Getting Naked
Feels kinda bare around here, don’t ya’ think?
Ever feel trapped in your own skin? Or your own blog for that matter?
The blog was feelin’ pretty cluttered to me. It felt like emphasis wasn’t where it should be.
i didn’t mind the pink, though i felt there was a bit too much.
feelin’ all zen and shit at the moment. lol
ok, not really, just wanted to say that. hahaha.
In Blogging
So I stripped it down to its bare bones, tacked the baby up in the corner, got rid of the external ad, got rid of the clunky social media icons and just opened the whole thing up.
It may not be permanent, but I needed to shed some old skin before I can try anything new.
It’s the winds of change baby.
I mean, I’m a bloody designer for godssake, why isn’t my recent work more visual?
Why aren’t my services easily found?
You guys aren’t going to be offended that there’s now links to my services in the menu bar.
Hell, my friends and regular readers have been a constant source of support. You guys are always promoting me, why aren’t I promoting myself?
In other news…
In Networking
I’ve been sucking at socializing online.
I’m sure many have noticed.
I have reasons as you’ll see below.
I’m trying to figure out how to start using Twitter again. LOL.
In Marriage
Get your minds outta the gutter.
I’m the loving sort.
I’m always showering hubby with affection and appreciation.
Lately, I’ve done neither.
Hell, our anniversary was a week ago, on the 4th, and I bloody forgot.
Thank god he did too.
Thank Sabrina for reminding me a week later so at least I was still the first to say “happy belated anniversary”.
That’s self gratifying, being first. It also shows how much I have not been paying attention to hubby.
I’ve spent the last several weeks responding to hubby with mmm hmms.
And sitting at this desk way after he went to bed.
Hell, we always always do the goodbye kiss at the door when he’s leaving for work. Haven’t done that in maybe 3 weeks.
It’s been a long time since we hit the no tell motel and I think it’s time for a visit.
In Motherhood
As many know, Vanessa went into the ER on August 5th and was diagnosed with appendicitis. The I’m-the-shit-i-started-med-school-at-age-17-and-got-a-full-featured-spread-in-nymag-for-saving-a-bus-load-of-people surgeon decided to not operate.
Though I do share a lot here on the blog, it’s really not all. I don’t usually share my fears with anyone except hubby. But when I thought my kid was about to get sliced open, I reached out to Facebook for prayers. You can read about how it all went down here.
The newest update, I reached out with my fears again on Saturday, August 11th, when I rushed my girl back to the ER.
She had to undergo another CT Scan because the ER staff just wasn’t “sure”.
The CT Scan confirmed that her appendix was indeed inflamed.
The attending surgeon and radiologists also found that there was an obstruction blocking the damn appendix too.
By God’s grace the appendix hadn’t popped yet, but the surgeon, Dr. Lieb, decided it was coming out now.
No more of this treating with antibiotics bullshit. I love that woman.
My kid was still an interesting case. Never ran a fever, no vomiting. Let this be a warning to you, you don’t have to have “text book” symptoms to be in danger of that organ popping a leak.
As soon as surgery was over, Dr. Lieb came out and told me how it all went. Her bedside manner was impeccable the whole time.
Surgery was at 9:30pm. I sat in the surgery waiting room alone. A big affair with 40 seats and a tv. Just me. I’ve got to thank so many for the twitter DMs and Facebook messages and text messages. I don’t know what the hell I would have done without you.
Vanessa was released less than 24 hours after surgery. She’s doing well and I’m thankful for so many who prayed for her.
So, the recap…
Blog’s naked.
I’ve been sucking at SM.
Hubby and I haven’t been naked in a while.
And I’ve opened myself up to Facebook.
Get your mind outta the bloody gutter.
How’s your weekend been?
p.s. if you hover over the social media icons in my header, you’ll find they change color. sometimes i surprise myself with the shit i know. LMAO
p.s.s. i used http://gpluspic.com/ to make my google plus avatar in the footer. there’s a few cool things you can do on that site for your g+ page.
The new design looks great! Perfectly simple and easy to navigate. I’m glad you’ve had some time to reflect and realize you haven’t been fully present, good luck getting back on track.
Laura Cyra recently posted..All About Food – Sunday Social Aug 12
Thank you girlfriend
I love the new look. Clean, simple, minimalist – my kinda blog.
So glad Vanessa is okay!!
Now, go get naked, hehe.
Alison recently posted..Memories Captured – August Link Up!
Alison, hubby just got home from work and announced he was going to have a bathe and go to bed.
and thanks girl. it feels pretty sleek.
So glad Vanessa is OK! I like the new look and the color-changing social media icons.
I hope that you and your hubby find some alone time, wink wink.
IASoupMama recently posted..Moves Like Me
that alone time is so not gonna happen tonight! lol and thanks girl. im happy she’s home and im feeling pretty good about the site design
Less is more they say and this works. The little mouse-over social networking symbols are a nice touch. The colors should work on mobile devices too! I almost had to check twice when I clicked that checkbox ‘Confirm you are not a ZOMBIE looking for a good time’…
Knowing you you’ll be back with a vengeance. You put yourself and family over social networking and blogging. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Just saying.
JanB recently posted..Group Shirting – Take them Off!
thanks Jan. I’m so glad to be surrounded by a community who gets what priorities are. i’m also lucky to be self employed though i could use a new gig right about now, not sure how i would have dealt with a boss and co-workers depending on me while vanessa needed me.
and it does work, doesn’t it?
I was messing with the homepage, but changed it back.
the design service page has a pretty cool tabs feature now http://afterbedtimeblog.com/wordpress-blog-design
would love to hear what you think
Damn lady! I’d be pissed about the first doc not wanting to operate. Seeing as my hubby gets to be speeding these people to the hospital when the shit blows up, I’m really pissed. So happy to hear that it didn’t blow up and that she is doing well. I hope to keep any of my kids surgeries at bay for a zillion years.
Designers are the worst for keeping a theme
You get restless and you can change it on a whim. I like it
Val recently posted..Girlfriends are Priceless
Wow. I am like a kid visiting my favorite place. Your blog looks very very sexy naked. (you know I am the get bare type *evil grin*)
I am so very glad Vanessa is in recovery. She’ll be fine soon, you see. With a wonderful Mommy like you, how could she not?
You really deserve some serious TLC now. Take good care of yourself. You have to be strong and cool to laugh at everything.
I loved this post. End of the day, everything is okay. I too surprise myself sometimes at the shit I know. I am dying to check out that google avtaar. Apparently G+ is rolling out vanity urls, man! Oh, Ive got to request you for another thing.
DM coming up
Did I tell you I love you? I do!
Vidya Sury recently posted..My Little World, My Heroes
You are awesome, not just because you are so kickin’ techy – Glad your girl got the right treatment and hugs. Love the blog, naked suits it. Geeking out on your buttons…
capability recently posted..I’m Famous! Check Out #HomemakerHappyHr with Wayfair
Well aside from all that your friends and fans now know you’re alive! That’s definitely something
Although I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we understand why you’ve been absent; family and ‘real life’ issues first and foremost! It’s so good to hear that you actually GOT somewhere with your daughter and that her life isn’t in danger because some D’bag doctors wanted to make an example of her.
I also know about being an ‘interesting’ case; my boyfriend jokes and says I’m an anomaly of life. LOL I like to just say I go against the grain of life ^.^ Either way, I’m weird, plain and simple.
Kayla recently posted..LoveSac Chaise Sectional *Blogger Opportunity*
that interesting case thing just pisses me off. all they kept saying after the 2nd CT Scan was “the books tell you…and the books tell you…and this is an interesting case.” Blah I actually wrote the whole thing out cause i wanted other moms to know to not rely on text book symptoms. it’s here: http://afterbedtimeblog.com/appendicitis-terror
i’d appreciate the share. i didn’t make it a regular post, because i’m hoping to get it syndicated so it will reach a wider audience. we’ll see how that goes.
thanks so much for hanging on with me girl. i really appreciate it. i’m playing catch up and will drop by soon! hugs to you!
I am a fan of naked. Hope that things have settled down with the family stuff. That is never any fun.
ya don’t gotta tell me big guy. i’m still tired from this weekend and today’s wednesday. but it’s also Damian’s birthday so it should be super fun, for him, more work, for me. but good times
I like the new look, Vanita! I love the openess and your icons in the header!
You’ve been busy, so I think we all can understand! I’m glad Vanessa’s okay. xo.
Jessica recently posted..How should I edit my pictures to look like Ree Drummond’s?
thanks girlfriend
I second (or third or gazillion) what everyone else here had said, I love the new clean sleek look, V. You did an amazing job!
Wishing your girl a speedy recovery, Mama!
Maureen recently posted..I’m Not Trying To Be A Skinny Bitch
thank you on both counts sis