Using a Reader

Have you ever thought about keeping up with your favorite blogs via a 'Reader?' Have you ever wondered what RSS means?

I read here and there about people having 'a million unread posts' and 'so much catching up to do' on their reader. I never quite got what they were talking about.

A while back, I tried 'Subscribing' to a blog I check regularly, and I didn't like what I got (I'm not going to tell you which reader I didn't like--that'd just be rude.) So I put it off and put it off and put it off some more (I'm a really good procrastinator. Like right now, I should be putting the lunch dishes in the dishwasher, but I'm here, writing about RSS feed readers instead. Very productive.)

Anyhoo . . . I saw a reference to 'Google Reader' somewhere and thought I'd check it out last week. Wow! What a difference! I really like the format so much better than the reader I'd tried before. I decided I'd give it a try. I had enough time to get five or six blogs I read most frequently added and left it at that until I had more time.

The next morning, I was checking the blogs I really like the 'old fashioned' way through my Favorites menu bar when what did Simple Mom post? This great article on using an RSS feed. How did she know? Just amazing. Her article answered the questions I still had and gave me the encouragement to make the time to finish adding the rest of the blogs I check in on periodically.

It is AMAZING! I have cut my computer reading time in half (at least) because I only click on the blogs with new posts! The only down-side I have found, is I have to click on the post title and be redirected to the actual blog in order to leave comments. This does add some time, but in the end, I'm saving so much time by not waiting for blogs to load that haven't been updated, that it's worth it to me to use the reader.

Honestly, I think you should give it a whirl! I usually check my reader in the morning when I have a few minutes and again after Pickle goes to bed. Compare this with over an hour at the computer just to check in on the blogs in my Favorites list, when often less than half of the bloggers had posted anything new. I'm sold!

Simple Mom also has a fabulous interview up with Amanda Soule. She's giving away two copies of Amanda's book, The Creative Family.

I hope you check out both Simple Mom and Soulemama. They're both lovely ladies who value their families and all things simple!

Once Again I Am Reminded That I Shouldn't Attempt Math

If you've followed along this rambling road, you'll remember the trouble with the pumpkins in June. Well, it seems the heat may have had something to do with the early ripening (by about a week), but in all honesty, my lack of math skills is the primary culprit.

I. don't. like. math.

I even looked at a calendar when figuring out my planting dates. I just can't count.

I checked a local gardening resource Thursday night to see if there were any suggestions to help remove the Bermuda & nut grass from my garden without using chemicals. There weren't. I emailed the site to ask for suggestions. They emailed me back! Woo Hoo! They suggested solarizing the soil, which I am trying to coerce encourage My Man to help me with. I'm hopeful that I'll have a weed-free garden next spring.

Hmmm, it appears I took a dirt road with that last paragraph. Sorry.

My point: I checked the local site to see about the grass, when I noticed their 'Calendar for July' listing all the things to do in our area this month. One of the first things on the list: Plant Pumpkins for October Harvest.

What??? Plant pumpkins now? That makes no sense. I figured out that I needed to plant in late May for a mid-October harvest. Surely this is an error! (I like to think I have math skills. I don't. Remember?)

I checked my seed packets . . . 100 days on one, 105 days on another and 110 days on the third. I checked the calendar from the date I planted.

The Verdict: I can't count.

Which leads me to my next problem. My 100th post. If I've counted correctly (I didn't include the posts that my sidebar buttons link to or the drafts I have half-written), then I think my next post will be #100. After concluding that I really can't count, I'm just not too sure. So, for the sake of my sanity and self-worth, I'm officially deeming my next post to be #100.

Be sure to drop by because I am planning to give something away. Something really cute and practical and handmade.

P.S. If you went to school in Chickenburg, be sure to have someone else double-check your counting for you when it's important.

Reflecting Me

I wish I knew how to type the sound of a big, refreshing sigh.

After another afternoon spent browsing a great site for inspiration and returning over and over to a couple of new favorites, I finally put photo to Elements and came up with this. I still want to tweak font colors and such, but that can wait for another day. Done! Yeah!

I'm happy. I know I'll have a bugger of a time getting up for church tomorrow, but it's worth it.

Maybe I'll take a nap with Pickle tomorrow afternoon. I got my nap in . . . hooray! I feel much better.

*cheesy smiles to all*

Finding Balance. And Style.

Finding balance is something I'm continually struggling with in pretty much every aspect of my life. You?

In fact, I have a post in the works right now about my 'weekly work routine' and how it came to be. Finding balance while retaining flexibility. Not an easy thing easy for me.

What has been on my mind the past week or so, is finding balance (and style) for this blog. Don't get me wrong, I love the 'scrapbook' look. I love to create scrapbook pages. But, seeing as how I've never even mentioned scrapbooking on this blog, it just doesn't seem to fit. To feel right. It's too busy. Too country. I think I need some simplicity. Some balance. A style that suits me a little better than this.

I've been looking at blogs like mad in every spare moment, taking a note here, bookmarking a blog there. I think I have an idea forming, I'm just not sure what I want for the header. This has been my big problem area all along. Oh, that and figuring out HTML code.

My favorite blogs to read are ones where the layout and style of the blog itself is a reflection of the blogger and his or her content.

That's what I feel is missing. My reflection. I've found it is even hard to push myself to post because when I open the blog, I don't see myself looking back.

Sarah . . .

. . . YOU ROCK!

So, as usual, I'm not happy to let things be . . . and, once again, Sarah at Real Life has helped me with tips, tricks and fixes to HTML.

Here's a rundown of what I did, because I'm sure you all are just dying to know . . .

Sarah replaced some HTML code for me so that I could insert a custom header.
Sarah took out the Navbar at the top for a cleaner look.
Sarah gave me the correct code to insert a background print.
Sarah gave me the code to remove the black bars between the sidebars & posts.

So, as you can see I couldn't have done any of this without Sarah!

The only thing I can really take credit for is changing the header, subtitle and buttons. I'm not sure I'm thrilled about them, but they'll work for now!

Tell me, what do you think and how long do you think I'll be able to leave it this way???

Change is Good. Right?

If you've dropped by before, you'll notice I made a change or two. Or ten. Or twelve. I lost count.

I have to say, I've learned a lot on this little HTML journey I've taken. If you're one of the great folks who've put up a tutorial (and answered my questions), thanks! It's taken a few (slightly warmer than I'd like) days in my laundry room office, but I think it's been worth it.

I love trying new things. All these changes definitely fit that category! I've learned new HTML code and how to insert it properly, how to make buttons and banners in PS Elements, how to flip pictures and apply custom colors. I still have a bit of work to do on the banner--this new template is being stubborn, but in the end, I'm sure I'll get there.

So, what do you think?

HTML Code--AAAAAAARGH!!!

Thus the new look. I'm not a computer whiz by any stretch of the imagination. So trying to alter HTML code correctly is NOT my cup 'o tea, to say the very least!

I found very good instructions, followed them to the letter and still couldn't get my sidebar to widen. GRRR . . .

So, like last year's wardrobe, if it doesn't fit send it to Good Will and get something that does!

Tell me, do you like the simpler look?