Hodgepodge

This post contains a bunch of marbles that I need to write.  Some deserve a post of their own but will not get one due to time constraints.

1.  I "googled" hodgepodge for images.  I got a hodgepodge of patchwork quilts, foods, groups of people and modern art. I just like the word.

2.  The polls are in.  After considering the public and private replies to my recent poll I have made the following decision.  {Pause for dramatic effect}  I am not going to multiply blogs.  You will have to put up with reading or ignoring my weight issue blogs.  I'm not motivated enough, original enough and I don't have the money to write an entire blog on cleaning and decorating my house.  I may start one additional blog for scripture study insights.  Or, I may just not blog about the scriptures for the time being.  It may be too difficult to get/make the time.  It's hard enough getting the study time in. 

3.  Rachel's first birthday is coming up in 6 weeks.  I am undecided on how to approach it.  Should I just do family?  Should I invite neighbors and friends?  Do other people care about my one year old's birthday?  I mean care enough to want to come celebrate.  Or, is it just an opportunity to have a party and invite anyone and everyone.  Then I begin the rounds with the date.  Her birthday is on a Wednesday.  I've always been a purist.  Birthdays should be celebrated on the actual date.  But, we don't want to have a big party on a Wednesday night.  She doesn't know the difference anyway.

My current plan is to have a 3 person family birthday party on Wednesday and take a million pictures of cake smashed goodness.  Then, invite anyone that wants to to come over and have cake on the Saturday after.

4.  I faltered on my "no treats" rule.  I've been sick for almost 2 weeks.  Correction.  Rachel and I have been sick for 2 weeks.  After a particular fun couple of days of doctors, my throwing up, and Rachel's tantrums at trying to feed her, Doug bought me a chocolate treat.  He gave me permission because I was sick.  That became my excuse for more than a week.  So tomorrow I start again.  No treats except one on our official weekly date, or at weddings or special events until Rachel's birthday.

4b.  To go along with the "no treats" I am going to start using my BodyBugg again.  I'm going to log calories in and calories out and report every so often.  I'm eating more because I want Rachel to eat lots of different foods.  She doesn't want to try food unless you are obviously enjoying it.  So, I'm going to have to burn more calories just to maintain and not gain weight.  I'd prefer to focus on losing it.

5.  I wish they had a "like" button on blogs similar to Facebook.  Sometimes I don't really have a comment to make but I'd like to see what other people write.  I'm too lazy to revisit old posts to look for comments.

So much more to write.  So much on my mind.  This will have to suffice.

Polling The Audience

This marble has been rolling around in my head for a couple of weeks now.  I hope I can lay this out in a way that makes the question understandable. 

I already have two separate blogs.  "The Goodwins" blog covers family matters, adventures, birthdays, etc.  It is the blog I send people to if they want to see how Rachel is growing up and what goes on in our daily lives.  "My Marbles and Whatnot," as you obviously know, has been my catch-all blog.  This is where I tell my stories, share things I like, and generally share what is on my mind.

Question 1...
I am considering the idea of blogging about my scripture study.  I'd write about what I learned from the scriptures, cross references, etc and my own thoughts.  I could throw these in the mix of "My Marbles" which makes sense because religion is a marble that I cherish.  However, it might be better to make a different blog for scripture study and faith.  I know that some of my family and friends that read Marbles may not care to read an essay on Noah or Lot.  On the other hand, I could label the title "Religious:  Thoughts on Lot," etc.
A benefit of blogging this separately would be that it would easily be converted into a scripture study journal book.

Question 2...
I am finding that as I blog about weight issues and goals I am more likely to stick to my guns.  However, every time I blog about chocolate or my goals I think about you, my readers.  You may not care to know the ins and outs of my weight issues.  I've even considered doing a daily log (photos possibly) of food eaten and exercise completed.  I imagine many would not care to read that daily post.  So, here again, I could start a "Weight"ier issues blog or label  the title so people that don't want to read it don't have to.   This could be opened to multiple writers who want to share their stories, tips, ideas, successes, failures, etc.

Question 3...
I am itching to get spring cleaning under way.  It's no secret that Doug and I hope to get pregnant near the end of the year.  I'd like to have cleaned, scrubbed, organized and beautified each room and closet in our house before I get pregnant.  It might be fun to blog about this process over the next 6+ months.  Again, separate blog?   Open to multiple writers?


So here are the questions in an easier format...
I already have the Goodwin family blog and My Marbles and Whatnot.

Question 1
Do I start a separate "Scripture Study and Faith" blog?
Or, do I label the titles so people can skip the entry?
Or, do I just keep it in My Marbles and let people take it or leave it as it comes?

Question 2
Do I start a separate "Weightier" issues blog?
If I do start a new blog do I allow others to be writers as well?
Or do I label these entries and keep it in "My Marbles?"

Question 3
Do I start a "putting my house in order" blog?
Do I allow other writers?
Or do I label these entries and keep it in "My Marbles?"

I see pros and cons to each of these ideas.  So, dear readers, I put the questions to you.  What is your opinion?  What do you WANT to read?  Will separate blogs be better for you?  Do you care?  Would you want to see a collaborative blog on weight and health issues or putting your house in order?  Would you want to collaborate?  Should I just let "My Marbles and Whatnot" be a hodgepodge?

I look forward to your opinions.

Jessica