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330th Friday Blog Roundup

So I have to say thank you for something.  Usually, when I want to say thank you for something, I bake.

But that instinct isn’t going to work here because there are too many people to thank.  There simply isn’t enough butter in the world for that many batches of chocolate chip cookies.  And beyond that, there are too many people that I suspect are out there but. I. don’t. even. know. who. you. are.  That’s the part that scares me — missing out on thanking all of the amazing women that I can’t thank because I’m truly clueless as to how many people are behind this wave.  Also, there is the problem of actually getting said cookies to you.  That whole computer screen barrier.

Life from Scratch has become this huge success and it is entirely due to bloggers.  Namely, book bloggers who took it under their wing and celebrated it with posts and reviews on Good Reads or Amazon, as well as other-topic bloggers (for lack of a better term because it wasn’t just book bloggers) who knew me through this space who read it and talked about it and arranged online book tours and participated with posts.  I am talking about all of YOU.  And I’m talking about THEM.

And yes, I am going to get very emotional about this and you can’t stop me, because that is enormous.

It speaks to the power of bloggers in general.  I didn’t get in the New York Times book review.  I didn’t do the morning talk show circuit.  I connected with bloggers and you guys reviewed it.  And because of that, it moved into the 7th slot on Kindle’s content list.  Right under books that have a huge publicity budget behind them such as Hillenbrand’s book (of Seabiscuit fame).

The words “thank you” are too small.  Even if you scream them at top volume, it isn’t enough.  Frankly, baking cookies for all of you wouldn’t be enough.  But I don’t know how to gather all of you into one space so I can hold this huge parade with dancing acrobats and flame-eaters and elephants in order to show you how ecstatic I am that you are in my life; that you took my book and ran with it and made this happen.

When you see the bloggers in the sequel, when I am celebrating book bloggers and other-topic bloggers in the second book, you will all know that I am talking about you.  It’s not a strange coincidence or a discussion of random bloggers in general — I will actually be talking about all of you.  The people who took the time to review it and blog about it and tweet about it and all of you who will do so in the future.

Because you changed my life.

And I’m going to beg you to keep doing it.  To keep talking about it and recommending it to your friends and leaving a review on Amazon or Good Reads (people who write kind reviews are my favourite people in the world) and tweeting about it (my G-d, I love all of you who have tweeted about it).  Because I’m greedy like that.

The Internet has been my support for almost five years now.  And I owe you guys so much — my sanity, my health, and all of my thanks.

Thank you.

*******

Okay, I’m going to take a pause to have a good, old-fashioned, hormonal cry.

*******

Instead of the Weekly What If: name one person who changed the trajectory of your life.

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Voting has started at Limerick Chicks and yes, I have a limerick in the running.  BUT I’m not going to ask you to vote for me.  I’m just going to ask you to vote — to go over and read them and laugh (or cry) and then vote for your favourite one (which may or may not be mine).

*******

And now, the blogs…

If you have not yet read the analogy The Shifty Shadow wrote about loss, you need to run over there.  Because it’s just that brilliant.

Stumbling Gracefully has a post about her greatest fear.  She explains how even skating close to her fear brings out a reaction: “If the losses of strangers do this to me, what kind of havoc would the loss of someone close to me wreak?”  It is a raw, deeply honest, sometimes difficult to read post.  But that’s why you should read it anyways.

Just Us and the Cat has a post about new forms of employment she can now get that she’s tubeless.  It’s dark humour at it’s finest.  Personally, I’m rooting for her to join a harem.  As she points out: “Advantages: I’ve always liked Turkish food. Disadvantages: Would probably need to lose weight before applying. A more serious barrier is that the Ottoman empire is defunct.”

My Rotten Eggs has this really incredible post about the ending of a friendship with her cousin’s wife as well as bumping into her at a store.  The de-friending wasn’t about infertility and yet was wholly connected to infertility and their two different paths in life.  It’s a moving post.

One Wheeler’s World has a post about getting to know herself again through her blog.  I love her blog-each-day challenge to explore herself.  She writes, “An opportunity to just throw myself out there…messy hair, unshaven legs, and all.    An opportunity for ME to get to know me in ways that I’ve honestly been putting off for a long, long time. ”  Come by for the free therapy.

Lastly, Bloodsigns has a post about whether she needs her space.  I love this point: “Social media is just that — social — and success does depend on one’s ability to be social (or, if we were talking about a business context — self-promotion and networking) — which isn’t, despite your kindness Dear Readers, something I’m good at.”  It is such a gorgeous post, such an important post, such a brilliant post — I think you’ll be missing out if you don’t read it.

The roundup to the Roundup: I am weepy grateful for all of you and there is nothing large enough that I could do to properly thank you.  Answer the Instead of the Weekly What If.  Vote for your favourite limerick.  And lots of great posts to read.

24 comments

1 Missy { 03.04.11 at 7:34 am }

My mom. But in all fairness you initiated the life changed-ness. You created a warm open space and invited us all in. You didn’t discriminate at the door and you treated everyone with kindness and respect. You did/continue to do something that very few people do. And for you I am grateful! Happy Friday!

2 Sushigirl { 03.04.11 at 8:57 am }

Thanks for the mention. Yay, awesome, made the roundup. I would smugly tell my IRL friends and family but then I’d have to tell them about my blog!

Apart from the usual answers like parents and husband, my changing trajectory person was a landlord who saw our ad looking for a flat and responded. We’d have moved anywhere in the city, but I really liked the area his flat was in and I’ve stayed here for ten years now. Although not in the same apartment.

3 Esperanza { 03.04.11 at 10:50 am }

I just bought it on Kindle last night! I’m only a few pages into it but I can’t wait to read it! Yay! You rock Mel and you’re a great writer. I’m very proud of you and honored to comment on your blog and be a part of your community. Thanks for all that you do! (And thanks for the comment on my blog last week – I felt like a celebrity said hi to me or something! It made my week!)

4 Lori Lavender Luz { 03.04.11 at 11:02 am }

So happy and proud of you. And honored to be part of the blogswell.

Hmmmm…..let me think….who, about 4 years ago, changed the trajectory of my life….hmmmm…..it’s right on the tip of my fingers….

5 loribeth { 03.04.11 at 11:07 am }

Offhand, I can’t think of one person (aside from the obvious, like my parents) who had a hugely dramatic impact on my life. But I can think of lots of people who influenced my life in seemingly small but significant ways.

Today, I’m thinking about a journalism school prof of mine — an almost stereotypical, hard-drinking grizzled newsroom veteran. I was one of the youngest people in my class, went straight from an undergrad arts degree to this graduate program in journalism (got in on a waiting list!), whereas most of my classmates had a couple of years of “real world” experience under their belts. Even though this was my life’s dream & ambition, I lacked confidence & was wondering whether I really belonged there — but this gentleman, reviewing one of my stories with me, gave me a kind smile & told me I had a really nice style, and to keep up the good work.

He was not in the best health, & died while we were all home for Christmas break. Our class had a photo of him framed & hung in our lounge, with a little plaque on it with his name & the inscription, “Teacher & friend.” I’ve never forgotten his kind words of encouragement; they meant a lot to me.

6 Shelli { 03.04.11 at 11:09 am }

Love you too. I would do anything for my blogging friends. So many have saved me over the years… really, really saved me.

Example: I started a new job this week. I almost had a meltdown a few times wondering how I can possibly start over and make a change that is scary and exilarating at the same time. Then I came home at night and chatted with my people, all of you. And suddenly I am courageous. Coincidence? Think not.

7 N { 03.04.11 at 11:16 am }

I have to say I’m so happy for you. Embarrassed that I haven’t read it yet (but then, I’ve read one book in the last year and a half, so it’s not personal), but so so so freaking happy. 🙂

I don’t know about changing the trajectory of my life, but I had a professor who vastly changed the way I looked at myself and how I dealt with my mental and emotional health, and how I interacted with other people, and I cannot thank her enough for that. Sadly, I can’t find her to actually thank her.

8 magpie { 03.04.11 at 11:19 am }

You’re so cool. And pretty. And I loved your book and told my sister to read it and yeah, even reviewed it on GoodReads!

9 Sharon { 03.04.11 at 11:32 am }

Hmm, I’m having a hard time coming up with one person who changed the trajectory of my life, but I do have a group of people whose decision changed my life’s trajectory.

At age 17, I was chosen by a committee of several people for a state-level office in a philanthropic organization with which I was active in high school. Their decision definitely changed the trajectory of my life because the demands of that position meant I had to change where I attended college, which eventually changed my career path. Also, everyone I hold dear in my life (with the exception of family and one high school friend) has come into my life as a result of that change in colleges and careers.

Weird how unexpected events can move us in a totally unexpected, but altogether positive, direction. At the time, I was devastated at having to change my college plans, but now, looking back over 20 years later, I can see that many good things came out of that one event.

10 a { 03.04.11 at 11:38 am }

My husband changed the trajectory of my life. Some good ways (I quit smoking), some questionable (I left my beloved Chicago), but changed indeed.

And you’re welcome. I actually gave my copy of your book away today – my daughter’s teacher is going on leave for knee replacement surgery, and I made her a gift basket of things to keep her entertained. I included your book. She asked about it and I was proud to say that my friend wrote it.

11 Kerrik { 03.04.11 at 11:45 am }

My husband definitely changed the trajectory of my life.

So happy about the book doing well. I think we should all be thanking you Mel, not the other way around…you helped create, and continue to build, this incredible online community. You don’t have to do it, but you do, and I think it has been the saving grace of many of us out here in the IF community. Thank you for all you do.

12 Justine { 03.04.11 at 2:40 pm }

You are amazing … and honestly, you’ve inspired me to be the blogger that I am!!! 🙂 *hug*

13 Esperanza { 03.04.11 at 3:09 pm }

Is my daughter too obvious? My partner? I’m trying to think of someone outside of my family but no one comes to mind.

14 Kir { 03.04.11 at 3:41 pm }

well John or the boys would be easy answers, but I think that one person that comes to mind often is an ex-boyfriend J, who made it ok for me to be in college at 25 (l he was 19 at the time and I was living on campus) and a teacher at the school that took me under her wing. Just lit a fire in me. Both of them encouraged me to just keep being myself, age aside, screw up at first college aside, to just “be”. It was something I can never truly thank them for.

and I cried reading your thank you, because really we should be THANKING you for holding us up for years, for writing things that make us think and hold each other up too..for just being who you are. Your book, to me, is like holding a little piece of the friendship you’ve offered me in my hands. I am glad that I have a “real paper copy” and I keep it plain sight at home, to remind me that someone has my back. Plus it’s awesome to name drop you now.

Love you….lots
xo

15 mrs spock { 03.04.11 at 5:03 pm }

because you write about bloggers who helped change your life, I will say that fellow blogger and fellow nurse Martha @ A Sense of Humor Is Essential did it for me a few years ago when I needed to find nursing work that my crummy body could tolerate, and pushed me in the direction of insurance. A perfect fit, surprisingly, and it wouldn’t have happened without that connection via the internet.

16 B { 03.04.11 at 6:44 pm }

Hey Mel

Just wanted to say thank you for mentioning my post. I was going to email it to you because I thought others may connect with it but you had already read it before I managed. I’m still confused by how you manage to read a post within the hour from someone who has not written for close to a year! So I nominate you as a life changing person Mel.

You are truly a gift. I really appreciate how you do not shy away from loss bloggers. It would be easy to do.

And now I better go download that book.

Congrats.

B

17 HereWeGoAJen { 03.04.11 at 8:51 pm }

Well, a lot of people have changed my trajectory, but you are certainly one of them. If I didn’t have my blog and my blog friends, I’d be a much sadder person these days. And you and the community you’ve created are a huge reason that I have my blog. Through writing on my blog, I’ve grown so much into the (more) awesome person that I am.

So, since I owe you cookies for that, let’s call it even and wipe out both cookie debts.

18 Mali { 03.04.11 at 11:51 pm }

Congrats – you’re in the top six now on Amazon! I did enjoy your book. I could hear your voice, and humour, throughout it, and it made me smile.

I’m not sure I can say one person changed the course of my life. But certainly the women on the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust site – and especially Sarah Green and Izzie (but others too) – changed my life in terms of the way I think about it, and the way I think about myself. They’re real heroes.

19 Aramelle @ One Wheeler's World (Linky) { 03.04.11 at 11:55 pm }

I love that your book is doing so well. Love it! You have earned every last bit of it and then some. And I find it wonderfully cool for me to be able to say that I “know” the author of the fantastic book I recently read.

Without question, my grandparents are the people who changed my life immensely. I know that’s technically two people, but they came as a set, so I’ve decided it counts. Without them, I honestly don’t know what would have come of me with the home life that I had as a child.

And thank you so much for mentioning my post in the Round Up. I feel like I’m famous by association now. 😀

20 Bumpy Journey { 03.05.11 at 12:09 am }

I love your book!!! I tweeted for you. 🙂 I wish I could buy everyone a coke and the book. And teach them all to sing. 🙂

One person that changed the direction of my life…my youth pastor when I was in high school. He was a combo of big brother/father during a horrible time in my life. My father was abusive and my youth pastor would just let me sit in his office in silence. It is what I needed the most at that point. He did pray for me, and guided me spiritually; but he was so preceptive in that I need to just be alone.
He was the first to get me to believe that college was possible, and that I could be a nurse. His wife was a nurse, and I loved her so much. She would tell me stories, and show me books and really boosted my confidence. (I got my 4 year RN degree)
We lost touch through the years, and one day (12 years after high school) I saw him in an airport. I had always wanted him to officiate our wedding, but didn’t know how to find him.
I saw him in November, and our wedding was in June.
He gladly took a beach trip to do it. 🙂

21 Mic @ IF Crossroads { 03.06.11 at 8:31 am }

Life from Scratch was good. It was really good. I enjoyed reading it and I’m looking forward to the sequel. It was the first book that I read cover to cover after K’s birth. As a self-proclaimed book worm, your book will always hold a special place in my heart for that very reason.
(((hugs)))

22 MommyInWaiting { 03.08.11 at 6:38 am }

My Hubby changed the road my life was on, when I stepped on his path I knew I would be facing infertility, but I also knew that if I didn’t take his road I would end up the kind of person I don’t like!

As for your book, it deserved every bit of praise it received out there. And I cannot wait for the sequel to be available on my kindle!

23 Betsy { 03.08.11 at 1:00 pm }

Thanks for the shout out! I am tickled pink to be in the Roundup!

My answer is kind of boring, but I guess my husband Jason changed the trajectory of my life. I was partying a lot before I met him my freshman year of school, and I always tell him he saved me before I did anything completely crazy!

24 Betsy { 03.08.11 at 1:03 pm }

Oh, and congrats on the book success! That’s so awesome.

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