{} is my way of enclosing you in a hug!

I'd like to thank everyone who has taken the time to vote once, or often, in Healthline.com's Best Health Blog of 2012 contest. A big round of applause to the nominees, as well as the people who supported them by taking the time to vote.

"@auntiestress Daily blog slog aside, congratulations on climbing to and maintaining #11 throughout the months of voting, Marianna!"

— Sisters (@ThriftBoutique) February 16, 2013

Yes, there are days when blogging is a slog, especially when it's done on a daily basis on A Rheumful of Tips and twice-weekly on Auntie Stress Café. I persevere however, because I know that the feeling is fleeting - the flow shows and I am showered with ideas aplenty.

As was pointed out in the above tweet, I moved up into the 11th place on Page 2, with 697 votes. I began on Page 3 in twenty-something-th place. Even though I didn't make it to Page 1 as I hoped, this placing makes me feel pretty good for two reasons:

1. That a blog about moving through life with RA is even considered for the broader Best Health blog category!
2. That I am the only Canadian blogger in the Top 70 (and possibly more, as I didn't check the rest)!

Since then, I've analyzed why I was nominated in the first place. I think it's because the tips, tricks, techniques and strategies I post cover a broad range of categories about living life well, about making small changes that have a big impact on not only someone who lives with RA, but also for anyone. I've had positive comments and emails from seniors, from people who don't have RA, but who are undergoing surgery, from those who have been newly diagnosed with a chronic illness and from people who simply like my giveaways!

So, thank {you} for your support - you know who you are!