Mini Book Review- Holley Gerth's "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream"

I have a reading problem.  I have a tendency to read about 5 - 10 books at once and I very rarely finish any of them.  Even worse, it will take me so long to read a book, that I end up having to re-start them so I can remember what I read!

This is something I've been working on.

About 3 months ago, one of the top leaders of the company that I used to be distributor for, began a 90 day challenge for us to assist in building our businesses.  Alas, her organization of the 90 day challenge only made it through the first month and just stopped, but part of my personal challenge was to complete a book and try to read about 5 - 10 pages a work day over those 90 days.

I didn't read that much per day as I had hoped, but I did complete a book!  Holley Gerth's "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream".  Not only did I complete it, but I loved the book.  It's a keeper that I plan to reference back to often!

So what about the mini review???  Oh! yes... sorry (I'm also easily distracted.  Another part of my reading problem).

First of all, I plan on re-reading this book fairly soon.  At the end of each chapter, Ms. Gerth has a "Go Deeper Guide" that I would actually love to have the time to journal from and not just read then ponder.  In this book, Ms. Gerth takes you through a process of understanding your God-sized dream whether it's starting your own business, writing a book, beginning a ministry, or being a fabulous mom.  She guides you through understanding your dreamer heart and overcoming your fears. Ms. Gerth also goes over how we sabotage ourselves and then ends with a glorious commission to YOU, her reader and friend.

While reading this book, I cried and had to stop reading.  I also would share portions of the book with honey that were really hitting my heart.  I have God-sized dreams, but I sabotage myself and fight many fears regarding my dreams.  However; I am daring to pursue my dreams and listen to God when He says, "You can do this!".

Holley Gerth is a bestselling writer, certified life coach, and speaker. 

Happy reading and please keep me updated on your thoughts of this book and how you are pursuing your God-sized dream!


Read Me!

My Honest Review of WordPress

Okay… I was having a great time with my blog, Keeping It Real Simple. I had nervously set up my blog on Blogger in 2009 and posted items randomly, when I had time, or when I need to let some emotions out (It was safe! No one was reading it!)

Last summer I got brave and started to try to make it look better and monetize. I also took more time and enjoyment in sharing recipe posts, photos, and stories! The more often I posted and shared my posts on social media sites, I saw my audience grow. I doubled my audience monthly. It’s not a lot by professional blogger standards, but when I decided to transition my blog from Blogger to WordPress, I finally had hit over 10,000 views and could take a long desired blogging course.

Welp… here comes the leap of faith to get my own domain, use a hosting service, and create a blog on WordPress because I read so much about how awesome and easy it was to use. I also understood that my traffic would increase using a host.

So began the next steps. It took me weeks to set up the new blog in my spare time. I was frustrated, sweaty, and anxious! I began to have doubts almost immediately. But I was already over $80 invested in a host and about half way through cleaning up a botched import of my blog posts from Blogger to WordPress. I cried, in secret, but because I was so proud of myself for taking a leap! I wouldn’t have done this sort of thing even a year ago! Let’s not even talk about the loss of traffic and time setting up a matching Facebook page that no one is coming to either. Okay, I might mention it one more time in The Bottom Line.

I understand that there is a steep learning curve (now) and I am self-taught at this time. I haven’t had time to take any courses or watch any YouTube videos to learn what I am doing better, so the frustrations, I am sure, is self-induced. So my current evaluation is that I’m tempted to begin copying and pasting posts from my new WordPress blog, into the old Blogger blog so that when my hosting expires next April, I can resume my blog on Blogger. However, the next several months, give me a bit of time to learn more and possibly embrace the WordPress culture. One of my biggest desires with WordPress is to maintain the free template until I can afford a better template and have menus at the top and be able to change my font! I don’t think that’s asking a lot! Actually the main reason I changed to WordPress was to get a menu option that I couldn’t figure out how to use on Blogger. Pffft!

The Bottom Line: 

Appearance: My blog looked better on Blogger. It needed improvement, but looked cleaner, brighter, more interesting. My current blog looks drab and I tried really hard to keep it simple and clean, bu the yellow color looks different on every computer. 2 of my 3 loyal readers did tell me they loved it though.

Ease of Use: Blogger is so much easier to use. You can work with your layout, change your fonts while you are in your draft, adding code, images, and videos are super easy. It was just quicker to get it done, make sure it looked good, easier on the eyes because I could use a different font, and easy to share on social media. WordPress is not impossible, but again I’m in the learning curve right now and had to take time off of learning to start working. I have not figured out fully to use plug ins so I can change fonts and I fear of more output of funds to make the blog look better. Adding images and video are not difficult. Images are super easy! Code… I finally figured that out so I am good there. Once the post is published, sharing on social media is easy and I have more options.

Overall Satisfaction: Blogger was free and easy. I was seeing consistent growth and interest and was earning a few cents here and there with adsense and affiliates. WordPress is costing e a few dollars a month and is not easy, but it’s not complicated. I have seen a significant drop in traffic and interest yet the content is the same. I’ve backed off on adsense and affiliates until I see significant growth.

I’m hoping this doesn’t come off as anti WordPress or even too complainy of a post. These are just my honest thoughts on how the transition has gone and the comparison of the two blog options that I have used. I know I’m a newbie and have lots to learn, but my main goal was to be an encourager and enjoy blogging. I’m not going to encourage anyone, if they aren’t reading my posts and it sort of takes the fun out of blogging sometimes when 3 people visit after you pour your heart out for an hour.
It’s all good though. I’m certain that after a few more months of practice that I will get the hang of WordPress and do a post later on singing it's p’aises! I’m also certain that the right person will get my blog and read it at the right time to find some encouragement or get a good giggle or a yummy recipe.
So if you happened upon this post and you are a fellow blogger, I truly welcome your suggestions of where I can find some not too complicated tutorials on how to use Word Press and maybe a recommendation of what hosting you are using, if any.

Update: This post was originally written on August 4, 2016. (in WordPress)  Since then, I have gotten a bit more comfortable using WordPress, but still haven’t been successful with implementing some of the plugins or getting eyes on my posts. I am currently in the process of moving my posts back to this blog and giving up on WordPress. Blogging has slacked because it hasn’t been as fun or a relief of stress for me. It actually creates a bit of stress using WordPress. I also don’t feel like I’m fulfilling my goal as an encourager and a fun distraction for folks if no one knows my blog exists. I’ve actually had former readers of this blog tell me they miss my blogging. Uh… I’ve still been blogging but they can’t find me! So stay tuned and head back as I will be adding posts back and filling in the history gap. (I hope)

Update 2: I’m done with WordPress and back to blogger as I ease myself back into blogging (which hasn’t been easy)

Tommy Lee Jones Fixed Our Air Conditioner!

No, Tommy Lee Jones didn't really come and fix our air conditioner... but close.  A very friendly gentleman named Dennis came and fixed it and he talked like and kinda resembled Tommy Lee Jones!   

I was so happy!  Not because he looked like Tommy Lee Jones, but because after a few weeks of 80 degrees + in the house, I was ready to chill (literally).  

But this was a great experience for our first major home repair since moving here.  We were anxious about what could possibly be wrong and how much was it going to cost.  So on top of being hot, we were nervous!

Mr. Dennis arrived and was very friendly and was greeted by our "guard dog" Baby.  She was so happy to see him!  Me too!  He was very professional and figured out our problem in no time. 

As he told us what was wrong with the air conditioner, I freaked!  No, it was not because we needed a new unit (Thank God!!!).  I freaked because our air wasn't working due to mice chewing the wire from the house to the unit.  AAAAAAAAAAAAAA  we have mice.  Mr. Dennis was very kind about my freak out.  He laughed and let me know that it's a common problem here. 

I guess another perk to living in the forest...kinda like snakes.  eewwww

He got us up and running and he was kind enough to take the time and talk to honey about what we can do to cool the upstairs.  After a brief discussion and some helpful tips we decided that renovation might take us a few summers to save for.  

So, how did we come about finding Mr. Dennis.  Well, he lives really close to us and we've seen his trucks, so honey called them first to find their hourly rate.  Of course neither one of our schedules allowed for any further phone calls the rest of the week and we never got any other quotes.  While we were out shopping in town, we asked one of the store owners for a a/c repair recommendation.  She recommended Williams Heating and Air.  She added that she called several other repair businesses and their hourly rate was the best and she added that she was extremely pleased with the service she received.  Well, we didn't make any other phone calls except back to Williams and scheduled the appointment.  

We are very glad we were serviced by Williams.  He was thorough, knowledgeable, and friendly.  I didn't realize they had a website, but if you need heat or air service in North East Georgia, we recommend you give them a try. Williams Heating and Air

PS.. this is an unsolicited review of Williams Heating and Air.  We were just happy with our service and wanted to brag!