Archive
or not – I’m Back! – Kind of!
I guess I should have put up a “Gone Fishing” post.
I needed to take a break but I didn’t think it would be this long. I’m doing fine healthwise and I have actually gained a few pounds – might have to buy some new clothes. 
I’m still skinny but for one of the few times in my life, I don’t have a flat stomach. Last time I remember having a belly was 24 years ago when I was pregnant.
To everyone who has left me messages, sent me emails and tweets, I’m sorry if I’ve caused you concern.
I’m trying to respond to all of you personally but it’s going to take me some time to get through all the emails and read the comments on my blog.
I went offline in March and didn’t come back until the end of June. There was a lot happening and I may tell you about some of it another time.
For now I’m back but I won’t be posting every day. I’ll try for at least once a week and take it from there.
Thank you to everyone who is still subscribed and my new subscribers. Even though I hadn’t posted anything in 3 months you still took a chance on me coming back to my blog. Thanks again and I hope I don’t disappoint you.
You guys have been awesome with your concern and support and I feel like sh** for just leaving and not putting up a “Gone Fishing” post like my friend PiP did.
I’ve missed you guys and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with everyone.
There is nothing bugging me today!
Quote for Today
Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
Author Unknown
How To Deal With Blogs and Vacations
Spring has arrived with people starting to think about planning summer vacations. But this year, some may feel they have a problem because they’ve committed to post to their blogs every day and aren’t sure how they’re going to keep up with it. I’m having a tough time right now just keeping up. This is what’s bugging me today!
Before even summer vacations come around, we have long weekends to deal with. April brings us a long weekend with Good Friday and Easter, in the month of May, we have Victoria Day for the Canadians and Memorial Day for the Americans and I’m sure there are others happening around the globe.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to worry about your blog during these times. What happens if something unexpected comes up and you’re called out-of-town? Wouldn’t it be nice if you had some posts already lined up and ready to publish.
I know I would love not having to worry about my blog during times like that.
We know we can use the scheduling feature to post into the future but first we have to write them. So what do you write about.
Here are some ideas that I’ve offered to others before:
- If you love reading, write a short book review, include an excerpt from the book.
- If it’s poetry you love, let people know why in a few sentences and include the poem.
- Is there a favourite quotation/s that you like. You can do the same here as you did with the poem or book.
- Use the WordPress ‘Press this‘ feature and reblog someone else’s post.
- Check your ‘Posts I Like‘ and see if there are any you would like to reblog. The feature is right on the page.
- Post some photos and tell a story.
- Write about your favourite food and maybe post a recipe.
- Write shorter posts – make your blog post a 2 or 3-parter.
Which is what I’m doing today! Because if I continue it’s going to be too long. Part 2 with more ideas tomorrow.
The ideas I mentioned above are great to have on hand, ready to publish for those days when you just can’t come up with something or are pressed for time.
What are your plans for the summer?
Will you be taking your blog on vacation with you or will you put up a “Gone Fishing” post?
This is what’s bugging me today!
Quote for today
A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.
Robert Orben
Related Articles
Links Not Opening In New Windows
Open in new window
This is just one of those little things I find annoying. This is what’s bugging me today!
There are many people who don’t like links opening in new windows but I’m not one of them. When I’m reading a blog/website and click on an external link I like having it open in a new window and keeping the original blog/website open so I can easily go back to it.
If I don’t find the link interesting, I just close down the window and I still have the original blog/website to continue reading.
A good reason to have external links open in new windows is to keep your visitor on your blog as long as possible. Because if your visitor finds the link you’ve provided very interesting he/she may never make it back to your blog.
This is how I like to handle links on my blog.
- External links – open in new window
- Internal blog links – open in same window
The default when you choose to add any hyperlink is to open in the same window.
WordPress offers us the option of linking to other sites through Zemanta and the “Recommended Links“, the major one being Wikipedia. Even though the default is to open in the same window, you can change this by editing the hyperlink and clicking on the “Open link in a new window/tab”.
If it’s photos you’re adding from Wikipedia or another site you have to go to the Advanced Settings tab and scroll down to check the box to have the link open in a new window.
By doing this, you now keep your visitor on your blog and the other site opens in a new window. I find this especially important if you list other sites in the “Related Articles“. This gives your visitor a chance to read any comments and hopefully add their own comment to your blog.
How about you? Do you like links opening in new windows?
This is what’s bugging me today!
Quote for today
The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.
J. Martin Kohe
Related Articles
- or not – How To Add Copyright To Photos
- My 5 of 25 Reasons Why I’ll Leave Your Website in 10 seconds
- My 5 of the 50 Most Annoying Things About the Internet
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
or not – How To Add Copyright To Photos
Image via Wikipedia
I know I usually write a Housekeeping post on Saturdays but this week I’ve chosen to do this instead which has been part of my blog Housekeeping over the past week. There is nothing bugging me today!
This information will probably be helpful to anyone taking part in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge.
How To Add Copyright To Photos Using Picasa
I don’t have Photoshop, so I’ve used Picasa to finally add the copyright symbol – © - to my photos.
It was actually quite easy.
Open Picasa
Select your photo
Select Text
Select the Font, Size, Style, Colour and add anywhere in the photo – don’t worry, the text can be moved if you don’t like the position.
Nothing is changed on your original photo until you click the Apply button and save the file.
When I saved my photos, I added the copyright symbol © to the file name using the keyboard shortcut Alt0169. This is an easy way to recognise which photos you’ve added the copyright to.
To insert the copyright symbol ©, hold down the Alt key and type 0169 on the numeric pad on your keyboard. For those who have a laptop without a separate numeric keypad, hold down both Alt and the Fn keys to activate the numeric pad on the keyboard. Look for the small blue numbers.
You can also insert the copyright symbol using the Custom Character button 
in the Visual post editor but you have to make sure you are showing what WordPress calls the Kitchen Sink.
The Kitchen Sink button is the last one in the row. 
It’s really not that complicated to add the copyright, just remember to save your photo with a different name so that the original isn’t changed.
Will you be adding the copyright to your photos?
There is nothing bugging me today!
Quote for today
The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower,
share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another’s,
smile at someone and receive a smile in return,
are to me continual spiritual exercises.
Leo.F. Buscaglia
Related Articles
- or not – Weekly Photo Challenge | Spring – I found it!
- Not Knowing How To Add Follow Me on Twitter
- Housekeeping – Good Reason To Add Twitter To Your Blog
- or not – Some Housekeeping Goodies
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
Not Knowing How To Add Follow Me on Twitter
I’ve written a couple of posts over the past week about Twitter. WordPress bloggers are now putting their Twitter feed on their blogs but it seems that not all WordPress themes come with an option or Widget to add the Follow Me on Twitter Badge to their blog. This is what’s bugging me today!
I knew there had to be a way to add it so I went searching on Twitter and found the solution for you to use.
The first thing you need to do is head over to Twitter’s Resources/buttons page where you will find different buttons in various sizes and colours to choose from.
Click on the button you want to display and a small pop-up window will appear with the HTML code that includes your Twitter username. You must be signed in to Twitter for this to work.
Copy the code in the pop-up window.
The next step is to go to:
Dashboard – Appearance – Widgets – Text
- Add a text box to your sidebar.
- Paste the HTML code into the text box.
Depending on which button you choose to use you might want to add a title to your widget. The button I selected for this example doesn’t really need one so I’ve left it blank.
Select the position where you would like your Follow Me On Twitter button to appear and click on “Save Widget“.
Visit your blog, make sure you’ve hit refresh and your badge should appear and look like this.
Click on it to make sure it’s working properly and you’re done. Your readers now have an easy way to follow you on Twitter.
I’ve already given these instructions to my blogging buddy PiP and she has successfully added the button to her blog Piglet in Portugal if you would like to see how it looks.
Do you have a Follow Me On Twitter button on your blog!
Now that I’ve shown you how to add the Follow Me On Twitter button to your blog,
There is nothing bugging me today!
Quote for today
You will discover that you have two hands.
One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.
Audrey Hepburn
Related Articles
- Housekeeping – Good Reason To Add Twitter To Your Blog
- Not Knowing How To Use Twitter Properly
- RandomBlog2011 Challenge
- or not – RandomBlog2011 Challenge Update
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
or not – Blogging Buddies Interviews
Seeing as I was interviewed for the first time this week by Piglet in Portugal, I thought I would recognize some of my Blogging Buddies who have either been interviewed or featured bloggers since the WordPress Challenge started. There is nothing bugging me today!
Hugmamma published an interview with Piglet In Portugal who was my first Blogging Buddy in the WordPress Challenge. She has been a great buddy offering me the support and encouragement I needed to get through some difficult times.
Here is what Piglet in Portugal had to say about being interviewed.
A couple of weeks ago hugmamma of “hugmamma’s MIND, BODY and SOUL” kindly asked if I would like to be interviewed; honoured by her request I readily agreed.
Last month my second Blogging Buddy, MyEnglishThought was also interviewed by Hugmamma and here is what she had to say about being interviewed.
Just a quick word today to tell you that something unexpected happened yesterday.
Hugmamma is insterviewing me !!Yes I still can’t believe it… Thank you for this interview Hugmamma !!
Unfortunately she had to run off to work and wasn’t able to finish the interview until this past week, here is “my english thoughts,” interview…part 2
eof737 – Elizabeth has featured 3 of my Blogging Buddies on Mirth and Motivation over the last month.
First one featured was Barb19 and her blog Passionate About Pets.
Next up was Jackie Paulson – My Internet Life by Jackie Paulson
The most recent was Stacey Archer – Walk A Mile In My Shoes
She likes doing this so if you’re interested in being a featured blogger, pay her a visit and let her know.
_______________________
Following are the new blogs I’ve visited as part of the RandomBlog2011 Challenge. I found another brand new blog – Indigo Spider – where the comment I left was #2. We all know that Mr. WordPress always gets to comment first.
Blogs I’ve Visited
The first comment I left on Killdain‘s blog didn’t mention the challenge but it was my first visit. After leaving a second comment suggesting the challenge he did pay a visit to my blog and he’s decided to join the challenge.
Weekly Photo Voting! “Curiosity”
Are you taking part in the Weekly Photo Challenge?
You’re welcome to post your photo link in the comments on
or not – Weekly Photo Challenge: Home
There is nothing bugging me today!
Quote for today
Friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things.
Author Unknown
Related Articles
- or not – My First Blogging Buddy’s First PostAWeek Interview
- or not – 10,000 Blog Hits, Thank You Readers
- Missing My Blogging Buddies
- or not – Some Housekeeping Goodies
- RandomBlog2011 Challenge
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
or not – 10,000 Blog Hits, Thank You Readers
I’ve reached 10,000 hits! Oh what a feeling! There is nothing bugging me today!
To be celebrating 10,000 hits and having Piglet in Portugal publish her interview of me on the same day is awesome!
First things first. A special thank you to my friend and first blogging buddy Piglet in Portugal for helping to make this day possible for me. She has been a rock to me. I’ve gone through some trying times over the past month and without her I’m not sure if I would have made it to today.
It was a wonderful experience having her interview me. If you came directly here and haven’t read the Interview with “blogging buddy” ClassyRose yet you might want to head over there and read it before continuing here. I’m not going anywhere.
This is my day to glow. There is nothing bugging me today!
Wow! What a feeling!
Here is a taste of the interview.
From Piglet in Portugal – Interview with “blogging buddy” ClassyRose
When WordPress started the PostADay/PostAWeek Challenge in January and subsequently made a post about “blogging buddies”, I left a comment and ClassyRose came to my rescue. Rose is great, always offering words of encouragement and support both through the good times and bad. ClassyRose also helps and encourages so many bloggers through her blog “Things in life I find annoying” – I thought it would be great to interview Rose and she kindly agreed.
ClassyRose please tell us a little something about you as a person.
PiP, you know how much I don’t like having to write about myself but I guess it is something that needs to be done. I’ll give you a little more than the usual two-minute elevator speech.
I come from a family of 8 children. My parents emigrated from Italy with 5 children and the last three were born in Toronto. I’m number 7 of the 8. When I was 18 I decided I didn’t want to live by my father’s rules… Click here to continue reading the interview.
Thanks PiP
Now it’s time to thank you the readers and my blogging buddies who have been here for me with your kind words of support and encouragement. Without you this never could have happened today.
I know that since I launched the RandomBlog2011 Challenge in February I haven’t been reading and commenting on my buddies blogs on a daily basis but it’s been kind of hectic for me. I’m trying to deal with not only the success of the Challenge but the success of my blog.
I would also like to thank Scott Berkun and The Daily Post at WordPress.com for featuring one of my posts, because the same day it appeared on The Daily Post I had already reached 5000 hits and the following day was my best ever receiving over 500 hits.
I wasn’t paying much attention to the number of comments I had until I read another blog where they were celebrating receiving their 1000th comment. I looked at mine and realized I was only a few comments away. That was February 12th and the milestones just haven’t stopped.
Comments, best day surpassed by another best day, 5000 hits, featured on The Daily Post.
Then this week I hit 2000 comments and I also hit the Like button for the 1000th time. Oh, did I mention that my blog is barely 3 months old.
Now you know why I keep saying I’m on a roller coaster ride and I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I’m loving it all and it’s been hard trying to hold all this excitement and not sharing it with you my readers who have made it all possible. I will never forget that it is you who helped me reach this special milestone I’m celebrating today.
Thank you. 
There is absolutely nothing bugging me today!
Quote for today
The Difference We Make Today,
Counts In All Our Tomorrows
The Meaningful Messenger – Inukshuk
Related Articles
- or not – My First Blogging Buddy’s First PostAWeek Interview – Piglet In Portugal
- Trying to Find Topic Suggestions
- RandomBlog2011 Challenge
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
My 5 of 25 Reasons Why I’ll Leave Your Website in 10 seconds
What are some people thinking of when they design their websites or choose a theme for their blogs? Do they want people to stick around and read or not? This is what’s bugging me today!
There are plenty of reasons why I don’t stick around on a website/blog and this list has most of them. But I’m usually gone in about 5 seconds.
I think they’re all pretty annoying but I’ve selected 5 and I’m passing out frowns and a gold star again.
25 reasons why I’ll leave your website in 10 seconds | Econsultancy.
1. Autosound. This drives me nuts. When I visit a website and am instantly bombarded with an unwanted cacophony of nasty sound I tend to leave with immediate effect…
3. Interstitials. When I click on a link I expect to be taken straight to that page, rather than being dumped on a page with a big ad on it.
5. Slow load times. Don’t make me wait! I pay a premium for my 50MB home broadband connection…
6. Prioritisation of ads vs content. This is the evil twin of slow load times… Some navigation may quickly appear before the whole thing grinds to a halt while we wait for an ad server to kick into life.
7. Woeful navigation. Badly-designed navigation is one of the few truly mortal sins that you can commit as a web professional… Flash-based sites tend to be among the very worst sinners.
8. Poor scent trails. Hey, I just want my questions answered, ok? If I can’t find things easily and quickly then I will look elsewhere.
9. Key information is AWOL. Just for the record, there is no way I will click a ‘Book A Room’ button just to see how much a hotel room costs.
10. Immediate registration demands. Why? Why now? Aren’t you going to tease me a little first? Timing is everything.
12. Typos. Typos and poor grammar do not send the right signals to the visitor. There are literally no excuses.
13. Rubbish fonts. No right minded person would leave a website purely based on font aesthetics, but lame fonts can give off the impression that you’re not trying hard enough.
14. Narrow sites. There’s just something about sites designed for 800px monitors that gives me the creeps. Don’t you think?
15. Left-aligned sites. Again – and I can’t really explain why – sites that are aligned to the left (rather than centrally) just seem so 2002,…
16. Cookie cutter websites. Who wants to be known as a copycat?
17. Cobwebs. If the last ‘news’ was from ‘January 2004’ then I won’t hang around for long.
18. A lack of clarity. A descriptive, meaningful, plain English strapline is key.
19. PRspeak / jargon. I tend to be of the opinion that you can shove your synergies where the sun doesn’t shine.
20. Browser issues. Test, test, test, and figure out what your audience likes to use.
21. Flash. Sometimes I’ll hang around, much in the same way that people slow down on motorways to gawp at car crashes, but I normally back out faster than you can say “Jumping Jack”.
22. No ‘About’ page. Many websites are allergic to About pages, for reasons I cannot begin to figure out.
23. Video-only homepages. If I have the time and inclination I might sit through a three minute video, but I think there should always be a text option…
24. Boring vs unprofessional. Some sites have no verve, no personality, and are uniformly dull.
25. Contrast fail. Poor colour combinations can make it difficult to read text. And if you cannot read something there’s really very little point in hanging around.
Do any of these annoy you?
Which ones would you pick?
The one I awarded the gold star to is all the way at the bottom this time. If you want people to read your blog, don’t use tiny light coloured text on a dark background. I’m out of there!
This is what’s bugging me today!
Quote for today
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
Benjamin Franklin
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- My 5 of the 20 Most Annoying Things at the Grocery Store
- My 5 of the 50 Most Annoying Things About the Internet
- 15 Pet Peeves
- RandomBlog2011 Challenge
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
or not – My First Blogging Buddy’s First PostAWeek Interview
Piglet ponders on another challenge!
There is nothing bugging me today!
My very first and best blogging buddy Piglet in Portugal was interviewed by hugmamma and I’ve decided to publish the entire interview for your reading pleasure.
interview #2: a portugal connection
Posted on March 2, 2011 by hugmamma“Piglet in Portugal” intrigued me for the same reason that “English Thoughts” did. Both bloggers live in other countries. What I found interesting about this blogger is that she is an ex-pat. I wanted to get her “take” on life abroad. I think you’ll get a feel for who she is and what she’s about, from reading her own words. She’s a woman with great successes, and many friends, that’s for sure.
1. What do you feel you get from blogging? Does it fulfill you personally? Has it opened up new vistas for you?
I discovered the “blogosphere” in January 2010 but it was not until May that I plucked up enough courage to create my own blog “Piglet in Portugal”. My blog was primarily to share my experiences of life in Portugal, hobbies and interests plus anything else that captured my imagination. I also created pages with static information which anyone moving to, or looking to holiday in Portugal may find of interest.
My biggest disappointment was that while I had many visitors to my blog there was no interaction in the way of comments. To be honest, it was rather a lonely existence; I really enjoy reaching out to others and frequently asked myself was it really worth all the effort?
In Jan 2011 WordPress introduced the Postaday/Postaweek challenge followed by a post on “Blogging Buddies”…what were these? I soon discovered and my whole blogging experience and perception of blogging changed for the better! Suddenly, I discovered a whole community of bloggers and some great “Blogging Buddies” such as Classyrose of “Things in life I find annoying” Seashell, Enjoying Creating, Redneck Princess, Granny1947, Wordangell, Jeanne’s Blog, Running Garlic, Soapbird, Wrinkledintime, and Spirit Lights the Way, to name just few. I now love to sit down with a cup of coffee or a glass or two of wine (hence the dyslexic fingers) and read and comment on all my buddies blogs. It feels great to belong to a blogging community where we all support one another and have fun. I do not aspire to be a writer but just enjoy taking photographs, writing about everyday life and researching different topics to post.
The highlight of the challenge to date, for me, was when my post Gazanias in January was “Freshly Pressed” it was great fun and I felt humbled that my little blog had been recognized.
My blog now ranks well in Google for certain long tail keywords and “Piglet” aka PiP has been “discovered” ha ha…and approached by three major expat websites who have asked me to write content, or use my blog posts and even have my own monthly column about expat life in Portugal. Life is full of surprises!!
2. Have you always been a fan of pigs? Would you have one for a pet, if not, why not?
Yes, I’ve always been a great fan of pigs; they are not only cute but extremely intelligent! I could say just like me but that would be telling “porkpies”! (lies). I used to collect pig ornaments but eventually “closed” my collection as over 50 piggy ornaments of various shapes and sizes required a lot of dusting. I’m hardly a domestic goodness and enough was enough!
Image via Wikipedia
If I had plenty of land I would definitely keep Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. They do not grow very big, are absolutely adorable, and apparently are just like dogs. Unfortunately, I am a realist and it would be unfair for either the pigs or my Mr. Piglet to keep them in our urban garden.
3.You seem to love the outdoors. Was that always the case, even as a child?
Yes, I’ve always enjoyed outdoor life and kept horses until my early thirties.
4. If you weren’t living in Portugal, where else would you enjoy living, and why?
It would have to be Canada. We love the wide opens spaces, stunning scenery and of course the people are so friendly.
5. Is there something you haven’t yet done, that you hope to do next week, next month, next year, or years from now?
Wow, that’s a tricky question! My philosophy is live for today! OK, if we did not have grandchildren on the way, and money was no object I’d love to explore Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, Chile and Brazil. Just get on the plane and go!
an accomplished blogger indeed…very deserving of our kudos…hugmamma.
Piglet in Portugal would like you to join the conversation on
This question is from me.
Have you interviewed anyone or been interviewed yourself?
Please leave your answer in a comment.
There is nothing bugging me today!
Quote for today
Friends are kisses blown to us by angels.
Unknown
Related Articles
- Blogging Buddies
- Missing My Blogging Buddies
- How does blog’s buddies can keep you motivated ?
- Interview with “blogging buddy” ClassyRose
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
Not Having My Next Post Ready
I’m working on a couple of things which are going to take more time and I have nothing ready for today. This is what’s bugging me today!
So I thought I would give you some interesting things I’ve found while doing some of my blog reading.
First up for the poets out there, Tom Baker is doing what he can to promote National Poetry Month. I already know of one blogging buddy who will be featured.
April Is National Poetry Month, Add Yours
National Poetry Month is next month. Aside from Poetic License I invite you to submit your favorite poems to be featured in April. The poem can either be by your favorite author or one you have penned yourself.
Submit your choice along with the author information to my email. If you don’t have the author information I can’t use your poem. Please, only your work or full information on the poem by a published author will be accepted. Thank you and come back and enjoy the posts starting on April first.
For the photography buffs out there, Stacey – Walk A Mile In My Shoes has a suggestion.
Thursday Challenge is a place for photographic fun and learning. A theme is announced on this site each week. You may either take a new photograph related in some way to the theme or select one that you have taken previously; Then submit your link here.
If you’re interested in a Blog Hop check out The Running Garlic who hosts Wordless Wednesday every week. Maybe this is something I should have done today. Oh well, too late now.
Share your photo – Happy Wordless Wednesday!
If you would rather sink your teeth into something, why not head over to the Blog Hop at Munchie Monday.
Share your recipe and browse the recipes from others … Enjoy!
Happy Munchie Monday!
Ryan – INSIGHT is holding the Weekly Photo Voting on his blog from submissions to the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. Voting for Boundaries is happening now and coming up is Curiosity.
Another blogger soozling who is taking part in the RandomBlog2011 Challenge is asking members to join her in:
march is no more excuses month
Let’s make March the month of No More Excuses! Whatever you’ve been putting off refuses to wait anymore. Whether it’s goals about writing, personal development, or physical health, let’s promise each other that for the next 30 days, we won’t let another excuse keep us from reaching our full potential.
And I can’t forget about my own RandomBlog2011 Challenge. If anyone still hasn’t checked it out, just click here and you can read about the current challenge and the original one I kicked off last month.
I think that about covers it for now. Now it’s time to get back to writing so I have something ready for tomorrow.
This is what’s bugging me today!
Quote for today
The only problem
with Haiku is that you just
get started and then
Roger McGough
Related Articles
- RandomBlog2011 Challenge
- or not – At Last, Here It Is
- or not – Weekly Photo Challenge: Abundance
- April Is National Poetry Month, Add Yours
© 2010-2011 Things in life I find annoying
ClassyRose
I am not an angry person. Please click on the picture to read why I started this Blog.
Favourite Things
World Visitors
