The 5th Annual 31 for 21 Challenge????

1. True story: I actually came here to post about a week and a half ago and when I was about to hit publish our electricity flickered, we lost our wifi for a minute and I lost the post. I am sure it was nothing profound as I didn't quickly try to recreate it (frustrated as I was), and seeing as how I have absolutely no recollection of what I wrote. My guess is it had to do with how school is going for the kids. School has been a big topic the last couple weeks.

2. Clearly, I don't write here very often. I am busy, sure, like everyone, but there's more to it. After all, I found time to write when I had newborns (one of whom was in the NICU and one of whom came while my first born was only just learning to walk.) I get a little nervous about what to share--that's one thing--now that the kids are growing up. Though honestly...I gotta' admit, facebook steals some of the thunder.

3. ...that leads me to 31 for 21. (See here for information on 31 for 21 from last year.) I was really torn about whether or not to do the challenge this year. I don't know that I can keep up with it, I don't know how many people are really blogging these days. And...well...I suppose there are all sorts of excuses not to do it. But...if there's ANYONE out there still reading this ol' bloggity blog, or perhaps more important, if there are any new parents with a wee babe just born who has Down syndrome...well...I like the thought that maybe they'd stumble upon my blog, or someone else's blog because of the 31 for 21 Challenge and they will see that this Down syndrome thing ain't so bad.

4. So. I guess that means I am doing it.

5. Do you want to sign on? To make it official, I will have the Link Daddy thing-a-ma-whosit on the site on October 1st.  But feel free to leave a comment if you're thinking you might do it.

6. Yikes!

7. Feel free to spread the word. Remember, the only rule is this: post every day, at least once day, for thrity-one days (each of them in the month of October, which is Down syndrome Awareness Month) on any topic, to raise awareness about Trisomy 21. 31 for 21! (Topics about Down syndrome are not neccesary, though it's encouraged that you mention why you are taking part in the challenge at some point during the 31 days.)

8. HTML to grab the button will be available in the next few days.

9. Let's roll.

10. Yikes again!

Comments

[Michelle Adams]

I'm in again!!!! :)

[cate]

tradition!

I'm posting every day anyway because I'm trying to do a 365 photo project. is it cheating to sign up? maybe I should commit to actually writing something for 31 days.

seriously, I really like 31 for 21. Although I rarely read new blogs, it's nice to see old faves pop up with a ton of activity. And I like doing it myself; it's a good mind exercise for me.

[RK]

I'm in. Scared of what might get counted as a post just to meet my quota, but I'm gonna try hard!!

[Inger]

Go to it!

[Mary]

I think I'll try. It will be good to get some words down again.

[Alison]

Whew. I'm game for giving it a try. Like RK, I may have some sad quota-meeting-posts.

[Michelle]

Obviously I'm in since I asked you about it on FB ;-) It is hard to come up with something for 31 days, but I agree with it being important that maybe a new family will stumble upon it. And, as Cate said, tradition. Oct wouldn't be the same without it.

[krlr]

In!

[Beverly]

I am in! look forward to the month of October :)

[Lisa]

Hmmm, seriously thinking about it . . .

[Kim Fish]

I did it last year and came looking to sign up today for it. So yes, I am in. As will be some of my daughters!

[Penny Putman]

i'm in! i did it last year and loved it!

[Jaida]

I think I will. I assume it's not hard to figure out "grabbing" a button?? I'm new to blogging...

[Nora]

Eeep! I'm in. Though I might just re-post library school work for the entire month. :P

[starrlife]

Ooooh yeah! Just what I need to get going again (famous last words). I notice every year, during Oct. I post regularly and my stats go up and then it is just a down hill slide from there :) Thanks for doing this Tricia!

[Beth]

I'm in again!

[Ali Llanas]

i am in again too!! (blogging from mexico!)

[maya]

I'm so scared to sign up but love the challenge. Afraid I will fail this year and I am ridiculously compulsive about these things.
Oh hell, I'll try!
At the very least I can whine on and on about being sleep deprived because THAT is so interesting (and relates so much to DS-HA HA)
Thanks again for organizing this!

[Qadoshyah]

Count me in for sure! I did it last year for the first time and it was great. I've already been planning my posts out :).

[Kayla]

Count me in...again!

[Michelle]

I'm going to try...people might see how boring and ordinary my life can be!

[Jen Dawn]

I'm in!!!! http://jendawnscowgirlup.blogspot.com/

[Stacy H]

I am in again.. already got my thinking cap on :)

[Jennifer M.]

I'm in! It may be hard to blog every day, but I have a 7 month old daughter with Down syndrome and would do anything to raise awareness!

[Kristin]

I'm in :)