Category Archives: Blogging

Second year of the Homeowner’s blog

The Homeowner’s blog is two years old today! It is hard to believe that I’ve been typing these posts out for two years. Here is a brief rundown:

  • Number of posts: 326
  • Number of comments: 863
  • Number of visitors: 126,117
  • Average page views per day ~500
  • Subscribers ~95

Of all those things, the statistic that I am most proud of is the comments. It seems my readers have a lot of thoughtful input, I have learned quite a few things from the comments that they have left.

Here is a blast from the past:

original homeowner\'s blog

That is a screen shot of the original homeowner’s blog before I switched to word press. You know, I kind of miss the old look, it was simple and it got the point across. Anyway, that blogging software was riddled with bugs and I like word press.

Unfortunately, I have not been doing much work on the house lately.  It is a combination of time and money, both of which are in short supply.  Therefore, I may stop posting for awhile as the topics have kind of drifted off into left field somewhere.  If resources permit, I do have some small projects that can be done, but for now, we are on hiatus.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’ve been recognized!

E For ExcellentSee what happens when you go out of town for the long holiday weekend? Somebody comes along and give you an award! Thanks to Ethan and Fred at One Project Closer for the E. I was in the Navy, I know that an E is a highly coveted grade and I am flattered. However, as everything goes, an E also has its responsibilities. I have to now choose 10 blogs that I read which I think deserve an E. There are many excellent blogs out there however, I am going to try and pick some newer blogs that I like:

  1. 3 Acres and 3 Thousand Square Feet, aka the adventures of Flannel Man and Robin. Good blog about fixing up a 1973 ranch. Also, lots and lots of great pictures and of ideas about photography.
  2. Tiny Old House. I can’t pass this one up. Jen does a wonderful job explaining how she and her husband are fixing up their brick clad house.
  3. Jay Gaulard Blog. Even though Jay has moved to another state, he is still fixing up his house. Interesting posts about tile and beer.
  4. The Box House. Joanne discusses fixing up a two family.
  5. Residential Solar Power Blog. CalFinder runs a contractor finder web site, the also offer news about residential solar installations and products.
  6. Today’s Green Construction. Todd has launched a new blog about green construction and development.
  7. Helpful Advice for Home Construction and improvement. Speaking of Todd…
  8. EZ DIY electricity. Wayne shares his knowledge with the rest of us about electricity and wiring.

Ten, huh. Well, I can only find eight, so that will have to do.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Blog Reader of the week

I decided that I should recognize my faithful readers, who, for reasons only known to themselves, read my posts no matter how inane or off topic they may be. To that end, I will post once a week a little blurb about my favorite reader and why I picked that person.

This week it is the anonymous reader from Wien, Austria. For those of you that don’t know, Wien is the German name for Vienna. Since almost the beginning, when I barely had 20 page views a day, this person has checked the blog either by visiting the home page or taking a RSS feed. During all that time, nary a peep has been heard back from that part of the world in this direction. No comments or email, just the same mysterious IP address showing up regularly in the stat counter. Ah well, perhaps it is better left a question mark so I can fill in the blank with my own imagination.

Since we know nothing of the reader himself (or herself), here is a little bit about Vienna:

Vienna was founded around 500 BC, originally a Celtic settlement.

In 15 BC, Vienna became a Roman frontier city (”Vindobona”) guarding the Roman Empire against Germanic tribes to the north.

During the Middle Ages, Vienna was home of the Babenberg Dynasty

In 1440 became residence city of the Habsburg dynasties from where Vienna eventually grew to become the capital of the Holy Roman Empire

Vienna twice stopped the Ottoman invasions of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries outside the city gates. (see Siege of Vienna, 1529 and Battle of Vienna, 1683).

Styles itself as cultural center for arts and science, music and fine cuisine

From our friends at Wikipedia.

So, here’s to you, Mr. (or Mrs or perhaps Miss) Anonymous reader from Austria. Because of you, I lie awake at night wondering what in the world I can post about tomorrow.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Home Improvement Web Directory

In my spare time (yeah, right) I have been fooling around with a link directory page for the Home Owner’s Blog. Since I receive many requests for reciprocal links, I figured I would automate the process and make life easier for myself. I think it will be helpful to those looking for links to their pages, but don’t want to pay Text Link Adds or somebody like that. I will be putting links to this directory in other web directories as well.

The link directory has about 70 categories and about 400 links right now. If I forgot anything that you think should be in there, let me know.

So head on over, take a look around, let me know what you think:

Home Owner’s Blog Link Directory

Popularity: 1% [?]