I is for... I

I as in 'me'.  Self indulgent, I know.  However this is about the 'blogging' me.

On the way to the train station a few weeks back the taxi driver asked me where I was going to.

"London"

"Anything nice?" he replied

"Yes, it's a conference"

He looked confused "A conference? Doesn't sound that nice. What's it for?"

"It's called CyberMummy. It's for parents who blog"

Cue a confused look on his face (it was only 5.20am though) "What's a blog?"

I tried to explain in my semi-conscious state.

"Why do you do that?" he looked puzzled.

It got me thinking.

A lot.

If you're not a blogger and you don't read blogs then blogging can be difficult to explain.  Why would some people want to blog their innermost thoughts? Why would some people want to essentially have a diary online for anyone to see?  Why would some people want to tell the world all about their life?

Some people blog for therapy, some blog to make their voice heard, some want to be writers, some want to do reviews, some want to get freebies, some blog anonymously, some are very much out there telling the world about anything and everything.  Bloggers are diverse, we share stories and we support each other and that's why I love it so much.  I was embraced so much by the world of blogging when I started at the beginning of the year and I'll be forever thankful for that.  I've made some fantastic friends through blogging, many I got to meet personally at Blog Camp and Cybermummy.  Of course, I've seen some 'disagreements' in the blogging world but you get that in real life, it's par for the course.

Over the past couple of months my blog has taken a downturn.  This was due to my holiday in Italy (I still need to blog about that!) and then picking up some freelance marketing work - I've let things slide.  I haven't been on Twitter much, I haven't been involved in conversations, I haven't been commenting on other peoples amazing posts (sorry I am lurking occasionally).  Basically blogging has taken a total back seat but it doesn't phase me.

I haven't got a top blog and I'm not after being a top blog, in fact, as most of you know, I felt really uncomfortable when my blog made it into the top 100 of the Tots rank a few months back. I feel more comfortable being where I am now.  Being a finalist in the MAD Awards was a total shock to me.  I know I won't win it but it doesn't phase me at all as I know there are far more worthy blogs than mine and just to be a finalist is far from any expectations I ever had.

I guess what I'm trying to say in all this is that I just want to enjoy my life and my blog.

So why do I blog?

I blog to share past stories and photographs.

I blog because it's my personal space to do with what I want.

I blog as place to document my journey as a stay at home mum with Mini Cheddar.

I blog because it's somewhere I can look back on in years to come and laugh (or cry) at moments I've shared.

I blog so Mini Cheddar can be proud of her mummy.

I blog so she can enjoy her childhood in the written word when she's old enough to read it.

I blog as a release.

I blog to get my thoughts down.

I blog for fun.

I blog to build friendships.

I blog because I want to.

I blog because I like to.

I blog for my daughter.

I blog for me.

Part of my A to Z posts

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The Gallery - My Blog

That Tara is a pesky lady.  She tries to stump us last week with the 'Tomorrow' theme and promises us an easier week this week.  What does she do?  She goes and picks the hardest theme yet *shakes fist at Tara*  I will NOT be beaten...WILL NOT I tell you! 

So....'My blog'.

I had no idea when I started blogging at the beginning of the year where it would take me. I didn't realise there was a whole world of 'mummy bloggers' out there and just kind of stumbled across British Mummy Bloggers (aka Brit Mums) when I saw the badge on another blog - I joined up and hey presto, I was thrust head first into the lovely world of blogging.

Two weeks after my first ever blog post I discovered Jay's Silent Sunday and indeed The Gallery.  My passion for photography lead me to not miss a week of these link-ups yet!

So this is the photo which I think sums up my blog:

My daughter, Mini Cheddar, is the main focus of my blog.  I started my blog because I wanted somewhere to document my journey as a stay at home mum with her - for her.  Like an online diary. I never expected anyone to read it but it's rather lovely that it does get readership and I've made some fabulous new blogging friends.

As I've already mentioned, I have a mild passion for photography which sees me owning 3 cameras plus my iPhone camera (I took this photo with my iPhone).  There's my trusty Nikon DSLR, my Canon 'point and shoot' and my Diana which Mini Cheddar is kindly modeling.  Taking part in Silent Sunday and The Gallery is now part of my weekly routine.

My blog is also about me but I decided not to appear in the photo because a) I look like crap at the moment and b) It would involve me having to get my photographically challenged husband to take the photo.

Oh and some of you may have noticed the stuffed toy dog in the nappy.  That's because I couldn't mention my blog without mentioning that post now could I?

Now head on over and check out all the other entries...