Monday, December 10, 2007

Our Happy Weekend and An Apology

Here's the news from our Happy Weekend!

A little while ago I entered the Christmas Giveaway at 5 Minutes for Mom and I WON! And, not only did I win- but I won two different contests. Yay for me! Well, look what came in the mail on Saturday?
It's a cute DVD called My Bedbugs. I let Hailey watch it for a little while in the car on Saturday while we were out driving around do some shopping. She loved it! There was also a poster that came with the DVD.
When I put the poster on the floor so that Hailey could look at it- she laid right down on it. Hmmmm- maybe if I put it in her bed she'll lay down there too. Not likely.

Now, the other contest I won- there were two prizes, but I won't be sharing pictures of those because I am actually going to use those prizes as gifts. And, I don't want the recipients to know I am cheap thrifty and that I am giving them something I received for free.

In other exciting Happy Happenings weekend news..... On Saturday Rich put up the Christmas lights on our house. Hailey stood on the couch and watched Rich working on the lights for a long time. She was fascinated that she could see him right outside the window. (Please do not be offended that I did not clean my windows for you. But, if are feeling a bit put out- please refer back to this post- Excuse The House.)

I think we have quite a few lights on our house and when we were coming home from some shopping on Saturday night I said, "Oh my goodness, look at our house." Rich told me that I can not tell you how many lights he put up because he wants me to take pictures and then have everyone guess how many lights there are.

So, I will be sharing pictures, but not until next week. (Remember that BooMama is hosting the Christmas Tour of Homes, so I am saving my pictures for the 17th. Check out her post if you haven't already- it sounds like lots of fun to me.)

On Sunday we Rich put up our tree.


Hailey offers some assistance in getting the tree set up.

I put the ornaments on our tree last night after Hailey went to bed. And, I'll be sharing those pictures next Monday as well.

So, that was our fun filled weekend. How was yours?

Now, the second part of my post- I just want to say- I am glad you are still here.

Can I just tell you that right now my blog seems like one big advertisement and I really hate it?

I know I have been doing a bunch of paid posts lately and I am sorry for that. I don't want to do it, but we need some extra money right now, so I have to do it. I plan to do several paid posts on the weekends when I know bloggyville is usually pretty quiet and I don't have a lot of visitors anyways.

When I do my paid posts, one of the requirements is that I do not have more than one in a row. So, I have been putting up some comics in between my paid posts. So, I will probably have quite a few posts during the weekends.

During the week my plan is to only do one paid post each day. I will also do my regular posting that I normally do. I will keep my regular post at the top of my blog with the paid post under it. Please feel free to skip over the paid posts like they are not there and go right to the regular Happy Happenings posts.

When I started my blog I never even considered using it to make money, it was just supposed to be a fun hobby to keep my family and friends up to date with our lives. Now it just doesn't feel that way anymore and for that I am very sorry.

Okay, I'm glad I got that off my chest.


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your paid post are just like the commercials we have on TV, you have to watch them (scroll past them) to see the good stuff! :) Don't worry about it so much, I think its great that you can get paid for your advertising skills :).

PS I can't wait to see you guys!

Andrea said...

Sounds like a fun weekend. I can't wait to see all the pictures!

As for the pay-per-posts...you do what you need to do, girl. We'll all stick with you (right, Ladies?)

Pam said...

You know I understand! I am truly hoping that once we get through the holiday bills and the new year gets settled in (you know it will take until May to do that!!),then I can stop doing the ppp thing. But we need the money too. I had that both Gary and I work and we still NEED money. How is that possible? I am already away from my kids - that should be enough. But, well, we have to rise the challenge of the life we have to live and not wish for something else. I think that is a lot of my Christmas-grumpies! I am going to be doing the same thing as you...I still need to do some week day ppp post to get through the holiday bills, but the weekends will be when I do it the most. Oh, and I promise, your loser friend here will actually email you back soon!

Anonymous said...

Excellent for you on winning! How fun!

I would LOVE to see your lights . . . we didn't put any up this year, mostly because we would have enjoyed for a whoppin' 10 days before we leave for Christmas with the family - and then have to take them down. AND, it's been 65 degrees out - hard to get in the mood. Although last weekend it snowed a few inches and is cold this week - yeah!

So, if you don't mind, I'll live vicariously through your Christmas lights while my neighbors think I'm a Scrooge this year . . . we're usually the Griswolds of the block!

http://www.commonmom.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Melanie! Congratulations on your prizes. Thanks for dropping by and your comment.

As for PPP, just go right ahead... it's nice to have fun and earn too. Go get those $$$ ;)

http://mlizcochico.com

Kellan said...

Hey - you don't need to apologize - it is a GREAT way to make money!! I think it is a great idea.

I love the picture of your daughter watching Daddy put up the lights - so cute and can't wait to see the house lights! Sound like you all had a busy weekend - us too. Have a good Monday. Kellan

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog no matter what you put on it. I am even enjoying your paid posts and have gone to some of the sights and looked around. Keep up the good work! I am looking forward to the picture of your house dazzling in lights

Talk..to..Grams said...

Please don't worry about your paid post! I love reading your posts and I don't mind at all! I just a scroll by, I have read a coulple!! YOU do what you have to do!!

My daughters are teaaing me about all the Christmas icons I have on my side bar!! Karen said, Mom are you going to put more Icons up on your side bar and I said, YES!! She just shook her head and giggled!! They think I have gone nuts!! But I love them!!

I sure am tired of the ice because I am not getting out at all. The weather man is calling for a bad storm tonight! Grrrrrr!! I don't want the power to go out! Not just because it so cold in the house but because of Nancy's oxygen deal. I do have a back up stuff on hand. Love and hugs, Grams

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said...

Melanie,

I certainly understand about the paid posts and don't mind reading them.

The photos of Hailey watching and helping Daddy are delightful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Blessings,
Mary

Sharon Brumfield said...

I was wondering what happened.One day I was here to see if you had done a new post and there was nothing and then BAM! I was behind. Way behind. Don't feel bad about the adds. I promise I won't run away. You get what you need. How cool that God is providing.

Amelia Antwiler said...

Wow!! You've been busy!!
Congrats on getting the lights put up and the pay for posting. :-)

Hailey is beautiful as always.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

No need to apologize my friend. Those shots were great. I'm still in envy you won something! Woo hoo!

Andrea said...

Don't worry...I remember when I did SOOO many ads too - but (unfortunately!) they do slow down and after a while you don't get nearly as many from them...like I haven't gotten more than 1 in the past week...and that's kinda frusterating too, because although I don't want my blog to be all ads, it IS nice to have the extra cash - especially when you need it!!

Unknown said...

Ahhh, no worries. I too am looking into the paid posting...haven't done it yet, but will. Anyhoo, your followers will continue to follow regardless ;)

Unknown said...

Congrats on those prizes, even the one you are frugally regifting!! As far as the ppp, well, whatever do what you have to do!
Can you beleive it? Danayja will be one on Wednesday!! Already, and now Hailey is 14 months wow time sure went by quickly.
Rivera said hello.

Blessings!

Shalini Gowrisankar said...

Congrats on your winning! Hailey should have had a lovely time watching the DVD. As for the paid post, don't really bother much, I understand how you feel about it as i felt the same way when I started with PPP , had a guilty feeling that Im using my blog for earning.. But, I assure you I ll be regular to read your posts never mind the ads. Have a lovely time preparing for Christmas :)

ZAM said...

No apologies needed for the paid posts. ;D. GO, go, go!

BTW, I can't wait to see your Christmas decors and the lights. Earlier I had decided not to put up lights, but my cousin gave us some balls - which I don't have the heart not to install. BEsides, Matt loves it. So...

Anyway, I'm participating in the Tour, too. So til then. ;D

VERB