E-mails I get them all day long and some e-mails are truly junk and get deleted immediately, but others end up piquing my curiosity.
Sometimes, I can read immediately and other times, I have to put in my pending folder for a quieter moment, when my gang is occupied, I can read and attend to.
Last Tuesday, I received an e-mail titled, “A Blogging Challenge” from Mary Belle at Secret Obsession. I actually had a few quiet moments to click the link she included and read all about the challenge.
Something about it spoke to me. I have never done one of these challenges before, but thought seriously about doing it.
I had a few issues though, because I do FTSF’s weekly and can’t put that off and I always take Sundays off (to spend time with my family) and only post recaps on Saturdays (again more family time for us), but what I liked was that specifically in the rules, Mary stated we could choose days to skip if we wanted.
I will be honest, because of my thoughts of the days I may need to skip, I really mulled this over to the last minute, but decided to give it a go.
A big incentive is I feel that sometimes I am at a loss for what to write here. I mean my gang gives me great material at times, but once in awhile I do get a bit of writer’s block and am thankful for those who want to contribute in the form of a guest post, too (when this does happen). I mean my life is interesting, but can’t help not always having material 365 days a year that is new and fresh for you. I get my moments and not going to lie to you.
But here there are topics to get me started, so I thought I could use them to help me get a bit more focused this month as far as my blogging and sharing goes. Might give me a break from always being on as far as what I want to share from our lives, but still somehow share tons you may not already know about us, because of the topics given.
Like I said there will be times when I do skip in the form of the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), as well as I will try to incorporate if I can with FTSF my best (if I can’t I am sorry, but this is just the way it goes I suppose). And if I do have a guest post or two for the month may have to skip those days, too.
This isn’t perfect, but then again neither am I~I am truly a work in progress.
So this is day one and I was asked for at least five reasons why I blog and know I have shared this from a post with nonetheless FTSF. So, if haven’t read why I do blog or just want to refresher, click here.
Might be a bit of a cop out on the first day, but I have totally blogged about this and did not want to repeat myself.
Hope you enjoy my reasons for blogging and may even be able to relate.
And stay tuned tomorrow for some lyric/s from my favorite song, and how it inspires me.
What song do you think is my favorite of all time? You will just have to come back tomorrow to find out!!
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massholemommy says
It's funny you said that about emails…..I delete more emails than I actually read most days. I can almost always tell by the subject line if it's going to be BS or not π
Janine Huldie says
I know could totally tell by the subject if it is trash or not nowadays, too!!
The Dose of Reality says
What a fun thing to do! We've never done a blog challenge. It makes us itchy thinking about it. Going into it knowing some days it just won't work out is the only way we could do it. It's a great way to approach it! π
Can't wait to see your lyrics and how they inspired you. What fun prompts! Can't wait to see what October brings for Confessions of a Mommyaholic! –Lisa
My recent post Paying It Forward Makes Life Richer
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Lisa and I know there will be days that this won't work. Believe me one of the prompts is definitely getting skipped and will just put something else up. I am still posting, but just won't use the prompt for the day and like I said my Sundays are mine, because I blog and do J( Designs. So, I am not changing that. I can just double up on the topics if I need for that (at least that is what I have thought to do). So trust me this is a work in progress!! π
kentuckygal50 says
OK. Now you've gone and done it. *lol* I went and signed up at the October Daily challenge at Secret Obsession. And congratulations on your blogaversary! WOOHOO!
Janine Huldie says
Awesome and I will visit you in a bit. Seriously, so excited to be a part of this!! π
dianeroark says
Janine,
I love the idea of the Blogging Challenge. I is a great idea to help bloggers connect with followers. I look forward to learning more about you. I want to do this so badly but I have over 40 post, mainly recipes, that I am working on. I currently do not have time to blog daily using the post I already have. I am thinking about doing less recipes, travel ideas, and giveaways, and add a least one or two personal post a week. Just a thought.
I am just starting to advertise. I recently signed up with Google adsense. I would love your thoughts on advertising. I am spending way to much time researching all of it.
You truly have a great blog.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so very much Diane for all your kind words here. I love advertising on my blog and have Passionfruit ads running, also work with Shareasale and Linkshare Affiliates. they really are great companies to work with and be able to piggyback off with other companies who work with them that fit your blog's theme. Also, I do take guest/sponsored posts, when they fit the bill, too. These are all great ways to advertise and even give you a break from sometimes having to come up with a post on the fly. And never hurts adding more about you and your family life, because I do find people love to get to know the writer/blogger behind the blog better. Thanks again Diane and if you need help with any of this, please ask and will try my best to help you!! π
dianeroark says
Janine,What do you think about BlogHer?Β I have heard bloggers can do really well with it.Β I tried to get approved but they denied me.Β I wish I knew why.Β I have around 80,000 hit per month.Β I have a feeling it had something to do with all my giveaways.Β Should I stop my giveaways for a while before applying next time?Diane
Janine Huldie says
Diane, I lve my BlogHer affiliation. I was denied at first and then wait-listed for awhile before I was first accepted into the first division of the publishing network allowing the Tune-In bar on my site and then it went to the sidebar ads and I have even done a few campaigns with them now, too. I know they have a lot of people applying and sometimes you have to reapply and might even get wait-listed, but think eventually they will begin opening up spots and that was my experience. I would see if you could e-mail them back from the rejection e-mail and ask why you were rejected, because I run giveaways and haven't had a problem with them. Seriously contact them and ask, that would be my opinion and get it from the source what they want, because you have great monthly hits and an awesome site, too!! π
dianeroark says
Janine,ThankΒ you for all your great advice.Β I am looking into all of it.Β I reread my BlogHer rejection letter.Β It says because of the volumn of applications they cannot tell you why you were rejected.Β I will just keep trying!!Blessings,Diane
Janine Huldie says
Diane, that was what they told me I believe when they rejected me and then the second time I was wait listed and then finally accepted in about 3 months after that. I do believe they get tons of applications, but seriously don't give up on them, because they are truly worth working with and think you would do awesome with them. By the way, they would also be lucky to have you, too!! π
dianeroark says
Janine,I am so glad to know you. You are extremely encouraging. Thank you so much for all your advice. Blessings,Diane Roark
Janine Huldie says
Diane, I am so happy to have gotten to know you, too. And my pleasure to share my opinion and help if I can!! π
Mary Belle says
You have the prettiest kids! π Those smiles from your linked post are just priceless! π I'm so glad to have you join in the link-up despite of your busy schedule. Looking forward to reading your posts Janine! <3
My recent post Takeover Tuesday: Meet Jennifer
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thank you so much and I am truly so very excited to be a part of this. I have to try to take a look at some of the others who are linked today and hoping to find some new blogs to read and share with through this, too!! Thank you for running this and seriously so happy to be a part of it!! π
Vivian says
Hello, I am following through FB from Mom's Mingle. Come visit when you have a chance! http://www.thefamilyfunspot.com
My recent post For the Soul Sundays
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Vivian and will head over in a few to follow you, too!! π
Billybuc says
No more challenges for me, Janine. After doing 365 in 365 I turned my attention to other matters on my writing to do list. Good luck on this challenge and you know I'll be here….simply because of who you are. π
Janine Huldie says
Bill, that is how I felt about NaNoWriMo and know I will not being joining that again this year. Once was enough for me, just too intense and not enough hours in the day for that now. Thanks s always and you know I feel the same about you, too!! π
Michelle Liew says
This really prompts us to start blogging J9. All the best in meeting up to it!
Janine Huldie says
So true Michelle and I thought this would give me a bit of a jumpstart for this month!! π
tamaralikecamera says
I think it's awesome and you are more than capable of this. I am not! Only because I'm behind in photo jobs and Des has decided the stairs are his best friend, so I'm quiet a lot during the day until we can get a baby gate up. Miss you! I still get to read your posts.
Janine Huldie says
Tamara, I am just going to try to do my best, but know there will be days and prompts that I may not be able to do. Just thought this would help give me some thoughts of what I could share more here and using it as such. Trust me, between my kids and the blog, and J9 Designs, I don't have enough hours in the day too often, too. And miss you tons, too!! π
Kristi Campbell says
You can totally do it! I have faith in you.
Janine Huldie says
Aww, thanks so much Kristi for having faith in me!! π
jenjen0703 says
Thanks, Janine! I was able to find lots of cool hookups thanks to your entries. Now that I am homeschooling my youngest son, I'm looking forward to connecting more with other mothers.
Janine Huldie says
So glad you were and so many wonderful bloggers joined in, so you should have no problem finding some wonderful bloggers to follow!! π
Rosey says
I wish I would get an e-mail saying I'm a bazillionaire, and it was true. π
Actually a spam filter that worked would be great too. π
Good luck w/your challenge, and happy Tuesday to you!
My recent post Environmental Law Degree
Janine Huldie says
Rosey, I am still waiting on that e-mail!! If you get it before I do, god bless you! But seriously, would love a better spam e-mail filter most days!! And happy Tuesday right back at you! π
anothercleanslate says
Ohhh this is good- I am going to link up for some of these prompts too!
Janine Huldie says
Yay and can't wait to see what you up with, too. So happy to have you join!! π
stephanie2006 says
Awesome, Janine! I'm going to jump the band wagon tomorrow π
My recent post Surgery Day
Janine Huldie says
You made my day and so happy you are joining, Stephanie!! π
Lanaya says
I do the same thing with emails. It's crazy how many emails I get in my inbox within an hour! When did we get so popular?? Thank you SPAMMERS! LOL
Good luck with the challenge. I'm sure you will have no problem completing it!
¤´¨)
¸.•*´
(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
Raising-Reagan.com
Janine Huldie says
I know it is crazy and will say that I guess it is nice to be so popular!! But seriously thank you as always Lanaya!! π xoxo!!
stephsprenger says
Good luck with the challenge! My hat it off to you- I totally wouldn't have the discipline for that right now!
My recent post From Little League to the Ivy League?
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Stephanie and I am trying, but the keyword is "trying" here!!
dishofdailylife says
I get so many junk emails! On one of my email addresses, I delete way more than I look at. I can't stand SPAM!!
Janine Huldie says
I am so with you on this and it is seriously crazy how many spam e-mails I get daily, too!!
Undiagnosed but okay says
I think it is good that you are doing the challenge. I am doing a similar one without prompts so I may be borrowing some of yours!
My recent post Six questions with Sylvia
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kerri and so excited you are doing similar. Definitely borrow if you need to!! π
notinjersey says
looking forward to hearing more about you this month!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Dara!! π
Nellie says
I totally don't think its a cop out!! Looks like a nice and full first blog post to me!! I totally hate junk mail, or even worse when someone subscribes me to their blog/website, that I never ever subscribed to? that makes me crazy! Good luck with the challenge!!
My recent post Weekly Wednesday Workout: Arabesque Raises
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Nellie, because I hate repeating myself, but really wanted to join this. And I hate when people subscribe me to a blog/site that I didn't subscribe to also. I always unsubscribe even if that is rude, but I didn't subscribe and don't need anymore junk mail then I have. And thanks as always!! π
lsdavidson says
You go girl! So amazing that you are participating in this blogging challenge! Can't wait to read all your posts:)
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Leah and I really am having fun with all these prompts now and it is bringing back so many memories (good and bad for me), but still so worth it!! π