What I have learned and What I have not done.
Hello Friends!
Can you believe it has been a year since the Smart Mom Crafty Mom Blog has been up? Time does fly.
As you can see I have not been active on social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Why? Well because I wanted that time to step away from it all, my phone, my laptop. I wanted to be away from the drama that usually ends up on social media. A few years ago, I didn't even have the knowledge of using Twitter and only using Facebook for my personal use to keep in contact with friends that I grew up with and family that I did not see on a regular basis.
I was obviously content. I have never been much of that type of get out there person. I started a blog to help people because I was encouraged by my husband. He kept telling me look you offer something a lot of people have no knowledge of. He kept telling me start a cook book, (who knows one day) or teach people how to do things and save money. I thought about it and stewed about this for about a month. I had to really dig deep and believe in myself, I had doubt. I was thinking what would people really benefit from a mom who has nine children and who just likes to do things around the house. I think it really hit me when our 19, and 20 year old son were really out on their own and starting to really live off in their lives. I kept getting phone calls asking "Mom how do we save money on groceries, and Mom what are good ideas on how to make meals?" I was usually on the phone through out the day giving them the advice of "Ok, get a pen and paper, let's do a grocery list and go through the ads." it was really hard telling your children who live almost 2,000 miles away what to do without having facetime. (Literal Godsend) I also had family members calling me every week, "Hey what coupons, and rewards do I use in order to survive for this week." I was like you know my husband is right about this, maybe I do have something to offer. Maybe I do have the knowledge to help people by showing them how to save money grocery shopping, thrifting, recipes, décor, and just my interests and what I enjoy.
When I got on Twitter, it was the same time my husband had started his business and immediately I saw him thriving. I remember we would sit around and talk, joke about how many people followed us. It really didn't matter, it was just great that we had people interested in our ( his products) and my blog and what I had to say. I remember I had written a couple of tweets and a couple of blogs, and I immediately met some amazing ladies. I immediately thought you know I bet I can do interviews, because these ladies did YouTube. They had just started themselves and I thought it would be interesting to get to know other ladies that did the same things that I did but filmed it. I wanted to know how they overcame the stage fright of it all. Believe me, I could never do any filming of me and not be nervous about it. I commend all the people who can get on a camera and film and not be nervous about it to share their knowledge of things. This is one thing that I want to continue to do. I would like to interview more this year as this is a goal of mine.
I was also nominated for a Blogger Award this year. When I got the message, I was in shock a bit, like what? I just barely started and wow this is pretty cool. I was a bit different of a blogger, and that's the category that I fell in. I gave the advice and talked about actual life things that had happened in my life, and a lot of you felt you could relate.
I also got to be a Craft Superstar this year. It was great to be reached out to be worked with. I was like " Yay, I can share my love of crafting, with a lot of people." I reached a lot of you. I got to show a lot great crafts for seven days.
Through out the year, things got busy, life got busy. My husbands business took off in a big way. I am so proud of him. I also had scary things happen (health issues). I started homeschooling, and getting one ready to graduate. Life has been busy at times BIG TIME!!
I have had enjoyed it all including all the frustrations that has come with it. It means that I am still alive and that I can share a little bit of knowledge, and a little bit of helping people and a little bit of life that comes with a mom with nine children. I do have doubts at times, but I work through them and go forward with it. I have met amazing people in real life and worked with amazing people.
So this first year has been great. I hope you have enjoyed the blog and what I have shared.
Life is too short, go live it! Don't wait, just do it, take that leap. I cannot wait to share many more things on the blog.
Xo- Mel
Looks like you are doing a great job. I love your blog and you have lots to offer. Keep up the good work.
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