I hope you had a good weekend. I took some time to add several new links into my “Favorites” Blogroll. These are websites and blogs I look forward to visiting — most of these bloggers update several times a week. So, I enjoy having something current and interesting to read — and I hope you’ll be able to visit them too.

I also figured out how to get that Technorati Search Tool on my blog — do you see it down there on the bottom left in my sidebar? You can type in topics you’re interested in to see if I’ve written about them. For example, Iris asked if I’d studied under Beth Moore — to find out if I’ve posted about her, you can type “Beth Moore” into that Search Tool, and you can see two posts that I wrote in October about the Beth Moore Bible Study I’m attending. I have to give Terry Whalin credit for this — he has this tool in his blog, so I’ve added it to mine. I hope it will make Mom 2 Mom Connection more user friendly for people who are searching for certain topics.

I found out that Sallie of Two Talent Living will be taking a sabbatical from blogging while she pursues other writing projects. Here’s what she said:

I also really want to spend more time writing for publication. Writing is my gift and writing is my part of our business. And the totally honest truth is that as much as I love blogging, I’m not making any money. I know that sounds crass and that I’ve viewed my blog as a ministry, but the reality is, blogging doesn’t pay any bills. And blogging is taking way too much of my time right now. I need to be pursuing my writing as my profession for now.

I’m glad she was able to be so honest! It definitely takes time to scour the markets and find what publishers are looking for — then you need to contact editors, make sure you have their names spelled correctly, your writing meets the needs of their schedule and particular audience…and you have to meet deadlines.

People in the publishing business are always coming and going, so you really need to contact the publication directly before you send anything off — or you may have the wrong editor’s name. Then there are themes…and word counts…and other guidelines. And you should also read through a few sample copies of a periodical before you know the writing style they’re looking for. It’s exciting work, but also time-consuming.

Since I also write for publication — and keep a blog — I’ve found what works best is that I write for my deadlines in the early morning when I can think without being interrupted…then I write a blog post in the afternoon, when I feel relaxed and want to email people. I love the timestamp tool where I can postdate my entries!

While Sallie’s taking a break from hosting the Carnival of Beauty, other lady bloggers have stepped in to host. Here are the upcoming topics and hostesses:

January 8 – Winter – Carol (She Lives)
January 15 – Hope – Ellen (MzEllen & Co.)
January 22 – Serving – Amanda (following an unknown path)
January 29 – Gentleness – Iris (eph2810)
February 5 – Contentment – Bethany (A Picturesque Life)

So, visit the Guidelines and send your post to Carol by Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm — Texas time! While I was visiting Carol’s blog, I noticed she had a cute quiz on there — and since my birthday is coming up this month, I followed the link.

Who writes these things? It’s eery (and a bit embarrassing) how they seem to know me! Try it and see what they’ve written for you.

Your Birthdate: January 23

You’re not good at any one thing, and that’s the problem. You’re good at so much – you never know what to do. Change is in your blood, and you don’t stick to much for long. You are destined for a life of travel and fun. Your strength: Your likeability Your weakness: You never feel satisfied Your power color: Bright yellow Your power symbol: Asterisk Your power month: May