A New Movement: Blog it Forward! Are you in?

Remember the game you used to play as a kid when picking dandelions? You would pick them one at a time, hold the stem firmly in your folded fingers and then place the tip of your thumb just under the flower bud and sing: "Mama had a baby and her head POPped off!" When you came to the word "popped", your thumb would flick the flower head as far as you could.

Morbid song, now that I think about it.This week I have felt like a dandelion! I have so many ideas buzzing around that it is hard to bring them into focus and channel all that energy- if I did, I think my head would pop off!

I have two ideas that are competing with each other to get out there to you. One idea has been dancing around for a while and I finally came to a point where I was ready to give it a go, but then another idea came dashing onto the scene and tapped "Idea" on the shoulder and said "May I cut in?" Even though they arrived to the party separately, they really are two of a kind and I think will complement each other nicely.

My first idea came about in the spring. I wanted to really showcase folks that I like to read and that I thought you would like to read too.  Like most bloggers, I keep a blog roll list on the side bar, but it is starting to get long.  I didn't want anyone to get lost on a list, so I thought highlighting a blog once a month would be a great way for you to get to know other sites out there that maybe you would not have found.

Beginning September 1, I will start a new feature called "MGB, Blogger of the Month"! As the title suggests, the blogger of the month will be highlighted for an entire month sharing a guest post or two and will also have a spot on my sidebar-giving you a chance to get to know them and visit their site. I had a button created just for this occasion and have been in contact with our first honoree! I am so excited!

My second idea came about just the other day while participating in a live blog chat with Darren Rowse, author of ProBlogger. He was hosting a live chat to wrap up his 31DBBB Challenge with the SITS and BlogFrog participants. As Darren was answering questions, we came across one that was asking about promoting your blog and getting people to come and read it. Darren had some great suggestions, but one in particular caught my attention. He said something along the lines of: Promote OTHERS and in turn you will be promoted. I thought: Hmm. Like Karma. What goes around comes around. And then I typed into the chat box what popped into my head: "Blog it Forward!" The buzz was instant and then I thought....I think others would want to do this too.

I posted "A New Movement: Blog it Forward! Are you in?" on Twitter and on the SITS Community page on Blog Frog. The response has been phenomenal!

What is it?  Blog it Forward is like Pay it Forward. Do a kind gesture for someone else, with no expectation of anything in return, and it will help you some day. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. Some day.

For example: Maybe you have advertisers emailing you to review products, or giveaways, or what not and you cannot for whatever reason say yes. When you reply with "no", refer them to another blog who would love the opportunity to say "yes".

Another example might be that a blog has been trying to get followers or comments. Maybe suggest to one or two of your followers to "friend" that blog and become an active participant.

How will you Blog it Forward?

I'm going to start with my Blog of the Month idea and also feature Blog it Forward. 

If you are not on BlogFrog and would like to participate, please leave your information in the comments section or you can email me directly.

Let me know how you have done "Blog it Forward!" and I will share your story. Maybe it will inspire someone else!

They Link Me, They Really Link Me!

I feel like Sally Field excepting her Oscar as she exclaimed "You like me, You really like me!"

As I have mentioned, I am working my way through daily assigned tasks with the SITS and ProBlogger's "Build a Better Blog in 31 Days" (aka: 31DBBB) Challenge. I am so glad that I have signed up to do this because it has allowed me to move out of my comfort zone and put faith in the blogging community to help me grow as a blogger and I have to say I have not been disappointed! The support from folks that have come by to visit from this community has been wonderful! I wish I could express how grateful I am to receive constructive feedback, techie advice and kind words of encouragement. To all of these wonderful ladies (and gents too!) :

I love you man!

Because of recently traveling for the sweet family getaway to celebrate a BIG anniversary, I have been playing catch up with Days 13-23(today) and completing them, but not necessarily in chronological order.  Today's post (Day 22) is highlighting a special reader or two or three...

I have visited so many great sites that my head is spinning. Some make me cry, some make me laugh, some make me think and others make me learn, but what I am noticing to be the common denominator is: They all have Great Content! So, I will share just a few of the wonderful blogs out there that I am really digging and hope that you will pay them a visit, because they are worth it!

Generating Heat:( a journey back to myself)
Lisa is a dear friend of mine from my favorite sport of speedskating. While taking to the ice in competition, we always encouraged each other and soon became fast (no pun intended) friends. Lisa is a potter (clay) and is currently taking part in an art exhibition all the way in Korea! She is journaling and photographing her experiences each day- including today's post where she shares "I Had Tea With a Monk on A Side of A Mountain"! I mean, how cool is that?! Get lost in her blog: you will find among her lovely photographs and posts that she is not only an artist with her craft, she is with her written word as well.

Making It Work Mom
Heather is a blogging mom that emailed me very early in this challenge asking if I would link a post for her. After reading her stories of being a working mom and trying to balance a hectic family schedule, well, I immediately liked her! Our kids are close in age and we are dealing with some of the same issues, so her take on life makes me laugh right along with her. Her latest post : "Maybe Giselle Should Mind Her Own Business...Just Saying"was very funny, yet very on target. Heather was also kind enough to link back to a post of mine! Thanks Heather!!

Coloring Outside the Lines
Alycia, also known in certain circles as the Crayon Wrangler, has a fantastic sense of humor and her writing is just top notch! I have been more interactive with her via Twitter and Blog Frog, however, her blog also totally ROCKS! She completely surprised me yesterday by leaving a comment on my Facebook Fan Page where she told me that my blog rocked AND on top of that, linked one of my posts for twitter followers to read! If you are thinking of writing a book, be sure to read her post on "Finishing Writing a Novel-A Novel Idea". Where you can double check to make sure that you are writing your character's story!

MultipleMama
Andie surprised me out of the blue (which is a condition of this Day Task 22) with an email letting me know that she linked a comment I left for her and included it in this post: "Messiness Loves Company". I emailed her back with a "Wowza!" I have enjoyed her wit and real life take on motherhood that she shares in her posts and I know you will too!

The Funsucker Chronicles
Cheryl had me laughing the moment I loaded her blog page- it is wicked in more ways than one! When I saw that she had the Wicked Witch as her header picture and that her kids claimed she "sucked the fun out of everything",  I felt a kindred spirit. I have not shared this with her yet, but my sister-in-law used to be pen pals with Margaret Hamilton, aka: Cora the Coffee Lady for Maxwell House, aka The Wicked Witch of The West! Speaking of penpals, I recently learned how long camper's letters to home actually take and invaluable camping advice with her revised post: "Everything I Ever Needed to Know I learned at Summer Camp-Encore Presentation". Although she lost me at "tarantula," (I'm arachnophobic), the rest of her tips are rather helpful! I may hide my Ruby Slippers when I see her, but I will always welcome the Funsucker into the bloghouse!

I wish I could share all the fabulous blogs out there as this is just a small sampling of what I have come across during this challenge! There are many, many more I would love to put in this post...in fact, this task has spurred an idea into action that I have been mulling over and over for months now. Watch for a rolling out of my super-de-duper idea that will be ready by the end of the month. You will love it!

Now, go visit and let me know what you think!

And thanks for the link love; you make me feel like a star!

Timing: For Better or For Worse...

With all the momentum I have gathered for posting during this 31DBBB Challenge I cannot believe that I am about to say I may be taking a few days off!

I have a fantastic excuse though and if you were in my shoes, you would realize that it isn't really an excuse, it is something that just is.

I will be spending time with family and  relatives near and far for the next few days as we gather to celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss between my mother-in-law and father-in-law. I absolutely adore my in-laws and cannot relate to those that tell stories with a roll of the eye. That is not to say I don't chuckle at stories that I hear...but I know that I am in the camp of the lucky few.

I will be catching quick computer time here and there, but probably will not post until the weekend.

I am looking forward to sharing some great stories with you!

My Blog Bucket List

Day 2 of the SITS, ProBlogger & Blog Frog '31 Days to Build a Better Blog' Challenge:

Today's task: "Write a list post."

Write a list?  I have a confession to make:

My name is Kelly, and I am a LIST-aholic.

If I can find a piece of paper, envelope, napkin, heck anything to write on, and can make columns of things to check or cross off, I am on it! Wish lists, chore list, grocery list, Christmas list. I even make a list of what I am going to pack in a suitcase so I can check it off as it goes in my bag. To write this post, I made a LIST!

As I began writing, I realized that the one list that I have not created (yet) is a 'Bucket List'. Can you believe it? I can't. I mulled that over and thought how can I tie that into this task. The reason this is created is so that you can make a list of all the things you want to do, see or experience before you 'kick the bucket'.

I am not wishing the demise of my blog, quite the opposite; but why not make a Blog Bucket List? Using the same principle, create a list of goals that I would like to accomplish with my blog. Start out with a few and as with any list, I can add or change as things are crossed off.

Here goes:

1. Grow Readership & Followers- My goal is to have 500 followers. I don't know why I picked this number, but it seems like a good one. To have my blog grow in this way, well, would be great.

2. Increase Comments: Have folks get to know eachother on my blog by sharing discussions.

3. Find a Sponsor/Advertiser

4. Get Paid to Write- Working off number 3...

**Dreaming Lottery Dreams Here**

5. Travel because of my blog- To cover sporting events? How cool would that be to write about the Tour de France (even one stage) IN France? Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Nike, are you listening?

I'm sure if I sat here long enough, I could think of more, but this is a good start.

What would be on your Blog Bucket List?

Let me know!

Going UP!

I have signed up with hundreds of other bloggers to take part in the 31-Day ProBlogger and The Secret is in the Sauce Build a Better Blog Challenge. 31 daily tasks to complete. Today is Day 1.

I am always up for a challenge...but this one is really making my head hurt! I even poured myself a glass of wine and it is STILL sitting next to me...not even touched.

My assignment for today? Write an "Elevator Pitch". I thought it would be easy to do, but guess what?

It is not.

It doesn't help that I am totally distracted watching the Tour de France...Andy Schleck just popped his chain and Alberto Contodor just attacked. I already know the outcome of today's stage, but to watch it unfold on the road, well, is just...just not right. Karma can really suck AC, so watch out. AS is now marking you. He likes the color yellow and he wants it back.

One thing I did learn while preparing my pitch...I am more than "just a mom blog", I am a mom blog that showcases the love of sports and how to balance the active family life with every day life.

Hmmm, I think I may be on to something here....