who gives a hoot? (a nosy meme)

Ah yes, another meme is going around. I found this one via Pixiegenne, and then I saw it a few other places, so I thought I'd pass it along:

1. Do you promote your blog?

Yes, I do. I originally had a website (sweetjessie.com) before the blog. Eventually, Blogger added a feature that you could host your blog at your own domain - and that's what I do. All of my postcards and marketing materials reference sweetjessie.com, and that directs them here.

2. How often do you check hits?

Often. I'm just starting to get real traffic here, and it's so interesting to see where it all comes from - not only locations, etc - which is always cool,but also what searches lead people here. I get a lot of traffic from a search of "st. joseph statue" because I mentioned it once when we were selling our house. I can't imagine how disappointed people are when they end up here!

3. Do you stick to one topic?

Yes, me! My crafts, my kids, my thrifty adventures...

4. Who knows that you have a blog?

I mention it to people if it comes up in conversation naturally. I'll hear that my mom's friends are reading it, or that my friend's moms are reading it... a few of my 'real life' friends read it, most of my family does, too... but mainly it's just my bloggie friends.
I try not to mention it to the PTA.

5. How many blogs do you read?

Lots. I think I subscribe to about 90 now. I can't believe I didn't use bloglines until recently - now I have so much free time, since they're all in one handy location!
Most people probably don't even know I'm reading their blogs, because I rarely leave comments - I feel dorky doing so most of the time.

6. Are you a fast reader?

Yes, sir.

7. Do you customize your blog or do anything technical?

Yes, I think I've done about as much as I possibly can with my limited graphic design skills. I would love to learn to write code and do even more!

8. Do you blog anonymously?

Sometimes I wish I did, but no - I do not (see next question). I do try to protect our privacy, though. I don't share our last name, or our address, or things like that.

Did I tell you that Olivia now has a blog? I think this is hysterical - she thought she should have one, too! So she does, but I've blocked hers, so only invited family and friends can read it and it won't show up on directory listings or anything. Not quite anonymous - but very very private!

9. To what extent do you censor yourself?

Quite a bit. I don't want to offend anyone or say anything incriminating. Your really never know who is or could read this. I try to stay positive and talk about happy things here. It's not that i'm untruthful, but I try to talk about the positives and leave the negatives at home - this is when I'd love to blog anonymously. How much would I love to post a "go fug yourself"-type comment sometimes!?! - and I would occasionaly like to drop an f* bomb here or there (in real life I sometimes talk like a sailor), but I try to stay pretty PG.

10. The best thing about blogging?

I love the exchange of inspiration and ideas, and the almost always encouraging feedback. I seem to need a lot of positive reinforcement. Hands down, the best part of blogging is taking part in this huge crafty-bloggy-thrifty mom community. I never would have thought I'd find so many women with the same odd combination of passions as me- Yes! I collect paint by numbers and vintage globes, too! Yes - I'm thrifting for vintage sheets to make ruffly aprons, too! Want to exchange gingersnap recipes and embroidery patterns?It's like having one huge revolving conversation with all the other bloggers out there.

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I'd love to read your answers to these questions, too. So consider yourself tagged!

xoxo