Monday, December 29, 2008

Blog Hacker

I'm back! My blogger vacation wasn't really a vacation, let me tell ya. No fun in the sun for me. I spent the whole time on my laptop, playing with my blog template and sidebars and colors and fonts. It was work, baby!

But, in the words of my friend Misti Kallas over at Misti Kallas Designs (she makes lovely jewelry-check her out! I think she's in the middle of a blog-makeover, too) "I can now add blog hacker to my resume." I sure hope that doesn't put me on any watch lists. Blogger, ya hear me? I'm innocent!

Misti was fabulous, I couldn't have done it without her! She laid out the steps for me one at a time. I even got a little, um, overconfident and tried some new things, some that worked and some that didn't and some that worked but I didn't like. I am still in the experimental stage. Don't be surprised if you see a few minor tweaks in the next week. I was so proud of the that I put on my big girl boots and did it all by myself. I am not ready to hand over the credit card to have a professional design my blog, quite yet. The blog is going to have pay for that itself, and it's not at that stage, either. Besides, I love the creativity of design. In fact, I think I could make quite a hobby out of it- if I had a better grasp on what I was doing! My mom always said I should have gone into computers......remember, I was a self-publishing mini-mogul at 16! It's in my blood, I tell ya.
My new header tag line is Just a Cowgirl Blazing Trails. I thought that was very fitting for where I am in my journey back into the world of horses. But I can stretch that even further, and apply it to life. I think we all can. We are all blazing trails, in our careers, our relationships, our hobbies, our self-growth....it's an adventure. For some, the trail appears to be lit with fairy dust. For others, it appears to be rutted with potholes and steep climbs. I hope that whatever your trail has in store for you, you embrace the journey. Thanks for riding along on mine!

Okay, enough of the sappy stuff for now. Let me fill you in a little on how I plan, and dream, and hope that things are going to roll around here. Because I work full-time (I'm gone about 10 hours a day) and practically have to travel halfway across the country to see my horse (when there isn't two feet of snow on the ground) in order to post efficiently, I needed to make sure that I am well-organized. I am a writer at heart and have become a photographer at...eye. Goodness, that was bad. Most of the time I think out in advance what I am going to write about. Perhaps I am inspired by a story that evolves from my pictures or time spent with my horse or my family; or, something I have seen about horses in the media. Other times, I just have random, deep thoughts. Scary, I know.

So here is the general layout of how things will look each week. Because this is my creative outlet, I reserve the right to alter this course should something come up that I must post about, even if it doesn't fit on a particular day. I do not do that automatic posting. I am way too anal about how my text and photos look in each post to let blogger publish anything for me. That means if I miss a particular day because I am without Internet access, I will just miss it. Or, perhaps combine or double post the next day. I'll work it out when I cross that bridge. I teach preschoolers. Flexibility and inventiveness is my mantra.

Okay, here is the plan:

My Boy Monday~ Since I typically spend the weekend with my horse, I come back loaded with our adventures and pictures of them. It makes good sense to chronicle what we did on Monday.

Tuesday~ anything my little heart desires!

I Wonder Wednesday~ I tend to be over analytical. It's the psychologist in me. I often wonder about things, and wonder what you wonder about them. This will be my chance to bring up issues in the horse world and comment about them, or inquire of all of you for more information about a topic or help with an issue.

Thursday~ anything my little heart desires!

Fashion Friday~ Sounds a little like the latest reality show on The Learning Channel. Nope, just Pony Girl at heart again. I love cowgirl fashion, I love western and vintage home decor, I love horsey tack and stuff. In these recent times, I know that we are all being a little more conservative and are cutting back. But admit it, we horse people just can't seem to get enough of horsey stuff! So on Fridays, I hope to post horse or cowgirl things I have, have found and covet, or feature the talents and wares of fellow bloggers.

Saturday~ anything my little heart desires!

Simply Sunday~This will just be a picture day. Kind of like a Wordless Wednesday but on a different day (duh.) Just a simple picture that speaks for itself.

So, that is the layout, in a nutshell. Best laid plans, we'll see how long I stick to it. If I find that a schedule is too limiting to my imaginative spontaneity, I may give it all up and go back to Pony Girl blogging chaos within a week.

That is it for now...my new look for a new year! Since it is technically My Boy Monday I will end with a picture of him, doing his favorite thing in the whole wide world, with the hope I get to see him tomorrow!! Yippee!!

41 comments:

  1. I love the new layout! I was starting to get paranoid a little while ago when I went to your blog and it said it was private and I didn't have permission. I was thinking "Um, I know I haven't been super active blogger girl, but I didn't think she'd exclude me!"

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  2. Wow, look at you! Love the new look. You did good.

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  3. Welcome back, PG! Love the new layout, and may I say, Wow! :)

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  4. I love the new layout--very cool

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  5. Looks great! Maybe Whe I get brave I will change mine.. not for a while though.

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  6. I like the new look! good work. I still have a lot to learn about the layout thing.

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  7. Looks really good. Have fun creating your new look.

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  8. How brave of you to tackle this on your own and switch to a three-column template, no less, without losing all your old posts. Well done!

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  9. That looks great! I love the new layout...it looks like your blog should look! And I hear you with the long 10 hour days. I wish I didn't have to drive so far to work...I hate leaving before sunrise and getting back after sunset. The only time I see the light is on the off chance I actually get to take a lunch break! I am lucky that my horse only lives 20 minutes away though so even though I have a long work day my pony trip with driving, grooming, baby talk and carrot distribution is still under an hour and a half...which is how far I used to drive EVERYDAY just to see him before! Good luck on sticking to your new plan of posts...I think whatever you write whenever you write it will be just fine with me.

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  10. Love the layout! Working with HTML is like being on crack, is it not? Not that I would know what being on crack is like...just sayin'!

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  11. You did well,very well, Grasshopper!

    I agree with {i}post, html is like crack....well, may not crack more like pringles...once you pop you just can't stop!

    I love your blog header!

    PS. See, I told you, you could do it. Never had a doubt in my mind.

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  12. I love the new design! Good job.

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  13. Love the new look! Very clean but still lots to look at.
    Looking forward to reading more :)

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  14. {i}post, you crack me up (no pun intended! ;) It is addictive, I think I still have a lot to learn, though!
    Thanks for your patience and support, y'all!

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  15. Your blog looks fantastic and i look forward to your planned schedule of topics -- great idea!.

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  16. Nice job! I know that implementing a new template should be simple, but noooooooooo. It never is. This really looks professional.

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  17. Great new layout, and you are definitely a woman with a plan! I look forward to every word and picture!

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  18. You're stylin' girl!!! It looks great...you did a very nice job.

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  19. Love your new looking blog! It is fitting for the start of a new year with fresh hopes, dreams and possibilities :)

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  20. Well you are a speedy little thing arent you!!
    The blog looks great!!

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  21. Love it, Pony Girl!!! It is cowgirl-ish and chic at the same time. What do you mean it won't pay for itself??? You may be surprised. :)

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  22. Your new layout is very cute! I must say I loved your header of old and will miss seeing a very good and personal header of your boy.
    Keep up the good work and oh I miss the bottom photo too...you see I just love your boy, but naturally I did not know he was a Dreamfinder boy........explains it!
    That is where that cute little head and good butt comes from!

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  23. Love the new look! I agree I was wondering what happened when 1 day I had access the next day not! Glad you are okay!

    I'm beginning to think I need to change my design. But I have no idea how to do it! Great job!

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  24. Holy HTML Batman! You are a busy Pony Girl! I am doing good to post once a week. Although in my defense I have been working on something...verra verra hush hush... Soon to come to light! I can say no more... Oh I have been followed! I must not let them get the secret! I must leave this instant...yikes here they come, Ahyeee (kicking horse to a run) Go fast into the night my trusty steed, for we must ride untill it is time to share our secret...till neeeeext tiiiime (voice trails off...)

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  25. I think you did an awesome job!! I love the old timey cowboys and cowgirls!! Very cool!!

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  26. Oooh! So many exciting changes around here. I love the triple columns and the old time cowgirls, but I hope you wo't hate me if I say that I miss that gorgeous photo you used as your logo before. The one where you looked all stylish and Western on My Boy's back.

    But don't pay me any mind. You do what makes you happy with this new blog direction you're traveling. We'll just be along enjoying the ride.
    :)

    ~Lisa
    New Mexico

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  27. Whew... thought you had been hacked by someone else when I saw this post!! And did wonder why it was private access only there for a bit!!

    Can I also admit I miss your header photo? I loved it. But am sure we can all adjust if you are set on your new vintage look. Great job on the rejig... was it totally hideously hard? I want to do something with mine but the thought of messing with a million photos freaks me right out!!

    Hugs
    BB

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  28. Hello all, no worries, photo header pics will be back of My Boy at some point too....you know me, I like to mix it up! I hope to get some new photos, seems like I never have anyone around to take pictures of me with or on my horse! ;)
    The previous header will end up at the bottom of the blog at some point, I need to find the original photo before I added my blog title text, so that I can add a new message, and then I'll post it!

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  29. OHHHH!!! I LOVE the format!!! And I love the header too!!! (That pic of you and my boy was awesome but I love the vintage!!! Wooowhoooo! Giddy up cowgirl! Good luck and congrats!

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  30. By popular request, I posted the rodeo boy picture at the bottom of my blog page....and I didn't cut my bowling ball helmet head off this time, LOL! Ever one for cowgirl style, I am equally one for safety. But boy, that picture would have been much more fun if I'd been wearing my cowgirl hat! ;)

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  31. Love the new look! Great way to start the new year :)

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  32. Great new look. I think your plan for blogging will work out well. At least you will have some idea of what you want to write about on certain days. Unlike myself, I never know when my next idea will pop into my head for a post.

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  33. I like the new look. I was VERY trepidatous when I changed the format of my blog. I'm glad I did though. It's much more 'me'.

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  34. I love the new layout! Congrats on doing it all on your own! Feel like giving me some pointers? lol. Welcome back!

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  35. I am cracking up...it took all my courage to tell you I missed the header photo of you looking so cute on your boy and thank goodness a few others did the same after me....I love your creativity and I did not mean to be onery, just missed the boy! Thanks for posting it back up this morning! :) You are a dear and I love your blog! I do love the new blog don't get me wrong, and I wish I would remodel mine in time.
    Keep posting and I will be on the lookout for more of your creative ability! Happy New Year and Cheers!

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  36. Wow, that was fast! Like the new look and blog plan!

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  37. Yay!! My Boy and Pony Girl are back doing the Rodeo Thang!!

    I think I'll be scrolling down every time I visit, just to see that wonderful photo of the two of you. It's just the way I like to imagine you and your spotted pill.
    What a fun weekend that was, too.

    Oh. And after falling from my 15.3hh painted mare, I think helmets are highly under-rated. Bad stuff happens in an instant, PG.
    Safety over fashion...and quite honestly, in that photo, you and My Boy look so awesome together the lack of a cowboy hat doesn't take anything away from the beautiful relationship between you and your handsome boy. :)

    ~Lisa
    New Mexico

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  38. Very nice new look to your blog! Good job. Great pix, good plan for regular blogging (that's the hard part).

    Happy New Year!
    Heidi
    author, Cowgirl Dreams

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  39. I guess this is the most fitting time for me to make my first comment to you with the unveiling of your new look. I've been lurking and reading for...oh...a little over a month. You keep me entertained...I love the horsey life, but am a big boob about actually owning a horse or riding. (I got thrown and stomped and that was it for me.) But I love reading about your adventures with My Boy. :)

    The new look is quite lovely!

    Michelle

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  40. Hi Michelle~ Thanks for stopping by and saying hello! I know how scary being thrown can be~ I witnessed my sister being thrown and her subsequent confidence issues develop with riding that mare. I know that if it happened to me, I'd be a big wuss about getting on my spotted boy again! I never had those fears as a kiddo, but my forary back into horses at this age has really revealed my awareness of mortality!
    Thanks for reading and keep blogging!

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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