I originally wasn’t going to post this, but I changed my mind. This first part I wrote on February 1st, 2012. I will continue it below with an update…
Feb 1, 2012
I have officially been blogging for six months. I don’t want to seem redundant, but I NEVER expected anyone to read me. Today, my rant ticker is at 5,700. Pretty amazing if you ask me.
When I reached 1,000 hits, I blogged about it. I couldn’t believe it. When I hit five-thousand, it was numbing. That was just a little over a week ago. I don’t think I even said anything. I didn’t want to jinx myself.
Now, for some of you this might not seem like a big deal. I know there are bloggers out there that get this many hits in a day. But little old me?
A friend of mine had her blog recently hit 10,000. I shook my head (I was at 3,000 at the time) I figured it would be years before I could even think about that number. Then I had an epiphany. My numbers were increasing… quickly. Why? Dunno.
I just write. It’s what I do. Apparently though, you guys like it. Hits increase, and followers increase. Blog awards? You’ve got to be kidding me.
Hi! She waves. It’s still just me.
I looked at my “background view” and perused the monthly stats from startup July 17th 2011 through today. I giggled at the astounding average of “seven hits a day” that first month. The second month had a whopping average of five hits a day. (Yeah, it actually went down. Pitiful.)
Then something happened. I can’t tell you what. You tell me.
Hi! It’s me… the same person **she smiles and waves enthusiastically**.
Smack me upside the head to make me believe it… I glanced at the numbers. Even stared for a few minutes. They forecasted I would hit 10,000 hits by early May. Before I even hit my one year Blogiversary.
Nope. Can’t be right. Not possible.
I looked at it again a few days later, and the stats changed. Now they forecasted hitting 10,000 by the end of April (April 29th, to be exact) My numbers were going up. My daily hits were up 25-50 percent. Really?
***she giggles*** Still just me.
Gosh, I wish I could give you the magic potion I drank. I wish I knew what it was! I’d drink more (as long as it tasted like green Gatorade)
Again, some may look at this and just laugh at me. Yes, I am still small time in the eyes of many… But this spunky opinionated lady is pretty dern excited to have so many people stopping by every day. Thanks so much for following!
—–Well, the reason I decided not to post that, was it sounded too goofy. (and I didn’t want to jinx myself) But this is why I changed my mind…—-
Part two… Written today
Stop reading now. Look on the upper right of the screen. “Join the Insanity: ?????? Minds ranted to date.”
Do you see what I see? Holy Cow with a capital MOOOOOOO!
And what’s today? How many days ahead of schedule?
Omigosh. This is incredibly cool!
I really don’t know why 10,000 was so stinking important, but in my deranged mind it is. For some reason it makes me feel like I am doing something right. I don’t know. It’s crazy, but I like it!
I want to personally thank every one of you. Thanks so much for stopping by every few days, and thanks for hanging out and adding your two cents to the conversations.
If I was out there, ranting with no one responding, I probably wouldn’t do this at all. You guys are what makes this special. I love the friendships I have made, and look forward to new ones.
If you told me last July that I would be here right now, I would have rolled my eyes.
Thanks Guys! Really. Thanks so much!
Jennifer M Eaton 
I think you should celebrate by eating 10,000 M&Ms. Now I’m going to have to go look at my stats to see how many M&Ms I need to eat. I hope it’s over 10 (that would at least be more than what’s in a Halloween size bag of M&Ms.)
It’s what they say–great content, on a regular basis. I started following all the gold mine manuscript posts, and never looked back. You have an approachable way of explaining concepts, and a good dialogue with your readers.
In other words, you rock!
Keep the good stuff coming. 🙂
And how do you get so many comments on one single post?? Nice blog! I’ll be back to read more.
Wow that an awesome following… huge congrats…:) I’m a new follower… so your number just got bumped up…
Yay! Welcome.
I was hanging out on your blog today. Good stuff!
Yep, another voice here telling you that your posts are informative, entertaining, helpful, and just plain fun to read. So the next 10,000 will arrive in no time! Thanks for sharing your experiences and talents! 🙂
Congrats Jenn…you really deserve it. Even if YOU don’t understand why so many follow you, I certainly do. You just….have “it”….your posts are humble, funny and your advice is great. What else could we ask for? 🙂
Congrats on your success! I’m super-happy for you.
~FringeGirl
If you weren’t a great blogger, people wouldn’t come. So congrats and keep up the good work! Your posts are informative, witty, and concise (which is important when one reads many blogs!). Am looking forward to more. 🙂
Good job, Jennifer. Keep rolling out those numbers and writing great posts 🙂
Congratulations. Keep up the great writing and you’ll hit 20000 in no time.
I followed you b/c you were entertaining, informative and you give back. BONUS! Your content is tweet-worthy.
When does it predict you’ll hit 20,000? And, why don’t I know the number on my own blog? Um. Hopping over to check.
Congratulations!
How about I challenge myself? Hit 20,000 by my blogversary.
Ooooooo. Double in four months?
Nutty. How about I just do what I do and see what happens?
You’re going to surpass me real soon and I’ve been at this 2 years. great going! I enjoy reading your posts.
awwwww… bet that feels amazing! Don’t change anything, you’ve already proven you don’t need to. 🙂
That’s awesome, Jennifer! I don’t know why it stands out so much either, but it is certainly worthy of a post!! Congratulations!
I follow you because you have SUPERB writing advice and your advice has tangibly helped me to be a better writer. And you have a very conversational and entertaining style. Reading your writing really feels like a fun, relaxed, and witty conversation. It’s wonderful. I always learn something from your blogs and have fun. That’s what draws people to you and keeps them coming back. Keep doing what you’re doing, cuz BAM! You are KILLIN’ IT! YES!!!! *lol*
I started blogging over a month for an internship, just started practicing and wrote “food for thought” kinda material. 3 weeks in i realize that my blog had more than half the views of the small business blog for the whole year? That was motivating!….I told them their blog is more like advertisement instead of something useful to communicate..
You have a very unique style of writing, it’s like your mind is going 100 miles and hours. *well that’s what you sound like in my head* 🙂
I just figured out how to get to your site. Until now, I could only pull up your gravitar … otherwise I would’ve been here sooner. (What can I say? I’ve been blogging for over two years now … I’m slow.) Congrats on the number thing. :)))
A big thumbs up to you! I have only just recently jumped on your blog but it is very entertaining; you deserve your success 🙂 Keep up the great job 🙂 🙂
I think this is an incredible achievement!!! And we follow you because you rock, and you provide super awesome, super valuable advice.
Congrats again on such success!