So I am super excited to be participating in Diabetes Blog Week! It makes me feel all official and professional and everything. It’s a place for all of us diabetes bloggers to gather and share information on the same topics and learn from each other. I so love the very few D-blogs that I have found so far and I am so excited to find and read more!
So, there is a cool banner and button to help display and promote Diabetes Blog Week, but I can’t figure out how to use them. As it is, it is 10:00 p.m. and I just got home about 30 minutes ago since leaving the house at 8:00 a.m. Today is the first day of Diabetes Blog Week and I am almost late in getting my first entry in, I don’t have time to figure out how to use the banner and button. And here is the real scary part, (I work in IT….shhhhhhh…….please don’t tell anyone what a fraud I am! Really, I just don’t have time right now to figure it out, if I had more time, I could figure it out…..I’m sure……)
Today’s theme is “Find A Friend:
“It seems the most popular thing about Diabetes Blog Week is that it helps us find blogs we weren’t reading yet and connect with some new blog friends. With that in mind, let’s kick off Diabetes Blog Week by making some new connections. Think about the d-blogs you read that you think we may not know about and introduce us to one that you love!! Let’s all find a new friend today! “
As if not being able to figure out to “grab” the banner and button didn’t make me feel stupid enough, I can’t even find any diabetes friends. I mean, any new ones that you all wouldn’t know. I have found the “Big Guns”, D-Mom Blog, Our Diabetic Life, Candy Hearts, and Houston We Have A Problem but those gals are like legends in the DOC! (Diabetic online community–I learned that just the other day….). Just look at their blogs, they are beautiful. I look at those blogs and all those feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing from junior high come rushing back. I want to be like them. Instead I have a very elementary looking blog layout and can’t figure out how to grab buttons (I hate that they use the word “grab” as if to imply how easy it is to just, grab, it and throw it on your blog…..pouring salt, twisting knife).
But I have 3 kids and a full-time job outside of the home and I have only been blogging for a little over 2 months (my 10 year-old was diagnosed with T1D about 3 months ago) so I don’t have anyone new for you to read. I guess that new blog is ME! I am my own new friend! And admittedly, I started blogging for me and only me. I have always been a person who expresses herself best with the written word, so it is my therapy to blog it out. I really didn’t care if anyone read it. But then a few people did read it, and they gave me feedback and all of the sudden I wasn’t just writing for myself anymore. I am writing for an audience and I just want to keep my audience happy. I guess in the end, if my simple, button-less blog layout turns everyone off and no one is reading it anymore it doesn’t matter, because I was just writing for myself anyway. And the last time I checked, I can’t un-friend myself.
WifeMomPancreas 
[…] to add: A special thanks for the shout outs today on Wife Mom Pancreas and Type 1 […]
Welcome to the friendly world of d-blogging! I’m still figuring out “layout” stuff also. And I’ve never grabbed a button. Oh well, it’s nice to meet you!
Nice to “meet” you, too!
I like Diabetes Blog Week because I am finding out about so many new blogs. Good luck to you and yours. You are doing great!!
Leslie
THANKS Leslie! I love it for that same reason!
I’ll be your friend, even if I don’t have a diabetes blog.
So . . . I think it is awesome that you are your own friend. I actually just now — this very moment discovered your blog and imagine how shocked I was to get a shout out. Stellar! I actually linked over from the list of blogs that Karen puts together because I loved the name of your blog and thought I would check it out.
WooHoo – – – now we are friends. And . . . I’m about to pimp your blog.
Also, if you copy and paste the HTML code onto your blog post in the HTML mode the banner or button will work. <— does that even make sense? That how I do it in Blogger — not so sure about WordPress.
Thank you for the shout out!!
Laura, you rock! You were right on about the banner! I just wasn’t in HTML mode, duh, and I work in IT….oye! I LOVE reading your blog! I am so glad I found you and that we are now “friends”! You can find me on FB under Danielle Robino Rawlings (although I admit I did want to start a profile named Extra Large–hee hee!)
Today you have made a new friend, I’m Nicole or Nic and as a friend I will say don’t be so hard on yourself lady!! It all comes in time, you will learn your way around this DOC and many more friends will follow. 🙂 Doing the DBlog week is a great way to make friends…welcome! I have 6 kids my T1 is Cara and she is 6. Look forward to reading more!
Thanks Nic! Six kids and one with T1….I just can’t imagine! You must be one strong lady! Look forward to reading you! Thanks for stopping by!
You’ve got a friend in me! That’s the beauty of the DOC…we’ve only just met but we already have so much in common. I have 3 girls, my oldest is 9 with T1. I blog about our journey at http://www.boxofchocolatesblog.com. I look forward to following you on your journey.
Misty, thanks for sharing your blog! It is next on my list to visit! (I had to make a list because there are so many D-blogs out there!) Thanks for stopping by!
First, I totally thought your blog looked ultra cool/modern. No kidding. Second…no legend here, just a mother that was lonely, who started blogging three years ago, not even knowing the DOC existed! Third, I totally get what you are saying about writing for yourself! I had to wade through those feelings for a good year. It took a long time to realize that not everyone is going to agree with what I write, and that is ok. Because writing cleanses my soul…and I NEED it! Write for you and you’ll be surprised how many hearts you touch.
So glad I found you newbie. I’m going to add you to my blog list! Sending all my love to you!
Oh Meri, I have been following your journey and the fact that you even took 2 seconds out of your day to welcome me to the DOC makes you my hero! I pray for your family everyday! (((HUGS)))
If I have learned nothing else in this crazy sweet life its that you are never alone and you always have friends. If I do say so myself… they are the best friends a gal could hope for; a silver lining in all this mess.
I bow to your greatness being able to juggle work, kids, hubby and blog week. I chickened out because I am now working outside of the home. I have also been a blog-slacker since September because of it. I hope to pick back up when I start working from home in a week or so.
BTW: Meri is a legend no matter what she says and I am pretty sure it is possible to unfriend yourself. Just sayin 😉
Thanks for your kind words, Lora! It is easy to find the time to blog because it has become my lifeline….finding time to do laundry…..that’s another story! And I agree, Meri is my hero!
WOW…things are pretty swell over here 🙂 So sweet of you to HOLLA at a this Candy Hearts Mama 🙂 Pretty sure you and I are a lot alike…HELLO — CHOCOLATE AND FLAWS (read your bio)!! Once upon a time 4 years ago, I needed an outlet for my overwhelmed brain, and started a blog.
For the record, I hardly have any clue how to do fancy schmancy computer stuff…I paid someone to make me a banner, buttons, and stuff!!!! Heck, half the time I’m lucky if I can figure out how to schedule a post without publishing it right away!!!! (Today’s post was scheduled, btw. Thankyouverymuch!) Trust me…if I can do this — anyone can do this, so welcome to the BlogZone 🙂
Hopefully you’ll start making some friends soon. I’ll add you to my blogroll.
Nice to “meet” you and your beautiful family!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I really do love reading your blog. You have a gorgeous family and I love your nicknames for the girls! And yes, chocolate and flaws are my specialties! Thanks for reading me!
Sure, banners and buttons make a blog pretty. Good writing, however, is what moves readers and compels them to return again and again, and you, my new friend, can write well. 🙂 And, quite honestly, I think your blog is handsome. 🙂
I, too, have three kids, the middle of whom has T1. I admire that you can juggle kids and a full-time job and still find time to write. That’s impressive! I work only occasionally and have had the hardest time blogging lately!
Wow Heidi, what a nice compliment! Writing is so easy for me, it is how I express myself best. Like I said above, it’s not hard to find time to blog, it’s the laundry and house cleaning that is so hard to find the time to do! (Priorities 🙂 ) Thanks again for your nice words and I look forward to visiting your blog as well!
Now I get it! My priorities are out of whack! 😉 I get a little neurotic about the laundry and the dishes and the other household stuff. Keep writing! Your “voice” is great. 🙂
I agree! It is so hard to find diabetes mom “friends”. No one gets it truly, unless you go through it! I love reading your posts and hope to find more like it!
Thank you! Ok, here is how you find more awesome blogs. Click on this button <a href="
” title=”Diabetes Blog Week”> and it will take you to another blog called Bitter-Sweet. From there click on the topics and posts for 2012 and it will take you to a list of 150+ other d-blogs to read! It is awesome!
How is Reagan doing by the way? And have you figured out your summer child care situation? I can totally relate and was actually thinking about blogging about that topic! Good luck!
Reagan is doing great. A few ups and downs (literally). We go to our first info session on the pump on Saturday!! I am sooooo excited!
As far as childcare goes, our 15 y/o is going to have the most responsibility. I work nights though, so I will be be home if she really needs something. She is so very involved with Reagan and her care. I have no worries!
So, I was all ready to tell you I’ll be your friend (whether you like it or no – hahahaha) but look at all of the comments you have!! I’d say you have the friend thing covered. And your post was perfect – don’t forget, even if those blogs may be “high profile” in the DOC, there are new readers finding our blogs every day. And those new readers probably don’t know about any of those blogs . . . . . but now they do, thanks to you!!
Sorry you had such a hard time with the button and banner. Maybe I should try to write a tutorial for them next year. Although I kinda suck at tutorials – but maybe there is one already out there that I can link next year.
Karen, THANK YOU so much for starting Diabetes Blog Week 3 years ago! I have been totally re-energized by this experience and have so many new friends now who totally get what I am going through! It is amazing! And the only trick to banner/button was that I was not in HTML mode. Very easy fix! Again, thank you, thank you, thank you! But I am going to busy now reading all these blogs!!! 🙂
Hello Extra Large. 🙂 I’m Lorraine. My son, Caleb is 9 and has been living with D for more than 5 years. He’s a medium with a Large brother and a Small sister. 😉 Nice to meet you.
Hi Lorraine! Nice to meet you too! Sorry that the reason we met is because our “Mediums” have stupid diabetes! Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Well hello there!!!! So glad you joined the DOC! Sorry you had to join the D way, but glad to have you in the club, nonetheless. Your blog is great, who cares about buttons, we just care that you are here! Rock on, my friend!
Penny, thanks for the compliment! And yes, joining the DOC is bittersweet. I would rather not be in it at all, but if I have to be in the D-world, I can’t imagine being in it with anyone other than the fantastic friends I have made in just the last two days!
Isn’t it awesome when you find others who travel the D Train? I’m only 6 months in on this journey & am so glad I’ve found the few resources that I have for myself & my son.
Teri, I totally agree! It is so important to find others to share our trials and tribulations with on this journey. It is hard being a newbie! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
The “friend” circle grows pretty quickly around here! Glad you found the D.O.C!!!
I know I went from no D-friends to more than I can even keep straight right now! How awesome is that???
Hi! We could be friends! I’m pretty sure no one reads my blog either. Well maybe one or two people, but that’s about it. I don’t know how they do all those buttons and things either or how they get all those people following their blogs! Maybe some day we’ll be ultra cool like them 🙂 In the mean time I’ll read yours if you’ll read mine!
Ha Wendy! Agreed! I will totally read you!Thanks for commenting!
HI!! Id love to be your friend! I dont blog much anymore I am sooo behind and overwhelemed but I do read! I can be found at http://www.thenewnormallife.blogspot.com and my hubby blogs too he has a link on my page 🙂 Excited to find you and travel this road together
Hi Shannon! I can’t wait to check out your blog! Thanks for stopping by and being my friend!
Hey Danielle,
Not sure if you have come across my wife’s blog (www.deathofapancreas.com) but she’s also one of those people that likes to write and doesn’t care if anyone reads it (I on the other hand need to know that people are reading and laughing at my stuff).
BTW, it looks like you have a bunch of new friends now!
Hi Fred, yes I actually read your wife’s blog tonight! Nice to meet you, and yes, I have a whole bunch of instant friends! How awesome is that???
Small world and very awesome!
I’m glad I found your blog. I can’t wait to read your recent posts. I don’t blog much, but you can find me at http://redheadliving.blogspot.com/.
[…] indirectly in “Did I Ever Tell You You’re My Hero?”. Gave her blog a shout-out in “I Have No Friends”, and shamelessly pimped her blog out not once, but twice, in “He Ain’t Heavy, […]