A Little Blog (and life) Maintenance
| June 17, 2010 | Posted by Lauren under Misc |
Recently I’ve done a little work to fix up the blog a bit, so I figured I’d write a quick note to let you know about some of the updates.
Blog Stuff
Comment Replies
A little while ago, it came to my attention that people don’t get an email when I respond to a comment. I don’t know why I assumed this is something that’s automatically done (because it’s not), but I was definitely bummed. Since I didn’t know how to fix it, most of the time you’ve probably noticed that I just emailed you a response. Then a few weeks ago I installed a plug-in (found through this lady) that supposedly would email someone if I responded. I tried responding to people through the site, but it didn’t really seem like it was working. After a little investigation, I realized that I actually had to change the plug-in settings to make it active (genius, I know). I apologize for those times that it may have seemed like I ignored your comment or didn’t answer a question. Hopefully you should now get an email when I respond to you.
New Pages
In an effort to make the blog a little more reader-friendly, I added a couple new pages to the top menu: a Favorite Posts page and a Recipes page. If you’ve been reading the blog for awhile, you know that I don’t post recipes all that often, but there is now a central location for those times that I do. The favorite posts page is just a collection of some past posts that I wanted to highlight and will be updated and refined over time.
Life Stuff
I try to keep my work life separate from the blog, both out of privacy/respect and because, honestly, it never really intersected. However, you may remember that about a month and a half ago, I vaguely babbled on about some sort of transition I was going through and then left it at that.
The truth is, at that time I was actually preparing to leave my job. Without getting into too many details (since I worked for the government and therefore am bound to secrecy…okay so that’s only half true), I had been working in the field of research as a project coordinator. This was an incredible experience in terms of gaining work skills, but there were a lot of issues with the job and, to be honest, my heart just wasn’t in it. I spent most of this spring agonizing over what my next step should be and finally realized that I needed to step away from the situation in order to gain perspective. In short, I needed to make a bold move. The decision to leave was a complex and difficult one but I truly believed it was for the best.
This means that since early May, I have been officially unemployed. Why would I do such a crazy thing in a horrible economy? Well, if you’d like to know details about the type of work I did and/or why I left, please email me. I’d be happy to share. But I will say that this ended up being the best decision I ever made. I was lucky enough to be in a position of being able to support myself during this transition period with some freelance work I had been doing for an old employer. It gave me the freedom to travel to the million and one family events we’ve had going on so far this summer. And best of all, it gave me time to step back and re-evaluate. I contemplated many things, including moving out to Western PA to be near my family and striking out on my own. But in the end, an amazing opportunity opened up right here in RI with a group that is working in the field of obesity prevention at the community level – which has always been my main area of interest. I will be starting this new job on Monday, and I couldn’t be more excited.
So while that means an end to my wonderful self-scheduled days of being a stay at home puppy-mom, it also means the restoration of some sort of order to my life. While I’ve truly enjoyed this past month and a half, it has been a little chaotic. I’ve been away from home more weeks than not and no longer feel like I have any type of regular schedule. After the relay this weekend, I will have a couple of weeks off from traveling, for which I am very thankful.
Anyway…that’s that. I’ll be back soon with a real post, but for now, I’ll leave you with this:
Boxers aren’t typically water-loving dogs, but I’ve been determined to train Koli to actually like it. Finally, after a few failed attempts, someone realized just how fun the water could be! Granted, he’d still sink like a stone if he tried to swim, but I’ll take what I can get. 
I’m so glad you’ve got a job that you’re excited about! I seriously wish you all the best in it
Short comment, cos now I’m going to go and explore the new pages
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs´s last post ..Hoh-Zay Homp-Dee
congrats on the job change! That had to be scary but I’m so happy for you for following your heart!
Koli is getting so big!!! haha…our poor boxers and water.
What plug-in did you use for comment email replies? I’ve been trying to find one for weeks and can’t find one that works the way I want it too!
Teri [a foodie stays fit]´s last post ..Random Thoughts on Beef, Black Dresses, and Bosu Balls
I know! It’s crazy how fast he grows! I look at pictures from just one month ago and I barely even recognize him.
For the comments, I’m using Comment Reply Notification. I’m pretty sure you need to reply through the site in order for it to work (and not your dashboard). But I’m not sure how well it works since I haven’t really used it…you can be the judge!! Tell me what you think.
First of all, congratulations to the recent changes in the work world….sounds like you’ve made the right decision and I hope everything works out for ya in the future!
Secondly, I also had no idea that comments I replied to didn’t get email notifications! How upsetting after writing so many back right? Maybe you could help me If possible?
Alright, I’m writing this from my bberry but can’t wait to check out the changes lady! Koli is adorable!
This is fantastic news! Wishing you all the best. Certainly understand your needs:)
My brother’s bulldogs are so afraid of water they literally walk around puddles on the sidewalk. They need a sedative before taking a bath, poor things.
Happy Thursday bella!
Transition periods can be rough, but I’m glad everything worked out for you! I think it’s *so* important that you enjoy your work because it’s such a huge part of life. So, congrats!
And yeah I’m still working on the comment/e-mail responses too. Hopefully, it will work from now on
Danielle (Runs on Green)´s last post ..On a ‘dilla kick
Congratulations on your new job!
Your boxer is adorable! My Jack Russell Terrier LOVES to swim! He can swim for hours without even thinking about taking a break.
Ali @ Redhead Reports´s last post ..Cayo Hueso
Thank you!! And that must be so cute to watch — I wish Koli could swim like that.
Congratulations on the new job! Koli is too cute. We’re trying to get Clark acclimated to swimming (I think Frenchies sink even faster than Boxers), with short dips in the ocean and pool as often as possible. He wears a life vest that makes him look not unlike a giant beetle. Hope your day is going well!
Haha that’s awesome! He must look adorable in it. Does it annoy him at all? Something tells me Koli would try as hard as possible to get it off — he barely tolerates a harness. And how’s the swim training going?
Good luck with your new job! I’m sure it will go great! And umm I am in love with your boxer. Too cute!!
Wow I wish I had the guts to quit my job and work out what to do with my life! I don’t hate work as sc=uch but I would love to work for ME! Will be checking out the new stuff on here. Good luck with your new job, it sound fab!
Helen´s last post ..Simply Delicious!
Glad you got the plug-in to work for you!
And congrats on the new job! It sounds like a great opportunity. I really admire your strength in leaving your old job even in this economic climate – sometimes it takes real courage to do what we know is the right thing!
Katie @ Health for the Whole Self´s last post ..A Tale of Two Pastas
we’re kindred spirits lady! good for you for having the confidence to go in the direction you know is right for you.
maddy is half boxer and she likes the water, but not to swim. she likes to stick her nose in it, toss it around like it’s snow, and generally just prance around. i like to think her other half–lab–would kick in and she would get brave and swim, but alas it’s not to be.
andi @ livelaughbefit´s last post ..hectic lives, making choices.
Good for you for having the courage to leave your job. I am so glad you made the best decision for you, and it ended up leading you to something you really want to do. I’d love to hear more about your new job, but understand you can’t share. I pursued public health because of obesity prevention too, and I somehow wound up working in the areas of infectious disease and pregnancy. But I’m not complaining!
And your dog is too precious
Jen´s last post ..First tri reflections
I’m impressed you left a job that wasn’t good for you! So that’s what was going on. I’m totally getting ready to email you!
Lindsay´s last post ..Stalker
a few times i would get an email notification when u replied! so maybe it just worked for me.. i dunno.
im really excited for you about the new opportunity! sometimes it takes a hectic life situation or a whole slew of mess etc to find something really great and have an opportunity open up!! i agree with the other comments, it takes a lot of guts to realize when one job path isnt working and to admit this, then let it go. GOOD JOB!!
xoxo <3
kelsey@snackingsquirrel.com´s last post ..Say Cheese!
I am so excited for you! I can’t wait to hear about your new job and the type of work you’re doing.
Alex @ IEatAsphalt´s last post ..My trip to India
Congrats on being brave and doing what was right for you, job-wise. And congrats on finding something new to try!
I would love to hear about the comment respond plug-in and if it is working. I have been looking for one.
Wow. Congratulations on the bold move — that’s the kind of spirit I like! Lauren, you’re so passion-driven (and ambitious might I add) that I’m afraid you’ll only thrive doing something that your heart is in–and thrive you will. This is true.
Lots of love and warm wishes,
Aletheia <3
aletheia´s last post ..To Boldly Trek Where Few Have Trekked Before
Congratulations! That is VERY exciting. I am looking forward to (possibly) hearing a little bit about your job…since now it sounds like it might intersect what you write about on your blog!
Lizz @ Leading the Good Life´s last post ..Date Night