Do you have a dream?
Growing up all I ever really wanted was to get married, have a family and have a house with a white picket fence. Seriously. I didn't have any other ambition or dream.
All these years later, I am married, I have two amazing children and I have a beautiful home; no picket fence, but a beautiful home. But now that our kids are grown, I found myself searching for something and found myself beginning to dream and think that maybe there was something else I could do and just maybe it's never too late to start a new dream.
It's Never too Late to Start a Dream
When I started blogging eight years ago, I never imagined it would turn into what it has for me. Or that I would even continue blogging this long! I started blogging as a way of "something to do."
My sister started a blog and I thought, "I can do that." And I did. I started sharing a little of my life, my family and yes, my recipes. Fast forward EIGHT years and, like so many other bloggers, I have turned Walking on Sunshine into a business.
Yes, a business. Walking on Sunshine Creative Services was formed 2 years ago when a blogging friend asked me if I could add her blog posts to linky parties. After a few weeks of working for her, I thought, "Maybe there are other bloggers who need help with linky parties." I put together a form and started sharing it in different Facebook groups I belonged to and here we are.
Walking on Sunshine Creative Services does so much more than linky parties now. And every day I'm learning and challenging myself. My husband works with me and he even has a blog now too. We're trying our best to grow this into a family business.
It's amazing and I'm so grateful to the Lord for growing this business and supplying our needs. Putting kids through college is not cheap!
This book on SEO has helped me tremendously on this journey. Who knew there was so much more to blogging than just writing and adding photos!
I still blog about my life and my recipes that I love to create for my family.
VintageSouthernPicks Florence S says
Hi Lois, I'm Florence & making my way through the last of the Fab/Fifty posts. I can relate to what you are saying. My blog is more for fun & not a biz yet, but maybe I'll get there. I always wanted what you did...get married, raise a family, live in a little cottage. Well, some of that came true. My post is "Surviving Widowhood," so I lost that first guy, but I got a great second one by God's grace.
Erlene - My Pinterventures says
I needed this. I'm no spring chicken and sometimes I need a little encouragement to try something new.
Mary K.- The Boondocks Blog says
You are an inspiration to us all Lois. This is the way it should be. We get to an age where we are considered too old to get jobs and so we turn around and hire ourselves. I like that idea so much! That is how I started my blog, thinking I would do this so I could become marketable again after having raised four kids. But now I am really loving this journey and don't want to leave and get a "real" job.
EnchantedBella says
Wonderful post! I absolutely believe that it's never to late to start a dream. Thanks for the inspiration.
Wendi Wachtel says
Beautiful post Lois and it was fun to hear how your blog and business grew. It's been wonderful getting to know you you and thanks so much for all your help with everything!
Phil Christensen says
"...her children will rise up call her blessed, her husband also praises her." Pr 31:28. You are such a blessing to everyone with whom you come into contact.
Jeanie Create & Babble says
One of the things I'm realizing is that we women in our 50s certainly have more in common than we have differences. I see a bit (and sometimes a lot) of myself in every story that I'm reading in this hop. I enjoyed reading your story! You are such an inspiration!
Amy Ellis says
So funny you say that because I remember just loving to help my mom pick out paint and wall paper for our home when I was little. Then I started out in college at design school. Then life happened!
But here I am again, quasi-designing, you might say, but I truly have found my passion. Your blog, projects, recipes and deigns are BEAUTIFUL.
Pam @ Biscuits & Burlap says
Isn't this amazing, this journey we find ourselves on? I just love it. I think I could practically eat and drink blogging. The only problem is, not enough hours in the day! Very well said.
Anne Stone says
It's amazing when you can turn something you love into your job, best of both worlds.
Leanne says
so many clever, crafty, cooking women here - I'm loving browsing all the link ups. I can't believe you made a business out of linking people to linkies - good on you!
Lory at Designthusiasm says
I, too, never really expected my blog to become a business but it's amazing the journey is has taken me on. Loved reading about your journey too, Lois!! Interestingly, I actually did have creative dreams my whole life and spent most of my career working as a fashion designer, but that still didn't change the fact that once my kids were grown and I had retired from the "big career", I still needed a creative outlet. Once you have it, it's impossible to let it go... 🙂
Marie Blackburn says
I think our generation (and the ones before us) dreamed of getting married, having children, and that white picket fence. I was certainly one of them too. Thank goodness we also remembered to dream and yes you are so right, it's never too late for that.
Debra Pashkowsky says
I guess we are the generation that grew up thinking we would get married and all that but then we realized we could have a career and be fulfilled in many ways. And now that we are over 50 we know we can do it and we do.
Wanda @ Just Vintage says
Oh, my goodness! Your first sentence, "Growing up all I ever really wanted was to get married, have a family and have a house with a white picket fence" describes me exactly! And is exactly what I did, too.
It's great you've found a business that suits you. It takes patience to add blogs to linky parties. And to do it for other people.... you have my utmost respect. 🙂
Gail Wilson says
You are so right... it's never too late! Things are always changing and growing even when you're almost 60!
I enjoyed reading your post. I too only dreamed of getting married, having children and a white picket fence. I don't have a picket fence life, but I did DIY my own picket fence in the last year. It makes me smile every time I see it.
gail
Patti Estep says
Great post Lois. I so enjoy getting to know all of you a little better through this blog hop/linky party. I feel bad that I didn't share a personal story of my own and well, I guess I just missed the boat but I'm glad I was able to read all of the other posts and there's always next time. Thanks for sharing yours.
Maria Brittis says
When I read this I get tears in my eyes because I am blessed that I met you and all these amazing ladies in our group. I can say that I found the niche that I am happiest the most in life when it comes to Friends. I used to play tennis on my free time, but I found to much drama in that and stopped. I am so happy you found your happiness and this was a well written post. Maria
Liz says
Thanks for including me..and helping me with my new blog. Way to go with your business...and I'm glad I can be a part of it...you're a good boss lol 😊
Liz says
Thanks for including me..and helping me with my new blog. Way to go with your business...and I'm glad I can be a part of it...you're a good boss lol 😊
Jani says
I love this so much ❤️❤️❤️ I know you are a blessing to your family and so many others including myself! I have learned so much from you about homemaking and family and now blogging! Thank you ❤️