Bored, exhausted and desperate for company, a Mama of newborn twins started scouring the interwebz for inspiration. Recipes or crafty tips didn’t do it for her. Not even p*rn.
After much stalking, er, researching, she came across the “Australian Mummy Bloggers” website.
“Huh. What’s the blogging malarkey about?” she wondered skeptically.
Clicking here and there, she finally landed on a page that would significantly change her mummy life and open cyber doors that would eventually lead to a real life outside dirty nappies and projectile vomit.
There the Mama discovered a pocket rocket who wrote posts about vaginas for “funsies” and vlogged about a Dyson akin to a sex tape. (But a classy one, of course…)
Who else can make vacuuming sensual?
“I need to meet this live wire,” the Mama thought.
And in a smoky, dark karaoke room, she finally met her (Titanic) match.
The rest, as they say…is bloggy history.
The years have rolled, #FYBF hostesses have changed several hands, blogs come and go and some get bigger than Ben Hur…but #FYBF remains strong and proud.
Today we go retro.
We return to that very first #FYBF post from the founder herself, the mostly cheeky, ever charming Brenda Gaddi…
Posted: 25/02/2010 (!!!)
I have started my own meme. Because I can. Hah.
Pardon the arseholish title. I am still a bit peeved about Echo not meeting my over-the-top expectations.
Fear not my darlings for I have just installed a new commenting system called DISQUS (pronounced as discuss, clever huh?). What?!?! I did say on my last post that I might install a new one. And, if you know me in real life. Might means 90% yes. So just play along. But, if this one goes all moodycow on us again. Then I’ll just exercise my power of delete, curse, delete, swear. Capiche?
And so today I’d like to honour all the flagrant blog whores out there. I know I am not the only one. Yes, yes? Please join me in the very first dun dun dun FlogYoBlog Friday meme. *throws a shitload of confetti into the air*
- Follow my blog (this one is actually optional, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Blog following is a personal thing. And if my blog is not your cup of tea then I’m totally cool with that. Seriously, I am. Just know that you are breaking my heart. Breaking my heart, you hear. Huhuhu.)
- Grab my bubbly button (this one is required. Because, I have spent HOURS designing it. So please be so kind and post it on your lovely blog’s sidebar. Thankus.)
- Link up your blog’s URL in the MckLinky malinky below. And if you want to put up the links on your blog, you are more than welcome to. Just follow the instructions on the linky thingy.
- Take the time to check out the other linky-ers and go visit their blogs. Give them some blogluvin and follow them. Only if you want to. Just please follow at least one linky-er/blogger. Okay?
- The list will be open for linky-ers from 8AM-12PM Sydney Time every Friday.
- A new and fresh MckLinky list will open every friday. And you have to link up AGAIN. Because the previous link won’t carry over to the next week. Once the list is closed, it’s closed. Got it?
- And lastly, have lotsa fun!
- And ooh, invite your bloggy friends to participate.
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
I’m pretty sure I’ve never made out with a vacuum cleaner. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even know how to turn the thing on. You see hubby vowed to cook, clean and slave after me as part of our wedding vows which thankfully included the vacuuming.
Mystery Case recently posted..Mystery Case Style Challenge | The Perfect LBD 52 Ways | Rock Chic
Thanks for taking me back to the start!!! I kinda always wondered how this all began!! Sorry I have no exciting stories about me an vacuum cleaners ours is far to old and decrepit for that sort of thing 🙂
Shelley@MoneyMummy recently posted..How To Save On Your Health Insurance
Great to see where it all began – but I’ll never believe you that a vacuuming can be sensual…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Standing Still
It’s very interesting to see how it all began. I think my husband looks his most sexy when he’s doing the vacuuming! I wouldn’t want to interrupt him though 🙂
Pinky Poinker recently posted..How Stephen King gets me out of bed.
Wow so this is how it all started!!! You are an old hand at this gig now!! So glad you stumbled across that website all those years ago! xx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #11 – Fruit & Nut Baked Muesli
I am actually off to meet my first group of bloggers IRL this morning!!! Big step for me.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..Create Bake Make
Wow…certainly takes you back! I loved how Disqus was the new commenting system. 🙂 You’ve given mean idea to look back at my posts…
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted..Back to School
An intriguing history! Thanks for sharing, Grace. (that photo on the water is just divine).
Lee-Anne recently posted..A little story (and some regulation trivia).
Has the game changed, or is it just different? Either way, I’m bloggy glad to be here with you, Grace.
Bec | Mumma Tells recently posted..Same Same, but Different
I feel like such a newbie reading about how it all began, but I’m so thankful for FYBF because I’ve been able to build traffic to my blog, but more importantly make great friendships with other bloggers. Can’t wait to meet some in person at Problogger next month. 🙂
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Building an orphanage in Uganda
Love that first post! Breaking my heart, haha. That first bullet point is a cracker.
I first met bloggers IRL when I was about four months into the blogging thing. I was a fledgling little nothing of a blog, and felt really intimidated (my problem, not theirs) so hardly spoke to anyone. MISTAKE! Then the bloggy brunch earlier this year where I got a hug from YOU! One of the highlights of my bloggy career, I assure you. x
Emily recently posted..We gotta get out of this house
Four years on and still going strong! Awesome. 🙂
Really interesting to find out where it all started. Sounds like it was meant to be. I haven’t met any real life bloggers but I am really keen to. Thanks for hosting a great linky Grace. Happy FYBF!
Druimé@snippetsandspirits recently posted..My Real Name
Ah, I remember those early days of FYBF well. Brenda’s blog was one of the first I started reading and I remember when she started FYBF because it gave me something to waste time doing at work on a Friday, and because it bought the first large amount of comments to my blog(like more than 10). Those old blogging days were so much simpler and the community was so much smaller. In some ways I miss it, but in other ways I love the growth because I’ve been able to meet and connect with even more amazing bloggers. xx
Kylie Purtell recently posted..Dymocks 2014 Top 101 Books List
Awwwwww. I’m gonna cry!!!! I wubs you loads, Gracie. xxxx
Awwww those were the days. She’s still as nutty as before.
Kristyn recently posted..Blogging, Reading, and Writing Oh My
It’s so lovely to read the story of how it all began. Both yourself and Brenda are amazing ladies x
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #11 – Fruit & Nut Baked Muesli
And the rest is history…..
I’m so glad I found FYBF, and have met some gorgeous bloggers IRL. To me, the community is the best thing about blogging xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Love That Movie!
I loved reading this flash back 🙂 I too am thankful for finding the blogosphere and FYBF.
Kaz @ Melting Moments recently posted..Weekly Wrap Up – Making Spanakopita with Play School
Me too… thankful, lovely to meet you Grace and FYBF
and hope to meet a few in person at Pro Blogger, I just nabbed a ticket last night.
Aww time really just flies by! I’ve been joining FYBF since Glowless hosted it haha.
Looking forward to FINALLY meeting ya in a few weeks time!
Ai Sakura recently posted..Singapore Cheongsams :: Joli Pretty Online Shop + {Giveaway & Promo}
Love it! Really nice to get these little insights into the history here.
Sarah from Creating Contentment recently posted..sometimes I need some space #thankfulthursday
I first connected with Brenda when I became a member of Digital Parents Australia over some banner advertising opportunity and somehow got hooked onto her blog.
Interesting to know how all this began. Thanks for sharing! So glad I found this awesome community. Keep up with the awesome job you’re doing.
Veronica Lee recently posted..Happy Birthday Oreo!
I remember my first #fybf and the friends I made from it! Hardly any of them are blogging any more but now there’s new friends to be had. It’s constantly changing which is one of the reasons I love it. 🙂
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Interview With A Husband
After meeting Brenda in March at DPCON, I can see how you got totally addicted, she’s awesome (and so are you by the way). No, I can’t say I’ve ever made out with a vacuum cleaner but if one day it miraculously started vacuuming all on its own, I just might!
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy recently posted..The Things We Take For Granted #SouthSudan
I haven’t met many bloggers IRL. It’s a bit hard to when you live in a regional city. I’m about to go to my first Pro Blogger though, so that’s all about to change. Can’t wait! (Even though I’m ultra nervous!)
Caitlin recently posted..Pizza Party for an 8th Birthday
Here’s to mates made on the internet! See you in three weeks mate! x
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..mothering by numbers
Ha! I didn’t find blogging & blogs until later in 2010 & the lovely, charming & pocket rocket Brenda was the person who managed to find me a ticket to Aussie Bloggers conference in March 2011!!
That my friend is when I met so many bloggers. I remember Glow taking over FYBF and then you too… Was Brenda doing it before G? Oh I can’t remember ! Boo!
Denyse recently posted..Doing Themselves Good & Others Too!
That is a very cool look back – she has such a great sense of humour!! I was very late to the bloggy party, 2012! Wish I’d come across it earlier, it really has much such a difference to my life. This time in 4 weeks we’ll be drinking together ma hearty!! x
So cool to get that glimpse back in time! I had no idea what a blog was in 2010. Haven’t we all come a long way!
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..Why I Write (Blog Hop Edition!)
I was not a bloggy lady back in the retro days of 2010 so it was nice for me to read how this all began.
That Brenda lady seems like a frickin’ awesome type. I can tell I would like her too.
I love #FYBF. It’s a super thing you’ve got going on here. Thanks for always hosting and creating such a strong little bloggy community!
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..An Interview With The Husband: Mr Vick On The Blog!
I don’t think I even knew what a blog was back in 2010! I’m pretty sure that if I hadn’t found the Digital Parents website when I started to blog last year that I probably wouldn’t still be blogging now. I had no idea where to start and until I got on my feet I used to visit the site every day. Hopefully one day I’ll build up the courage to blog about vaginas too 🙂
Lizzy – Muddle-Headed Mamma recently posted..On Writing and Writers