Listography - Keywords

I have been a bit lackadaisical on the meme front lately but Kate's Listography was one of the first memes I took part in as I love writing lists (doesn't mean I always complete what is on them!).

Kate's challenge for this week is to list the top 5 keywords of all time which has driven traffic to my blog. I only recently worked out how to find this out but I have to say I had a little giggle when I discovered it. I am not really into stats and don't follow the 'blog rules' regarding blog titles and labels and I tend to write interesting titles without considering google hits etc.

Excluding my blog name, my blog popped up on Google using these keywords  . . .

1. Supersize - thanks, this is great for my confidence. I mean seriously, you don't need to be so harsh Google! I think this was from when I was discussing the massive portions in America.

2. Zaggora before after - This is because Zaggora, creators of the fabulous HotPants, were my Cybermummy sponsors. Still on the weight theme though - this is supposed to be a parenting blog!


3. Alexander Skarsgard arms - This is probably from one of my previous listography posts when I talked about my obsession with this beauty!








4. Birmingham my photos - I have absolutely no idea! I have never even been to Birmingham so I am drawing a blank on this one!

5. Ella's Kitchen - I have done a few reviews of Ella's fruit packs. It's funny though because when this blog started it was as a way of record JC's progress with weaning using a Baby Led Weaning approach (no purees at all) so it's quite funny that this is one of my top keyword searches!

For more interesting keyword searches, check out the other Listography entries . . .

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Who the Hell am I?

It's been almost a week since Cybermummy and I am on a blogging strike! Initially when I wrote this post about CyberMummy I was full of the positives on the day and don't get me wrong I had a really good time. However, after having some time to process things I am feeling a little bit confused.

Who am I?

What is my Unique Selling Point?

Who is my blog audience and what attracts them to my writing?

Will my readers judge me as a sell out if I take on sponsored posts?

Does my blog name reflect my content?

Arrgh! The thoughts in my head are like a basket of snakes. I don't know the answers to any of my questions. I started this blog as a means of keeping a record for me and JC to document his growing up. I also started it as a way of venting my frustrations at not being able to talk to people because my Postnatal Depression has taking away my social skills.

The reason for this sudden crisis of confidence? Probably the overwhelming amount of information I was fed at CyberMummy. I realised during the event that I don't have a niche or set focus for my blog. But, do I need one? Is this really important? Surely if people are following my blog and am I getting regular comments then I must appeal to somebody?

I enjoy writing posts about my life, I like to tell people my views and opinions on things. I like to think of my life as a bit of a surreal comedy and hope that other people can look at my experiences and find some humour in them to brighten their day. Sometimes I like to write deep and meaningful posts that provoke an emotional response. I like to post up pictures, usually of JC being cute or the dogs. I like to take on the occasional review and sponsored post if I feel it is relevant to me. I like to make connections with other bloggers through taking part in memes.

So what is the point of this post? I want to know what you think? I am not looking for a pep talk or warm words of encourage (although these are lovely and I thank you for them)

 but I really want to know is

why are you reading this?

A Huge First For Me

Yes, it is another CyberMummy post. Sorry, but it has to be done.

Last weekend was a huge first for me. It was the first time I had left my son over night. It wasn't like I had left him on his own to forage for food and drink milk from a hamster style drink dispenser but it was still a bit traumatic for me. I left him with his Dad on the Friday night after putting him down to bed. I got the last bus from Glasgow at 11pm and it got me into London at 8am. No, I didn't sleep. Sleep is impossible when you are seated next to someone who chats incessantly and constantly asks you questions about what a blog is, why I write it and expresses sincere concern for my safety and mental health that I am travelling to London to meet people I met online. I think she was contemplating phoning the social work department or at the very least, my mum voice her concern that I had been groomed online. On a serious note, for advice on protection against such risks check out Liska's sponsor 

When I got to the beautiful Hotel Andaz in Liverpool Street, paid for by my generous sponsor HotPants, I took a quick shower, threw on some clean clothes (including my Hotpants T-shirt, see my photo) and I raided the complementary mini bar to see what snacks I could pack in my bag (just in case I got lost or abducted in the big city, I mean, a girl's got to eat!)



I arrived fashionably late but was welcomed by lots of smiling faces who made me feel very welcome. I spotted my Mumentum cronies at the front and had fun tweeting them with a game of 'I Spy Grumpinator'. I really enjoyed listening to Sarah Brown but then I do have a soft spot for her auld man considering he is from my neck of the woods in Fife, Scotland.



The rest of the day was a bit of a blur - barely time to breathe or take photos but there was time for wine (when is there not time for wine, it's practically my life source since JC started crawling).

Jays's photography workshop - Learnt lots of great tips! 

Tara - Blogger to Blogger Inspiration 

I attended Mocha Beanie Mummy's photography workshop and the blogger to blogger inspiration session. Both of which I really enjoyed. I also attended the session on Vlogging which I found to be extremely inspiring! Nick from My Daddy Cooks is a brilliant speaker, funny and entertaining. Loved the vlog he showed of him just starting out. Hilarious and refreshing! I bought his book and got it signed to me and JC.


My most emotional point of the day was listening to Nickie reading her post about discovering that her 13 month old daughter had Cancer and the events that followed her diagnosis. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. It made me want to hug my son a little closer and I found myself feeling so grateful for my sons health. It's not until you hear a story like Nickie's that you really get a glimpse into you and your loved ones mortality.

Me and NewMumOnline

For the after party and curry I changed into my party attire (changed my top basically) and had a lovely time chatting with my new friends and getting a little tipsy on the wine. I am proud to say (and Heather from SAHM-loving it is my witness) that I was last to leave the CyberMummy party. So I was the blogger who got the very last ticket to Cybermummy11 and I was last to leave the party, that says everything about me really - My blog should really be called Last Minute Mummy.com. 

some of the #mumentum ladies

Wearing my sponsors T-Shirt

I would like to say a huge thank you to my sponsors, Zaggora - makers of HotPants for sponsoring my accomodation and my Mum - maker of HotStuff (me) for paying my train fair to get home.








When I got home my gorgeous boy gave me a huge smile, cried when I tried to then sit in the front of the car so I sat in the back with him. He held my hand the whole way home in the car and kept looking at me, just to check I was still there. He melts my heart. Enough said.