People ask me what my blog is about, and every time I pause. I know I’m supposed to have an elevator speech prepared, I guess it’s time I start thinking about that.
This blog has been through so many iterations. I started the first CoffeeJitters blog on LiveJournal back in 2001. It’s hard to believe it’s been more than ten years since that first blog post. A lot has changed over that decade.
CoffeeJitters has been a single girl making her way in the world blog, a wedding blog, an infertility blog, a photography blog, a quitting my job and going back to school full time blog, a wow! I’m pregnant! blog, a mommy blog, a cancer blog, and a relearning how to dream after cancer blog.
Mostly, it’s a love letter to my daughter and husband, and an ongoing autobiography. It is my story, and my practice honing my voice. It is my chance to be heard.
I think in a way, that’s what a lot of us bloggers are doing. I keep picturing all the bloggers of the world at their computers furiously typing away in a clackity-clack version of the Whos that Horton heard, yelling at the top of their lungs, “We Exist!”
Blogging allows us to make our mark on the world. To show that we exist. To have a voice and have it heard. To contribute to the ongoing story of the human race.
My studies recently have centered a great deal around women’s history throughout the world, and the difficulty involved in truly understanding what a woman’s life was like. Mens stories were recorded, by men. Women’s stories… not so much.
I look at blogging in comparison to that and I think: what a gift we are leaving for future generations. Is there any comparable resource in history to the wide range of women’s stories now available? Sure, there’s a good deal of exaggeration. That also exists in our history books. But there is so much more variety of stories and lifestyles represented. I’m proud to be a part of this movement. I’m so happy that future generations will have such a wealth of information about their ancestors – us. (On second thought, maybe I’d better go clean up a few of my posts)
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Well said! As a relatively new blogger, I totally appreciate that you’ve allowed your blog to grow with you. When life has you riding elevators to who-knows-where, an elevator speech seems kinda irrelevant. Cheers from UBP!
~Heather from Recovering Working Mom
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Oh, thank you. This blog has been with me through quite a ride!
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What a wonderful description of your blog!!
I’ve had a “angsty junior high” blog, a “know it all college student blog” and then my current “mommy blog” with several years hiatus (and whole new site started over from scratch) in between, so kudos to you for sticking through it as life changed around you. That’s awesome!
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:40 pm
“angsty junior high blog” giggle. I shudder to think what my blog would have looked like in those days. Oh, the drama!
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When I first read your blog description, it made me pause for a while… What could I possibly say to you that would mean anything, which makes me the one you’d need your elevator speach for. Luckily, your blog is an answer to many things and brings back words in my mouth. I’m deeply admiring you for your attitude and loving the letters to your little one. Speaking of a blog with integrity…
Sending you all my best.
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:41 pm
Thank you so much for stopping by, and all your lovely comments. This blog has been truly a joy to write, I hope it is a joy to read as well.
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Beautiful. I think you’re right (as long as the blogosphere lasts for those future readers!). I just finished a course in Greek mythology and so often the prof would comment on how little we know about life in ancient times, and how much less than that we know about women’s lives in ancient times. As you say, men were writing their stories. I find the poetess Sappho very inspiring, because her poetry has survived to speak to us today – a single woman writer among all the male poets and philosophers and historians of those days.
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:44 pm
There are services now where you can have all your blog posts, with their photos and comments, printed into a hard bound book. I have thought about doing that. It would be nice to have another backup, and it’s also nice to have something tangible. It’s in my “one of these days” to do list (which really means “most likely never” but lets just keep that between us, ok?)
I’m going to have to read some of Sappho’s work. While I’ve know of her forever, I can’t recall ever having read it. Another item for my “one of these days” list.
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Thanks for liking my FB page. I’m so glad I wandered over to meet you. Coffee is most definitely one of my love languages. When my son was learning his A,B,Cs, he used to say: “Apple starts with A, ball starts with B, and Mom starts with coffee.” I kid you not.
I recently walked with my rock star diva girlfriend through her triumphant(!) journey through breast cancer, and just started walking with another. I’d like to come back and learn more of your story.
Oh, and I don’t have an elevator speech nailed down yet either.
Nice to meet you. Blessings.
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:45 pm
“Mom starts with coffee” LOVE that! Thanks for stopping by.
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I love this. I truly love it. Fantastic and real and so honest and so true to what so many of us experience.
Well written and thank you for sharing!
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Thank you so much, Andrea.
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What an excellent description. I wish I could write that well.
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Thank you, Jessica.
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The way you describe blogging is awesome. You are really a great writer. Thanks for the post.
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Thanks, Jenny. That really is the way I experience it.
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Stopping by from the UBP .. I love how you describe your blog, I think I feel the same way with my own blog. I look forward to keeping up with your journey.
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Kimberly. Welcome!
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You had me at coffee – I’m sure I’m following you on twitter..hope you are having a great time at the party – PArty ON!
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I’ve noticed there are a few of us coffee dependent moms in the group.
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10 years – wow! I’m new to blogging, and I honestly never thought about how much of our life it can chronicle, if one were to stick with it. Saw the post on your 3 yr old daughter… she is precious indeed!
Glad to have found you on UBP12! New follower and fan
Tami
Colorado Mountain Mom
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Thank you, Tami. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years either. Sometimes I wish I could have become a famous blogger like some who have only been at it a couple years, but I know they put in a whole lot more work than me. I’m happy with where I’m at.
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I love your comparison of blogger to the Whos down in Whoville! It’s true, I think. Thanks for liking my facebook page!
The party’s almost over!
Hope you’re able stop by. Ultimate Blog Party 2012
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Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
April 21st, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Thanks so much for being my Horton, and hearing me
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Well said! I often wonder why I really blog, and this pretty much describes that. The internet is my chance to have a voice.
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I don’t know what I’d do without my blog.
I was born into the person I had always wanted to be, with my blog.
It’s like finally being one of the lucky ones I always wished I was.
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[...] I thought long and hard about why I blog. [...]
Great work.I love the content it have great and valuable ideas.I want to be part of this so I really love to visit it everyday.
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This is a good article for beginners. Your question asking about the goal of the site is invaluable in my experience. As an author about web design, I find far too many people just start building a web site without any goal in mind. More often than not, that’s a fatal mistake
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