The World According to Leslie

  If I have said it once, I've said it a million times, I love writing. I want to be able to make a living at it. I would love to build this blog so that it will make money. How do I do that?  There are several ways, but getting consistent with writing, planning out my posts, and getting consistent views are some of the ways.  Obviously, if I am consistent with my writing, the views will come. In order to be consistent in writing, I have to get my posts planned. I have a notebook with a list and several planned out posts. Do I actually sit and type them? NO! Should I? YES!  Here are some thoughts about planning: Needs: --Post Ideas                     Don't get me wrong; I have ideas. I just don't always write them down, and then I lose them.  --Education                    I need to learn about affiliates, web hosting, and pictures/images/videos (w...

  I'm almost there!  After I posted that I am almost to the milestone of 30000 all time visitors to the blog!   Only 43 people away!  If you come by, leave a comment to tell me you were here! While you're here, check out some of the other posts as well!

The other day, I wrote a post. It was pretty long, and had several pictures to it.  It never posted.  I will rewrite it.... just not right this second. I hate when I work on something so long and it gets erased.  It's like back in college when I didn't save the information before the computer shut down. Now...with the programs, like Google Docs, that automatically save, I don't face that as often!  I guess this was just one of those crazy times. I think I'm going to start writing in Google Docs first.... and then putting it here.  That way if I doesn't save, I still have it! I'm also thinking of moving my blog to a different platform.  I haven't decided yet, but if I do, I'll have a link here to get to it....so you can come along. What's the worst thing you have ever lost or had erased?

According to Blogger, I am currently at 901 views for the month of January! Thank you all! That's my highest ever! That really tall line of the RIGHT edge of the graphic is 901 for January 2018!

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I promise.  We have had a couple of really busy weeks/weekends back to back. The Princess got older (last Friday)!! Just from last weekend (8/18-8/21) I have written down about 6 things I need to write about. I'm getting those "on paper" to share with you guys. Plus, with school starting for us, you know I'm busy.  What do you have going on now?  What's keeping you busier than normal?

I love writing! I have always loved writing! I have had this blog for a few years, but I still have a habit of writing in notebooks--on actual paper. I'm old school! Since May 1, 2015, I have been writing in my "Surgery Thoughts" notebooks. Yes, notebookS! There are three of them. My surgeon told me to document my thoughts, my food, my exercise... my journey as a whole. So, on May 1, 2015, I started writing in a composition book. That first day, I wrote about how I was going to work out with my trainer and how I was only 42 days away from surgery. During the past year, I have not written every day. I have written most days. I guess, in the world of technology that we live in, I should probably get used to writing online. Does anyone know how these people make money writing blogs?  I would love to be able to do that!  For now, I'll write here from time to time. One day, I'll write about how I quit my job (right before major surgery!). {It's a ...

Yesterday, on Black Friday, instead of Christmas shopping, Tony, the Princess, and I went to WalMart and Sam’s Club to get all the things we needed to get for the party today. We still had plates, forks, spoons, and all that to get. We also had to get all the food.  We knew we wouldn’t have room before yesterday to make a place in the refrigerator for it, so we had to wait until yesterday to get it.   We didn’t leave the house until about 4pm. So….all the crazy Black Friday shoppers were already at home, asleep!      We got into Sam’s Club, got all the stuff we needed, and checked out in less than 2 hours.  I was suspecting about 4.  Then we got in and out of WalMart in about an hour.  That’s a new record for us.    Today, all I have to go get are the balloons for décor. We aren’t doing much, but I would like to have some balloons to make the room more festive. So, I have to get those.    Today, we also have to...

9500?  That’s an odd number out of context. Right?  However, in just a day or two, that is going to be the number of page views I have had on this blog. I know…for some people, 9500 is a month. I never thought anyone else would read what I am writing, so I’m excited that I have gotten this in the years I have been blogging.   Yes, I would love to be able to make money from my blog. Yes, I would love to write something that would have thousands of followers. Yes, I would love for something I write to go “viral”. For now, and forever if need be, I will be content with my 9500 pageviews and the consistent readers that I have.       Day 11 of Thankfulness:  Today, it’s really the little things that I’m thankful for. I’m thankful that I got to sleep 3 extra hours this morning. (Sounds pathetic, but I’m a little more rested.) I’m also thankful that the girls that the Princess and her friends are all still sleeping!!!!   Yesterday, I handed...

As I write that, I am fearful of what October will bring! In 2008, Dad had a wreck and we almost lost him. In 2012, Dad had an infection in his leg and we almost lost him. Could we just skip to November or stay in September (but still move to cooler weather) this year?   October is also my Blog-a-versary month. My first post was Oct. 25, 2008! That’s FIVE years! WOW!   I am excited for cooler weather. Girl Scouts. Fall Festivals. Halloween. Just about anything that has to do with FALL! I love it!   What’s your favorite season? Why?

I can’t believe that I haven’t written in over a week. How could I let that happen?  I have had so much to talk about in the past week!   1. Yesterday was my brother’s birthday. He is now 39 years old.   2. School has been great. The students are good. They announced yesterday that they are officially finished with schedule changes, so I should not have to worry about any kids moving into or out of my classes now.   3. Over the weekend, Tony, my parents, the Princess, and I went to Boone. We stayed in an awesome condo. I now have more things to check when I ask about places to stay. Internet….check. Handicap accessible…sorta check. (It was all one level, but the doors were very narrow and there was no walk in shower.) Central heat/AC….NO! Well, I don’t know about heat because it was in the 80s while we were there, but there was only a WINDOW unit in the place!  Can’t believe I didn’t see that on the description!   I will check better next time. ...

Ok…so I really don’t have much to say today.  I have been astounded as I watch the page views number rise daily.   As of right now, it is at 7101 for all time.  300 for the month of June.  O.M.G!!   That amazes me!    So…this is a random post to say THANK YOU to everyone who reads what I write.  Feel free to leave comments, start conversations with me.  (I won’t bite!)     THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I guess I technically did not write on Friday.   I’m trying not to slip into the habit of not writing.  It keeps my mind clear even if I feel like I am writing the same things every day.   I just (like 20 minutes ago) finished the articles.  He decided to only have me write 15 instead of 20 since some of the titles were so close to the same.  That worked out well.    Pay was lowered, of course, but I can live with that.   In just a few short hours, we are going to watch the Princess play in the championship game.  I can’t believe it’s a week later than it was supposed to be.    Right now, I’m saying “good night” because I’m going to bed.  But… I should be saying “Good morning” because it is after midnight.    So….Good TIMES!!   I’m going to bed and will hopefully have something wonderful to write about tomorrow.

Wow!  I can’t believe I went two days without writing.  I have gotten in such a habit that now it just feels strange.   There isn’t much going on in these parts right now. 1. Saturday—Softball was cancelled, but they are rescheduling for THIS Saturday.  8:30am!  (Hooray for waking up early on Saturdays!)   2. Sunday—We officially told our pastor and his wife that we are leaving the church.  They tried really hard to get us to stay, but we aren’t leaving because of them.  It’s the other stuff (some other people) that are killing our church.  Unfortunately, it’s really the only church the Princess has ever known.  We started attending there in June 2003.  She was born in August 2003.  10 years!  A decade!!   3. Monday—I took my dad to get his hearing aid fixed.  Simple enough… the filter was clogged.  He had already cleaned it.  But…. still clogged.  New filter—no charge—now he can hear...

WOW!   Can you believe today is my 550th post?  I can’t believe I have had that much to talk about!   Ok! OK!  So, some days I really don’t have that much to talk about, but you guys/gals “listen” anyways.   Today, I wish I had something fabulous to say today, but I don’t really.   Yesterday, I was looking through pics of the Oklahoma tornado ruins.  There was a pile of rubble and in the top of it there was a plaque (or frame or something).  It simply said, “The best things in life aren’t things.”   If you think about it…..  They aren’t! The best things in life aren’t the cars and houses and jewelry.  They are the friends, family, love!    So just think about that today as we continue to love on the people of Oklahoma through this tragedy.  They will rebuild.  They are strong.  Let’s show them….they are LOVED!

I have always loved to write.  I hope I will always love to write. Recently, though, I have discovered a new love for writing.  By writing on here every day, I have learned that although I don't have absolutely fabulous things to talk about all the time (most of the time!), I love to write about the mundane things that happen in my life.  I just love to write. Last night, I decided that I am going to start a Scrapbooking Blog.  I love to scrapbook.  I love all the tools.  I love the new papers.  I love everything about scrapbooking.  I actually started a new blog on Blogger last night, but then I remembered that Blogger (for me at least) has been having issues posting.  (I am having to use my Windows Live Writer to post right now.)   So, I am thinking about using something else.  When I do start it, I will let you know here.  I’m sure some of you will come with me.   Some of you are probably scrapbookers (paper...

You know, if I had enough people who would do it, I would start a "bloggy party" on Fridays.  It would be called "Fractured Fridays".  It would be where we would share all the randomness in our brains.  :) For today, I am going to give you MY Fractured Friday.  (Maybe one day, I will have people to do it with me.  Any takers?) 1. My birthday is a week from today.  What does any good teacher do on her birthday?  Take the afternoon off and give a test! :)  2. Softball sign ups are now.  The Princess isn't sure if she wants to play because her really awesome coach from last Spring isn't coming back! :(  One of his kids made a traveling team.  One is going to be on a team from a different church (and we would have to play them!) 3. My Girl Scouts planned out most of the rest of the year last night.  It's cool having older girls!  They can help plan things. 4.  Cookies come in on Tuesday!  I am excited! :)...

So.... on Sunday morning, I posted something.  Or... at least I thought I did. :)  However, there is nothing there.  It really wasn't much.  I was in a hurry (much like right now).  It said "SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!  GO RAVENS!"  (or something just as lame!)  Now, it's not here.  So....  according to Blogger, I "missed" posting on Sunday. :(  I'm thinking in my hurry, I forgot to hit PUBLISH!  lol In the last month, everything I have listed on eBay (5 items) have sold!  Let's hope this trend continues as I have probably 100 things I need to get rid of.  Mostly Chasity's old clothes--good condition, but too small for her! Now....does anyone know anything about RSD?  The docs are saying that's possibly what my dad has.  So... I'm afraid to Google it.  You know all the RANDOM crap you get from Google.  I'm afraid some stupid page will say that his leg is going to fall off from it!  LOL  (Ex...

I can't believe I did it!  Today is January 31, 2013.  I have written something every day this month!  (I don't think I have ever done that!)  I can hope I will continue this pattern.  It's a feeling of accomplishment to write something (even though it sometimes feels like nothing) every day!  I'm hoping that if I can write on here daily, I can start writing that book!  (Still searching for the perfect topic.)  The topic will come.  I just have to wait until it is time. :)  For now, I'm going to enjoy my accomplishment of writing every day for a solid month! :) 

FAIR WARNING!!!! So, I am writing this on Friday night at 8:41pm.  I am going to play with the "Schedule" function to see if I can post it to show up later.  I have never tried this, so you might get this post 5 times before I am finished. :) 

Do those sound like weird numbers?  Well, to me, they seem really crazy!  Why? Well, since I started blogging, I have had 3995 page views.  That seems insane because it hasn't been long since I was trying to break 3000. (I think I have that post somewhere.) I have written 415--make that 416 posts now!  Believe it or not, I have written every day (sometimes twice a day) since January 1st.  (Maybe December 31st?!)  It's nice to say something every day!  Yes, I know.  I still need to finish my 2012: A Year in Review.  I think I'm up to October.  (I'll try to get to that this week.) 72?  That's the number of followers I have.  I remember watching it grow from ZERO. Then I had 70 for over a year.  Now that I'm blogging more consistently, I have added two followers.  Now... if I could only get you guys to comment and let me know what you think. :)  That would be awesome!! Hopefully, today, I will break 40...