A Perspective On Blogging

Yard work and blogging really compliment each other. The title for this one came to me as I was mowing this morning.

My first post - two years ago today - was introductory, but my second post was the first shot of my opinion  that has bubbled and sometimes steamed inside of me for years.

Today is the second blogoversary for TherExtras.

In some ways I envy those of you who blog to share about your personal lives. I embarked on blogging as an extension of my professional self , and after reading this book.

 

I didn’t know how to go about it so I hired a former co-worker/colleague with some internet savvy. He helped me find TypePad and put up my first few posts for me.

Shhhhh!  Don’t tell my Studly Hubby but I paid $60/hour to set-up this blog.

See.

From the beginning I was financially committed to this blog.

The expense notwithstanding, I started slow. In the first year I posted only 51 times.  You could probably finish reading my first year of posts in less than an hour.

During the first two years, I went out looking for other bloggers who might be interested in my blog.

During the first two years, I refined my theme and worked on the look of my blog. I exchanged awards  with others and tried my hand at a blogroll, a meme, and a couple of webrings. I even posted a couple of recipes.   I have give-n-away stuff.  I learned how to emphasize.my.words.

I’ve hosted two  successful blog carnivals.

Really, only teasing others over by visiting their blogs has brought new readers here.

Not so much the bloggers with really large audiences – commenting on their blogs brought me a bit of grief. This year I committed to reading only a few blogs for my personal entertainment, and leaving a rare few comments. And I am only entertained if the blogger shares my values. Funny is not funny to me if curse or crude words are a part of every post. I vote with my mouse. *click on the white x in the red box in the right upper corner*

Like anything else, I want to do a good job with my blog.

If the only measure of this blog is the stats, I’m pretty much a light-weight. But with occasional declarations of blog-love or thanks for a helpful tip, I am easily encouraged to continue. Doesn’t take much.

And compared to the big-time bloggers I have only had a little grief from so-called trolls. From the beginning I have been mindful for protecting myself in cyberspace. In some ways I envy those of you who blog under a nom de plume *wink*.

I am very impressed with how many people can quickly write interesting and sometimes funny posts on a regular basis. And for no pay.

I stepped into the advertising pool, too. The ads bring only a few more hits and I’m letting them stay for now. (Virtually) no one has complained about the ads and I notice other bloggers placing the same ads on their sites.

I hired an assistant  to help me. 

I’ve shared a bit about my family and also had to go back and delete some photos of my children – you would not believe some of the search words that brought foreign googlers to my site. So yes, the number of posts has been altered.

My feelings about my children are no less and not much different than yours. I want to protect them and foster their growth and development. And I suffer ambivalence with their choices as they move into adulthood.

I sincerely believe that accepting our children for who they are gives us our greatest ability to protect and foster them.

There’s more work to do here and I hope to get to it all in time.

I will continue to share information on eating and feeding for children with diagnoses.

The next planned series is on equipment. You can be sure I will be including cost issues in those posts.

I'm re-thinking whether to twitter or not.  Again.  I learned about tweetdeck and got the idea of having real time 'conversations' during pre-announced hours.  Interested?

Feeling the emotion of spiritual guidance, I will again host a fall blog carnival with angelic symbolism.

But now, I’m going off to my other ‘thinking place’.

 

Comments

[Matt]

Congratulations on your anniversary! I, too, am considered a light weight, and it took me a while to realize that I didn't care. The very best thing about writing a blog is not the comments or the traffic, but the relationships you build along the way. I am happy to call you a blog friend, Barbara, and even though I STILL have to read your posts twice before my feeble brain can process them, I'm glad you're around. :)

[The Barbara who lives here]

Aaww, heartfelt thanks, Matt! Doesn't take much - knowing you are still reading should keep me going for a while! You.are.so.right. The relationships matter most.

[katie Sharp]

THANKS BARBARA.....For everything.

Your posts, the info, education, positive reinforcement...ALL of it.

I look forward to YOUR comments!

Glad you like the pictures!!!

[JoyMama]

Blogoversary congratulations! I so appreciate gleaning and exchanging food-for-thought with you... online-friendships have been the best unexpected bonus of the entire bloggy enterprise, for me. So glad we found each other!

Am still resisting Twitter myself, though.

[The Barbara who lives here]

My pleasure, katie. Sooo many great photographer Moms out there - you are definitely one!

Your friendship means a lot to me, too, JoyMama. Yea, I hear ya. Twitter has an addictive smell about it. Moving very slowly on that.

[mommy~dearest]

Happy blogoversary!

I too, must thank you for all of your insight and knowledge. Love ya Barbara!

[Carla]

Congratulations on your blogoversary! I so enjoy your blog & am relieved that I am not the only one who sometimes has to read some posts twice so I can let it all sink in. Looking foward to your posts on equipment- especially the cost of the stuff!

[The Barbara who lives here]

Back atcha, m~d. I must thank you for your excellent humor and entertaining blogging on your life.

Oh, dear. I am trying hard to write better, uhm, more understandably. But don't give Matt too much affirmation - he's been trying to play dumb for a long while now, and he.is.not.dumb.

I'm looking forward to the equipment posts, too, Carla. Lotsa steaming opinions have been boilin' on equipment for too long.

[Lisa]

So we both have hit milestones this week :)

Barbara, your blog, your advice, and your encouragement is such a treasure to parents of disabled children.

Just yesterday I saw that Katie had a post up about trying feedings with Lilah again....all because of your inspiration.

Your presence in the blogging world is of great importance and value. Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge with all of us :)

Here's to another 2 years!

[datri]

Happy Blogoversary!

So glad I found you here in cyberspace!

[The Barbara who lives here]

*heartfelt thanks* Lisa and datri!

I am looking forward to ongoing relationships with each one of you.

[Stephanie Nance]

I'm so glad that you have taken up blogging! I'm even *gladder* that I found you in the blogosphere.

BTW, I too need to read some of your posts multiple times to digest the info. That's why I'm a late commenter much of the time. I'm getting smarter, though, and more used to your unique style. Don't change!

[Alison]

I stumbled across your blog about two years ago through Rob Bach's blog ... and I was immediately hooked!

I have noted its evolution with great interest, and I have certainly learned a lot from it - both for the benefit of my daughter and also for my 'undiagnosed' kids.

Keep up the good work Dr Boucher!

You have a staunch fan in me!

Alison

[The Barbara who lives here]

Aahh! Me and my commenters - we are a mutual admiration society!

Stephanie and Alison - you are and your children are in my cyberheart.

I've been reading ABOUT blogs lately, and this whole concept and the relationships between people here are such an interesting phenomenon. I hope I get better at writing plainly and at the same time I doubt I can change significantly. Because.I.am.old.

[danielle]

Okay...so I can't remember specifically buuuut I'm thinking that I was among those who you "teased with a comment"? Maybe? I don't know...most days I suffer from extreme mushy brain.

But really...I'm just saying that I *heart* your blog. And I especially love the professional slant you bring to it. And of course...I'm only echoing what all your other commenters have already said!

Happy Anny!

...danielle

[Mother Mayhem]

Happy Blogoversary, Barbara! :o)

So glad that we found each other! I have gleaned much both from your professional side and your personal side. *Hugs-a-bunch*

[The Barbara who lives here]

Repetition is good. Oh, I've said that before, haven't I, danielle? heh. Thank you!

Well, this is turning-into a regular roll-call - yea! MM, we glean goodness from each other.

[Katy]

I think being a light-weight makes things easier--less of the troll thing and, of course, less worries overall.

I struggled for a long time about the picture thing, but decided that pictures of Charlie is at least part of the point--I want to put a face on CP and raising kids with disabilities--I want it to seem less scary.

Much food for thought here. I am constantly questioning the bloggy-blog, but for the most part it's good therapy and that's what counts.

[The Barbara who lives here]

I agree, Katy. Being light-weight has its benefits. I didn't meant to scare anyone out of posting photos of their children. I had to change, too, how I was naming and captioning the photos.

I would be so sad not to see anymore photos of heart-stealing-Charlie!

Good therapy I agree with also.

[Mrs. Mac]

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary ... you know the old song, eh? Well, better to be in the small pond and have a few blogger acquaintances/friends, than be in the big pond and be overwhelmed and not able to answer your readers in a personable way .. which, btw, you do! I started blogging five years ago on a whim .. then because of circumstances beyond my control, found myself becoming a 'shut-in' more and more. Some of my best friends are only a mouse click away .. there are many people in the same boat. You have a sense of humor and are not afraid to poke fun .. this is a good ice breaker and makes you seem down to earth to your readers. Some people with long well deserved titles before and after their names tend to be stuffy and unapproachable ... but you ...not you :) Thanks for sharing your vast wealth of information and giving parents the tools to equip themselves to be good interventionists for their so deserving children. Hugs from the tater state ;)

[The Barbara who lives here]

Hugs back from the Lone Star State! Yes, I know that song - thanks so much, Mrs. Mac! I'm not seeing YOU as a shut-in but ya know how good-comes-from-bad? I will be forever grateful we found each other online. No kidding.

[starrlife]

I can't believe I missed your blogoversary! The nerve of me to go away right at that time (wink). Being one of the nom de plumes, nevertheless, I have enjoyed reading your blog immensely, it is so intelligent and passionate, chock full of useful info- a rare blog indeed! Looks to me like you've accumulated quite a loyal following! I can't remember exactly how I found you but I'm glad I did!

[The Barbara who lives here]

Worry not, starrlife! I knew where you were - and it was a nice place! I'm glad you did, too, and equally glad I found you - some nice writing at your place. I'm tryin' to learn from you, too!

[Margaret]

Congrats on your two year anniversary - impressive in the blogosphere. I just wanted to add that I would love to see you on Twitter. I get so much information from Twitter on a daily basis. It is quick, informative but also addictive. Can't wait to read your upcoming posts on equipment (especially the pricing issues). Keep on writing and start to send Tweets!

[The Barbara who lives here]

Thanks so much, Margaret!

You.are.tempting.me.

Uh, oh! I've set up expectation! Well, I'm up for it - good prep for posts equipment would be to read my series on healthcare insurance.

[rhemashope]

Thank you. I'm late, but happy blogoversary!

We have yet to meet in person, but your words *comfort* me. You bring so much insight and knowledge, but you are also "heart-wise" which means a lot to me. Thank you for caring. Thank you for helping.

[The Barbara who lives here]

Your words have an emotional effect, too, rhemashope - right to my heart. I'm pleased I comfort you because I am adamant for calling 'em as I see 'em. [Texas talk.]

I take that there IS a chance we will meet? I.hope.so.

[Danette]

Congrats on your blogoversary! I too am grateful for your insight and friendship, and enjoy reading your perspective on things :).

And yes, this post had me rushing to check my google search terms... but to my relief it was the usual. Aside from autism searches I still get a lot of searches for "boogers" and "yo gabba gabba" even though I haven't posted on either of those topics in months... lol :).

[The Barbara who lives here]

Gratitude and enjoyment backatcha, Danette!