Guest Post – Beth Marie

I first started blogging in 2005. It was just after my husband was diagnosed with lymphoma. This was in the days when Windows Live Spaces was begging for people to blog on WLS. I blogged on WLS until early 2006. At that time I thought I needed to have more time available for caring for my husband. I was away from blogging just a week or so until I established a new space (blog), mostly to keep my sanity. I had gone suddenly from being a person being taken care of to being a caregiver. I treasured every minute of Jim’s last 2 years even though it was not easy being in charge of everything, vehicle maintenance, the garden, lawn mowing, etc.

I used my blog as my online diary. I noted almost daily what Jim and I were doing, how he was progressing, his hospital stays, his setbacks, etc. right until the time of his death in Dec 2006. I stayed with WLS until they kicked the bloggers out in 2010. We had the choice of downloading our blogs (I had 3) to our hard drive or having them transferred over to WordPress. I downloaded and transferred them too. I have 2 blogs on Blogger. If any of you are interested in reading any of my old blogs from those days on WLS click on http://bethmariesmainblog.wordpress.com/ and check the archives in the upper left corner. I have been on Blogger since June 2010. My total blogging time is 7 years.

When Kathy asked me if I would do a guest blog I really wasn’t sure what she wanted from me. My blog is never beautiful as hers is. I think she wanted me to give some blogging tips. My blog is what is happening in my life. It hasn’t changed much since 2005. I usually write what is in my heart and occasionally I will go into a rant about something that has really aggravated me. In fact while blogging in live spaces we officially declared Wednesday to be Rant Day where we could blow off steam. Our blogging circle at that time was about 100 of us who became close enough that we called each other family. Several of us were able to meet in person and I still talk on the phone with a couple of them. If you ever notice a comment from someone on my blog calling me Sis or Big Sis  or Twin it will be bloggers that started with me from the very beginning.

I think each person should make their blog their own creation that reflects their personality. I think photos are nice in a blog but I don’t post them too often. I rarely post pictures of children because even though most people are nice there are some out there that are not so nice.

I use Windows Live Writer for all 5 of my blogs. It is the easiest way possible to do a blog. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8621 Live Writer is extremely easy to use, just follow the directions after you have downloaded it.

I do have one tip for bloggers if you want comments on your blog. Get rid of word verification. It is such a turn off for me. I have trifocals and sometimes it is 3 or 4 tries before I can figure it out. I do comment on posts made by all of my followers even though they have word verification turned on. If you are worried about spam turn your owner approval on. If you are my follower you can always count on a comment from me.

To remove word verification go to settings, then to post and comments. Then under where it says show word verification click on never.

Thanks to Kathy for inviting me to be a guest on her blog.


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Thank you, Beth at Day by Day with Beth Marie. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting with you through your blog. You are an inspiration and one who has blogged for quite a while. I believe you represent the heart of blogging. You are sharing, journaling moments in your life as well as sharing your heart. 


If you have visited Beth, I am sure you will agree. If not, I would like to invite you stop by and to learn for yourself.