Making Facebook Manageable.

I've had a few people ask me about how to make Facebook manageable, so I thought I'd share some of the things that I do to keep from being overwhelmed by all that FB has to offer.
I personally think that it's important not to take "friends" off of your friends list unless they are TRULY not a friend, as in you have had a personal falling out, and need to remove them from your life. Because whatever your reason otherwise, unfriending someone can be hurtful.
At the same time, it's impossible to use FB and not become overwhelmed by friends who

• are always posting their game activity
• aren't really friends, and don't really have any interaction with you.
• are from your past, and not relevant to your life now.
• are family that you don't REALLY want all over your computer life.
• are kids who are friends of your kids, that you want to keep track of, but at the same time don't need to know that you can cuss like a sailor on a bad day.

My solutions?
LISTS.
the HIDE button.

Both of these things serve different purposes, so I'll break them down and share how I apply each one to MY facebook life and why. How YOU choose to use these will depend on how/why you use facebook. I personally use facebook to connect with my friends and family, but also to connect with people on line as part of my business.
TO CREATE A LIST:
click on your ACCOUNT drop down menu at the top right of your facebook page. Then choose EDIT FRIENDS>CREATE A LIST.
I have created several lists. The most important ones are my "blocked" list, and my FRIENDS list. I have some of my friends sorted into a blocked list. That group consists of people I don't really want to know my personal daily stuff, kids that I'm friends with, and a few "friends" who aren't friends at all, but who don't need to be cut out of my friends list, and hurt because of it.
My other list is FRIENDS. Like REAL friends that I've met on line or know in person, that I want to keep up with, and don't have the time to sort through all the pages of status updates and STUFF there is everyday from my whopping 400+ "friends" that I have.
Once my lists have been created, there's a few things I do.

1. I edit my privacy settings and make it so that my BLOCKED friends can't see much of anything on FB. My settings for this list are pretty high. People viewing my FB page who are on that list can't see anything except for my public profile, and they don't see any of my activity or photos. (they think I'm pretty boring on FB) lol To do this, I went to ACCOUNT>EDIT PRIVACY>CUSTOMIZE SETTINGS>for every option, I chose CUSTOM>whatever setting I wanted>HIDE FROM THESE PEOPLE and typed in the name of my blocked friends list.
2. For the friends I WANT to keep up with, and have a personal experience with, I simply click on the FRIENDS link in the left sidebar, and choose that list's name. Then only the people in that list show in my updates area, and I can quickly see what they've been up to, and comment if I want to.

THE HIDE BUTTON.
I use the hide button pretty sparingly. The HIDE button shows up on the right side of every status. If you click that button, you will essentially block ALL of that person's updates from your FB pages. You can undo this feature by scrolling to the bottom of an updates page, and clicking on the EDIT OPTIONS link at the bottom right.
Another feature that I love is the option when you see a friend's game updates, is to hide the updates of the GAME and not your friend.

These things take a little while to create and prepare, but once you do, it's really easy to get what YOU want to out of your online Facebook experience. In my opinion, it's much nicer to privately control what your "friends" see than to simply remove them from your friends list. On line friendship can be a tricky road. Think about how you'd feel even if the person who unfriended you wasn't a close friend, un friended you without warning. It stings. It's not nice, and there are lots of ways to keep the control without anyone being any wiser. At the same time, you have the right to get what YOU want out of your online life, and to not be overwhelmed by all that's out there. It's easy to lose any connection you might have been able to have when you see ten billion THINGS in your screen everyday. It's overwhelming, and truly impossible to keep up with it all. So decide what matters to you, and make that happen WITHOUT unfriending. :) Good luck, and happy listing!!
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Planes Trains and Automobiles

I made it to Indiana safely!! On my first plane, I was one of the last people on, and by the time I did get on, all the overhead space had been taken up, so I had to check my bag. Not a big deal. The attendants asked if I wanted my bag to be ready for pick up at my final destination, or in Detroit where I had a layover. I thought I may as well just pick it up plane side in Detroit, but I didn't REALIZE (until it was too late) that they were CHECKING the bag. As in, I had to go pick it up at BAGGAGE CLAIMS, not plane side.
Good thing I had two hour layover in Detroit... because I had to go get my luggage, and then go BACK THROUGH security screening.
sheeeeze.
lol
I was a little worried that I might not be back to my gate in time, but after I got through security (again) I saw that my connecting flight was late by a little over an hour.
Did you know that Airport floors are more comfortable that airplane seats to sleep on? Totally true.
I made it safe and sound!! FINALLY!! Been playing with Coffee's kiddos and watching movies together. Tomorrow we hit the barn sales and thrift stores!! Right now, I think I need a nap. lol
Also.
I need to take more PICTURES.

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Maintenance Men

We've been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff these days... one of these days I'll take the time to post about it.
But in the mean time,
life doesn't stop... and our boys learned something NEW yesterday!
They learned to run the lawn mower!

He can even start it on his own.

Josh starting the mower for Macs. Awwwwww

We have the beginnings of our very own maintenance men!!

He's really into making faces while I take his picture.

It's been raining here, and it still feels like FEB. most days!! I can't wait for summer to GET HERE!!

a couple shots from the property...
the fig tree I can't wait to eat.

the flowers that REALLY make up our "lawn" lol

I'm also getting ready to leave the family to see my best friend in Indiana!!
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Counting my Chickens AFTER they hatch.

Whut's UP, chickenbutt?!

Seriously.
Is there ANYTHING more CUTE??
OK.
Maybe this.

I went an met MIKE yesterday to pick up and pick out my chickens!! I had so much fun choosing the markings I wanted out of the mutt batch!! I think out of all of the chickens I took home, only one is pure bred. :) I decided on six of them, although Mike was more than generous about making sure I knew that when I return to shoot photos of his family, I don't even need to bring my kennel. He'll be sure to provide the box for more... :) lol I love it.
So here's what I've got.
I was concerned about getting white birds because I don't want to attract birds of prey to the flock, but the boys REALLY wanted some white ones. As a compromise, I chose white with black markings in the hopes that from a distance they will be able to blend into grass and shadows. I think the one on the right might be a Wyandotte cross.

The second white cross looks like it has a rose comb. No idea what cross would make that, although I think Mike said... I can't remember. The back bird in the third photo is how the second white one is marked. It almost looks like pepper on it's back. Very delicate.

I think I may have two birds that MIGHT lay me green eggs!! I can't remember what cross Mike thought this one was... but I picked it out before I got to his house while looking at photos. I love the red under it's black/green feathers!! (I've used pixels to blur out the chickens you're NOT looking at. It's not your computer screen)

This one has a name already. I call her Sweet Cheeks. I think she's an Ameraucana cross. She MIGHT lay me blue/green eggs. :) I love the way her cheek feathers pooch out.

Here's chicken #5. It's black with white peppered into it's feathers. Another one I picked out from photos that Mike sent before I came.

And my Rhode Island Red. She's the prettiest copper red EVER. She just may have to be named Henny Penny.

Chronic and the girls were pretty interested in the new pullets today when they woke up, and the new girls are anxious to be with him... lol He was dancing all over the place showing off for them when he saw them.

Here's the BABIES I got at Easter. They are just a tad younger than the newest set, and I'll be combining them with the big girls at the same time I will be combining the others. I should have a complete combined flock by the end of June.

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First Grader, OH First Grader

What is it about kindergarten graduation that makes kids to absolutely adorable?
And HOW is it that he manages to get a koolaide mustache RIGHT before picture time...?
I love that.

He wanted me to be SURE to get this shot... I'm not sure why.

And after ALL the wiggling and kiddos who refused to smile... it's the kids rushing the teacher AFTER it all that I really love.

This is Josh with one of his 4th grade teachers. He will be Josh's teacher for the next two years. I can't wait to volunteer in his class. :)

Officially, I'm now the mom of a 5th and a FIRST grader!!

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