Amazing to discover I’ve been blogging now for years, since 2013. Nine years. That’s a long time!

What started out as a hobby to talk about my crafts (which were basically wine cork creations and diaper cakes) has now grown into a personal blog in which I talk about not only my crafts (which have now expanded into jewelry making), but all kinds of other topics ranging from stories from my childhood as well as now, family memories, personal stories, some political commentary, family recipes, life and relationship tips, as well as whimsical stories about those pesky flamingos my husband and are so fascinated with!

Looking back on the first blog I published , I think I’ve come a long way.

I even started a series called “Matters of the Heart” about my husband’s journey through his many heart issues, which has now grown to 31 installments, to not only tell his story but to bring attention to the problems of heart disease and how it can be controlled. After three aortic heart valve replacements in some 38 years, as well as his other heart procedures many of you have never heard of, I think we can both expound on that topic and give advice to others who may be going through similar experiences.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, and even published a memoir about my mother and dealing with the grief following her death. I didn’t write it to make money any more than I blog to make money. For me, writing is cathartic as well as relaxing, and if someone enjoys reading what I publish, and it maybe helps them through something they’re dealing with, then I’ve accomplished what I’ve set out to do.

Blogging isn’t difficult, in fact, a lot of times when I begin to write, I really don’t know how the blog is going to end until it’s finished. Writing takes off like that, you see, if you really enjoy it. 

I have more plans to blog more of my favorite recipes, and about one of my favorite hobbies, which not surprisingly, is reading. I’m planning to do some short book reviews about some of my favorite books and authors, that is, if I can take enough time from my reading to put them together. I promise to try, though!

A number of my blogs use pictures, especially the flamingo ones. My media library in my WordPress site had so many images that I was getting to the point I couldn’t control them all, so I finally decided to invest in a plug-in that allows me to organize them into categories, and sub-categories, and even (horrors!) sub-sub-categories. 

For a blogger who’s been at it as long as I have, I really needed to get my site under better control, and I must say although it’s time consuming, it’s a good thing. I think. And finding I have almost 3,000 images in my library, many being duplicates, makes it a daunting task. But all this organizing and reviewing all those images is already getting me inspired to write some more flamingo stories, so watch out!

My blog has also changed names several times. In the beginning I had three different ones that I was writing for, but it became way too much to handle, especially working full time, so now they’re all combined into this one that I re-named “Just Living Life” which is really what I’m doing. Living my life and enjoying what I do. 

Feel free to scroll through any time you wish, or as often as you wish. You can also sign up to follow my blog and you’ll be emailed a copy of each one when it’s posted. I do not keep a mailing list nor do I sell or give my followers’ email addresses out. I get enough unsolicited e-mails each day, as I’m sure you do as well. I’m not going to contribute to filling your in-box with things you don’t want.

So when you get a few spare minutes browse through some of my blog topics and see what you think. Feel free to comment on them as well. I know as I’ve been doing my media categorization project I’ve come across quite a few I’d forgotten about, and most likely will be republished from time to time with some updates.

And if you get inspired and find the desire to start writing, then go for it! I warn you though, it can become addictive!