days ago) I had no idea what I was getting into!  I was just having a rough mom day and wanted a place to vent, but blogging has surprised me in so many ways...or at least six.

I was surprised...I had so much to ramble about!  The first couple of months, I didn't actually think I would keep blogging.  I kept telling my husband, "I've got nothing else to write about after this."  Yet, here I am...still writing.

I was surprised...that I can reread my post ten times before I publish and still NOT notice several ridiculous typos!!!  Thankfully, my mom always calls me a few days after I have published a post to point them out.  Love you Mom!

I was surprised...that I've made friends.  I initially enjoyed reading other blogs, but I had no expectations of actually getting to know these strangers.  Now I consider many of the people I read about friends and even (gasp) met a blog friend a few weeks ago.   She turned out to be even more fabulous in person.

I was surprised...that someone would be anything but truthful on a blog.  Yet, as you may know, I was blog buddies with a woman who claimed to be pregnant, then later found out she was deceptive and even stealing pictures from various flickr accounts.  Lesson learned...I think.

I was surprised...OK, y'all are going to hate me for this one, but it was a welcomed surprise.  I've lost about 12 pounds since I started blogging!   I've found it's hard to type and eat at the same time, so my late night snack binges took a hit.  And that seals the deal.  I will be blogging--forever!

I was surprised...at how much perspective blogging has given me.  I've read so many stories about women whose struggles are far worse than my own.   Despite my consistent complaining, it's hard to blog and not count my blessings! 

Grumpy Grateful Mom Goal: Try convince my mom to edit all posts before I publish.

    Labels: ,

    posted by Grumpy Grateful Mom @ Tuesday, August 02, 2011   50 Comments

    50 Comments:

    At August 2, 2011 at 7:38 AM , Blogger LA Botchar said...

    I didn't think I'd have much to say either. Yet, here I am several years later and I swear I could publish several times a day if I posted everything on my mind!! I actually have to hold back! LOL

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 7:42 AM , Blogger Rachel said...

    I am so glad you continue to blog, I enjoy reading your post even though I have been MIA in the last several months. Congrats on the weight loss! Yippee... WOW what a psycho! That is scary crazy there. Poor woman she must have some real issues. Well keep it up and have a good one!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 8:19 AM , Anonymous Amanda @ Gratefully Growing in Grace said...

    I also keep thinking, I never knew I had so much to say...
    I sure consider you a friend and look forward to every one of your posts!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 8:23 AM , Blogger m&msmommy said...

    Great post! You made so many of the points I would have made too...especially about the typos, giving perspective on how "easy" you have things compared to others and actually making friends! :)

    I want to link up too, but now that I've read this, I feel like I wouldn't be able to think of anything different! :) And I certainly wouldn't want to be one of THOSE weirdos that plagerize! ;)

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 8:27 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

    I'm totally with you on the re-reading of posts and still not finding the typos. Also? I want to lose 12 pounds! Maybe I need to write more posts...

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 8:49 AM , Blogger Natalie said...

    You've only been blogging for 6 months? WOW! And you've got over 400 followers...you go girl!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 9:12 AM , Blogger mrsmarkdave said...

    You have a gift of writing, and your posts are very entertaining. I look forward to each and every one.
    I think it's wonderful that your mom reads your blog. My mom - isn't allowed.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 9:43 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Excellent lessons learned! I can't believe you have lost weight... that is awesome. You should market your blogger diet, lol.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 10:26 AM , Anonymous Jeena said...

    The tiny errors always drive me crazy. I'm glad I'm not the only one that can re-read it 100 times and still find errors later.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 11:45 AM , Blogger Texas Type A Mom said...

    I think there's something always new to be learned from blogging. I originally started out blogging because I had aspirations of being a giveaway blogger and I do giveaways but find those aren't the posts that I enjoy the most. I also could never have imagine how much I would learn about my blogging friends and how much I feel like they're real friends.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 12:02 PM , Blogger Jennifer said...

    I too look forward to each of your posts. I hope you blog for a long time! I wish that I could say that I have lost 12 pounds from blogging....
    Unfortunately, I think the opposite would be true for me-I have no trouble snacking and typing at the same time!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 12:07 PM , Blogger Danielle said...

    I'm with Jennifer--I've GAINED 8 pounds in the 6 or 7 months I've been blogging.

    Love this post! You always crack me up with your wording. And I still can't get over the fake pregnancy thing!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 12:08 PM , Blogger kt moxie said...

    Blogging as a diet plan? I love it! And I look at posts I wrote 6 months ago and find typos! ARGH!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 12:18 PM , Blogger Sandy -- As Told By Mommy said...

    You are so cute! And I wish blogging worked as a diet for me!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 1:49 PM , Blogger Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

    Wow, you've gotten a ton of followers in 6 months, congratulations!!

    I wish I'd lose weight blogging ;-)

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 2:27 PM , Blogger momnextdoor said...

    I have awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award because I think you rock. http://lilycontadino.blogspot.com/2011/08/versatile-blogger.html

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 3:34 PM , Blogger AiringMyLaundry said...

    I wish I could lose weight from blogging. I end up gaining because people post pictures of all this delicious food so then I have to run out and get it.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 3:53 PM , Blogger Mom of 12 said...

    I keep wondering what I will do when I run out of stories to tell...
    You and I have been blogging almost the same amount of time, I started mine on January 17. We are practically twins!
    Sandy

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 4:24 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Glad you stuck it out and kept blogging!! So glad to become your bloggy friend and no I am not pregnant or faking a pregnancy :) Keep up the posting and your hilarious stories.
    God Bless

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 5:20 PM , Blogger Gigi said...

    You listed quite a few points that have amazed me in the blogging world (although not the losing weight part - that hasn't happened over here) and the main one being the connections that I've made. They are amazing and I can't wait to actually meet some of these people.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 5:57 PM , Blogger Shell said...

    I was definitely surprised at the friendships. That's my favorite part of blogging.

    I can't believe some crazy person pretended to be pregnant. People are nuts.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 7:01 PM , Blogger Valerie said...

    One thing that really surprised me was that anyone would read my blog, let alone people I didn't even know. Blogging has definitely become a therapy for me. I love to re-read my old posts to see what I was thinking. :)

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 7:07 PM , Blogger Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies said...

    Oh, the same thing happens to me with the typos. But the opposite has happened to me with the weight. :P

    I didn't think I'd become friends with other bloggers either. It's funny because it seems to be a universal thing with all bloggers--we go into blogging expecting one thing and our experiences end up being something entirely different!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 8:02 PM , Blogger Rach (DonutsMama) said...

    Sometimes I feel like I have nothing to say either, but here I am, still typing away. And good for you for losing 12 pounds!! I tend to blog and eat (and sometimes have a glass of wine!).

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 8:23 PM , Blogger Rosanna said...

    Neat Post! As someone who has just started a blog it's great to read all you've gotten out of it in just 6 months!

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 8:33 PM , Blogger Janette @ The Johanson Journey said...

    how the heck did I miss that post about your deceptive pregnant friend? whoa. I cannot imagine!!! I love this idea for a blog post!! You're adorable and high five for losin' weight! Still in shock over that chick. I met a person on AOL back when it was the cool thing and this dude sent me his picture.. we chatted all the time... even started talking-- for like a YEAR or more-- then found out he wasn't AT ALL WHO he said he was!! I was so hurt. punks.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 9:31 PM , Blogger Tatiana said...

    Yay for keeping it up! I find blogging therapeutic, AND you're good at it. You may want to keep it up just for the fact that I laugh at least three times every time I read your posts.
    How are people so messed up to lie about things like that? I don't get it. Sometimes I'm a bit freaked out about the internet world out there.

     
    At August 2, 2011 at 11:36 PM , Blogger Kimberly said...

    You've only been at this for 6 months?? You're awesome!

    Finding these friendships has definitely been my favorite surprise to blogging. And 12 pounds down? That's great! I tend to snack and blog, so that hasn't worked too well. ;)

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 12:14 AM , Blogger Cheryl D. said...

    I'm amazed at the number of followers you have after only blogging for 6 months! Keep it up! I think you've found your calling.

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 8:15 AM , Blogger Christine said...

    Love your "lessons learned" I feel you with the typos. My blog gets e-mailed to all my family the first time I post so any typos I don't catch they all get...there's been more than a few. I started my blog mainly for my out of state parents and sisters to stay connected with the kids. It's pretty much my own photo journal (I like to print a book out at the end of the year) so I'm sure its boring to other people sometimes but I find that I like documenting our life...it passes by so quickly if I don't write it down we forget! I love reading about another mom's perspective like yours. Glad your blogging ;)

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 8:51 AM , Blogger Abbie said...

    You have done very well with your blog! I have enjoyed every post!
    You are so right with finding errors after checking! Do you think your mom could check my blog as well? lol

    Go girl for losing that weight!!

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 10:16 AM , Blogger WifeyMommyStories said...

    Just 6 months and you got a following! Not that I'm surprised but I am seriously amazed! Although you have a lot of great stories to tell anyway... I love reading your blog! You are an incredible writer... a funny one too!

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 10:57 AM , Blogger Help! Mama Remote... said...

    Love your list. I never thought is still be blogging today & often think i have nothing else to talk about.

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 12:43 PM , Blogger Elena said...

    Wow - losing with blogging? I need that. I was surprised too at how much I have to ramble about as well. When I first started, I swore I'd run out of content. Nope - haven't yet!

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 1:34 PM , Blogger Fields said...

    I don't think I have ever written a blog post where I did not find typos afterwards. Losing weight from blogging? No fair! I actually get all snacky when I'm sitting here.

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 11:27 PM , Blogger Melanie said...

    Maybe your mom can be my editor too. I spend about 1 hour writing a post and then another 8 hours editing it and I, too, still find mistakes. It drives me to insanity.

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 11:37 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Isn't it amazing the things you think about to write? Our minds run so much deeper than we can comprehend. It's crazy! I am like you and always think I'll never have anything else to say after a while. But it just keeps coming.

    Babblin' Brooke

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 11:43 PM , Blogger Kiddothings said...

    Haha...you actually lost weight?! That's fantastic. I haven't come across a bad experience with bloggin yet, I hope I don't.

     
    At August 3, 2011 at 11:50 PM , Blogger Laura- That Kind of Mom said...

    I agree with others, what a great following after six months! You go, girl!
    And the typo thing. Oh, the typo thing!! So. over. it.

     
    At August 4, 2011 at 12:49 AM , Blogger Jessica said...

    Good for you on sticking with blogging.

    My husband always calls me first thing in the morning if I have a typo on my blog.

    I want to lose weight from blogging but instead I'm having the opposite effect.

     
    At August 4, 2011 at 8:57 AM , Blogger Amanda @ It's Blogworthy said...

    Wow! The whole "being honest on the blog" thing is a surprise to me! I still can't believe that someone would lie on a blog when the rest of us are being SO HONEST.

    The typo thing? You can edit till you are blue in the face and still miss things. That's why at work we have about 5 rounds of edits before we can print something. :)

     
    At August 4, 2011 at 9:41 AM , Blogger NonDomesticMama said...

    Hooray for losing 12 pounds! I wish blogging helped me lose weight. I think I may be too talented at typing and eating at the same time. It's called the one handed hunt and peck. ;)

    I also can't understand what would make someone lie on a blog. There has to be something truthful to talk about. Or they could write fiction and disclose that it is a fiction blog.

    I know when I started I didn't think I would have anything to talk about. I am the most boring person I know! For some reason people still read what I write! I've yet to have to make anything up. Though sometimes I might not be entirely truthful about how messy my house REALLY is!!!! ;)

     
    At August 4, 2011 at 10:19 AM , Blogger Liz said...

    Whoa, really? A blogger pretended to be prego? That's quite a "welcome" to the blogosphere! I'd have been so creeped out after something like that!

     
    At August 4, 2011 at 6:13 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    What!? I can't believe someone would do that! What was she getting out of it. More traffic, special baby item sponsors?? That is the strangest thing ever. So you haven't tried eating while blogging/typing, huh...it's easy;) Just pretend I didn't say that.

     
    At August 4, 2011 at 9:08 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    What a hoot - I think we share a brain (you'll have to read tomorrow's post to see what I mean).

     
    At August 5, 2011 at 3:18 AM , Blogger Karin @Mommy's Paradise said...

    Great blog you have, hey, I need to come back to check out more. I can totally rely to your points, except the preggo mom that wasn't and I'm not losing weight. Good for you, but I'd like to write while munching something and have a glass of wine on the side. But that's ok too, don't you think. ;-)

     
    At August 5, 2011 at 7:28 AM , Blogger Jen said...

    Holy cow! Congrats on the 12 pounds lost! And I can relate to a lot of these "surprises" too! I never thought I would make friends with these "strangers"!
    Great post :)

     
    At August 5, 2011 at 7:43 AM , Anonymous Ruth said...

    And I'm so GLAD you're blogging! I've loved "meeting" you, and getting to know you better. You've lost weight? That's awesome! I'm hoping to lose about 25 lbs here really soon. You know, after I give birth to my *real* baby!

     
    At August 5, 2011 at 11:02 AM , Blogger Irish Italian Blessings said...

    If you've only been blogging and sharing your incredible adventures with us for 6 months, I'm nervous for how many "adventures" you've experienced since having children! Seriously, you should write a book :)

     
    At August 5, 2011 at 9:49 PM , Anonymous Rhonda said...

    I just posted a similar post...what I expected versus what I've gotten! I love the adventures of your family.

    http://floridagirlinoklahoma.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-own-little-corner-of-internet.html

     

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