January 22nd, 2010
One of the things I have to decide with my blog makeover is whether or not I want to buy my own domain name. Netfirms or Webnames can sell me domain options (.ca? .com? both?) and possibly hosting for some low prices ($9.99 per domain per year seems pretty reasonable).
It was my understanding that I can somehow host for free using Wordpress or Blogger - that they will direct my old blog traffic to the new domain. Is this true? I’m not sure. I have to do some more investigating.
There are a few options:
- Leave my blog domain attached to Blogger or Wordpress.
- Buy a domain but host it from Blogger or Wordpress (if it’s free)
- Buy a domain and hosting from a company and just own it outright!
What have you done? Do you think one option is better than another?
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January 19th, 2010
I still haven’t decided if I want to stick with Blogger or switch to Wordpress, but I think I am leaning to switching.
Either way, I know I’m going to be looking for a new look and feel. I want something fresh, easy to read, easy to manage etc.
There are a lot of free themes online to work with. I like the greens that I have on my exisiting site (and chocolate brown), but what else do I want in a look?
I have decided to get a logo done. This will lead to a complete blog header for me, and having a logo or button that I can put on other sites, use as avatars etc. will help in the future I think.
But this comes with some questions:
-How much does this usually cost?
-How much am I willing to spend? (my blog isn’t exactly rolling in money! ha!)
-What do I want it to look like?
What I’ve realized is that, in effect, I am creating a BRAND for my blog. I’ve started doing more reviews/promotions etc. so I think branding is a logical step, but it seems so new…
I have started discussions with a designer. My next post will let you know how those go and what’s next…
Have you branded? How did you brand? Through logo? Name?
Note: See the little green avatar I’ve been using? Kinda cute right? It was a free logo from Vista Print that I did wayyy back when I started my blog. The problem is that I don’t have the coding, can’t change the button size or do anything with it…having the logo has been useful, but I need something I can work with.
Tags: blogging, brand, design, logo, writing
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January 16th, 2010
It’s time that my personal blog, http://alittlebitofmomsense.blogspot.com, got a make over. So, over the next few months I’m going to be looking at it and revamping. I’ve decided to blog the process here!
There are a lot of questions that I have going forward:
1-Do I keep with Blogger or switch to Wordpress?
2-What is my main goal of the site? My posts are random, and I like that, but where is it going? I write for me and for my readers…
3-AdSense, Ad space…can I turn the few dollars I make into a couple more?
4-What do I want it to look like? I know great content is the most important thing, but if the look doesn’t fit then will people keep reading or come back?
I’m currently doing some reading and thinking about these things. Now, I just need to make the time to pick away at it. I look forward to seeing the end result!
What do you use for your blogging platform? Did you get a designer to do a logo/header? How do you keep up with content? I’d love to know!
Tags: blogging, websites, writing
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September 6th, 2009
Summer (when the weather cooperates), is great for travel, for sprinklers, for ice cream, for parks, for fun in the sun. But it is not great for TV.
There are plenty of reality TV shows, but there’s only so many of them a year I can take. What’s the new show about the divorced singer who lives in a house with others and is trying to become a model or something? Okay, so I made that up, but you were thinking ‘which one is that?!’.
Now, I need to put a disclaimer on the crummy summer TV and say there was the exception of the second season of True Blood, a slight (err huge) obsession of mine that made having a TV and cable worthwhile.
As my True Blood season comes to an end (insert crying, bloody tears here), I am comforted only slightly by the fact that the new Fall TV line up is starting.
A new season of The Tudors, comedies like How I Met Your Mother, Law and Order(s), Smallville,Castle, and yes, reality shows like America’s Next Top Model and American Idol.
Thank you, TV for coming back to me. You have some sucking up to do, but I’ll likely take you back.
Tags: shows, Television, True Blood
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July 21st, 2009
So a few nights ago, someone on Twitter was asking for a bedtime snack suggestion. I offered up this simple, yet delicious stand by of mine:
-Toast, with lots of butter, sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. It’s often an afternoon snack for the Boy and I. We use multigrain toast and very little brown sugar because it goes a long way (1 tsp is 4 grams, better than most cereals or flavoured yogurt).
Go ahead, you know you want some now. Enjoy and you’re welcome 
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July 7th, 2009
My parents are in from out of town this week and it makes me so happy to see my kids having so much fun with them. Both sets of grandparents live out of town, and I find it so unfair.
I know that if any of them were close by, we’d have access to great babysitters, help when we’re down or in a pinch, and most importantly, my children would get to see and play with them rather frequently.
But here’s the thing: In an age of access, my son (the baby isn’t quite aware) is actually as close to his grandparents as he would be if they were right here. Sure, some more hugs and face to face time would be perfect, but with the telephone, easier access to travel and our super awesome webcam, we ’see’ them or talk to them quite a bit.
The webcam can’t replace a real live person or meeting. No webcam can give bear hugs or smoochy kisses, but it does reinforce to our children how special these people are in our lives. We take the time to talk to them, tell them about our days and interests.
In return, my children have never played shy. Are warm and loving to our parents who they only see a handful of times per year. Our parents also gain because they really get to know the kids. My son’s likes. How his vocabulary is developing. Silly games he likes to play.
All of these moments are incredibly special to me. But, oh how I wish they all lived closer. It’s during these visits that we really miss them all.
(You can read more about grandparents and how special they are in my family here: http://alittlebitofmomsense.blogspot.com/2009/05/putting-great-in-grandparents-that-is.html)
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July 3rd, 2009
It’s sometimes too easy to think about places we want to travel to - far away, exotic lands. But don’t forget all that this beautiful country has to offer when planning your next vacation.
Now would be a good time to support your local tourism industry. There are places you can drive to for day trips (depending on where you live) or places to fly to for something new and different. Consider taking the train (an experience in itself, and during the summer, kids travel free!) and see the country side.
Canada Day was yesterday. There is so much to celebrate in our history, in our people and in our land.
Hooray for Canada!
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June 26th, 2009
Okay, so I’ve come to realize that I don’t attempt to exercise everyday. Although this isn’t a huge surprise, even when I’m trying to do a challenge like the Fit-in 15 one, I can’t specify what I do.
But, I also realize that I do something each day and just not label it exercise. I play soccer or baseball with the Boy. I walk around with a 16 pound baby strapped to me. I run in the park. I shop (I’m counting this!! It’s a lot of walking ;).
What I do now know is that I need to make more of an effort to exercise for me, not just as part of my routine with the kids. Maybe some cardio? Swimming? Something above and beyond what I’m currently do it.
That’s what the Fit-in 15 challenge taught me.
Tags: exercise, health
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June 20th, 2009
Another day, another unique way to get in my 15 minutes (for more info on what I’m talking about, see http://www.quietfish.com/notebook/?p=4339)
Today’s activity: at least 15 minutes of crunchies, leg lifts etc. with a 2.5 year old boy on my feet or knees. He was more than happy to participate!
I may be sore tomorrow…
Tags: exercise, health
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June 19th, 2009
Andrea at A peak inside the fishbowl has a great fitness challenge happening.
Get up and do something active for 15 minutes a day until June 24.
15 minutes. I can do that right? Absolutely!
Playing race at the park, baseball, soccer, obstacle courses…these are just activities I do with the kids.
Some of you are doing the Shred. Others do yoga. Maybe you’ve been thinking about getting more active - this is a great time to start!
I’ll blog about it here. Today: More than 15 minutes of baseball in the park!
Check out Andrea’s website for more info and to sign up to win.
But really, if we are all more healthy, than we all win.
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