Don’t Be a Bloghole; HELP ME Edition

February 25, 2013 by 20 Comments

Welcome back to all you lovely writers and readers.  This week I am trapped in a snowy cocoon so let’s link up a post in which we have either lost our minds or saved ourselves.  A favorite craft you made, either successfully or not, with your kids.  Helpful tips <sarcasm font> for surviving those days when you are trapped with your kids and/or spouse somewhere.   Please, just give me hope for survival.

This time I also included places to link up your social media sites.  Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest.  I only ask that you do NOT ask for S4S or follow-backs.  That is total bloghole behavior.  Interact, be nice, and help each other out.   I am so glad you are back and I look forward to reading your posts!  Have fun and don’t be a bloghole!  xo

What is a Bloghole?:

Someone that talks, tweets, and acts poorly in a blog. A bloghole follows another blog just to get a “follow back;” then unfollows immediately after the pay out (happens often on Twitter). A bloghole blogs with the intention of becoming popular or “making it big” (do we know anyone that has happened to?). A bloghole comments just to get you to follow them.

~Definition courtesy of Urban Dictionary 

Bloghole

The idea for this blog hop came to me after a Twitter conversation a few months ago.  After finding out that bloggers are tired of all the “rules” that come attached to other blog hops, I decided to make a place for bloggers to link up with no strings attached. You get to decide who you read, who you follow, what you like, with no pressure to follow back.   Just in case you don’t remember, here are the few rules that I have established;

1. You are not required to follow anyone.   This hop is for those of you that link up to gain real, true followers.  As a matter of fact, I ask you not to follow if you are one of those people who will follow for a day then un-follow once that person has followed you back. If you don’t like my blog, that’s fine, I won’t have any hurt feelers about it.  I understand that I am not for everyone, never have been and never will be.   I would rather you not follow than follow and not read. Please, I beg you, only follow those blogs that you are really going to read on a regular basis.  If you REALLY want to follow a blog,  sign up for updates by email, that right there proves your long-term commitment.

2. After reading their entire post, leave a meaningful comment on those blogs that you do decide to follow. What do I mean by a “meaningful” comment? Here are some examples of what does NOT constitute a “meaningful” comment:

“now following you from YKIHAYHT ‘s Bloghole Blog Hop, follow me back at www.blah,blah,blah.com.”
“great post”
or one of my all time favorites,

“By Anonymous; great post, I wrote one just like it, you can read it here <insert annoying self-promoting link here> .”  (Um, you just left your website, I think I know who you are and that you, in fact, are NOT a genius.)

3.  Spread this hop all over the interwebs.  Tweet it, Facebook it, Pin it, Google + it.  Why?  Not because I want people to come here and read my stuff, well  I guess I kind of do but I want them to come find YOU as well.  This Hop is all about YOU.  If people don’t know about this how will they know to;

1.  Come here and link up themselves, and

2.  Come here and find YOU and all the other great blogs to read.

4.   Be sure to put your blog in the appropriate “category”.  Don’t know exactly where you fit?  Choose the ONE that is MOST fitting for YOU.  I know some parenting blogs are funny, some crafty blogs include food, find the one that MOST fits your blog.  For example, I would put my own blog in the humor section because even though I write about parenting, I like to think my humor about it is what brings you all back.  This makes it easier not just for you, but for readers as well.  Let’s be honest, not every blog floats every person’s boat.  If you don’t like DIY blogs, you don’t want to click on one.  If you don’t like parenting blogs, or humor blogs, or giveaway blogs, or foodie blogs….you get the picture.  Let’s just say I’m making it easy on you to find what YOU want to read.  If you don’t see a category for you, put it in the “other” category.  PLEASE let me know if there is a category I should add down in the comments below, I don’t want to leave anyone out!

So…here we go, find your category, link up your ONE, (only one please) favorite post from the past couple of  weeks, read some other great blogs, and most importantly…DON’T BE A BLOGHOLE!   Please only link up in ONE category, but feel free to read a little of them ALL!

















Filed Under: Blog Hop, blogging, Bloghole

The Week in Review; 2/2

February 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Week in Review 2.2

 

Another week down the drain.  Remember when we were  younger and it seemed like time was going by at a snail’s pace? Now we blink, BOOM, another week gone.  Hmpf.  I don’t really feel like it was a very busy week, but apparently it was despite the fact I spent most of it either in the bathroom helping PITA pee (hoping he would poop) or on the couch just trying to survive.

This week I celebrated with myself a very happy “New Blog Year”.  I felt if I was going to start this year off right I needed to give something, so I asked some of my super awesome friends to help me.  Luckily they seem to like me and they agreed to participate in my shenanigans.  I asked them to give me some blogging advice that I could pass along, but being the way I am I didn’t want it to be serious.  Read their “faux-vice”  here.

It had been two weeks since our last link-up fiesta, so it was time to remind people to not be a Bloghole and to link up.  You still have time to share yourself and read up so don’t miss out.  Do it here.

I wanted to answer a very important question from a very dear friend and I thought the timing was perfect since I was celebrating.  It gave me time to think and to look into my own self.  I think it is a great post, but I may be a bit biased.  You can read about what fills my soul here.

To take a trip down memory lane this week, I dug out this post from this past June in which I paired up with my friend Chris from Food Thoughts of a Chef Wannabe.  It’s a great look at the difference between eating a meal with older kids and younger kids. Plus she shared some of her awesome recipes.  You can read all about it here.

On Facebook, the I Am stories keep coming in and I am so enjoying reading them all, sharing them all, and seeing the support that total strangers can give to each other.  It really does give me hope that good will prevail.

I keep adding great stuff to my Pinterest boards.  If you don’t follow me there, you should.  I even have some boards that you can pin to as well.  Community boards are great, and I have gotten some awesome recipes from some pins that my friends have dropped.  I have community boards for Recipes, Crafts, Books,  Blogs, and I even have one for my teacher/homeschool friends.  If you are interested in joining me, you just have to be sure to 1. follow me, 2.  comment on a pin or send me an email with your Pinterest name so that I can invite you!

I’m on the Twitter too, and every Sunday night myself and some super funny chicas host the #spikedpunch Twitter party. There is no script and you never know what we are going to discuss, so come join us at 8:00 CST every Sunday.  Laughs are guaranteed, pants are completely optional.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for February 28 at 9:00 EST for our FREE Webinar hosted by Amy of Positive Parenting Solutions!  I will be there and I hope you will too!

Have a great week my friends!  xo

 

Filed Under: blogging, Bloghole, Facebook, Pinterest, Recap, Twitter, YKIHAYHT

Don’t Be a Bloghole; 1/29

January 29, 2013 by 21 Comments

Hey you! Welcome back to another Par-TAY.  Hope you have your best goods ready to go because I am ready to read.  To borrow a line from Marvin Gaye…”let’s get it on”.

What is a Bloghole?:

Someone that talks, tweets, and acts poorly in a blog. A bloghole follows another blog just to get a “follow back;” then unfollows immediately after the pay out (happens often on Twitter). A bloghole blogs with the intention of becoming popular or “making it big” (do we know anyone that has happened to?). A bloghole comments just to get you to follow them.

~Definition courtesy of Urban Dictionary 

Bloghole

The idea for this blog hop came to me after a Twitter conversation a few months ago.  After finding out that bloggers are tired of all the “rules” that come attached to other blog hops, I decided to make a place for bloggers to link up with no strings attached. You get to decide who you read, who you follow, what you like, with no pressure to follow back.   Just in case you don’t remember, here are the few rules that I have established;

1. You are not required to follow anyone. You are not even required to follow me as the host or post my NEW blog hop button on your blog page.  You ARE however, welcome to grab my blog or Bloghole Blog Hop button any time.  This hop is for those of you that link up to gain real, true followers.  As a matter of fact, I ask you not to follow if you are one of those people who will follow for a day then un-follow once that person has followed you back. If you don’t like my blog, that’s fine, I won’t have any hurt feelers about it.  I understand that I am not for everyone, never have been and never will be.   I would rather you not follow than follow and not read. Please, I beg you, only follow those blogs that you are really going to read on a regular basis.  If you REALLY want to follow a blog,  sign up for updates by email, that right there proves your long-term commitment.

2. After reading their entire post, leave a meaningful comment on those blogs that you do decide to follow. What do I mean by a “meaningful” comment? Here are some examples of what does NOT constitute a “meaningful” comment:

“now following you from YKIHAYHT ‘s Bloghole Blog Hop, follow me back at www.blah,blah,blah.com.”
“great post”
or one of my all time favorites,
“By Anonymous; great post, I wrote one just like it, you can read it here <insert annoying self-promoting link here> .”  (Um, you just left your website, I think I know who you are and that you, in fact, are NOT a genius.)

3.  Spread this hop all over the interwebs.  Tweet it, Facebook it, Pin it, Google + it.  Why?  Not because I want people to come here and read my stuff, well  I guess I kind of do but I want them to come find YOU as well.  This Hop is all about YOU.  If people don’t know about this how will they know to;

1.  Come here and link up themselves, and
2.  Come here and find YOU and all the other great blogs to read.

4.   Be sure to put your blog in the appropriate “category”.  Don’t know exactly where you fit?  Choose the ONE that is MOST fitting for YOU.  I know some <ahem> parenting blogs are funny, some crafty blogs include food, find the one that MOST fits your blog.  For example, I would put my own blog in the humor section because even though I write about parenting, I like to think my humor about it is what brings you all back.  This makes it easier not just for you, but for readers as well.  Let’s be honest, not every blog floats every person’s boat.  If you don’t like DIY blogs, you don’t want to click on one.  If you don’t like parenting blogs, or humor blogs, or giveaway blogs, or foodie blogs….you get the picture.  Let’s just say I’m making it easy on you to find what YOU want to read.  If you don’t see a category for you, put it in the “other” category.  PLEASE let me know if there is a category I should add down in the comments below, I don’t want to leave anyone out!

So…here we go, find your category, link up your ONE, (only one please) favorite post from the past couple of  weeks, read some other great blogs, and most importantly…DON’T BE A BLOGHOLE!   Please only link up in ONE category.  Oh, and if you want to keep this going, please leave me kind comments below.  Suggestions are always welcome!











Filed Under: Blog Hop, blogging, Bloghole, Humor

The Week in Review; 1/19

January 19, 2013 by 9 Comments

Week in Review 119

We made it through another week yo.  This week was UP, and then it was down, then back UP, and judging by the hacks and coughs coming from the little’s rooms, we are on our way back down.  This winter has been the sickest one in this house since we had kids, almost eleven years now.  Is it spring yet?  Last week I was hoping for it as I was trapped in the house with a sick two year old.  I kept a diary and shared it with you this week in Dear Diary, My Kid is Sick.   I’m hoping to not have to go through another week like that, because I know that next time there will most likely be vomit involved.

This week also brought up the ever popular, Don’t Be a Bloghole blog hop, linky party, shindig.   Every other week I put it up there, and every other week people keep showing up to share their awesomeness.   I feel like the movie Field of Dreams  “if you build it, they will come”.    These awesome people are here and if you don’t check out at least a handful of them you are so totally missing out.  Thank you to all that continue to come and link up.  I adore you.

This week I also took us back in time.  Back to the times BC, otherwise known as “before children”.  It has been long enough for me that I have a difficult time remembering what it is like to pee alone without the inquisition of  ”mom, are going poop or just pee”.  Read about that and see what else I miss doing in Things I Used to Do Alone.

In other exciting news, I have been chatting with my friend Amy from Positive Parenting Solutions and I am so excited to tell you that her and I are teaming up to offer all of my readers and friends a free Webinar on February 28 at 9 PM EST.  She is going to give us all some super helpful parenting hints during this one hour event called Get Kids to Listen Without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling.    I have to be honest, at first I was unsure of the response I would get about this but after asking my Facebook friends and getting an overwhelming YES I scheduled with Amy right away.  I’m very excited to offer this to you and hope you all will mark your calendars for February 28 at 9:00 PM EST.  It will last about an hour and is interactive so you will be able to ask questions and get answers right there!

What did I read this week?  Hmmmm….I actually read quite a bit.  Some of my favorites:

People I Want to Punch in the Throat takes on the iPad Potty.  I have been seeing pics of this and all I can say is WHAT IN THE HELL?

My Life and Kids invents that must have item that will help us parents pee in peace.  I ordered two of them, without the additions of course.

Let Me Start By Saying reminded me why I have such a strong dislike for the Easy Bake Oven.   Anyone that can use the words “burrito farts” in a post about an Easy Bake has my attention.

 

Now that you are all caught up, don’t forget to sign up for email updates from me and follow me via all my social media sites.  We have a blast on Facebook, I still suck at Twitter but am getting better, and I have options galore on Pinterest.  I’m admittedly a pin-a-holic.  Have a great week and as usual, thanks for being here.  xoxo

 

pretty please, do these things

pretty please, do these things

 

 

Filed Under: Bloghole, Humor, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Pinterest, Recap, Twitter, Uncategorized, YKIHAYHT

Don’t Be a Bloghole Blog Hop; 1/15

January 14, 2013 by 15 Comments

If you are new here, welcome.  If this is not your first rodeo, welcome back!  This will be the first time on my new and improved site so hopefully we can pull this off without a hitch.  I can’t make any promises.  Thank you all so much for joining me and I hope you find as many good reads as  I do!  Now it is time to read up, link up, and read some awesome blogs!

What is a Bloghole?:

Someone that talks, tweets, and acts poorly in a blog. A bloghole follows another blog just to get a “follow back;” then unfollows immediately after the pay out (happens often on Twitter). A bloghole blogs with the intention of becoming popular or “making it big” (do we know anyone that has happened to?). A bloghole comments just to get you to follow them.

~Definition courtesy of Urban Dictionary 

Bloghole

The idea for this blog hop came to me after a Twitter conversation a few months ago.  After finding out that bloggers are tired of all the “rules” that come attached to other blog hops, I decided to make a place for bloggers to link up with no strings attached. You get to decide who you read, who you follow, what you like, with no pressure to follow back.   Just in case you don’t remember, here are the few rules that I have established;

1. You are not required to follow anyone. You are not even required to follow me as the host or post my NEW blog hop button on your blog page.  You ARE however, welcome to grab my blog or Bloghole Blog Hop button any time.  This hop is for those of you that link up to gain real, true followers.  As a matter of fact, I ask you not to follow if you are one of those people who will follow for a day then un-follow once that person has followed you back. If you don’t like my blog, that’s fine, I won’t have any hurt feelers about it.  I understand that I am not for everyone, never have been and never will be.   I would rather you not follow than follow and not read. Please, I beg you, only follow those blogs that you are really going to read on a regular basis.  If you REALLY want to follow a blog,  sign up for updates by email, that right there proves your long-term commitment.

2. After reading their entire post, leave a meaningful comment on those blogs that you do decide to follow. What do I mean by a “meaningful” comment? Here are some examples of what does NOT constitute a “meaningful” comment:

“now following you from YKIHAYHT ‘s Bloghole Blog Hop, follow me back at www.blah,blah,blah.com.”
“great post”
or one of my all time favorites,
“By Anonymous; great post, I wrote one just like it, you can read it here <insert annoying self-promoting link here> .”  (Um, you just left your website, I think I know who you are and that you, in fact, are NOT a genius.)

3.  Spread this hop all over the interwebs.  Tweet it, Facebook it, Pin it, Google + it.  Why?  Not because I want people to come here and read my stuff, well  I guess I kind of do but I want them to come find YOU as well.  This Hop is all about YOU.  If people don’t know about this how will they know to;

1.  Come here and link up themselves, and
2.  Come here and find YOU and all the other great blogs to read.

4.   Be sure to put your blog in the appropriate “category”.  Don’t know exactly where you fit?  Choose the ONE that is MOST fitting for YOU.  I know some <ahem> parenting blogs are funny, some crafty blogs include food, find the one that MOST fits your blog.  For example, I would put my own blog in the humor section because even though I write about parenting, I like to think my humor about it is what brings you all back.  This makes it easier not just for you, but for readers as well.  Let’s be honest, not every blog floats every person’s boat.  If you don’t like DIY blogs, you don’t want to click on one.  If you don’t like parenting blogs, or humor blogs, or giveaway blogs, or foodie blogs….you get the picture.  Let’s just say I’m making it easy on you to find what YOU want to read.  If you don’t see a category for you, put it in the “other” category.  PLEASE let me know if there is a category I should add down in the comments below, I don’t want to leave anyone out!

So…here we go, find your category, link up your ONE, (only one please) favorite post from the past couple of  weeks, read some other great blogs, and most importantly…DON’T BE A BLOGHOLE!   Please only link up in ONE category.  Oh, and if you want to keep this going, please leave me kind comments below.  Suggestions are always welcome!


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Filed Under: Blog Hop, Bloghole, Humor