Just write! Just post! Just try it!

On May 20, 2011May 20, 2011 By AngeliaIn Blog on with your bad self, Life is what you make it.9 Comments

Just when you think WordPress has done it all – well – they introduce distraction-free writing.

A screen of words on white. An empty vessel lighting the way for all font-happy WordPress writers to fill, the best way they know how, by typing.

Enter Full Screen mode.

The reason behind this genius-mode? Well, I assume it is for people like me who just don’t have the concentration they used to (totally blaming social media).

I always plan on writing, but I get too busy doing other things. I see an email pop up, a Facebook notification, or a Twitter message. I’ll be honest. I can’t help myself. I have to click! I have to see! I have to find out what’s going on. It’s just too easy to navigate away and get lost by way of interaction.

I have tried to write during my lunch hour (seems like my only free time), but it never works out. The reason? I was on an old version of Internet Explorer which had buggy WordPress issues. I couldn’t type anything without my screen mode moving to the top. Luckily, they posted about that too and now I’m on a newer, wiser version of internet surfing. Not sure if you are? Try Browse Happy to find out. It made me happy for sure!

Posting about this new feature does not do it justice. DO try it for yourself. I am super ADD on anything techy. I love technology and new formats, but get a little overwhelmed. I usually give up before I get it going (at least once or twice). So, for me, this is good. In the end – fewer distractions. This change has cleared the playground for me. I can now write.

Just write.

No tweaking of my settings, or wandering my eye to categories. No more pondering of my stats via drop down. No more checking for comments, or spam. No more gazing at the widget, links, or general setting tabs. Nope, none of that. I even applied the Full Browser toggle to end the email, Facebook, and Twitter interruptions ( F11 on windows or command+shift+F on Mac).

And since ~~I am blonde?~~ ~~schooled in Oklahoma?~~ allergy fuzzy, it took me a few tries to figure this out (and I didn’t get distracted). And because I like you, and I LOVE WordPress, I have created a very special tutorial for others – ahem – like me.

fullscreenmodeWordPress — Full Screen Mode

From your post just click on the full-screen mode.

Enter your title and write. It’s that simple.

Ta Da! Distraction-free writing at it’s best. Thank-you WordPress.

I actually got a post done today. And? I have MANY more to complete……..newborn photo shoot, wildlife photos, stepping on a snake, and a picnic vintage photo session.

Good stuff…coming soon. So please, come back, I won’t distract you…….for long (ha!).

*****All thanks go to the WordPress Blog post Just Write. Are you a subscriber? If not, why? You might be missing out on some cool WordPress information. That’s why I do. Technology, it will leave you behind if you don’t keep up.

Another day, Another post

On January 2, 2011January 2, 2011 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, Blog on with your bad self17 Comments

So far on target with my New Year’s goal. I happen to think that is genius for day two. Of course, I’ve probably lost my subscribers because they are already sick of my constant dribble of posts, updates, and tweets.

Have I?

Are you still there? ~there~there~there~?

Anyway, I am not posting this at midnight since tomorrow is back to work day (noooo!).

Tonight is also the last night of Jason’s birthday weekend. I am taking my man out for sushi. Then hopefully home to watch his new movie (which happens to be one of my favorites), Inception, gee wonder who bought it for him?

It’s been a wonderful 2011. I feel exuberated with life and creativity. I know I will be talking to myself on this blog more. People are busy. People have lives. People can’t come by every day. I TOTALLY get that and do not blame you. I LOVE your comments and if you can leave one – GREAT – if not I still appreciate your support. I cherish your visits whenever they are.

My other goal of the new year is progressing my photography. I am working to learn more of the technical side; camera, business, and photoshop (I got CS5 for Christmas).

I have joined my wedding photographer Bella Lucia Photography on a 365 Project. She created a Flickr group and I have joined the group, pledged to post, and even added my Flickr account to a side widget on my blog. The goal is to post a picture taken that day – EVERY day. I know this (also) won’t be an easy task to keep up with, but again, the goal is to use my talents and grow them.

2011 a year of growth.

My third goal is working on my insides (to outsides). More on that later, but it starts with eating healthier. Period.

I bought a large bag of frozen chicken breasts to steam and eat for lunch starting Monday. I will join the masses (and Jason too) losing weight (We added the loseit app on our iPhones)(it’s really cool!!).

Here is my Day 2 submission for the 365 project.

Day2-365morningcoffee — The best part of my day.

This is the year!

On November 20, 2010November 20, 2010 By AngeliaIn Blog on with your bad self, Posessed by Nikon, timeless gifts16 Comments

This one…………2010.

Our TEN year from our 10-10-10 wedding.

A year when our family hit the puree button and blended well. We are ready for our FIRST holidays together. Almost.

Since, I met Jason I have wanted to do Christmas cards. But it seemed weird, not being married, and not being a “real” part of the family. So I didn’t, even though this picture would have made a great Christmas card last year.

Then I got my Nikon D3000 DSLR and laid my point and shoot to rest. THIS year without a doubt we are doing Christmas cards. I have the photo shoot all planned out and even have outfits for the dogs. Oh yes, I did!

I have chosen Shutterfly as my place to go for all things picture related. Some of you know I love photo books. It’s a great way to preserve, and album the precious pictures taken throughout the year. I created one for Molly’s birthday and the girls still love to read their special book. I hope to create Easter, Halloween, and Christmas books as well. These photo books will last long after their childhood, and well into their grown up years. It’s easier than you can imagine, they do all the work for you with pre-set templets for the books. So don’t be afraid to try, it’s a simple upload and a lot fun. Plus, you create a timeless gift for your children, parents, and grandparents.

Another thing I love? Calendars. My favorite gift to give (and the most useful). Normally, I would just buy from the store. But today, it’s very easy to create one for the people you love by clicking away with your mouse. Can you imagine the joy of a grandchild wall calendar to a grandparent? Especially one that lives far away. It’s an easy, meaningful gift that can be enjoyed every month of the year.

There are many other gifts to choose from as well, from photo mugs, mouse pads, and even Christmas ornaments.

The 2010 Holiday cards are my absolute favorite and that is why I am so happy about this year. I can’t believe all the choices. I have picked out a few and hope to have the photographs to match perfectly into one these designs.

I have NO idea which one I will choose. There are a plethora of choices. Click on any card to go to the other designs Shutterfly offers.

I know I am bragging on Shutterfly. It’s not just because I am so excited about Christmas cards this year (I totally am!). There is another reason too. They are behind the blogging community. They support bloggers and appreciate the words we write and they understand it can be a powerful marketing tool for a company that deserves the recognition. I am not a reviewer. I am not a giveaway blog. I am just me, just like you, but I can appreciate big companies reaching out to the little people. If you are a blogger click here. You’re welcome.

This year, at the end of my TEN year, I am NOT running to the store frantic on Christmas Eve. I am going to use what I love to do. Browse my photographs and find some great gifts. And if you want to know what Christmas card I pick? Makes sure I have your address.

Are we in the Holiday spirit yet? I know I am!

Have a great Saturday!

Blogging Blues

On November 4, 2010November 4, 2010 By AngeliaIn Blog on with your bad self33 Comments

It’s that ho-hum depression from the same old, same old bloggy topic. In the same old same old, same old blog post screen, to the same old links, to the same tired header.

Feeling like you’ve said that before over and over and over. And maybe you’ve wrung every drop of blog worthiness out of the headlines of your life. Family, crisis, or new hobby. Feeling like your life isn’t so interesting, or maybe it was interesting, and now it’s not….but ~~could be?~~ will be again.

Feeling like you once had a target audience, but since your interests span the horizons, and your ADD fascinates on new things frequently *look something shiny* and keeps you bouncing all over the topic place. Maybe, you’ve lost some readership, but maybe you’ve gained some readership too.

And which direction are you going anyway? Writing, photography, poetry, SEO, or branding? Mom blog, blended family blog, dog blog, or not getting the laundry done blog? Write a novel? A short story? Magazine submissions?

Then, you have your favorite bloggy buddies of all time that just……..stop blogging. I know, right??? Don’t they know I’m an avid reader and hang on every word?? How dare they just stop? And without even a good-bye.*sniff*

Maybe we need some blog therapists to sit with us and discuss our psychological blog issues. Pull up a couch and a laptop. Be our most attentive follower. Subscribe and validate the words on our screen (or photos) before we hit publish.

Then be our first commenter to gush at our brilliance and make us shine.

Maybe we need the blog whisperer – for when your blog posts begin to span out from twice-daily, to once a day, to once a week, to once a month? They can bring you back to the land of blogging and the excitement of when you first started.

Some bloggers take breaks, some redesign their site, and some pick up and move URL’s. To an anonymous one or a new theme. Something. Anything, to shake the blogging blues.

Me? Well, I don’t stay blogging blue for long. It’s kinda like the skies in Texas – give them a minute and they will part for the sun.

So, when I get blue and unsure of my blogging self.