Monday, May 2, 2016

Between The Lines Debbiethisandthat

Between The Lines Life As An Over 50 Blogger


Hello and welcome! I'm Debbie and I'm so happy you are here! Today, I am excited to be part of the Between The Lines Series, Bloggers Age 50 And Up You Should Be Following, hosted by Katherine of katherinescorner.com.  This ten week series was the invention of Katherine in order to promote those of us over age 50 ladies who have so much to offer to the blogosphere. I hope you will visit her site each Tuesday to see the great lineup of ladies who are featured on the series! Please click on her link to visit. I can't thank Katherine enough for doing this series for us! On the eleventh week, we get to ask Katherine some questions, so please check out that week, also!


Long Way
Courtesy Public Domain
For me, blogging has been a long journey that began as a desire to write my thoughts and share them with others in a way that moves more quickly than the traditional publishing of books or articles. 




I first got interested in blogs as a way to unwind and relax after a long day of teaching elementary age students. I had a couple favorite blogs that I read and followed for two or three years. It was fun each day to tune in and see what was happening with these folks. During those years, I began to think about starting my own blog and began reading online about how to set up a blog and even clicked on a free blogger site to start one a couple of times, but always got scared to go forward and would click off the site. I was afraid I wasn't "techie" enough to know what to do to create the site. The desire to blog became really strong, though....these people were having way too much fun without me and I wanted in! So, I got brave toward the end of last summer and on a whim one day decided to go for it and I haven't looked back since! I started with a free site on Blogger and they made it very easy to follow the directions to set up the blog. I was creating my first post within a few minutes. Not too scary at all!



In the nine months that I have been blogging, I have grown in my confidence as both a writer and in expressing myself and my interests. I chose to call my blog Debbie "this and that" because I couldn't zero in on just one particular niche such as only fashion, faith, home decor or books as topics to write about. I like all of these topics and they are all a part of my life. I think Debbiethisandthat suits me well as more of a "slice of life" type blogger. 



I'm still a bit challenged by feeling comfortable posing for photos and am learning the ins and outs of photography to get the best shots possible. Thankfully, I have a photographer husband who helps me out frequently. But, I also am learning to take my own photos using a tripod as well. The learning curve with blogging has been a challenge as well as a joy for this over 50 blogger. But, it is a challenge that I embrace with enthusiasm. Never stop learning, right? 



One of the many blessings that has come out of blogging for me are the many blog friendships that have formed since I began. The kind comments that have been left on posts by readers as well as the help that has been offered by fellow bloggers has truly touched my heart over these nine months. The blogging community really is a "community" in every sense of the word and I have found the community to be kind, helpful and supportive. I am so thankful for this experience.  Proverbs 25:25 says, "Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."  The kind comments of fellow bloggers and readers from all around the world is good news to me for sure! I look forward to continuing to grow my blog in the months and years ahead and I hope that you will come along with me. It won't be the same without you!

Until Next Time,
Debbie






19 comments:

Amy Johnson said...

Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing. Nice to meet you through "Between the Lines"

Doreen McGettigan said...

Hi Debbie, It is so nice to meet you via Katherine's Between the Lines Series. Isn't she fabulous! I can't believe you've only been blogging for nine months, not too shabby:)
Todays post was #600 for me. I cannot believe its been six years and I still love it.
I look forward to visiting often...

Marie-Interior Frugalista said...

Hello Debbie, nice to meet you! It's been great meeting other 50+ bloggers. Are you on any social media platforms? It's so convenient to follow other bloggers on those but I can't find any buttons on your blog.
Marie, The Interior Frugalista

Sabina@OceanblueStyle said...

Sounds like my first years of blogging. And you are absolutely right. It is a journey. That is what I am talking about on my blog today. Happy to connect. Sabina

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

Hi Debbie! This is LuAnn from Back Porchervations, and I'm also on the Between the Lines tour today!

I'm not too comfortable having my picture taken either. Seriously. The last candid shot I saw of myself nearly brought me to tears!

But I totally agree with the friends around the world. For the last couple of years, I have helped a co-host on the A to Z April Blog Challenge, and most of my sister-helpers were from India. So when I read a book recently, set in London, that had a character with one of their names, I thought immediately of her!

Have you checked out "Flyby Promotions"? They have bloggers review books and other items with a religious perspective. Just thought I'd let you know in case you haven't come across them before and might be interested. Have a great week!

Michelle said...

I'm hopping over from Katherine's Corner today. It is very nice to meet you and I enjoyed reading how you decided to start blogging. Looking forward to stopping by and reading more. Feel free to pop over at grammietime2.blogspot.com and link up any posts on Thursdays at my linkup party. I would love to get to show you off there.

Sharon said...

Congratulations, Debbie, for your lovely post on the Between the Lines tour! I'm a regular reader of your blog where I am often inspired, but I certainly enjoyed visiting Katherine's Corner to view your post there as well as the other ladies' posts. It's always fun following you on your blogging journey!

Devon said...

Hi Debbie - Enjoyed your post. I am another Between the Lines blogger
So nice to meet so many of us over 50!

Turnips 2 Tangerines said...

Hi Debbie,
Nice to meet you through Between the Lines Blogging Series.
What a great way to meet new people, isn't it?
Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

Carla a.k.a. Mrs. R said...

Hi Debbie, I saw your feature on the Between The Lines series. I’m loving meeting fellow midlife bloggers. I love blogging too! I look forward to getting to know you!

Debbie Styles Life said...

Thank you so much to all of the lovely people who have stopped by and visited my blog! It is wonderful to have you visit and I hope you all will return frequently! So nice to meet all of you!

Katherines Corner said...

It is such a pleasure to have you participating in the series. What a wonderful post too. Hugs!

Hot Pepper Queen said...

Hi Debbie,
Isn't this between the lines blog series a ton of fun? Glad to be a part of it with you.

Karen said...

I'm just catching up after a challenging week. Your post caused me to think of writing in this way; like you said, it gets the message out more quickly than articles or books and actually does connect you with a larger audience. I enjoy reading your posts and am glad to have found your blog!

Debbie Styles Life said...

Thank you, Karen, for taking time after a challenging week to visit my blog! I hope you will consider trying the writing thing....it's a wonderful way to express your thoughts and enjoy writing!

carol@The Red Painted Cottage said...

It's very nice meeting you, Debbie! I've been blogging for about 5 years and I think I finally figured out my niche about a year ago. Since then, my blog has really blossomed. I'll be featured next month on Between The Lines.

Hopewell said...

I'll back to read more soon! I'm a fellow blogger in Between the Lines
Lisa @ https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/

Nikki said...

Oh Debbie, I am excited to meet someone so similar to myself! I am visiting from Between the Lines (week 5) and am really enjoying meeting all my constituents. But I feel that most seem to have been blogging for more than 5 years and that makes me feel so lost. haha Maybe you and I can swim through this sea together!
:) gwingal

aginglikeafinewine.com said...

Hi Debbie, I'm stopping by as a fellow Between the Lines blogger. It is so nice to meet and connect with other bloggers my age. Teresa