Like best laid plans often do, mine for today did not turn out as I had expected.
I was going to start a series of posts disclosing some ideas I had about the direction I was going to take on this blog and in other matters. My vacation was a start of a life evaluation and some blog problems that came about at the end of my vacation made me start to get more serious about rethinking my life as it currently stands.
In later posts I will disclose some of my ideas and discuss some of the blog problems that fell unwelcome into my life. But not today. Since today is Labor Day, I will, like most other Americans, take a break from work. I bought some steaks at Costco to cook on the grill. Perhaps I'll even run out and buy some beer. Or at least drink some of the Stella Rosa wine that's in the fridge.
Today I'm going to take a break from work and maybe even take a nap. Okay, so it sounds like every other day of my current life, but I'm going to try an attitude adjustment.
If I do any blogging activity I'll focus on Karen J Gowen's Labor Day BBQ. If you haven't stopped by yet, visit her site and meet some new bloggers. I've already replaced the 15 followers that I lost recently (more on that in a future post). Also, I'll try to do join in on the first campaign challenge for Rachael Harrie's Platform-Building Campaign.
So, before you leave my site today I'd like to ask you about some changes that have recently come to my blog:
1. Have you noticed anything different about my blog page over the last week?
2. What do you think of the changes?
I'll be talking about these questions on a future post, but for now I just wanted to hear what you had to say. After all, I'm nearing the 2nd anniversary of Tossing It Out and I'm probably due for some change.
Hope you are having (or had) a great Labor Day.
On Wednesday I have a unique guest post from Nicole at The MadLab Post. See you then!
Sorry to hear that some unwelcome problems have occurred and I hope you get them sorted soon. It sounds like you've made a wise choice to take the day off. Have a great Labor Day and I'll perhaps see you at Karen's BBQ. I'm the one with the Masala Salmon ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee .. gosh just lost my first try to comment - I can see the aweber ad, and the adsense ads ... and I'm sure there's other new things - lots of info, new tabs perhaps?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on nearly 2 years .. and over 1,000 followers .. that's amazing.
You're an incredible blogger and I do hope you will be rewarded from it .. and recognised as such. Very generous and supportive to one and all.
The problems you had are common sadly .. as long as they don't destroy us .. two things I understand can cause problems ... one is if a follower is a rat-bag then by being a follower they can access all your other followers - so checking each follower is essential - and delete them a.s.a.p. - if they're rat-bags!
2ndly .. to stop getting spam comments, even if filtered out by blogger (which they usually are) - I've wondered about putting back my word verification ...
... and would be interested in everyone's thoughts? They won't be able to comment or get to the blog .. unless going via word verification.
Cheers - enjoy your vino, steak and visiting Karen's guests .. I've added a few too - great to meet new people ..
Happy Labor Day .. Hilary
Sorry to hear about your problems... sometimes life doesn't go to plan. I hope you're kicking back and relaxing now, and enjoying Labour Day!
ReplyDeleteHi Lee Happy Labour Day, Yes I did notice some changes and congrats on the 2 years of blogging, One thing please don't change and that's stop blogging. I know you have cut down over a period of time but please don't stop.
ReplyDeleteHappy day to you.
Yvonne.
I think you've been blogging less recently, alhtough that's true of a lot of people over the summer. I think blogging like most things inlife, has it's up and downs, but it all balances out in the end. And I've found the pros far outweigh the cons (so far anyway).
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
You did have some problems recently but happily you have them cleared up.
ReplyDeleteChange is good. Shake things up. Hopefully you won't let this latest little setback discourage you from blogging.
Happy Labour Day.
You have a pink background. I think you had pink in the past and changed it to another color but I could be wrong. I really bad at noticing change (I barely notice I got a haircut). I do hope your life sorts itself out soon. But in the meantime, enjoy your steaks.
ReplyDeleteHi, Arlee!
ReplyDeleteI don't always get on to comment, but you're on my blog-roll so I know when you're out and about!
I can't recall any difficulties with your blog; that is to say, specifically with your blog - Blogger has a mind of it's own at times but that's common to all blogs, not just yours!
I hope your readjustment towards blogging gives you more satisfaction - sometimes we can easily become slaves to 'producing' something!
And I hope you enjoy celebrating 'Labor Day' - something we don't have over here in the UK.
Rosalind-- I was hoping to sleep in this morning, but I'm up at the same early hour as usual. Guess I went to bed too early last night.
ReplyDeleteHilary -- You are quite perceptive and always encouraging. Thanks for your support.
Talli -- I plan to have a good day today although it seems thunderstorms have been all around us last night. Unusual for L.A.!
Yvonne -- I don't plan to stop, but necessity may force me to cut back.
Mood -- My posting has been as much as always of late--though I'm learning to post shorter. My commenting has also been cut back, mostly due to some travels and other activities.
Delores -- I'm hoping my changes will be for the better, but I intend to continue my blog except I may be taking a different approach.
Clarissa -- I changed my background earlier in the year, but I haven't messed with it much since. I have been considering it though.
Sue H-- Satisfaction in many respects is something I'm striving for. I don't want to become a slave to producing but a master of production.
Lee
Having been on blogcation all summer I can't answer your questions with any knowledge, so ... I'll just wish you a fine Labor Day break, and enjoy the steak and wine - I think I'll go to Costco myself! (power of suggestion, hm?)
ReplyDeleteMarvin D Wilson
Blog feels less busy, but I do think the banner ad under your headline is new. But hard to remember. It just looks nice.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your nap. Looking forward to your future posts. Change can be good. It can also hurt like heck, but that doesn't mean it isn't still good. =D
ReplyDeleteHappy Labor Day, Lee.
ReplyDeleteWhat I noticed is the advertising. I don't remember seeing it before, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. :)
I think afternoon naps should be a law for every person.
T
I've been a bad blogger recently - rather busy on the home front - so am trying to catch up a little now. (Keep missing people's posts - tut, tut!!)
ReplyDeleteI hope your problems are easily solved
Steaks - yum!
I'm not good at noticing changes. I tend to go through life with blinders on, concerned only with myself and which part of the universe is conspiring against me at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe your page loaded a little faster for me. But that might be due to my connection being better in the morning than in the evening, when I usually check in.
Ads, I don't remember seeing ads before. Could be wrong, I'm not getting any younger you know. Is this a trick question? :)
ReplyDeleteJules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I'm just glad that one problem got fixed and that you're back up and running.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that your page takes less time to load. :)
ReplyDeleteSteaks with Stella Rose wine sound perfect. Way better than pepperoni pizza. ;)
Marvin -- I remember you. It's been a while. Good to see you back.
ReplyDeleteRhonda -- You've hit one change. I've tried to keep it tasteful.
Donna -- I usually enjoy my naps, although sometimes I feel like I take too many of them.
Teresa -- I thought I'd experiment. Hate to get too commercial, but I've got to start considering income alternatives. We should write to our congressmen about mandatory nap times.
Janice -- I've been more neglectful of my blogging of late too.
Val -- I'm like you in that I often don't notice change unless it whomps me on the side of the head. I hope the page loads faster--not something I've consciously did, but it's something I've been wanting to study on.
Jules --- No tricks. You did catch one notable change.
Bish -- I am very glad about fixing my blog problem. I was seriously considering hanging up the blog enterprise, but I didn't want to.
Lee
Suze -- I like hearing that the faster loading time is there and I wasn't even shooting for that issue yet. Although that probably did come as a consequence of some of my changes. I'll save the pepperoni pizza that's in the freezer for later in the week.
ReplyDeleteLee
I think its the ads? Then again I might be wrong. Suze is right It did take less time to load. Good luck with all your plans! Can't wait to read about them!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
I'm still fantasizing about the Costco steaks. I agree that the loading is quicker. I always learn something or get a fab link from your blog and that hasn't changed. Good luck with your new direction. It sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed slight changes to your blog, but nothing that was off-putting. I want to hear about the wisdom you're learned from your blog problems! I'll be waiting.
ReplyDeleteYou've cleaned things up a bit. Were the ads always there though? I don't remember ads.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing planned today, so just chilling. All set for the big day Wednesday and hope the group is a huge success.
Definitely loads faster for me too. Sorry to hear of any problems. And your posts are a bit shorter. Am I missing something? (I usually am.)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your steaks. We're going cook some chicken out on the smoker.
Good luck with your blog direction, I've been thinking that over for my own blog as well.
ReplyDeleteI've been to your blog briefly before back in April for A to Z so it's hard for me to answer the questions. I got a bit over-blogged in April and am now just starting to make the rounds again in the blog-verse. (well that, pregnancy fatigue, and summer hours at work)
I'm sorry to hear you've had any issues. Your blog has always been great. I couldn't say what kind of changes you've made. I hope all is working well soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty new here so I don't know that I can comment on any changes. I'm enjoying what I'm seeing, if that helps at all. :)
ReplyDeleteI updated/refreshed/rejuvenated my blog recently and I think the change was good.
I'm so sorry to hear about your problems!
ReplyDeleteJoanne -- The ads are part of the change. I'm please to hear about the faster download as that was a future goal.
ReplyDeleteLeslie -- Just finished my steak and it was grand. A nap will be coming shortly.
E.R.-- I hope the changes are and will be considered good. I don't know how much wisdom I'll be imparting, but I hope to provide some useful information to someone out there.
Alex -- The ads are indeed new. Looking forward to Wednesday.
Donna -- I've been downsizing posts for the most part all year.
Claire -- I understand what you're saying about being "overblogged".
Ciara -- I hope everything stays okay and get even better.
Madeline -- A blog should be a learning experience that entails change whenever it seems appropriate.
Nicole -- Problems can be such a hassle, but they should also be a learning experience.
Lee
I've noticed your posts are shorter, and, to tell you the truth, I enjoy them that way. With so many blogs, I sometimes skim over the longer posts.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Labor Day! I hope everything works itself out soon.
You've gone pink. :)
ReplyDeleteI brought cake to Karen's BBQ. Chocolate cake. Please enjoy.
Lee, first and foremost...happy Labor Day! I think your plans for the day's activities are right on. Didn't really notice anything different but then sometimes it requires a rap with a 2 x 4 to get my attention, ya know? I personally never experienced what some others did from your site so I am not aware of the problems. Nevertheless, I am still here with ya!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear you are having problems. First, I like how you cleaned up the banner and it looks good. Second, the site looks cleaner and neater. Third, you have added some ads, hope they work for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm new, here from the BBQ, and so I didn't notice anything different. But talking about blogging changes gives me the willies. I have an old-fashioned template and it will blow up in the middle of the night if I even dream about tinkering. Or perhaps you meant something more substantial, like the content...
ReplyDeleteUMMMMM...I think you have a new background color and new post background color. It looks very clean. :D I just made some changes on my blog too...
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you've had some blog problems. If you ever need an ear, I'm always here (online)...shoot me an email. :D
Congratulations on your almost 2 year blog anniversary. :-)
I've been on a blogging break myself, so I didn't notice anything major, save for the new platform building badge. You're a crusader! I can't believe a year has gone by since the last one?? Or has it been a year? At any rate, I'm thinking of a nice, juicy American steak. Yum.
ReplyDeleteI noticed you've included some ads and have changed the color background. (At least I think you changed the color in the last several months, and also included your picture and have guest posters.)
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same reevaluation mode as you are Lee and have been blogging less.
Congratulations on your two year anniversary!
Miranda-- I have been striving for shorter posts over the past year. I know what you're saying about those long posts.
ReplyDeleteLynda -- Chocolate cake is my favorite. My page turned pink several months ago.
Chuck -- Thanks for sticking with me. I'm the same way about noticing change.
Gregg -- I'm shooting for a less cluttered, cleaner look. I'd like to see something come from the ads, but right now I'm in an experimental stage.
Murr -- Welcome to my site. I actually kind of miss my old template, but after I changed I couldn't figure out how to change it back.
Sharon -- Thanks for the offer of support.
Samantha -- The last crusade--er, campaign-- was in February to April. Still, time does fly.
Paula -- There's got to be a very good reason to justify my time spent in the enterprise of blogging and I'm trying to figure that out.
Lee
I like the look, but it is my first time here.
ReplyDeleteDelighted to meet you today. I hope you don't mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you. This looks like a refreshing place to dip into some serious goodness.
Splashin',
Sarah
Almost two years Wow!! Congratulations. To answer your question about changes, I will have to go back and read some of your older posts. With my memory, I feel lucky that I am able to follow the people I have been following.
ReplyDeleteAbout plans not going as desired- a lot of us are in your shoes. You are safe -- -- limbs,and heart and mind - - that is what matters, there will always be more holidays to come including labour day. Cheers !!
I assume you got rid or changed something. For a week there, Google flagged your blog as distributing malware. I'm guessing it was something to do with the widgets you have all along the side and bottom of your page.
ReplyDeleteLee,
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog and I don't have a clue what you've changed. But good luck with all you're thinking about. ; )
After doing some quick browsing, the only two things that I notice include the navigation being different....maybe and the disappearance of your blog awards and the addition of ads...maybe. I really don't know and now I feel like a guilty reader who neglected to pay more attention to other areas of the blog aside from the posts. I'll have to remedy that going forward.
ReplyDeleteIf my guesses are correct though (fingers crossed...can I at least be one for three?), I think that the changes are subtle, yet, appropriate, accessible and understandable for a growing blog that is dedicating more space to elements that may be more important than others, but I am not in a position to say much about the changes so take my impression as a grain of salt. I'm here for the content and updates on the A to Z challenge, so as long as those elements are here to stay, you can make this blog dark yellow with light yellow text or a blend of yellow with dancing monkeys across the top for all I care, LOL. Tossing It Out will always be number one in my book!
On a more serious note though, I don't mind any change that you make to your blog so long as it helps you to meet the goals and plans that you have for Tossing It Out. A happy blogger makes a happy reader so if you need a change, I'm behind you 100% in support.
P.S. I was kidding about the crazy colors and monkeys. Please don't make everything Yellow though....it's hard on the eyes! lol :)
The Madlab Post
Problems seem to be one of the few things we can count on.
ReplyDeleteI am a fairly new follower, but I think the ad spots are new. I think they're a good idea -- but I do quite a bit of marketing, so I'm probably not the best judge... (plus I'm not sure if that's the difference.)
Sarah-- Welcome to my blog. Feel free to jump in and immerse yourself.
ReplyDeleteMunir -- My health and well-being is the primary concern. Without it I won't be blogging or changing anything. Thanks for your ongoing support.
SB -- I changed and got rid of things. I think the malware may have been related to a Linky list that I had on one of my posts.
Zan Marie -- I appreciate your visit and hope you will continue to stop by.
Nicole -- The dancing monkeys actually sound kind of fun.
You nailed the changes 100%. It goes to show that most of the extras on blogs are fluff and it's content that counts. Thanks for your continued support and encouragement.
Lee
Doralynn -- The ads are new and now I'm going to experiment to see what will happen. I want to keep it tasteful, but I do have to think about income possibilities.
ReplyDeleteLee
Um ... there's a bottle of wine floating toward the top. Other than that, it looks the same. Great to be back visiting and glad you got the Blogger problems worked out!
ReplyDeleteYou're like me, I decided to start blogging after watching a documentary on a airplane ride back from a vacation.
ReplyDeleteAnd no I haven't noticed any changes, I'm new here, sorry. :P
Hope you had a nice Labor day rest, Lee :)
ReplyDeleteI see you put some adds here. A small advice: you must put them on a more visible place.Either up in the sidebar or between the posts. The position of adds is of utter importance if you want people to click them. The place you wouldn't put them, because you don't want to be tacky, is usually the place where you should put them :)))
A number of us had a problem with reports of your site spreading mallware last few weeks :( and a number of us, who have you in our blogrolls, were put on a black list for that :( but I believe it was some kind of stupid mistake.
Stephen -- Hope the problems stay worked out. The attack is hitting some other blogs today.
ReplyDeleteDWei -- I think I've told the story before of why I started blogging, but I may tell it again soon as I address some other issues.
Dezmond -- Yes, I am aware of ad placement and it will change. Right now I'm slipping them in as an experiment as I analyze other aspects of my blog. My acceptance by AdSense was unexpected and seemed to coincide with my malware problem--curious indeed. I'm not sure what this malware problem is all about, but I see it hitting other sites today. I'm puzzled as to what is going on.
Lee
Yay, I see you've joined the campaign, Lee! Hope you had a relaxing Labor day holiday.
ReplyDeleteAbout your blog...I think it looks more uncluttered...but that could just be me.
Would love to see you in action at the The Rule of Three Blogfest. I know you know what it is all about :)
For your readers: it is a month-long extravaganza in the fictional town of Renaissance this October, with some great prizes, comment love, and of course, a lot of exposure and constructive feedback for your writing. Renaissance needs stories in different genres, so go sign up to create your own story and characters!
Yeah . . . I change my blog up almost monthly, so I'm not the girl to ask.
ReplyDeleteIt's like how I have to rearrange the furniture when I clean. It's a compulsion, and one I like, that I'm not likely to change.