Friday Featured Blog: Katydid and Kid...Huh?????

I mentioned last week that I might be focusing on myself for one of these posts, and since I couldn't snag a blogger this week (I contacted someone who didn't respond, and I waited too long to contact another one), I'll be sharing a little more about me this week. Just pretend that you've never see Katydid and Kid before. How's that for metafiction, like a book within a book. Ok, it's late and I've been getting like 6 hours of interrupted sleep for the past 3 weeks. Bear with me and the ramblings...

What is your blog about?
Too many things, but mostly parenting, green living, arts/crafts, giveaways, and my son. I know you're supposed to stick to one topic, but that's just not my personality. As I often say, I'm a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. I get distracted by pretty, shiny objects too.

Where does your blog title come from?
My uncle Steve used to call me Katydid when I was little, and the strange thing is that none of my other 14 aunts and uncles (my mom was one of 15 kids) called me that. I always wanted it to be my main nickname, but somehow it didn't catch on. I blame my mom for insisting that I be called Kathleen, since that's what she named me. The "Kid" in question is SoJo. I liked the rhythm and alliteration of my blog name (I was an English major as an undergrad).

When and why did you start your blog?
I started a blog last summer called Fiber-ous Roots, which was supposed to be a record of my adventures in fiber arts. However, I didn't like it (more accurately, I neglected it) and deleted it. Katydid and Kid started mid-way through my pregnancy in January 2008 as a way to document my thoughts and experiences surrounding pregnancy and motherhood. Then I got addicted to giveaways, and was sidetracked from posting for a while (LOL). My redesign in July whipped me into a more frequent blogger.

What would you like to add to your blog in the next year?
More craft tutorials, maybe some more regular features with Mr. Linkys. I like the Friday Featured Blog and Kitchen Table Crafts, but this stage of motherhood has made me have less time for keeping up with the features. I'm hoping in the next year that may change. I do also hope to one day have an online shop to sell my crafts, which I'd probably link with this blog.

What are some of your favorite blogs?
You could just look at my blogroll, but my closest blog friends (or vriends [virtual friends] as Mr. Geek, my husband, sarcastically refers to y'all) are Naomi of superdumb supervillain, Can Can of Mom Most Traveled, and Mannequin of Fractured Toy. I do enjoy Sweet Juniper for wonderful and funny writing, Muthering Heights for the lots of things we have in common, and my newest daily stop is Mrs. Cox's Slice O' Heaven.

What is your one pet peeve about blogs or bloggers?
I hate when there are too many flashing buttons or advertisements cluttering up the posts. Also, when the header takes up the whole screen. I'm just picky like that. I like to see a bit of the writing before I scroll down, like a teaser.

What advice would you have for any new bloggers?
Post something every day. It's a good practice to keep you blogging, and I've heard it also helps your Technorati authority (got a 96 here..woo hoo!).

What is something that people might not know about you?
Just one thing? I can usually tell just by looking at something whether it is level or not, which comes in handy when decorating and hanging pictures. Oh, and I also LOVE looking at maps. SoJo has a little globe in his room and he always tries to take it from me when I'm gazing at the countries. I have to secretly look at it or give him something more interesting to play with, like an electrical cord (JUST KIDDING of course I don't give cords to my child, it's too hard to replace them!!!).

It's late and I'm getting really punchy. Ok, next week, back to the regularly scheduled program, which is good news for you!