i was vegging out on the computer tonight. going through old blog posts, reading old comments. basically, taking a trip down memory lane. and something dawned on me. i'm hitting my blogging anniversary. so i checked it out on my account. i started this blog on july 2nd, 2005. it will be officially four years ago on thursday. this was my first post:

OK … I decided to start "blogging". Now what do I do!

I'm not quite sure yet what my intentions here are. What I'll talk about … what I'll share. I just like the idea of having a spot to share what's on my mind … what's new in my life … what I'm working on … pieces of my life. So, that's what is yet to come … random tidbits from my everyday life … just me … just Laura.

yeah, that was a great post. lol! apparently, i used to capitalize things too. not sure when i stopped doing that. with this post tonight, i have written 858 posts. as of this minute, i have had 8,369 comments. and i have had 308,898 views over the four years of blogging. at least, that is the stats that typepad is telling me. lol! most of that has been the past 2 years. the first 2 years, i didn't have that much of an audience. i used to get excited if i had 10 views a day, and more than 1 comment. lol! so seeing more of you here? that's huge to me. means so much that you all come back here, and are interested in whatever i have to say that day.

so i figure this means some sort of giveaway is in order, right?!?! exactly. what would a blog anniversary be, without a party of some sort! i'm not positive what exactly i'll give away. but it'll be good, i promise. i'm thinking some new papers and embellishments, of course. but i'll find something cool to put in there too. if it wasn't 11:30 at night right now, i'd have a better plan. i'm winging it instead. so just leave me a comment, if you want to be entered. and i'll draw a winner on thursday afternoon.

actually, i'm adding two smaller giveaways too. i just decided that, this very minute. just for fun. because i'm in need of something fun right now. and this is going to give you night owls an advantage. since you have time on your side. sorry, you day people 😉 i want you to guess what is different about my blogging lately? it's one main thing. i'll take the names of the first 10 people that guess it right, and will draw 2 names from that group to get an envelope of goodies. good luck!

edited to add a hint (for anyone that hasn't guessed yet). so far, no one has guessed it. although i'm loving reading your guesses. i see you all picking up on some changes that i guess have been made, although not meant to be made. i thought my main change would be noticable, but i guess not. lol! so here's a hint for you. the change i'm referring to, has something to do with the actual LOOK of my posts. not the content of the post, but the look. does that help?

comments closed. back in a bit with the winners!

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104 responses to “4 years of randomness”

  1. Kristi Avatar

    LOL you are too funny. Four years is a long time…in my two years it’s neat to see how much things have changed. Congrats on your blogaversary!

    Like

  2. Christine Avatar

    Congratulations on your 4 year blogaversary! That’s amazing that you’ve kept at it for this long.
    Hmm…as to what’s been different lately. One thing I’ve noticed is a lot less pics of your adorable day care children. Don’t know if that’s it though. =)

    Like

  3. kim Avatar

    HI Laura, is it that you are redoing old layouts, love your blog read it daily

    Like

  4. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Hey Laura,
    Not a night owl…early morning midwest girl…What’s different about your bloggin? Not exactly sure…there haven’t been many 365 posts lately? You seem to be trading more pictures with friends? Not sure!
    Love your blog!

    Like

  5. Leslie Murphy Avatar
    Leslie Murphy

    I love your blog–and I scraplift a lot of your layouts too. Maybe what’s different is that you have fewer photos of the daycare group?
    Thanks for your giveaway.

    Like

  6. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Congratulations! Always love how you put your pages together and you taking the time out to explain the process, especially the collage type of layouts.

    Like

  7. HeatherC Avatar
    HeatherC

    Your blog has been a great find for me — love your style and I borrow ideas frequently for my own books. I am not sure what is different, but I have sure enjoyed looking back through your older posts to try to figure it out!! Seems like you are redoing some old things and you have a lot removed for publication — that is cool. Congrats on the anniversary!

    Like

  8. EssenseVibez Avatar

    congrats on your anniversary laura–i’ve been a faithful follower for some time now and i love your blog—especially the kids posts–i’ve alwasy wanted to have my own child care center but i guess other things were in God’s plan for me–there are 2 things i noticed about your blog recently–one is that some of your posts are talking about the kids {yours and the ones you keep} and that you have a different picture taken from time to time—i may be wrong but its a guess—love your blog!!

    Like

  9. wendy myers Avatar

    WOW! I was trying to remember how I found you and I must like you, cause I check you everyday and comment often. My favorite part is that you are not so big for your britches that you don’t comment back, I love that! The fact that you take the time to respond personally to my comments is nice.
    So with that said you would think I would know one thing that is different, so I will have to guess and say that you are redoing all your old albums????
    Congrats on your 4 years of posting!!
    Post ON Girlfriend!

    Like

  10. Jay Kaye Avatar

    4 years..long time for a blog and SO glad that you have stuck with it….I have read EVERY entry on your blog- took awhile, but enjoyed every minute.
    The mian thing you have changed recently is that you use your blog for just scrappy related projects/ideas, no more pictures/details of your girls and your day care lovelies…and I am sure due to privacy reasons-which is VERY understandable…keep up with the great blog- your BIGGEST fan!
    Smiles!

    Like

  11. Staci Nay Avatar
    Staci Nay

    I will just have to “settle” for the main giveaway. I would love pretty much anything. pick me. oh please, please, please, pick me!!!

    Like

  12. Amy W. Avatar

    Happy Anniversary tomorrow! Your first post and mine are very similar as I am sure everyone’s was probably the same. Blogs are the best! I can’t pinpoint what has changed, but my first thought (like many above) was that you are “revisiting” old layouts. Wonderful work!

    Like

  13. Erika Hyde Avatar

    I am a big fan of your blog too! I really enjoy your style. I’m not sure what you’ve changed because I’ve only been reading for a few weeks, but according to the others on here you aren’t including your daycare kids anymore? 🙂 And I also noticed that you are updating your blog every other day, but not sure if that is a new thing or an old thing…Either way, keep up the great work. Congrats on 4 years in blog land and thank you for the inspiration!

    Like

  14. Linda Avatar

    Hi Laura…..wow 4 years of blogging is a great effort….you were one of the originals I’m guessing:-) Is the change that you are keeping it more scrap related now and less personal??? Not really sure but that’s my guess.
    Here’s to another 4 years of your blogging inspiration.

    Like

  15. Valerie Avatar
    Valerie

    Hi Laura…Congrats on 4 years!! I love reading your blog. Your pages are beautiful and I especially loved the series about your blogging space. It’s so fun to see other peoples “work” space.

    Like

  16. debbie susee Avatar
    debbie susee

    Just found your blog this week. Have loved getting a peak into your scrpbooks. Love your simple style.

    Like

  17. Liz Butler Avatar

    Hi Laura, I’m a big fan of your blog and a daily lurker. This is the first time I leave a comment. Congratulations on 4 years and thank you so much for all the inspiration.

    Like

  18. Amy Avatar

    I am guessing that you have been scrapping your kids and not your daycare kids and you have been redoing stuff. I have been in a blogging fog myself so I have not been stopping by as often as I should. Hanging head…;)Love the new Disney pages BTW.

    Like

  19. Kerri Bradford Avatar

    Hey Laura! I can’t believe your blog anniversary is tomorrow too! My first anniversary is tomorrow–thinkin’ about a giveaway as well, but have nothing planned as of yet. Guess I’d best get thinkin’. I, too, was just looking at my first posts last night! How weird is that? 😉
    Congrats on four years! Lovin’ what you share!

    Like

  20. Kim Arnold Avatar

    Hi Laura. Congrats on blogging for four years. I have been following your blog for a while now and I think the change has been redoing older layouts – but not 100% sure. I love your collage work and get a lot of inspiration from it!

    Like

  21. Carolyn E Avatar
    Carolyn E

    Congrats Laura! Wow, 4 years! Oh and also congrats on your scrap space spread in CK!
    Changes? You have definitely been redoing more projects, no 365 updates and you’ve been blogging more about scrappy stuff than personal stuff.
    But I so appreciate the sharing of your Disney album and pages! We went in April and I’m trying to have a plan set before I dive in! So between you and Nichol, I’ve gotten some great ideas!

    Like

  22. Dani Avatar

    Okay weird… I left a comment but it’s not here! Anyway, I was just saying how much I love your blog and how I really love that you always take the time to reply to everyone. That’s so awesome of you. You and Mary are really the only ones I know who always do that. And then I said… speaking of you and Mary, that’s my guess for what’s different… you two haven’t done a challenge in a LOOOOOONG time 🙂 Hehe, just giving you a hard time is all 🙂

    Like

  23. Stacy Avatar

    I’m a big fan of your blog and your work. I just started a subscription to Cards magazine and I got so excited to some of your work in there. I love your style and mimic it a lot in what I create (which isn’t much but when I have time….lol) Keep on blogging…congrats on 4yrs.

    Like

  24. lori r Avatar
    lori r

    hI there!! yOu have been redoing old pages.. using lots of MM products.. hmm what else.. oh well.. pick me anyway;)
    Lori

    Like

  25. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Congrats! I LOVE your style. Keep up the great work and thank you!

    Like

  26. Chris R Avatar

    I love your blog and visit almost everyday. I am guessing that you have been redoing lots of older pages and your posts are much longer. I love that you give so many details and photos of your projects. Happy Blogoversary!!!

    Like

  27. Jamie Harder Avatar
    Jamie Harder

    You are one of my favorite all time scrapbookers!!! You are part of my daily routine:) thank-you for sharing yourself with us!!! And thanks for a give a way opportunity!!!
    What is different?? Hmmm…you are re-doing stuff now?? but maybe it is that you are on twitter now??

    Like

  28. TONI Avatar
    TONI

    Hi Laura – I am need to papercrafting and just happen to stummble across your blog. Now I check it everyday – when I grow up I want to be like you!!
    Congrats on four years!

    Like

  29. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Happy anniversary!
    Love your style and seeing your pages.
    Keep up the good work!

    Like

  30. Brianna T. Avatar

    Happy Blog-iversary!! I love reading your blog, I haven’t been a reader for too long though so I’m not too sure what has changed. Maybe less pictures of the daycare kiddies?

    Like

  31. K in PA Avatar
    K in PA

    So glad that you started this blog! I read it every day and visit quite often for inspiration. I actually scrap lifted your MM Love Story frame and gave it to my sister as an engagement present. She loved it!
    My guess for the change is that your Project 365 is in hiatus since you are working on redoing older pages.
    Anyway, keep on blogging!

    Like

  32. amy Avatar
    amy

    oooh, a laura giveaway! yay! Love your blog! What’s different? I’d guess that it’s not so much of your personal life, daycare and more ideas and layouts, which I like, too. 🙂
    Amy

    Like

  33. Crystal Todd Avatar
    Crystal Todd

    Congratulations on your anniversary! I love your blog and look at it for inspiration. You do such great work and it seems so effortless. Keep up what you’re doing and thank your for the inspiration.

    Like

  34. Lynne Kramer Avatar
    Lynne Kramer

    I just recently found your blog but I really enjoy it! I love your style!

    Like

  35. Diana Avatar

    Hey Laura! Congrats on 4 years of blogging–what’s different about your bloggin lately, you are redoing past layouts/albums.

    Like

  36. Michelle W. Avatar

    Just recently found your blog, so not sure of the change but I’m going to guess that you’ve been showing a lot of page re-dos lately.

    Like

  37. Tammy Morales Avatar

    Laura – A big congratulations. 4 years of consistent blogging is a commitment most are not willing to make (4 years of ANYTHING consistently is rare)
    Keep up the great posts. You are inspiring!
    cheers!
    PS – love your page re-dos!

    Like

  38. Sara Rossi Avatar

    HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY Laura!!! 4 years is huge!! And I know what you mean when you see people actually come by & read your blog! You’re a fantastically talented lady & deserve all the recongnition you get! Congrats on 4 yrs my friend!!

    Like

  39. DANI Avatar
    DANI

    Okay how about… Some of the sections of text are in color lately???

    Like

  40. Heather Ippolito Avatar

    Happy anniversary! I’m just as stumped as everyone else– the only thing I can figure is that your photos appear to be more square now than rectangular and several of them have writing on them (which is super cool!)

    Like

  41. Stephanie Matlack Avatar
    Stephanie Matlack

    Keep up the good work. Here’s to 4 more years.

    Like

  42. Melinda Avatar
    Melinda

    Congrats on your blog anniversary! I have been a Laura follower for over a year now. I love your style and have done lots of scraplifting. The lastest is going to be your Disney redo’s. Love em!
    I think the difference in your blog is that in the beginning you wrote around the photos. Now you insert the photos and then journal below them. Does that make sense?
    Congrats again and I look forward to many more great years of your blog. I love watching your girls and the daycare babies growing up!

    Like

  43. lynda p Avatar
    lynda p

    sadly i did not find u 4 yrs ago, but so happy i did…
    hmmm i think “you post a pic” with entries, u try and post everyday!
    happy blogiversary!

    Like

  44. Laura T. Avatar

    OMG … that is a hard one. First I want to say Happy Anniversary and my gosh … you sure did receive lots of comments. I’m so glad that I found your blog year’s ago. I always look forward to seeing what you have to say and seeing your work.
    Ok, my guess on what has changed … would it be that you are typing everything in lowercase now (or have you always done that?).

    Like

  45. Heather Jordan Avatar
    Heather Jordan

    Hey Laura, congrats on 4 years! I’m a daily reader, but having trouble picking out what’s different…I did notice your posts are longer lately and you are scrapping family more too.
    Thanks for the fun giveaways!

    Like

  46. Cheryl Avatar

    Hey Laura, congrats on your blogversary!!! I enjoy stopping by here everyday reading about your daily life with your family, daycare kids, seeing your layouts and your awesome photos! I couldn’t figure out seeing any change in your blog but I’m thinking it is that your style is more casual and you haven’t used the bullet form that some of your posts used to have. I’m just guessing this…

    Like

  47. Gretchen Avatar
    Gretchen

    I’m clueless about what’s changed, but I love your blog. Can I still enter? : )

    Like

  48. cathy Avatar
    cathy

    Hi Laura, you only use lowercase letters when you type, did anyone guess that yet?

    Like

  49. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    I’ve been lurking your blog for about a year and love the fresh spins you have on your layouts. The change in your blog would have to be the Twitter updates and cool places to check out. Oh yeah, I forgot. PICK ME!!! PICK ME !!!! PICK ME!!!!

    Like

  50. alicia.king Avatar

    wow 4 years! that’s a long time for blog years 🙂
    I was just going to say you type in all lower case, no capitalization, and you have the green side bars, that’s fairly new!? me me! did I win! 🙂

    Like