Blogs

Blog Theme Update

For the last several months, every time I login to my blog dashboard, I see the updates that are patiently waiting for me. I’ve been able to ignore them for a while, but I knew that eventually I would have to do it. Computers are a delicate balance of hardware, software and operator know-how. If you upgrade one, you invariably have to upgrade the other two. I’ve been advised by GoDaddy.com tech support, my hosting company, that updates are important and shouldn’t be put off.

So … Tonight is the night. I’m updating my blog theme, PrimePress.

It always sounds easy to do … Just click the update button and the magic takes place beyond where I can see. I just wait for the “Update successful” message. But, it’s never quite that easy. The update message indicated that it could take up to 2 hours to complete, but it took less than 20 seconds. “Update successful.” I breathed a sigh of relief. But, when I opened my blog, I gasped! It looked like I lost the theme. The posts were there, but all the pages were listed as live links across the top, above the header. The background was gone, the header reverted to the default rotating images, all my sidebar widgets were missing and the default calendar, meta info and categories were there instead.

So, I spent the next several hours working to put this blog back the way it was. When I started this blog two years ago, I customized the theme. I knew I made some changes to the template files, but didn’t document them. After a few changes, I learned that most of the customized code belongs in the custom.css file. That way, it’s all in one place.

Luckily, I took time to prepare before I updated.

I backed up my blog thru my hosting account.
I downloaded the backup to my computer.
In addition, I saved an extra copy of the theme’s template files.
I opened my blog as it was before the update, so I had a reference point.
NOTE: Next time I’ll save screenshots.

The results …
Health Talk Today Blog looks pretty much as it did before the update. The white area above the header used to be the same dark green color as the border background. If I can find it, I’ll change it, but it looks OK the way it is. I just changed the title “HEALTH TALK TODAY from a baby boomer perspective” from white to dark green. And I changed a few of the sidebar widgets.

I need your help …
I’ve done the best I could to make sure everything is working. Please let me know if you find broken links, invisible ink (white on white or green on green) or any other errors. I appreciate your help. Just leave a comment and I’ll fix what I can. Thanks.

Marilyn Kvasnok

WELCOME to WSNBA’s Sizzlin’ Summer Blog Party

Jul 25th, 2010

by Marilyn.

14 comments

Women’s Speed Networking & Business Association . . .

Welcome to Health Talk Today. My name is Marilyn and I blog about health from a Baby Boomer perspective.

This is my first Blog Party and I’m really excited to be invited. I’m looking forward to visiting all the sites of the party-goers and comment on your blogs.

Feel free to leave a comment on this post and/or any of the previous posts that you find interesting.

There is a comment link at the end of each post.
Look for “No comments yet” or “_ comments.”

Please take a minute to subscribe to the Health Talk Today newsletter.

Need a link back to the party? Just click the WSNBA’s Sizzlin’ Summer Blog Party image.

I’ll see you all in the Speed Networking chat room next.

Goodbye Blogger ~ Hello WordPress

Sep 21st, 2009

by Marilyn.

5 comments

Blogger had gotten comfortable – Maybe too comfortable. I’ve been blogging there for over a year. My first post was published on July 15, 2008. I’ve learned a lot about how Blogger works and I’ve also learned its limitations. But most importantly, I’ve learned how blogging works and I’m hooked! It’s been fun there, but it’s time to move on.

So here I am at my new blog home, Health Talk Today. It’s the same old name with a fresh, new look. I’ve imported all the old posts for easy access and archived all the newsletters and health links.

And so, I’m off on a new adventure. Welcome to the “new and improved” Health Talk Today . The welcome mat is always out. If you have a topic you’d like to see discussed here, or if you’d like to write a guest post, I’m listening.

Please take a few minutes and leave a comment to say “Welcome to the neighborhood.”

New Blog Header

Feb 25th, 2009

by Marilyn.

No comments yet

I’m learning as I go. I really liked my original header (pictured here) because it was so personal. Each pic along the bottom of the header meant something special to me. But, as I learned more about blogging and studied other blogs, I decided to go with a cleaner, more sleek look in a header.

On a Mission

Jul 16th, 2008

by Marilyn.

No comments yet

So, why am I blogging anyway? I’m not an expert.

A while back, I started reading blogs. It opened up a whole new world to me. I had no idea that so many people – just like me – were telling their stories. Some weren’t worth the time it took to load the page. But, others ranged from good to great. There’s a wealth of information on blogs. Some are warm and fuzzy, filled with personal stories and family photos. Others are very professional looking, with links to the sources that verify the posted articles.

I’m passionate about living healthy and doing the best I can for me and my family. So, I try to eat healthy, drink lots of water and take my vitamins.

Everyone’s going green these days and I’m no exception. I use non-toxic cleaning products. I feel better and breathe easier since I’ve gotten the chemicals out of the house.

I’m conservative with disposable items like paper towels. I almost never use paper plates and cups. And I recycle everything I can. It’s the responsible thing to do.

And now, I’m ready to share my experience and knowledge with everyone in cyberspace.

Marilyn Kvasnok