Looking Good!

OH, and in case you hadn't noticed, I did a little making over today. The old layout was, well, old. :)

I'm Sponsoring over at Cait.Create!

If you saw my post yesterday about motherhood, then you saw my link to Cait+Create. 

Caitlyn recently posted that she was seeking advertisers (FREE) for her blog. Her reasoning was simple, she had a little help getting her blog off the ground and now she would like to help others. 

I immediately emailed her to jump in on the opportunity. There is nothing in the blog world more rewarding than getting new readers to enjoy your words, so I hope this provides a little of that. 

I am so grateful for this opportunity. To be displayed in her blog as a sponsor is awesome. I hope that you all check her blog out (there is some great stuff there) and that you will stick around awhile, as I plan to guest post there in the near future. 

I'm a Grown-Up

I've gone back and forth on doing this for a long time, but I have made a commitment to this blog and I plan to see it through.

You may or may not have noticed that when you followed the link in your feed it redirected you to...www.ablessedexistence.com. I bought my own domain! Yay. 

This feels like such an adult thing to do. I own a little piece of cyberspace. Well, not really, but I own the name of this page. :)

I've also set up an email address and added a button in the sidebar, just in case you ever feel the need to send me an email, it's there.

Lastly, if you've linked to me via button, I have updated the address there so you might want to update it on your blog as well as in your feed/reader.

My dream

Early this summer I went to my cousin's high school graduation. During the ceremony, one of his classmates sang and played his guitar. It was really great and my mom and I were very impressed with his vocal skills. After that I downloaded his songs on iTunes, I mean, they were just a dollar. Those few dollars meant nothing to me and helped an aspiring artist pursue his dream. 

Today I saw his facebook page in my newsfeed and thought I would check out his website and see if there were any updates. I read his bio for the first time and there was a touching note to his Papa, the person who pushed him musically. The person who inspired his dream. 

So my cheesy mind thought, that would be a good blog topic, "What's your dream?" 

Then I realized I didn't have the answer to my own question. I know it's natural to have some identity issues at my age, but that kind of hit me hard. Do I even have a dream? I dream of...being a good parent, original right? 

You want to know my very first thought? I'm sad to admit it because I know it will never come true. My very first thought was, My dream is to live in NYC. I've always dreamed of living there. 

So, I'm not really sure if that counts or not, especially since I know it's not even possible, but there it is. 

My dream is to live in New York City.

After realizing this was my dream, I've decided I want to create a dream list, sort of like LMM's Life List so be looking for it in the near future.

Blog Topics?

Lately I've been relying more on a predefined topic as inspiration instead of my daily life. I think there's a really thin line between a creative writing project and a blog topic. 

Sometimes I just need a boost, an idea. Something to get the creative spark going, so this is really helpful to me. BUT, I do think that it's important to use the topic to tell your own story, and not create one. 

While going through a topic list, I kept coming back to one: "Describe the nicest thing you've ever done for someone." 

I don't know about you, but praising myself is not my strong suit. I'm great a being sarcastic and pretending to brag, and I know what I'm good at, but that's not the same as narrating something that I've done and why it's the nicest thing I've ever done.

I don't think I'm a horrible person, but I know that I don't just go around doing nice things for people. I actually can't tell you something at all nice that I've done for anyone. 

And that makes me really sad, to think that I can't even think of anything. My goal, before Christmas, is to complete an activity that will be able to finish this blog topic question. 

Recipe Link Party Details

Today is recipe sharing Monday over at Jam Hands (one of my new favorite blogs). If you have a recipe you are dying to share and you want to increase your blog traffic a little head on over to Jam Hands and link up!

 

Evolution of Blogging

I've been blogging for years, I started out blogging on myspace in 2006, moved to blog spot in 2008 with my pregnancy blog, and in 2009 I started posting on this blog. Most of the time it's just mindless chatter, but after seeing the rest of the blog world evolve I'm wondering if I should too?

I have shifted from all random postings to actually having ideas and themes in my posting. I see what other people are posting about and use that for inspiration. I have seen other bloggers like Little Miss Momma say what they do when they are having writers block, and I enjoy seeing those posts. Anything to get something creative flowing.

I'm just not creative enough to get something going on my own, so for now I'll browse through the headlines and facebook and see if there is anything relevant going on to blog about.

What do you do to cure your writers block or deal with a lack of creativity?

About blogging...

I have really debated whether or not to even address this, but I feel like I need to; for no one but myself.

You see, blogging is a really personal thing. You are putting your words and thoughts out into the world for everyone to see, judge, and agree or disagree with. Does that bother me? Not really. It does make me think really hard about the things I put out there. It makes me cautious. If you know me in real life, you'll know that I have an opinion on everything, well maybe not everything, but still... I'm very open minded to the opinions of others, and I frequently ask others to share their opinion with me. That doesn't mean I will change my mind, but it frequently happens. I am persuadable. In fact, I like for someone to propose an argument that will make me change my own mind about something. Really.

I also really like discussing current events. I think it's really important to know what's happening in the world around us. I love being able to ask questions of others and find out why they think what they think. My dad is really big on this too, and sometimes I'll just call him to ask what he thinks and we'll talk forever about it. It's really neat to me because we usually have really different perspectives of the same event and analyze it with completely different sets of life experience. What I like most about it, honestly, is hearing something that makes me think of the situation in a way I hadn't before. One of those, Ah ha moments that changes my whole mindset.

As I said before, a blog is a place to put how you think and feel about things, your personal thoughts and opinions. So when someone comments negatively on your blog, it's as though they are commenting negatively on your personal thoughts and feelings. I'm a pretty laid back person, and I let things like that roll off my back most of the time. But three days ago I wrote a blog about the uproar over kids being banned from restaurants. I wrote my own personal thoughts and feelings, and I know the thoughts of others also. I figured that some people wouldn't agree and I expected at least a few someones (depending on the traffic that day) to tell me why or how I was wrong and attempt to engage in a healthy debate. I'm fine with that, as I said, I'm pretty persuadable. What I didn't expect was to be told that I shouldn't be a mother. I did not expect for my teaching license or job to be threatened. I did not expected to be told to grow up. I really didn't.

Let me assure you, I didn't cry or get my feelings hurt at these negative comments. It angers me that someone who either knows me in real life would say these things anonymously in a blog comment, someone who is my friend on facebook and did the same, or doesn't know me at all and came across my blog in some other way would say these things. The amount of actual life that gets put into this blog is minimal and definitely not enough to actually say to me that I shouldn't be a mother (based on one blog post.) The amount of life that gets shared on facebook is a little more, but still, not all that much. I use facebook as a platform to share photos and links; to chat with friends and family. I rarely discuss work and any kind of advocating I do for my students and others with special needs on facebook. In real life, I'm a pretty closed off person. The people who know me well know a lot about me, and those out the fringes know some, but I try to keep my private life private either way.

I am posting this, sharing my feelings with you to say that if you disagree with something that I post here, tell me politely (or even rudely if you have something to say other than personal attacks) and let's discuss it. I'm more than fine with that, I like it. Tell me why I'm wrong and expect me to tell you why you are. It's give and take, and I enjoy it. If you think that what I write is awful and you never again want to read it, unsubscribe. Please. Because if what I'm writing offends you to the point of leaving rude anonymous comments, we probably won't be friends. I only post my blog in a few places, so chances are unless your my facebook friend you won't see my unless you search me out.

The commenter who left their comments anonymously, left me unknowing whether they are or aren't a facebook friend or fanpage follower, so I again say to Anonymous, if you are my facebook friend or follow my page, please unfriend me or unsubscribe. I do not appreciate anonymous rude comments questioning my ability to do my job as a mother or a teacher, as chances are, you don't know me as well as you think you do. If you leave anonymous comments on any other post, I will remove them.

To everyone else, thanks for reading!! I appreciate every comment and site view. It makes me feel as though someone does like what I'm reading and that I'm doing something right!! So, from the bottom of my heart, Thanks! :)

Link Party!

Because I love finding new blogs I've been taking part in some link parties lately. It's a ton of fun, and I've gotten a lot of traffic; plus I've found some new blogs to follow and stuff I like! Maybe even some stuff to make? We'll see if the creative bug catches me or not!!

Wanna link up too? Head over to Simple Home Life and add your blog post too!

Eminem

A fellow blogger commented on my two minute post yesterday about Eminem. Her statement was, "I actually think he taps into popular culture in a really interesting way" and I have to say, I totally agree. I have a little input about it too. 


Eminem came onto the rap circuit when I was just starting to become a rebellious teen, even though I wasn't that rebellious. Here was this rapper who was saying things that were totally un-PC. He was saying things that no one else would dare say, and he was making money doing it. 


I still like Em because he doesn't only rap about gang like things, making money, or some of the other things that are popular in rap lyrics. He talks about emotions. He was says things that he really means, not just what he thinks people want to hear. 


One of my all time favorite Eminem songs is Sing for the Moment. 


"These ideas are nightmares for white parents Whose worst fear is a child with dyed hair and who likes earrings Like whatever they say has no bearing Its so scary in a house that allows no swearing To see him walking around with his headphones blaring."

Doesn't that pull you in? The music hits hard and is accompanied by Aerosmith, which really only makes it better. It's the really raw emotion throughout the rest of the song that makes me see exactly what he's saying, feel like I'm part of it. In other songs like Mockingbird, a song spoken directly to his daughter, I see the humanity in him that a large part of society likes to pretend isn't there. He is real, he has a daughter and is doing what he is good at to provide for her even when doing that is taking him away from her. That's real and makes an impression on me.

He also raps about things that no one else will touch, like Michael Jackson and sex tapes. Some really ludicrous stuff, I'll admit. But it takes courage to put that kind of stuff out there and say the words that nearly everyone around you is thinking and whispering about, but no one will say. 


Mostly, I can say that popular culture, like me, likes shock value; likes hearing things that no one else is saying or doing. We like hearing wild and crazy things, the drama draws us in. We're human, right? But really for me, it's the really truthful lyrics, the raw words and emotions that create a picture in my mind, and his courage to call people out and say the things he wants to say instead of holding them in. Mostly the latter.


If you see me on a bad day, you can guess that I'll be listening to some really loud Eminem. There's a little insight about me, in case you didn't know. Music is great therapy, and listening to someone say the things I wish I could is even better for me 

Link Party!

We're having a link party at I <3 Naptime!! Just go over to her blog and post a link back to your blog of something you created yourself!! It's tons of fun and a great way to (1) learn new DIY projects and fun stuff and (2) get some new blogs to read and (3) get some extra traffic to your blog! You can't lose!!

Why do you blog?

As I was looking at my blog stats today I giggled. I get a ton of people wandering up to my blog searching for things like, "the man who wears the pants" or "domineering men wearing the pants" or, my personal favorite of this theme "to the man who wear the pants." These all really crack me up, because I think this is a blog written by a mommy. But then I remember that I'm so much more than that and I do talk about so much more than that. I don't just come here to journal my child's life or my families life. I come here to write about what I'm thinking, feeling, doing or in the state of being.

Sometimes I wish that I could make this blog more enterprising and use it for something. I even hope to make the "Blog of Note" list. But those things come with people judging what I write, people misunderstanding what I write, or perhaps just misinterpreting what I'm saying. That's not why I'm here. If you don't like what I have written, by all means don't read it. Don't come back. This is a public place, sure, but no one is forcing you to come here and see my words. The words I poured out of my mind, heart, and being. These things are so personal to me and this is the only place I have to write them. So while I love having people read my thoughts, words, and daily life notes if I say something you don't like, don't read it. And don't come back, because while I'm very open to change it doesn't happen all that often.

So if you've ever wondered why I post, now you know. If you've ever agreed with what I'm saying, tell me. If you disagree, respectfully tell me, but don't expect your opinion to change me unless you're really persuasive. So there.

New Blog Features!!

Good morning. I'm working on making my blog a little more easily accessible. In this process, I've added a few new features and created a facebook page for the blog. Exciting, I know. What exactly does this mean to you, the reader who is already loyal? It means that finding out about a new post is easier than ever.

First, I've added the facebook page. From the facebook page, I will update you about new posts directly. Also, I will post about any new things happening as well!

In addition to the facebook page, I've also added a box in the right hand column so that you can like the page from here, even easier, see.

I've also added a box in the sidebar so that you can just enter your email address to be notified of new blog posts. So, if you don't facebook, all you have to do is check your email. Easy again. (See a theme here?)

And finally, I've added a button that allows other bloggers, like yourself, to link to my page from yours. I have a page in the top bar where I've added the buttons of others, and now I have a button for you to share. Woohoo!

So, now there are many new ways to access my blog, as well as share it with others. Hope they make your life a tiny bit easier.

Little Miss Momma

I have been sitting on this post for days, but if you'll remember how busy I've been lately, I've just had a hard time.

I found this blog the other day that I love. I actually found it through Pinterest.com (which is an awesome site, if you didn't know this) through a hair tutorial. Once I got there and browsed around, I found lots of other things that I just love. First and foremost, Ashley over at Little Miss Momma has tons of tips about blogging, which I really need. She also has an etsy shop and tons of tutorials about random things, as well as just the basic mommy stories.

One of the things noted in the tips is to have a purpose for your blog, know what it is, and have goals as well. So, the purpose for my blog is to have a place to tell the stories of my family, vent about the things that piss me off, and just be able to connect with others.

There are lots of great blogs out there that I love to read and browse, and this is just the newest one of many!

Check her out today!

Shameless promoting

A blog I read, just really cracks me up. She's a very funny lady, and the tone of the blog just makes me giggle all the time.

Reading Challenge

One of my favorite past times has always been reading. Usually when I pick up a book, I seldom put it down until it's finished. Last year, one of my goals for the year was to begin reading again. So I did. I read a lot of stupidly entertaining YA books, that had more depth than I expected. I also read real books, with intensity, life and challenges. It's always so refreshing to finish a book that was truly worth reading. Most of the time, I just can't wrap my mind around how truly awesome it was.

So, my goal this year, is to read thirty books by the end of the year. After the first quarter of the year, I will be at about fifteen, so I might even up the goal!

Anyway, I am going to keep a list here of all the books I've read this year, and will post a short summary of each under the category of Book Review. Eventually I'm going to get around to making a page for it, but right now it's a lot of work.

Here is my reading challenge marker from Goodreads, and you can click on it to make your own if you want!!

2011 Reading Challenge

Sally has
read 12 books toward her goal of 30 books.

hide

12 of 30 (40%)

view books

Semi-new Blogger Feature

If you will remember, last year, blogger added a new feature. Pages. I posted about my "About Me" page (and here) last year, and pretty much left it at that.

I also developed a photography page.

Since then, I decided to move my Yearly To Do's from the sidebar to an actual page, so it's now up there also. And by up there, I mean, ^^ right up there above this post just below the title of the blog.

Thing is. When I decided I wanted to add the yearly goals page/tab, I couldn't remember how. I asked my friend, who is a top 20 Mommy Blogger, how to do it, because she's pretty awesome at blogger design and html. She's usually my go to person for anything blog design. Anyway, I remembered instantly after I posted on her wall how to do it, but I decided to go ahead and leave the question up for anyone who might not know, and on top of that, I decided to post a little addage here about it.

If you're wanting to add pages to your blogger(blogspot) blog, you simply go to posting, like to post a new blog entry, and right next to it is Edit Pages. In the edit pages field, you have the option of adding pages. Super simple. You can even use html in the boxes to add photos or fancy colors to your text.

That's all I have for now, hope that helps anyone who might have been wondering.

What's your favorite thing about...FREE?!?!

The other day I posted a blog about free, free, free holiday cards. Well here is the skinny on that deal.

First go to shutterfly.com and upload all of your pictures! I do this religiously, as it's the best place to get prints, and they store all your photos for FREE. (See, free again)

Then, check out their Holiday Card designs. This one is my favorite. I love how it lets the picture shine, but also enhances it a bit with holiday cheer.

They also have more traditional Christmas Cards that are super cute!

And last but not least, if you need some holiday gifts, they have awesome things like Calendars (who wouldn't love a photo calendar of my beautiful kid), Wall Art Canvases, and lots of others!!

My suggestion is: Go upload your pics, browse their cards (and pick out your favorite to get FREE) and then sign your little blog up to get free cards too!

Free, Free, Free!!

Free, Free, Free. Did that get your attention? Free?

Anyway...

Bloggers get free Holiday cards! Check it out!

Busy Life

My life has been fairly busy lately. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. It either creates more chaos in life, or shows that my life is full.

I spent the first part of the week working on a several page essay/case study take home test. It was a killer. Wednesday, I also had class and forgot my computer so I had to actually take notes. *gasp*

Thursday, we made plans with one of my best friends who has a little girl close to Archer's age to go to the zoo. Then, we found out the zoo closed early. So we made plans to go to a pumpkin patch. But I couldn't get off work soon enough. So, then we decided to go see Santa who was visiting a shopping center. BUT, as all things crazy go, we missed him too. Either way, we had a great time just eating out for dinner and letting the kids play. They actually played and got along really well. And they LOVE to kiss.

Saturday was trick or treat day locally, so we went with family around my home town. Lots of fun. I wish we had that super small town feel here, but we don't. I'm still hoping someday we find that town that has feeling, but also has the amenities of a bigger town. Someday...

Anyway. That's my crazy busy week. Hopefully I'll be back to my regular bloggy self this week.