Several months ago, I promised that when we reached 100 followers, we would give old Momastery a make-over. I'm an eensy bit late. I need your ideas.
If I hire somebody to do us up nice, what are your suggestions for how to set the site up? I guess we’ll start with the standard snazzy header with categories for my essays, but I’d like to make a Monkee section that’s more interactive…a place where you can really connect with each other and share your thoughts. Any other ideas for this nifty place? Whatcha want? What would make newcomers feel welcome and understand right away what we’re all about? Wouldn’t it be cool to have a place where you could advertise your personal businesses and blogs? I want this blog to be about the readers, not just me. And also. . . anybody know any snazzy blog designers you’d recommend?
Request #2:
Do ya’ll have any questions for me? Or for each other? What topics, personal or general, would you like me to write about in the future?
I know all this thinking is hard. So Kristi and I are giving away a “We Can Do Hard Things” sign to one randomly chosen commenter. NEW FOLLOWERS who register today will be entered twice! Just comment and let me know that you’re new. The winner will be announced on Monday.
Think, Monkees, THINK! Or don’t. Just comment and say, Can’t think, Too hot, Quit bossing me. I’ll probably enter you in the giveaway anyway . . . I'm easy. I just love you ‘cause you exist.
GDo
Ooh, makeover thoughts ...
ReplyDeleteI like the simplicity of the layout at the moment. So I think keeping the main page pretty restful, but with links to other pages of stuff?
A page for monkee businesses would be good, and a separate page for monkee blogs?
(Also, on businesses, could they maybe be separated into ones which ship worldwide and ones that are US only?)
I personally would like some kind of bulletin board we could post to. But I'm quite into bulletin boards and I know other people aren't necessarily, so I think that should depend on demand.
I think there should be a picture of the monkee logo thing somewhere obvious on the page, like in a banner or something. And hey, are bumper stickers and stuff like that still available? If so, maybe they could have their own page?
That's all I can think of for now ... hope it helps! :)
--Carol
a quote box? Your favorite quote or poem of the week? <3 jami
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Too tired to think much. I love Momastery the way it is now so please warn us when the changes are coming (which I am sure I will also love) so panic does not ensue. ;) Love you, G!
ReplyDeleteHow about a prayer request section? A place we could post but also visit when we want to read and pray for those folks so I don't end up just saying "and God for all those wonderful Monkees I said I'd pray for" (Sometimes there are just so many and by the second or third day they get jumbled...I'm not really the only one who does this right!?!)
ReplyDeleteI like too that a section like that (call it what you want) does speak to who this community is right off the bat for new folks. It's clearly not a religious blog but it is a community of faith.
I like the idea of a place to chat a bit like a bulletin board.
ReplyDeletehow about some music?
It will be great no matter what!
Andie
Oooh, I'm not "new new" but practically (sheepish smile here :-). That sign reminds me of another saying - "difficult does not mean impossible." We are all about that in my house. Or at least working on it.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog as is, but I like a couple of the suggestions above - way to chat, spot for favorite quotations, etc. Not sure what else I would suggest but I'll think on it. Thanks for continuing to write.
Please keep the background white and the font basic. I hate blogs that get real perty and fancy and then I have to squint to read them...
ReplyDeleteA chat place would be cool but don't you need some big fancy network to host that and doesn't that cost money? We don't want this to cost you anything but time baby.
Same thing goes for a forum area. That would be awesome to have different categories for us fellow Monkees to post to and comment to each other (like prayer requests, business info, SAHMs, working moms, preschoolers, babies, domestic divas, etc but again, I think it takes a host network that costs money.
Maybe if those things can be done, maybe they should just be a community site seperate from Momastery the blog and you could just have a link on the blog to it.
As for questions for Glennon, I'd still like to read some sort of relationship post about how you know some of our fellow Monkees. Occassionally, we read some hilarious story in the comments to a post when you realize it's someone you know and I always find those mini stories hilarious. Also, a book update would be good ;)
Love ya Glennon, as is too, so don't stress over trying to make what's already great better cuz I think we all like it just as it is but we're up for an improvements that you see fit.
G Sauce,
ReplyDeleteI like what Jinga Bella said about just having links to the other pages. I really take comfort and enjoy the peacefulness of your page. It is calming and not loud. That is especially attractive to me as I come here mostly for calming and thought. Yes, loud funnies, too!! But, I like the serenity on her even in the midst of all your and our sometimes chaotic lives.
I know nothing about web design! I do know I love the layout of your page and have loved it increasingly so as I have begun to wander around the blogosphere (sp?). Sometimes, if there is too much going on, on a page, I won't even read it. But, that's just me!
Is there anyway we can "like" people's comments? ahahah! I'm only joking partially. Clearly, I've been spoiled by FB. sometimes, I read someone's comments on here and I just want to hit LIKE LIKE LIKE!!! Or, comment directly under. okay, i need to stop now.
I've been quietly following along for a while, really enjoying Momastery and the community that's developed, though this is my first comment.... so, Hi!
ReplyDeleteI love the site as is now - I'm sure changes will be terrific, too. Change is always hard. One suggestion/request - I hope that this site remains smartphone/mobile-friendly. Momastery is some of my favorite reading when nursing my son. I come to Momastery every morning to see what's new, when I can't handle much else.
Too tired today to do much thinking but I agree with Andie that music would be a nice addition. I like to listen to music at work and usually have a blog running in the background of my computer just for the music. :)
ReplyDeleteYou all are wonderful. Tee Cee, Welcome...this is one of my new favorite descriptions of Momastery...
ReplyDeleteI come to Momastery every morning to see what's new, when I can't handle much else.
Me too.
Kay. keeping the quiet. keeping the quiet. we won't turn this place into vegas, baby. promise.
I am somewhat new to this blog and love opening it up in the morning to find a new posting. I love reading the poetry (although I don't quite understand it all!), but find it to be peaceful and makes me pause and think a bit. There is that saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but I do agree with the music part. Even though I am an "old" mom, I love reading about you young things and what you are going through. It makes me remember. Thanks for doing all this, for us!
ReplyDeleteI love this place, and will love it no matter what make-over it gets (or doesn't)!
ReplyDeleteG, have you asked Casey? As a gift, Jess had Casey do a wedding website for me and my hubby and it was beautiful! I'm not sure if she's still in that biz but she's so incredibly talented, I am sure she'd have fantastic ideas/suggestions!
There, that's all I can do today... offer up other people's services (sorry Casey!! :) I'm tired.
Have a great day!!! Sending lots of love to all!
Molls, we are going to have to have a Facebook intervention for you. It is getting out. of. control. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else though that the white background with easy to read font is perfect. Colored backgrounds are too hard to hide when I am reading at work :)
To quote Mr. Rogers: I like you as you are!
ReplyDeleteDon't go changing, to try and please me
ReplyDeleteYou never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are.
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you.
I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are.
There, I said it! (with a little help from Billy Joel!)
xoxo ~ kristi
I am a kinda-newcomer...
ReplyDeleteSimple-stupid. I am good with that. I like you just the way you are.
Ideas I think are fab:
Continued easy links to your topics
Link to page for "about" (like if you're new- click here first to get the 411, the dish, the scoop- a welcome home kinda thing)
again, simple-stupid works for this new gal. thanks for havin' me.
~casey d.
G - don't go changing a thing.
ReplyDeletemaybe this is coming into my head just bec i live in a foreign country, but it might be cool to have a map up that shows where fellow monkees live. nothing creepy like home addresses, but maybe cities or counties? i dunno...now it sounds dumb...
ReplyDeletemary =)
I really like the idea of having a place for Monkee Business/Blogs. I have found some wonderful people who have a great business (Barn Owl and Bun Bun Bags!) and have also found other wonderful blogs through Momastery.
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of a chat space/bulletin board. That way if you need a break from writing, the other monkees who may need a little support through the day can still get it.
Huh. I kinda really like things the way they are:) But, I do like the idea of some additional pages where people can connect!
ReplyDeleteha - I don't like change. I like you just the way you are. If I had of first come here and you were using neon's I would have liked that too and not wanted to simplify. I am easy like that. Take you as you are. I agree with some others, maybe some additional pages where people can connect. I am not a fan of a lot of links and buttons. But then, I would get used to that too.
ReplyDeleteyou guys are hilarious and fantastic.
ReplyDeletemaybe we'll stay with our momastery belief that no progress makes perfect.
any ideas for new discussion topics?
I have a question. I've noticed some major contributers to comments and guest posts have seemed to disappear. Have you lost relationships in this endeavor? Feel free to tell me this is off limits and nosey. It's just hard not to notice and I guess I'm human for wondering.
ReplyDeleteTopics for future blog posts:
ReplyDeleteLove the guest posts and getting to hear people's stories- birth, marriages, crazy families, etc
Any post that answers the question: how did you decide to do ------- (fill in the blank)
Posts that we can read to help us feel smart/cultured/intellectual etc for the day.
I'm on vacation so that's all I got for now.
Nope, no lost relationships of which I'm aware, but it's a good question.
ReplyDeleteIf you're referring to my Adrianne. . . she'll update you soon, she promises.
I'm T-I-R-E-D. That's how we say it around here so that the children won't know what we're talking about. Except now that Owen can spell and read that doesn't work as well. The whole reading thing is a blessing and a curse around here.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! However, if you do, I'm sure it'll be fab.
--Christi
well this is my second post and I think identity would be a good topic. It seems like ours, as woman, is always chnaging, or least mine is. I know my identity is ultimatly in Christ but i still get thrown off guard when something new comes along, like baby or new job etc. And is it me or is this kinda abstract? what we are doing here? community where I cant see you or you cant see that I just dropped a bite of lunch on my nursing daughter b/c I am multi tasking? How bout we start there? or maybe its just me and you guys have it under control. You might want to check this website out for a possible template. It is simple but full which is what I hear alot of comments wanting.
ReplyDeletethanks for doing this I come here when I need to know that I am not the only one.
right I forgot to link....
ReplyDeletehere you go.
http://johnhendrix.blogspot.com/
G - I don't think you need to change a thing. I was just talking with a friend on how we loved that you were just...REAL. Is there something you were thinking that would make the blog better?
ReplyDeleteI am curious to know how you are feeling. Has the Lyme's been bothering you?
<3
love the idea of a prayer request page!
ReplyDeletelove the blog the way it is, so don't feel pressured. xo
I am New to posting and following, although I have some good friends who often point me in the Momastery direction. I love this as is...and I had a big thought I wanted to share but my children just erupted and are fussing and now my thought is *poof* gone. Don't add too much hoo-ha, my brain can't handle it.
ReplyDeleteI do blog design - it isn't super technical, but I think it's cute!
ReplyDeleteYou can check it out here:
And I need a reminder DAILY that I can do hard things. :)
http://www.jordyliz.com/p/blog-design.html
You are so REAL, G! I do miss the guest posts.
ReplyDeletegood point. who wants to write a guest post?
ReplyDeleteTo whom did you make this promise? Sounds like there are some great ideas for additions, especially links, but that folks don't want a big change. Don't change just to change. Just sayin'
ReplyDeletesweeeeeeet. i love not doing things.
ReplyDeleteDidn't want you guys to miss this one, from Sister, after my post about the books in the washing machine and how hard it is to pay attention.
ReplyDeleteAmanda said...
Sister,
I didn't think it was possible, but this post makes me miss you even more.
Also, while we're on the subject, remember when you went to the grocery store like the dutiful wife that you are, and got a week's worth of stuff, and took the kids with you? And then you walked out with your cart, put all the kids in the car, and drove home. Without the groceries.
And then remember when you did that again a couple of weeks later?
I remember. I'm pretty sure Craig does too, on account of he just picked up the keys both times and drove the van back to get the ice cream before it melted all over the Safeway parking lot.
Paying attention is TOO tricky. The world asks too much. I choose to view your refusal to pay TOO much attention as an effort to teach the universe to be more sweet and patient. Thank you for your efforts. Just don't work yourself too hard.
Sister
At least you remembered the kids each time. I'm sure I will drive home from the grocery store one day and find out I left one or more kid behind. It's just that I love food so much.
ReplyDeleteme too, ginger fox, me too.
ReplyDeletei think it should be organized like a book, where a new reader can start at the beginning if they want.
ReplyDeletewhen i joined the blog (maybe 8 months ago) I wanted to start with the very first post and read them all in order. but i found that hard to do. i went to the very first post and i had to scroll up that post, then read down. then to get to the next post, i had to scroll up two posts, then read one post down. etc.
if the blog can be made into a book layout form, that would be easier. then there could be a choice: 'show latest post first' or 'show earliest post first'
thanks
Are you kidding?? (Ruth J)...
ReplyDeleteIn all my neuroses, I went back to the VERY 1st post and read it ALL. My Hubs thought I was CRAZY. Well, there you have it! ;)
I really like the idea above about having a map so we can see how far the Monkey love has spread. I love this blog, it is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt would be neat to have a section for blogs. I often wonder how former guest posters are doing. Like the family with the new children brought home on Easter. I would love to see their blog. I have connected with some great ones already through here.
A Monkey business section would be great too.
Music would be fun, but only if I like the music you like :)
Oh my so many posts!! No suggestions, just a post hoping that I might win! Life is heavy right now...
ReplyDeleteI went to post and didn't even realize I was a day late!
It Happens In a Blink:
ReplyDeleteMe too. i went back to the very first post and read them all in order.
:-)
the kiss method!! hugs and thinking about you, cin
ReplyDeleteI am only a few minutes away from VACATION Lovey Monkees! YEAHHHHH!!!!! Then I will be able to comment and linger and spend a whole week at the beach!!!!
ReplyDeleteG
I have no suggestions yet, but I will think very hard about this once I get on the road. . . I work in Mclean so it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes to get home on any given day. Ugh.
TTFN, XoXo Susie
Me me me !!! I want a "we can do hard things" sign!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not new to your site as you know ....but finally I don't have to sign on as anonymous, does that count??? C'mon Glennon!!!! I have done hard things! I want a sign!
(at least I'm honest!!!)
Where do I buy one??
Terri
I'm easy, too, G. As long as you keep writing where I can keep reading. Also, I love my "I can do hard things" sign that I bought from Kristi. My first wooden sign! But when I asked my husband to hang it up for me, he hung it vertically. What's he trying to say?
ReplyDeleteI like the blog the way it is. I say leave it. The stories are what I come for. Please don't make this a site of selling stuff either. I support that and I know you support all, but maybe on your facebook site? This is a healing site.
ReplyDeleteHow 'bout maybe snaz up the site just a bit - a pale, nautical blue background? I'm tired of looking at this white background G! You are not plain vanilla girl.
Love the blog just as it is! You could add the links pages or make it more interactive as those sounds like good ideas, but I would not be heart broken if nothing at all changes. I enjoy reading your posts and the comments, the "layout" is all just fancy extras. Also, I have a big teacher made "we can do hard things" sign hanging in my new classroom this year. Just one of the many things I will be borrowing from your blog. Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't even read everything, I'm so over it right now. ignoring baby in crib,letting 4 yr old watch a movie, wondering when 5 will come so i can have a cocktail... feeling guilty hubby can't cause he's sober. it's sunday, and we're all depressed it seems. ugh. trying to sell house isn't helping the mood...
ReplyDeletelove you g, glad I remembered to read you today... (why write this here? cause a give away, maybe it'll make my day...)
I don't read a ton of other blogs ( just Anna See's and Joanna's) so maybe if anyone can suggest some good ones to look at that would help. I like a lot of these suggestions but am also happy just to read, read, read. I already bought the sign - I make my kids touch it like they're Notre Dame players when we're on our way to do anything tough.
ReplyDelete