I had a moment yesterday. A big moment. You know one of those moments when you stop everything and really assess where you are in life? … and how you got there? I stopped. And took stock of my surroundings and what I was doing. It was a real ‘who am I, where am I, how did I get here’ moment.
It came about when I stood back to assess my morning’s work, my orders from the night before, all packed and ready to go.
I was physically exhausted from all the packing and puffing and dragging and climbing. I think that’s what made me stop. It felt good. A hard day’s work and it was only 11am … so the rest of the day was mine.
It made me think about how different my life is today, from 20 years ago …. when I was planning tube feeds for burns patients in a depressing North London hospital … and it’s all because I started a blog.
My first blog post from 2008 is sitting over on wordpress.com somewhere, archived, along with my first 2 years of posts in a basic blog that I don’t have access to anymore as I have forgotten my username … and my email address has changed 20 times over since then. I think it was all about the old house that I had moved off the block where I built my house. I originally started my blog to chronicle my house build. It has become so much more than that. I cannot believe the opportunities that have arisen out of this blog … and the wonderful people I have met … and the dear friends I have made along the way.
I spend most days here now, earning a full time living … thanks to my blog.
It may not look the most glamorous of careers, or the most intellectually stimulating? (I aint saving lives any more!)… but I run my very own business now. It’s challenging and exhilarating and so different every day…. and I’m the boss. I get to make all the rules. I don’t have to be ANYWHERE I don’t want to be! I don’t have to account for my time, my hourly activities. I don’t have to look busy or while away time. My day is my own. And if I am productive and work hard, I get rewarded.
And I get to work from here …
… and here … cue background French music …
…. and even here! (I was working. I was taking phonecalls)
I am constantly in contact with my beautiful customers, who send me photos of my lights in their gorgeous homes…
… or I might even accidentally stumble upon them on Instagram!
I get to scheme pretty things….
… and create exciting new products with talented artisans who also blog!
This is a joint project I am working on with Thea and Sami. You’ve seen it first here! Coming soon to the interwebs near you!
I get to go shopping for other people…
… and fellowship with other bloggers….
… always with gourmet food involved … all because of my blog.
(to the detriment of my LDL … truly … must moderate more … I’m supposed to know this stuff! … it’ll never happen to me, ra,ra … I’m immune as I know this stuff… yeah right!)
You know where else blogging has taken me? …to New York!!! I’d like to thank my sponsor, my business, Cape Cod Designs, for sending me, not only to New York, but to The Hamptons, a place I’d always dreamed of experiencing. I will never forget the sweet smell of fragrant flowers carried in the warm breeze as I road through the lane ways of Southampton in summer this year.
Sweet, sweet memories. All thanks to my blog.
So where has blogging taken you? Has it changed your life too?
A-M xx
I loved this post today. I got a little teary. I’ve been reading your blog since waaayyy back. You know you’re the best blogger out there! It’s true! X
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Right back atcha lovely. You’re one of the precious treasures I have found through blogging. Don’t you forget it. xx
I loved your post this morning … After tumbling and turning where I am going … I didn’t know you left a career as well to make your own rules
…..I think sometimes when we abandon plans and just go with the flow- life chalks its own beautiful plan for us … You are such an inspiration to me and many more … Thanks for sharing this journey 
Priya recently posted..Why I do what I do ?
Yes Priya, I must admit that I have sometimes wrestled with the guilts over the years, for throwing away five years at Uni (Science and Dietetics) to be master of my daily work life. As my Mum says, “no education is ever wasted”. It’s so true, I go with the flow, taking opportunities when they present themselves, taking calculated risks where necessary. I sometimes miss the security of a weekly pay cheque but life seems to work itself out and always provide. It’s still tumbling and turning… I think it always will be… but that’s good. xx
It’s wonderful A-M! I can’t remember at what point I started reading your blog but I feel I’ve been with you all the way. Look what you have achieved given half a chance and a good internet connection- wear it like diamonds.
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Love you Tricia. Xx
I remember that post about moving the house off your old block. I don’t comment often, but I always read and enjoy your posts. I am now drooling over those lamp shades you’re collaborating on. Can’t wait to see more of them – I know exactly where I want one.
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Oh it is so nice to know someone has been reading from the beginning and is still here! Yay, Margaret! Thank you! Xx
It is amazing, AM, how we get from there to here in our lives. You never really know where the journey will take you, do you?
Funnily enough, this post today is right up my alley and the idea behind my blog. I would love for you to share, with your readers, how exactly you came to doing this fun stuff in your life? Perhaps you would like to share your ‘career’ story on my blog one day! The invitation is certainly there.
Melody
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That is so kind Melody. Yes, I read an article last night about letting go of the control and letting life lead you at times. We don’t know what’s good for us but life does. Xx
Amazing…so loved this. You are in such a great place…wonderful!xxx ps that food sure does look good
debra@dustjacket recently posted..A Coastal Home
That food is evil Debra. Too much of a good thing! Xx
A-M, you were the inspiration for me to start blogging this year! I’ve been following you for a couple of years, and have enjoyed reading your daily tidbits, and of course love drooling over the beautiful homes you write about! I have no idea where blogging will take me, but thank you for inspiring me to get started! Vx
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Warms my heart Virginia. Thank you. Xx
Through a friend named Crystal, who introduced me to your blog you got me started. I find myself going from strength to strength. Thank you xxx Rae
Oh that is so good to hear. Strength to strength is powerful! Xx
Blogging has given me the confidence to start my own little mini business, just early days yet but pretty promising and gives me a legitimate excuse to go op shopping and garage-saling and buying stuff to my hearts content!
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Sounds like you love it to bits. You will only do well in that case! Xx
I found Bakes & Company on noyac road thanks to your blog post on this years’ Hampton show house. Leave it to an Ozzie to tell me what’s down the road!
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Oh that is priceless Gail! I am sooooo jealous that you are just down the road from Mr Bakes! I would weep tears of joy if Mr Bakes was doing my kitchen, one because of the exceptional quality and two because it would mean I was living over your way, in heaven! Xx
Long may your blog take you to all those gorgeous places and experiences. You get what you give.
Thank you lovely. You too. Xx
A-M,
What a beautiful blog post today.
I only dream of expressing my self like you do.
Continue on inspiring me to be a better mother and one day a blogger making money from blogging like you are today.
Pen x
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Don’t make me cry girl. Just keep tweeting about Mr No Show. Oh how I chuckle! Not that I wish your misfortune on anyone, having been there myself. Grrrrrr, painters!!! Xx
You must be proud of your journey, A-M.
Funnily, I have found blogging has taken me in the totally opposite direction.
I congratulate you and those others that continue to excel in this field. After all, I still need fabulous blogs to read!
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I am intrigued to know what the ‘opposite direction’ would be Melanie. I hope the blog world has been kind to you. Xx
Oh, the blogging world has been very kind. I just don’t think I am cut out for this type of medium right now. It has shown me that there are more important directions that I need to take in the future. I didn’t want to sound like a wet blanket! My experiences have been positive, but in a totally different affirming way. M x
Melanie recently posted..Happy Haunting!
Love this post and your blog A-M as you always share more than a little of your heart and shed-loads of your wonderful style.
Wish you had a blog lovely. You have been my most loyal reader and I so appreciate your beautiful comments and daily input. Xx
You’re too kind! At least I would have one follower and a real excuse to go to a blog conference. Now that is incentive right there!
I think you know the answer to this one A-M. My love for blogging was borne out of our trip to Australia in 2008, oddly when we first met you and you were chronicling you house build. I’ve been an avid follower of yours since then, and consider you a close friend. The emails (and the one phone call to New York!) that we’ve shared these last four years has made it all worth it for me.
I blog for fun and it’s intensely therapeutic. I love seeing you succeed at yours as business so much. To Chicago 2013!
XX,
Andrea
2008! So long ago! I am doing everything to get to Chicago. I want to just hang out with you! Xx
I’m fiercely protecting my vacation time at work right now – I WILL make it to Chicago, even just to hang out with you!
Your blog is the first I have ever read. I love it- and your beautiful lights! I recently picked up some lamps from you and am planning where to put several pendants in the house we will build next year.
Also inspired to start my own blog, though I am new to the whole concept and not really sure where to start. Today though, reading your post, it is all starting to click for me. Thank you for the inspiration!
Is this Rowena of the pineapple lamps? I bet they look fabulous! New blog? … Just start from the beginning!!! You are building a house! Great blog fodder! I will live vicariously through you! Xx
It is- thank you for the pineapple lamps. I love them! They remind me of Hawaii. Yes, my first build! I think you would like our porches
Love your work. X
“You’ve come a long way, baby!” Good for you, how amazing it is to blog! For me, I’ve been able to express myself, whinge a bit about how long it has taken to build our house, but what wonderful memories to look back on….and I’ve kind of met you, albeit online xox
AM, do you pay taxes? There is much speculation on the inter-webs that you don’t pay taxes on your business or sponsor income?
Sure do ‘Supermom’ of IP address: 124.186.104.106 My ABN is: 181 2847 1090. I file my BAS’s every qtr without fail and pay tax on my sponsor income, google adwords, shop proceeds, every single dollar that hits my bank account. Fully disclosed. I wouldn’t call that a rumour, I would call that defamation which would be the same if that comment was made about anyone’s business. How the heck does anyone know about anyone’s online businesses apart from their own accountants. This is not only a ridiculous statement but clearly designed to be s*** stirring. Funny, I have not come across the ‘much speculation’. Boy, you have tried everything to get at me haven’t you oh ‘morphing troll’. Aren’t you bored with this yet? Just don’t come here and maybe you find peace. Hope you’re having a happy Sunday A-M xx
A-M, you have come along way since you first started blogging. I love to read your blog every day. I cannot remember how I came across your blog to start with, but I’m really glad I did. I loved reading every detail about “The House” build. I also hope to be able to read about your “new House Build” one day. A-M keep being you, love your style, love your everything. You are amazing A-M.
xox
My blog, like yours A-M, has totally changed my life… it has enriched my existence in ways I would never have imagined… I love what I do… every day, every hour and in every way… Lovely post… I know just what you mean..
xv
Vicki Archer recently posted..Beauty Therapy… An Ongoing Adventure…
Isn’t it amazing what one little blog can do to your life! And you deserve all your wonderful experiences, rewards, adventures and opportunities. You’ve created them for yourself. x
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I am not sure where blogging will take me… but I really do hope that Aspergers advocacy is part of that. I have some things in the works so maybe it will start rolling next year? Fingers crossed. I just wanted to say that I found blogging in general through your house build blog. I came in at the end and I loved it all. Being from Brisbane I was drawn in, then like a good book I couldn’t put the blog or blogging down. Now I hope to grow a blog using all the absolutely darling bloggers I follow as inspiration. Thanks for being SO lovely A-M and an inspiration.
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MOTH here mate. Can you give Mills a call & give her a stern talking to about making some decent dosh from her blog. Nearly 4 years on & she’s still not making a cent. Time we lived off her blog earnings, instead of her dragging herself out of bed & 5a.m., working a 10 hr day down town, forgetting to pick up my beer & coming home very grumpy. Ya know she’s always talking about you being a Uber Blogger & all. Come on mate, give an old Digger a hand here with Ms. Stubborn. Ta muchly.
MOTH xx
Gidday MOTH! Mills and I will have a serious chat. Can’t have her so exhausted she forgets your grog! Xx