How It All Began
For Day 2 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, the suggested topic is to let readers know how we got started in our niche or market. For me, this is how it all began….back in December 2014.
I was doing product and book reviews and had a free Word Press blog but that all changed when my grandson visited over Christmas in 2014. He was big into websites and set me up. Since I really didn’t know anything about them, he did all the work to make my website. Then it got to coming up with a name and he tossed a few names around and then came up with The Martha Review since that’s what I mainly wrote about. However in January 2016 I stumbled across the Ultimate Blog Challenge (and for the life of me I can’t remember how or who recommended it but I’m so glad I found it) and that started me writing “regular” blogs instead of just review blogs.
My topics included gardening, cooking and baking, photography, nature and so much more of whatever popped in my head. My reviews and regular blogs went on until my 5th great grandbaby arrived and when she was almost a year old I had her help me with reviews for baby items to give my blog a bit of humor on my product reviews. She would review under the category of Lia’s Likings, the Baby Blogger.
Lia’s first blog was reviewing a Cabbage Patch doll at 7 months old! http://themarthareview.com/first-cabbage-patch-kid/ Even with her being that young I was able to write a review as I watched her check out the features on the doll. A few months later she was reviewing another doll. For the next few years I was blogging about her gardening and other cool things she did.
I had fun blogging with Lia and a few days before her 3rd birthday I made the big announcement. Since Lia was no longer a baby, we changed her category to A Day in Lia’s Shoes! Now we could share Lia’s antics of sewing, baking, crafting and so much more. This link tells how I came up with the name for her new category. http://themarthareview.com/my-big-announcement/
I added Lia to my gravatar when she was 3 years old and have updated it yearly. She just turned 7 this past August so this is our latest mug shot. Lia and her mommy moved to Indiana last March but she will continue to send her ideas for Friday Story Time by Lia as time permits. If Lia happens to be too busy, Snowball will fill in for her! LOL
I enjoy sharing my helpful tips on de-cluttering, reorganizing and being frugal (or is it cheap)? I also come up with some one pan wonder meals that are healthy but very inexpensive.
So that’s how it all began in a nutshell. I am having eye problems so I’m hoping I can see well enough to get through this challenge. Until then, blog on!!
I love that your grandson helped you out with a website. It has done so well, too, so he really knew what he was doing! And Lia has charmed her way into all our hearts!! I know you miss her but I’m glad you get to see her so often.
When grandson CJ put my website together I didn’t have a clue about what to do except my reviews. Once I branched out I love it. I do miss Lia and Alex but I know they are happy with Zac and that’s all I want for them, happiness. Lia will be here for Christmas and that’s not far away Jeanie!
What a heart-warming story, Martha. I’m sure Lia will have so much to look back on as she gets older. You made me smile when I read: frugal/cheap. I like to call it essential… can’t wait to read more of your blogs:
Oh Claudia, I never thought of essential but I like that! I’m working on my one pan wonders and dinners under $3.00!
I love story time with Lia. I love the idea of snowball filling through, that is so cute.
Thanks Brenda! Snowball is what keeps me going and he needs to be in the limelight too. Hugs to you!
Wow, look how Lia has grown!!
I love your Collaborations, and the ways you’ve branched out – i can always use tips/nudges to declutter and streamline!
Lia is like a weed, she grows taller every day Nadya! She will probably be as tall has her mom within the year! Tips I have and I’ll have to write about more of my latest declutter projects. Thanks for visiting.
I love a good backstory! This is awesome! She has certainly grown up over the years and is already a little lady! As I have mentioned in the past, I have tried some of your recipes and love them! Keep up the good work! And welcome back to another challenge!
Thanks Paul, to see Lia grow up so quietly is scary in some ways. It seems like she was just started 4K and now she half way through 2nd grade. Glad you enjoy my recipes, I’ve got some more tucked away and ready to share.
Hi Martha.
I enjoyed your flashback to the early days.
Here we go again, the adventure continues.
Blog on.
I’m doing just that Doug, blogging on. Thanks for visiting!
I am so glad we connected through the UBC! I don’t participate every round, but when I do, I love seeing familiar names and faces. Your story always lights me up. 🙂
The UBC is great to connect with others Safrianna and once connected it seems like I have known my blogger friends forever. I’m happy my stories light you up.
Love it Bonus Mom!
Thanks Amanda, think of you and Matt always.
Martha, I love that we are both interested in many of the same things. I enjoy all your posts! Sorry you’re having a time with your eyes. Looking forward to whatever you may share this month.
I know Kebba, it’s like we are connected in so many ways! I had a few procedures on my eyes a few months ago, might have to see what’s next. I can see but most of the time it’s blurry but I’ve managed to work around it so I’m used to it. I never know what I will write about until the morning of the next day, I just wing it!
Your blog posts are delightful, funny, imaginative, and touching. You and Lia have become such a wonderful part of my world. When I started doing the Ultimate Blogging Challenge, which I found while just randomly looking for writing contests on the internet, I never imagined that I would form relationships with other bloggers. I just thought that I would try to write a blog post a day… and more than ten years later, here I am, making friends and sharing stories and it’s so good. Also, I went from a free blogspot blog to my own website, and my friend has helped to make that possible.
Thank you Alice, my blogs are quite different from some since I don’t really have niche but I love to just write about what pops in my head. I too am so glad I found the UBC, I have met so many wonderful friends from this site and I love your stories and photos! That’s super to have your own website now, you will always find something new on it!