Do It Myself Blog – Glenda Watson Hyatt

With snow piled up outside, making it impossible for Darrell and I get beyond the front gate, this afternoon was a great time to reflect upon this past year. 2008 was quite a year. I feel like I didn’t have a chance to slow down at all!

Here’s a brief review of my goals for 2008:

My Contribution to the Blogosphere

The blogosphere is all about building relationships. One great way to build those relationships and to contribute back to the blogosphere is to comment on other blogs. My goal was to comment on ten blogs per week – five comments on blogs I had previously commented on to further strengthen those relationships, and five comments on new-to-me blogs to expand my network by forming new relationships.

This year I left 153 comments (make that 154) in the blogosphere, excluding the ones I left during Liz Strauss’ Open Mic Nights and the ones left on various Disaboom blogs. The result wasn’t what I had envisioned. However, part way through the year, I realized leaving comments isn’t the only way to contribute to the blogosphere (or the only measure of success of a blog post). Using Twitter has become a major tool in contributing to the blogging community – and I did my fair share of tweeting this year!

My Word for the Year

I chose FOCUS as my word for 2008. To me, FOCUS entails minimizing my technologically-induced ADHD, decluttering and simplifying my surroundings, multi-tasking only when appropriate – tasks requiring my full attention will receive it.

During my year’s journey, I found being able to focus means setting up the right environment, externally and internally. Having the right tools to complete a task made the single

most difference. I also discovered eight other strategies for finding focus.

My Bucket List

Let’s see what I cross off of my bucket list for 2008:

• Spend more time with my kitty purring in my ear. – That is one of the most soothing sounds I know.
• Listen more to my husband’s beating heart. – His beating heart is the other most soothing and reassuring sound I know.
• Write love letters to him. – Oops! I would like to say right here that Darrell is one of the wisest and most patient people I know. I am honoured to be his wife. 
• Find a way to get to the north shore to watch the eagles soar. – I didn’t get to the north shore. But, I did receive a most spectacular framed photo of an eagle as a surprise birthday gift. (Thanks so much Nance and Damien!)
• Meet more of my invisible friends. – Yes! 
• Be in the ‘real’ world more. – This really depends on the season. At the moment, Darrell and I are unable to get beyond the front gate. We have been cooped up inside for more than two weeks now due to snow. 
• Connect with more of my invisible friends in a real way, if I can’t meet them in person yet. – An ongoing effort. 
• Become more physically active. – Again, depends on the season. 
• Finish selling the first print run of my autobiography. – Autographed copies are still available!
• Continue searching for a cp-friendly bra. – Why the heck did I include this here!
• See Anne Murray in concert, finally! – She was fabulous!
• Get organized for when I do kick the bucket. – It’s a good thing I haven’t kicked the bucket yet!
• Make a positive difference or impact on people’s lives. – I hope I have. You, my readers, can decide.
• Reconnect with my penpal Paivi and my Brownie friend Karen. – Yes! I have made initial contact with both of them. Now to follow up and fill in one another about our lives and such. 

Blog for a Year

In 2007, I was vying for first place in the Blog for a Year contest and the opportunity to be paid to blog for one year. Although I didn’t win the contest, I did land a contract to blog at Disaboom.

I have enjoyed my year at Disaboom and have formed a few more relationships. Learning the Community Server blogging platform was definitely challenging. To be honest, I much prefer WordPress – a lot less frustrating to use.

However, yesterday I was notified my contract was being terminated due to budget reallocation. Not the best news for beginning the New Year. I will miss that bit of income. But, strangely, the contract turned out to be for one year and I made slightly more than I would have had I won the contest. Hmm, a universe thing?

Onto to the next opportunity!

Let’s Feed 100 People Christmas Dinner

This was definitely a moving highlight for me! Thank you to everyone who made this happen.

And thank you for making this a wonderful year! I’d like to wish you health, happiness and love in 2009!