The Thought Bubble Turns One . . . It’s My Blogoversary!

It’s here! It’s finally here! Today, my humble little blog turns one!

And what a year it’s been!

When I started this blog, Chipmunk had just been diagnosed with autism, and my head was all over the place. I had left my nursing degree and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life.

So, where am I one year on?

Well, Chipmunk is growing up, blossoming, and facing his daily challenges head-on. He would make any mum proud. My head is still all over the place – I am starting to accept that as situation normal. As far as what I want to do with my life…well, nothing is set in stone. However, this last year has taught me that I love to write. It comes naturally. It feels right. What’s more, people seem to want to read it, which is always a good thing!

You may also have noticed that photography has become a bigger and bigger part of my life. I am still learning, still very much an amateur! But I have some wonderful people to guide me, and some awesome advice to follow, and I do feel that – slowly – things are coming together. Nature photography seems to be my ‘thing’ – the lovely Claudia thinks I have a knack for the lighting and I tend to agree – but I am still practising other techniques too. I love to take pictures. I love to play with the light. I love to capture a moment in time and share it with the world.

So, writing and photography – slightly different from where I thought I would be a couple of years ago, when I was a third-year student nurse! Still, everything happens for a reason. If it wasn’t for my placement with the Health Visitors, it would have been far longer before I realised that Chipmunk was autistic. Far longer before he got the help he so badly needed. My experience in nursing gave me the knowledge and the determination to push for answers and a diagnosis that was a long time coming. I will always be grateful for that.

In fact, I am toying with the idea of starting a new section to the blog – all about my experiences as a student nurse. I pitched it to my Plurkies, who seem interested, now I’m opening the idea up to the rest of you! There is a poll over in the sidebar —–> somewhere. If you vote, and leave me a comment here telling me you voted (I don’t mind which way you voted!) you could win a fabulous electric toothbrush and floss from Oral B!

No more tedious brushing by hand, desperately trying to get that dentist-clean feeling – let this highly-recommended brush do the work for you This is a brilliant prize which is well worth having! And because it’s my blogoversary, and I’m feeling particularly generous, this giveaway is open to everyone – regardless of your location!

THE RULES:

• Firstly, you need to vote on my poll (in the sidebar) as to whether you would be interested in reading about my student nursing exploits!

• Second, you need to leave me a comment on this post, telling me that you voted.

• If you tweet this post, and include ‘@bubbleboo Blogoversary’ in your tweet, I will give you another entry. You must have commented on this post already in order to gain this second entry into the giveaway. Tweets without comments will be discounted.

• The giveaway will run until next Monday (23rd August) at which time I will number all entries consecutively, in the order they were received. I will then use a Popular Random Number Generator to decide the winner.

• The winner will be notified by myself within 24 hours of the draw, to arrange delivery of the prizes.

• My decision on entry validity and the outcome of the giveaway is final.

That’s it! Good luck to each and every one of you.

If you feel like spreading the word, that would be fantastic. And, as always, if you have any questions at all, please do contact me.

And now, on with the party!

Please, help yourselves to cupcakes…

Champagne…

Birthday Cake…

And do let me know you stopped by. Each and every one of you is a part of what makes The Thought Bubble what it is. Whether you have been with me since the beginning and have seen me grow, or whether you are brand new here, we have come so far together this year, you and I.

I treasure you all.

Strike up the band!