When I started Whatevs… in 2007, I chose a Blogger template with a shockingly bright pink background. It made sense to me at the time. I had no awareness that the pink was so hard on the eyes; it was not just ugly, it was literally hard to look at. There was a big photo of me somewhere near the top, wearing my ironman finisher medal, smiling the smile of someone who just completed a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run with her entire family cheering her on and a hot slice of pepperoni pizza in her immediate future.
It’s been six years since Whatevs… was born. I still have that ironman finisher’s medal. Now it’s in a box with dozens of other medals I’m about to donate to Medals for Mettle. The family who greeted me at that finish line has grown since then. In addition to a niece and nephew, now I have my own family- a husband and a daughter who I’m sure I daydreamed about but never clearly pictured in 2007.
My blog has evolved with me, from single ironman triathlete, to running mama, and it has seen all the stages in between- ironman triathlete in a relationship, burnt-out triathlete with a fiance, married, re-energized triathlete, married runner, and pregnant athlete. My blog has born witness to my cross country move, my courtship with Dan, and the joys and the agonies of being a grown-up (e.g. homeownership, driving a stick shift, marriage, parenting).
Image Credit: Zazzle.com
So… with no further ado, I invite you to celebrate with me The Official Unveiling of Whatevs’… New Look! Isn’t she pretty!? Elaine Griffin Designs is responsible for all the Pam-ness/True Whatevs-ness of the redesign. I contributed my opinions on what fonts are awesome (Songbird) and which ones I can’t stand (Comic Sans), and what I want the reader to feel when they visit Whatevs… (in addition to feeling like reading the archives all day long), but Elaine made it come to life.
Thank you for being here. Whether you were shaking your head like “Oh my god, the pink screen, I am so glad you nixed that!”, you discovered this blog today, or you’ve just known me forever (Hi, Mom!), thanks for reading.
To express how grateful I am for my readers and in celebration of the blog’s new look, I am offering a giveaway! Leave a comment (in the “leave a comment’ field at the top) telling me how you have evolved- maybe you relocated, got a new job, started school, ended a relationship, dyed your hair, lost weight, started a fitness routine, conquered an addiction, took control of your finances, committed to healthy eating, sold your car and got a bike, got a new perspective, took up the viola, found yoga, found God, became a parent, sent your kids out of the nest… you get the idea.
Share a snippet about how you’ve evolved in the comments and you will have a chance to win a $25 Target gift card. The winner will be chosen at random after 8pm MST Wednesday October 2nd, 2013.
When I went away to Australia, I did so because I couldn’t abide slipping into a life, instead of choosing it consciously. I had spent almost three years in Boulder, after what was supposed to be a three month internship. I was starting to recognize people on the street, and my mind rebelled at the idea that I’d end up 40 and still be in Boulder because it was easy. (And it was easy, and fun! Boulder is an adult playground.)
So I quit my cushy software development job, for the second time, and got a work permit, and headed to Australia. I had fun there too–meeting random people at hostels, partying during a solar eclipse in the desert, climbing at a world class area. But, as months went on, reading books in the park and having ‘where have you been?’ conversations at hostels paled. I joined WWOOF and worked on some farms, and spent more time in the ubiquitous internet cafes, reading about, well, software.
At the end of my time travelling, I headed back to the USA. I had learned a few things:
1. I really liked software–if I spent time in Australia learning about it, it must have resonated with me.
2. Sustainability and agriculture were really interesting to me.
3. BBQ grilled tomatoes are really good.
4. I missed my friends and life in Boulder.
All of these facts have shaped my life ever since (well, maybe not the tomato fact, but, trust me, they are good).
Good god, 40 is like, OLD! Ha. This is just one of the many things I love about you… your desire to create a life instead of slipping into an easy life.
He made a list of things he learned in Australia. It was brilliant. One item really resonated with me. It was something along the lines of: take your time thinking about a decision, but once you make it, make it quickly. I say something like this to my kids! Dan, do you know what I’m talking about?
I have certainly evolved lately with my perspective. Nothing changes your priorities like a kid with cancer.
Jen, I wish I could say I understand but I know that I don’t. Sending you a cyber-hug instead.
2007 marked the beginning of our let’s-have-kids journey. To say that I have evolved would probably be an understatement, but I guess there are at least a few things that have stayed the same. It took until 2009 to actually have children – a hellish journey – but one that has certainly paid off with two wonderful children. And something that I plan to look back on through writing a memoir that really is about how ridiculous life can be. And if we can laugh at ourselves through a lot of it, then it’s better…. and that period of time probably would have been less difficult if I’d had that insight back then…. so really it’s a re-writing of history, in a sense. And I, too, have a blog (as you know) where I write about the absurdedy of a lot of things in our every day life, as we raise two kids, work full-time jobs and plan to get married next year. Congrats on your redesign! Nothing like a make-over to give a lady a lift. 🙂
Thanks, Sarah! Good luck with your memoir and congrats on surviving and even finding the humor in the journey.
Year four of sobriety turned me into the semi-confident woman you met at BlogHer – the old me would have gotten wasted and embarrassed myself because I get so nervous in crowds…
Loving the new site! (I know I said so on FB, but wanted it here for posterity…
A) Thanks for the compliment here for posterity. B) WOW. I didn’t really imagine people would comment about really real stuff like conquering an addiction (even though I know I listed that as an example of something one might want to share).. I am just so impressed with you and everyone else for bringing the evolution tales so hard. This is cool! And way to go re: sobriety!!!
Dear Toots,
Your blog entertains me and allows a small part of your world to remain in mine. With great ease and humor you check off the events that are both maddening and warming, challenging and insightful. Never let your pen slip from your hand.
And I do like the new format.
Regards,
Michael
Aw shucks, Michael, now you’re making me blush! Glad you like the new look. Thanks for being here to witness my evolution…
Reading Dan’s post reinforces how very different him and I are in our approach to life…if there was ever anyone who slipped into a life, it’s me….I can look back on one or two decisions in my life that were major and definitely deliberate. Marriage and getting pregnant. All the other choices along the way that have shaped me into the person I am today – going to graduate school after college, becoming a runner, moving to California, changing careers, being a working mom – all seemed to sort of just happen…. I mean, obviously, I made the decisions but without much foresight or pre planning. My evolution from being raised with my insanely intelligent brother by entrepreneur, hard right, world traveling parents in the foothills Colorado to a 30 something stepmother of three, mother of one, booze selling, weekend exercise warrior, living on the “left coast” in the capitol of California with our dog has been a deeply blessed journey and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Mel-thanks for your sharing your reflections here. It’s funny, as different as you and Dan are, you are similar in really important ways too- Both honest, hard working, responsible, kind, grateful, and genuine.
Love, love, LOVE the new look! My blog evolved last January when I had a major overhaul; I suppose starting to pursue blogging and writing was one of my biggest transformations. Along with, you know, motherhood. Congrats to you- looks amazing over here!
Thanks, Stephanie!!! Yep, motherhood and blogging. Right there with you:)
I think too much. And I think that people who think a lot, evolve. They think, they search, they reach for balance. The lover, the fighter, the intellect, the fool, the mother, the loner- I encompass all these things. Each time I get closer to finding the perfect balance, whether by feeling grounded or being thrown from the scales, I evolve. Sometimes it sucks.
I hear you. Growing up, my mom used to say “The only thing that’s constant is change.” Damn her for being right AGAIN:)
Love the new look! I became a writer. Something I didn’t know was my passion. Something I am not sure I am any good at. But I have evolved enough to realize passion is about my desire to enjoy life not my need for other’s affirmation.
Thanks, April! I sometimes wonder if my writing is any good either, but then I figure, I enjoy it, and at the end of the day, that is what a hobby or a passion is about- finding something that makes you want to get up early and stay up late to carve out the time to do it- not anyone else’s opinion of how well you do it.
Love the new look, Pam (though I usually read you in Feedly, so I don’t really see the design anyway! But my index isn’t showing your latest post…)! I feel like I’ve been evolving a lot lately, and the evolution I’m most proud of is becoming a less angry, less critical person. Why did I always choose to have a negative response to something? The need for certainty, maybe. There are definitely things I should feel angry about, don’t get me wrong. But now I try to call myself out on the things that don’t deserve my negative energy. I can sit and stew, or I can say whatevs and move on to something positive. I choose whatevs!
By the way, does the giveaway mean you’re getting sponsors?
Whatevs’ official sponsor is The Moore Family Checking Account. But if Target wants to sponsor me (Target? You reading??), that would be awesome.
Carolyn, I am working on this, too! I am trying to meditate a few minutes a day… hoping that will help train me to react a little more slowly and give myself time to calm down before getting upset. I love that you are choosing whatevs:)
I started my own blog, which has def evolved and still evolving as we speak. I have three children now and lived through a pregnancy that should I shouldn’t have made it through – with my baby girl!!! I live life loving each and every day and always will!
Congrats! I love your attitude.
Loooong story short, but when I moved back to Portland, Oregon, the place I had considered my home for the last three years after a stint away, my entire life changed. I put more value on everything – my job, my relationship, my home, my health, and things are not going so great right now, but who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Also, also, also — my future mother in law is a runner, and hearing about http://www.medals4mettle.org/history.html gave me something to bring up in our next conversation and something to bond over. THANK YOU!
YAY for YOU!!!! I absolutely LOVE the look of your blog! I bet you are one proud mama! (Of the blog and the kid!)
Congrats to all your ‘seasons’ or fitness and life… 🙂
I am stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something scary! A radio show… YIKES!!!!
Thanks, Chris! A radio show!? Cool. You will never have to worry about a bad hair day with that project:)
My goodness- I’ve moved 1700 miles away from home, gotten married, had a kid, had a miscarriage. So many jobs, friends, adventures. I feel more myself now than I ever have before- that’s progress, right?
I would definitely say that’s progress:) Wishing you more adventures down the road. Thanks for stopping by!
My life has evolved a lot in the past 2 1/2 years!
I got married in Aug 2011.
I got pregnant with twins in Aug 2012.
The twins were born Apr 2013! Im SO happy!
I JUST started a new workout routine, which has been hard. I have ate completely healthy for the past 2 1/2 weeks, and exercised regularly! Im very proud of myself. This is the first time in my life Ive ate healthy and worked out that long consecutively! Its hard losing baby weight, but IM TRYING! 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
Congrats on the twins and way to go on the new healthy lifestyle!!! My husband always says the journey of a million miles begins with a single step.
Have you ever seen this, Pam? 🙂
http://www.agencyfusion.com/kill-comic-sans.html
I share your Comic Sans hate!
OMG That is brilliant!!! Thanks for making me smile.