Monday, June 14, 2010

Special Moments and Milestones

Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments. - Rose F. Kennedy

Milestone or moment? I’m not going to quibble over the proper term. Set off the fireworks! Why am I celebrating? Let me explain.

My publisher strongly suggested that I begin to blog if I wasn’t doing so already. Though I enthusiastically agreed that I would do so, I honestly didn’t know what a blog was. Thinking I was doomed, I explained my problem to my husband. He immediately set out to show me that blogging was no big deal. Within minutes he had designed, written and posted a blog that chronicled the “sightings” on our walks through Lakes Park. Within a short period of time his blog was noticed and he was asked to become a member of the Lakes Park Foundation’s Board. But that’s a story for another time. Today it’s all about me!

What I’m getting to is that he led me through the steps. I developed and wrote my blog with the certainty that the only people who’d read it would be my family and maybe a few friends. Therefore, no one could be more surprised than I was this week when my blog passed the milestone of 100 followers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart #100, Southpaw. (The number currently shows 101, but I can’t for the life of me figure out who 101 is. Sorry. I obviously still have a lot to learn.)

A very hearty and sincere THANK YOU to the rest of you as well. You’ll never know how much I appreciate each and every one of you. If I could hug you all, I would.

One of my highlights of blogging was receiving that first comment from someone I didn’t know. Now many of you leave comments for which I am more grateful than I could ever express. I may not always respond to every comment, but believe me, I enthusiastically read and enjoy every single one.

I do try to follow back, visit your blogs and leave comments. However, during my time as a blogger I’ve had several periods where I have been unplugged for one reason or another. Catching up is not easy and I’m afraid some of you may have slipped by me. Please let me know via of a comment or email (jane@janesutton.com) if I may have missed you and I’ll be happy to remedy the situation.

As if reaching a new milestone wasn’t enough, last week I also received a Meat and Potatoes Award from Stephen Tremp. According to Stephen, “This prestigious award goes to a particular group of wise and experienced bloggers who have proven themselves over the course of time, trials, and tribulations. If you are looking to follow someone’s guidance for writing, publishing, and promotion than I suggest you look no further than this esteemed group.”

Thank you, Stephen. I’m fairly certain that I don’t belong in the group (especially since in my last blog I confessed to procrastination and this blog has way too many ly words) but I am flattered. Stephen at Breakthrough Blogs successfully weaves together theoretical physics and technology with greed, murder, and mayhem. If you haven’t visited his blog, you may want to stop by. It’s worth it.

Again, thank you followers. I hope I can live up to your expectations. It’s nice to see you today. Hope you’ll stop back by next Monday.

Tags: Rose Kennedy, Lakes Park, milestones, meat and potatoes, Stephen Tremp,

26 comments:

Akum said...

That was very touching! Love you blog because everyday its some interesting. Am pretty sure more and more readers will pour in..

Keep up the cool work.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

And we are so glad you began blogging, Jane!!

Jan Morrison said...

Well deserved award Jane! And good for you for crossing the hundred barrier. Huzzah! Huzzah! Your blog is always interesting. I'm a bit of an errant commenter myself - on one day and off the other. I wouldn't fret about that...

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Congrats to you. I too have reached my 100th follower. Very exciting. I am with you on the excitement over my first comment. I still get very excited over comments.

You deserve that great award. You are awesome and Stephen's blog is too.

Mason Canyon said...

Congratulations on your award and reaching your milestone. Enjoy your blog very much, always interesting and entertaining.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Jenny said...

Congratulations on your accomplishments! (Or achievements...? I won't quibble, either.) Your blog is always an enjoyable stop.

Joanne said...

Raising my coffee cup in a toast to a whole latte followers here, and to your Award ... Cheers!

Darcia Helle said...

Congratulations on having surpassed 100 followers and on the Meat and Potatoes award! Your blog is uniquely you and always fun to read. Shall we give your husband a little credit for having been a good teacher? :)

Helen Ginger said...

Congrats on the award (I gave you the same award today) . You for sure deserve it. Love the story of your husband's blogging!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jane, I was in a similar position and told by my publisher to get my butt online.
Obviously you still have a lot to tell people, so keep blogging.

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats on your 100 followers and your award. I remember the first comment I received from someone I didn't know. I was thrilled beyond belief.

Hart Johnson said...

Jane-congrats to you! Both on the 100th follower and on the Meat and Potatoes Award! I think you're doing great!

Laura S. said...

Wahoo! Congrats on reaching 100+, Jane!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Congratulations on your award..and for your 100 followers!

Um..for some reason I thought I was one of them, but then I saw I was a Networked Blog follower instead! I just clicked on Google Follow and so I'm 101. :)

Love your blog!

DazyDayWriter said...

Great job, Jane. If I don't get by your blog, I try to visit you on Facebook -- whichever comes first or sometimes both! I'm new to blogging, as well, but am really enjoying it. What lovely people offer thoughtful comments, and it's a fabulous way to build connections and even friendships. Thanks ever so much for dropping by Sunny Room Studio when the spirit moves you! Today it's all about Creating Rituals and Sayings with Heart. Enjoy and see you again soon! --Daisy

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Thanks A.K., Diane, Jan, Mason, Karen, Watery Tart and Laura for your kind remarks.

Congratulations Journaling Woman on meeting the milestone, too. I can’t imagine a time when I'm not excited by comments.

Thanks Jen. I wouldn’t quibble over accomplishment or achievement either.

Joanne, I could almost hear the clink as our cups virtually connected.

Thanks, Darcia. I admit - anything remotely technical that gets done on my blog or site is due to my husband.

Thanks, Helen. I don’t mind second servings at all! I appreciate you including me.

Thanks, Alex. I guess we both needed that extra push that only a publisher can give to dive into the social networking world.

Carol, that first non-related comment is a wonderful and very hard to describe feeling.

Elizabeth, thanks for solving my personal cozy mystery for me. :) And, thanks for the follow.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

DazyDayWriter – I do enjoy your comments whether they are here or on Facebook. Making new friends is the best part of blogging, and I feel so fortunate to be able to get to know and learn from such a friendly and talented group of people. I do enjoy your blog and I’m sure you will see me there soon.

Arlee Bird said...

Congratulations on all of your milestones, moments, and meat and potatoes. Enjoy reading your blog. I don't recall exactly when I first came across it, but it was fairly early in my blogging career (last November perhaps?). When I first came across your blog I was all impressed and thinking you were a long time pro at the game. Now you go shattering my illusions. Shhhh! Don't be saying this. Let me believe you know exactly what you are doing.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Nancy J. Parra said...

100 followers, awesome and cool. I am so glad to have gotten to know you a bit through your blog. It has been a blessing for me. :)
Thanks for sharing, cheers~

Paul C said...

Interesting that your publisher encouraged you to establish a blogging presence. I enjoy your blog very much.

The Old Silly said...

You're doing a fine job! And I appreciate the way you stop in on my blog often too.

Maryse said...

I found it, Jane! Thank you for e-mailing me back. And I'm so glad I found YOU. Keep blogging as long as it makes you happy, it keeps us happy too.
Maryse

Anonymous said...

I love your blog. Like Jan I'm a bit of an errant commenter but usually make it over twice a week or so. And for the record, I like milestones. Those are my moments.

Stephen Tremp

Jen said...

Hi Jane! Congrats on the milestone. I remember when I hit 100 bloggers I was soooo excited! It really is neat to see that many people that you don't know reading what you have to say! I don't stop by here as much as I'd like, but when I do, I enjoy it :)

Jen

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the Meat and Potatoes award. Well deserved. I enjoy stopping by Stephens blog to see what he has to say.

I enjoy following your blog. Enjoyed the story about how your husband helped get you started on the blog.

Glynis Peters said...

Congratulations on your 100th :) I am 104 if that helps.

Happy Scribbling.

Jane's Ride - Novelist Jane Kennedy Sutton's journey through the ups and downs of the writing, publishing and marketing world