refresh

oh, hi there pretty new blog design...

If you're catching up with me on a reader and you can't see the header, it's worth a click through to my site to check it out. I don't mean to brag, but I will a bit because my husband made this pretty new title for me. I told him what I wanted and he made my vision come to life! He also made a couple mini-versions for instagram and facebook that you should take a look at. 

It's nice to have a simple little refresh as I slowly work on updating this space more frequently. I'm glad you're here! If you haven't already, take a look at the little turquoise buttons on the left to connect with me on social media, and to follow through feedly or your favorite blog reader. 

Happy Friday!

blog changes...I need your help!

It has been a long time since I've posted regularly, really ever since Desmond was born. Two little kids is a pretty time consuming adjustment. Then they go through so many different stages both as individuals and in their relationship as siblings that it's a wonder I can keep up at all! Sometimes I can't!

I've been brainstorming some changes for a few months, but even those are mostly just stirring around in my head. I'm hoping to carve out some time to implement some soon, and to get posting here more often. I've already got a great new handmade shop feature in the works, that I'm VERY excited about and a few others that I hope to come up after that.

I'm not changing the blog name, but I'm definitely going to update the look around here as soon as I can decide on what I like best and what most fits with how I want to use this space now and in the future.

The biggest change I'm considering is my url. I've never loved the .us web address but I don't know if I'd mess too many people up and lose some readers if I change it. A .com is easier to pass along to people without explaining, .us never became mainstream as we had thought it might. I'm considering the following replacements, breakingnewgroundblog.com or simply bngblog.com but I'm also taking suggestions and let me know if you prefer either of those two. I know the first is sort of long, but once you get it into your browser or reader once, you shouldn't have to worry about typing all that out again, so maybe length isn't a problem? Let's take a "vote", because I truly want your opinions!

Thanks for your input!

technology

Last week my husband got his first ever iPhone. He has been a fan of Apple products forever and converted me back in our dating days. We've never been able to afford a smart phone for either of us, especially an iPhone. We couldn't justify the monthly data plan expenses either.

 His position at work was approved (after his proposal) for a smart phone, so he was able to get the phone and the plan paid for through work. He had already been using his person iPod Touch for work purposes, so he knew it would help his productivity. My technology obsessed husband has been so patient and finally got the phone he deserves, the iPhone 4S.

I've never felt the need for a smart phone, but I'm a little jealous of just how cool his phone is. What I wish I could do the most is take better photos and videos. I have a boring old normal phone that takes fairly good photos but nothing compared to what smart phones can do these days. I still didn't feel I could justify having a smart phone of my own for just this reason. I'm home most of the time where I have access to internet and my regular camera, and again, the funds just weren't there.

Recently my brother-in-law David agreed (per Ben's request) to give me his current iPhone when he purchases the new 4S. I thought that was pretty generous, but was just planning on using it as an iPod for the camera and other features that my old iPod Touch doesn't have. However, on Friday night while he and Ben were playing with facetime on their phones he told me that as a welcome Desmond gift he wanted to pay for my first month of a data plan. Then in January I'll be eligible to move my account over to his plan (he works for our cell company) and get half off of the normal data plan pricing. I'm so excited to have a smartphone and see what others have been raving about for years. I have a feeling it'll really be a nice little luxury to have.

What kind of technology can you not live without? Currently I've been using this app on my iPod which has been a favorite since Kai was a newborn. If you have an iPhone what are some must-have applications?

tweet, tweet

I consider myself moderately savvy when it comes to technology. Most of it I learn from my husband who keeps up via a few websites like engadget and TUAW, what I lovingly refer to as his "nerd sites". He embraces the nerdiness, enough that these websites are bookmarked in a folder with that very title. Gotta love him.

When Twitter started to become popular, I thought it was kinda lame. I figured I could just update my status on facebook here and there and that Twitter was too limited. Then I find that some people post different things to their twitter than their FB.

I've also become mildly addicted to internet giveaways...and many of them offer an extra entry if you follow on twitter or tweet about the giveaway. I just ignored that since I didn't have an account.

Well, now I do. I just figured out how to link it to my blog, inspired by "Blair" at The Heir to Blair and I can tweet via my mobile phone. WHOAH! Check me out, adding some new skills to my techno-resume. I decided to join twitter because I often find myself wanting to update the blog community in little snipits but am still keeping this blog separate from my personal facebook. So you can find me at www.twitter.com/shanleann but I'm still sort of figuring things out.