Bloggy Stuff

Mar 7, 2011

Blogging, SRT11, etc.

Well, if my intention was to completely drop off the face of the bloggy earth, I would say that I’ve succeeded. In almost two months, I’ve posted nothing but a book review.

I would like to thank all of you who left comments, sent emails, or contacted me in some other way to 1) see if I’m okay, and 2) let me know you missed my blog posts. I really appreciate each kind comment. I am okay. I have just not been blogging. I could go into the multiple reasons why, but quite honestly, blogging about blogging is something I’m not up to at the moment.

I’ve had a few people ask me if this is permanent, if I’ve given up blogging for good. And the answer is: I don’t think so. I truly don’t know what the future of this blog will look like, but I don’t picture me shutting things down, packing my bags, and going home.

SO… all that being said (and I think this post is sounding much more melodramatic than I originally intended), I’m here today to see if there is still interest in a Spring Reading Thing 2011. I know I’ve managed to chase off most of my readers through a sheer dearth of posts. Understandably!

But, if you’re still there, and if you would like to participate in a Spring Reading Thing 2011, would you comment here and let me know?

It would be a simple challenge, pared down. Just some goals, a touch of encouragement/accountability, and a wrap-up, I think. But I know I’ll be reading this spring, and if you will too, and you’d like to read together, I’d be happy to host.

I even made a button, just in case. So if you’re interested, say so, and I’ll get myself together and get things going.

Filed Under: Bloggy Stuff 48 Comments

Sep 21, 2010

Screen Allowance

written by katrina · 1 Comment

I have a post up on funmoms.org today, all about how we have dealt with a 4-year-old who wants to play on the computer all day long.

Click over to check it out.

Here’s an excerpt:

My four-year-old…would sit and stare at screens all day long if I let him. There are a few DVDs and TV shows he likes, but what he really loves to do is use the computer and play games on my iPod touch. It seems the requests are endless. “Mom, can I use the computer? Can I use your iPod? Can I watch a DVD?”

For a long time, I did my best to monitor and restrict his screen usage on my own. I’d glance at the clock and estimate how long he’d been staring at the computer. I’d announce “Screen Breaks.” I’d shoo him outside. And he would listen, but it was often a struggle. There was whining, there was begging, and there was scowling.

A few weeks ago, I decided to try something new: Screen Allowance. Here’s how it works…

Filed Under: Bloggy Stuff, Family 1 Comment

Aug 14, 2010

95% done counts for something, right?

written by katrina · 12 Comments

It’s 12:08 a.m. and I’ve been working on getting my new blog design properly activated for the last few many hours.

For the record, I’m never up past midnight. Unless:

1) It’s New Year’s Eve

2) I have a sick child

3) I am reading an incredibly awesome book and just can’t put it down

But tonight, I’m up. Tinkering with CSS, adjusting php functions (I don’t even really know what that means, but it sounds good), testing plugin compatibility and modifying image files so they all (mostly) match each other.

(That might be the geekiest sentence I’ve written in my life.)

And as you may have noticed, I have a new design in place. There are a few more tweaks I want to make but it is way past my bedtime.

Anyway, I would say that I have things about 95% of the way I want them to be. And at the moment, I’m stumped on the other 5%. But it’s late, and I’m afraid that my brain isn’t going to function very well if I continue to play around.

So I’m going to go to bed and hope to figure out my last few tinkerings another day. In the meantime, let me know what you think!

Filed Under: Bloggy Stuff 12 Comments

Jun 18, 2010

Friday’s Fave Five

written by katrina · 15 Comments

Playing along with Susanne this week. Click over to her blog see others bloggers’ favorite things this week, and join in the fun.

Five of my favorite things from this week

1. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. I watched this movie (via Netflix streaming on our Wii — love that!) Monday night with the kids. Then Wednesday night, C. & Chad watched it and I joined them for the second half. Thoroughly enjoyable. Goofy enough to make the four-year-old laugh until he couldn’t breathe. Bizarre enough to crack up the 11-year-old. Repeatedly. And not annoying-for-grownups as some kids’ movies can be. Definitely a fun family movie.

2. A husband who spoils me. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but my husband is really too nice to me. I don’t deserve all the ways (little and big) that he spoils me, but I’m thankful just the same. He’s an incredible husband and a great dad. Love you, Chad!

3. Finally making progress on my SRT ’10 list. After a spring full of spurts and stumbles, stops and starts, I finally got on track with my spring reading. Only about half a book to go! Will I finish before Sunday night? We’ll see… I’m hopeful, but not making any promises.

4. A big kid who keeps learning. C. (11) is keeping busy this summer. This week, he started golf lessons. He’s been golfing for a couple years now — nothing too intense or serious, but he enjoys several golf outings with his Dad and Grammy each summer. And we thought this year, it might be a good idea for him to take a few lessons, get a few pointers from a pro. His instructor is an incredibly nice man — very encouraging, but full of practical tips and helpful hints. C. thoroughly enjoyed his first lesson and is looking forward to the next one.

Also, C. has taken it upon himself to go through the Drive-Through History: America, Foundations of Character curriculum kit this summer. On his own. I am not a history buff, but C. takes after his dad and really enjoys it. So he’s working through the DVD and lesson book, learning lots about our country’s beginnings. I love that he loves learning new things!

5. Buzz cuts on little boys. L. (4) did not want a buzz cut, yet I insisted. He gets SO sweaty every time he plays outside, and I’m sure he’ll appreciate being a bit cooler for the next few weeks. He’s still not convinced, but I think it’s cute.

Filed Under: Bloggy Stuff, Family 15 Comments

Mar 28, 2010

Coming Soon: Lego Giveaway

written by katrina ·

The very generous folks at an online store that sells kids furniture — and lots more! — have offered to sponsor a giveaway here at Callapidder Days. After spending many hours perusing their site, I finally settled on a giveaway item that I know you’ll like.

At least, you’ll like it if your kids love to build stuff.

Especially if they like to build stuff with wheels. And with lots of options. And with many, many Legos.

Sound good to you? Check back here later this week for a cool Lego giveaway!

Filed Under: Bloggy Stuff