The first time I redesigned my website, I was a fairly new blogger with a free site on Blogspot and my “redesign” consisted of creating a new header for my site and adding some poignant song lyrics to the sidebar. It may very well have been the first time I used design software to place words over a photograph, and I know for sure I was extremely proud of myself for doing it.
To create that snazzy graphic, I rounded up all my best books and arranged them on a shelf. And when I say, “best,” I don’t mean my favorite or most frequently read. Nope. I mean my most impressive, most holy, most fancy books — the ones that would prove just how hard I was working at learning and growing as a human person. Considering I was naming my blog, “Giving Up on Perfect,” it’s clear [in hindsight] that I had a long way to go.
Over the years I’ve learned and grown a lot — and I still haven’t read half those books I displayed on that shelf. But I have read a whole lot of other books. And watched some (FINE, a lot) of TV and movies. And do my kids have to beg me to listen to the pop station in the car? No, ma’am, they do not.
I used to be embarrassed by those facts.
Thankfully, some of that learning and growing included a realization that not only is it okay to rest and enjoy my life, but also that God often speaks to me through pop culture. A few years ago, a friend mentioned that she thought my passion was television — and I got real riled up. She was being nice and referring to my short-lived TV blog, but it bugged me. Eventually I figured out that what bothered me was that my passion isn’t television (or YA novels or boy bands or superhero movies), but it IS finding truth in unexpected places in the world around us. Connecting the dots between a story I read or watch, a conversation with my kids, or the sound of the smoke alarm going off, again, while I cook dinner and the Word of God makes my heart beat fast as I am convicted or encouraged or inspired or comforted – and I love nothing more than sharing those connections with other people.
And THAT is what I’m going to be doing a lot more around here. Chatting with you about all our favorite stuff but also finding (and sharing) encouragement and Truth wherever I can.
Hence, the makeover.
I am so excited to reveal the pretty new face of my website. I never imagined purple would be where we’d land, but my amazing designer (whose skills FAR surpass my ability to drop text over a picture of books) took all the ideas and thoughts and dreams and opinions I gave him — and created this beautiful, warm, and inviting (hopefully!) home for us to sit and talk and connect and breathe.
I love it (is it okay for me to say that? because I TOTALLY AM.) — and I hope you will, too.
To celebrate my new site and new focus, I have a gift for you. Everyone who subscribes to this site will receive a set of five prints and matching cards.
The set also includes a print with a quote from Joey Tribianni (“If I had to, I’d pee on any one of you.”), which just might look good in your bathroom, and one with a quote from Andy of The Office (“Sorry I annoyed you with my friendship.”), which I’m putting up in my guest room slash office with some washi tape I snagged from my daughter.
To get your own copies of these printables, just subscribe here:
Mary! I love your new site. Your tagline is perfect and perfectly suits the content you post. Funny thing about finally embracing who we really are and what we really like — we find there are lots of others who like it too! Congratulations on your beautiful site.
Thanks so much, Lisa!!
I love reading your posts! My favorite season finale has to be Lethal Weapon. I got hooked on that show after watching one episode with my son. I can’t wait to see what happens in the new season!
My husband watched Lethal Weapon this season and has told me several times that I need to catch up so we can watch it together. He’s hooked, too!
Love your sight and sense of humor! I found as a working single Mom that it was a MUST in raising children. I survived as did my son who is now 30 and doing quite well in the world. However be warned even after they are grown and gone when they return for a visit as soon as they cross the threshold they tend to revert to 12 again! I love reality shows and so my favorite season finale was last night with “The Voice”. Love, love, love to listen to people sing who unlike me can actually carry a tune!
Thanks, Bonnie. I’d agree – a sense of humor is essential to surviving anything! :)
I only have Netflix, so when I watch a season finale, it’s really a “series finale”.. and I about Bawled my eyes out at the end of Parks and Rec. Bawled.
Oh my goodness, THAT SHOW! It had me in tears more than once as the seasons went on. I’m making my husband watch it (for the first time) with me right now, and I’m DYING to get to the seasons with Ben and Chris!
I’m a long-time fan, Mary! I plan to keep reading!
Thanks, Missy! I’m so glad you’re part of this community!
Loving your new site!! I’ve been thinking about a revamp too but I should probably find a name or purpose for it first, right?! LOL! And maybe post more often…. ;) I love your sense of humor and how you handle things so well digitally! Not even kidding, I LOVE the way you explained this! I swear sometimes it’s freaky how much we are alike! Or at least we are in my head. I can’t get my thoughts to come out in such eloquent ways as you do. :) Grateful for our online friendship over the years!! Excited to follow along with your new blog!!
Hey Rochelle! Thank you for your kind words and yes, I definitely think we have lots in common! :) I’m not quite in the swing of regularly posting again yet, but maybe someday. (Goals, right?) :)
Looks great!! I posted a longer response here but it appears to have disappeared. :( Anyway, love everything you said here and grateful for our online friendship! You inspire and challenge me!!
I got both comments from you! The first one just didn’t show up because the site has to approve each new (new this time around) commenter to keep out spam. I’m grateful for our friendship, too!
Dear Baby Girl, I’m a little surprised by the purple, too, but other than that, if you hadn’t told us, I would assumed all the creativity and skill in designing your new site came straight from you. It looks terrific!