A new look!

Hey, look what happened to my blog overnight! It got a whole new look. Isn't it completely amazing?! The only thing is that I'm back to square one when it comes to Disqus being integrated into blogger. That sucks but it has nothing to do with the redesign& everything to do with Disqus being incredibly frustrating when it isn't working correctly.

Now, if you remember my previous design (sort of wishing I had taken a screen shot of it for before/ after photos), you are well aware that I definitely didn't create this new look! You're right. I have zero ability when it comes to any of that. I did, however, take the photo that is appearing on the header. I love how it all works together! The face on the doll just cracks me up so much. So, if I didn't design the new look, who did? Kim from Kim in a Box! She is completely awesome. Seriously. I had no idea what I was doing or even what I wanted the end result to look like. She stepped in& did everything. She picked the photo for the header, designed everything& even installed it onto Blogger for me! I was super picky about how I wanted the header to look in the end& she exceeded my expectations! At first I was nervous to tell her I liked, but didn't love, the original design. Her response? Basically not to worry at all because she was going to work with me until it was my idea of perfect! She did a pretty amazing job, don't you think?! Thanks so much, Kim! You rock.

If anyone out there (blogger or wordpress) is looking for a new layout, I would 100% suggest Kim. She did fabulous work and she did it quickly. I cannot say enough positive things about this lady. If you're interested, click here to go to her design page! Her prices are completely reasonable, she is fabulous to work with& she is a great lady all around. Definitely keep her in mind if you are searching for a new or updated blog look!


So, now that you've read all that, I have some sad news. I've officially failed another photography challenge. I just can't get back into things after I've missed a few days and, once again, this is no exception. Don't worry, though! I've still been taking photos ..yes, mostly of my dog but sometimes of others things too. For example, today the pup& I went to the beach where he had a good run (I took photos) and then afterward, I snapped this photo of some random apples just hanging out in the grass-

Doesn't that just scream 'autumn'? No? Oh, well hey, at least it's not a photo of my dog, right?! I'm trying to branch out my photography from my main theme of my dog. With that being said, I also have a few cute photos of him. Seeing as he is an old senior citizen dog, I love when he's feeling good enough to have a real hard run around the beach. It is nice to know that he still has the get up& go of his younger days! The run obviously tired him out though because since getting back in the house, he has been simply laying flat out on the floor looking at me pathetically. I guess that is acceptable since he spent about forty minutes out the beach today running like this-

Look closely. All 4 of his feet are very high off the ground. Way to go little monster! You are still a speed machine when you are feeling good ..which was evidently today! I have a few other cute shots of Squirty, but I figure you guys are completely overloaded with the puppy as of late so I'll refrain from posting them! Thanks for enduring this much of him without complaining ;D

It was perfect for a trip to the beach. Overcast, a chill in the air& not a soul around except me& my pup. Not that great for swimming but perfect for walking along, my favorite beach activity! Oh, and taking photos while I'm there!We spent at least an hour there just enjoying some of the last few days it will be nice out before winter hits us hard!

New blogger!

Dearest blog readers;
I have yet another announcement to make! Someone else has joined my team of blogging. Her name is Sarah and she works at a dressage farm doing all sort of exciting things that I will let her explain to you over the course of her posts :) Her first official post is up and it's an introduction of sorts!

She is an amazing rider, photographer& writer! She has her very own page and as updates proceed to happen around here there will be a contact page for both her& I in case you have any burning questions that just NEED to be answered!

A teaser image.

Her photography is better than mine! No fair.

I know this place has been sort of a mess lately with all the layout changes and such but I finally got a layout that is simple& easy on the eyes so this one will probably stick around for quite some time. Thanks for keeping on reading and commenting while we've been under slight construction! I try to do my updates at ungodly late hours so not many people will run into issues with it. I have an 'appointment' Monday afternoon with Godaddy to figure out some more stuff and hopefully after that I'll be well on my way :)

So that is my excitement for the day! Everyone hop over to the new section (which is, obviously, still under construction. Just couldn't wait to get her first post up) and show some love to Sarah! Some of the kinks will be worked out with time. Her new posts will be at the top& I'll always include a link in my main blog when one of her new posts goes up! Let me know what you think of the newest Halfpastwonderful team member .. I know I am excited to hear her stories and look at her gorgeous photos!

Halfpastwonderful.com!

It's up and running folks. My blog has it's very own domain. No more of the .blogspot nonsense ;D I am so incredibly excited.

For a little bit there I didn't think it would work. I couldn't figure out why the only custom domain I was allowed to have was the one that blogger wanted me to buy from them. Well, blogger ..sucks to be you. I bought mine from Godaddy.

Thank goodness for friends who teach you how to fix all your problems. It took a lot of effort on her part, but she helped me figure out how to make blogger work on my new domain. Thanks, Jaimie :D Without you I would be laying on my bed with a broken computer and a domain name I couldn't use. I was so frustrated and now I am excited. So .. here's my first post since getting that domain up& running. How is this going to change anything about my blogging?

I have no idea. Honestly. I just really wanted my own domain. I also really want a new comments section .. new layout .. and a book deal. But I always want a book deal. I'll settle for none of the above as long as at least a few people are enjoying my posts.

Afterall, I do have a domain name for the next 2yrs that I have to use!

Here is a little flower love!

In honor of my new domain name .. promises of more photos to come :)

Sunshine& news

Sun is shining. It's gorgeous out. I said I would be up early to get some sunglasses& head to the beach. I was up at 7.30AM but managed to so far only lay on the swing behind our garage. Oh well, I read a good book called A Field Full of Butterflies. It's about a lady who grew up in a gypsy world .. interesting and a good read on a sunny day. Any suggestions for other good reads?!

Not a beautiful cover.

I would suggest it if you want something light to read!

Now I'm off to get a pair of sunglasses. I already have them picked out. They are purple zebra print .. I don't even care that most people would think they are some kind of ugly! I love them& they are (hopefully) going to cost me $0 because I plan on purchasing them with my Shoppers Optimum points! Go me.

[via]

They sort of look like these.

But not really.

So that is all there is to say about today. Onto my news portion of this post. The news for today is that in a few short hours I will be the proud new owner of my very first domain. I am probably ridiculously excited considering how many people have domains and it really isn't that big of a deal but nonetheless. I still can't wait until simply typing in my new domain will bring you to my blog .. no more of the blogspot nonsense.

Well .. that's that! I hope the sun is shining and it's gorgeous where you are as well :) Enjoy this day folks!

Today was ..

..eventful I think is a good word. Thankfully the sun was shining& I'm not the kind of girl to let events keep me down! My day started bright& early with a drive home from Sydney. I should have stopped in at the barns& let the horses out but it was only 7AM so I didn't bother. Instead I went right home to charge my cell& figure out how to lock it to prevent future random texting& calling.

Remember this bad boy?

Still can't figure out how to work it most days.

Why did it take me so long to bother locking it? I don't know. Used to not think much of having a phone lock until I realized that sometimes it would connect to the internet or load games& guess what folks? That nonsense costs me money. I was basically paying for my phone to browse the net. Weird concept, right? So I figured it out (but I did have to google it to figure it out ..) and now my phone is nice& locked from random texting, calling& web browsing.

So then I spent the rest of the day (which was gorgeous minus the fog) not doing anything. Sometimes being sloth-like is pleasant. I was going to figure out how to switch to Wordpress but I just feel like I'm here now& so is my blog and I probably can import it or something but like I'd ever be able to figure that out (unless it's super simple) so instead I will save it for a rainy day. Like all the rest of the week is going to be :)

I am so excited for Canada Day ..I have no idea why. I have no plans and no potential plans. I will probably go watch fireworks alone ahaha such a loser! Good thing I like myself as I do otherwise I might be sad that my Canada Day was consisting of such boring activities alone. Oh well. I am still cooler than most people ;) And I have photos of Dew& Dixie on my camera but they aren't uploaded yet so they aren't making it on the blog like I had originally planned. Sorry folks!

Instead I will leave you with a question -how are you spending your Canada Day / Independence Day weekend?!

Dear Blogger

You suck. You won't upload my photos. You load super slow.
I have noticed this for quite some time now. I am curious if there are better places to have my blog (wordpress?) and even more curious if I can import my blog.

Seeing as I can't sleep and have a long day ahead of me ..I may spend the morning investigating this problem. Too bad the photo I wanted to upload just wouldn't work, Blogger. We could have worked through our issues as long as you would still allow me to add some photos.

Seeing as you won't, I don't know how much longer I can continue my relationship with you. Sad, sad day.

Long break!

Sorry folks, I got mad at Blogger for first deleting my post then my comments.

Post has been returned .. comments have not. Still slightly upset about that. Oh well.. moving on to bigger& better.

So, I officially signed up for Tour for Kids Atlantic 3-day Cabot Trail bike event :D It's super exciting. It is August 5th, 6th& 7th. I will not know a soul but am hoping that either the boyfriend or a parent will take some photos of my adventure for me :) I'm going to have to fund raise $1,000 by September 31st. I'm nervous ..especially since I can't figure the stupid thing out. My fingers are crossed .. as soon as I figure it out, I will post the link here.

Tonight I fell off a horse. Her name is Lexie and I hit the gravel hard. Even after 14 years of riding, a fall is still humbling! Oh well .. I got back on her and she was fine. She got spooked by a horse out in the field. No big deal, aside from the fact that I think my hip is going to be mighty sore tomorrow. And I caught myself with my already destroyed right arm. Oh, the joys.

So, now I'm over being angry at Blogger and will be back to posting daily! Hope your weather is turning into the summer kind ..it certainly isn't on the island :(

Edit- You have NO idea how much it would be appreciated if someone random& who I didn't have to totally beg in real life to support me ..did this! I figured out the link to my page for TourforKids .. all you have to do is click the button 'Make A Pledge' and go ahead! You can donate however much or little you want! Any amount helps ..I have to get to $1,000. And I suck at this stuff! Who wants to be my first donation?!

So, without further ado -here is my fundraising page :) Simply click here!

PS you guys rock <3