Tuesday, February 15, 2011

refocusing

As you can see, I've been toying around a bit with the look of things here.  I'm also thinking of allowing some ads to run along the side and see if I can begin the journey toward eking out some money from this lil 'ol blog.  But I'm hesitant, and still debating.  What do you think?  Ever heard of any problems stemming from the ads?  Would ads in the sidebar bother you?  Do you care in the least one way or another?

There's also a few other little changes.  I've got a blog button for one, over there on the left.  (Which, I created and figured out how to put there all by my little self with the help of a few complicated tutorials, thankyouverymuch!)  If you have a blog, I'd love it if you grab that little button there and post it on yours so more people can stop over here for a visit!  Also, I've also had people say, on occasion, that they wished there was a "like" button, like on Facebook.  For those times when you don't really have a "comment" per se, other than just, "Hey, I like that!".  If you scan down, you'll see that's now an option!  No need to log in or think of something nice or clever to say, just click "like" and let me know what I've shared connected with you.  Of course, it just keeps a count of likes, but I won't know who liked what.  And, I do admit that I still LOVE comments, so if you DO have something to say, please do!!!  There's also a "Tell me more" button for you to let me know if you'd like more posts along the same lines...such as product reviews, recipes, etc.  And, just for kicks, a "Who cares!" button, for days when you might be feeling cranky and want to tell me to stuff it.

I've also been giving thought to trying to cultivate Crocuses in March a little bit more, (as in, try to increase readership and maybe eventually work towards having paid sponsors).  As I talked about this idea with a friend, I said that the problem is that my blog doesn't really have a specific focus.  You know, like, some blogs are about decorating, saving money, homeschooling or cooking.  Mine is pretty much just like me, and my life...a scattered mish-mosh of craziness! My friend tried to help me see if I could narrow things down, but the thing is...I do too many varied thing to say any one of them is THE main 'focus' of my life, let alone my blog!  Kids, housework, budgeting, ministry, cooking, trying making home a haven...yep!...all plates I try to keep spinning every day.  Then it dawned on me.  What all of those things have in common...is that I am really trying to learn to be intentional in all of them.  That's the common thread.  Rather than letting life sweep past, and me just tagging along trying to keep up, I want to be the one out in the front of the game, determining where my life goes.  I'm learning to be more purposeful with my time and energies and resources, and am on a journey of making those things work for me, rather than me being a slave to them.  All that to say, I'm hoping to steer the overall feel of the blog a little bit more toward "living intentionally" rather than just rambling about the "Life of Clemmers".  (I mean, it'll still be that, but it will be more 'focused' rambling!)  :)

Along those lines, this verse has been running through my mind for the past few months now in regards to how I am aspiring to live...and I thought I'd share it with you as a 'kick off' to the re-focus of my blogging...
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air...
~1 Corinthians 9:26
That's my goal...pretty much to not look like a flailing idiot as I journey through this life.  Hopefully what I share will help minimize your flailing as well!  :)



4 comments:

Bets said...

Bwahahahaa - apparently our brain was working in the same direction this morning! Look at my blog, we must have been writing at the same time this morning!

Angela said...

We should get together for wings, popcorn and coffee more often. I beginning to think that even though that combination of food causes some serious stomach issues it also stimulates good conversation!!

Laura said...

I say yes to the ads. The blog looks great, and yey for a like button!!

Holly said...

Lovely make-over! Good for you for doing it and thanks for the button, I'll be putting it on my blog!!! Way to go Cuz!