no i didn’t give up blogging for lent…
Fifteen days blog-free and I just can’t take it anymore. I think that’s the longest I’ve gone without posting since I started blogging back in 2005!
What initially began as a pause while my blog got her makeover, eventually grew into a much-needed hiatus. And while I still don’t feel like I have much worth saying right now, I’m anxious to write, read, and connect again.
The Grit’s facelift is the handiwork of Shauna at See My Designs. We’re still working out a few wrinkles, but I’m loving having my own unique site. And Shauna’s been a joy to work with. If you’re ready to jump into the deep end of a custom design, check her out. Let her know I sent you! (Maybe I’ll get some brownie points…)
Since my mojo’s gone missing (anyone seen it?), I’m hoping you can give me some bloggerific ideas. Ask questions, tell me stories, shake up my creative juices… Let me know what you want to hear about at the Grit.
I’ve missed your voices! I wanna hear from you…
@danielleH says:
Yay! You’re back! I was thinking that you were gone for a while back around Madagasgar too.
You know I like the site…but not as much as I like you.
Welcome back…I’ve even blogged a bit. Gasp, right?
@cassgirl says:
hullo?? ((echo))
anyone here???
((brushing off the dust))
The Grit’s open sign is on again ((smiling SO big))
Missed you friend!! I was a lovin and prayin… KNOW that…
((signing the new guest book))
Fierce friend
@cassgirl says:
Or a nice frothy cup of coffee sitting indian style across from a friend on a long couch, connecting once again.
dangg ginaaaaaaaaaa. the grit is looooking sexyyyy :).
love you.
Hot Donuts? Just seeing you back is sweet enough for me – and non-fattening too! ;-)
The blog-look is Great – and even the number of people on line works now.
Tres Bien Mon Chere :-) ( <==== that was from ‘Bub’)
Ideas? well… Easter is coming up REAL soon you know?? ;-)
Something about ‘Re-birth’ might seem appropriate doncha think?
Still no emoticons – Bwan and i will have to live with that i guess. We love you lots even without them!
<B
no ideas but IM GLAD YOU ARE BACK! was getting worried. =)
Love love LOVE the new look, especially the header pictures. I’m curious about the “talk to me” feature. Will that be an option to send messages, videos, etc.? Looks great, friend. Welcome back!
@moweezle says:
Yeah!!! I’m glad you’re back, and with a new make-over too…looks great! I was missin ya :)
I miss hot drinks in your kitchen. do you have any chai and some time to talk? i miss you very much.
much love.
Hannah
Hip, Hip, Hooray! I am doing the happy dance over here. So glad to see you back! Been a praying for you and missing you, sweet friend! Got lots going on over here … such blessings. God is beyond good! But, you know that. Glad your smiling face and sweet voice are back … and love the new look. New look for new you! :) Love you!
@ventigrace says:
The grit is looking pretty glorious my friend! Seriously great… and you’ve been wanting to do this for SOOOO long!!!
ideas?! Do you remember when you tried to give me a creative assignment? shame… I’m terrible at coming up with ideas… But I have a feeling that I know what your readers want… YOU.
Missed you, but figured you were taking a much-needed break. Glad to have you back.. :)
YEAH!!!! There you are! I was gone from the blogosphere for almost as long, and when I finally went to catch up I thought of you! Went to your name on my Reader and … “no new posts?? There must be something wrong with my Reader …” :D So yeah. You’ve been missed. I’m sure the break was MUCH needed, though … Love you!
dang i missed you!
crazy that you were gone that long, but i totally understand the need for it sometimes.
so how’s life going over there in Ohio?
hmmm…i might come back with some ideas later. i haven’t really had anything to write on my own blog lately and currently i’m trying to avoid my New Testament paper because i don’t know what to write. so i don’t know how much help i could be…but we’ll see.
@mjdagenhart says:
It’s so good to see new posts show up in my reader again! :)
It’s gorgeous! Really, truly gorgeous!
My site is still not up…yikes…soon enough. Others are getting on me for it, too!
Alece, seems like you’ve been missed! :-)
Can’t wait to hear more from you.
Jessie
Love your new look!!!
So I’m not sure if this has been suggested or not as a topic, but I’m always interested in the people who follow your blog (and girlfriend, you have quite a following). How did you meet them? How many know each other? I would be interested in seeing a “family tree” or “six degrees) of sorts. I know that a lot of us who read your blog know each other, so it would be interesting to see (through comments or some other means) how we are all connected. Not sure if that makes sense outside of the confines of my brain.
I don’t have any ideas, but I missed you, thought of you, and prayed for you. (((((hugs))))) Alece!
Glad the grit is back!!! It’s my “morning cup of coffee”, it gets my “thinking juices” flowing..Thanks!
debra — thanks for all the love from you in my inbox. you are so sweet to me.
kitty — for SO long! thanks for being excited for me… with me… ah, yes! the creative assignment gone bad… i should try to give myself another one, although i’m not sure i’m up for the challenge!
lisa — is spring springing in garmisch?!
anneth — we were blogcationing together and didn’t even know it!
mandie — you missed me? wow. thanks… and would love to hear any ideas you come up with… after you’re done with your NT paper…
marisa — how ’bout them yankees?
jessie — hope yours will be up soon.
mary — thanks!
shineanea — okay i love your idea! i just have no idea how to pull that off… i’ll be mulling….
katie — thank you for those prayers!
jessica — i still can’t believe what a regular commenter you’ve turned into. i love it. and really? “morning cup of coffee”? that made me smile so big.
@mjdagenhart says:
PSH. haha…but really, should be a good year. :)
Hi Leesh.
Shinea’s idea sounds cool :-)
I believe the ‘Answer’ is Create a Database.
Ideally this database should be able to be accessed by all ( with you as the administrator who has the final say on structure/content) so that we can add our input without you needing to be ‘swamped’ by having to do all the data entry work..
A good database program can show ‘reports’ or print out the various relationships (Databases are ALL about Relationship!) betwen the various entities.
This could be fun!
Any good database persons out there reading this? Ric ( Booth) ? you listening?? :-)
I’ve had some experience with Microsoft’s Access DB program but a web-based DB would be most useful for this project.
Anyone got suggestions?
<B
@coloraturajoy says:
welcome back!!!! i was starting to miss you! :) ♥
@atangie says:
So this post is kinda like the house warming parties that people throw when they move. What a kind hostess you are to invite your friends to offer suggestions for decorating the new place!
A few observations first…
Lovin’ the new signature
Shineas idea rocks
Tracees benches in this weeks carousel are amazing
Encouraging us to participate in future carousel rides is extremely kind
Your color scheme is beauteous
It is nice to know that G&G is a girl, thanks for clearing that up
Don’t know if I can add the -eriffic suffix to these ideas but they are ideas nonetheless…
1. Four minute Friday the Reality Show Version. On Thursday or early Friday you ask for a very simple or general topic from your readers (i.e. peanut butter, hopscotch, trees, cravings, etc.). Of the suggestions you pick whichever one suits your fancy. Your next post is a four minute free write on the topic you chose. At the end of your four minute post you suggest a random topic and invite your readers to do a four minute entry in your comment box on that topic or any of the suggested topics from other readers for that week.
2. Reviews. Books, movies, restaurants, tv shows, tourist attractions, airlines, clothing companies, ice-creams, coffee… you name it. I would like to know what you think about stuff. It can be something current in your life or from a long time ago. You could even give them ratings from super gritty (one G) to super glorious (five Gs).
Other than those just anything you darn well please. You write it I’ll read it. You post it I’ll peruse it. You blog it I’ll be here.
My day just got better in seeing you are back with more of the “grit”.
I really like the look of your blog page, especially the pictures.
I love your blog posts and don’t have much to offer in the way of suggestions.
I don’t remember how much you have talked about books, or songs, anything that helps stir your passion. I mean something other than Starbucks.
Is there any section of the US you haven’t been to and would like to visit?
Glad you are back too…the only thing I do besides check my email (and mostly work) on my computer (EVERY DAY) is check FB and YOUR Blog…. so, there were a few boring days after I denied friend requests…..what was a girl to do…I played some cards to relax….
no ideas really…I love book talk…but that might be over done….not sure, will have to think on it…
Hurray! I’m glad you’re back, I missed reading your blogs and I love your new look!
Love and long distance hugs
I have missed you. She and you did a beautiful job on this site. Yay you.
ed — thanks for your kind words and suggestions. i always value what you have to say.
chardonnay — you denied friend requests!?!? and thanks for checking the Grit so regularly… sorry she was vacant for so long!
krista — you don’t show up often. but when you do… it makes me smile so, so big. thank you.
motts — you’re on my side of the ocean. can i text you?!
you’re right… i don’t remember how long i went without blogging on that trip… hmmm…
and look at you, blogging and everything!
@danielleH says:
i know, right?! and even coming back to check my comments, eh?! you’re inspring me! :)
i wish you could get free hot donuts now that the open sign is on!
i’m always up for that!
she’s lookin’ sexy?! yesssss!
definitely still no emoticons. (sorry, bran!) i shudder at the thought…
i’ll keep pondering re-birth… let’s see what happens.
i am so behind on reading your blog! i can’t wait to catch up!
i had the “talk to me” page on my old blog, too! once i get it back up and running here, there will be a way to send me video messages again. i think i need to “meet” mr. jack via video!
i wish i could get a makeover, too… hmph.
mmmm… i miss hot drinks in my kitchen, too. lots of good conversations have been had over cups of steaming hot frothy goodness and my bar-height table.
love you, miss hannah.
yesssssssss veryyyy much so….:)
I likeeeeeeee it.
sounds complicated. and intense!
you win the door prize for longest comment!
and i love your idea for a new twist on my four-minute fridays… i’mma ponder that one for a bit.
thanks for being such a faithful reader and commenter, @ng!
it’s true..glad i made you smile big!