03 September 2009

there's a party goin' on right here

the streamers are streaming. the big round yellow balloons are bobbing. the mini appetizers are circling. the ipod is blasting. and you are on the guest list. welcome! here's your party hat. the photo booth is in the corner and the cotton candy machine is warming up. you look fabulous, as always. now i hand you a tall glass of limeade with cucumber and a bendy straw. have i mentioned, it has been the summer of the cucumber limeade around here. (seriously it's the best duo since flats + skinny jeans.) let me say, i'm so happy to see you.

today we celebrate our special guest, actually the real host of this great shindig, Miss Blog Anniversary the Third. three years ago i broke out of my shell and onto the page with my apprehensive first post on mwrites. we've been together ever since.

{and here is my cucumber limeade honorary toast}

i remember i was sitting in a cubical not doing any work whatsoever and figuring out how to blog. suddenly i had unearthed a new favorite hobby. blogging was easily the most fun i'd had with html to date. blogging came naturally to me, unlike roller skating or dodge ball or singing the alto part in church choir.

blogging is unique in that you are on stage while simultaneously remaining hidden, in your house at your desk while your child is napping somewhere in the farmlands of idaho. and on stage is a relative term. little do you realize your mom may be the only one who showed up to see your performance, clapping alone in that big wide empty auditorium. believe me, i've been there. but still, it's exhilarating. the hair, the makeup, the lights, all the hoopla. to blog is to believe that you have something to say that is worth being heard. a difficult concept for some to grasp, some seem too humble to ever agree to this. no, not me, i have nothing to say that is interesting. no one would ever ready my blog. blah blah blah. well, i disagree. to blog is to wear your heart on your sleeve. you are not only the star of the show but you are the director, the screenwriter, the producer and the stage clean-up crew. and it's all fun and worthwhile. i think you'll agree, even a children's puppet show is worth the seventy-five cent ticket price. as you can see, i've become a blog advocate after only three years experience. i could make millions if only this was a multi-level marketing program.

this journey has been all about discovery. although i rarely look back through my posts, due to anticipated cringing. there has been a lot of tumbling and whirling and linking and weeping and gnashing and mostly joyous narcissism. a lot of figuring out my voice and where i belong. deciding how honest i could be in this space, what i should say aloud and what i should keep to myself. i found myself seeking to push myself with designs and words and writing. i liked that blogging motivated me to take pictures and find something worthwhile everyday.

i found myself discovering other bloggers who seemed so similar, somedays wishing i could call them up and chat in real time. blogging is a platform for any one who wants to seize the day, capture it up and write it out for an audience. to blog is to bottle up time. it's such a free-flowing form of fancy. i love it. it's where i can let all my adoration for alliteration loose. it's anything you want it to be.

i have found over the years, that the more honest and open i am, the more people come to appreciate what i've said. which in turn, makes me all the more happy. i am stunned when someone gives me feedback about something i once said. you mean, little ol' me? really, i helped you in some way? it's more than i could ask for. that in itself perpetuates all the wrapped up goodness that blogging is. and, although i believe from my gut that you should blog for yourself and document the important things of life in your own eyes, it can be more than just the self. it is about opening up and sharing this space with whomever comes across it. that is what makes blogging more. people looking in and thinking, me too or wow, now i understand or i'd never do what she did or some people are so strange or i'm in that exact same situation. blogging is all about the connection. and to be honest, i have made some really truly fantastic friends, clients and penpals via the blog. the circle of people i respect, admire, find fascinating and absolutely love is just getting bigger. which is what living life is all about.



so here i am, on stage, holding my heart out to you.
thank you. thank you. thank you.
three cheers to our three years.
and counting.

93 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats on the three years! I enjoy reading your blog--your insights, your enthusiasm, your ideas. And I love your shirt!

Jamie said...

Happy Blog-versary

Kristin said...

Congratulations on three years! I always love to see what you have to say, and drool over the Mini Mart.

Tiffany said...

Beautifully put! I love how you write--what a perfect description of the blogging experience. (A rousing round of applause from me!) I'm so glad you found blogging, and I'm so glad I found your blog.

Happy third!

deb@virginia blue said...

i just recently discovered your blog and you've already inspired me more than you can imagine.

wishing you a lovely day and blog anniversary :)

Susan said...

Happy Anniversary! I discovered you through my daughter a few months ago and have been following ever since. As an artist, I'm struggling to get myself more "out there" in the blogosphere. For all the reasons you listed, I get keyboard-tied, but You are truly an inspiration. Thank you for your generosity of spirit and consistently well-timed words. We are all interconnected and moments like these remind me of that. Thank you. :)

EliseBlaha said...

xo.
happy
anniversary!

Amanda P. said...

Congrats! i love reading your posts and seeing your designs! You really are an inspiration!

Rosie said...

Ah, super post! Happy anniversary!

Cat said...

I don't remember how I found your blog but I am not totally addicted. I often consult the archives to find some inspiration and I have tried some receipes!!! I wish I could blog like you!
Happy 3rd and here's to many more!

Anonymous said...

congratulations on 3 years of being inspiring, amusing, and oh-so-wonderful :) here's to many more!

Katie said...

I just discovered your blog, and I am so happy I did! Congrats on three years. :)

MsAmanda said...

yay Marta! Good on you!

Now...I need to know about that shirt. The older I get, the more I say and think that. I'll just go ahead and be me and you can be you.

Catherine said...

Congratulations! Isn't is surprising how something that starts in such an off-handed way (as was my experience) quickly becomes very, very important to you? Enjoy the blogaversary!

Erin said...

Congrats Mart! That means it was about three years ago that I was sitting at my little cubicle when I got your e-mail telling me to check out your blog. I think it was the first that I religiously read!

What I love, is that over three years you haven't changed much. There's something to be said about that too.

Congrats!

Jake said...

Happy blogday to one of my all-time favorite bloggers!

Jen said...

Happy Blog-Anniversary! I've been following you for almost 2 years and just love you! Keep on, keeping on.

Anonymous said...

congratulations - three years is pretty impressive! thanks for keeping it up, it inspires me to keep on keepin' on with my blog.

ellen said...

your blog is one of my very favorites! happy blogiversary!!

the dibers said...

congrats...i love reading your blog! happy 3rd!

{kate} said...

congratulations! i'm so glad that three years ago you decided to blog :) this is the site i check every day right after checking my email.

katieolsenheap@yahoo.ca

Daisy said...

amen.

Kristin Johnson said...

so exciting...congrats on 3 years!

Natalie said...

congratulations on your anniversary. as you said, giving and getting validation through your honest words shared is one of my favorite reasons for blogging. i'm so glad to hear that i'm not alone in that realization. thank you for your blog and for letting perfect strangers like me have a peek - both into your life and into my own.

tawnya said...

Finding your voice can take awhile...congrats on finding yours!

crissy // mama boss said...

Congrats on 3 years! I'm so happy you that you blog. You keep a beautiful space and I love visiting.

Amanda said...

Congrats! Just wanted to say I love, love, LOVE your blog!

Karen said...

Congrats on the milestone! I do so enjoy your blog...

Krista said...

happy blogiversary! i still need to get over my insecurities...but sometimes i bore myself.

Anonymous said...

well thank you because i always..always smile here!

mindy said...

congratulations! I am so proud of you and your success! Your blog is one of my very favorites and one I look forward to reading every day. Thank you for inspiring me!

Anonymous said...

congratulations! i just posted about being so excited that YOU (yes, little ol' you) had left a comment on MY blog!! you really do inspire more than you know...

thank you- lily :)

{ella} said...

Happy Anniversary! Keep writing!

Kathy said...

i love your voice. your blog is a daily stop for me. your positive energy shines. congrats on three years. looking forward to more. CHEERS! :)

ALFIE said...

i raise my limeaide to the next 3 years & so so so far beyond!!

steph-a-ronie said...

happyhappy!

huzzah for three years!

Anneliese said...

i'm so glad for your 3 years & counting! it never fails that i find something to tuck away from here whether that be an idea, a word, a craft, a new blog, etc.

thanks.

Hil said...

Yay! Here's to three wonderful years where the world has been introduced to one of the most wonderful people I know. (even if I have only known you for a year-ish) Thanks for the inspiration, the laughs, and the honesty.

Love the shirt by the way!

Katie {My Paisley Apron} said...

Congrats! Happy Blogversary! :)

Bea said...

happy anniversary! Your blog is the very first one I ever read and it got me hooked on to blogging. Thanks for inspiring me and for starting my journey through blog land! I look forward to reading your blog for years to come.

Erin {pughs' news} said...

Congratulations, Marta! I haven't been around for three years but ever since I discovered m.writes, I have been a loyal reader. Your blog is beautiful, and I try to visit every day.

Well done! Here's to many, many more.

Hannah said...

love your blog, marta. i wrote similar words about blogging in response to your mom's class monday. it really is such a great outlet, and your blog is a favorite.

Whatever Dee-Dee wants said...

Congrats on your three years!

Missy said...

congratulations! here's to many more!

Melanie Anne said...

Happy blo- a-versary! I am sure glad you do it! You are a bright spot online!

Deidra said...

Happy anniversary. I love the shirt. It reminds me of my friend's shirt she would wear to volleyball practice. "Why be normal?" and the text was upside down.

I'm glad you're you!

{amy k.} said...

When i was new to the blog world, you quickly became one of my favorites... and still are! I love reading your honesty and seeing your creativity. I love that what you said here about blogging helps you find something "picture worthy" each day... that is so true for me as well, finding the great in everything. And that is one of the things I most admire about you- you are so positive and I love coming here to read something I know will uplift and inspire! Congrats on the 3rd anniversary!

Mandi said...

Happy Blogiversary!! Here's to many more!

Bluebelle said...

Congratulations! I love how your blog is peaceful and inspiring at the same time!

brandy said...

I have been a daily reader of your blog for the past year and I love it! It is full of genuine thoughts and inspirational ideas. Thank you for sharing you with all of us!

Here's to another 3 and many more after that!

Andria said...

Congratulations on 3 years!

Jen Holtkamp said...

congrats marta! thanks for sharing with us!

Travelin'Oma said...

Happy Blogiversary! You have raised the standard of blogs and elevated the meaning of blogger. Thanks for your contribution of beauty to everyday lives.

MelancholySmile said...

Congrats! That Limeade with Cucumber sounds divine.

Mikaela said...

Congrats!
You've always been one of my favorite blogs to read. :)

Anne. said...

Happy anniversary! I can't tell you enough how much you've inspired me with each post, so thank you! Also, that cucumber limeade sounds awesome right about now. :]

Lee said...

As one of the many who are happy you started, Happy Anniversary! You are one of my most favourite blog stops :)

talesofahummingbird said...

again, a well written blog which happens to be exactly how i feel about the subject. as usual. thanks for putting all your everything out there for us - inspiration, admiration and aspiring to be a better me. happy 3 years and many more. your blog goes great with my morning cup o' tea and a breeze blowing through the window. cheers and pass me another slice of cake!

MYSUESTORIES said...

Awesome! I love your writing!

kendall said...

Congrats! I love reading your blog.

Brittany said...

Three years? Wow. Guess that makes sense since I've been a faithful reader for over a year and a half. Time flies. Here's to many more years!

M said...

I'll join in the chorus and shout hooray! Thank you for your candor, your inspiration, and your creative touch. Oh, how we heart you!

Buby + Bleu said...

Happy 3 years. Hurray for wearing your heart on your sleeve. Well done.

Tori said...

can't say i've been with you since the beginning but i have been reading long enough to know that i love your blog! :) congrats on the three years!!

Amanda said...

Happy blog-versary...I meant what I said about you being the most inspiring blog I've read. I read your words every day and always am able to find a way that I relate to them.
XO-Amanda

brooke said...

I couldn't read the title without singing it...Love that song.

And I love your blog. You are a true writer and you say what I have in my heart but have no idea how to express.

Keep it up. I love what you're doing.

Zom G. said...

Such a wonderful party! Congratulations on your bloggy achievement. It is funny, the more truthful you are the more responsive others are. I guess trying to impress people is doomed to fail because it covers up the most impressive thing of all: you!

Hip Hip hooray!

Kristy said...

I stumbled upon your blog some time ago, and always look forward to wandering back to see what you have written. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Kristy said...

Hurrah! I'm doin' my party dance here, very quietly in front of the computer while my boys nap. :)

Thank you for sharing such lovely bits on your blog. It's a pleasure to read.

loren weltsch said...

thank you for sharing your life!
happy birthday!

Allison said...

Marta, I've got to say that when I open my blog reader and see "m.writes" in bold I get a little happier. I hope you believe you're an inspiration to many, many bloggers and readers out there. Just keeping being you, and congratulations on 3 years!

Erica said...

Happy 3 years! CONGRATS! CONGRATS! If I knew your address I would TOTALLY send you some treats from my bulk section! (still loving that post of yours!) Your words are always so wonderful and I look forward to your posts daily!!

Ann said...

Congratulations, Marta! I have loved visiting you on your little blog ever since I lucked out with you as a swap partner in the FreePeople swap. Here's to many more years of wonderful entries :)

Crumbs and Quibbles said...

Cheers {clink glasses together}

Laura said...

Congratulations on three years of blogging! You're still totally fun to watch (read?). This is a great post- very well written.

Original Kos said...

I am a newcomer to the blog(3 months or so) but I absolutely adore your sincerity and creative juices. It's a lot of fun around here.

There IS a party going on around here.

summer said...

yay mart! i loved every word. and your cute signature t-shirt. this is so your forte. happy three year blog anniversary to the best blogger out there. you rock. thanks for sharing your heart and life and words with me. you've changed how i think about so many things and have been a huge wellspring of encouragement, entertainment, and sweetness in my life. it's amazing how blogging works like that. it's amazing how you work like that. i am so, so, so happy i ran across you in blogworld almost one year ago! it's been an adventure. wishing you the happiest of anniversaries and many more!

holly-lynn said...

your always the first blog i click on when there is something new on my google reader. love reading about your life & living it (sort of) with you. congrats on three years!

leigh said...

YAY! Happy blog birthday to you! And us!

Janssen said...

Happy three years! What a fun and momentous occasion!

Lin said...

Hip hip hoorah for three years! It's always a joy reading your blog - you're very inspiring! Cheers!

PJpanache said...

Congrats on three years! I have just started enjoying your blog a few weeks ago, and have been inspired and encouraged beyond words. Thanks for cheering us all on!

Anonymous said...

Yay for you! Here's to many more years of blogtasticness. I still do a little happy dance (well, in my head) when I see your new posts pop up in my reader.

Caitlin said...

Congrats of 3 fab years! Here's to another 3 in the future... :)

Fernanda said...

Happy start of your 4th year!

Lovely Lindsay said...

i read ya. daily. loud and clear.
+++
thank you for sharing this space of yours - with us.
love, lindsay

Rose said...

congratulations! love your wise words, adventures & inspiration.

carly k said...

You are a blogger I would love to call up and talk to in real life:)

Pina said...

Congratulations! So many times you made my day and brought smile on my face. Thank you.

Melissa A said...

Happy Blogiversary Marta! Your writing is stimulating and motivating and ever so animated. You are a delight to read everyday. I'm enjoying the UBU and I'll Be Me writing and the T-shirt to boot.

P.S. said...

Three Cheers for three FABULOUS years. How good must it feel to be you?!!!
Your mix of unique yet relate-able posts are so refreshing and fun to read. I couldn't think of a better person to celebrate than you!

Rachel said...

Congratulations on three years! Your blog is absolutely beautiful.

Ashley said...

I love your writing, Marta. Happy three years!

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