Followers vs. Readership

Last week I reached 100 followers.  Yeah for me!  My goal was to reach 100 before the end of the month.  Now that I have, I can't say my life is so much better for it, but it is fun that I reached my goal.

Given the fact that I am still relatively new in the blogging world, I still am not quite sure what it really means to 'follow'.  Yeah, I know someone 'follows' you when they are interested in your blog.  But that brings me to the definition of 'interested'.  Are they interested in getting followers back and therefore hit the 'follow' button as soon as the page of my blog loads, without even looking at any of the content?  Are they following, simply to return the favor because I started following them?  Or did they actually read a few posts, then decided that they were interested and clicked the button?  And if this is the scenario, do they actually come back and read posts?  And if so, how often?

The people who leave comments are usually the same, so I guess those are the ones who actually read the stories, but who are the people out there who read, but don't leave a comment?  I know some of my friends read my blog and 'leave comments' when they see me in person.  As far as the rest of the world is concerned, I have no clue.  I'd like to know.

I guess the stories do get 'out there' further than I thought as the other day I received an award from Christina at Under His Wings.  Christina, thank you!  I was so surprised when I read your comment in which you mentioned the award.  I know that other bloggers' stuff is being read all around the world, but for this mommy with 'only' just over 100 followers it was a moment of coolness: "My blog reaches India and is read there!  Cool"

According to the rules, I now have to share 7 things about me that make me 'me':

1. I have a sweet tooth and love to bake, but...still need to shed 7 more lbs. from my pregnancy with Ryder.
2. I am crazy about sushi, but...severely allergic to shell fish.
3. I love washing my hair, but...wet hair that is not attached (afterwards, when cleaning out the shower) gives me the hibby-jibbies. [eeeek!]
4. I love to travel, but...the thought of taking a long plane ride with a 2-year old toddler and a 6-month old baby terrifies me at the moment.
5. I love a clean house, but...do not seem to be able to ever maintain it longer than 24 hours.
6. I love the beach, but...I hate sand.
7. I love theme parks, but...hate roller coasters.

I would like to pass this award on to the following people:
Diane at Be Still a Minute
Maryanne at Lipglossd Mom
Untypically Jia at Color Me UnTypical
Kyann at Sanity is Overrated
Lauren at That 22 yr. old Housewife

So.....

... going back to the thought with which I started out: why are people following and in reality, what does it really mean?  WHY are people interested?  When you read this and would like to respond, leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you.

Award Overwhelm

I never knew it was possible, but I am totally overwhelmed.  In the past 2 days I have been awarded not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 blogger awards!!

TV from TV's Take mentions in her most recent post the feeling of "feeling only as good as your last post" and I completely agree with her on that.  Lately I have been struggling with the same feeling.  Ever since I started taking the 25-day Challenge, I have wondered if it even would resonate with people, but I decided to do it anyways, following one of the most important rules of blogging: I am doing this for myself.  It is gratifying, honoring and comforting to find out that the writing I do is not only read by others, but also appreciated. 

So, on that note, I would like to start thanking people, passing awards on to others and sharing stuff about myself.

First of all, thank you Maryanne, from Lipglossed Mom for the Sunshine Award.  You have no idea, how you made my day.  First my team (The Netherlands) won the semi-finals of the World Cup Soccer and placed themselves in the finals.  Then, I go to the office and check my email, only to find out that you awarded me this great award.  Speaking of bringing a big friggin' smile on my face!!

 I would love to pass this award on to the following bloggers:

A Walk On The Sunny Side
Because I Said So
Momma's Pixie Dreams
Sanity is Overrated


So today, I get a message from TV at TV's Take saying that she gave me 'some awards'.  4!!  4 awards!!!  What awesomeness is that!!

So, this award, I would like to pass on to:

Because I Said So
Mommy Monologues
My Crazy Kind of Wonderful
Once A Mother...
Sanity is Overrated

This sweetness, I would like to pass on to:
Being Zara & Zidan
Chubby Cheeks
Sellabit Mum
Toddler Awesome
What's a Mom to Do?

These are some beautiful blogs, by beautiful people:
Mommy Monologues
Dial M for Minky
The Girl Next Door Grows Up
Land of Mama Grits

And last but not least, the Substance Award:
A Walk On The Sunny Side
My Crazy Kind of Wonderful
Our Journey to Financial Freedom
Sellabit Mum
Dial M for Minky
The Girl Next Door Grows Up
What's a Mom to Do?




I understand that for the first 4 awards, I am supposed to share 7 things about myself.  NO!!!  I am not going to give you 4 x 7 things about myself.  That'd be too much of a good thing.  I am just going to give you 1 list of 7 things:

1. All the 'Orange Fever' going on back in The Netherlands for the World Cup Soccer makes me miss my home country.  I used to be one of those students who would paint their faces orange and decorate it with red-white-blue flags on my cheeks.  It was sooooo much fun!!
2. I don't seem to be able to avoid being spit up on.  Oh wait...that's called "being a mommy".
3. As of today, my toddler tends to get joy / comfort / whatever out of gently slapping my butt when he walks by.  It's kinda cute, I have to admit it.
4. For several years I've had a great idea for a Food Network show.  It's solid on all grounds (marketing, viewer involvement, branding, etc.).  I've tried to get it pitched, but never reached the right people to even talk to.  It's still my dream to have it made (and host it).
5. I have some recipes for some killer cocktails and would love to share them.  Can I do that on my blog?  Or is that against some 'alcohol-is-dangerous' rule?
6. It really bothers me when an earthquake disrupts my cocktail-making (like it happened this afternoon)
7. I love LOVE massages, pedicures and facials but don't seem to have enough time (and $$) to get them regularly.  But then...which mommy ever does?

Finally, to honor "A Blog With Substance" Award, my blogging philosophy in 5 words (in no particular order):
Inspiring - funny - opinionated - honest - elaborate (sometimes a bit too much.  I know.  Sorry, but hey at the end I will have great memoirs for the kids).

Post It Note Tuesday

Wahoo!! My 2nd Blog Award!

What a wonderful way to start the day:  not only did the kids let me sleep until 7:15, but then, while I was sitting on the sofa with Kai on my lap who was ferociously downing his milk and watching Sesame Street, I managed to check my blog and discovered that Mommycrat had given me the following award:

This is the 2nd award I have won since I started blogging in May.  How awesome!  It is so gratifying to know that people not only read my blog, but also enjoy it.  That really made my day.  Check out Mommycrat's blog - great writing, great perspective. 


So, now that I too understand better the rules of blogger awards, let me first pass this award on to 5 blogs that I recently discovered and have come to love and then share 7 things about myself.

Some of the new blogs that I have discovered and am really enjoying:

Adventures of WannaBe SupahMommy - the blog that makes me laugh every day.  I like people who speak their mind.

Be Still a Minute - A great blog, combining humor with things that make me think.

Land of Mama Grits - Inspiring and funny.  Thanks for making me smile!

The Dave Ramsey Road - This blog contains great $-saving tips.

The Girl Next Door Grows Up - Another one that makes me chuckle.  With all the stress these days, I really enjoy a good laugh!


Now, here are 7 things about me:


1. I used to play tennis professionally as a teenager, until I was diagnosed with a back injury and was told I had to quit when I was 21.


2. I recently discovered that I love writing and would love to do more with it, though I don't know quite yet what that would be.


3. When both kids are in school, I want to start my own business.  What that is?  I don't know that one yet either, but I still have about 5 years to figure that out.  Maybe it'll involve writing?


4. I am originally from The Netherlands, but have lived in the US since 1999.


5. I have a Masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Emerson College, Boston.


6. I speak 7 languages: Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and 'Kai'.


7. In my mind, chocolate should never be omitted out of any diet.  It has anti-oxidants and makes one happy.  It simply cannot be bad for you.

Happy Birthday!

I am following this awesome blog called 'The Mommyhood Memos'.  Adriel is an amazing mom, who yesterday struck a nerve with her post "You are a great mum. (can you please tell me again?)" In her post, she described the vulnerability, the frustration and the tiredness, resulting in doubt and confusing I had been feeling for the past two days.  (I never knew that a 'baby not napping' could drive a mom to all that, as Kai has pretty much always been an amazing sleeper.)  Thanks to Adriel, I was reminded that children don't always fit in the box that we would like them to fit in and that this whole experience as a mother is indeed a life lesson.  A journey during which we fall, stumble, get up, and learn, but we're doing it all for one reason and for one reason only: the precious gift(s) we have received - our child(ren).  Today I have made it a point to go more 'with the flow' and so far, it's a good day.  Even Ryder not wanting to nap (again) didn't bother me.  (He is asleep now, by the way.)  Thanks Adriel.

After reading her post, I remembered the '25-Day Challenge'.  Every day I receive a 'Thought for Today'.  I have to admit that I don't take the time every day to really read them, let alone follow through with them by remembering them throughout the day.  But, having said that, they are great and really are a wonderful way to start the day, before leaping into all the things we "should" (hate that word) be doing.  In collaboration with 'Inner Space' they recently sent out the '25-day Challenge' to their subscribers.  The basic idea is to daily pause for a moment, think positively and act by doing something in light of that day's challenge.  I have to admit that I didn't last long as I forgot, didn't have time [blush], or whatever.

So, here's the deal.  Tomorrow is my birthday.  A wonderful day to start re-taking the challenge and this time I am going to complete it (actively).  I am going to blog about it on a daily basis.  It may be all I write about, it may be part of my post.  I will post the challenge, including the link.  That way, if you want to join me in this challenge, you can.

Speaking of my birthday: I just received my first wonderful birthday gift.  A few days ago I became a member of MBC (Mom Bloggers Club) and in the few days of being a member I have already met so many lovely people, awesome writers and found some amazing blogs.  One of these lovely people is Neel, who awarded me with this amazing award.  Neel, thank you so very much for appreciating my work, for reading and following me and for giving me a great birthday gift.  I am honored to receive this award, especially so soon after meeting you.

I would love to pass this award on to the following people, who I think are amazing bloggers and who deserve it:

Maryanne - http://lipglossdmom.blogspot.com/

Mommycrat - http://mommycrat.blogspot.com/ 

Adriel - http://themommyhoodmemos.blogspot.com/

The Planet Pink - http://theplanetpink.blogspot.com/

TV's Take - http://tvstake.blogspot.com/

Congrats mommies!!


Well, on that note, I'm signing off.  Baby is (again) done napping, so gotta go.