Happy birthday, little blog of mine.
How could I have almost forgotten? Life of bLyss turned two years old yesterday. Some days, it feels like much longer than two years ago I entered this wonderful little community, and sometimes, it feels like I just began yesterday. Remember this blog’s first birthday when I put together a year in review?
Since then, a lot has happened. I now present Life of bLyss Year 2 in Review:
- tried a nutrition plan for the first time, partnering with my friend Jim White
- danced onstage with my favorite 80′s band for my 24th birthday
- got a little salty over not being cast on the Bachelor a few times.
- became a member of TeamREFUEL thanks to you guys!
- was diagnosed with melanoma and had two surgeries to remove my skin cancer
- oh, look. then I ate pavement again, causing a rib injury
- became cancer free!
- attempted to create as much skin cancer awareness as I could, putting together an assembly for my school as well (and caught it on video!)
- ran the Virginia Beach Shamrock Half Marathon for the second time
- by request, created numerous workouts for you guys
- FINALLY fixed my shin splints with some running tips
- got crafty with some DIY wood paneling art and a homemade wreath. My little home is finally coming together!
- went on the Blend Retreat in Colorado, learning so much and spending time with some wonderful ladies.
- took my mama to California, VIP audience members at The Ellen Degeneres Show. SO. EXCITING. I even got to dance on the stage and with Ellen!
- returned to the musical theatre stage as Dainty June in Gypsy and became the happiest I have been since moving to Virginia Beach
- quit the gym, saved money, and fell in love with fitmixer boot camp, my favorite fitness/nutrition program I have ever come across. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to live without it, to be honestSIDE NOTE: The next boot camp begins on January 14th. If you’re interested in joining me for boot camp post-holidays, register here! I swear, it’s worth every penny. You can do the workouts anywhere, you need no equipment, and you get to keep them forever).
- got to put on a wedding dress for the first time for Hampton Roads Wedding Planner Magazine and was given the opportunity to be Gaga for the day
- became a vegetarian and saw fantastic changes in the way my body feels
- dyed my hair pink in honor of my sister and breast cancer awareness
- started learning guitar (it’s…going)
- placed 3rd in my age group in the Virginia Beach Wicked 10k
Holy linkage, amIright? This past year has been a busy one!
This blog has gone through many changes, and I whole-heartedly appreciate all you faithful friends who have been reading for the past 24 months or so. You guys are great. I love you all.
Hopefully, I’ll get my stuff together soon and have more time to dedicate to LOB. I know I’ve been busy-busy with the whole work/coaching/theatre biz, but I appreciate all of you hanging with me more than you know.
P.S. Know what’s cool? That friend of mine, Alyssa? Not only do we have the same name, and not only are we both from the dirty Jerz, but our bloggies were born one day apart. So special. I wish we could get together and have a princess party for the occasion.
Virtual cake: served. Virtual confetti: thrown. Happy bLirthday, LOB.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Happy blog birthday! That was a crazy year for you, huh?
PS – You so better be at Blend numero dos.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Aiming for Normal
Yay! Happy birthday to your blog!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Music Monday / Lord Huron & my BLENDS!
Happy Birthday to your bliggity blog!
alyssa – life a la wife recently posted..Vin 909
Awww happy blogger birthday!! This is so exciting and I’m going back to read all of these awesome links
Congrats on becoming cancer free. You have done SO many cool things! I wish I had the opportunity to do half of what you’ve accomplished in just a year!
Sarah recently posted..Win a race, Win a Turkey
happy blog birthday! Here’s to many more years, more posts, and more adventures to come!
Em @ Living & Learning recently posted..Monday!
You never fail to crack me up!
Happy Birthday to your blog! <3
katie recently posted..Marvelous in my Monday 25 with some Christmas Ready Fun!
Happy Blogiversary!!
Here’s to many more! 
Kristen @ notsodomesticated recently posted..20 Weeks … and a trip down memory lane.
happy birthday to your lovely blog!!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted..Marvelous Monday
Happy BLirthday!!!!! You have had QUITE a year!
Lindsey @ Happy or Hungry recently posted..Fam Lunch (alternate title: why doesn’t Lindsey get a diaper?)
and I’m PRETTY sure you popped up in this year, as well.
how could I have neglected to mention that?!
Happy Blogiversary! Yes, that’s the best I could come up with. But seriously, what a fun year you’ve had! Minus melanoma of course, but yay for you bringing awareness to it.
Amber K recently posted..Worst Blog Ending Ever
This is the most inspiration list of changes, events, challenges I’ve read in a while. What an amazing two years. Celebrate well friend!
Glad we were able to meet at BLEND – we must chat more at the next one! Come on May 2012!
Ashley @ Freckles and Spice recently posted..Marvelous Monday – Finally!!
Thank you, lovah. Hope you’re doing well!
Happy blog birthday, Alyssa! Love your dance on Ellen – that’s WAY cool.
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige recently posted..“Your Form Looks Horrible!” Or, 5 Ways to a Better Overhead Squat
I only wish I had a video for you.
Happy Birthday to your blog!
Happy Birthday LOB! This has been quite a year!
yay! Happy birthday to your blog! thats so exciting. I love looking back at posts throughout the year!
Nice review and what a year!
luv, Dad
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DA BLOGGY! #BlogBFFS #NameTwins #LifeTwins #LoveYouLongTime
Happy 2nd year blog birthday! That’s amazing and truly incredible when you get to look back over what the past year has been! It sounds like this has been both a trying and amazing year for you and you have done an amazing job staying positive throughout it all!
Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola recently posted..Let’s Do Something
I LOVE this idea! Living day to day, you don’t realize how much has happened in a year–but when you post the highlights like this? WOW. Simply wow. So impressed by you!
Hey! After reading about your love of the fit mixer bootcamps on your blog I just checked out their website for the first time. It looks awesome! Just have a couple questions – is each boot camp $150 (or whatever the price of the kit is – I c an’t remember the exact cost) or only the first one since you have to buy the kit? Also, I’ve only done workout DVDs sporadically and am more of a run/spin person…is the boot camp pretty detailed as far as the workouts go? Sorry for all of the questions! Just wondering because I trust your opinion on all of this.
p.s. looks like you had an awesome year 2 of LOB – I’ve enjoyed being a reader and coming along for the ride!! you go girl.
Hey, Julie!
Each boot camp is $149.95, but you get the full package each time you sign up (and pssst, if you sign up today, you get $25 off for Cyber Monday!). The great thing is, you get to keep the archive of workouts. For example, right now, there is no boot camp going on, but I can go into the workouts I’ve already completed and do them all over again.
I am DEFINITELY more of a run person, but this program can fit perfectly with a run/spin regimen. You can use it daily and shorten/adjust workouts to add in runs/spin sessions or do every other day. I do a mixture of both, and I can still fit in long runs. I honestly think it has made me a stronger, better runner who gets injured a whole lot less and has much more effective strength training days.
Let me know if I can answer any more questions! I really can’t say enough good things about fitmixer.
Happy blog birthday #2! I’ve enjoyed following along on your journey through everything.
Amy @ Living N Learning recently posted..Where has November gone?