Hello, my peeps.
I have some posts of substance in my head but Monday’s post took a lot out of me. Thanks for all of your sweet support.
There is also the fact that Graham joined the vomit lava club on Tuesday.
Matthew then joined the same club in the middle of the night (all. night. long.) on Wednesday.
My brother who lives with us then spewed chunks ALL OVER THE BATHROOM FLOOR last night.
I have not joined the club (yet) but I have had a gurgling stomach. I am also tired from wiping all of the vomit emissions.
I have been meaning to deal with a bit of blog administration matters. Specifically? My blog roll.
I keep meeting more and more of you and would love to just slap you up in my blog roll, but then the list would be a mile long and would not mean anything. I have been pondering what to do about it. So far? I have done absolutely nothing.
OMSH did a post about the very topic of creating the best blog roll ever (in cahoots with Kerflop) using screen shots of readers’ sites. She also provided a list of different programs you can use to create the perfect blog roll for YOU.
(Speaking of OMSH, she has a contest happening and all you are required to do is post a photo of yourself making a funny face. I look too pale and peaked to take one of myself today, but here’s one of Honey and I throwing horns before we left on a date night.)
To quote Metalia, “Who SAYS that accountants can’t bring the rawk?”
That’s right, baby.
Back to blog rolling…
While all of the options seem great…they seemed a little time consuming for someone who is nowhere near the coding goddess that those two are. Also? If I am going to take time snapping shots, Instead of taking oodles of screen shots I would rather take them with my camera.
Like yesterday. Everyone was napping except for Nathan and I. We sat at the table colouring so I took the opportunity to catch his beautiful green eyes in the afternoon sun.
He has a nice smile too.
And is generally just a good lookin’ kid.
Not that I am biased or anything.
Back to the blog roll.
What to do, what to do?
Last week I saw some incoming clicks from Joy Unexpected (You read her, right? Y is awesome.) On her sidebar was a little badge that includes posts that she had starred in Google Reader so that she could share them with her readers. I thought this was a stellar idea, so I leapt from Bloglines to Google Reader. WHY did I wait so long? Google Reader is the captain of the cheer leading squad and Bloglines licks the gunk between her toes.
See the little badge over on the right titled, “Sweet Posts”? Below my Flickr badge? Below my Text-Link Ads? Above my side log? Which is above my weblog award nominations? Speaking of which - are you going to vote for me? Please?
**Bats baby blues at you**
This Google Reader badge was a partial solution to giving back to the blogging community.
It is only a partial solution as not everyone is in my feed reader. There is nothing wrong with you. At all. It’s not you, it’s me. I mean it.
If I open my reader and there are dozens of posts that have not been read, I get all antsy. Like I have to somehow whittle that list down to “zero unread items”. I fear that if I do not read them, then the post writer will somehow NOT GO ON. And that it will somehow be MY FAULT. And then I COULD NOT GO ON.
I don’t need that kind of stress. So I just try to manually click for new people or people who do not post frequently. But this does not help me give the link love back to them.
What to do, what to do?
I was in Starbucks the other day and had an epiphany. It must have been that different type of caffeine.
I really like photography, and most people who read me like photos as well. So here is what I am thinking.
What if I had each of you submitted a favourite photo? It could be of anything. Of you, of your baby love, of your hunka burnin’ love, of a flower…the options are endless. You could give it a title/small blurb about why you picked it. I would post it with a link to your site and your title/quote.
I would make it a static page up on the top menu bar instead of a post so that it was always handy…and always available for everyone to see. It may end up being more work than the other methods of blog rolling, but it would be a lot more fun. At least for me.
Oh! To make it even easier, maybe I’ll create my first ever Flickr group. That way those of you who Flickr can put your photos in and write whatever you want. For those who do not Flickr, it’s FREE! Then I’ll slap the Flickr pool up on that page in my menu bar that I would create (just like the great Whoorl did with her hair gallery).
Thoughts? Is this a good idea? Or as lame as the fact that I have a January birthday? January is the lamest month of the year.
Also? If you don’t care about linking, feel free to comment on my sweet Nathan. He is the middle child and definitely does not get his share of press. I need to remedy that; he’s a pretty neat kid and deserves some recognition.
37 Comments
I think you idea is cool! If i’m accepted i’ll find a pic and send it over to you in a bit.
Now on to the important stuff….Mr. Nathan….I love the fact that all your kids look so different, Nathan seems to resemble your husband more than anyone. All I can say is that the ladies well be swarming soon so be ready!
Comment by Cndy on December 6th, 2007 @ 10:26 amYour boy is so adorable, and I promise I’m not just saying that because my son’s name is Nathan too 
I think your idea sounds fab!
Comment by Karla on December 6th, 2007 @ 10:55 amI love this idea and it’ll help me work harder on my photographs. Also, I have a January birthday and if it’s lame to be like you and me, BRING ON THE LAME.
And, I have always been partial to Nathan. I think your kids are the most adorable children on the planet (aside from those related to me) and you know I tell my husband every day, “If we have more than one kid, let’s blame our debt and insanity on Angella, k?” but I’ve always thought Nathan just looked so dang sweet and kind and happy. And the green eyes. You make beautiful kids. Middle child included.
Google Reader IS the cheerleading captain! Best comparison of the day!
Comment by She Likes Purple on December 6th, 2007 @ 11:14 amGoogle Reader kicks butt! [Told you so... ;)]
Comment by reddirtroad on December 6th, 2007 @ 11:21 amYou throw horns so well. We don’t throw horns around here b/c longhorns are our rival college team.
But Nathan…oh my goodness that lot shot looks JUST LIKE HIS DADDY. I think you went and hit ‘cc’ on that camera of yours.
I’m not sure I could determine a favorite shot. Favorite shots? Maybe. Can I send 1/4 of my flickr over?
Comment by OMSH on December 6th, 2007 @ 11:31 amOoh I’m so glad you joined the Google Reader Club! Isn’t it the best? It’s funny though - I actually think feed readers are best for people who don’t post often (ahem…cough…me) because it lets me know when they do actually update. The blogs that update daily, I can just go visit every day and know there will always be something new. But I’m not going to click over to a site regularly if I don’t know for sure there will be a new post, because I just don’t have time.
I too get stressed over lots of unread items, though, so the “Mark All As Read” button is my best friend in Reader! Don’t worry, the world goes on if you don’t read everything as soon as it’s posted, and you can always go back and read old posts in a row for any particular feed if you want to.
I like your Flickr idea. Have you created the group yet? I’ll start thinking about a fave. =)
I hope you avoid the illness!!!
Comment by ashpags on December 6th, 2007 @ 11:57 amI think that a flickr group would be cool. Then you could have a flickr badge that rotates the photos and it would save you oodles of time.
P.S. Thanks for the linky love for “Her”. It is deeply appreciated.
LOVE the idea! Where do I sign? 
And I personally LOVE Jan. b-days. Hubby and Landon are in Jan. (But it does suck that it’s right after Christmas!) You want to talk lame, how bout having a Feb like me!?
Oh, Oh, now I HAVE to check out google reader!
Nathan is one good lookin’ kid!
Comment by Kami on December 6th, 2007 @ 12:14 pmHmm … what to comment on first …
1. I’m going to check out Joy Unexpected and the Google reader!
2. Vomit lava = really gross
3. I did OMSH’s contest too. What fun!
4. OMSH has a great blogroll. Because I’m in it, of course.
5. Okayyyy, I’ll vote
6. The blogroll/flickr idea sounds wonderful!
7. Your little boy is the cutest little boy I know! (I can say that, I have all girls!)
Nathan is GORGEOUS….you’re going to need to watch out when he’s older
Feeling very sorry about the vomit lava and hoping its over soon.
Google reader is the BEST! I do have bloglines for a couple of people who I can’t get on google reader but it doesn’t compare. Although I do get an anxious feeling when my unread items get large *sigh* I need to create more time in the day.
I’m slightly brain dead this morning (its been a looooooooooooong week) so have nothing intelligent to offer as far as linking is concerned but will do whatever you tell me
I use Bloglines. I tried twice to go to Google Reader but it’s soooo slow. Is it slow for you?
Comment by Julie on December 6th, 2007 @ 1:07 pmI’ve been having trouble with links and feeds. With my feeds, I ended up deleting everyone and then re-added people from memory. I went from 160plus reads to 70. With the blogroll, well it just keeps getting longer and it gets hard because you want to add everyone but then it could get cluttered (like mine) and for me, it’s always a time issue. I never have time to read all the blogs on my links page and I’d be lying if I even pretended to do so.
All I’m saying is that there are a lot of blogs out there written by really great writers and yet there are only 24 hours in the day. I’m not trying to sound like blogrolls should be exclusive or something I’m just stating the fact that there is no way to include everyone. You know?
Comment by Heather B. on December 6th, 2007 @ 1:22 pmBlogging is making my head spin right now, so I opt to ignore all blog issues and choose to say HELLO to Nathan!!
HELLO NATHAN! I dig your hair.
i miss you guys! good luck with your blog roll…way to take on a project ange!
Nathan is a very handsom little dude! Nice shots!
Where shall I send me picture/blurb?
Well that is the pits that your whole family is sick… I hope for you that you don’t join them!
Great pics of Nathan! Look out ladies!!
I’ve got to figure out Google Reader.
Also, I think your flick idea is great and some people (cough, cough) might just want to follow suit and do the same.
I hope that you don’t catch the bug in your house…
I,also, had never noticed Nathan’s GREEEEEEN eyes. wow, stunning.
i know I’m not supposed to be blogging but…if I don’t read your site everyday I don’t feel as connected to you. And that isn’t fun! Nathan has the most amazing green eyes. As I’ve said before…he has a special place in my heart.
Google reader you say…hmmmmm.
Flicker club. Yes.
I also might have to send you a photo. The biggest challenge is picking one. I’m sure you know the problem…too. many. pictures.
Ok, you have helped my jump to google reader. Bloglines has been sucking lately anyway.
And I am going to be paying attention to this blog roll thing of yours. Awesome idea to have a static page with pics… I might just have to copy hehe.
And Nathan is adorable
Definitely a cool idea!
Nathan is just a total DUDE, I have always thought that about him. There’s something about him that makes me really want to meet him and have a chat. He’s got such a special “look” about him. And that smile … wow!!! He’s gonna do some serious heart-breaking when he’s older, I tell ya!
Comment by Hannah on December 6th, 2007 @ 4:31 pmI think Nathan will weather middle-child syndrome just fine. He seems like a really neat kid.
Your Flickr group is a brilliant idea. I’m in. Lemme know where to send a photo.
Stay healthy!!!
Comment by bethany actually on December 6th, 2007 @ 5:38 pmYep, Nathan is a good-lookin’ kid. I have a nephew named Nathan and he kind of reminds me of your Nathan.
I like the Flickr group idea. Give out a little linky-love without stressing yourself too much!
Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on December 6th, 2007 @ 5:44 pmohh choices choices. Im kind of like my youngest son, takes me forever to make a decision, i like the whole flickr idea, heck I like all your ideas, and id send a pic too if i can choose one dangit.
Im lovin Nathans green eyes, im a sucker for them. Ethan has them as well, maybe thats why he gets away with so much…those eyes, they suck me in! Nathan has the best smile evah!
Awww…Hope everyone feels better soon, and that nobody else gets sick! I too was the middle child…For many years and I like to think of it has the middle of an oreo. The sweetest part!!!! Beautiful pictures of Nathan!
Comment by Michele on December 6th, 2007 @ 7:29 pmsounds like a good idea (the links). looks like a very charming boy (the boy)!
Comment by Rachel on December 6th, 2007 @ 9:58 pmI think that is a very cool idea! I am in! And I hope you all feel better soon!!!
Comment by familymclean on December 6th, 2007 @ 11:30 pmI joineded your group!
But blogrolls and links and things really really confuse me. *blush*
Comment by Victoria on December 7th, 2007 @ 10:42 amYou take some stunning photographs, woman.
(Also: links are hard. It’s ridiculous how many sites I read, and how many amazing writers with great sites there are. I don’t want any of my readers to get overwhelmed with a huge list and so I try to rotate mine, in shifts of eight. Even that! is hard to keep up with. I really do like the community part of blogging, though, so I don’t think I will ever do away with them. It’s how and why we all started in the first place. To TALK to each other, and share the love and cookies, amen.)
Comment by kerrianne on December 7th, 2007 @ 11:29 amGoogle Reader…awesomest invention ever. That’s right, I said awesomest.
I don’t know that I qualify to be added to the blog roll, but that would rock. Hardcore. And I like the picture option. Although my Kodak doesn’t take the most awesome pictures, but my kid’s make the pictures look better. Kids tend to do that in everyone’s pictures.
Comment by Kristie on December 7th, 2007 @ 9:31 pmIs there a deadline to submit said photos and descriptions?
Comment by Alexandria on December 10th, 2007 @ 9:40 pm
I haven’t noticed Nathan’s striking green eyes before….That first picture is great, I love his expression…oh and I love green eyes. Maybe because mine are green…hehe.
Comment by Shelly on December 6th, 2007 @ 10:20 am