Wednesday, June 20, 2012

these blog book thingies




These pictures have nothing to do with the words. They're just shots I've had in a folder, waiting to get made all big and pretty on the blog. My sister and her children were over one morning when it was too hot to be outside without water, but the pool wasn't open for the day, yet. There are a whole lotta children in the yard when they come over.

I love it!



So, the blog. I told you a little bit ago that I was thinking of ditching Home For The Better and just starting something new. I appreciated your comments, and I've been continuing to think about it.



I think I am going to go ahead and get a blog book made. But, I don't necessarily want all the posts in the book. I don't need a three year old post about cottage style making its way into my book... and I don't really want to pay to have that post in there, either.



So, do you know? Can you choose to leave posts out when you get your blog printed out into a book? Or is that just a big pain in the neck... choosing which posts to leave in and which to take out?



If I can't easily choose to leave some posts out of the book, I'm going to have to do a little deleting here on the blog. Nothing overly dramatic... all the "before and afters" of our actual home will stay. But, some of my thoughts about design... some of the posts that were just me working through our style... those will likely go.



And, I'm thinking I need to rework the house tour. Again, nothing dramatic. But, I'm feeling like I need to have fewer pictures of each room. After I posted the tour week, I started feeling funny about security issues. I've been vigilant about keeping our specific city under wraps. But, anyone can slip up. I just would feel better if every last square inch wasn't out there. I think I made a mistake doing that in the first place. So, if you're dying to lock every nook and cranny of some room into your mind's eye, please do so now. I'm not sure when I'll start taking photos out.



Beyond those changes, I think I'm just keeping the blog as is.

No new blog at this point.



There will still be house related posts. I'll still share the little bits of progress we're making. I'm sure there will be posts with BIG progress from time to time, too. Like, when we have someone else do the work for us. Ha.



But, honestly, most of the posts are probably going to be random pictures of our days. And my thoughts... about this house, about homemaking, about family, about striving for an eternal perspective... to honor Christ Jesus in all things.



I've lost subscribers. I'm sure they were here for the house stuff. That is, after all, why I was here at first, too. So, I get that. If you want to read house blogs and you just keep seeing the same baby over and over again... you're not going to stick around. Totally get it.

Except, I mean, why wouldn't you want to see this baby over and over again? :)



And this one? This is my nibling, Tank. He's hugemongous. Not even 4 months old, yet, and pretty much as big as Baby. Who is almost 10 months. Huge.



So, that's the scoop on the blog. Not too much change, but a little bit.



Do your children do this? Pick each other's ears? Probably not.


Now. One last thing. I'm turning off the anonymous option. I'm still going to keep the comment box so you don't have to enter a code deal. Amazingly, Blogger has blocked out all the nasty spam that has come through the anonymous option, but it still shows up in my email inbox as a new comment. So, I still see it even if none of you have. I thought maybe the anonymous option would get more of you to comment now and then. Nope. Just randoms being creepy.

But, can you tell me something? Why is that some blogs just really seem to invite comments, and others just don't? Like Shauna... I cannot for the life of me figure out why Shauna doesn't have waaaaaay more comments than she does. She has such a beautiful blog, and her posts are so solid. But, even I get to the end of a post, and I'm just not sure I have anything to say. So, I don't comment. Boo me!

I did leave a comment yesterday, though, just because I thought... Phooey. This woman is blogging some good stuff! I need to let her know that I really like what she posts. So I did. And my comment was lame. But, it was there... I didn't ignore her.

So, seriously. I haven't been watching my numbers a lot, but I know enough to realize that about 2% of you are commenting. Do I just not seem friendly? I'M FRIENDLY, people!!! ha ha. So, come on already. Be my blog friend and pipe up.

And let me know why my blog just isn't a comment-y blog.


7 comments:

Deb said...

Okay, fist off it's easy to delete posts off your book when it's time to edit it.
Secondly, I like whatever you do with your blog because I like you and your children are so sweet to see in action.
I don't know why people don't comment. It's the same thing over at my place.
The end.

Melissa said...

I love reading whatever you post, Jacci. I got here from your house posts, but I guess I don't ever get tired of photos of that Baby! I hang around because I'm pretty sure I'd like to be your friend in real life, too. :) As for commenting, I think we're just a little lazy. Since I moved my blog to Wordpress, I notice I get more "likes" than comments--people can acknowledge a post even if they feel they don't have a comment to contribute.

Rebecca said...

For me, by the time I get to the end of a post, I think you've said everything and I can't think of anything to comment. You have a great way with words and being REAL on your blog, which is one reason I love it so much. It's like you're a friend who lives down the street and your post is a chat we have over coffee while the kids play. :) I'm excited to see whatever changes you make!

Jessica White said...

I deal with the same thing on my blog...the no comments thing, unless it's a link up then I get a couple. But basically it's the same 3-5 people who comment all the time...which I'm grateful for, but I wish the new commenters would stick around.

I think so many people are using mobile devices now and used to just clicking "Like" that they don't comment as much because it isn't as easy (especially on phones).

I try to put a relevant question at the end of certain posts to give people something to say back.

Elisa @ What the Vita said...

I did play around with a blog book and it seems like it's easy to delete posts from the book - try that first?

Janella has the same bathing suit, only in pink! Isn't it the cutest thing EVER!!?

As long as people are visiting, don't worry about the comments... Easier said than done, though! I know sometimes I read something really good and like it a lot but I just don't have anything good to add!!

Leah said...

I'm one of the non-commenters but I've been reading for a while... I sometimes think that unless I have something compelling and thought provoking to add to the conversation, a comment isn't really necessary... But I experience the same thing on my blog too--I know I've got readers, but few comments, so I understand the wonder!

I'll stick around too...Love the house stuff, but I enjoy getting a peek at your sweet family too. I'm always curious to see how Mamas with "a bunch" of kids are doing things too. We've added a baby to our family this year and while we only have 3 kids, I feel like I've stepped into "big family" territory with the addition. And, I love your photography...I dream of having really beautiful pictures on my blog, but it's mostly iPhone stuff that makes it up because of time, or lack thereof...!

rotner ramblings said...

I started my blog once I heard that they could be printed. Please, tell me, where do I go to have this done tho?
Secondly, I confess, I read your blog but don't comment. Lame, I know. Paybacks for people not commenting on mine I guess.
My biggest commenter just quit blogging. She encouraged me to comment on blogs, every wants encouragement. Sadly, since she quit blogging, I've got nothin'.
Keep up the good work, you're admired.