7 October 2011

blogs + comments (+ a giveaway) :: day 7

blue roses skirt

Back when I began blogging, things were different. It was five years ago now... I was reading some faves  that are still linked in my sidebar today. They inspired me. I sat down and puddled around with templates and began blogging intermittently. To remind myself to take note of moments and try and stay in them a little longer. I read blogs, but I didn't comment much. I was a little afraid and I didn't know quite what to say. Then I began blogging more, read more, got comfy and said hello occasionally. I woz 'ere. It felt like the right thing to do, seeing as they'd gone to the trouble to inspire me and all. And especially if they'd put their life out there... Then I noticed the more comments I left, the more I got on my blog. The more people read. My Creative Space, was the beginning of a bloggy community that I began to feel a sometimes part of. It was a nice thing. I looked forward to catching up with what people were up to.

Then life got busy. I tend not to read blogs if I haven't got time to comment. I don't comment on every post, but I usually comment somewhere if I've visited. Because it still seems like the right thing to do. Bloggy ettiquette. So I don't read blogs much at the moment (I'm scared to look at my google reader - eek!). Life is busy. One day I'll get back to visiting again and having friends visit here too. Then, replying to their comments. Cos that's lovely, isn't it? I love it when my fave peeps reply to one of my comments. Now, I'm probs never going to be a professional blogcon-going mommy blogger, or have a list of sponsors or the like funding my blog, not from where I sit now, but I suppose things can change. Right now, I blog for me, for the owlets, for friends & family far away, and for our records for our home education registration, so its all good if peeps don't get here to read.

Thing is though, they are reading... quietly. More peeps than ever! I wonder what they think? I know our family number among them (hi family!), but I wonder who else is there? See, blogging seems to have changed. Peeps don't say hello as much. Even on linkups, they don't leave a comment, just a link. I know others have noticed it too (they tweeted it). And I expect it's because we're all too busy tweeting and liking on our iThingamies. Our communication reduced to grunts as we catch the bus home or breastfeed the baby to sleep. We are busier now. But I miss people taking the time to say hello. I woz 'ere.

So... In the interest of community and communication and Blogtoberfest, I'll be making an effort to read more, comment more and reply to your comments when I can. To break the ice, I'm having a few giveaways this month. Each Friday night in October, I'll post up a giveaway. What I want you to do is put a comment below and then come back and comment on a post during the week. If you happen to be around. Then I'll choose a winner at random, using Random.org, or Little Owlet, cos she rocks at random things.

This week, I'm giving away this little garden skirt. It's size 0-2. A double layer of cotton, with ribbons and an elastic waist. Simple, easy, comfy. Just like blogs + comments should be! Please leave a comment below, then pop back in sometime during the week if you'd like to win. And have a brilliant weekend. xx

PS. The owlet shop is now closed for a spell. Look out for it in a new, revamped format in coming weeks. 
PPS. Head over to CurlyPops for a huge list of other Blogtoberfest giveaways! 

43 comments:

  1. Heh, oops.

    I am very guilty of reading and not commenting.
    Often it's because I am reading while doing something else at the same time, intend to come back later and comment but forget to.
    Or when I do come back I feel like the moment has passed.
    Most often though, I don't feel like I have anything interesting to say!

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  2. So I get that you've just blogged a post soliciting comments, and this looks like a suck up comment, but it's not because...
    I've been intrigued by your "watch this space" thing where the owlet store link used to be. I'm very interested to discover what it becomes :)

    I rarely comment on blogs I read. I feel like I have nothing useful to write, and I feel a little nervous about commenting on blogs that are so awesome. I read yours for a long, long time before I ever commented.

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  3. Oh yes, you're so right. The I'll come back to it... I'm guilty of that. Especially because I'm ALWAYS interrupted. Glad you said hi, lovely apwool :) There's no such thing as nothing interesting to say... Even a uh-huh or a hey, now and then, is tops. xxx

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  4. Hello. I woz 'ere.

    Sel xxx

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  5. i always read your posts - you're one of *my* faves - and I'm not sure why except for that I like your way with words... it's like a realisation: wow we can make it that simple. and that good. x

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  6. Sums up my blogging experience exactly. So hard to get around and visit other blogs, and the commenting process isn't always smooth. It is nice to know people are reading though, even though it's not our soul purpose.

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  7. I'm terrible at commenting and replying to comments. I vow to do better! I love your blog and I' always checking in to see what you & the owlets are up too. Much love xx

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  8. I read all of your posts. I comment every now and then. Having a blog myself I know how wonderful it is to receive comments - almost (almost) as good as receiving real live snail mail (I remember your post about your birthday!).

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  9. Hi Gorgeous
    I'm always reading, but yes I must make an effort to comment more. I am usually doing several things as I am reading, so like apwool I intend to come back later but the day often catches up with me and I forget!

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  10. I read and get inspired and then check my blog and the last one was 31st August, I so must update! Love your blog and the fun you have with your Owlets! :)

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  11. I like to many blogs so I can't keep up with all the posts, tend to just comment on the ones I really liked. There is only so many hours in the day.

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  12. I am always reading- rarely commenting. You are a presence in my life daily. Thank you!

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  13. Hello, I woz 'ere & still am! Though I haven't been around for very long & I do feel shy occassionally, or like I should be leaving all this networking stuff to the pros & old-schoolers!

    Thank you for encouraging we newbies & I shall certainly make an effort to build up a bit of bloggy community!

    Thank you :)

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  14. I'm very guilty of this. It's easier to just a read a blog and not post while on a phone, stuck under sleeping/ boobing baby! I always love reading your posts though!

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  15. I understand what you mean. I am somewhat new to the bloggerspere and have only a handful of followers. I hardly receive any comments so I have this paranoia now of the "Talking to a Brick Wall" syndrome.

    I adore your blog. You capture the most gorgeous moments of your Little Owlets.

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  16. I am here, and woz 'ere, and come here all the time; I love to say hello and it's always so lovely getting a message back from you! I know what you mean about time and life getting away from you—sometimes I don't read or comment as often as I'd like.

    But I am so glad for this blog and for the connection to you! I feel like you're my neighbour and a friend…I wonder if that is strange…? It doesn't feel strange—it feels normal. Your words, thoughts and choices inspire me; they resonate; they make me think. And they make me happy. :)

    So thank you, Lauren. For this space you share, and for you. :)

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  17. I do that all the time too, apwool. Also, I find all the commenting happens on FB or over twitter or MSN or txting. Comments on my blog have always been few, but discussions with friends elsewhere about the posts happens.

    Definitely busier too. I don't do forums like I used to. Blogs and forums used to be my social life lol, not so much now. I get nervous about posting comments too, coz sometimes I don't have anything to say other than "sweet" or "yep" or "werd" lol. When my friends said this to me, I told them to comment "readit" lmao!

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  18. i know what you mean! i have been guilty of this too. with googlereader, twitter & FB we seem to get all our communication sorted but nothing can replace the little ol comment on a blog.

    so I will try my best to leave a comment every so often because I love to know that you are smiling Miss Owlet ♥

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  19. Yep I'm absolutely like apwool. Often I am reading blogs while eating breaky before school run, and it's a hasty affair! But I'm always reading :) and will comment if I have something interesting to say (I look at soulemama's blog, that has what seems like thousands of comments that say the same thing so no way am I adding to them!) But yes for us bloggers that get few comments it would be nice to get more... or any!

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  20. you know i've been thinking about this alot lately too.
    And you are soo right, and I'm guilty of it too, whereas I once was a big commenter, but somehow now there is less time. I dunno, i think i should get back to it more as I know there is something special about a lovely comment, and the connection made through blogging. Especially as the fact that I comment less doens't mean I'm less enchanted with the blogs i read .
    anyway I'm rambling, oh and please don't enter me in the giveaway as not being a mumma i think it would be wasted on me xo

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  21. I've been thinking for quite a while now that the blogging community was getting quieter. Less blogging is going on and many people don't respond to comments. I don't really mind that but just once in a while would be nice. Overall, it's a sadder space than it used to be. Or is it me. I've stopped blogging right now for personal reasons and am happy just to read for inspiration and comment where I am inspired to like here. I hope you get an upsurge in your enjoyment too. Cherrie

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  22. Blog comments are great, so I do my best to comment and be sociable. I love the friendships that can result from them.
    Happy Blogtoberfest!

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  23. Lauren - this prompted me to drop in and say yes - I AM still here, still reading most posts of yours if not all. I've dropped back into lurking mode and I myself haven't been blogging - mainly I think because I don't also have the right headspace to get around and interact, so I feel like it would be a bit pointless expecting peeps to do so with me. And heck, I just keep forgetting. I hope to get back into it. But the months roll on...

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  24. fixed it, Kirsty!! Thanks for letting me know. xx

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  25. Fixed now, Helena! Lesson one in why not to fiddle with blog templates at bedtime ;) xx

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  26. hello there from a silent reader. I come and go and read when I can. But have never know how to comment so on this day I'm having a go! I discovered you're blog 6 months ago as I roamed the next gussling up all that I could about Birth as I reached beyond 41 weeks with Baby no. 2. Since then I have popped in when I can, often times doing quite a bit of catching up! Thank you for your words, your colours, your adorables doing adorable things.
    georgie

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  27. and the inspiration to contemplate going SUGAR FREE ;)

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  28. I'm a new-comer to blogging and am still getting used to blog etiquette...... Can someone tell me....is it ok to have blogs l read listed on my blog, without seeking
    permission from the creator??
    When I started my blog I had only thought family would read it - but a few people I don't know do read it and that made me feel pretty chuffed. Receiving comments is great, just like getting mail (as Casso said)!!!

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  29. I have the same problem- opening the post in a new tab, then leaving it cause I get distracted or busy!

    I think there is a big decrease in comments. It's a bit sad, because I don't know any blogger who doesn't like a comment or two!!

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  30. I do try and comment when I find something particularly inspiring, but it is hard to find the time sometimes isn't it? But comments are feedback for what we put out there and it is nice to know we are not talking to ourselves isn't it?

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  31. I've only recently stumbled across your blog, but love reading it. It's inspiring me and challenging some conventional ideas that I have so thanks for sharing your life :)

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  32. I wish commenting was easier to do one handed on a phone.... I have tried a few times over the past few days. FInally a Seb free hour in front of the laptop. Much food for thought here and I definately need to get better at commenting. I've been a bit of a peeping Tom until now...

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  33. Sheela na Gig woz 'ere ;)
    I love your blog, it makes me feel warm 'n fuzzy, even in the Tassie rain.

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  34. I always feel a bit shy commenting on blogs, I read yours a lot and love it, but this is my first comment. You are right we read but keep a distance. I would like more folks to comment on my blog so I will put myself out here too. Thanks for writing!

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  35. Heeelllooooooo!

    *grin*

    I'm another that reads and reads and reads and doesn't respond. And you're right! It's wude.

    Your blog is one of only a few I tend to come back to when I get time to read blogs. Your images are delicious and I love to read about the world of your girls (I have another headstrong girl and I like to see little glimpses into a potential future :o).

    And I love living the unschooling life vicariously through you and your beautiful family.

    So, hi! My sentiments above haven't changed in the time I started reading your blog, so know that I am reading and if I'm not commenting, this is what I'm thinking <3

    xxx

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  36. Oh, I read every few days now, and used to read often even before Sel moved down - and now I use it to keep up on any new stuff she is in to with you! I find that since I don't know you, I feel a bit freaky stalker commenting (then again, I rarely comment on Jo or Sazz's when I read them, even though I know them), but I guess if you're making it public, you're expecting people to read! Anyhow, thanks for the sugar-free inspiration, I can see Huz'z glow, and I want some for myself. And will see if my Huz is interested too, he is also the serial offender around here... Clel xx

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  37. Love your blog, but so busy with three little girls under five that i am lucky to get to read each post, let alone comment. I'm sorry. Will try harder!

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  38. I also love to read your blog, but i don't have my own so it sometimes feels as though commenting is like intruding into a world of bloggers that already know each other(if that makes sense!) I don't know "blog etiquette" so I've always just read and enjoyed your writing, rather than gathering up the courage to make a comment. I'll try and comment more in the future!

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  39. I feel much the same. It's hard to spend so much time on the computer when little ones demand your attention, isn't it? xx

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  40. Hi- from a new blogger. I am very impressed with the number of comments you have on your blog. Obviously a refection - a good one- on you. Well done.

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  41. Love your blog and the glimpses of your life, don't always comment, but am trying to more, lately!

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  42. Thanks Admin for the nice site.It's hard to spend so much time on the computer when little ones demand your attention, isn't it?

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