This is my 100th post! In honor, I thought about listing 100 things that make gluten-free life worth living—but I couldn’t narrow it down. I considered 100 things worse than celiac disease—but after jotting down “cancer, earthquakes, and loneliness,” I decided it was a bit of a downer. Instead of listing, I wound up reminiscing.
When I penned my original farewell to gluten, I wasn’t sure where this blog would go. I wondered whether I’d have enough to say, or stay interested enough to keep it up. There have been times when I’ve slowed down, and times when I’ve thought about quitting. But something always draws my fingers back to the keyboard.
If only something also drew me to keep my fingernails as prettily maintained as these.
Photo © Anonymous | Flickr
Before I started, I said to my sister, “I think I’m going to start a blog about book characters who have celiac.”
“That won’t be a very long blog,” she said.
True. Luckily, I found I had more to say than, “What if Moaning Myrtle, or Mr. Darcy, or an American Girl had celiac disease?”
I’ve written seriously about books, food, hunger, my own life, love, and doctors. I’ve gotten silly about messiness, sandwiches, brainfog, and the stars.
I fooled a few people on April 1st, got romantic on Valentine’s Day, and drew pictures on Celiac Awareness Day. I shared a cooking mishap or two, plus a success here or there.
Along the way, I gave up coffee, picked it up again, found a new apartment, and went to a bunch of fun events. Oh, and my tTG levels are down by at least 100. No big.
I’ve learned a lot about myself, health, science, writing, community, social media, and obviously gluten. It’s been great.
But what’s even better is the support I’ve received from all of you.
These probably aren’t gluten-free. But I bet some of you could give me a recipe to make ’em that way.
Photo © yeasaris | Flickr
You’ve advised me on eating out, revealed your doctor horror stories, cheered me on when my results came back, shared your grocery shopping adventures, helped me write a letter to my doctor, and indulged me when I wondered whether packing peanuts have gluten.
Many of you maintain blogs of your own (which I follow), and that you take the time to comment on mine is nothing less than thrilling.
At this 100th post, I want to recognize you for all you’ve done to get me to where I am—as a writer, as a “celiac,” as a person. Thank you.
In return, I want to be sure I’m giving you the best I’ve got. I’m taking my cues from primetime TV and the POTUS: 100 episodes is the point at which a show is traditionally considered for syndication, and 100 days into each term is a time to assess the Prezzie’s achievement thus far.
So what I want to ask you is: how am I doing?
– What do you like the most? What can I do better? If you’re new, what would convince you to stay?
– Do you hate that my links to outside sites always open in a different window?
– How do you follow my blog? Facebook, Twitter, email, RSS, or another platform? How many times a week do you check in?
– Do you have any trouble navigating? Do you read on your phone, and does it look OK?
– Do you want to work together on a post, series of posts, or another project entirely? I’d love to.
Please give me some feedback in the polls below, and/or leave a comment. You can also always get in touch by email; unless you’re a bot, I would love to hear from you.
Thank you again for your inspiration, advice, humor, knowledge, and support. I hope I’ll see you back for post #101.
Based on a Sprue Story 
Congrats on your 100th post. 🙂
I took the survey and I follow you in my wordpress reader. I check in each time a new post shows up in the reader. Also I love that your links open in a new window. I find it really annoying when posts open up in the same window and I forget and close the window then have to go back and find where I was before clicking on the link.
Does that go for links both to my own past posts and to outside sites? I tend to link to my own site within the same window but given your response I might just start making them all open in new windows. Funny to think so much about this point but I know it can be a source of so much anguish! Thank you so much for reading and giving your input.
For me I like all links to open in a separate window.
But I’m a huge believer in doing whatever makes you happy as the blogger. This is your home. We’re just visiting. 🙂
Woohoo! You’ve beat me to the 100th post for sure! I love your blog and am so happy that you continue to plug away at it. You add humor, fun and a great perspective to all things celiac and gluten-free. I’m so glad to have gotten to know you virtually this year!
Thanks, Michelle! If I had to write recipes I’d probably be at post 5 or so by now, so in that respect you’ve definitely got me beat. I’m so glad to have found your blog and gotten to know you, too!
I use the NewsBlur reader, now that Google took theirs away. I check in whenever there’s a new post — I rarely skip more than two days of looking at my reader. And I just like that I never really know what you’re going to write about next.
I’m so glad you feel that way! I love reading about your (and Denise’s) allergic apocalyptic adventures too. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Oh no! I had a really great comment to your questions but realized I sent them privately. All in all, I love your blog and posts. Congrats on your 100th post.
I love your comments (as always)! Thank you! You’ve been an amazing supporter, Kathryn. I’m glad we could work together on your interview and would definitely like to discuss other collaborations. I have so much to learn still about allergies and other sensitivities.
What are those cupcakes in the pic? Looks like chocolate with fresh strawberry buttercream? I can make you those, swing by this weekend, I’ll be baking and that’s exactly what I’m making:) and big congrats on the 100th post!
Haha! I knew someone would have me covered with a recipe, but what a coincidence that you’re making them this week. Any occasion? (Silly question, every day is an occasion for cupcakes, right?) By the way, loved your photos and description of the Central Park walk! It’s so great you did that. 🙂
A week of birthdays (a friend’s 45th and another friends daughter’s 16th) requires sugary pink cupcakes 🙂 and Sun at Central Park was great, went kind of on a whim but had fun!
Cupcakes are perfect for birthdays, agreed! 🙂
Congratulations on 100 posts! I haven’t even hit 300 yet and I’ve been plugging away for over four years! Personally, I like links to open in new windows/tabs, too.
Well, like I said to Michelle, if I had to do all the advance work recipe or book bloggers do, I’d be way behind! 🙂 Thanks for reading and for your input, as always.
I read it through WordPress, but I should subscribe in some way because I love your posts! They’re so creative and original.
Molly…100 Post is a big deal…the fact that you persevered and hit your goal is awesome. Congrats on that for sure! I have worked along side a couple of BIG bloggers in the Gluten Free space and to be able to put your head down and pump out awesome content consistently over a long period of time is what will set you apart from the pack. HI5 to u! I look forward to watching you continue to grow in the future. I would love to hear what your long term goals for your blog are?
On a business note, I am launching a new start in the GF Space in the next 60-90 days and would like to see if there is any synergy between your blog and our biz. Reach out if you want more info.
Either way…keep up the awesome work!
James
Molly,
I did the same as some others and put all of my feedback in the private comments section. You are doing a fabulous job. Your blog is original and I feel that when you write you are being your genuine self (not trying to pretend to be “cool” or trendy and so on!) Your book character posts are what first caught my eye. I subscribe to your blog, and follow you on Twitter and FB, and I have told tons of people about you. Keep up the good work. You are a true asset to our Celiac community and I cannot imagine how many you are helping on a regular basis through your page.
As for collaboration, I would love to be able to further delve into the problem of Celiac in the homeless population that we discussed a bit last year…..I would also love for you to guest post for me too (this is something I am just starting up this fall). I will be in touch and I will keep reading!
Jess
Thanks, Jess! I think I learned sometime around sixth grade, when my favorite pasttime was doing extra “homework” in an online Harry Potter RPG, that I was probably never going to be that cool…way before celiac disease came along and made me even less cool. Haha!
Thank you so much for your fantastic comment (as always) and for reading and sharing. As you know (I hope), I love your blog too and would love to work with you on a guest post or another collaboration, especially along the lines of what you mention. Please do get in touch when you have time. 🙂
Congrats on your 100th post! WOOT!
Thank you! 🙂
Iiiiii def posted a comment in the contact box. >.< WHY AM I SO DUMB?
It’s okay, everyone’s been doing that! Thank you so much for your comment. It was so nice that I’m actually glad it came through privately, because I’d be blushing even more if it were public. 😀 I’m always glad when you stop by and I love your blog, too. 🙂