100 THANKS, and Girls Rule and Boys Drool!

Having done it this weekend [See former post for explicit details], I'm a bit sore. Ever try doing the Happy Dance in heels? Gentlemen, be honest now! Oh, and excuse these people. They insisted on returning for this post.

When I started Life by Chocolate in 3/09, it was both the worst and the lousiest of times. Facing the shock and despair of marital breakdown just weeks after celebrating our first anniversary, followed by a job layoff to further intensify my choco-needs, it was clearly time for some blogging. After all, I had no idea what blogging really meant or how to do it, and my computer skills leave much to be desired. Plus, blogging sounds kind of grotesque. Doesn't it? You'd think they could come up with a more pleasant word. Anyway, the vote was unanimous. Time to blog.

For the first 5 months or so, I was stuck at 7 followers. [Those 7 still have bruised arms from all the twisting.] I stared at the comments sections waiting, just waiting..Suddenly, there was a comment from someone without a bruised arm. Best yet, it was Blase at My Game It's Your Move. New to it all, I didn't even know how to follow him how he found me. I was shy with Blase for months before he gave me a shirtless hug today when I drove out to Raleigh to track him down.

Suddenly #2, as per so many of life's greatest moments, a nice Jewish man entered the scene. He took the time to read my earliest Yiddisha pieces, and did some shout-outs on his blog. My following crept into the double-digits. I'm naturally referring to Ian at Daily Dose of Reality. Then Tina gave me my first award. She is the most gifted of the bazillion bloggers out there (I say this without having read the bazillion blogs AND without doubt). She's also very sweet, especially considering her stories are scary as hell. I was also published along the way, with a featured picture in Being Single Magazine. This was a boost, especially since I got a rejection from another publisher this weekend. It was also a boost because I'm smoking hot in the picture. [Hint: it's not me in the photo.]

Now the thank you speech really begins. Sorry, but I did put 100 in the title. I'll try not to go over. These great bloggers have become friends, and you can find their links on my page: Aion/IBlogYourProfile, Jesse-CopyBoy, Seductress, SarahWriter, Michael/AsBlackAsObama, Tom/Tgoette, Tina, Blase, and Ian. Ally and Lisa Marie have been supportive too. Pat is an amazingly gentle inspiration. He even took the time to send me a step-by-step email on a basic computer task.

These longtime friends have been very supportive of Life by Chocolate (the way of life and also my blog): Bert [who first encouraged me when I was pondering the concept of blogging. Your check is in the mail, Bert. I told you that several months ago, huh? Damn mail service!]; Joanne; Jody; Rachel; Carol and Randy; Jason and Becca; and Donna.

Of course, I also thank my family and Jeremy for being so darn adorable and enjoying chocolate.


A few random plugs:
Dr. Heckle is hilarious, takes no time out of your day, and needs some loving.
TSHendrick and Reputation@Stake create my #1 favorite, the Non-Review. These men's brain cells go where no other human or cockroach's brain cells have gone before or ever will again. E.g., the battle of the Hexagon vs. the Septa-whatever. My life with never be the same since that defeat! Reputation needs some lovin' too at his new site, thestupidbet.

Now for the GIRLS RULE AND BOYS DROOL part~

Guys, I adore all of you, and I'd clone you for myself and straight, single blogger girlfriends if I could. But let's face it, none of you did it for me this weekend! My sister bloggers did! Heck, I didn't even need to switch teams [not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact, I've been trying to get drafted since my last blind date from hell. It's just that I'm also contemplating starting a Jewish convent. It might perhaps serve me better.] Anyway, my point is that it takes a woman to get the job done!

I made my needs known, you boys jumped into your cold showers or whatever, and the girls jumped into action. BossyBetty voluntarily stared at the number of my following with me, and we did the potty dance together. (Did you dance with us, boys? I think not!) Rapunzel shared in my desperation and cheered me on. (Did you boys? I think not!) Alice set out to send someone over. (Did you boys? I think not!)

ALAS, IT WAS THE AMAZING BUMPKIN who jumped off her swing to save my weekend by sending the EQUALLY AMAZING TRISH on over to do it for me! Both of these women's blogs are fabulous. They get me literally dancing cheerfully, with their upbeat stories, pictures, music, information on fashion (Lord knows I need it!) and bursts of happy energy. They are both feisty divas who helped me (a feisty non-diva) do it this weekend!

I'm getting signaled that my time was up 55 minutes ago, so I'll close by thanking all of you boys and girls. It has been a uniquely special experience doing it with you. I'm not even going to try to downplay it; it meant so much. I hope we'll do it again sometime in the future. Chocolate kisses and grateful hugs, Robyn