Happy 200th!!!

Happy 200th!!!
4 March 2013

Hip hip hooray!  And yippie yay!  To you and to me.  We've come a long way.

It all started rather accidently and innocently on the 18th of July 2012.  Never anticipating how important it would become to me.  And perhaps in some small measure to you.  And look at us now!  I would never have been able to guess that I could write 200 stories.  No one is more surprised than me.

We've done quite a lot together and have gotten to know one another quite well.

Whilst your knowledge about me is quite obvious, I have also come to know you.  My knowledge comes from your number of views.  I can clearly see which stories you like most.  You "vote" with your views.  You enjoy stories about my family, in particular my Lombard family.  Anything about my brother is lapped up.  It's the whole slightly famous thing I suppose.  Yet, I refuse to milk it.  I don't write more about him, than anyone else.  He just seems to be a person of interest to people out there.  I've done an equal amount of stories about my sister, mom and dad too. 

And as for my nuclear little family - my long suffering Grantie, my hormonal teenager Luke, my diva daughter Amber and my wild child Cole - about them I've written lots.  But then again, let's be honest - they're most accommodating in supplying me with awesome material.  And much to their regret and remorse, they feature quite often. 

You also thoroughly enjoy my funny and ridiculous side.  Where I laugh at myself and my quirky take on life.

And then there's the slightly more serious.  And somehow or other they're popular too.

This blogging thing is a strange addiction.  More habit forming and obsessive than playing Solitaire on the computer.  Or even Plants vs Zombies and I like that game lots.

I thoroughly enjoy the writing and getting excited about a story.  The way it lives in my head the whole day through.  I become completely absorbed. 

But, it's a non-paying gig this and totally self-inflicted.  Nobody is making me do it.  There is no financial gain.

So why keep at it then?  Well, that's an easy question to answer.  Apart from the reward and joy I get from the process itself, I do it because of you.

You keep me inspired.  You fill me with optimism.  You encourage me with your comments and your remarks.  And I don't even know many of you.

The simple click of the "like" button makes my spirits soar.  A smiley face icon, a comment on FB, a personal e-mail or FB mail.  Even the sms's and bbm's I receive.  Then there's personal interaction when we bump into each other and we talk face to face.  These all push me further and make me strive to do more.

The interaction is golden.  The appreciation I receive so humbling and surprising.  So does that make me a needy person, needing praise all the time?  Affirmation of my worth and the enjoyment I give others?

No, most certainly not.  Because even without all of that, I'd still do it.  Your appreciation is like a marvellous little bonus.  An extra on the side.  But not the sole purpose.  At the same time, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you.  One and all.  I feel the love daily.  And I know that somehow you care.

In many ways, I write as if I'm talking to myself.  Honest, forthright, upfront, real, sincere, humble.  I forget there's an audience.

But hey, who doesn't appreciate a bit of "you've done all right" and "I dig your stuff a lot".  My guess is anyone would love it.  And lap it all up.  It's human nature.

And just so we're clear, I would like to categorically state that I actively encourage stalking.  So have at it – I give you my permission.  "Like" my blog page and "like" my FB page too.  Click on the “follow” button on the blog.  Spread the word and comment at will.  I value your input.  It helps to make me grow. 

At the end of the day, comments, "likes" and interaction aside, through my blog, I am keeping a journal, an account and a diary of my children's childhood.  Something for them to look back on and hopefully marvel at one day.  The stuff they have done, the way they have grown up.

And if not, it will at least give their therapists accurate clues as to how it all went wrong and how their mother is to blame.

I really, really, really love you guys!

 

Yay! Yay! 200th Post today!!!