Deseret News | The blogger mom — Salt Lake woman's Web rants from home draw raves and revenue

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The blogger mom — Salt Lake woman's Web rants from home draw raves and revenue

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Elaine G. | 8:37 p.m. April 18, 2008

I've been reading Dooce for years. I have laughed, cried and lived through all her ups and downs. I never miss more than a day of not logging on to Dooce. Her photos are amazing. Her humor cracks me up and her little girl Leta is a delightful child that I have watched grow on a monthly basis. Her blogs have been a constant joy in my life.

Anonymous | 4:57 a.m. April 19, 2008

I love me some dooce! Keep up the great work, Heather. I'm happy to see you getting the praise you deserve.

PS Something looks odd about the pictures in the background but I just ... can't ... place what it is. j/k :)

Mom in MO | 6:29 a.m. April 19, 2008

I had never heard of this blog before. So I checked it out. Made me long for the days when our newspaper published articles by the late Erma Bombeck. If only she hadn't died before computers became so popular. Oh, and btw, I thought it was spelled "deuce".

Comments continue below

myla | 6:34 a.m. April 19, 2008

Heather Armstrong is fabulous. Period.

Jennifer | 7:59 a.m. April 19, 2008

My friend recommended dooce.com to me last year. I've been hooked ever since!

Stenar | 8:48 a.m. April 19, 2008

Dooce is hilarious. I take umbrage with it being described as a "mommy" blog or parenting blog. It's a wonderfully written blog by a person who just happens to be a mother, but that's not the main point of the blog. And lots of men, myself included, read the blog.

just wondering | 9:56 a.m. April 19, 2008

Where do you guys find time to read her stuff? Wonderful that she is a great writer and successful, that is truly great. I am a work at home mother of 5 and barley have time to read the news. Are you guys just hanging out on the web? Like the gals in the ladies forums?
Can't imagine being on a blog every day instead of being out in the yard, smelling the roses, planting the tomatoes, pruning the fruit trees, wiping a bum, etc. Good luck to you Heather, sounds like you have a direction in life!

taking a duece | 10:05 a.m. April 19, 2008

get lives.

heather, a brilliant writer | 12:16 p.m. April 19, 2008

Heather makes it all work because-- she understands writing. It's hard work crafting, stitching, molding words together in such a way that it tells a story, day after day, a continuous stream of commentary that builds up a world so normal yet so intricate that some 4 million readers feel as though they are part of it. I'm a 16-hour flight away from Utah, but dooce.com is my first web visit of the day - for 3 years and counting. She's the writer I aim to be =)

TMI | 1:19 p.m. April 19, 2008

Frankly, I think that this woman reveals things about the Church that are better left unsaid. However, I will let God judge.

Cascade Blogger | 1:30 p.m. April 19, 2008

I love dooce, even though I am a middleaged, childless, currently unmarried person. But I totally get it about the dogs!

lisa | 1:36 p.m. April 19, 2008

I read DOOCE Daily and am a big fan of her witty approach to life!
Lisa from Woodland, CA

Kim | 1:37 p.m. April 19, 2008

Dooce is awesome! I love reading her posts and her writing as well as her honesty are what keep pulling people in. I can't wait for her book and hope it is a best seller.

Archaea Cougarguard | 4:54 p.m. April 19, 2008

TMI, I worry about you and your sort. Heather writes with considerable restraint about the Church. Not everything that happens in the Church is 100% positive. Remember, none of us is infallible. Meanwhile, don't judge the rest of us who love dooce for the lighthearted joy Heather brings.

brooklynmama | 7:10 p.m. April 19, 2008

I feel really sorry for her kid. She has no say on whether or not her life gets to be broadcast on the internet. It's like sharing embarrassing baby pictures and anecdotes with the entire country.

pooce | 10:47 p.m. April 19, 2008

Can't stand the stupid letters to her daughter. Its simply too much. Enough already.

Sarah G | 10:56 p.m. April 19, 2008

Heather, I've read your blog every day for the past 3 year's, and I have to admit that there have been days that only you have made me laugh. You have such a genuine quality to your writings that I feel like you're one of my close friends- I know, kinda creepy. Thank you for your humor, whit and most of all your honesty. You make my day!

Tamara | 11:23 p.m. April 19, 2008

Brooklynmama you obviously don't have a sense of humour or you would understand. Pooce don't like it don't read it. I love Heathers work all the way from Australia

bob | 7:00 a.m. April 20, 2008

To all those who have expressed there need fot
dooce.....I say GET a Life!!!!

You probably watch TV soaps too.

doug | 8:15 a.m. April 20, 2008

You found your calling. Relax now. It will all come. It is like being in the zone in sports. It will just flow. Relax.

findingmuse | 9:02 a.m. April 20, 2008

i've been reading dooce.com off and on for a year now. she's genuine, funny, and an excellent writer. i've just read all 70+ comments left so far. i think it's important to note that the loving, supportive comments left here in this article about her (and those left on her blog) far, far outweigh whatever comments negative, judgmental, hateful people with bottom-feeder mentalities have to say about heather, how she lives her life, and what she does. that tells me that what she's doing is good and positive.

but that's what makes the internet so fascinating: people are certainly entitled to give their opinions, and so often choose to do so in nasty ways that always, always leave them looking very silly and immature (and, quite often, guilty of exactly the thing they are pointing fingers at). and so, yay! heather wins (again)!

"-D

Groovymarlin | 11:05 a.m. April 20, 2008

I love Dooce! Heather inspires me in every way. And despite what "pooce" said above, the letters to Leta are my favorite part of the blog. What a wonderful thing to do for your child - to write them a letter every month, so they'll be able to share the memories they were too small to remember themselves someday. And I feel honored that she shares them with her readers.

Reading Heather's blog is an important part of my day. Thank you so much, Heather.

scouter | 5:14 p.m. April 20, 2008

her writing is witty and entertaining. i don't have kids and even her writings about parenting are interesting because IT IS JUST GREAT WRITING! hers is actually only 1 of 3 blogs i actually make time to read. i hope she makes a million dollars a year.

christine | 8:12 p.m. April 20, 2008

i read dooce everyday and feel connected, inspired, and happier. she makes me laugh, she is a great writer and very witty, and she supports women and artists. love her.

penelope | 8:20 p.m. April 20, 2008

if i could only read one person's blog it would be heather's dooce blog. i can't get enough of it! she knows how to tell a good story.

Reader from L.A. | 9:36 p.m. April 20, 2008

I stumbled across the site when I Googled (verb)"hate job" 4 years ago, after quitting my job in advertising. I have been reading it every since. My husband thinks her photos of animals, children and scenery are brilliant. I go back for the writing, though. She's got this great angle on life that comes through in every post. I would call it irreverence "lite".

Crazy You | 1:27 a.m. April 21, 2008

I find Heather and Jon to be the poster children for WHAT not to do in life. She said she had postpartum in 2004, so how do you explain all the mean things she's said and shared about Leta up till now? Trust me you dooclings if your mother rejected you, shared all your personal shortcomings or failures you wouldn't be so happy either. When will you doocelings get a brain and think for yourselves when Leta tries to off herself from all the torture she'll receive because he mother wanted a new house and wouldn't keep quite? Nice, it takes a village to raise a child that's unless you're a blog celeb then everything is forgivable.

Nikki | 6:13 a.m. April 21, 2008

It's one of the only blogs I check daily. It's amusing and I envy her for her creative writing and upkeep of this blog. Go Dooce Go!

Scott | 6:38 a.m. April 21, 2008

FYI... 30 yr old male reading for about 3 yrs and always wanted to blog about my life too... Everyone has a story... How about an adopted Korean growing up on a farm in Pa'Tucky with Evangelicals and excommunicated for coming out?

I check daily too...
Where else can you find a candid letter to your daughter each month you can cherish and laugh about later in life together?

She does the work for me to find interesting videos, shopping/home stuff, humor, and uplifting words to keep going.

The Chuck pictures and calendar (gotta get one).

Talking about religion and issues that come of it (good and bad).

What's so bad about that?

Only Me | 6:42 a.m. April 21, 2008

Dooce.com is the only blog I check daily.
I'm disappointed when there are no new posts, but almost excited when there are.
Keep up the great work Heather!

Kelly | 7:13 a.m. April 21, 2008

She is fantastic!

JustMe | 7:14 a.m. April 21, 2008

I've been reading dooce since just before Leta was born, and it gave me the courage to ask for extra support and observation when I had my child, since I knew I was at risk for PPD.

To those who complain about featuring Leta (brooklynmama and "Crazy You" (Crazy Us? hmmm)), what do you say to child stars in film and television? They are legally too young to choose or give consent for their appearance - should we ban child actors?

Kevin | 7:48 a.m. April 21, 2008

My only concern about Heather is that she likes taking shots at the church. Why can't people who leave the church leave it alone?

The Rock | 8:41 a.m. April 21, 2008

Thanks for the warning. I do not support profanity and will not reward anyone who uses it.

I will not ever visit her blog.

ronilynne | 8:51 a.m. April 21, 2008

About a year ago my sister forwarded to me the blog where Leta was taking a fit because the dog was "looking at meeeeee" and Heather said her brain popped right out of her head and bounced across the floor like a tennis ball! I've been hooked and faithful reader ever since.

Meg | 9:20 a.m. April 21, 2008

I can honestly say that Dooce Rocks! Heather says the things about parenting that we all think but are not willing to say out loud!

Jennifer | 9:26 a.m. April 21, 2008

Also take into consideration those readers like me who "ghost" her blog everyday like me. I love her blog and she is one of only a handful of writers that never seem to write a useless word. Many times I have laughed out loud. She is the world's greatest and best friend. The one who will get you drunk, clean up your tears, share hers, and hide the bodies in the morning!!!

Sally | 9:21 a.m. April 21, 2008

Heather's a rockstar! Also, check out Chuck's pose in the photo - he's such a pro. Dooce for president!

donnarama | 9:33 a.m. April 21, 2008

Excellent article - thanks for the background on this very interesting woman. Dooce and Heather are great! I've enjoyed reading this site since 2001 and simply must have my daily dose of dooce! I remember reading avidly about the life-changing event of having her baby at a time when I was hoping to have one. Then, when I got pregnant and now that I have a baby, I check back and read her archives for confirmation and comiseration. I really love her writing style - she has such a way with words, that I'm often either nodding my head or laughing out loud. Furthermore, as an expat overseas, I love reading her witty take on modern American life and feel it keeps me connected with home in a way. Heather, what you have done with your life really is an inspiration and a shining example of making the best out of tough situations. Thank you and keep it up!

Janie | 12:33 p.m. April 21, 2008

I've been reading Dooce for years...since she was single and wild. We've all been through her marriage, her pregnancy, her daughter Leta's young life. Prayed when Leta had problems and medical tests done, when Heather wasn't well and on and on. Her writing has made me laugh and cry, often on the same day. I've watched her little daughter grow, worried about her, laughed at her antics and I honestly love her...more personality in that kid than 6 of any others!
Of course it is odd when you think of it...it's like one of your favorite friends and her family lives in your computer LOL. I know it will probably have to end someday and as much as I want her to be happy, it will be a very sad day for me when Heather has to take her private life back. I can't even imagine it!

Anonymous | 1:39 p.m. April 21, 2008

I've been reading Dooce for nearly 4 years... LOVE it. Glad she's doing so well so I can keep reading.

Linda | 2:34 p.m. April 21, 2008

I read Heather every day and of course I follow the antics of Chuck and Coco religiously. But, I really look forward to her monthly 'Love Letters' to her daughter Leta. They tug at my heart strings and make me wish I had done the same for my 2 children. It's a wonderful way for Leta to know her mother !!

Heather , thank you for letting us share your life.

This is it? | 5:18 p.m. April 21, 2008

Just looked at the blog. Her bio was enough for me. The people that read this crap must be the same crowd that thinks Paris Hilton is a good role model.

Hmmm | 5:36 p.m. April 21, 2008

I fail to see what there is to admire about her. I can't believe people look up to her as a role model for wives and mothers. My wife is a much better role model and is smart enough to express herself without degrading language. I guess some people think that is clever though. Must be the same crowd that thinks Paris Hilton is a good role model for our daughers.

hbj | 6:31 p.m. April 21, 2008

She's the only stranger on my family list. (Can you call someone like Heather a stranger?)

Chloe | 9:36 p.m. April 21, 2008

"I bet most of the readers of this particular blog are women. I visit lots of blogs about important subjects."
Wow. How incredibly sexist. Your implication is that women don't read blogs about "important stuff"? We just go for the trivia, apparently.
I'm a 25 year old single female with no children. I read cnn every day-- notice that's real news, not blogger-spin-news, and check dooce at least every couple of days. I greatly enjoy her profanity, honesty, and fresh take on motherhood. And I love Chuck and Leta.

Sick | 11:20 p.m. April 21, 2008

She is a very sick woman, as most people are, she makes a living at it. She is waking up to the fact that just because she's pretty doesn't mean she is not going to suffer just like everyone else. She couldn't make it through child birth without falling apart, now she thinks the world owes her a living for her disgusting few of life. Next time you admire someone for there looks, think of her and be thankful your not headed for the same delusional state she has reached. It can get alot worse just watch.

Angie | 12:49 a.m. April 22, 2008

Dear "Sick"
their, you're, a lot. disgusting few of life?
i think you meant disgusting VIEW of life.
if you're going to write negative emails about people,
(especially the person named 59th blogger on the internet)
you should at least make sure everything is spelled correctly.
i think heather is great. her blog is true to life and i read it everyday.
if you don't like it, don't read it.

from the uk | 2:50 a.m. April 22, 2008

i have been following the blog for about 4 years now and heather has always been a delight to read. she obviously has a writing skill and not everything has to sound as if it has been written by an oxford don. she is real, honest and certainly been a light in my darkness more than once.

Ro | 6:16 a.m. April 22, 2008

I have been reading Dooce for almost a year. She is hilarious, insightful, real, down-to-Earth, and a wonderful mother. It is obvious that Leta is her heart and soul. So shame on you, No Name, for saying she's a bad mother. What do you know?

We love you, Heather.

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