One more thing to obsess about

Due to:

-Some difficult days of mommyhood
-Some major sources of stress I'm trying to work out
-The fact that I am trying to get some of my priorities under control, one of which means spending a less time at the computer

My love/hate relationship with Google Reader is back!

I currently have 407 unread messages in my reader.

This does not include recent blogs I've found and have yet to add to my subscriptions.

So for me, this brings up the whole "blogging guilt free" issue again.

Life comes before blogging. It needs to.

Without life, there really is no reason for blogging.

Yet somehow, I struggle with that number. 407 unread posts. Looming over my head.

I worry that my friends in Bloggeritaville are going to give up on me and my blog because I have not been around to read or comment on their blogs.

I wonder how some of the amazing bloggers I read regularly have time to post fabulous things on a daily basis, live the life that provides the fodder for said posts, and still have time to be amazing wives, parents, and have a social life too.

I need re-focus and take a look at my number 3 reason for being MIA in the blogosphere.

Reason three is a good thing. I am re-assessing my life - the things I need to get done, the amount of time I need/want to spend with my family, and realizing that I have been spending WAY too much time on the 'ole laptop and needing to back away a little.

So, bloggy friends, I am committing again to blogging guilt free.

When I have the time, I will visit blogs, comment as I can, and publish my own blog posts.

I need to get back to the basics of why I love blogging.

And I hope you, my bloggie best friends, will stick with me throughout my journey.

Top 5 Tuesday - Rachael's Way!

Every day, I am amazed by the blogs I come across. Some are automatic daily reads, some I read because I want to visit someone who has left me a comment, and some I have no idea how I ended up at, but am glad I did!

However, the common thread is that almost everything I read has some kind of impact on me. Many make me laugh, some have made me cry, some make me feel like my life is a walk in the park, and most of all, the majority inspire me. There are some truly gifted bloggers out there, and I am honored to be part of such a diverse, intelligent, and witty group of writers!

Lately I've had some burning questions on my mind.

Okay, they're not exactly keeping me awake at night, but they're questions I'm really interested in hearing the answers to.

My dear friend Dana over at Supernanny, Where Are You was cool enough to let me use her Top 5 Tuesday festival as a forum! Thanks D!

So here we go (and of course, I've posted my own answers too!):

1.) How long have you been blogging?

My first blog post was on May 30th of this year, so I've been blogging for just over 3 months.

2.) Link to your first blog post ever?

Here is my first blog post. It was your basic introduction post - I'd like to think my posts have gotten a lot more interesting as I've continued.

3.)What is the one driving force that actually made you create that blog account?

The Mad Hatter was starting to say and do so many funny things that I was worried if I didn't find somewhere to keep track of them somewhere fairly easily and on a regular basis, we'd forget them too quickly (half the time I think of something I want to blog about in the morning, and can't even remember it a few hours later!). I wanted to create a sort of "scrapbook" where I didn't need to worry about taking pictures, designing actual pages for an album, and try to remember the exact things that were happening in those pictures when I finally got around to it. I love the idea that I can have my blog made into a book that we can treasure and laugh about in the many years to come.

4.)How did you come up with your blog name and what were other names you considered?

I thought long and hard about this one. I had no experience with blogging, knew I would have plenty to learn along the way, and I'm a Mom. So . . . Mommy Learns to Blog seemed like the perfect title for me - it's who I am! I do love to learn new things, and have taught myself quite a big along the way - so much so that many of you have suggested I changed my blog name to Mommy Teaches to Blog, but the way I see it, there is always something else to learn, and I've got a long, long way to go!

5.) Post a link to your favorite blog post ever.

Hands-down, I'd probably go with this one. I dove head-first into the blogosphere and got completely sucked into its vortex! However, since this Top 5 "meme" was my brain child, I'm bending the rules to allow myself a bit of leeway and choosing my two other faves. Those would be this one (I will never tire of watching my little munchkin sing and dance her little heart out with such tenacity!) and this one because I had so much fun celebrating my blogiversary by sharing some facts about myself that my readers (all 8 of you!) might not know!

Now, for those of you who are reading, even if it's not Tuesday anymore, please, please, please create a post of your own anyways and go link up to Dana. I AM, after all, the learning Mommy, and I want to learn more about what made you jump into this vice-grip we would never want to will never get ourselves out of!

Stop what you're doing and come on over to my place!

Earlier this month, while I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Barking Mad, I was made aware of a fabulous idea! In the interest of introducing each other to other fabulous blogs/bloggers in the community, Auds decided to host a "Barking Mad" dinner party.

The rules are simple (well, almost simple). Pick 10 blogs you love (here's the not so simple part, I love MANY!), link to them with the reasons you love them, and link back over to her blog.

Never one to pass up a party, here I am! I decided to wait until now because I my next post will be my 100th - what better reason to celebrate?!

So, without further ado, would the following please join me at the Mommy Learns to Blog 100th Post Blogoversary Bash!

Please note that I have worked hard at my selection - there are many people who get automatic invites, but because they are already very much a part of the blogging community I've found myself in, I'm opting to go for blogs that I love but you might not know much about (this means Dana, Carol, and Shannon, come on over immediately! The rest of you who I talk to on a regular basis, or whose blogs I comment on regularly, come share the love too!). Now, onto the business!

The location: Since I live in Rhode Island and have pretty much instant access (ok 40 minutes) to the beach, I thought we'd do a clambake. The works - lobster, clams, corn on the cob, potatoes, you name it! And for beverages, well of course we'll have some ice cold beer (I'm loving Bud Light with Lime these days), margaritas (also a new summer fave this year), hot cocoa (in case the ocean breeze really kicks up), and of course some other fun non-alcoholic libations as well. Dress warm, it's already starting to get a little chilly at night here!

And the guests of honor:

Memoirs of the Shoe Obsessed - when I was laid up after my first back surgery, my dear friend Marni told me I HAD to visit Andie's blog because it was hilarious. Never one to dissapoint, she was dead on! Andie is most definitely shoe obsessed - if I am remembering correctly (offhand, of course), she's got over 400 pairs of shoes! She has a special binder system for cataloging them, and let me tell you, her shoes are FABULOUS! Every Tuesday is Shoesday on her blog, and we get a glimpse of the fabulosity (plus the bottoms of her fab skirts too!) Since the moment I first read her blog, I knew we were destined to be friends - she is a shopaholic, is the bomb at getting amazing bargains, and she has an adorable little girl named Boo who is just a few months younger than (and reminds me quite a bit of) the Mad Hatter. I can never get enough of reading about her fantastic family adventures, Boo's fabulous clothing and accessories, and all of the things that make her happy. Andie is pregnant with her second child and currently on bedrest, so we might have to bring a bit of the party to her. Drop by her blog and leave her a comment, I know she'd love it! And she's sure to have the perfect information for you on which MAC lipstick will suit you best, where to get the best desserts in RI, and when she's up to it, she'd probably love to take you on a guided tour of the Wrentham shopping outlets.

Levett-Ventures - this would be my dear, dear friend Marni. We met probably 5 years ago when I was still a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. From our first conversation, we were immediate friends. Marni (still a demonstrator - you must check out her amazing website http://www.stampmonkeys.com/). Marni is one of the most talented people I have ever met in my life. She is also one of the most patient. Her little boy Ryan is just 18 months older than her sweet daughter Megan, and she is such a go with the flow mom. She's got a great sense of humor about everything, especially parenting two children so close in age, and you'll get a great taste of this over at her blog. As far as real life friends go, she is the best! I'm sure if I ask her, she'll bring some of her stamping stuff and set up some great projects for us to make and take home with us! The best part is, no one will believe you made it yourself!

My Life on the East Coast - I was lucky to come across this blog through Andie's. Rae is what I call SuperMom! She's in her early thirties, mom to 3, cleans her house religiously every day (she's got a set schedule she does not deviate from!), and still manages to plan all kinds of special and fun things with her kids. She is a Brownie troop leader, and just became president of the PTO at her girls' school. I'm in awe of all she manages to get done in a day! AND, she has some insane interior decorating skills! I always love seeing pictures of what she's done in her house, because it's a mix of antiques and funky modern stuff. She's very artistic, and her love of her life just shines through in every blog post she writes! Rae is sure to give us all tips on how to turn someone's trash into our own personal treasures, share some great recipes, and give great ideas on how to change the look of a room in your house for mere pennies!

Mamasphere - Laurel has to be one of my favorite daily reads. She is so candid and has a true knack for sharing the details of her everyday life in a humorous, light-hearted, and humble way that many people just don't. From the time she went to work with a hole in her pants AND shirt (and blamed it on her sister!) to her concern that there MUST be cameras in the bathrooms there (and therefore someone plays tricks with her mind by stopping the automatic sinks she chooses to use), I never leave her blog without giggling out loud. She has a four year old daughter named Gabi who sounds as spirited as MH, and I have no doubt that she'll be the gal at the party surrounded by people who are entertained by yet another funny thing that happened to her, probably that day!

Lipstick at the Mailbox - I cannot even remember how I discovered Lipstick's blog. All I know is I love it! She's mom to JBB and Pretty Girl, and a working mom. Not just any working mom, but a pharmacist! She's a true southern belle with perfect manners! And some of my favorite posts are about her "redneck" moments, or her description of the "rednecks" she is so clearly not! Lipstick loves her some Sylvester Stallone - I cannot remember the exact number, but she has watched Rocky many times! Lipstick's hubby is a master craftsman, and has done some amazing work around their home. She also gets insanely giddy when she gets home to realize that the cleaning lady has brandished her magic wand and made everything all fresh and sparkly. Lipstick has a great sense of humor, and of course, a love of lipstick. She and Andie will get along famously - maybe they can do our colors for us! She might even bring along some plum wine for us to try!

Everyone Has A Story To Tell. This is Ours. I've got two words here - GORGEOUS FAMILY. I discovered Candy's blog when she was kind enough to keep stopping by mine and leaving me such sweet comments. She is an absolute doll. Mom to 3, wife to one very handsome HOT hubby, and all around beautiful person, both inside and out. She's an avid runner, currently training for the NYC Marathon, and also the owner of Eye Candy Photography. Talk about a talented photographer - her photos are amazing! I have to admit, sometimes I love to browse through her blog just for the pics! But I also love reading her stories about her family, whether it is scoping out the perfect spot for Christmas card pics (and bribing the kids with ice cream cones and getting equally perfect shots) or hearing about the little pranks her boys like to play on her (revenge will be sweet!). Her blog is a great little bright spot in the blogosphere, and I really enjoy spending time there! I hope Candy will agree to photograph this whole soiree, or at least share some of her best photography tips with some of us novices!

Daily Mish Mash - if I had not discovered this blog, I would never have known who Ryan Gosling is (gasp!). And I never would have finally rented The Notebook, which is quite possibly one of the best movies I've ever seen. I love Jen's blog - it truly is just that, a mish-mash of her daily thoughts, ideas, and some of the most fantastic eye-candy imaginable! Name a celebrity you love and she'll get you pics, pronto! Open letters to her fave John Mayer - no shortage here! She is just hilarious, and I always giggle when I read one of her posts. Except, of course, when it's Make a Difference Monday. I love that Jen is using her blog as a platform to get others to talk about the good they are doing in the world - whether on a personal, local, national, or global level. Jen is also a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations - I'm sure she can give all of us at the party some great tips on our next trip to Mickey-Town!

The Bean - I cannot remember how I found her blog, but it was love at first sight when I saw that Bejewell and I share an affinity for a certain swear word that rhymes with Buck. How could I NOT invite her to my party (pickmepickmepickme)? Her posts are hy-sterical! Her little guy is precious. She was rather obsessed with figuring out what the mysterious "desk booger" was, and even ran a contest on her blog, complete with pictures (the stories that went along with getting those pictures had me rolling). If you want someone frank, funny, and not afraid to share her opinion, get yourself to this blog immediately. She is a terrific writer. So terrific, in fact, that she might just write a book one of these days . . . maybe. No doubt that Bejewell will be at the center of the social scene at the party, full of wisecracks and teaching some of us the finer skills of not taking crap from anyone!

Ladybug's Picnic - yet another blog I discovered early on in my adventures in Bloggeritaville. Something about her blog just kept me reading. Probably the fact that she was 41 weeks pregnant with her 2nd ladybug, and went to labor and delivery 3(?) times with nothing in hand but her bag and an iced coffee from Dunkin' Donuts. Her second little girl was most definitely worth the wait - Claire is absolutely gorgeous! I love Ladybug's sarcastic wit, dry humor, and the fact that we share a mutual love for Target. And if you want to laugh until you cry (I know it wasn't all that funny to her), go read the post about how her mommy-mobile's back window got shattered at the gas station while amazingly managing to a)not injure anyone in the car and b)not keep the family from staying on their target schedule and getting to their party on time! I also love that Ladybug lives in the New England area, and I can relate to a lot of the areas she talks about in her posts. Ladybug will be sure to provide us with much insight into raising two adorably preppy little girls, purchasing fantastic bags and shoes, and converting a formal dining room into a playroom!

Barking Mad: Musings of a British-American Family - of course my party would not be complete without the person who came up with this terrific idea! Talk about smart, bright, female writers. I am usually amazed when I read one of her posts. Auds has it all - humor (the dog ate what?), sarcasm, wit, and also raw, harsh, gut-wrenching reality - the kind that will have you in tears at your computer, but not because you are laughing. I cannot begin to express my admiration for her ability to share herself and her life experiences with the blogging community. I love that Auds is using her blog and the blogging community as a way to express herself and really put herself out there. I think a little party is just what she could use these days!

I know my party is going to be a blast - how could it not be without all of you lovely ladies? There is so much diversity, so many sharp, quick-witted women, I know it's a night I won't soon forget!

Wanna take my cue and host your own party? I will happily bring a dish (or two) and stay to help clean up! Just link back to Auds, then go to her blog and add your name to Mr. Linky, along with your blog post url. Super easy.

And make sure I'm invited. As I said, I am never one to miss a party!

Top 5 Tuesday - Blog Me, Baby!

Once again, it's that time of the week!

For this Tuesday, Dana over at Supernanny, Where Are You? has asked me to think about why I blog.

Seriously. I ask once again. The list can only have 5? I could give you 50!

So, here goes.

And as always, they are in no particular order.

1. I have so much to say that my brain would explode (and I'd have no more friends) if I didn't find somewhere else to help get it all out!
2. I have always loved writing, and with such a tough couple of years of back pain, and then 2 surgeries in the last 10 moths, I have found it quite therapeutic.
3. I love being able to capture all of the funny little things that MH does and says, and document them along with pictures, since I know that years from now I will have long forgotten some of the day to day stuff. I love the fact that there are companies who will take all of this "documentation" and turn it into a book that I will be able to order and cherish for years to come (and have for MH to read when she is older and can really appreciate it).
4. Comments in my inbox make me do backflips. OK, we all know I can't do backflips. On a good back day. But, seriously, it makes me so happy when someone has read my writing and takes the time to say something about it! I still do a little happy dance each and every time.
5. Blogging allows me to reach out to anyone and everyone who wants to hear about me, my family, and our happy little life. My 83 year old grandmother who lives in Florida 9 months out of the year (and who rocks because she can do email AND read blogs!) can check in daily to see what's going on with all of us MH. My dad can pass along the link to his work clients and brag about his only favorite granddaughter, who he likes to refer to as the "dividends" of being a parent himself. And I can share my thoughts, stories, and mommy-pride with tons of amazing other women just like myself, who are blogging for the same reasons. I am making real connections with people who are like me in some way or another. I am finding such a strong and unique community, and I love it.

OK Dana, I know I kind of pushed it with number 5 there and it might count as more than one of my reasons, but I just couldn't stop myself!

Now hop on the bandwagon and make a list for yourself! You can either add your list to my comments, or write your own post and go link it at Dana's blog. She's got Mr. Linky, which makes it a snap!

Thanks again Dana for an awesome Top 5 Tuesday topic!

Making a Difference

I have only known Heather for a few months.

I was lucky enough to meet her shortly after starting my blog.

Heather is bright, both inside and out.

She's an amazing mom to Kyler and Ella, and wife to Cody.

Heather has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma cancer.

She has the fight of her life ahead of her, but I KNOW she is going to send that cancer packing.



Please take a moment and head over to my dear friend McMommy's blog.

McMommy is doing something amazing.

It is a heartfelt gesture showing a huge outpouring of love and support for Heather that will only take you a minute to participate in.

The minute you give will help provide Heather with a world of support as she begins her journey of "fighting the fight".

Thank you for helping me

Feel free to take this image and put it on your blog.

Pass it along.

Link to Heather to keep up with her journey.

And give your own children an extra squeeze today - we should never for a moment take our lives for granted.

Heather, I am rooting for you here in RI!

Just When I Feel Like I've Been Slackin'

I feel like I haven't done a real blog entry in a few days - it's been a little rough around here.


Last Wednesday, I accidentally (seriously, who would do this on purpose?) tripped over MH's baby-doll stroller and went flying. Trying to stop myself from falling probably wasn't the best idea because it made my already horrifyingly pain-filled back go from about an 8 to a 22 (I know, I know, the scale is 1-10). My physical therapist said I probably pulled something trying to stop myself from falling - WHICH, I'll have you all know I did. Stop myself from falling, that is. Of course, the result was increased difficulty in walking for a few days, increased dependency on Percocet and muscle relaxants (and therefore, sleep) for a couple of days, and some major work on my back by said amazing physical therapist. Not necessarily in that order.

In addition, The Mad Hatter wasn't at her best yesterday. She was defiant, and mouthy, and made it known who was going to be boss around here for the day. And to think, I thought it was Father's Day! I know, I know EVERY day is 3 year old day! I decided she was in dire need of a nap, to which she willingly agreed - at first. Hubby no sooner left the house for a little "Dad" time, when MH managed to show me who was boss. She kept calling me back into her room. And back again. I retorted with threats of consquences. Which apparently, meant nothing. She showed me who was boss. She carried on with her screaming and crying until she threw up. In her bed. Where luckily, I didn't have to worry about having this instinct. It didn't make for the finest hours in this household, although the end of the day did have a lovely (no sarcasm intended at all) ending (more on this later, or more likely - tomorrow).

Moving on to today. I had my 4 month post-surgical visit with my neurosurgeon. It was supposed to be last week, but they rescheduled me. With my neurosurgeon. How dare they? I love Chris, the sweet, sensitive, and caring physician's assistant who has handled all of my post-op care. The one who I've had a great relationship with since my first surgery in October. The one who is so empathetic he gives me hugs. The one who was so mortified at how his office staff talked to me on the phone one day he gave me his cell phone number and told me to use it any time (like I have the nerve). The one who never makes me feel stupid, always tells me I'm completely normal (ok, maybe he is just doing his job), and the one who never looks at his watch when I'm on his clock. The one who has become my own personal McDreamy. Yes, we're both married. Yes, it's his job to be nice to me. Yes, he've even given Hubby a hug too. But he just has a way of making it all better, even when it's really not. I feel a bond with him. Did I mention that he's absolutely A-DORABLE?

But I digress.

Today, Dr. D. came walking in. Don't get me wrong, he's fabulous. He is the Chief of Neurosurgery at the hospital where he performed my surgery. He has cut me open twice, put me back together nicely (actually, my incision scar is pretty much perfect), and I am still alive to blog about it. But he's a surgeon, and surgeons just aren't known for their bedside manner. That aside, he seems to like me. He always knows me by name when I am in the office. He visited me several times during my hospital stay. He's definitely likeable. Hell, he even kissed me hello today - on the cheek of course - which none of my other doctors do (and incidentally, he isn't too shabby looking himself, if you like yourself a married man who is probably about 20 years older than you and has teenage kids). But kiss and amiability (is that even a word?) aside, it wasn't him I wanted - I was looking over his shoulder to make sure Chris was in tow. Not so much.


My visit felt rushed, my list of questions felt silly, and I left the office in tears. TIME, he tells me. Repeatedly. I've heard that one. A LOT. We all heal at different speeds, he tells me. Yep, let's get on with the good stuff. He had nothin'. Try to be patient, let's up your nerve meds. What's that? You're still taking pain meds? It's 4 months post-surgery - we Must.Get.You.Off.Narcotics. I tell him I only take my Percocet in the morning when I get up, to help me get moving because I'm in a lot of pain. This must appease him, because after a brief lecture on how I don't want to be addicted to narcotics (Chris and I have had this convo a zillion times with ME being the concerned one, and we both know that I'm nowhere near being addicted to pain meds. I just have the tolerance of an elephant when it comes to any and all meds and can pretty much take enough to put most people into a coma while I'm still dancing around them in profuse pain) he writes me a new scrip. Does this mean we'll work on getting off the drugs 3 months from now at my next visit?


Anyways, it was just frustrating, and sad because I don't want to hear about how much time it could take. I want to know what I could be doing RIGHT NOW to get better. I want to know what I could be working harder at. I want to know what I should be laying off of (besides the drugs). I'm barely driving because I don't feel safe considering my range of motion leaves something to be desired and he says I should try to work through the pain and "work on that". But lift my little girl? Absolutely NOT, in my condition. I just felt like the whole visit (which lasted 10 minutes, if you include the call he stepped out to take on his cell phone) was one big contradiction. I should clarify that for the most part, Chris would have given me the same kinds of answers to my questions, but somehow I know I would have felt a little better about all of it. I would have had better advice. That's why he's the PA who does patient aftercare and Dr. D. is the brilliant neurosurgeon. He's not a bad guy, in fact he's great. He's just much better with a scalpel than with boosting morale.

The point of all this rambling is, I had a rough few days topped off by a really sad day. I cried a lot and MH kept yelling at me to stop, that my crying was making her sad. (Note to self: stop telling MH that her crying and carrying on during a tantrum makes Mommy sad, apparently 3 year olds have a hard time differentiating between necessary crying and you're going to put Mommy in a rubber room crying). I really just want to feel better already, and I'll do anything to get to even half of the me I was a year and a half ago. And it's frustrating not to see a light at the end of the tunnel, because as good 'ol Dr. D. says, I just need to keep doing what I'm doing. It takes TIME.

And then I click on bloglines. I couldn't resist one last peek before bed. And McMommy had posted this fabulous post (when aren't her posts fabulous). Actually, it wasn't just a post - it was an awards ceremony. With a red carpet and everything. And guess who was the recipient of an award from McMommy?

(drumroll please . . . . . . . .)

ME!

And McMommy seriously made my day. Her posts always do. But today especially. You see, McMommy is the reason I decided to take the plunge and finally start a blog. And thanks to her, people have started visiting my blog. And leaving comments (which you all know makes me do the happy dance). McMommy is way more than a gorgeous mom with a hottie husband and two beautiful little boys. She is hilarious, SO very loved in the blogosphere, and genuinely one of the nicest people I've ever "met". In corresponding with her, I've become quite sure that we would be very good friends in real life. She makes it a point to spread her good cheer and kindness to others on a regular basis (I can't tell you how many blogs she must visit on a daily basis, and yet she almost ALWAYS leaves a comment on mine), and the good she brings to others' lives is evidenced only more by the fact that every award she passed out at her ceremony is one she received from another blogger. I could go on and on, but if you check out her blog you know I don't need to say another word. She just ROCKS.


So, I proudly present my award from McMommy: The Arte y Pico Award




Apparently, this award has some qualifications: (From McMommy's post) Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community

So McMommy, thanks for thinking so much of me and my little 'ol blog, and for brightening my day - as you always do, but even more-so today. I will be going to sleep with a little smile on my face tonight, and believe me, it's one of the first of the day (although I did see McDreamy in the hall after my appointment, and we hugged, and I told him how sad I was that I didn't get to see him today, and he told me to call him and we'd catch up, he knew the deal - that did make me smile too, but it still falls a close 2nd to my McMommy smile).

I'm going to borrow one of the awards you bestowed upon another well-deserving blogger and send it right back to you:

I promise to do my best at continuing to uphold the standards that brought me the honor of your award! Thanks for choosing me out of your 5. You really are THE BEST!

Mommy Learned Something New!

My good friend Pam (check out her blog Whatevs . . . under my fave links, she is awesome and is an IRONMAN!) found out that I had created a blog through something called Google Analytics.

Pam moved out of state a few months ago and we miss her dearly, but she is about to become an auntie at any second, and is planning a trip home to meet her new niece or nephew (my money's on nephew).

I had tried to email her to let her know I'd finally started a blog, but the emails kept getting rejected. I think Hotmail thought I was sending spam. I think Hotmail should read my blog!

Anyways, last week I opened my email to find a comment from Pam asking me how it is that she learned of my blog through Google Analytics and not me?!?

Google Analytics, Pam? What's that? Pam says she'll tell me all about it when she's home to meet said baby.

But we all know me. I can't wait that long. I'm curious.

I Google "Google Analytics" (chuckle, somehow I find that humorous).

I follow the steps.

I assume I've done something wrong because although it says it's gathering data, it has no reports for me.

Until just now when I went back to the page I bookmarked. All of a sudden there was a plethora of information!

I'm guessing GA (as I'll call it) tallies its info over a month-long period. Apparently mine started 3 days ago.

I don't understand much of what I'm reading, but from the looks of it, GA could be lots of fun! I can see where readers are coming from. I can see what posts were most frequently viewed.

There's a lot of stuff I don't understand.

100% bounce? Pam (or anyone else), you'll have to explain.

McMommy - shout out to you once again girlfriend! If I'm understanding correctly, the majority of referrals to my blog are coming straight from you! I just love playing POW!

I'm glad I named my blog so aptly. I still have so much to learn . . . I'm in amazement of all the super cool things that are available to us bloggers (yep, this is the second time I've dared call myself a blogger - if I keep saying it, maybe I'll believe it).

Now, if you're reading this post, please please please leave me a comment - I want to see the results on my GA reports! I can't guarantee that I'll understand what it all means, but your comments make me oh so happy :)

Seriously, if I haven't said it enough, I do a little happy dance every time I get a comment in my inbox. Yep, I'm a dork, but I'm just so excited to have an audience here!

Now if I could figure out how to make a cool signature . . . seasoned bloggers, feel free to chime in at any time!

**Edited to add: Pam, I hear that things are moving right along and you should be an Auntie very soon. I hope I'll get to see you this weekend!!!