Hi ya'll! Well, I made it through a week at Disney and 40 hours of driving in the car-- whew! Have you entered this giveaway? What about this one? I'll keep them open until Sundayish, sound good to you? Now, on to the reason for the late post of FYF.....
In keeping this place a 99.9% drama free, I want to keep this quick and to the point. Last week as most of you know was Disney week over here at FOTF and I wanted to make it special and do different linkys throughout the week instead of the norm. Sometimes it's nice to switch things up right? I think so! Friday we had a memories link up and want to know something funny? I wrote a whole post about it and 1 out of 70 of you actually read it and followed the directions! ;) Everyone skipped over and went straight to linking up their projects. At first, when I got the email about it and a few apologizes I had no idea what was going on since I didn't bring the computer.. (Post scheduling at it's finest eh? ) I didn't think much of it-- then I realized everyone skipped the directions and maybe my whole post. This gave me the sads, I'll admit it. I love love love to feature you here. Remember the good ol' days when you had to search out a new blogger and their fabulousness? There weren't 1.2 million linky parties directing you to them. To get people to notice you, there was networking, commenting, and making friends. Now-- what seems to be the mantra of link up and have 200 people read me and then I can turn the computer off, no visiting friends, no comments. Sad isn't it? The friends is my favorite part!
I've met so many amazing women through blogging! I exchange Christmas cards with this woman. Text this one halfway across the country about 13 times a day. I don't go a day without reading this lovely lady and her two girls. (I'm a little bias towards Moms with two girls ;) I get excited when I get an email from this woman, as she's the kindest, friendliest woman I know-- I want to be like her some day! :) I cried when this woman lost her father.And, I was giddy when this friend announced she was pregnant again-- and there's SO many more.
Basically, I don't want to whine, I just want you to remember that you write so that people will read right? Everyone else does the same! It's nice to have all these linky parties as an outlet for advertising but let's keep it fun and remember to actually visit--read--connect, okay? Deal? Whine over! I promise! No more hurt feelings-- I'm not going to stomp my foot and cancel FYF I love seeing the projects and I want the newbies to have a place to get their time to shine. Pinky promise.
This week we're going to take a break though. I got home at 5:00 this morning and got about 2 hours of sleep before the girls woke up. So some sleep is in order-- as is some grocery shopping, laundry, and photo editing! But I'll be back this weekend with some fun stuff and next Friday we'll resume the party!
Sound good, everyone happy with that?
High five.
25 comments:
I totally understand how you must feel. I get in such a rush trying to hit all the linky parties, that I will admit...I skip over the intro sometimes. Sorry if I did that. I have such a limited amount of time, and since I don't make mula at this, feel very guilty when I spend too much time on it. Please forgive me. I won't be bad again....
Thanks Rachelle...I hope you are feeling better about it. I have to admit, I am one of those that can be in a hurry and just link like crazy, but I fully understand...you are right, we write so people will read!! See you next week :)
Hi Rachelle,
I loved reading about your favorite memory and I'm pretty sure I posted mine. I do like to follow directions.
I didn't realize you were in Disney all week! YAY! I kept wondering when you were going. I can't wait to hear all about it. Get some rest. Disney is definitely not a restful trip and you need a vacation when you get home. :)
Take care and enjoy your time home. Are you doing laundry and going through your mail? That's what I'm always doing when we get back.
HUGS!!
-heather
Everyone, has to take a break sometime or another. Have a great weekend.
I'm sorry that happened! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I can't wait to hear all about your Disney trip! We are taking our 2-year old there in October. We are in Michigan too, but I couldn't stomach the long drive with a young one so we are flying - you are a saint for driving there!
I know what you are talking about. I didn't link up because I read it. I don't always comment because I read 100's of blogs a week. THanks for all that you do!
Hugs!!
I'm going to Disney in a few weeks...in the car too..i will be feeling your pain. lol It's been ages since i've linked up anywhere (this week was the first in awhile) and I'm definitely going to read more. Guilty as charged! Love you though. Well said. :) xoxo
Hi Rachelle,
I wanted you to know that I read your post last week. It was so sweet and brought back great memories about the first time we went to Disneyland as a family. Then when I saw that the party was all about a favorite memory I knew I didn't have write in the way I would really want to. Our first Disney trip needed more time and thought. As much as I wanted to participate, I just didn't have the time.
So, I wanted you to know that I read your post, loved it, and was inspired to think about writing my own "memories" post on my blog. Being the rule-bound kindergarten teacher that I am, I skipped linking last week because I didn't have a memories post prepared ahead of time.
This is getting rather lengthy, but I wanted you to know that your writing is beautiful, your posts are inspiring, and I hope you know that your audience appreciates you.
Becca
You know, I read the post but don't know if I realized as I flipped through the participants that they didn't get it. I flipped through to see if I participated last week because I might have read the post and STILL done a DIY link up. I'm a dork like that. I didn't link up. Phew!
I am thankful you put your heart out there girl! It isn't easy in bloggy land to do that I know. Your vulnerability is very much appreciated.
Sounds like you had a terrific time. I can't wait to see all the fun Disney pictures. I hope I linked up right. I would feel so bad if I didn't. I try to read everything in a post because it's interesting to me, so hopefully I didn't screw it up. Have a relaxing day!
I have lots of wonderful Disney memories, but only post about them on my private family blog so I couldn't link up last week. But thanks for making me think about them again! I hope your trip was just wonderful!
Just found your blog through another bloggy friend. I'm a 1st timer at Fingerprints on the Fridge, but I love your honesty! (Plus I have two girls too, and wouldn't have it ANY other way!) I look forward to following you now. :)
Thanks for the reminder about WHY we link up every week and WHY we follow each other's blogs. Looking forward to next week's party!
I noticed that (your memory linky party) and was surprised that people weren't even paying attention...I'm glad you shared how you felt...I'm glad you had a great trip...and I hope you share pictures.
i think your post today was spot on. when you talked about doing things the old fashioned way, like gaining new friends and followers through comments, that validated that i should keep doing what i am doing. you know what, i am not a crafty person. i write my blog and hope people are reading b/c they like my writing, or my home remodel, or think my cat is cute. i am not doing a million and one craft projects so that i can pimp them out to all the link parties. i follow directions and don't post to a party when it doesn't pertain to me. i am glad you aren't totally discouraged and thank you for this post.
I am so sorry about that. I know that it must be frustrating. But know this, I didn't link to your party because I saw that it was for memories. I was about to right a post about it to link and then we had some unexpected company. So I am sure that I am not the only one in this whole bloggy world that didn't link to your party because we did read it.Please find comfort in the fact that people out there do care about what you write.
Hi Rachelle, I totally get where you are coming from. I did read the post, and didn't link up a craft, but I also didn't link up a Disney memory. Anyway... I am glad you stuck up for yourself here. I have those moments, too, where I check my e-mail and think--why isn't anyone commenting?! I worked so hard!! I agree: The connections is what it's all about. I love your blog and have loved being jealous of your Disney adventures. Thanks for keeping it real.
I hope this makes you feel better. I am guilty of linking up a project. I read your post and mistook that you wanted people to comment about a memory. Not link a memory. I am so sorry. I understand why you are upset and I apologize for being one of the people who caused it. I have seen other parties where you link and then comment things like what do you keep in your purse that you can't live without. I think I need to slow down and read better. I hope you have a nice weekend.
As someone who runs contests and asks for certain types of comments (or answers to questions) on blogs professionally, I can tell you that people sometimes just don't read the directions or they miss something or misinterpret it. Just happens, annoying but true. Take a break - you've earned it!
Everyone's kissing your butt- I'd like to tell you ONE thing:
YOU'RE WRONG.
We text at least 17 times a day.
Further to all the above: HANG IN THERE, and keep the consistency going.
Things are not always what they seem, and it seems that your interpretation of what people do/did is not all of the story.
Let's face it, the creative community is a visual crowd. We love pretty things and pretty pictures.
So, if you want to be read, rather than looked at only: visuals in the story will make all the difference. The linkies are like a candy shop...., where kids go straight for candy...
Hey, chica.
Thank you so much for the linky love! I always read your posts too!!
It also really really bums me out at how frantic people are becoming over these blog parties. I always read the post before linking up so that something like that doesn't happen. OR at least link up and then come back and read what the hostess has to say. It's just common courtesy.
I've had to resort to (nicely) asking people who link up to my monthly parties to leave me a comment...even if it's just one with their link. And I still only get a handful. Mostly from blogging friends who just want to be encouraging.
Hey girl - what a great post. I am catching up on some of my favorite blogs after being away for quiet awhile. I just want to say that I'm sorry that so many just threw up their link without really reading your post. How frustrating! I love blogging for the chance to get connected with others. That's why I do it and will continue to do it. Sorry that you had to experience that - but ya know what, your linky party is my favorite! :) I've said it b4 and I'll say it again, I find the best projects through it! Hope you have a great weekend! Happy Memorial Day!!
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