Hey, guess what? Today is my blogiversary! Three years ago today The Bearded Iris was born.
It’s all Laura’s fault.
She’s the one who unwittingly introduced me to the blogosphere in July of 2008. Before Laura, I didn’t even know what a blog was. True story.
That’s when Laura and I became BFFs and she encouraged me to start a blog of my own as a comedy writing vehicle. We had big plans… I was going to get on Oprah and she would create a niche for herself as a photographer of gutsy women. We accomplished both in less than 6 months. It’s amazing what hopped-up housewives can do when we set our minds to it.
Unfortunately, Oprah was much more interested in my lifelong battle with clutter than she was in my dream to be the next Tina Fey. And Oprah’s producers wouldn’t use any of Laura’s fabulous photos because they wanted pics of me that represented “every frazzled mother.” Damn. Double damn.
Anyhoooo…that is how it all began, in case you were wondering.
I haven’t been blogging consistently for three full years. I had to take some time off in the middle to help one of my kidlets through a school crisis. And then there was that debilitating snapping turtle bite that took forever to heal. But I came back strong in January of 2011 and feel like I’m heading in the right direction.
So on this blogiversary, I hope you will indulge me while I express my deepest heartfelt gratitude. To Laura, for inspiring me and cheering me on while I was finding my way. To my husband, The Gatekeeper, for his unconditional support and encouragement. To my Mom and Stepfather for reading my blog every day and building my technology arsenal with their never ending generosity. To my friend Nora for being my social media mentor. And to Scott, my Fairy Geekfather, for his awesome technical expertise and support.
I am grateful to my beautiful, talented, and goofy kids who provide me with lots of forgiveness and a never ending supply of hilarious material.
Thank you to my old friends who humor/pity me with their loyal presence. And to all the new friends I’ve made on this journey, I thank you too. I can’t begin to tell you how much of an impact you’ve all had on me with your kind comments, emails, and deeds. I treasure your company with me here each day.
Thrill of thrills, I got to meet one of my new blogging buddies last weekend while I was driving through Virginia. Megan from Declutter Daily and I struck up a friendship earlier this year through our mutual participation in the 52 Weeks of Organizing project at I’m an Organizing Junkie. She and her lovely family met my road-weary brood for coffee early Sunday morning and we had a wonderful time, as you can see…
God bless the Internet for bringing like-minded crazy people like us together, eh?
One more person I would like to thank today: loyal reader Maggie for nominating me for one of the Top 50 Mom Blogs at Babble.com (I’m currently ranked at #16!). If you would like to help others find my blog, please cast your vote for The Bearded Iris.
gratefully yours,
-Iris
© Copyright 2011, The Bearded Iris.
August 9, 2011 at 12:59 am
Happy Blogiversary! Hope you get to vlogging soon!!
August 9, 2011 at 10:27 am
Thanks Dewd. Whoa now…I’d have to have a Barbara Walters style filter to let a video camera anywhere near my hairy face.
August 9, 2011 at 1:04 am
Congrats on 3 years! That’s awesome. Way to go, girl!
August 9, 2011 at 1:36 am
Happy 3rd Blogiversary! May you have many, many more years!
August 9, 2011 at 2:07 am
Happy blogiversary Iris! You guys look gorgeous! Congratulations on three wonderful years!
Anne xx
August 9, 2011 at 3:18 am
Happy anniversary – 3 years is pretty impressive. Have voted already – you seem to have shot up the ranks!
August 9, 2011 at 7:22 am
Happy blogiversary! Oprah? I am impressed! You go!
August 9, 2011 at 7:40 am
Happy Blogiversary! I have been faithfully reading everyday for the past couple months. The day I was turned on to your blog I started at the beginning and read EVERY blog you have posted since you started, and it only took me a few days! Cheers to 3 years and many more!
August 9, 2011 at 11:00 am
Can’t. Stop. Singing: “Faithfully” by Journey…loudly and with over expressive hand gestures. My kids and dog aren’t digging it, either. (Which of course just eggs me on.) So double thanks for that, Dani! 🙂
August 9, 2011 at 7:51 am
Not even a 5-0-clock shadow folks…maybe some sideburns. 🙂
August 9, 2011 at 10:29 am
Girl, the lighting in there was obviously stellar or you would have at least noticed my eyebrows duking it out. (Note to self: never travel again without my magnifying mirror!!!)
August 9, 2011 at 8:14 am
You’re like my brokeback mountain, I wish I knew how to quit you bitch. Keep on trucking<3
August 9, 2011 at 10:55 am
OMG, I just snarfed my bran muffin. LMAO!!!
August 9, 2011 at 8:43 am
Congrats, Iris! As I’ve said before, I love your blog and I think you are stinkin’ brilliant. I know you have great stuff in your future, Miz Iris… So, keep it up, girl!!! xxoo ~ osc
August 9, 2011 at 9:06 am
I always thought you were a three year old, now I have proof! 🙂
Congratulations, not just on the three years, but on keeping it consistently fresh & funny – even for those of us who are vajayjayless.
So…
Blog: conquered
Oprah: Sort of conquered (hey, at least you got on before she went off the air!)
Clutter: many small victories
So what’s the next goal for the BI?
August 9, 2011 at 10:44 am
Thank you my vajayjayless friend!
Next goal? Hmmm… where do I start? How ’bout become one of the top ten Mom Blogs (humor category), attract some sponsors (other than my Mom), learn more about web design, write a book. Good start?
August 9, 2011 at 9:20 am
Happy blogiversary–big muffin top fist bump! I think most people would never imagine how much time it takes to put out a gut splitting, pee your pants blog like yours! Keep on keepin’ on, girl! I loves me some Bearded Iris!
August 9, 2011 at 9:32 am
Happy Blogiversary!! You are the best…. You never fail to make me laugh. I hope someday when my blog & I grow up we’ll be just like you!
Congratulations.
August 9, 2011 at 9:37 am
Happy blogiversary, Iris! I only recently joined you, but intend to catch up and stick around. Congrats on 3 years! 🙂
August 9, 2011 at 9:44 am
Congrats, Iris! Can we vote more than once?
August 9, 2011 at 10:46 am
Thanks Mary Lou! You can vote one time from each IP address (computer, phone, etc.)
August 9, 2011 at 10:39 am
I’m so glad that I found you! You make me smile every day even when I re-read posts 🙂 Congrats on the 3 years 🙂
August 9, 2011 at 10:42 am
Thank YOU, Iris, for making me laugh so hard each and every time I read your blog I pee just a little bit. I am certain I would go completely insane without it – I’m close, but not completely… yet. Congrats on 3 years – here’s to many, MANY more!!
August 9, 2011 at 1:25 pm
i am so, so tempted to honor you via flip cam video with, say, my very own interpretive dance version of “wind beneath my wings.” happy anniversary, iris!
August 9, 2011 at 2:05 pm
I will pay CASH MONEY for some of that action. Don’t tease me.
August 9, 2011 at 4:30 pm
I have been reading your blog since January. I am so glad that you started a blog. I love it and know not to be eating or drinking anything when I go to read it. Happy anniversary and here is to many more to come!!
August 9, 2011 at 11:04 pm
Happy blogiversary, Iris! I always look forward to your posts—they make me laugh every time. Hope you celebrated with some vodka!
August 10, 2011 at 4:08 am
You had me at Barbie Cake.
You naughty woman.
August 10, 2011 at 8:54 am
Iris – haven’t commented in a while although I have been stalking. I would like to thank Laura – but mostly YOU – for the wonderful entertainment your blog has offered me over the last 3 years. You have done more for clearing my sinuses (through inadvertent nasal snortage) than that neti-pot thingey every did. Keep on blogging you Bloggy Bearded Goddess!
August 10, 2011 at 10:39 am
Oh Katrina and Mike – I love you guys. You are true blue bloggy friends! Thank you for being here from the very beginning. God bless NDM for bringing us together!
August 10, 2011 at 8:50 pm
lurve you, don’t ever leave us! You’re a voice of joy on the crazy internets!
August 11, 2011 at 9:45 am
Congrats on your blogiversary! Can’t wait to read your future posts.
August 15, 2011 at 9:17 am
Congratulations! I’m so happy I found you (thank you, Kristen), because you certainly perk up my otherwise boring days. Keep ’em coming!
August 15, 2011 at 11:43 pm
I read the title as BLO – GIVE – VERSARY. I thought it was something special you had to do to your husband for your anniversary.
August 16, 2011 at 11:49 am
LOL! Bitch, please.