Wednesday, April 6, 2011

#170-I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!



WOW!  I HAVE 100 FOLLOWERS!
What does this mean to me?  Well, it means that there are at least 50 people out there who are Out of their Minds too!  But, most of all, it means that someone out there actually likes me.

Why did I start blogging?  Hell Danged if I know!   I have been telling stories for years that made people laugh (often these people had a few drinks in them).  Also,  my daughter has continually encouraged  me to write these stories down.  But, I never did.  I used to love to write when I was MUCH younger,  but,  I just couldn't seem to do it.  Probably because I didn't have a computer.  I had one at in my classroom, but, that was not for personal use.

A year or so after I retired I bought myself a home computer.  And then found FACE BOOK!  Wow, a whole new world opened up and I suddenly had a pallet on which to write.  I found that I liked putting little (well long, and their prompts kept admonishing me)  stories on my home page.  The next thing I knew I was putting stories with parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc.  A running account of things that happen to me.  My daughter kept telling me that I needed to start a blog (probably because she was tired of me clogging up her home page).  

I was encouraged by one of my daughter's in-laws (and friend) who set me up with my first blog, on his site, in early summer of 2010.   By the way he has a great blog you might want to read:     The Last Word

I had a difficult time coming up with a name but family members have occasionally (ok, often) mentioned that I was out of my mind.  And then I had an epiphany and said to myself, that would work because this stuff I write comes from my mind, which makes this title true on two levels...yes, that'll work.  Then I went to visit my daughter later that same summer (2010) and she started me my own site (which I was sure I wouldn't be able to navigate...old dog new tricks mind set).  

When I started this I was certain that I would only have about 8 family members following (and 2 pity followers).  However, that's who I was writing for in the first place, With a blog I could write at length without getting scolded by a site program.   Then,  my daughter helped me run a giveaway.  She said that this would draw more people and once reading my blog I would acquire more followers.  Well, she was right, but I was conflicted over the fact that they may have only joined because her jewelry is fabulous.  And, this made me feel like a blog "Hoe" (trading favors for followers).  We've done 2 and I am not doing any more.  She does GREAT giveaways of  her own and I refer anyone who wants beautiful jewelry to go to her site:  Embracelets Design

Then something happened... I started to gather followers.  And, more amazingly, I stated reading the blogs of others.  If that wasn't fantastic enough, I became attached to many of the followers and found that I actually think of these relative strangers as friends.  That is when I started stressing out over pleasing them.  Worrying about my spelling,  syntax,  punctuation, my ability to get my point across, the frequency of my post, or the appropriateness of them.  I have always been the sort to be eager to please.   I diligently seek to never offend.  I have one post that has been sitting here for months because I can't seem to determine if it is OK.   The readers of my blog don't really know what a goof ball I can be.  But, my family does so, I didn't worry about writing for them.

That's when I pulled back and scolded myself, got feedback from my followers and decided to make a change.  I now know that I should write as though I was writing to those first 8 family members (and the 2 pity readers).  I should just be myself (who whom  who Ahhhhh, mannnnn lets go with whomever that is).  And, if I occasionally (ok frequently) mess up with the spelling etc....SO BE IT!  I should be me....pure (well, that's a stretch, but you get what I mean) and unvarnished.

Oh, yes, I got sidetracked.....Anyway, to my complete surprise, the number  of followers slowly climbed.  Then I found myself watching for number 100 (I even begged a few family holdouts who read occasionally, but haven't followed).  The numbers seemed to creep through the 90s then 100 finally came  on April 2nd (and I didn't have to blackmail anyone).

Thank you Siv Maria for being #100.  Wish I had a prize for you.  The best I can do is to ask my followers to check out your blog which is: Been there, done that.  (How come hers is purple?  The others were blue!)  Be sure to read her Monday, April 4th post (Change, Who Me?) because she has a picture of me (before my makeover).

Another SHOUT OUT goes to "M."  She just sent me instructions on how to embed a link.  I did manage to call up a few members of the C.R.A.P. (Computer Related Attacks by Poltergeists) squad when I had to go into HTML (scary isn't it...ME in HTML) and found (once I exited) that everything was blue and underlined?  So, her is her link too (I wonder what color hers will be?):                                                                                                                 
The Professionally Insane "M"   (hummmmm, purple.)  
(Well at least nothing else is purple or highlighted.  By George, I think I've got it....Whoopee!)  
(But this print is small but the "TT" says normal.  What's up with that?)  
(I'm leaving it just the way it is. I'm not messing with the poltergeists because it usually makes it worse).


Also, I am working on a blog to accept my 6th award from my family of followers, thanks to "M" above.  That will be coming up soon.


Finally, Thank you......ALL OF YOU (even the 2 pity followers)....... for putting up with me (and my little dots, red print,  poltergeists,  parenthesis w/italic, bold print, and the "ALL CAPS" shouting!)


LOVE FROM kt 4/3/11



18 comments:

  1. Congratulations! You know I cringe away from long posts, but your blog is probably one of the few that I read irrespective of the length! I even read this whole post down to the Computer Related Attacks by Poltergeists! phew!
    So I will be looking forward to more lengthy n totally wacky posts!

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  2. I love people but my view is that my blog is my blog and if people don't like it there are thousands of other out there to read. Write what you want! I love your blog and I'm very happy I found you on Siv's blog. She is so great! Keep up the good work. I am one of your faithful followers now. Doesn't that make it sound like we are starting a church. The church of the faithful followers. haha

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  3. Hey, the ALL CAPS shouting is one of my favorite things! I will follow as long as you blog and I have access to a computer, haha.

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  4. Congrats on reaching 100. I'm so glad to be a part of that number, and look forward to returning here often.

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  5. You are awesome and yes, I think of you as a friend. Hope you feel the same way. We should Facebook.

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  6. 100 - when I started following you - I think there was around 20 something. I am so glad you hit the 100 mark. What fun.

    I don't care about your spelling, grammar, syntax or anything you say that you think would offend someone - I love it! Keep writing for you and your family the rest of us love hearing about your journey through life.

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  7. Oh ..well..it's been so long ago that I was in my 50's that I've forgotten what it was like. I'll just have to come here and try and remember. Your blog is unique and I we all love it! Keep right on writing.. :)

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  8. Hi...new follower! I found you on Blogging Hints..I am fairly new to this world! plus I'm retired too! Please visit when you can http://dedastudios.blogspot.com Love your stories..I can relate! :>) I was 102...don't you wonder who will be 200!

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  9. Well done, Karen! I am sorry I'm late to the party, but, believe it or not, our ADSL link went on the blink (hey, I'm rhyming!), BUT I'm now happy to report all is back on track.

    You should never worry about your posts, Karen. No one is here to crit your punctuation or spelling, text or layout...we're here to READ you and LAUGH with you...yes, sometimes AT you, too :) Because we've come to know you and love you as our blogging friend!

    I'm over the moon for you, as I know you were watching those numbers...I was watching, too!

    WE LOVE YOU & YOUR BLOG, KAREN...DO NOT CHANGE A THING!!!!

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  10. Lady you had ME laughing so hard with your comment on my post I just wanted to thank you. I am a tad nuts, or so I am told. I can't believe you went back and read my other post! You are a super star. I do have issues with the computer but I am learning a little more every day. The video thing was easier than the pictures believe it or not and I love the zoo. One of my favorite places. Now I'm goinna have to write a post about when I volenteered there. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.Thanks again for taking time out of your busy schedule to come visit me. It made my day!

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  11. Thanks for mentioning my blog, KT. You've become a first-rate blogger, that's for sure. Keep at it. You're accumulating quite a following!

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  12. Congratulations Karen! I am so happy for you and for all of us members of your little exclusive club. And because of you I actually have started using all caps sometimes just because IT'S FUN!

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  13. Here to check up on you...making sure you didn't burn yourself setting off all these fireworks!

    Hope you're well and that you have a super, relaxing weekend! Lokking forward, eagerly, to your next post...missed Totally Tubular Toby this week :(

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  14. Yay on 100 followers!

    I'm glad you got the links in! :)

    Have a great day

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  15. Congrats Karen, I'm sure many, many more followers are in the pipeline. Great job!

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  16. Hi Karen,
    This post could have been written about me. My daughter also got me started in the blogging world. I've had many of the same feelings and technology challenges! My sons look at me skeptically when I tell them I have over 100 followers. They just wonder (out loud) what I write about than anyone would want to read! Heck if I know, but, kids, gotta love 'em. They keep us humble. Yes, I'm following, (I'm the 2nd one - last time I checked- in the top row.) I did get your nice welcome message, but hate to admit, just glanced over it, intending to get back and read it later. It's very nice to meet you. Nice to know we have so many things in common. Well, my comment has almost turned into a blog, so I'll close now!

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  17. Me again. Possibly, you couldn't find me in your followers, is because it is showing a different picture. Hmmmm. I don't know why that one didn't change. Now, I have to check with my official blog advisor (daughter) and find out what I did wrong! sigh

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  18. I may have joined you early, but I ain't no pity follower. Your blog is full of honesty and humor, and (as with all of them) a few funny colors and links that scream. I don't get to read every post due to poor time management, but I love just about every one.

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