It's that time again for de-lurking! Last week a couple of the blogs I read said it was National De-Lurking Day, which you can read about here. I missed the boat on actually doing it on the official day, but better late than never! A lurker is someone who reads a blog but never comments, therefore de-lurking would be leaving a comment which lets the blogger know that you read the blog. I will have to admit that I am a major lurker on many blogs. I have 71 blogs that I follow (the large majority of them update very rarely, so it isn't as much as it sounds) and I comment on just a handful of them.
Mostly I comment on friends and family; people that I have a real-life relationship with. But if a blog I read asks for de-lurking, I usually do it. I would love to comment more frequently and on more blogs, but I need to minimize my computer time! As my time has gotten squeezed with the other things in life, I have had to pick and choose which blogs I am willing to commit to reading. My general philosophy is that I will read a blog if I feel that it in some way inspires me or makes me a better person. So under that definition fall:
The blogs of friends and family - I read these to keep me up to date on what they are all up to and what is important to them. Plus, it is a given that ALL of my friends and fam are totally interesting and inspiring. This is definitely the majority of the blogs I read, although it is also probably the biggest category of people who don't blog very often.
Adoption and racial issues blogs - I've got to be a life-long learner in these two areas, so different blogs keep me current on issues and perspectives. I do tend to stay away from most adoptive parent blogs because a lot of them don't meet my requirements of inspiration and improvement (unless of course they are a friend or family member), but I love reading the perspectives of women who placed children for adoption, adults who were adopted, and those who are really rocking it in transracial adoption.
Couponing - When I first started couponing, I read a TON of these blogs. But then I realized that a lot of them are repetitve and it was a waste of my time. So I picked a couple faves and that is all I need to save lots of cash!
Hair blogs - It is funny to me that this now has a category of it's own, but it does! I like to see and learn how to do different styles that are popular for my girlies.
Then there are a few that are kind of miscelaneous parenting, spirituality, and homemaking blogs. And that is my blogroll.
So now it is your turn. Leave a comment and tell us what blogs or types of blogs you like to read and why. Whether you comment on here regularly, only once in a blue moon, or you never have, I would love to hear from you! I'm always curious to know who is out there. Comment away! :)
Wow, I can't believe I get to be your first de-lurked reader (I am pretty sure that does not work as a phrase, but I'm going with it). I mainly read the blogs of friends, but also some craft blogs, and a few mama blogs. Yours is one I definitely look forward to seeing updated!! :)
Posted by: Hazel | January 20, 2011 at 10:24 AM
My fave new blog is http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/. This Chick is oh so real and inspires me in tons of ways! Check it out :) BTW, I STILL need to get a reader going like you advised me to! Someday...
Posted by: Kelly | January 20, 2011 at 12:58 PM
I'm a reader :)
Posted by: K | January 20, 2011 at 01:54 PM
Oh man, that sounds so stalky! I would confess that I am a lurker......and I don't even keep a blog! I love to keep up with people that I went to school with (would that be considered nosey?) and I do leave occasional comments, but not often. I use facebook more that blogs and there are only a handful of blogs that I keep up with. I love reading your blog because you have kids at the same age as mine and it's nice to know someone else is experiencing the same things as me.....and your family is adorable!! And your blog is witty and funny, yet very informative! Keep it up!
Posted by: Ellen Tuinstra | January 20, 2011 at 02:47 PM
Great Kelly, now I follow 72 blogs!
Posted by: Heidi | January 20, 2011 at 03:38 PM
I would not consider myself a lurker, since I am your one and only sister...it is a given that I will check your blog often and I usually call when I have a comment I want you to hear. :) I love lifeinthefarm.
Posted by: Allison | January 20, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Like Allison I don't consider myself a lurker. I'm just checking up on family. I have several blogs and sites that I check daily. If you like food, photography,tech news and spiritual meat. Here are my favorite blogs and sites.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/
http://daringfireball.net/
http://smokingapples.com/
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/
http://revision3.com/geekbeattv
http://gigaom.com/
http://akleinsasser.blogspot.com/
http://kleinsasser.blogspot.com/
http://str.typepad.com/weblog/
http://www.compasschurch.org/blogs/
Posted by: Steve Fabarez | January 20, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Heidi,
I do read your blog. It is fun for me since I have memories of you attending the Jr. High Sunday School class that I taught (or tried to teach!). You are a gifted writer with strong convictions and a person I am honored to know. Also, I am fan of the whole Keith & Gretchen Kleinsasser clan!
Posted by: Ron Sandquist | January 21, 2011 at 12:09 PM