It might not look a good as a sunset in AZ, but I like the changes I made on my blog and I think it definitely helps it to look good.

I have always wanted to collapse the categories and archives in my sidebar. I never knew how to do it. All this time on the updated version of  WordPress that I have on this blog, I could easily do it! I found out how easy it is. The updated version already has it under “appearance” and in the “widgets”.

All I had to do was click and drag. It even let me put it in the order that I wanted with a simple click! My sidebar looks so empty now, but it is OK, because those loooong lists are gone! As soon as I can I am going to update my other blogs so I can edit them easily also!

Bob helped me get my new WP theme up today. I’ve been wanting to change it for a long time and finally found a theme I was looking for.

I’ve had a few days off in a row, and didn’t get as much done as I wanted, but still enjoyed the time off and what I was able to get done. Got to spend some time with a friend.

My Adsense is doing well. Can’t quit my day job anytime soon, but it is very encouraging. Jan’s Writing Services is doing really well and am getting caught up and getting a routine. These days off together really helped!

They are a great company to work for and I have been really happy working for Adelard and Eric. They have been instrumental to me deciding to take the step and work 4 days at Wal-Mart and make more time to write.

I have a temporary design up because it looked like someone got into the old one and there was a list of spam like sites in the header and footer of the WP theme. None of my ads were targeted and the little income I was receiving went to zero. I took down all my ads for a few days, updated my WP version, changed my theme, and my login. There hasn’t been any trouble since. It still isn’t making money, but I know that will return now that I’m back on page one.

I’m working on changing the design of the blog. Bob Schmuck is helping, but it is hard for us to get together even on the phone to work on it with our schedules the way they are. I’m looking forward to when I can make the blog theme change for it. I’ve got one picked out for this blog also, but will work on it after I finish with the group home blog.

It’s almost 5:30 am here (I went to bed too early and woke up early). My son’s already at work, so I called him in case he knew what was going on. Cox has an upgrade being installed, that was suppose to be finished at 5am. When his girlfriend wakes up, I’ll try to reset the modem and see if that works.

At first I was upset because I wanted to work on several internet projects since I was up early. I stopped myself from continuing to think about that and tried to come up with what I could do right now. I do believe in the motto “Let today turn out better than planned”.

I came up with a few things to do with my time:

• Cleaning the house-put that off for later
• Put some meat in the crock pot-it’s kind of early to start dinner
• Write-I can copy and paste when I have the internet back

Yesterday I really wanted to post, but got tired and went to bed. I usually have more energy in the morning and knew I’d be up early, I just didn’t plan on the internet being down! As I write, I’m thinking this is easier than going from blog to blog, writing, and posting.

This is what I’m doing this morning:

• Open a page for each blog
• Make a folder for the blogs that don’t have one
• Make a folder for “posts” in each blog folder
• Write posts on one document

Now when I get the internet back I won’t be overwhelmed with catching up or making time later.

(I got the internet back about 9am and had to go to an appointment.)

Here is my 47 Day Challenge from last year. I’m hoping this year for my challenge I can keep up the momentum that I’m starting and have my income have a steady rise instead of a peak and drop until the next challenge!

This is exciting to have someone offer to pay me to put links on my site!

If I choose to do this, I will make sure the readers know which paragraphs are mine and which are from a contributor paying to be post on my blog. A one time fee to post the paragraph (links) may seem like it’s unfair to me, but since I have a low number of visitors, it isn’t a bad deal and will help pay for some domain renewals that are coming up.

I’ll keep you updated on how this works out.

Since my last check 3 months ago I am over 1/3 of the way to getting check #2! That is with a painfully slow December with several zero earning days! I have some time off this week and plan to work on my internet ventures. Recently my rare time off has been filled with holiday preparations (well worth it!). A few weeks ago my day off consisted of working on my heater. At least I was able to fix it and take the time off so we had heat that night. Yes……we do get cold in AZ….below freezing some nights!

I got a promotion at my group home job that won’t include more money (I just got a raise in Oct), but will allow more flexible hours and a day off more frequently. Right now I work a regular 40 hour week at Wal-Mart (had overtime over the holidays) and 30 hours during my two days off from them at the group home. Recently I agreed to assist with a few extra projects with the group home job. I believe these changes will allow more energy left over for my internet ventures.