Adding Links to Your Blog Posts + Accepting Awards MADE EASY! (Video Tutorial)

Before I get to today’s post, which is mainly of a video of how to add links to your blog posts, which I made using a free screen recorder called Camstudio, I have to announce the two winners of the paranormal giveaway that ran on my blog from November 1st to the 22nd. The lucky commenter who also tweeted about it is (drumroll, please…) Diana Marinova! She has already received her copy of Donna Jean McDunn’s Nightmares. The winner of Donna’s giveaway is Sherri Matthews. Congratulations, winners, and a big “thank-you” to all who participated!

FYI, my blog is currently running another giveaway (update: this is now closed) but the type of book being awarded to the winner is, admittedly, not to everyone’s liking since it is a male/male erotic romance. If you want to read a good story about  the love between two people and perseverance in the face of adversity, then Memory’s Prisoner is the book you should read. I’ve read it, and have already posted this review to Goodreads:

Although Memory’s Prisoner falls under the genre of male erotic romance, the story the author tells is one of perseverance. When an unfortunate incident renders both of the main characters helpless and in the hospital (one in a coma), the plot thickens, and this tale takes on an air of suspense. It is interesting to see how the lives (and health) of the characters are changed forever. Without giving away the ending, I will say that I think that this book is one that may earmark a new future for the writer. 

Now, let’s get down to business, shall we?

Remember when you were a new blogger?

Do you recall some of the struggles you had?

Were you ever intimidated by other bloggers? Did you constantly compare yourself to them?

Did you love, love, love getting nominated for your first award? Did you go into a panic because you didn’t know what to do? Or are you still a new blogger with questions? Read More

Relay for Life 2013

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I thought I’d try my hand at a slideshow. (You can watch it or click to flip from one slide to the next…)

I had a lot of pictures of Baby Sam, now 1.5 years old, from the Relay For Life, a cancer research and awareness event that was held in June 2013. I made a video of her, too. You might have missed it, so I included it below. It’s inspiring, and Sam even says “Good Girl” (her version of it) in it, repeating me, as she was walking her lap! She’s so awesome; you gotta love this little trooper! But now she’s not really a baby anymore… *weeping*…  She’s now “Sam” or “Sammi” and is beginning to learn how to talk. She says “tuck” for truck, “dink” for drink, and “Bub” for Bubble Guppies. She’s adorable! 🙂 Read More

How to Add Images to Your Sidebar

This is a screenshot of the backend of my blog, and shows you the things you need to do to display images on your blog's sidebar.

This is a screenshot of the backend of my blog, and shows you the things you need to do to display images on your blog’s sidebar.

Adding images to your sidebar is not as easy as 1, 2. 3. But it can be! Just remember to customize and edit your images with a good photo editor, such as Colorcinch (aff link)!

Please read this post first, then enlarge your screen and watch the video. (Instructions are given on how to make your screen bigger, too, so don’t worry!)

The above screenshot shows you the basics, but not how to adjust the size. For that, you’ll have to watch the video!

The video will tell you how to add images to your sidebar. Images include the awards that new bloggers receive, and so I am posting this for them! Lately, many people have been clicking on my award posts, mainly for The Liebster Award (it is currently number one in the search engines!), and since these bloggers are newbies (like I was, months ago!), I decided to answer a question one blogger had (ironically, the person who tagged me as IT) about how to add images to your sidebar.

Adding them is not that difficult, but requires a few steps. I explain these in this the video below, and show you how to do it at the same time. Unfortunately, Read More

Praise…Please?!

Here’s a totally relevant song to listen to while you read this post:

I have been doing some wondering lately. I’ve been wondering if I should write posts more often, or less often, or if I should write whenever I want. Now that people are actually reading my writing, I’m at a different place in my mind than I was when I first began this blog. At that time, I didn’t think anyone would really be interested in what I have to say (my depression at work). Now, I am a blogger, and people are reading and sharing some of my writing! (I love you for doing this, by the way!) I’ve also been wondering if I should do another survey. I got some very good feedback the last time I did one.

To prove that I’ve actually taken a look at the results, and have learned that the majority of you want to hear the honest-to-goodness truth about some of the things I go through, this post is one that will let you in on some of the behind-the-scenes thoughts and actions of my mind, my experiences, and my life. Read More

4 More Blogging Awards, A Total of 27 Blogs to Visit, An Awesome Video I Found + Tips On How To Accept An Award

Discovering new and interesting blogs is what giving and receiving blogging awards is all about. Todays post reveals 4 more awards that I have received, a total of 26 links to blogs you may want to visit, and a video that is awesome!

If anyone is counting (and I am!), these are my fourth, fifth, and sixth and seventh awards! I am the proud recipient of the WordPress Family Award, the Super Sweet Blogging Award, and the Best Moment Award. I have combined them all into one post, for simplicity’s sake. If you want to check out some new blogs, take a look at the blogs that I have nominated as well as the blogs of the people who have nominated me.

Read the whole post, too, so you can learn a few more things about me…if you want! I already told you a few things when I received The Liebster Award, The Very Inspiring Blogger Award, and The Shine On Award, but in case you missed those posts, you can read them now!

The awards I have been nominated for are The WordPress Family Award, The Super Sweet Blogging Award, The Best Moment Award, and The Unique Leaves Award. I am accepting these awards simultaneously in today’s post.

The WordPress Family Award

I have to thank Barb at My Un-Puzzled Heart (Barb’s blog is no longer active) for this award and The Unique Leaves Award. This award recognizes me as part of the WordPress family! I am touched by the outpouring of awards I have been getting lately, and think that it’s a great gesture when people share these. Unlike some people who think that they are “above” accepting such an award, I am honoured that others have included me in their participation.

wordpressfamilyaward

There doesn’t seem to be any rules for this award, either, except to nominate ten people who have WordPress blogs and notify them of their nomination, so here is my list of ten bloggers on WordPress who will hopefully accept their award as graciously as I have accepted mine. Read More