I’m warding off Alzheimer’s!
This whole blogging process challenges my mind every single day. I was never a tech-savvy person. In fact, when one of my tech-y friends found out about my blog, he laughed and said, “Of all my friends, you are the last one I would’ve predicted to have a successful online pursuit.”
I still don’t consider myself tech-savvy. But I’m constantly learning new skills, through trial and error (emphasis on the error). Last week, for example, I wrote some html coding! Many of you will probably think what I did was really easy–and somewhere, my computer genius friends are laughing at me—but I am proud of myself for figuring it out.
Anyway, I now have some prettylicious buttons on my sidebar:
Raw Chocolate-Fudge Cake Single-Lady Cupcakes
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Chocolate-Chip Blondies Fudge Babies
The blondies had to be on there. Even though they’re from such a recent post, they are quickly becoming one of my most-popular recipes. It’s crazy; I really believed no one would try them! But I also wouldn’t have expected shows like Real Housewives or Jersey Shore to become popular… so don’t ask me to predict trends!
I also made a new “about me” button. The old photo was like three years old!
I might change the buttons, or add more… now that I know how! 🙂
As I said, some of you are probably thinking, “Making sidebar pictures with links is so simple!” But really, it took me an hour to figure out how to do it! That “Thesis open hook” thing? Mucho confusing!
Questions of the Day:
How do you challenge your mind?
With school work? Learning blog skills? Trying to figure out your i-phone?!
I think, in this day and age, it’s impossible to not learn something each day. We’re constantly being presented with new technological gadgets—Garmins, i-phones, digital cameras—and more and more activities can now be done on the web (online banking, blogging, youtube, skype). But obviously, challenging one’s mind is not a sure bet against Alzheimer’s. My grandpa still got it, and he knew five languages and did crossword puzzles every day! Hopefully we can someday (soon!) find a sure-fire cure for this devastating disease.
I wanted to take a moment to thank y’all just for being here these past two weeks.
Obviously, blogging isn’t going to stop me from missing Molly. But keeping busy has been a really good distraction; when I’m working hard, I have no time to think about the sadness I still feel.
So thanks for talking with me on Twitter, leaving comments on my blog, and especially for trying my recipes. When I see someone posting about a CCK recipe he/she’s tried, it makes me super-excited. And when I’m super-excited, I’m not sad… or, at least, I don’t realize I’m sad. (That’s as much as I can hope for right now.)
Upcoming posts: There will be frosting. And cookie pie. 🙂
BroccoliHut says
I am the same way! I am totally not tech-savvy, but I’ve taught myself so many new skills through blogging, simply by trial and error. I learn something new every day…
Tori (Fresh Fruition) says
The buttons are looking good!
I challenge myself lately by trying new things. Everything from gardening to yoga to trying new recipes like all of the delicious ones you have here! I can’t wait to have room in my fridge for some more goodies 😀
Nathalie says
Actually I use running recently to challenge my mind. I’ve never been a particularly fast runner (~10-minute miles). It’s mostly a mental challenge, I think, for me to run faster. But it will pay off because I’ll get fitter and I’ll be able to run farther in the (limited) time I have in the mornings to devote to working out. How do you push yourself to run faster, out of curiosity? (assuming you do, and don’t just naturally float along doing 8-minute miles)
Oh, I remembered that running question. Actually it’s two. 1.) Do you make it a point to drink a certain amount of water/liquid before your run, and 2.) do you rehydrate during your run? The latter I don’t do because I have nothing convenient to carry with me for hydration, but I was interested on how you handle it.
Other mental stimulation I do tends to run along the drawing/sketching/playing solitaire/sudoku/texttwist. Heheh, I’m easily amused.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hey Nathalie!
I guess it depends on the day… some days I just run at whatever pace I feel like running. I zone out :). Other days, I’ll say to myself, “Sprint to x point” or “until x song ends” or something like that. I’ll just throw some sprints into my regular run.
LOL or then there are times when I see another runner… that’s when I go fastest! I never want anyone to go faster than me, so I’ll be running super-fast to try and beat them, almost like we’re in a race but they don’t know it!
As for water… I just make sure to drink throughout the day. I’ve heard it said that if you work out for more than an hour you should fuel during your run, but if it’s under you’re ok. I run for just a little over an hour, so I never bother to bring a drink. I DO make sure to run very early in the mornings, though, when it’s super-hot. I think if you’re running in 85 or above weather (F), you should probably find a way to carry some water.
Nathalie says
I hear you on the running in the mornings! When I first got to Japan, they were in the middle of one of the hottest summers on record. The only really viable time to run – temperature-wise – was in the mornings. I’ve been having a rough time of it though. I get the feeling I don’t have enough time between eating “first breakfast” and my run to allow the food energy to really get into my system, thus making it hard for me to push myself to run faster. Well, among other things, like how hydrated I am and how much sleep I’ve gotten. I’ve been considering waking up earlier, eating and then going back to sleep just to allow the sustenance time to work its magic. Right now I’m getting up at 5:45-ish and usually out the door by 6:20-6:30 for a 40-45 minute run. If I could run faster I could squeeze more miles into that time.
I dunno, maybe it has more to do with form than nutrition. Welp, I enjoy it at any rate. That’s the important part. Thanks muchly for your response ^_^
Oh, again out of curiosity, what part of Japan did you live in when you were younger? I’ve lived in Kobe, and right now I live in Tokushima on one of the southern islands.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Tokyo… it was so much fun!! Have you ever been? I need to go back soon. I miss it!
Nathalie says
Hoo boy, I am slow on the response.
I’ve been to Tokyo for a day or two here and there, but it was usually en route to somewhere else. I’m much more well-acquainted with the Kobe/Osaka/Kyoto area. If you come to Japan anytime soon, feel free to let me know! Any excuse to go to Tokyo is a good one, hahaha.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I love Kyoto! Soooo beautiful. I’d definitely like to go back there! 🙂
Msdrmatchrldy says
You learn technology thevsame way I do…just get in there and “play”.
The mostvrecent challenge to my brain is studying for the GRE. I’ve been accepted to e doctorate program but only get to stay if my scores are high enough. The quantitative reasoning section (aka math) is killing me.
Keep up the great work and keep smiling.
Bakerbynature says
Cookie pie you say?? Sounds like a slice of heaven; looking forward to seeing that post. I took forever to get technology savvy, it’s a long process learning everything going on in this web world.
Jayme @ Runner-n-Spice says
Hi Katie 🙂
Love the new buttons! I hear you on the technical challenges of blogs. But, like you, I wanted to learn how to do it myself, so I took a course! You can check that post out here: http://www.runnernspice.com/2011/05/so-you-want-to-start-a-blog/
I’ve been thinking on adding some buttons to my site too….I’m training for another half marathon (I ran one yesterday) coming up in August, so maybe i could make a button for my training plans, or something…
Anyways. Have a wonderful day!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
ooh wow, I’ll definitely check it out! Thanks for the link!
Merrie@ Strawberrylaces says
All the technical stuff is partially what kept me away from blogging for a while. I’m glad you took on the tech-challenge because the changes look great! (and yummy!)
A Tablespoon of Liz says
I love the new look! I’m absolutely hopeless with techie stuff like that, So I’m amazed!
lindsay says
love the new look katie! Super cute! And proud of you for figuring those links and coding out by yourself. It’s not easy! 🙂
Becca says
The buttons would look so much better without the dreaded comic sans! It is pretty much the bane of my life as a graphic designer 😛
Well done on figuring out how to change up your blog though, it’s nice to have the quick links in the sidebar.
Pure2raw twins says
I still have a lot to learn when it comes to technology
site looks great! love the new sidebar
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli says
Oh my gosh, that totally sounds like me too! I’m so NOT techno savvy! I swear it takes me forever to pick up on new technology trends…like Twitter? Ha, better late than never I guess!
I’ve been meaning to tell you that I LOVE all the new buttons! And that pic of you is GORGEOUS!!