Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Reflections From My First A - Z Challenge





I SURVIVED!  

This was my first A - Z Challenge.  I had considered it the prior two years, but didn't think I would have been able to complete the challenge.  This year, on March 31, I decided I would give it a shot.  I registered my blog, changed the settings, then wrote my first post A is for Autism Awareness Month.  Being a personal, lifestyle type blog, I picked my A topic because it applied to me and my family.  I began jotting down ideas for the rest of the letters, and figured my theme would be whatever grabbed my attention.  However, one of the A to Z admins visited my blog and left a comment that autism was a great topic and she was glad I chose it.  So I my theme morphed from a little of everything, to autism and I revisited and revised my list.  

I read many blogs over the course of the challenge.  I picked some from the list of participants, visited those that commented on my blog and also some that commented on blogs I also commented on.  I picked up some new followers and am likewise following over a dozen more.  

There are just too many to list as favorites.  I enjoyed a variety of different blogs from food, pottery, music and movies to supernatural, fairy tales, and several writers' blogs.  Several of the A-Z Challenge admins visited my blog with words of encouragement and I appreciated that greatly.  A special shoutout to my friend Courtney over at Maui Jungalow who had tried to get me started in the previous years.  I really enjoyed her challenge theme of living on Maui.  It really opened my eyes to the fact that the grass is always greener...

I know it got crazy, especially towards the end.  I was excited to meet some of you via comments and the time constraints made me that much more grateful for the time you took to comment on my posts and visit my blog.  

I have to admit the challenge was more fun than I thought and I look forward to participating next year.  

xoxo,
judi






10 comments:

  1. Judi! Congrats! So glad you joined in this year. You did a great theme on autism, and some of your most brilliant writing on Vaccines and MMR.
    Maui Jungalow

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    1. thanks so much Courtney! It wasn't the theme I originally planned but I thought it went well. I enjoyed yours as well! Will have to think of something for next year! xoxo

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  2. Though the #A2ZChallenge completed a few days ago, I'm still discovering new blogs as I work my way down the list. I'm glad I found yours! Very impressive blog! I'm going to have to read more of your articles now!!

    --Mee (The Chinese Quest)

    P.S. Trust me... life BEGINS at 50!!

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    1. Hi Mee - thanks for stopping by! I just visited yours and subscribed - love Chinese food so I'm going to have to catch up, although I have to admit that when we visit NY, we generally grab Italian food! It would be fun to try one of the restaurants you've reviewed. (I hope you're right about life beginning at 50, I have a lot of catching up to do)! xoxo

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  3. Hi, I'm trying to visit the blogs that I didn't get to during the challenge. I'm sorry I missed yours because I'm interested in learning more about autism as my step son has a type of autism - aspbergers syndrome ( I'm sure I misspelled that) I am going to go back and read them now that I have a little more time . Glad you made it through your first challenge and that you enjoyed it and had a good experience
    I am number 424 on the reflection post sign up list.
    Melissa Sugar
    @msugar13
    Sugarlaw13@live.com
    Http://fictiontoolbox.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Melissa - thanks so much for stopping by - I will definitely stop by yours as well, May has been a little crazy with many school activities as the school year will be coming to an end soon! xoxo

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  4. Congrats on completing the A to Z Challenge! Looking forward to next year! See you on the Road Trip!

    Mary www.JingleJangleJungle.net

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    1. HI Mary! - thanks for stopping by and congrats to you too! xoxo

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  5. Hello there.
    Congratulations on completing your first challenge! I didn't get to visit your blog during the crazy month of April so I'm popping over today from the Road Trip/Reflections linky.

    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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    1. Hi - thanks so much for stopping by, I will drop by yours as well!! xoxo

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