FRIDAY FAVORITES 9 YEARS SINCE I HIT PUBLISH

9 years ago, today I hit publish. In fact, I hit publish with a post every single day that week because I was so excited! Even started out with not just one recipe but two in one post. Can you believe that was my first post? A recipe post. Going to share some of my early favorites and thoughts on this journey.

 

Why and How I Started Blogging

 Have you ever felt like something was missing? Yet, it was hard to pinpoint. I mean, my husband, kids and parents were happy and healthy, my marriage rocked, I had a beautiful home, I seemed to appreciate the little things in life and was a positive person. Sure, rough spots popped up now and then but no matter what they were, my family and I would seem to overcome them due to our faith and unyielding love.

 

Yet, no matter how happy my life was, there was still an ache in my heart. An ache that I had no purpose. An ache that I didn't feel I was making a difference. An ache that friends weren't as loyal as they used to be. An ache that two of my children would be going off to college in 18 months and I really didn't know what I was going to do with myself as a big majority of my life is dedicated to my family. And ache that the positivity I tried to exude often wasn't reciprocated in this world. Couple those aches with an anxious personality, a job I hated, increasing social phobias and curve-balls and there were days I felt like it wouldn't even matter if I got out of bed.


So....I looked up "HOW TO START A BLOG" AND

I walked into our living room one day and said "Honey, I'm starting a blog!" A week later, I hit the publish button, then again, the next day, and the next. And guess what, Blogging inspired me! Heck I even lost 3 pounds the first week because I was so busy blogging in my spare time that I was forgetting to eat. I became even more organized and prioritized even better than before. When people started commenting, I felt like hey, even if I just make one person smile then this is worth it, and it still is. It changed my life for the better in many ways.

  

That First Post

A Recipe or Two

Yum! I still make both things, and they are both delicious! It’s so funny, my pictures were not sized correctly. The Pictures were horrible, not pretty staged or anything. My font was terrible. And guess what, I still don’t know how to do printable recipe post. I just tell everyone copy and paste it in a note and print it. I mean that’s what I always do. And my recipes get viewed A LOT thanks to Pinterest. In fact. I think my top 8 most viewed are recipes. 

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Oatmeal

See That post HERE

Oatmeal Peanut Butter No Bake Bars


Then and Now Fashion and Re-Creations

Literally, My First Fashion Post, was just a simple sweatshirt that I think I got at Walmart and I said to Mr. Nine “hey honey, take my picture.” LOL. The post was so short and the picture so bad. And just completely casual. Which is exactly what I’m wearing today, a casual look. So, I did a then and now. 

Anine Bing Sweatshirt HERE

It was always so fun re-creating Pinterest pins. I need to get back to it. I still love to share fashion, but I am about so much more than that and hence, why I started a lifestyle blog. I definitely feel like my outfits have gotten so much better, ha ha. Some of My Favs were:

White and Gold Pretty Pleated HERE



And here is a then and now re-creation of my first dressier post. I loved this dress so that’s why I still have it today. Ah and The Cayman’s was the first trip we took after I started blogging and I really was sold on getting location shots, lol. But the now is yesterday in my back yard, LOL.


It's A Lifestyle Blog

I could've niched down BUT I love it all! I also love sharing motivation. Or just real life, comedy, and how I’m feeling or fun things in life . I’m slowly getting back to more of that, but one of my favorite early posts showcasing those kinds of things was 9 Things Every Happy Woman Should Have.


and you all adored the Why We LOVE raising Teen Boys.


And I’ve pretty much been doing a form of Friday favorites since the beginning, they are my most popular posts as of late. Especially this particular one  in 2018 all because the September quote was pinned 20K times, lol. I just love the variety and that is why I chose to be a Lifestyle Blogger.

 

Final Thoughts

I could’ve written so much more. I have been blessed to meet some of my very best friends through blogging. There are a couple I talk to almost daily on the Marco Polo app. And one crew who I try to meet with at least quarterly. I’ve met many in person, and it brings my heart such joy and sometimes sorrow too but that’s with anything in life. I have said it before and I’ll say it again blogging brings me way more joy than social media, lol. Oddly enough, I’ve been blessed, especially with the second half of my blogging career to see six figure page views monthly. But I will tell you if you’re looking to blog for the income, unfortunately unless it’s affiliate links to products, blogging is not where the money is, it is on socials. I’ve been blessed over there even though I don’t love it and I don’t do it as much anymore but the reward from this online diary called blogging is so much greater than any $ than I ever could’ve imagined when I started blogging. So many personal changes have occurred since I first hit that publish button. The most notable being retiring from my professional world job in January 2018, boys becoming college graduate adults, finding their gals, engagements, building a house, and the birth of our beautiful, twin granddaughters. And so much more. Life is different yet enriched and my heart leans towards more life interactions than technical.

If I Continue blogging and I make it to next year with Living on Cloud Nine, you can bet we will celebrate the BIG TEN with a huge giveaway and online party, lol.

Jumpsuit HERE

Whether you’re a reader, blogger yourself or even just stopping by for the first time, I love all of you who read, who encourage, and who get what “blogging” is!

 

AND Miss Cici and Miss Coco are 5 months old!!!

Happy Weekend all you Sweethearts!!

xoxo 



24 comments:

  1. Anonymous1.3.24

    I loved reading your walk down the memory lane of blogging. You've worked really hard and done such a great job! Loved all the pics! I'm so honored to call you a friend! Annie

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  2. Happy anniversary! I agree on everything you said about blogging and why you started. I think we even started at the same time. My twins were sophomores or juniors in high school. I think my 5th anniversary is next month? Glad you are still blogging. Socials are just not the same!

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  3. Anonymous1.3.24

    What was your profession prior to blogging?

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  4. Happy blogiversary! We started about the same time and look at us now!

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  5. Happy nine years! I always remember when you started yours because I started a few days after you! I hope you're still in this space for your big 10 next year!

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  6. Happy blog anniversary!! Always fun to see the then and now!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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  7. Anonymous1.3.24

    There are so many pluses. Sure, it's a lot of work (more than people realize) but I just love the connections and being able to share with amazing women.
    Love seeing the older photos too. When Jill shared her then/nows, I was thinking I should do the same thing.
    XOXO
    Jodie

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  8. Congrats on the 9 years of blogging. I've been blogging for just over 11 years and I can't imagine not doing it now. I totally get becoming more organised when I became a blogger and I cringe at my early posts with the small photos, I like to think I have improved. lol
    I love your fashion posts, you always look amazing!
    It is hard to niche down when you want to write about a bit of everything. I am the same. I am pretty new to Friday favorites but I am loving finding new blogs to read, I am glad I've found yours.

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  9. Anonymous1.3.24

    First Time Commentator - Thank you for taking the time to blog! I enjoy all your topics and look forward to your 10th year anniversary!

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  10. Happy 9 year anniversary! Love seeing the throwback posts and pics. So happy to have met you through your blog and I am so blessed to call you a good friend. Can't wait to celebrate your 10th anniversary!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  11. Congrats! You've blogged well and I enjoy stopping by. Happy weekend!

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  12. Congrats on 9 years! And I have to say you look better than ever! ;)

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  13. Such a fun look back at when you started! Congrats on 9 years! I need to check out those first recipes!

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  14. Anonymous2.3.24

    Congratulations on 9 years of blogging. And how are those precious babies 5 months old already.

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  15. Happy anniversary Andrea! I also am blogging since almost 9 years and feel the same about it. It's a passion! Keep on going girl!

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  16. Happy Blogaversary!! So so glad I found you- you bring joy to my life XO

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  17. Happy 9th blog anniversary! I have always enjoyed everything you share in your blogs and hope to see you continuing on to your 10th anniversary. Your twin granddaughters are just precious. I have really pulled away from posting as much as I once did but it is still a joy to blog and each time I hit "publish" it gives me a feeling of excitement. I am one of those that still enjoys reading blogs more than Instagram posts and other socials so hang in there!

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  18. HUGE Congratulations!! What a major milestone and you should celebrate, celebrate...CELEBRATE!! So thankful for our friendship through this little blogging world! Love ya! XO

    Shauna

    www.lipglossandlace.net

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  19. Happy blogversary and congrats on nine years! So fun to look back at your first posts! I'm so happy to have met you through blogging!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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  20. Andrea, happy 9 years of blogging. I love your blog and I'm glad I found you. You are such an inspiration and I love your recipes and fashion posts. Wishing you many more years of happiness blogging.

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  21. Isnt it funny to look back & see what your blog looked like then... so cool really to also see all the memories you have captured

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  22. Congratulations on 9 years of blogging, Andrea! I so enjoy following you and your style journey!

    I hope you are having a great week so far!


    Amber


    Visit AvecAmber.com

    Follow Avec Amber on Bloglovin

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  23. Anonymous22.9.24

    Where did you go? I miss your posts so much!

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