Could the Day Get Any Better?

You blog, you wonder if anyone reads, then along comes a day like today. Holy Cow!

I started the day with an email from Diane Haddad. THE Diane Haddad, Managing Editor of Family Tree Magazine. Thank you Diane for a great start to the day!

The email said:

Congratulations! Your blog was voted one of the Family Tree Magazine 40 Best Genealogy blogs!

You can see our announcement and the full list on our Genealogy Insider blog here.

You may recall we had a round of nominations and voting last fall. We’re grateful to everyone who helped spread the word about that process, and to you for your hard work in promoting the pursuit of family history.

Recall? Of course I recall.

Thank you, to all those who voted and to Family Tree Magazine. I am so very honored to be in such esteemed company; people I enjoy reading and admire greatly.

Thank you, Maureen Taylor, for the really great write up you did for all the winning bloggers. No easy task. And thank you, Maureen, for the lovely comments about the mysterious footnoteMaven. Does this make me MfM?

Thank you to the entire list of Top 40 winners. I read you, I enjoy you! The great work you do makes me a better blogger.

The winners in the All-Around were:

• Creative Gene by Jasia Smasha
• footnoteMaven by footnoteMaven
• GeneaBloggers by Thomas MacEntee
• Genea-Musings by Randy Seaver

Those who were nominated in this category were:

AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors
CanadaGenealogy or, "Jane's your aunt"
Creative Gene
footnoteMaven
GeneaBloggers
GeneaBlogie
Genea-Musings
The Genealogue
Tina's Genealogical Wish List
Transylvanian Dutch

Every single one of these nominated blogs deserves this award.

But quite frankly, today I feel like a cross between the Wizard of Oz and Seinfeld (Yes Kathryn, you won't like this analogy).

I've often said this blog reminds me of Seinfeld, a "blog about nothing;" focused on the minutiae of searching for those elusive ancestors and coping with the petty injustices of my efforts.

Who knew there was a category for this in the Family Tree Top 40 called All-Around.

So where does the Wizard of Oz fit into this? Well, I honestly feel like the all-seeing, all-knowing Oz just before someone pulls the drape and finds out that behind-the-curtain is nothing more than a computer, an internet connection, an office filled with stuff (lots of stuff), two dogs and a cat, and the Maven still wearing her slippers (and they're not Ruby) at ten in the morning.

So what's the best thing about GeneaBlogging? Awards? I am grateful, but no. It's the relationships; no not the kind you can chart on a family tree. It's the great friends I've made, and the generosity of spirit I've experience every day.

Thank you my friends, for reading, for commenting, for sharing,
for encouraging! I could never have done it without you!
In particular, Jasia, of Creative Gene for giving
me my start and for her continual encouragement!

Raise a glass with me to the Family Tree Top40!

P.S. The day did get better, Maureen Taylor's two new books arrived. Jackpot!