Happy Anniversary!

Posted by: Shel 40 Comments

Happy Anniversary BlogThanks for stopping by to help me celebrate my first anniversary! It’s been quite a year. My husband  and I lost precious loved ones, dealt with (and beat) cancer, dealt with other health issues and life challenges during this past year – as so many of you are doing. And through it all we continued to try to prioritize and celebrate our marriage – as so many of you are trying to do, too. It was a good year.

I’d like to thank each of you friends and visitors that contributed to that first year. I appreciate the support so many showed me as I started this venture a year ago as well as those who have found me over the past year and stuck with me. I appreciate that you have shared my posts on your social media outlets (it makes a huge difference) and I absolutely love reading your comments and believe they have made this site way more interesting than it otherwise would be.

I received a report from wordpress.com summing up my first blog year and telling me what a great one it was. It stated that the most read post was Calling All Spouses – The 30-Day Gratitude Challenge.  The report said:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

That impressed me because that means there’s a lot of spouses out there that are interested in showing appreciation for their mates. I figure if only 10{2303b849a176fc4c55cbcb5b49f44c0b6a86ba83e746fb3d962701d1b8d54085} actually took the challenge, that is still a lot of grateful spouses!

While that fun post got the most attention, I thought on this anniversary date I would highlight some of my other favorites from the past year that you may not have seen and tell you why they are special to me.

1. Shrew-B-Gone – The Product that Can Change Your MarriageI love being the inventor of this product – I think I have the potential to make millions with it. There are just a few kinks that need to be worked out before it will be ready for mass distribution.

Shrew-B-Gone - The Product That Will Revolutionize Your Marriage

2. Introverted But Not Shy – Does Your Mate Need Space? I wrote this because I had my own “Aha” moment when I learned the real meanings of the words ‘introvert’ and ‘extrovert.’ It helped me see things from a new perspective. Judging by the conversation it generated, I was certainly not alone.

Introverted But Not Shy - Does Your Mate Need Space?

3. When to Dump the Date – 6 Red Flags. This is a favorite of mine because I got to address a pet peeve. Well, actually a couple of them. I believe there is great info in this post for anybody dating or who has a child/parent/relative/friend/roommate/pet who is dating. If we date smarter, we marry smarter.

Dead end

4.    5 Ways to Make Your Mate Feel Great. There are three reasons this is a favorite. First, I got to share my feelings about raisins. Second, the suggestions are soooooo doable. Third, it’s just plain fun. Go ahead – I dare you: just try to read it all the way through without smiling at least once!

Ways to Make Your Mate Feel Great

5.   10 Ways to Get to Divorce Court Without Beating Your Wife or Having an Affair This is the post that started it all! It took first place in the OWFI (Oklahoma Writing Federation, Inc) writing contest and does a nice job of capturing my attitude about what I really think of some of the stuff that goes on in marriage. Sure the title is a little in-your-face, but so is divorce!

10 Ways to Get to Divorce Court Without Beating Your Spouse or Having an Affair6.    10 Ways To Impress Your Family Law Judge. I think this is a fun read. And when else will I ever have another opportunity to use that interesting picture again??

10 Ways to Impress Your Family Law Judge

Thank you again, all, for your support, readership and friendship. If there are any topics you would like to read about or chat about in the upcoming year, I’d love to hear them!

 

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40 Comments

  • Congratulations, Shel and Happy Anniversary! Blogging for one year is an achievement that should be celebrated.

    I’ve enjoyed and learned from a number of your excellent blog posts. Thanks!

    • Shel Harrington

      Thank you, Peggi! Both your kind words and support are much appreciated!

  • Terry Foster

    Congratulations Shel on your anniversary blog & for being cancer free…..I enjoy the good info & stories you send our way. Many blessings for continued success & good health.

    Terry

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Terry – on all counts! Hope to see you soon.

  • Anthony

    Congrats on being cancer-free, Shel, and keep these wonderful posts coming! I enjoy reading them and using the information to make my marriage and fatherhood better.

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Anthony, for both the well-wishes and the kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to comment!

  • would love a review of my book Discover Your Voice After Divorce….

    • Shel Harrington

      Your book gives people going through divorce a great format to think things through. I’m still looking forward to hearing back from the individual I gifted it to. I’m putting the link here to your site in case others want to check it out!

      For a look at the book Discover Your Voice After Divorce: http://lettersfromlin.blogspot.com/

  • Congratulations on an amazing first year of blogging, Shel! I look forward to many more years of sage & entertaining advice from you. 🙂

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Sonia! And thanks for all the writing motivation/assistance/critique/support you have given over the years!

  • Leah

    Way to go! I don’t get to read them all, all of the time . . . but I am always encouraged by your candor and truthfulness! I’ve passed several along to my daughter too.
    Thanks.

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Leah – and thanks for sharing with your daughter!

  • Happy Anniversary Shel!!!! Every blog was thoroughly enjoyed because of your sense of humor and common sense, as well as your intelligence!!! Love you and Steve and happy you both are doing so well!!

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Sue – for all the kind words are for getting outside your comfort zone and connecting via blog. I am proud that I had the privilege of being your first!

  • Gina Jordan Kishur

    Congrats Shel! Great job!

  • Kay

    Congratulations Shel! You are indeed inspiring, funny, and a wonderful blessing to all who know you! I truly enjoy your blog, & pray that you have a wonderful fun year this 2014.

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Kay! You’re prayers and support of my writing endeavors are very much appreciated!

  • WOOT! WOOT! Congratulations on your anniversary AND beating cancer AND being an inspiration to so many – including ME! I’ll tip a few anti-oxidants to lots more successful years! 🙂

    • Shel Harrington

      Thank you – for the sentiments as well as all the support over the past year (in person and in writing!). Natine-version of fruit and fiber all around!

  • Congratulations! 16,000 views on one post? Now that’s impressive! I always look forward to reading your posts because they’re both helpful AND entertaining.
    Here’s to another great year!

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks Dee Dee – for the well wishes as well as your support from start-up to present on this project as well in other areas of my life. Here’s to a great year for both of us!

  • Lori Maederer

    Congratulations! I thoroughly enjoy your posts!

    • Shel Harrington

      Thank you, Lori – your kind words and support are much appreciated!

  • Congratulations, Shel! Yay for beating cancer!!!!!

    • Shel Harrington

      Yah – that was one of the big challenges last year – second only to losing Steve’s dad. I’m in a pretty good place. I hope you are too – I think often of the challenges you deal with and hope all systems are behaving themselves, Jill!

      • That is so sweet, Shel. Yes, I’m doing well. The infusions seem to be keeping all systems go at this point. 🙂 My prayers continue for you and your family.

        • Shel Harrington

          I’m so glad to hear that, Jill – I always hold my breath before asking such a question! Prayers for you and your, too – I know the challenges are ongoing.

  • Becky

    Happy “blog” Anniversary! Thanks for sharing.

  • Love it! Congrats on a fabulous year, Shel, and so thankful to have been a part of it! You are a truly amazing person. XO

    • Shel Harrington

      You are so sweet, Mari. Soooooooooooo glad our writing worlds brought us together!!

  • Jr

    Congratulations Shell it’s amazing what a person/ family can and will go through in a year’s time thanks for your dedication and commitment to changing people life’s

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Jr. It was a privilege to be there for the start of your union – which is clearly headed in a wonderful direction!

  • Broderick Hardrick

    Congrats Shel, I am new and I look back at your old blogs and I like 10 ways to impress your family law judge, it was hilariously funny. I look forward to the next blog. God bless

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Borderick – I’m so glad you connected! And I appreciate the blessing!

  • Lou & Gene

    Very, very IMPRESSIVE! Congratulations! It doesn’t seem like a year has past since you started this journey. We’ve loved reading your informative yet humorous posts. Even more importantly the thought provoking conversations it has initiated. Blessings to you as you continue to bless others. One more thing for your gratitude journal and one more thing for us to celebrate with our “couple” friends!

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, guys! And thanks for listening for month prior as well as months after this venture started! Your support has been much appreciated. Love you both!

  • Ashley

    Shel, CONGRATS to you for your first year! You have made me smile with your blog many times! I love reading them! Keep up the amazing work!

    • Shel Harrington

      Thanks, Ashley – and thanks for all the support and PR work!!! You’re the best!

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