thoughts on blog hopping

I admit I am a MAJOR blog hopper! I have to pass the day somehow....right?!?!?
Anyway you will notice I now have this picture on my sidebar. You can click on it to be taken to the original site and blog post about hopping but I wanted to add some things that I have learned along the way regarding happy blogging experiences.


My biggest dislike is that when I want to comment on something is when the comment box isn't a pop up. It loads a new page, usually on the same tab which then means I have to hit the line at the top to go back to the blog if I want to read farther or more posts on it. I LOVE the pop up cause it let's me leave my comment , close the box when I am done and I am right where I was, ready to pick up and go again! This is easy to change in your settings on Blogger so you ought to consider it at least - I am sure I am not the only hopper who dislikes this.


Running a close second with this is the Catpah or Capture, word verification or whatever you want to call it. You'll notice I have my JUST SAY NO badge on the upper left side bar. You can click it for more info too and join the cause!


One other dislike is when I can't open something in a new window (you know right click open in new tab/window) because if you say "not without my permission" "not allowed here" and I have to click on it to get to the page you linked well then I get reading there and forget to come back to your blog - you lose out on me visiting more of your work.


I also agree I don't like when I can't just hit next blog at the top (at least here in Blogger) to surf for something. I have found some interesting sites this way and when I hit a roadblock from someone else that is a shame cause the next blog might of been something I was really interested in.


Another wish I have is that there was an easy way to respond to comments left by you all...I read every one and wish I could click on your name and email you all when I have a comment back (or clarification or tip or whatever) but so far I haven't found that to be the case since many ppl don't have the contact info in their profile and thus it doesn't show up when you click on their name or photo.


just some thoughts from this blogger :)


What is your take on this?

Gratitude Day One

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~Melody Beattie

I found a group of people online a long time ago that I remain in touch with via email, it isn't a group of crafters although some do and some have shared in that passion with them but more it is a group of people who value friendships and being there for each other. I have had the wonderful experience of meeting several of them in RL and I cherish the pictures and memories that are forever tucked away in my mind of them. We have lost some of them over the years and while that saddens me I know I am better for having known them for even a short time! Our fearless leader shares something with us each day and yesterday the quote above is one I found in my email from her. What coincidence it came on the very day I said I was going to start this challenge and share things here that I am thankful or grateful for each day... Today I pick to be grateful for having met June and her in turn introducing me to a fine group of people without whose encouragement the past few years would of been unbearable!

1.) I am thankful for SAG!

30 Day Challenge of Gratitude

Erin over at Inky Smiles made me aware of a challenge she is taking and I thought the idea a wonderful way to open my eyes to the things I have taken for granted, to open my eyes to be more thankful for things and to open myself to being more happy and content with my life.

I will try to reflect each evening on things and pick one item to single out and be thankful for and then I will try to share here also. Care to join us?

Click here for a wonderful chart to print off or make your own if you want - be sure to share your ideas too - I'd love to follow your journey too!

For the next 30 days take a moment each day to write down something that you are grateful for. Maybe snap a photo or write a journal entry and make a scrapbook layout or keep a photo journal of it to remind you. It can be anything... a sharp pencil for sketching notes, a warm shower or bath, the love of a friend/sibling/parent/spouse or significant other, a smile on a strangers face, a warm bed to sleep in, a burnt loaf of bread (because that means you have the ingredients & knowledge to bake bread), your job, etc....

Whatever you feel grateful or thankful for.

I guarantee that at the end of 30 days you will see an ABUNDANCE of blessings. You may even want to continue writing them down because as you focus on your blessings you will find more than one thing every day to write down.

Feel free to share on your blog, invite others to join us, and post what you are grateful for.

I hope you will join us on the journey!

Blog Candy Alert

How about a chance to win a $50 American Express Gift Card?

Hop over to Solomon Surprises to help her celebrate and you might just win one!

Good Luck!

Bottle Chimes Blog Candy!

Oh how gorgeous are these! I happened upon a blog that is giving away a set of wonderful chimes and if you want a chance hop over to check out The Post -It Place!

While you are there check out her Custom Magnetic Spice Rack give away also!

Great weekend!

Had a wonderful weekend, Friday we served a spaghetti dinner, although not a huge hit due to trick or treat being at the same time we did ok and made a little profit - plus it was YUMMY! LOL Then on Sat we went to my parents for my bday dinner and to play games. It was a mix of things for dinner but my favorites were the shrimp with alfredo sauce and then of course the pumpkin pie! he he! We played Apples to Apples and had a great time!

Sunday my dd made me blueberry waflles for breakfast and dh planned dinner of cornish hens, potatoes, stuffing and spinach which was really yummy! Then he surprised me with a cake with whipped topping which I love and no one ever gets me cake for my birthday so I was HAPPY! There were a couple other surprises and some nice gifts and cards thrown in making it a pretty great weekend all in all!

Now it is Monday :( and back to the grind!

Eyeballs!

My dd loves Halloween and each year she generally has a party or at least does a little bit of decorating. This year we got a late start but we did manage to make our Eyeballs! LOL This would be before you see anything scary and then below is after LOL!


They are really yummy though and all gone already!

he he!