After 12 long, challenging, exciting, exhausting weeks, it’s over.
And WE DID IT!
Midlife at the Oasis has been named Blogger Idol 2013, and I couldn’t be prouder.
I woke up this morning feeling totally nauseous, not because I was afraid of losing but because I was really freaked out about the idea of letting you all down after you had tirelessly put yourselves out there for me.
Well, I shouldn’t have worried because your votes brought home the win.
If I could thank each one of you in person, I would. I can’t tell you how much your support has meant to me and I hope you really feel the big virtual hug I’m sending you.
One of my final Blogger Idol posts was an ode to the blogging community, which was inspired by the awesome women of Midlife Boulevard who I am so blessed to call my friends. This is just one example of why you should become their friends, too. Having them in my corner — and my life – is something I’m thankful for every single day.
It was an honor to end my Blogger Idol journey with Jennifer Schario Hicks of Real Life Parenting. She is a great writer and really special person, and I hope you’ll stop by and congratulate her on the amazing job she did. I’m going to miss hanging out with her in our little Facebook group, and I look forward to becoming friends with her in real life.
I hope you’ll also check out some of the other friends I made, who started out as fierce competitors. Liesl Testwuide, Kristen Hansen Brakeman, Stacia Ellermeier (a.k.a. Shirley) and Lisa Kendall Packer are talented writers who have made me laugh and cry, and who I can’t wait to meet in person.
Heather Reese, the genius behind Blogger Idol, has raised the blogging profession and proven that writers are indeed the new rock stars. For all her tireless work and creative methods of torturing us weekly, I thank her from the bottom of my heart. She has made this an experience I will cherish forever – well, now that I’m over the idea of the world ending while I’m reading Us magazine.
I also need to give a shout-out to some of my personal idols who have moved me to tears with the generous praise they offered me during this competition. Huff/Post 50 published my post about FOMO, calling it “one of the best blogs we’ve published all year.” Erma Bombeck Writing Workshop called me “an extraordinary writer,” (OMG!!) and Felicity Huffman’s What The Flicka? has made me a contributor and will be publishing one of my Blogger Idol assignments soon.
Wow, I am feeling so warm and fuzzy right now.
Speaking of which, my biggest thank you has to go to the purple sweater guy himself. Michael has continued to love me and encourage me despite the, uh, incident. He is my everything, and none of this would mean anything without him. And my amazing kids, who were the unwitting subjects of yet another embarrassing story (which won the popular vote, by the way) and who used their social media skills to pimp their mom – well, they’re my proudest creations, for sure.
I’m so happy to be done with bugging you for votes every week, and I’m so relieved not to have disappointed you.
So, thank you for sticking with me. What this whole experience has taught me, beyond a doubt, is that together we can do anything.
Helene Cohen Bludman says
SOOO proud of you, girlfriend! You deserve this! xoxo
Rachel M Harari says
Woo Hoo girlfriend! Told you! Now the world knows what we all knew … You are a phenomenal writer and blogger. You have that flair. Xoxoxo
Anne @MidlifeBlvd says
Love you back, Lois!
Lisha Fink says
So, so happy for you!
Julie says
Congrats Lois!!! You are SO deserving of this win (as if anyone even questioned you would come out on top!) – yet another step in your writing journey, and I have a feeling that the best is yet to come! So excited for you!!!
Jo says
I am so proud of you! Not only your outstanding writing talent, but also humility throughout the process. Even after being crowned, it’s us, your friends, that you credit. You EARNED this title and we very simply stepped up to support our über talented friend with guts enough to put herself out there and be judged! And they were not always kind judges, but you persevered and YOU pushed yourself on to victory. We celebrate with you, but a step or two behind because this is your victory.
Where is the tiara?
Susan Mayson says
Congrats, Lois!! Well done! I have to say that I’m going to miss reading all those great posts every week!
Michael says
Talent heart guts class – proud of you lolo
Nancy Hill says
I am so happy for you! You represented the midlife blogging cadre with joie de vivre, intelligence, and talent for which you should take all credit, but you did this with an expansive grace, that I have come to know exemplifies your travel through life, and you brought us along with you. Well done! Proud to know you.
Elin Stebbins Waldal says
This is just the beginning for you my friend…your voice is one that so many are grateful for and I love that you never shy away from using it too. Happy for you that all your hard work paid off, you will always have my vote! xoxo
Kirsten says
Yay!! Congrats! I made sure to vote each and every week since you’re an amazing writer and inspiration to so many 🙂 even us 20 something’s who aren’t yet in that mid life oasis enjoyed reading your stories and can learn what it is to live a life of happiness and do something that can make a difference
Pat says
Felicitations from your friend in Switzerland! Just wanted you to know that your voice is being heard 4,000 miles away.
Tricia says
I knew you could do it, Lois! Such a heartfelt and talented writer you are!
debbie kelly says
Lois, That is WONDEFUL! Congratulations.. Of course, you won!! 🙂
Tammy says
It was AWESOME, my dear. And I was so very happy to have been on the reading and voting end of it all. Bask in the glory. You’ve earned it!
Sally Prangley says
Hooray and Yay! You and your great writing have triumphed again! And I’m so proud of you and for you! xoxo
erin hoye says
I am the Fedex drive who delivers to Lois all the time. She has never not come to the door with a smile on her face. We talk books, we talk movies, we talk life. I could not be prouder to call her my friend. Congrats you truly deserve this honor. On a side not I love her husband and kids too….
Katy Yocom says
Congratulations, Lois! What a journey! I’m so happy for you … and I love your “thank you” post, which confirms your amazing sense of generosity and appreciation for all of your fellow/sister travelers.
Stacia says
BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!! You totally deserved it and I’m incredibly proud of you and to call you a friend! MWAH!