blogging | BulgingButtons

January 9, 2014
by BulgingButtons 20 Comments

Please Stop By

I admit it, I’m sick and my content today pretty much sucks. Sappy 70’s songs from am radio? Songs that I don’t even particularly like? Really? Yes, that’s what I came up with for today. So sorry.

My nose is stuffy, my throat is killing me, my hands are frozen, and my head is on fire. I’m feeling like poop. We’ve all been there, and it’s not a fun place to be. In between naps today I put up my horrible 70’s flashback in hopes that someone, anyone, would stop by to visit me. Few of you have. Sniff. I swear I’m not contagious over the internet!

This reminds me of a time back in the days when I was a candle lady. I did at home parties for one of those companies, and I really did love their products. I enjoyed doing the shows, meeting new people, and sharing decorating ideas. One year, as the holidays were nearing, I had some extra product and decided to do an Open House. I made up adorable flyers, I let all of my contacts know I was doing it, and I went around the neighborhood personally handing out the invitations. I set up a beautiful display in my living room, put out large signs in the neighborhood, and waited. And waited. And waited. Not one person showed up.

I felt like such a loser. That’s how I feel some days with this blog. Why don’t people stop by? Sometimes it happens on days when the content is a little iffy, like today, but other times I feel like I’ve written a whiz bang piece, and nobody takes the time to read it. Of course the flip side is true too. How many times have there been lots of visitors when there isn’t even anything new to read? Not that I want to discourage anyone from stopping by at any time. There’s plenty to sift through on the blog, and I imagine that I’m the only one who has actually read every post, so there should be something “new to you” even if there isn’t a new post.

So there you have it, my invitation to you to keep BulgingButtons in your bookmarks, and to stop by often. Please comment, good or bad, and I’ll do my best to get back to you quickly. Without readers like you, there isn’t much point to blogging.

December 14, 2013
by BulgingButtons 21 Comments

Six Months of Blogging

I had no idea when I started what this blog would look like or feel like or how its very existence would impact my life. I just knew that I needed to make some positive changes in my life, and I felt that by documenting what I was doing through a blog I would be more accountable. I knew it wasn’t going to make me fit and fabulous, and in the back of my mind I figured that I might put up a few posts, get busy with life, and move on. I’m happy to report that hasn’t happened.

Before BulgingButtons was born I was involved in a writing project. We had the assignment of writing ourselves a letter. The letters were collected and I quickly forgot about mine. That is, until yesterday, when it arrived in my mailbox. I didn’t even recognize my own handwriting on the envelope. It wasn’t until I opened the letter that it clicked. Right there, in the letter, I outlined my idea about this blog. These were my thoughts before I had even the vaguest idea of how to create a blog.

I want to create a blog with a fabulous name that will inspire a sense of hope and use humor but will also show a serious side of how my weight affects me. I don’t want it to be the typical blog about how great veggies and exercise are, but more essays on what my life experience has been like and will be continue to be like, whether I get healthy or not.

That was my jumping off point, and a good place for me to start. It was only a start, though. A start of something much greater than I ever expected. Here are some of the things that blogging has accomplished for me:

1. I have gotten in a groove with my writing. I write far more, and, dare I say it? Yes, I dare. I write better because I’ve gotten into an almost daily habit.

2. I have written a novel. WTF?! I NEVER would have expected that, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been blogging. Sure, it’s still a rough draft, but c’mon, it’s a novel.

3. I have joined an international community of bloggers and have learned so much from them about so many topics, not the least of which is writing. So many intelligent, compassionate, interesting, and kind people are bloggers, and I’m humbled to be a part of their community.

4. My blog has been visited nearly 8,000 times, has 365 followers at last count (one for every day of the year!), and has been seen on every continent (minus Antarctica) in countries I didn’t know existed (New Caledonia, anyone?). How amazing is that?

5. I’ve received awards from other bloggers, which confirms that some of those people who are visiting are actually not only reading the content, but like it! Actually, the likes and comments give that feedback too, and for those who take the time to weigh in (pun, get it?) I thank you. Even if you don’t agree with me, I appreciate hearing from you. This is a nice blog with nice readers, we don’t get ugly here. I’m proud of that.

6. I’ve branched out to include all sorts of different posts, depending on what’s on my mind at the moment. A blog is a great ADD outlet (which I don’t think I have, but who knows?). I have written to many prompts, I’ve interviewed my dog, I’ve played with photo collages, I’ve flashed back to my youth, I’ve listed things that make me happy, and I’ve shared many essays on health, fashion, exercise, and life in general. And all along the way you’ve given me support and encouragement.

What I have not accomplished through this blog:

Getting fit. Dammit.

1. I still dislike exercise.

2. I still procrastinate.

3. I still overeat.

4. I still eat the wrong things.

5. UGH

Ah well, I’m not a quitter. I’m going to keep on keeping on, and I’m going to keep on blogging. Maybe 2014 will bring some unexpected surprises. 2013 certainly did. Thanks for reading, you have made my year.

December 6, 2013
by BulgingButtons 11 Comments

Blog of the Year Rounds Two and Three (UPDATE)

Woo Hoo! Twice in one week. I’m going to get a swelled head with all the kudos, but I’ll happily take them. I want to thank Darcy of yadadarcyyada for thinking I’m awesome enough to receive this award.

I received the same one just the other day and finally got around to posting it yesterday, so all the blog rules are on that post entitled, oddly enough, “Blog of the Year.”

The super fun thing about this award is that you can receive it up to six times! That’s what the colored stars are for. Pretty great, right?

Thanks, Darcy! And thanks to everyone who reads, likes, reblogs, and especially comments on the things I share on BulgingButtons. You make this blogging experience a total blast, and I thank you sincerely for that.

UPDATE: I woke up to the news that the fabulous LaSha at The Lovely Photog shot me back another star, so I’ll happily add it to the mix. I’m delighted, to say the least. Please check out her blog. She is very talented. He blog features photography, family life, and more. Many thanks.

I can’t believe that I’ve won three of the six stars in December alone. Maybe I’m silly, maybe I’m a geek, I’m sure I’m both, but I’m super excited about that. How cool would it be to get all six? Crazy, I know.

Here are some great blogs that deserve your time and visit, as well as their own Blog of the Year Awards:

Must be This Tall To Ride: This one is fairly new to me, but boy do I love it. Matt has a fresh writing style and doesn’t shy away from tough topics, especially his recent divorce. He’s also funny and real, and a pleasure to read.

Just Another F Bomb: Leslie writes about the challenges of living with Fibromyalgia. Her blog is insightful and informative but not whiny or preachy. She is fine writer and I’m glad I’ve found her blog.

The Goddess Weighs In: Cynthia’s blog is one of my favorites. She is large and in charge and isn’t about to take crap from anyone. She is also gracious, intelligent, and very helpful. She reviews products, shares her experiences, and makes me laugh. She was the inspiration behind the 47 for 47 Challenge, and the reason I work out (ok, three times so far) to a belly dancing DVD, of all things.

Vic Briggs: Vic is a writer who takes on lots of current events and also offers amazing poetry. Get comfy when you click the link, you’ll probably be reading for quite a while.