Blogging anniversaries were a big event at Naked Girl in a Dress until last fall. I wrote each month to share my progress because, as I wrote in one anniversary post, more blogs begin and fail than begin and flourish. I simply wanted celebrate Naked Girl in a Dress each month it survived. With the start of school in September, writing frequency dropped down to twice a month and anniversaries were not reported.

Now that I have been writing again regularly for two months, I want to share good news. Last Friday was the 10 month anniversary since my first post. Looking back, so much has happened with my blog and in my life in that 10-month period. A lot has been unexpected, but I have found the surprise twists in life are the most exciting. I have enjoyed the journey so far.

Here’s what has happened in the last two months:

  • Elizabeth Flora Ross of The Writer Revived awarded me with Ross’ Rad Reads, reviewing my blog. I was so appreciative to be recognized by her because I respect Elizabeth as a writer as well.
  • Marlo Thomas read Free to Be You and Me and tweeted to me that she was happy to know it still inspires people.
  • Unless you blog, this might not seem significant, but The Bloggess, blogging royalty, is following me on Twitter. She also visited Naked Girl in a Dress and left a comment.
  • I was asked to join the staff of Studio30 Plus to help build this new social media site for writers. Working with Jules, Jerrod and Jen has been a great experience. The site is growing in membership and what is offered to members has been enhanced. And, most important, we have more fun than should be allowed.
  • I was contacted to be one of 12 writers for a start-up online magazine, which will cover a wide range of topics.
  • While I thought re-building readership after rarely posting for several months would be difficult, I realized readers stayed with me and patiently waited for my return. This has meant a lot to me.
  • My favorite experience with blogging is when someone contacts me to tell me my writing has had a positive effect in his life. I have received several emails in the last few weeks that touched my heart and energized me.

Thank you for helping me see progress each month by reading, commenting, and promoting the concept of being a Naked Girl in a Dress to others.

For Song of the Week I have chosen a ukelele-strumming surfer: Jack Johnson. Last Friday was unseasonably warm in DC so I went cycling for the first time this year. I was excited to think spring could be arriving early, but of course it snowed this week.

Even with the cold temperatures, I am excited for the weekend. The guy I am dating, RBH, is coming for the weekend. We are going out to dinner, having a few couples over for dinner, taking walks, and just spending quality time catching up. I really don’t care what the temperature will be outside; I am just excited we will be together.

Here’s Better Together by Jack Johnson:

Happy Friday!