Thursday, January 5, 2012

A Smithellaneous Change

Nine years ago this month, Sarah was having a bone marrow transplant at Duke. 

Nine years ago this month, I started blogging.

It’s amazing to me that some of you who are reading this post right now joined the Smith family journey all those years ago.  (And by the way, if you’re someone who has been reading since Sarah’s early hospital days, please leave a quick comment—I’d love to see how many of you fit the category of “vintage” Smith friends.)

And for those of you who have come along more recently?  I’m thrilled that you’re here because it’s always a joy to cross paths with new friends. If it wasn’t for you—my old and new readers--I would have no reason to blog, no reason to sit down at a computer and type out the story of our lives.  So thank you all a hundred times over; I’m more grateful for my blog friends than you could possibly know.

My blogging has undergone a few changes over the years. I started out on Caringbridge (a blog service for families with health issues) and for the first couple of years wrote posts largely centered around Sarah’s illness and treatment;  however, as she (thankfully) began to get better, I branched out more to general family posts.  I didn’t include pictures way back then because I just didn’t know how’; at this point in my life, though, I can’t imagine blogging without pictures since I love photography almost as much as I love writing. 

Almost three years ago, I made the decision to transition from Caringbridge to a more general blog, although our Caringbridge site is still up.  And may I just add that if you ever have a little extra time to spend, read back through some of those archives; they contain some of my favorite stories and some of my favorite writing.

And so that all brings us up to right now.

And right now brings us to more changes. Good changes.

As a little bit of background, for the past year or so I’ve become increasingly frustrated with the limitations I’ve run into with Blogger, the platform that currently hosts Smithellaneous.  However, I was a bit intimidated about making any changes because tech speak is not my first language and Blogger is well suited to people with limited technical knowledge.

But hey.  In March, I will turn fifty years old.  And even though you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, I think there is a good chance that a middle-aged lady like myself can learn a new thing or two.  

Which brings me to the point of this post.  (And yes, there is a point.  If you were starting to wonder.)

Starting on Saturday, the switch over to my new blog home will take place which means that Smithellaneous will be off line for a couple days while this middle aged mama frantically tries to learn the “new tricks” necessary to take the blog to a new level.   And when I say a new level, I mean exactly that.  The new blogging platform is unlimited in its features and opportunities for creativity in presentation, photography display, blog posts, reader interaction, design, etc. 

I am really, really pumped about this transition but also a little scared. (But that’s okay.)

As far as the nuts and bolts of the move go, my original goal was to move all the material from this site over to the new one; however, as I’ve consulted with some tech people about that, I’ve discovered that while the text would transfer just fine , the pictures would not.  And since I really don’t feel like moving a thousand or so pictures one by one, I decided that the best thing to do is to leave everything here that’s already here and let this spot serve as a sort of Smithellaneous Archives.  That means I’ll be starting from scratch in my new Smithellaneous home, which will be a liberating and fun experience. 

If you’re wondering what complicated technical hoops you might have to jump through in order to get to the new site, here is the address: smithellaneous.com

There now. Now wasn’t that easy?  The very same address you’re already using will take you straight to the new site.  (I love simple stuff.) 

And if you want to come here to this current site, you’ll just type in smithellaneous.blogspot.com. 

Also, to make things even more easy for you, I will be adding clickable links to each site which will take you back and forth between the two sites in about half a second.

So anyway, that’s the news on the blog switch front.  Thanks in advance for your patience as the changeover is made; it will probably take a couple weeks to get everything exactly the way I want it in my new home but the end result will be more than worth it.

Have I mentioned how excited I am?

And now to reward you for slogging through paragraph after paragraph of technical stuff, here are a few photos to close with.

Sarah and Meagan asked me to take their picture because they were so impressed that they dressed exactly the same without even without planning it, sporting pink and brown tops, jeans, and Sperry’s.

misc  nate and meg visit 014

I’m posting the next two pictures for no reason whatsoever except for that they strike me funny. 

We were attempting to flip the mattress with just Steve, Sarah and me  (which I truly didn’t think was possibly) and Steve made such dramatic grunting noises as he gradually shouldered the mattress into an upright position that I stopped helping and just started giggling.  And may I just say that a giggling wife is not a real helpful person when it comes to mattress flipping?

christmas1 2011 014

Steve is no doubt standing and wondering just what kind of loony tunes wife he married all those years ago.

christmas1 2011 015

Speaking of things that make me giggle, we were attempting a different “take” on a family Christmas photo and along the way, tried this one which turned out to be a little on the goofy side.  (As well as not being very well focused.)

Nathan and Meagan are trying very hard not to giggle.

family christmas photo 102

We finally ended up with this one, which is not real great (it was too dark and I had to lighten it to the point where it looks a little funky) but at least we got something to commemorate Meagan’s first Christmas as a Smith.

fnal photo

Are they a great pair, or what?

nm2

 

52 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Anonymous said...

Yay for a better blogging platform! I think I have 4 blogs now; I hopped from Blogger to Wordpress.com to Wordpress.org. And photography was the driving reason; Blogger is fine for.. well.. blogging. But if photography is a big part of what you post, it's not so great. Can't wait to see what you end up with (and I distinctly remember when Smithellaneous started... and am proud to have played a small role in the naming thereof!). I am not totally vintage; I found Sarah's site in 2005, so I've been hanging around a little over 6 years. I guess I'm a middle-aged friend (and one who got the senior discount at Kroger yesterday, even though I didn't deserve it. Oh joy. I need a makeover!) xoxox...

nancy irving said...

I have been following you (no I'm not a stalker) since 2004, phew, all that many years ago, seems like just yesterday.

nancy irving
toronto, ontario, canada

LeeAnne said...

I am fairly 'vintage'....since late 2003 or early '04 (??). Thanks for all the great blogging and for sharing your family and lives with us. I am really looking forward to the new platform and the continued wonderful writing and photography!
Happy New Year to the Smith clan!!

Guerrina said...

I've been following you since the beginning! I appreciate being part of your "family"!Yahoo for a new blogging platform and the lady who will accomplish it (should I send chocolate?)!

The Family Candle Photo cracked me up! It was Steve I immediately noticed whose "smile" was more of a "am-I-really-smiling-at-a-candle" look! You're a beautiful family!

Anonymous said...

I've been here since the first day of Sarah's CaringBridge. Thanks for the memories, tears, smiles and the laughter!

linlassie said...

Hi,
I have been around since the early caringbridge days. So happy to have the opportunity to watch Sarah blossom into the beautiful young lady she is today.

On blogging, I have a blog that looks ridiculous, but it is more an online journal for my kids and future grandkids.

I am not tech savy at all, but my father who turned 75 is a whiz. When my mother passed 7 years ago, he created this website in her memory, www.ourjenny.net
He also moderates a couple of websites related to grief counselling and is his own tech support guy when things go awry.
I am lloking forward to your new blog :)

Gail, Toronto Ontario Canada.

linlassie said...

See - my last post I am nor even tech savy enough to spell check my own writing LOL sorry for the typo's in my previous post :)

Unknown said...

Have fun with the switch over! I like your family Christmas photo - it's the funkiness of it that I like! (the second one).

becky m said...

it will be cool to see what you do with the new blog, but dont take to long or we will begin to miss you..so feel free to make it a work in progress....
i started reading your blog when you were over in caring bride...i came to you when i read a comment you wrote in Hannahs site and have been reading ever since.

Anonymous said...

Becky, I have been reading your blog starting with Caringbridge and all the way up until now. I have loved the trip, bad and good and I can always count on a good laugh. Keep up the good work. It makes my heart smile to see Sarah as a healthy 16 year old and can't wait to see what the future holds for her. I have to add also that your new daughter in law is the cutest little thing ever. :)
Kaye Joyce
Mount Airy, NC

LizW said...

I would have to go back to the guestbook on Sarah's site to be sure how long I have been with you, but it is a long time! Don't worry, we will follow you wherever!
I need to leave a comment over at "Embrace the Grace" to let Meagan's mom know how impressed I am that she realized they have the new Smiths close by most of the time, so was willing to be without them at Christmas. I wish my daughter-in-law's parents were that generous. Our son and his wife and our twin grandson's live with her parents, but we still didn't "get" them until late on the 25th. Better late than never however!
What a wonderful Christmas you must have had with your family! Happy New Year!

Lisa from Georgia said...

I have been around since 2003 or so. I guess that makes me an "old timer" in Smithellaneous land. I have enjoyed celebrating with and praying for Sarah along the way. For me, I get to watch a Sarah win over that awful disease when mine did not. I continue to pray, laugh, and cry with you. It is my pleasure to be a reader of this wonderful place called Smithellaneous!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm not that a vintage, but kind of. I have been following since Sarah replased back in July 2006. I was sixteen then. Now I am 21. And what a blessing it has been to following your family and be a part of this group. :)
It has been a blessing to see Sarah growing up to become a beautiful lady. And I never thought I should be a ''part'' of a wedding either... And all Snowy's funny posts. I guess for me it has just only been about getting to know your family, but I feel I have learnt something about USA as well. Here in the news they always focus on either the overweight people in a bad light, the very fundalism peope etc - all always in a negative life - which gives prejudices. But I feel I have learnt a lot - and you have broke a lot of my preduijces as well.

Trine, Denmark

Anonymous said...

Vintage for sure...since early Caringbridge. I'm not sure of the year but we'll just say I have followed you a long time. Your blog is one of only two that I read. I love following your family although I am terrible at commenting (I may be a little intimidated by your word usage/writing skills). So glad to see Snowy back in the family picture.
Kathy

Michelle said...

I have been "following" your family since the end of 2002/early 2003. I guess you would call it that I'm a vintage follower. I'm so GLAD that Sarah is in remission and that you have shared your family with us internet family.

Love,
Michelle-

Mary from Iowa said...

Yes I admit it - I'm a stalker (but a good one). I've been with you since Sarah's transplant - I don't even remember how I found Sarh's blog but I'm sure glad I did. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives.

Love Being A Nonny said...

I am vintage...in more ways than one!!:) I have been reading...but not always commenting for over 10 years. At the time I worked for the christian school that was associated with Burlington Assembly of God and can remember praying for Sarah during some of her darkest days. LOVE the tangible evidence that HE is still on the throne!

Ann Martin said...

We met the Smith family at Duke a few weeks after the transplant when Sarah had an appointment and Jim had a VA appointment. I had been reading since January and went back and read the months prior with tears streaming down. That was the beginning of a beautiful and blessed friendship for us.

Ann Martin said...

We met the Smith family at Duke a few weeks after the transplant when Sarah had an appointment and Jim had a VA appointment. I had been reading since January and went back and read the months prior with tears streaming down. That was the beginning of a beautiful and blessed friendship for us.

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blogging since 2003 (no I am not a stalker either). Wow, was it that long? So happy to see the princess groovy chick grow up into a beautiful young lady!

Susan Crouch
Missouri

Robin said...

Wow 9 years for Sarah. I started reading on Caringbridge. So glad that Sarah is doing well and that you are blogging about more happier things!

Anonymous said...

I began following your blog after your family visited Central Assembly of God in Cumberland Maryland. Sara was diagnosed shortly after your visit. I have cried, prayed and rejoiced with you as you have gone through this journey, and I am praying for many more years of health and happiness for your family!
God Bless
Tina

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