The friday gathering for 5/2/2008
By glblguy
Photo by: joiseyshowaa
This week I learned about the power of Google and how much traffic they can send to a blog. Over the past few weeks, people around the internet have been using Google to search for terms related to the in economic stimulus rebate. Fortunately, I’ve written a few articles on the subject: one discussing when the rebate checks will be send out, another clarifying that the stimulus rebate isn’t a loan as some people stated, and one talking about what I plan to do with ours.
My articles must have faired well in the complex site ranking algorithms Google uses and as a result I’ve received an enormous (ok, enormous for me) amount of traffic from Google over the past 2 weeks. More than 3 times what I normally receive. I have enjoyed the new surge of visitors very much and hope they become regular readers and maybe even subscribers! A few other bloggers I communicate with on a regular basis have also seen increases in traffic due to the economic stimulus articles they have written as well.
Another interesting traffic phenomenon I’ve noticed is that StumbleUpon, my favorite social networking site doesn’t seem to like me anymore. I can’t really figure it out. When I first started using StumbleUpon, I received enormous waves of traffic from popular articles. Now, I’m lucky to receive 100 visits, even from articles that receive lots of thumbs-up votes. I do frequent the same blogs and often give them thumbs up, so I wonder if StumbleUpon has detected a pattern and wants me to visit sites outside of those? If anybody has any insight, I’d love to hear your perspective. I really enjoy participating in the StumbleUpon community.
A Personal Favor
I’d like to ask a favor. My Mom called me the other night and informed me that she has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Needless to say I was stunned and pretty upset. The doctor is very optimistic about it though, which is wonderful news, but it’s still cancer, and cancer scares me. Especially after I watched a friend and co-worked die from brain cancer less than a year ago. Please keep my mother in your prayers and thoughts. I believe in the power of prayer and the difference it can make.
Also, please continue to pray for Pete’s wife who is still in the hospital with a severe blood clot. Pete says she’s definitely on the upside, but will most likely be in the hospital for the next few days. For those that may not know him, Pete blogs at Bible Money Matters. He’s also looking for guest articles since he doesn’t have much time to write due to working and being at the hospital. If you’re interested in writing one or have one already, please contact him (his email is in the sidebar of his main blog page).
A few announcements
- I’ve updated my blogroll again. I removed a few blogs and added a few new ones that I’ve really enjoyed reading over the past few weeks. Remember, my blogroll is a list of blogs I read daily. I don’t do link exchanges or add blogs by request. If it’s on my list, I read it daily.
- Lynnae from Being Frugal.net recently wrote a review of SmartyPig, one of my new favorite online financial sites. Lynnae is giving away two $25.00 SmartyPig gift cards. Entering the contest is easy too!
- Pinyo from Moolanomy also has a contest going on. To enter you need to share your best wedding tip or story. The winner will receive a $50 Amazon giftcard or $50 cash.
- PT from PTMoney is celebrating his 1 year anniversary and to celebrate, he’s giving away a $50 Amazon gift card. Head over and enter the contest, I did!
The Gathering
- Single Guy Money – Remembering How Lucky I Am
- Money Saving Mom – Less is More: Part 1 and Less is More: Part 2
- Plonkee Money – so you’d like to play music
- Oh My Aching Debts – Starting a New Business: My Son Actually Listened!
- Mrs. Micah – Getting out of debt and world hunger…
- Credit Withdrawal – Will the Economic Stimulus Package Help You Survive the Recession?
- Being Frugal – Tightwad Tuesday: 10 Tips to a Wildly Successful Garage Sale
- Green Panda Treehouse – Lending Money Can Make You Lose Friends and Family
- Cash, Money, Life – Save Money with Refurbished Electronics
- One Caveman’s Financial Journey – With Changes Come Sacrifices
- Moolanomy – The Cost of Road Rage and Aggressive Driving
- Clever Dude – 50 Ways to Save Money by Not Wasting
- I’ve Paid For This Twice Already… – Why Debt Stinks: Life Doesn’t Just Stop So You Can Get Out
- Consumerism Commentary – Your Job as Your Identity? Not For Me, Thanks
- My Two Dollars – Weathering The Storm Of The Coming Recession.
- Million Dollar Journey – Financial Infidelity – The Leading Cause of Divorce?
- The Dough Roller – 25 Ways to Save Money on Gas
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:15 am
I’m very sorry to hear about your mother. I will keep her and your family in my thoughts.
I haven’t received much traffic from SU either, and I can’t say why. I wouldn’t mind it returning though! ;)
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:27 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and Pete’s family. I think we’re all looking forward better times. (Isa 33:24) I hope your weekend goes well.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 am
SU does better for some articles than others for me. Sometimes I get 12 or 13, sometimes I get 500. As long as I sometimes get 500, I don’t feel too bad about it.
My prayers are with your mom. Cancer is frightening and horrifying. But the cures are also getting better and better. Surprisingly, my mom actually beat her breast cancer, they found it was a different variety than the other one. Still, the treatment is no fun.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 am
Thanks for the mention.
Of course your mother is in my prayers. Breast cancer is often curable, but it’s still a big deal.
I think I’ve only had one article submitted to SU and did my traffic ever explode that day! Now my charts are all thrown off because of that one day towering over all the others.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:59 am
So sorry to learn of your mother’s diagnosis. Our family will certainly remember her (and Pete’s family) in prayer. My boss (and a good friend) beat a bout of breast cancer a few years ago thanks to early detection and the power of prayer.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Gibble, I am sorry to hear that your mom is having a cancer. I wish her and your family the best. Please keep us informed and please don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 am
I’m sorry to hear the news about your mother. Keep your head up and remember, everything will work out just fine. Just like Frugal Dad said, the power of prayer is a wonderful thing.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I will be praying for your mom, as well as Pete’s wife. I know breast cancer treatment has truly come a long way, so I hope that your mother will be around for a long time to come!
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
thanks for your prayers everyone, we appreciate it so much. We’re hoping to have my wife home by Sunday!
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I am so sorry that your mother is now dealing with breast cancer. You are in my thoughts and I feel with you. My sister (at 19) was diagnosed with breast cancer and it was a trial for us all. My mom and one of my sisters and I all live in WA, my dad in TX (previously HI) and the sister going through the breast cancer lives in CA. It was a lot of work to arrange ourselves and our lives to help her through, but we were glad to do it. She got through the cancer with flying colors, but there were a few months where it was just awful. I hope your mom gets through this and I think she will. The body can handle some amazing things, and breast cancer is one cancer she can BEAT.
Remember that a positive attitude and laughter are incredibly healing. I spent hours on the phone with my sister just making her laugh. She’s now in full remission. I know you will give your mom all your love through this, but I thought I’d remind you that even the toughest situations can be laughed through, to the benefit of all. <3
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
We will say a prayer for your Mom. Sorry to hear that, Glblguy.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Sorry to hear about your mom.
I’m still doing ok on SU but not like the old days!
Mike
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:42 am
One of my dearest friends was diagnosed with breast cancer about 5 years ago now, and, thank God, she has made it through successfully. It was a fretful, difficult time. The hardest part for me was all the waiting. It’s not like you can get a prescription and it’s gone in a week. Friends, thoughts and prayers, got us all through it for the long haul. So, keep us posted, ok?
Lisa
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 am
I’ll keep your mother in my prayers. I pray the cancer will be destroyed and your mother will have a smooth recovery period.
Experiencing cancer is hard, but hopefully there is a bit of encouragement in that the doctor is optimistic about recovery. Also, there are many more treatment options for breast cancer these days, and research in this field is constant.
Take care, and let your mother know she’s got many who are thinking of and praying for her!
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:05 am
It’s true about timely topics and Google. At another site I have a blog about the coming recession of 2008 that has received the most hits of anything I’ve done, and most of it is from Google. If you find a topic that hits a public nerve, you get site hits too no matter what kind of keywords you use. It’s amazing.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
My thoughts are with you and your mom, GLBL.
May 4th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
My thoughts are with you and your mom. Take comfort in the fact that the doctor is very optimistic. As others have said, BC treatment has come a long way in a short time and there are many web sites with great information. I’m a breast cancer survivor since 9/9/2003.
May 4th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Wow…Everyone, from the very bottom of my heart, a sincere thank you for your prayers, thoughts, encouragement, and just for taking the time out of your lives to add a comment about my Mom. Thank you so very much. I’ll keep you posted on how she is doing.
May 4th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Breast Cancer survivor here, tell her to go to my blog. There is a support group for ladies and men that have or had breast cancer. It is called no surrender. She will be welcomed, and there are many that can help her there no matter what type of breast cancer she has.
The link is the no surrender breast cancer on my blog list. Then get her to the message board. That way she can ask questions, and get full support.