The Move is Coming Soon

If we happen to lose you (especially those of you who read through subscriptions), come find me!  Just come here, and you should be redirected to the new site.

See you in my pretty new home soon!

7 Quick Takes: March 26, 2010 (Vol. 35)

~ 1 ~

At the end of last week, I declared to Eric one night at dinner, "I need a PDA." Then, in my defense, I did follow that up with, "Hang on -- did I see need?  I meant I want one."

I went looking around on Amazon that night and saw that one of the things that came up again and again as something that other customers bought instead of one of the PDAs was an iPod Touch.  Hey!  I have an iPod Touch! 

That's when I sat down and realized that all of the things that I really wanted from a PDA were also things that my iPod Touch can already do.  I did buy one extra app, but $4.99 is definitely a lot cheaper than a PDA. 

I was so proud of myself!

~ 2 ~

I have yet to find anything to watch regularly from 11:30 pm - 12:30 am on TV. 

I still miss you, Conan.

~ 3 ~

I've been having a strong desire lately to unfriend some people on Facebook.  It's not that they have annoyed me or even that I know specifically who it would be (I have some ideas though).  But, when I have people that I only kind of knew in passing on an online message board or people that I went to school with but never remember talking to, it just seems silly.  But, then I don't want to make waves and take the chance at hurting anyone's feelings.

Then again, if I feel like I barely know them and would likely never comment on their statuses, they probably wouldn't notice if we weren't "friends" anymore.  (And, chances are, if you're reading this and feel that we actually are friends, I'm probably not thinking about unfriending you.  So, don't worry.)

Thoughts on this?

~ 4 ~

Holy Cow!  This week's episode of The Big Bang Theory was hilarious!

"A neutron walks into a bar and says, 'How much for a drink?' The bartender says, 'For you - no charge.'"

I laughed at this episode until I almost cried.

(I was extra thrilled then to find a Flash Gordon shirt for Noah at Once Upon a Child this week.  If you watch the show, you will understand my excitement.)

~ 5 ~

In anticipation for moving my blog to self-hosted WordPress, I am going to start selling ads for Many Little Blessings more actively.  They will be higher on the page than they are now (much higher), and I am starting the pricing off pretty darn low.  (Really low, especially considering that I tend to get my best traffic at this time of year.)

If you have a small business, this is a great opportunity to get a great rate on advertising.  Please contact me if you want more information about advertising here (or on any of my blogs, such as Catholic Mothers Online or The Homeschool Classroom).

~ 6 ~

Last weekend found us at my new favorite furniture store.  I mentioned it in #5 of my quick takes two weeks ago.  (It was the furniture store that gives a huge discount for paying with cash.  Love it!)

I'm now not allowed in there for a while. 

No, I didn't cause a scene or anything crazy like that.  It just seems that what with buying a desk for Molly and an awesome bunk bed last time, and then buying a love seat and a head board at our last trip, Eric thinks it's best for us not to go there for a while. 

On the up side though, the kids now have a great love seat for the play room (which used to be the school room), and we saved $45 off the price by using cash!  Love it!

~ 7 ~

I had realized that today (the 26th) was going to be my Grandma's birthday a few weeks ago, but then forgot about it until my Mom mentioned it on the phone.  I don't know why the whole thing still seems pretty surreal.  What I seem to have the biggest mental block on is that I just can't imagine that someone else lives in her apartment now.  That seems like such a funny sticking point, doesn't it?

Happy Birthday, Grandma.  We miss you.







This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.


lemonade stand photo by shaletann

Encouraging More Facebook Fans

It seems like so many businesses and blogs are making sure that they have a Facebook presence.  The best way to do that is to set up a Facebook fan page (not to be confused with your personal page).

So, let's just say that you already have your Facebook fan page set up (and maybe you do).  I set mine up for this blog a few weeks ago.  I got man fans from within my Facebook friend pool, but only a few other people were becoming fans, even after I mentioned it in a blog post.  (That was mainly when I added a few more from my readers.)

This afternoon, I was on The Homeschool Classroom and thought, "Hey -- I have a lot more fans for my Homeschool Classroom page than my Many Little Blessings FB page.  I wonder if it's partially because I have a fan box on HSC and not on Many Little Blessings."

I tested the theory and added a Facebook fan box to the sidebar here at Many Little Blessings.

In about three weeks (or so), I had 51 fans.  (I know, it's not a huge number at all.)  Twelve hours after adding a fan box to my sidebar here (but not mentioning it otherwise), I am at 73 fans.  Not bad growth, huh?

So, here's the take away message: If you have a Facebook fan page for your blog, and if you have some free sidebar space, add in a Facebook fan box!



Other Information

How do I set up a Facebook fan page?

While I'm sure there is more than one way, one easy way is to go to your personal account's "home" page (where you see your friends' updates).  On the left side, click on "ads and pages."  You will then be taken to a page that has an option to "Create Page."  The directions from there are pretty self explanatory.

How do I get a Facebook fan box?

Once you have created your fan page, click on "edit page" from the left side of the page.

This will bring you to a page with a lot going on.  Just look on the right side, just above where it shows who the admins are.  There is a link that says, "Promote with a Fan Box."  Just follow the directions from there.

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

Moving Day is Coming Soon (for the Blog, that is)

I was always one who shrugged and said, "Who cares," as others moved from Blogger to WordPress (the .org self hosted version).  It was even more set in stone that I would stay here on Blogger after I had a wonderful makeover last year. 

But, once I moved The Homeschool Classroom to a self-hosted WordPress site, I just couldn't deny any longer that it would be good to move Many Little Blessings to a self-hosted WordPress site as well.

It will be happening soon.  I'm working closely with a great designer and she's going to do her best to make sure that none of you get lost (especially those of you who subscribe by various methods).  However, if you all of the sudden notice that you're not receiving posts in your Google Reader or by email (depending on how you receive the feed of this blog), make sure to come here to check if you got left behind.  Then, just go to the new site (you should be redirected if you try to come here) and resubscribe. 

Wish me luck with the big move.  It is scary to move this than to move The Homeschool Classroom.  I guess this blog is just more of my "baby" than The Homeschool Classroom is.

Networking with Other Bloggers is Amazing

I have heard about bloggers networking privately with one another for a while.  I wished that I was in a private network like that, but I hated the thought of trying to ask people.  Who would want to network with me?  It would be embarrassing to ask someone and have them say no.  So, I just kept wishing for it, but not having it.

Every so often, I would think, "You know, maybe I should just try to start something."  Then, I would again doubt myself and worry about putting myself out like that, only to be rejected.

Instead of risking my own pride, I sat around and waited for someone to ask me.  You know what?  That usually doesn't work.

Then, between Blissdom and this great post about using networks to grow your blog (by Toni ~ The Happy Housewife, whom I absolutely love), I finally just said to myself, "If it's going to happen, it's because you'll be the one to do it."

I then promptly sent out emails to around 13 bloggers that I knew (some better than others) that I felt would get along well (and that I would enjoy hanging out with too!).  I held my breath sending out that email.  I thought that if I sent out to more than I thought I needed to have in a group, then it wouldn't be a big deal when some said, "Are you kidding?  What do you think you're doing?  You're insane."

Well, of course, wouldn't you know -- I heard from almost everyone, and each of them with something along these lines, "I'm so excited about your email!  I would LOVE to do this!" 

The network is wonderful, and it's great to have friends that you can ask the questions that you just can't ask other bloggers.  I can't recommend it enough!

So, I guess this Works for Me Wednesday is two-fold.  #1 - A private network of blogging friends definitely works for me!  #2 - It actually works to sometimes be the person to make the first move.  The worst that you can hear is no, but sometimes, when you try something that makes you nervous, you might just get an "I'm so excited about your email!  I would LOVE to do this!" 

7 Quick Takes: March 5, 2010 (Vol. 32)

~ 1 ~

I was about to suggest to a business owner that I knew that they absolutely needed to have a Facebook fan page set up.  Then, I realized, "Hey -- I don't have one set up for Many Little Blessings."  Sure, I have one for The Homeschool Classroom, but that's a cop out to suggest it to someone else if I'm not doing it."

So, ta da -- here is my Many Little Blessings fan page.  I would love it if you become a fan!  (Here is the Homeschool Classroom fan page, if you're interested in it, as well.)

~ 2 ~

I love watching late night television.  This whole Tonight Show thing has messed me up though.  I have nothing to watch at 11:30 now.  This week I have watched everything from David Letterman (whom I don't care for) to an exploding SpermWhale on the Science Channel.  (Yeah, I know there's a space in between the whale's name, but I don't need people coming here looking for just the other word.)

~ 3 ~

The kids and I went on a solo trip into the big city to go to a Children's Museum as a field trip for school.  Now, it's not like we hadn't been there before (we actually have a membership).  But, I had never taken them by myself.  (We have always either taken Eric with us or we went with my friend Amanda and her kids.)

We had such a great time!  In fact, it was probably the best we had ever had going to the museum.  I must have told the kids about four times throughout the day, "I am really having a good time with you guys here today.  I'm so glad we came."  (We had originally planned our trip with Amanda and family, but with a couple of sick kiddos, they couldn't come.)

The museum wasn't very busy at all, which meant that we got to take our time with all of the things that we don't normally get much of a chance to do.  It was fabulous!

The only problem now?  I have a strong urge to take them somewhere out of town again soon.

(Okay -- I'm a cheater.  In interest of full disclosure, the picture is not from this trip, and is not even from the same children's museum.)

~ 4 ~

Even though I was just raving about how great of a field trip we had, I am already thinking, "So, when are we going to take Spring Break?"  Of course, we don't have to take a Spring Break.  But, you know what?  We really do need it.

~ 5 ~

After we finished schooling today, the kids were all keeping busy and I was on the computer.  I heard one of the boys playing piano and thought, "Great!  Love it that they are doing extra practice!"  Then, Alouette started having some wrong notes.  Not really wrong -- I still knew what they were playing, but several mistakes and I wasn't expecting it.

I turned around to see which of the boys was having troubles only to find Molly sitting at the piano.  She was just pecking away at the piano and humming to figure out the notes.  I have heard her doing that before to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Hot Cross Buns as well.   That little girl amazes me all the time.

~ 6 ~

For the record, Molly told me today that when she grows up, she wants to be "a tap dancer, a ballet dancer, and an art maker."  I love that girl.

~ 7 ~

We bought a retractable clothes line this week!  We're going to put it up in our screened in porch.  Sure, we won't get as much sun, but it should also keep out some of that pesky pollen.  I can't wait to give it a try.









This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

Earn Money with Sponsored Tweets on Twitter

Before I give my Works for Me Wednesday tip this week, please let me say that I don't want this to come off as saying, "Spam all of your friends and followers on Twitter."  Please take this advice to an eye toward not filling your twitter statuses with advertisements.

Okay, that said, let me continue...

I signed up for Sponsored Tweets, which is a service that connects you with advertisers who will pay you to tweet about things like their company, a giveaway, and free samples.  The nice thing is that you set your own price per tweet, and you can decide which offers you want to tweet about and which you would rather decline.

The writing has been easy, and I have only done tweets that I feel comfortable with (and that I think my followers would actually be interested in), which is nice to have the option.  Also, I am careful to not do more than about one per day, as to not have my statuses turn into ad after ad.

If you are active on Twitter, a sponsored tweet from time to time is a nice way to make a little bit of money. (On the flip side though, filling your statuses with ads is not cool, so don't do it.)

In interest of full disclosure, the links to Sponsored Tweet are my referral link.  If you sign up, I would love if you used me as a referral.  Thanks!

7 Quick Takes: February 19, 2010 (Vol. 30)

~ 1 ~

The biggest event of the week around our house has been sickness.  Lots and lots of coughing and stuff noses.  Quite frankly, with three of the five of us on antibiotics, I'm getting really tired of it.  

As I mused on Facebook the other night, "I think my lungs are trying to stage a mutiny.  Don't they know they need me to survive?"  I'm just praying that we'll be a lot healthier by next week's Quick Takes.

~ 2 ~

So now, with being sick, I have found that I am considerably less enamored with the snow.  Eric and I talked about how at the beginning of the winter, we loved the big snows that were coming in.  But, now we're cringing as they talk about things like "significant snow" next week.  I told him that it reminded me of the first two verses of the song "In Like a Lion (Always Winter)" by Relient K.

It's always nice to look out the window

And see those very first few flakes of snow

And later on we can go outside

And create the impression of an angel

That just fell from the sky

When February rolls around I'll roll my eyes

Turn a cold shoulder to these even colder skies

And by the fire, my heart, it heaves a sigh

For the green grass waitin' on the other side

~ 3 ~

I have decided on something to give up for Lent that already makes me nervous to think about.  That must mean it's a big sacrifice if it makes me nervous when I haven't even done it yet, huh?

I decided that starting with the first full week of Lent, I will be giving up the computer for one day each week.  It won't always be the same day each week (not always Mondays, for instance), but it will definitely be one full day each week.  Although I would have loved to have counted from midnight to 11:59 pm as a day, I know that for me (and my crazy sleep habits), I had to say that a "day" will be from when I wake up until I go to sleep for the night.  

I'm hoping that this will allow me at least one day a week to really focus on non-computer things.  Who knows -- maybe I'll keep it up past Easter.  (Somehow, I doubt that.)

~ 4 ~

I was struck by two things this week while at Ash Wednesday Mass.  They are the same two things that strike me each year.

The first is one that I can't even seem to put into words.  There's just something about seeing the parade of people walking by after having been freshly marked with ashes (and told "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return").  There are babies and there are elderly people.  Rich people and poor.  Our mortality is something that nobody can hide from.  But, there is also a sense of unity in seeing it too.  

The second, on a lighter side, is that at some point while waiting for our turn to go up front, I always have to turn to Eric and say something along the lines of, "Is this church a clown car?  Seriously -- where does this endless line of people keep coming from?"

~ 5 ~

Speaking of faith related items, it's coming up on First Communion time soon.  If you're working on First Communion banners this year, you might want to check out some of my popular past posts about this topic:

How To Make a First Communion Banner

More Than 40 First Communion Banner Examples

First Communion Banner Examples

I can't quite believe it, but it's the first time in three years that we don't have a First Communion in our family.  Granted, it was very different for us, but Eric and I both had our First Communion in 2007, then Noah in 2008, and then Jack in 2009.  It seems a little odd to us that we aren't busy with it this year. 

~ 6 ~

I can't believe that I almost forgot one cool thing from this week -- Brenda and I launched a free toolbar for Catholic families/homeschoolers.  I'm really excited at the kind words that people have been saying about the toolbar.  I can't wait to watch as the resource grows.  (If you know of great sites that should be added, please pass them along.  We already have a list of more sites to add, but the Internet is so big that it's impossible to be aware of all the gems out there.)

~ 7 ~

Do you ever feel like you just can't keep up?  I would love to say that it's the illness talking, but I know that's not it.  (The strong cough medicine probably doesn't help either.  So, if this has all rambled, please blame that, as I took it right before writing this post.)  

Every so often I just feel like the things that I think are my priorities are a little out of whack, and like I need to do some things to bring things back to how they should be.  I know where some of the issues are, but I guess I just need to figure out what to do about it.

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes Friday.

photos by:  snowflake - circulating  /  keyboard - julian-

Catholic Resource for Families

Guest Post by Brenda from The Tie That Binds Us.

Angie and I have been working together to create a resource for Catholic Homeschoolers like none other. It is a toolbar that sits at the top of your computer and guides you to some of the best Catholic sites and blogs available to Catholic families.

The toolbar itself has many components that are geared towards families, but it also has a huge homeschooling emphasis.

Take a look at all that you get when you download this resource:

• Family planning sites
• Sites on the sacraments and saints
• Web pages about the holidays and feasts
• Links to crafts for Catholic children
• Forums that you can join to meet other Catholic families
• A drop down menu dedicated to homeschooling - encouragement, curriculum reviews, email lists, suppliers, and magazines
• 50 Catholic blogs, plus more on the way!
• RSS feeds to daily readings, Catholic Icing, The Homeschool Classroom and more
• Email notification for all your email accounts
• A radio player that features Catholic radio stations plus your local ones too
• Weather updates

We are still adding sites daily to this free resource. If you download it and you would like to suggest an addition please email us @ hslifemedia@gmail.com

Did I mention that this resource is free?

To download this toolbar visit the page: http://catholichomeschoolingmoms.ourtoolbar.com/

Wait! There is a give-away!

Remember that pretty rosary that was at the top of this post? For your chance to win it you may leave a comment that you have downloaded the toolbar for a chance to win this beautiful rosary hand made by Angie. You may leave one comment (on the original post about The Catholic Family Toolbar at The Homeschool Classroom, comments on this post here at Catholic Mothers Online are closed) if you do any of the following:

• download the toolbar for one entry
• twitter about the toolbar for another entry
• blog about the toolbar for another entry
• leave 5 or more Catholic sites that are not included that should be on the toolbar for one entry

Entries will be closed on February 23rd.

Brenda can be found writing at The Tie That Binds Us.  She is also the founder of Curriculum Choice and Joyful Holidays, and co-founder of Homeschool Lifestyle Media.

My #Blissdom Recap

I have been home from Blissdom for over a week now, and I feel like I have probably put off writing this way too long.  So, in between horrible coughing that is making me have to cross my legs (you Moms out there -- I know you know what I'm saying), I'm going to try to write up some general thoughts on my trip.

1. The Trip -- I had a great drive to and from Nashville.  With almost all of the trip being interstate driving and having my friend Amanda with me, it was hard for it not to be a nice trip.  Well, that is until we both freaked out as we got to the Opryland Hotel and couldn't figure out where we were supposed to park the van while we checked in.

2. The Hotel -- Amazing!  But, overwhelming too.  Amanda explored while I was at the conference and then had to help me find my way around every time I needed to get somewhere new.  The staff at the hotel was also very helpful as well.  But, I do have to admit, I didn't think the rooms were worth the $125/night that we got as a conference rate, let alone their actual $200/night price tag.  Then again, I guess you are paying for a whole lot more than just your room.

3. The Attendees -- I wanted to write about everyone I met, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  I'm so afraid that I will skip over someone and that person will feel bad.  Maybe later this week I'll try to put together a little highlight of some people I met, because there really are things that I want to say in this area.  Let me just say for now, however, that meeting other bloggers and connecting with people you have already met online, as well as people that you are meeting for the first time, was by far the greatest part of Blissdom.

4. The Speakers -- I'll admit it, some of the talks were more useful to me than others.  (And I was really disappointed in one of the two Wisdom Workshops that I signed up for.)  But, that being said, overall it was great.  Sometimes it was things that I knew, but they sounded different coming out of someone else's mouth.  And, other times, I heard things that I hadn't even thought about.  Some ideas came up again and again, but that just cinched it to me that those were some of the things that were important takeaways.

5. The Food -- Yum-o!  The meals were just delicious.  And you know what?  Nobody said, "Mom -- can I get some juice?" at anytime during my meals.  That alone would have made them great.  Seriously though -- best food I've ever had at a conference.

6. Savvy Blogging Round Table (which was not an official Blissdom event, but happened on Friday night courtesy of Savvy Blogging)  -- It was worth missing Harry Connick Jr. for.  I didn't even feel bad. 

7. The Swag -- So much great stuff to bring home!  From coupons to snack foods to an Amazing Blissdom bag to gift certificates and so much more.  I filled my kitchen table with stuff when I came home.  It was crazy and fun!

8. Conclusion?  I've already got my eye toward next year's road trip to Nashville.

Later this week, I'll write up some messages that I took away from various sessions.  And, I'll try my best to get over my fear of leaving people off of a Blissdom people list.

7 Quick Takes: February 12, 2010 (Vol. 29)

~ 1 ~

I still haven't gotten caught up from Blissdom 2010.  I promise that it is my intention to write about it very, very soon.  But, here is a sneak peek of my Blissdom experience (one of the few pictures I got)...

 

That's me, George Duran (formerly of Food Network's Ham on the Street and now on TLC with Ultimate Cake Off), and Holly from Saving For Eight (who is super sweet and was a pleasure to meet).

~ 2 ~

In my quest to get caught up on life after Blissdom, I was almost relieved to have not one but two snow days this week.  I have a strong stance on taking snow days in our homeschool, although by the second day, I did ask the kids if they wanted to go ahead and do school anyway.  I was not surprised to get an immediate, "No," from them.

~ 3 ~

In all the busyness of getting ready to go out of town, being out of town, and then trying to get caught back up, I have over 800 entries waiting to be read in my Google Reader.  *gulp*

Have any great tips for working through it more quickly (short of just hitting "mark all as read")?

~ 4 ~

I have a confession to make.  I am 33 years old, and I bought my first pair of high heel shoes about two weeks ago, per Eric's request, after we went through and got rid of about 1/3 of the clothes in my closet.  They are about 2.5 inch heels, and that allows me to wear them and be a lot closer to looking Eric right in the eye.  Very fun. 

And then, after wearing them to church one evening, along with a dark pair of flaired jeans, a black blazer, and a red top, I got several compliments (including someone who noticed that I had lost some weight).  This was definitely a sign that we were right in trying to cull some of the things out of my closet and find better choices of what to wear.

~ 5 ~

Are you a Catholic homeschooler or Catholic Mom of children who are still at home?  Would you be willing to check out a cool resource that we've been working on?  If so, drop me an email.

~ 6 ~

I'll never be one of those women that can go to the grocery store and get $400 worth of groceries for $1.85.  It's just not going to happen.  But, I was thrilled this week to go to Kroger and get $300 worth of groceries for $200.  WooHoo!

Between some great coupons, Kroger plus card sales, and then a deal they were having where you got $5 off for every 10 items you bought from a certain list of items, I saved us $94 on our grocery bill. 

But, don't feel bad if you're not a great grocery shopper -- I'll spend way too much money next time I go, I'm sure.  So, it will all even out in the end.

~ 7 ~

A tiny little Blissdom take away message that really spoke to me (about why people come to your blog)...

They come to hear your voice.

 

 

 

 

 

This post is linked to 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap Up.

photos by: shoes mania  /  piggly wiggly supermarket