Your Turn to Talk!

It's a new year. Fresh as dew on a rosebud being sniffed by a newborn lamb at dawn. Fresh as the swirl on top of a brand-new jar of peanut butter. So fresh that it's, like, the total opposite of Gray Hoody Girl. Which means one thing: it's time to take inventory of the old.
That's right. I'm taking a long, hard look at the Frump, and I need you to help me. I want to know what you think about the blog. I need to know what's working. What's not. Rants. Raves. What would you like to see more of? Giveaways? Cartoons? Vlogs? Tips? Recipes? Cowbell?*

*Just kidding about the cowbell. (And if you have no idea what I'm referring to when I indicate "more cowbell," you can ignore my silly blathering. Or click here.)

I'm asking you to comment on whatever you'd like, whether it's regarding the layout or the colors or the content or the stuff in the sidebars or the frequency of posting or the ... whatever. If it's on the blog, it's free for the er435dtf ← (my cat Thurman wrote that, so I felt compelled to leave it in. 'Cause a typing cat? That's talent, y'all).

PLEEEEEASE don't be shy. Even if you don't usually comment, come out of the woodwork and speak up! If you want to do it anonymously, I don't mind a bit, as long as you're not hatin'. (There's a difference between constructive criticism - which is welcome - and straight-up meanness, which is not.)

My goal for 2011 is to bring my blog from merely "awesome" to "OMG IT'S SO AWESOME IT'S, LIKE, HURTING MY EYES BUT IN A TOTALLY GOOD WAY!!!!!!!" wherein every reader sends a link to every person in his or her address book and then writes me and is all, "I can't believe it Rita, I shared your blog with everyone I know and now I'm getting so many thank-you emails I can't keep up with them all! Your blog is AWESOME!" and then I'd be like, "Awww, you're the best," and I'd keep reading over my comments and sort of caress my computer screen and maybe lick it a little bit.

Or, you know, to put it another way: I need your feedback to make Fighting Off Frumpy the best it's ever been.

The floor is yours! Have at it, ladies and gentlemen (and magical typing cats)!





PS - On Monday I'll be spicing things up with a new giveaway from EdenFantasys - even better than the last one! Bow chicka wow wow ... :)

Comments

  1. I love your blog! I read it in Google Reader, so the layout isn't that important to me. Blue is my favorite color though! I love reading about your family and all their funny antics! I almost wish you had blogged more about your new puppy as well, but I know that's not for everyone. I think you're doing a great job! Keep up the good work.

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  2. Unlike the above reader, I don't read this in Reader. I read it on the blog, and I'm going to keep it real. I dislike the color scheme. That's just me though. Being constructive. However, the quality of your writing is fine, in this case it's the cat that set me up though.

    Your cat is totally down to f*ck.

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  3. I'm not a huge fan of the 60s blue swirls and other bright things. I LOVE your style of writing though, it's hilarious! Your topics are great, too.

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  4. I absolutely LOVE your blog. Blue is my favorite color and it's easy on the eyes so I like it. I LOVE all the stuff you have. Your blogs are so funny that I can always count on one to make me laugh even if I'm having a horrible day. Keep it up Rita!

    p.s. I have told everyone I know about your blog!

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  5. The background you are using is not important to me. Your writing is wonderful, and that's why I've read them all. You have a unique way looking at the world and letting the rest of us see into that world. I don't have kids at home anymore, but your blog opens the door to so many memories of my kids and of course you as well. One day you will write the great american novel. Your sense of humor comes out in your writing, and sometimes we all need to stop and lighten up. I would be honored to have an autographed copy. Oh,and watch that cat he isn't a good at typing,but he seems very interested in blogging.

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  6. Love EVERYTHING about your blog! It is seriously my favorite part of my day, and one of the first things I do when I get to work in the morning (ok, and sometimes at night.. oh, and sometimes in the middle of the day... hmmm.. I might just be stalking you). I promise from the bottom of my heart to tell all three of my followers about you. Love you!

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  7. Oh, and BTW, I also love your blog because it introduced me to the world of Travis (at fisherofstories). People who get chased down by crazy woman drivers and who quote girls and call them little boys make me laugh. Even if it was all completely by accident.

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  8. I guess this makes me weird, but I love the colors and layout of your blog! Of course, I wouldn't stop reading if you changed them.

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  9. I think that you should cuss more. Then I wouldn't feel so trashy. :) I love your blog- writing style... theme... the whole sha-bang. It frightens me how similar our lives are sometimes...
    I haven't read all of your posts yet, but the one about the WAHM with the cartoon was LOL hilarious. More of that please.

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  10. So I love your blog on that note:

    I would like more cartoons.

    Also the legibility is wonderful and the color choice behind the posts works really well they way they contrast.

    I do feel that your background should have more to do with what you write about, maybe? Like maybe makes some cartoons of random toys or what not lying around like all of us mom's see around our house. (maybe though not sure how it would really work)

    Also I think you should know when I want to share your Stories to those who aren't cool enough to be involved in the blog world I call you, "My friend Rita." I have also shared many of your posts on facebook.

    Your friend,
    Firefly
    xoxo

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  11. I think that ads are annoying but I mostly read in a reader so that is not a big deal.

    But maybe decluttering the side bars would be a good thing, let your awesome posts stand on their own.

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  12. bahahhaha! I just wanted to see what some fruitloops (I mean very nice people) would say needed changing. I don't see any areas that need improvement honestly. To me the colorscheme and cute lady next to the washer and dryer are trademark to the Frump. If you change it up I will still read it though. Giveaways are always good and if you could let me win one that would be better. lol, j/k. Your cartoons are always good and your photos are always good. the blogs are good. IT IS ALL GOOD! GREAT! I am licking my computer screen right now!!

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  13. I think you are hilarious. Would love to hear more stories about your kids. The background is a bit distracting. Just too busy. Everything else is great.

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  14. don't shoot me, but i like your blog as is!

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  15. Ok Rita, let's just lay it all on the line here.

    What this blog needs IS more cowbell! (man I love that skit)

    But for realsies, I would not change anything. Your background is totally inconsequential to what you're writing. I DO love your cute header.

    Wait, I take it back. I do SO love your cartoons, they're hysterical. So yes, more of those please.

    And maybe some more pictures. I just like to see people and their kids and their lives. Then again, you've seen my blog, I have a picture problem. My edit button is totally broken. Probly why I'm STILL talking in this comment, which is now verging on a novel.

    Anyway....you're great. I love you and your blog.

    The End.

    Oh, and not to many giveaways. I hate giveaways. Blogs should just be about YOU the person writing. Not what you can review or give away. And THAT is my 2 cents worth.

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  16. Draw. More. Pictures.
    I add space between each word so you know I'm serious.

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  17. I have tons of little kids, so I look forward to reading your blog so much. Some of your entries are enough to make me roll on the floor laughing, especially that one about how kids will never appreciate the services they get from mommy that only the filthy rich can dream of. So good! I love your backround, I think it's sophisticated enough that I don't have to feel like a totally frazzled mommy whenever I come here, but fun, too. I do sometimes feel inclined to leave, however, because of the language, and often a bit vulgar. You wanted honesty. As funny as it is, maybe I'm oldschool. I prefer to stick with things a bit more refined and let the "manly men" have their fun with the sex and the armpit burps. Maybe this place isn't for me, but I don't know if I would survive without the laughs this blog gives me every day. So thanks for that. I relate in so many ways.

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  18. I have no complaints! It's a blog I can proudly recommend to my friends and co-workers (actually, they're friends too)and add "My daughter is a writer!" If you make any changes I'm sure they'll be cool, and your writing will still be awesome.

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  19. I. LOVE. YOUR. BLOG. I rarely comment because I don't use any of the 'profile' choices, and writing as anonymous (as I am right now) seems kind of stalkerish? I dunno. Anyway, I don't even remember how I found you, but it was about 9 or 10 months ago when I was pregnant with my third boy. The very first post I read was the one where one of your little guys was running around the house with poop in the plunger and holding it like the Olympic torch. I was literally laughing out loud. And have been ever since. Your writing style is just so awesome! You just have such a way of verbalizing what Moms of young children go through on a daily basis and with such a sense of humor that we can't help but laugh at life. I do like the layout of the blog, but it's the writing that brings me back each night. Keep up the good work and keep us laughing!

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  20. I personally love everything about it and strive to have a blog as cool as yours someday. : ) I'm addicted and tell everyone I know about your blog. Not kidding. People look at me weird sometimes because I talk as if I know you personally, which I sort of feel like I do because you could be me; from the stack of all black clothes to the words you use we have a LOT in common. I wouldn't change a thing...but then again I have 15 followers...what do I know?! (one of which is me making it look like I have more followers than I really do...: )

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  21. you know me, I have read you in every color, form and even site, and I am still here loving it. Blue isn't my favorite color, but who the heck cares, I love your words and that is what is important!

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  22. I am just a mom with small children who lurks on your blog to add levity to my day, and this is the first time I've commented. I love reading your writing, especially how you take everyday mom stuff that feels so annoying and make it peeing in the pants funny.

    The only post I didn't like reading was about you needing a job. it could have been funny just to know what a resume of your would sound like without going into your family's budget woes. I guess i view the quality of your blog as pretty much professional (semi-professional, is that possible?) and your family's financial woes struck an odd chord with me.

    And the background is fine, i don't either hate it or love it, i just get annoyed when the writing takes time to load up and all i see if the other stuff.

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  23. LOVE your writing... you are so freaking funny. And I'm not sure what that crazy lady was talking about saying your blog is vulgar. I say it could use more of it... we are after all, adults. I don't really care for your background/layout, not that it matters, but I feel like you should have something far more creative that captures the essence of you. Love the cartoons and would definitely enjoy more of them as well as more pics.
    Hoping you end up getting a book deal by the way... you deserve and it would be greatness.
    Oh and for the record, I am only posting anonymously because you don't know me ( I don't even live in the US anymore and don't have kids, yet) but believe me, we would be amazing friends. Lol.
    Keep on doing what you do girl!

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  24. LOVE your writing... you are so freaking funny. And I'm not sure what that crazy lady was talking about saying your blog is vulgar. I say it could use more of it... we are after all, adults. I don't really care for your background/layout, not that it matters, but I feel like you should have something far more creative that captures the essence of you. Love the cartoons and would definitely enjoy more of them as well as more pics.
    Hoping you end up getting a book deal by the way... you deserve and it would be greatness.
    Oh and for the record, I am only posting anonymously because you don't know me ( I don't even live in the US anymore and don't have kids, yet) but believe me, we would be amazing friends. Lol.
    Keep on doing what you do girl!

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  25. Ok, I don't think your background choices should matter to us...it gives an insight into what YOU prefer! That's why I read your blog, because YOU R YOU! I can seriously see and hear you saying the things you write!
    It's just terrifying how things w/your boys parallel mine! At least I'm not the only one yelling "I don't want to see your wanker" and "I swear the pizza guy thinks you guys don't own anything but underwear"!
    BTW, my boys have the same beds and bedding as yours do!?!

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  26. I missed this post... I just wanted to say something about how you are the BEST post title(r) EVER! I don't know how long you spend dreaming up your freakin' hilarious titles, but I love them! Always.

    I'm with the anti-swirls peeps above, but that's just me, I've gotta be anti-something ;)

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  27. I know I'm a little late on the commenting train, but whatevs. I love your blog!!!!!!!!! I want to BE you. Well, without the litter of boys and poop and broken down car and all. Well, I guess I DON'T want to be you... BUT you are awsomely cool and I DO want to hang out with you!

    Keep up the good work, is all I have to say!!!!!!!!!

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