Blog Makeover and Thanksgiving
The big news tonight is the redesigned blog. More on that in a minute. First, I am pleased to report I had total VICTORY at my Thanksgiving meal today!! Not only did I not gorge myself, I actually left feeling perfectly full. This is so different from years gone by. Breakfast was my typical apple with natural PB. Supper was actually the meal I am disappointed in. I ate two eggs and a bowl and a half of Grape Nuts. <banging head against the desk> I am coming to the conclusion that I would be better off never eating that cereal (or any cereal) again. I get weak and cannot stop at a reasonable amount. That is so very frustrating to me.
I also exercised again today, but only a four mile walk. I really wanted to do a six-miler, but I could not make myself do it. If I am going to hit 35 miles this week, I am going to have to get with it. Perhaps I will get a couple of miles in tomorrow at the mall.
Now, back to the blog. I really struggled getting a design that accomplished everything I wanted. The first thing you will notice is that the most recent video post is always in plain site at the top right of the blog. This should not simultaneously show up in the left pane. This was the most complicated thing to accomplish. It should still show up in RSS readers though, but I won’t know for sure until I post the next video. Second, I now have a page containing all my video posts. Third, I have added a ‘Speaking‘ page, which I hope to use to market myself as a weight loss and fitness speaker.
If all you see is a dark background with white areas for text, then you are using a smaller monitor, 17″ or so and smaller. This is the same monitor I use on my desktop. However, if you are using a wider monitor you also see a blue textured bar running down the right side of the page. This allowed a little style, while preventing a cluttered look. Another item that is added is an ‘Advertising Bar’ along the right side. While it doesn’t cost a lot to self-host a blog, it does cost something. I hope this can help offset some of this cost, but if it doesn’t, that isn’t a big deal. I tried to position this in an out of the way, yet viewable spot. Those with 15″ monitors probably won’t even see this unless you scroll over.
I think that covers the high points. If something seems broken, please contact me! I think I have checked everything, but there is always a chance that I missed something.
All week I have been thinking about Thanksgiving and what I am thankful for. I have seen a number of posts about this, each one bringing up some great points. I thought I would take a moment to list a few things that I am particularly thankful for this year:
- Christ – without Him, I would have nothing.
- My health – Knowing I was truly on a path to destruction, this means more than ever.
- My job – In today’s world, good work is hard to find. I am truly blessed in this regards.
- The ability to be fat – I know this sounds like a weird thing to be thankful for, yet I am. I am glad to be in a position I am not starving. I am glad to be in a position where I have plenty. That doesn’t mean I was glad to be fat, but it does mean that I am thankful to have more than enough.
- My family – I am truly blessed with a supportive, healthy family. I am married to a committed woman, and I have three outstanding kids who have lots of attributes to be thankful for. Both my parents are still living and healthy. What more could I ask for?
Of course, there are many other things I am thankful for – this just hits the high points. No matter where you live in the world, whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, take a moment to count your blessings. No matter how bad sometimes seem, we all have a lot to be thankful for.
48 Responses to “Blog Makeover and Thanksgiving”
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Great makeover!
Congratulations on your Thanksgiving victory!!!
Oh those Grape Nuts. If you recall, I ended up buying a box because the store I went to didn’t have my cereal. They were okay and I had them a few times, but they weren’t doing it for me. I had them on my desk and the other day a colleague came in to my office to speak to me and saw them.
It was like they found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They were so excited. They became even more excited when I suggested they take the box and go. Another satisfied customer.
Hope you are enjoying your vacation!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Thanks Kimberley! I like it. Not nearly as much as victory over Thanksgiving though.
Yeah, you know, I hated Grape Nuts most of my life. In fact, I only started eating them after starting my diet and fitness changes. Now I cannot get enough. Crazy, I know.
I am enjoying the vacation, but it hasn’t been vacationy enough yet.
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I think it looks great! One question – it’s pushed over to the left so the whole right side (to the right of the blue stripe) is black. Is that intentional or is it just my browser? Not that it looks bad, but just thought I’d mention it!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Diane, thanks for bringing that up. It is intentional. I debated having it centered, but I was unable to optimize it for all screen resolutions and, to a lesser degree, browsers if I did that. That is one of the things that I went back and forth on. I still might center it, as I like the looks of that better, but I have to figure out how to make it display right in all screen resolutions first. I do appreciate the comment though. Be sure and let me know if anything else doesn’t look right.
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I love all your thankful things,you are a very blessed person,we all need to say prayers for those around us(and there are many) who do not have the same blessings or opportunities as others.God will bless them if they will only ask him.Amen.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
This is all so very true VAngel.
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love the new look…glad you were strong on your turkey day meal. I know it can be fustrating to give in on those grape nuts. no advice, but knowing you’ll even it out
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Angie, it is just really irritating to not be able to control myself over something as unappetizing as Grape Nuts!
I am glad you like the new look. I am pleased with it.
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Steve, Excellent examples of what you are thankful for! It gave me some ideas for my blog as well.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love the new blog!
http://www.loseweightnowegould.blogspot.com
Any support is appreciated!!
http://www.active.com/donate/lv09lasvegas/vegas09EGould
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Emmet, thanks for the comment! By the way, I just answered your email. Let me know if you don’t get it for some reason.
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Great job on the T Day success!! I saw the word ‘mall’ there – are you a Black Friday shopper?? Insane!
Laughing at the Grape Nuts. I do that too, I stop getting cereal – then I think I can let it back in the house. Not!! LOL
Nice sleek design on the blog. I think you need a happier after picture, though!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Lori, I am an unwilling Black Friday shopper. It is something I only do out of love for my wife. I don’t enjoy or appreciate a mall on a good day, much less Black Friday.
Unfortunately, I cannot keep the cereal out of the house. It is what my wife eats for breakfast. That being said, we are going to have to figure out a different place for it to be stored – hopefully somewhere I cannot find it.
Thanks for the comment on the blog. I thought the same thing, but I didn’t have one yet. I will work on that.
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Congrats on the victory. I can’t say I really did – I had decided I was eating the turkey and all the fixins. Dessert was weird. I didn’t really feel like having it but felt like I should! Then when I had some didn’t really enjoy it and felt kinda sick. I am glad for that – it shows my eating habits have switched a little.
But that is what the Lord has allowed and who am I to question it!
I agree with all your thankfulness and it pretty much lines up with mine except only one parent and she’s 4,500 miles away
Talk to you on DM. Rest day for me tomorrow
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Ange, it feels good to know that our habits have changed, doesn’t it? Even if we have to feel bad to realize it.
It must be tough to have a parent so far away. I am very fortunate as mine live within 20 miles. Of course, that has both good and bad points to it. You are right though, who are we to question? No matter what, we are to be joyful about it.
Make it a great day Ange!
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Great job on your Thanksgiving victory. I love your thankful list and your new layout!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Thank you Lisa!
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Yes, cereal is like a “treat” for me now. Grape nuts or wheat germ with a little fruit is like having a piece of cake was a year ago. LOL My how things change.
Thank you for commenting on my dog post. I think I will take your advice and get the pepper spray. When I was researching what to do, that was my first choice as it doesn’t involve blood and is temporary.
But I had read a study about police dogs being given a command and then being hit with pepper spray right afterwards. Most of them will complete the mission of the last command in spite of the pepper spray. This makes me wonder if a dog on a mission to bite could also overcome.
But if it worked for your wife it is worth a try. My dog’s life or mine could depend on what I use so I may carry more than one thing– like pepper spray and then something else, but I don’t know what the something else will be, yet.
Thanks for your support, it means a lot!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:40 am
How things change is right.
As far as the pepper spray goes, not only is it temporary, it is extremely effective, if my wife’s experience is any indicator. I don’t know if police dogs are a good indicator. Those dogs are trained to do some pretty amazing things.
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The new and improved blog looks almost as great as the new and improved Steve! Your continued success and gratitude inspire me every time I read your blog.
I’m amazed at what techies can do with blogging! I can barely scratch off a decent post!
Today being Friday (tho still the wee small hours) I’m hoping and planning to get back on track with my eating after several bad days. I look to amazing successes like you to remind me of what I really want.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Thank you Leslie.
I wish I were as techie as some perceive me. It is something I love playing with.
The day after Thanksgiving is a great day to start afresh. Let’s make today a great day!
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The new design is growing on me Steve. It is strong, direct and masculine, so it reflects who you are really well (or at least how I perceive you to be).
Moderation at your Thanksgiving Meal is quite an accomplishment — congrats on that!
I don’t really get the cereal thing as they don’t appeal to me at all and the only cereals I eat are hot ones like oatmeal, cream of barley or red river cereal….the other stuff is quite unappealing to me.
Might be time to just stomp those grapenuts once and for all!!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Wendy, the perception you perceive is one I like!
The Thanksgiving Day meal was quite an accomplishment over years past, that is for sure. I have one more to attend at my Mom’s house tomorrow. I intend on the same results.
I have always enjoyed cold cereals, and apparently they are a true chink in my armor. I am going to at least go back to avoiding them most days.
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Glad you had a good Thanksgiving! I’m the same with grape nuts – I haven’t bought them in years because I can eat half a box in one sitting, no problem! They’re so dense that half a box doesn’t actually ‘look’ all that much (not by my greedy standards, anyway!)
I’ll explore the blog in more detail later… It takes me a little while to get used to new things!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:44 am
I had to chuckle as I read this Patsy. I could also eat half a box, but that is a lot of Grape Nuts!
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So glad your Thanksgiving was a good one and you have so much to be thankful for, Steve.
Compliments on the blog makeover – I think it really reflects you and the journey you have made so far: the more solid colours speak of someone more solidly grounded, and the bright blue shouts out of the energy you have for this journey. Perfect! (So there’s your artist’s appraisal, LOL!)
Don’t feel bad about the Grape Nuts, as you say in a comment up there, given the Thanksgiving VICTORY you’ve had this year, this is probably still MILES ahead of where you started out for Thanksgiving. Your baseline has been raised by an exponential amount!
Steve, I am busy purging my home of ALL concentrated carbs. I simply cannot contain myself around them at the moment. Maybe later it will improve, but right now I’ve reached the point where I realize I can only help myself by not bringing them into the house in the first place.
Perhaps your wife can give you a Christmas gift for next year, like 50 Grapenut-FREE weeks in the household while she munches some other kind of cereal.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Thank you Pippa!
I appreciate your comment on the blog makeover. I always value the artist’s appraisal. I am sure not an artist, so I need to seek the advice of the experts.
You bring up a good point, I am miles ahead of last year, but I cannot rest in that. I am becoming more keenly aware by the day that cereals are a real weakness I may never get over. That being said, I can totally understand purging the house of concentrated carbs. I have not done that, as most of them don’t tempt me, but that cereal is another story.
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Steve it made me happy to read this blog. I am so glad you got the results you were looking for. I don’t care much for cereal – but the couple I do like are fat dense (i.e. granola) and I don’t have the ability to eat a portion so out of my house they stay!
Your thoughts on being thankful for having the ability to be fat struck a chord with me. I have been thinking over and over about how blessed we are to have leftovers when there are many people in this world who don’t even get the first plate.
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Helen Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Forgot to mention that I got my update done for the week.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Gotcha – thanks!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:47 am
I think your approach is one I need to be taking Helen. I cannot let my addictions to this cereal derail me.
Thanks for your comment, as always.
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Good job on keeping it together for Thanksgiving!
Very nice blog layout! The blue textured stripe really does add class.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Thank you Hanlie!
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I loved your list of Thanksgiving!
We are truely Blessed.
The site is great.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
We are truly blessed – there is no better way to say it Shelli. Thanks.
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Steve, congrats on turkey day success & your walk! I did well too & just ate like I normally do & had a treat which I planned for so not to worry.. plus I did not feel sickly full which some were complaining of after eating too much. I hate that feeling so I am glad I have got past that.
On your site, I did not see the side bars with the advertising, sites you read & such until I hit the comment button to make a comment. I am guessing that is intentional but what if you have a reader that just reads & does not comment. Will they see that?
On your cereal, I have a couple like Kashi Go Lean granola that I will NOT bring in the house but I can bring in the KAshi Go Lean high protein blend that I can portion control so… BUT I understand about this. There are some things I just do NOT bring home!
Have a great one!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Good work on your turkey day Jody. Of course, I didn’t expect anything different.
I am not going to tell my wife no Grape Nuts in the house, so I need to have her hide them somewhere I cannot find them.
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Steve, it all clicked in on my second try here so I can see everything now!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
I saw this before I replied to your earlier comment – I am glad it is working now.
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Love the new blog! And I totally agree with your list: my family, my job, my health, and my savior. Vital!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Thanks Beej!
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You and those gosh darn grape nuts!!! LOL!! Those suckers are nothing but trouble for you. STEVE, step away from the Grape Nuts, step away!!
I love the new look. It looks fab! I’ve been thinking of redesigning mine for when I start my maintenance phase – I’ll be contacted you for some advice – please and thank you!
Amen! I just love that you are thankful for Christ. Without Him, nothing is possible. I know that I would not be where I am today without Him. I am so blessed – we are so blessed.
Glad you had a nice Thanksgiving!! Oh, one more thing:
GET RID OF THE GRAPE NUTS!!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
There are no Grape Nuts in the house right now – all is well.
I am glad you like the design. It was fun making it, and I think it offers a refreshing new look. Feel free to contact me about yours when you get ready to start.
Joania, I am glad to see your thoughts on Christ too. As you said, without him, nothing else is possible.
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Congratulations on a very successful Thanksgiving and a delightful new blog design! I like your gratitude list – really great!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thank you Kat!
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Congrats Steve on your control throughout your Thanksgiving dinner.
Your site looks great. I have a 15′ monitor on my laptop and I see everything just fine. Good job.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
November 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Thank you Karyn! I appreciate the input.
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