Bloggiversay Bossy-ness {Plus a Giveaway!}

{My daughter's birthday cake to me. Best cake ever.}

If my blog was my spouse I'd be sleeping on the sofa. I forgot our bloggiversary.

Three years ago I began scrawling out randomness in this little space. For months I'd considered creating a blog but it needed a name. Late one night, a la mode: a little scoop for every slice of life, popped into my over-thinking brain and a blog was born. And though the name now seems a little too cutesy and contrived and themey for my taste, I still love her.

Leery of crazies and cyber-stalkers, I also came up with anonymous names for myself and for my kids: Scooper, Blondie, Brownie, and Cupcake. And while those also seem a bit silly to me now, I've decided to keep them too...even though I crave dessert every time I sit down to write. Should've thought about that. 

I've also discovered that I'm not that anonymous. If you google my real-life name, my blog comes up. {Hi stalkers!}

It sounds cliché to say that I sort of found myself through blogging, but it's true. And in some ways I actually feel like my blog found me.

Hiding beneath those initial posts of recipes and thrift store finds and quirkiness was actually a girl who had something to say. As the fun but superficial posts became fewer and further between, the honest and vulnerable posts showed up in their place.

The girl with something to say began to learn from herself. The words became teacher, therapist and friend to the one doing the writing.

Even now, when I sit down to write, I typically don't know how it will end. I only know when it's time to begin. The posts sort of write themselves.

So on this belated bloggiversary, I want to thank you, dear reader, for showing up. Thank you for your encouragement and your presence and comments. I invite you to stick around because I hope the best is yet to come.

And I'm wondering if I can ask you a few favors...

First of all, if you comment but haven't enabled your e-mail on your profile, I'd love for you to take a minute to do so. I've often wanted to reply to commenters only to click on their names and find that I can't reply. : (

Second, I realize that most people who read don't comment and that is just fine. Really it is. I certainly don't leave a comment for every post I read of someone else's. But if you're a reader, I'd love it so much if you could take a minute and introduce yourself. Because really, I don't know who's out there. {Except for my mom...she reads every post and always comments. Hi mom!} 

Subscribe? If you look in the right sidebar, you'll see subscription options. You can read a la mode in your preferred "reader" {such as Google Reader} or you can subscribe by e-mail. Just enter in your e-mail address under the "Never Miss a Post" box and every time I publish, the post will be delivered straight to your inbox.


Become a follower. Mercy, I sound like a cult leader. I promise that I don't try to brainwash anyone but my children. You can become a follower and show your support right over there in the right sidebar. 

Okay, enough bossy-ness and blog-promotion. 

I've come up with some bloggy resolutions for the next year and I thought I'd let you in on them. {Even though it terrifies me to do this because what if I don't follow through with any of them? What if I quit? What if I fall off a cliff?}

More posts. In recent months I've given up some extra responsibilities in order to focus on rest, family, and simplicity. This has opened up more space in my schedule and psyche for reflection and writing. It feels good and right and timely.

31 days. I'm still planning to join in the 31 days "party" and begin my 31 Days of Real from October 1st to October 31st. I'm scared. And excited. Join me and hold my hand?

A makeover? For a long time I've wanted to switch from blogger to Wordpress and create a more customized blog that works better for me. Y'all, it is expensive to hire creative, computery experts. So I'm thinking about learning a few tools of the trade and trying to do it myself. Because I am crazy. 


Oh I wish the bloggy versions of Clinton and Stacy would show up at my house with their expertise and a $5,000 credit card!

{Techie readers, please advise. I'm thinking to get "Pixel Happy" and then trying to customize it myself. Am I insane?}


I'm so excited about what the next year may hold for this little space. And while I'm hoping for fun bloggy stuff like bigger photos and better functionality, I'm most excited about building a real and honest place. A place to share and receive and know that we're not alone.


And now for the fun and caffeinated part. Because it's a special occasion and I like presents, I thought I'd give something away...


$10 Starbucks gift card anyone? We all need an iced coffee  or three every now and then to know that all is right with the world.


Just leave a comment....whatever you want to say. {And make sure you enable your e-mail on your profile or include it in your comment. If you win, I'll need to e-mail you and get your address.} Facebook comments don't count. You have to actually go through the blog. I am such a meanie. 


To all of you newbie commenters, I can't wait to meet you! To all of you faithful friends and join-in'ers, thanks for being so awesome. 


And thanks to everyone who put up with this crazy-long post that is all about my big self and her blog.

..............................

{I'll randomly choose a winner by next Tuesday night, August 30th. Stay tuned...}