Wodsmithonia is 7 Years Old!

I can't believe it, but Wordsmithonia is six days over it's 7th blogoversary.  This time last year, I wasn't sure this milestone would be reached.  My personal, and professional life, had been in upheaval for far too long, and I had already been absent from the blogging world for a few months. More than once, I found myself making the decision to close the blog down for good, but I could never pull the trigger.  The entire time I was gone, I missed the voice I had found through the blog, and I had more than missed the interaction with all of you.  When I finally caved into the inevitable earlier this year, and started to make my first forays back into the fold, you guys welcome me back with open arms, and I can never express how grateful I was for it. Whether you know it or not, you have seen me through some of the worst moments in my life, and helped me celebrate some of the most joyous. I love you guys.  You are the reason I keep doing this, you are the reason I have felt at home from the moment my first post went live on 07/18/2009.  I look forward to another seven years with you guys.

How The Hell Did 38 Sneak Up On Me?

I'm really trying to figure out how my 38th birthday snuck up on me like this.  I knew it was coming, I even took two days off to try and enjoy it, but it still got here quicker than I was expecting.  Maybe it's because I'm still frickin exhausted from my demanding work schedule over the last month.  Not that I can do much about it when I'm running two stores because we are so short on management right now.  

I'm not going to do much for my birthday today.  I'll go out to lunch with a friend, maybe go to a bookstore or two, but more the most part I'm just going to relax and enjoy some quiet time.  I'll read a bit, and watch a few movie, but mostly I'll rest.  A nice quiet birthday is just what I need.

Wordsmithonia Is 5 Years Old Today!!!

I'm trying to remember back to July 18th, 2009, and I'm having a hard time doing so.  So many thing in my life have changed since then, I wouldn't even recognize the person I was then.  I had been hanging out on the Barnes & Noble Book Club pages, which are now defunct, for a year or two by then, and a few of my friends on there had started blogging.  My wonderfully talented friend, Deb of Book Magic, looked like she was having so much fun with it, that I felt I was missing out on something.  

When I first typed the words, Let The Maiden Voyage Begin, and hit the publish button, little did I know that I would still be doing this five years later.  I wouldn't still be here if it hadn't been for the wonderful reception I was given by fellow bloggers, both established and those who were just getting started themselves.  Everyone was accepting of the new kid on the block, and they were always willing to answer any questions I asked, no matter how small.  Overall the book blogging community is a terrific group of people, and I couldn't ask to be in better company.

Even when I hit my low point last year, and would disappear for weeks or months at a time, you guys were always here.  You gave me encouragement when I came back, and offered support when you found out the reason behind my absences. I couldn't be more thankful for you guys, if it weren't for you, I'm not sure I would have found the strength and energy to come back this year.  I love you all, and I hope we have each other in our collective lives for years to come.

I can't wait to see what the next five years has in store for the blog, and for me personally.  I'm hoping that the we both continue to grow, and that you guys continue along for the ride.

Since I've never shared my stats before, but I'm thinking after 5 years, I should share some of the raw numbers.  So that's the way I'm ending this Thank You Letter to all of you guys, showing off my crazy math skills.  Okay, maybe just my crazy being able to read numbers skill.

I've published 1,183 posts, and those posts have generated 10,120 comments.

There have been 431,760 page views.

The five posts with the most views are:

TV Guide Picks TV's 60 Nastiest Villains - 38,917 views
Simcha's Favorite Fictional Character --- Tom Sawyer - 15,807 views
10 More Of The Sexiest Vampires - 5,820 views
Favorite Fictional Character --- Pepe Le Pew - 5,445 views
Favorite Fictional Character --- Willow Ufgood - 5,194 views

I've reviewed about 383 fiction books, 43 nonfiction books, 20 movies, and 1 CD.

The five most reviewed authors are:

Agatha Christie: 32
Mary Roberts Rinehart: 22
Robert Jordan: 14
Mercedes Lackey: 14
Jacqueline Winspear: 9

I've done 177 Favorite Fictional Character posts, highlighting a total of 232 characters.

I've done 9 guest posts for other blogs, and I've had 29 posts written by other bloggers, posted to the blog.

How much I love you guys: To Infinity and Beyond!

Do I Have to Turn 37?

So I'm trying to figure out if I want to turn 37, but then I realized I really don't have a choice.

Wordsmithonia Turned 4 Years Old! (11 Days Ago)

So I'm not sure how I missed it, but the blog turned four on July 18th.  I'm really thinking I need to call it my three and eight tenths birthday though.  I just don't feel, well I know, that I haven't been around that much this year.  A lot of changes have taken place in my personal life, changes that have taken over my entire life, including my time to blog.  I feel as if I owe you guys an apology for not being around as much.  

I haven't had the time to post as much as I would like, and I really haven't had the time to comment nearly as much as I used to.  So for that, I'm sorry.  I keep thinking the time will come back to me, and in part, it has.  I need to recommit myself to you guys to do a better job over the next year, and give you guys a reason to keep coming back.

I also owe you guys a huge thank you for sticking with me over the years.  Your friendship and support means more to me than I can ever truly express.  I adore every single one of you and if I could, I would give you a huge hug to let you know how much I do appreciate you.  I hope you continue to stick with me, that you will keep coming back, and that you forgive my lack of comments on your own blogs.  I read more than I comment right now, and you guys never fail to teach or entertain me.  I love you all, and I hope you guys know how much.

Do I Have To Turn 35?

All this year I've been fine with turning 35.  I had no problem turning 30, so why would I care so much about being 5 years older than that?  So why does it seem I'm hating the idea?  Right now, I'm going to blame it on the wedding I went to last night.  For some reason, they always make me feel older than I am.  Not sure why, but not going to think too hard about it either.  Introspection is good for you, right?

I'm going to go into work for a few hours, then come home and spend the rest of the day with my son.  He came home from MN on Friday, and I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present.  Not sure what we will be doing, if anything, but spending time with him will be enough.

So please indulge in some cake and ice cream today and I hope you all have a great day.

Aidan Is Turning 8 Today!

My wonderfully brilliant son, Aidan, is turning 8 today and I wanted to let him know how much I love him and truly appreciate every moment I'm with him.  He is the best thing to ever happen to me and I thank God for him everyday.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to watch him grow up and look forward to many, many, many more years.  Happy Birthday Kiddo!

I'm Turning 34 Today!

Not sure what this picture has to do with it being my birthday today but I'm in love with the illustrations of Edward Gorey and for some reason this one made me think of birthdays (don't ask).  I hope everyone has a great day today and I especially want to thank all of you who've I've gotten to know over the last year.  You have made this last year special for me and I hope we get to know each other better by the time I turn 35.

I just thought I should post a picture that was a little more appropriate for the day.  That and I think Eeyore is the cutest little guy ever invented.

I'm also very lax in getting the winner of my Blogoversary giveaway announced so with no further ado....the winner is......Sheila of Bookjourney.  I will be emailing Sheila and letting her know that she has won a $20 gift card to Amazon.

Have a great day everyone and eat lots of cake and ice cream for me!

Aidan Turns 7!

Aidan turns 7 today and I just wanted to tell him how much I love him and cherish every single moment I spend with him.  I am so thankful to have him in my life as he is the best thing to happen to me. We will be spending the day doing whatever he feels like doing, it may be Chuck E. Cheese (lets hope not) or a pool party at the Y,  for all I know it may end up being both.  Whatever we do I know we will have lots of fun on his day.