Blog the Recession

*Thanks to all who participated. I'll be posting the winners this week!*

If you haven't noticed, July has been a pretty shitastic month around the blogosphere. Fortunately, I've not fallen prey to what has got to be the result of Bush pissing off Mercury to keep it in retrograde for the whole fucking summer. Unless you count the fact that my husband's libido is currently on strike.

Plus, he's a pilot, and planes need gas, and gas is expensive.

You do the math.

But I seriously find myself twittering a communal "God I'm So Sorry" on a daily basis.

Maybe it's hard to compare frankenvulvas, cut-short vacations, and bush-peeing bladder infections to job loss, sick parents, and the adoption roller coaster.

And then there's cancer (or as she just found out, NOT CANCER!) and loss.

So instead of typing "God I'm so sorry" yet again, I've created Blog the Recession Month.

The premise is simple. If you read blogs, then for the month of August, make the "pledge" to click through from your feed reader. No obligation to leave a hilarious comment or send a long stalkerish email (although both, within reason, are always lovely). Just click through to the blog (not on ads unless you are so led) and if you're feeling generous, click around to their older posts.

Just those extra page views can make a big difference for bloggers who could really use the help, or in my case, where page views don't matter so much, a big fat ego boost.

(Might as well inflate the ego since everything else about me is inflated these days)

(Oh, and I do link up some cool shit in my sidebar so that's worth checking, especially today)

If you feel like hopping on the bandwagon (c'mon, it's fun and I'm a really great driver), then all you need to do is grab a button -- see below, slap it on your blog, and [beg, plead] ask your readers to click through on their feed readers or blogrolls and do the same within a post.

Send me the link to your post and I'll link you up here and enter you to win some *fantastic prizes.

*Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat, courtesy of Graco (woo!)

*A new blog header ($90 value - certain platform restrictions apply), courtesy of Ruby & Roja Design

*A lovely handmade blanket "in cool colors," courtesy of Amelia Sprout

*Kid's Backpack - winner's choice, courtesy of Land's End

*Peace Love Mom Tee - winner's choice [use code Motherhood for 10% off orders over $20]

*Zivio Blue Tooth Headset by Joby, courtesy of Motherhood Uncensored

*A handmade set of wooden blocks and a wooden teether, courtesy of Little Alouette (Amy's Etsy Shop)

*$50 Amazon Gift Card

*TEN Paknaks (one to each of 10 winners), courtesy of Pak Nak

*TEN cases of Water (one to each of 10 winners), courtesy of Primo Water

*Basket of mom and baby essentials, courtesy of Johnson & Johnson

*The Rookie Moms Handbook, courtesy of The Rookie Moms (duh)

*Winner's choice of necklace/bracelet/earring set or a watch and earring or bracelet set, courtesy of Cheeky Sweetie.

*$50 Gift Card to Wine.com (you know, for WINE GLASSES PEOPLE - ahem), courtesy of Savvy Mommy

*Fantastic gift basket of homemade goodness, courtesy of Fluid Pudding

*A Wow Wow Wubzy Gift Pack

*Two DVD's: Johnny and the Sprites:Meet the Sprites and My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Friendly Tales compliments of Soy is the New Black and The Full Mommy.

*$50 Gift Certificate to Itty Bitty Lady Bug

*500 free digital camera prints (plus 200 free), courtesy of Snapfish (and HP)

And let's hope August is better for everyone.

--

Blog the Recession Month Participants (make sure you write a post, dudes, and email me!):

3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires

3 Giraffes

3 P's in a Pod

5 Minutes for Mom

A Box of Chocolates

A Daily Dose of Toni

A Girl and Her Life

A Mommy Story

Adventures in Babywearing

Adventures in Juggling

All Because Two People Fell in Love

Amanda: A Stay at Home Mom's Point of View

Amelia Sprout

Assertagirl

Auguries of Innocence

Baby Making 501

Barren Albion

Barren Mare

Bird Brain

Bird on a Wire

Blogaversary

Boogers & Burps

Bunny Money

Breaking Waves

Cara Mama

Carma Sez

Chaos Theory

Cheaper Than Therapy

Cheeky Sweetie

Cheese Party

Cherish This

Chic Shopper Chick

Charming & Delightful

Compost Happens

Cool Zebras

Cynical Dad

Diary of a Mad Liberal Mommy

Dirt & Noise

Domestic Extraordinaire

Don't Gel Too Soon

Doobleh-Vay

Dutch Blitz

eRamblings

Esmon

Fabulous Running Mommy

Following in My Shoes

Freak Parade

From Dates to Diapers

From Here to There and Everywhere

From the Planet of Janet

Glossy Veneer

Growing a Baby in Seattle

Gwendomama

Havoc & Mayhem

Herb of Grace

HouseholdSix Scrappin' & Bloggin'

I Should Be Folding Laundry

I Still Hate Pickles

If I Could Escape

Illahee's Blog

I'm Beautiful Like Me

Issa's Crazy World

It's All For the Best

Just Another SAHM

Just Beth

Just Enjoying Life

K is for Kindergarten

Karen Sugarpants

Karma Rack Up

Knitting Without Needles

Life: The Ongoing Education

Life Candy

Life in the Lapadula House

Life is Like Champagne

Life Decanted

Life Goes On

Life With Ollie

Liza Was Here

Loralee's Looney Tunes

Mad Mad Mama

Major Bedhead

Mamasita Jr

Mama K NJ

Maternal Mirth

Mental Rush Hour

Middle Georgia Mommy

Mom Dot

Mom, Ink

Mom 101

Mom of 2 Dancers

Mom to the Screaming Masses

Mommy & the Marine

Momma Crafter

Mommy Cracked

Mommy Daddy Blog

Mommy Musings

Mommy Needs Therapy

Mommy Wizdom

Mommy's Got Green

Morningside Mom

Mothergoosemouse

Motherhood Gone Mad

Mrs. Mogul

My Good Earth

My Life as a Hot Fessional

My Life for the World to See

My Sweet Babboo

My Quest for Sanity

Natural Moms Talk Radio

Not a DIY Life

Not Just a Working Mom

Not Your Typical Mommy

Notes from the Cookie Jar

Notes from the Sleep Deprived

Now I Know What Love Is

Occasional Rambling

One in 36 Million

One Mom Five Kids

One Ping Only

One Plus Two

Overflowing Brain

PARENTise

Party of Five

Peculiar Momma

Putting the Fun in Dysfunctional

Ramblings of a Texas Housewife

Rebecca is Fabulous

Red Cup Mom

Reflection

Rhi in Pink

Ride the Waves of Life

Rimarama

Run DMT

Sacred & the Profane

Sarah & The Goon Squad

Savvy Mommy

Scarlett Threads

Scientific Nature of the Whammy

Seeking Sanity

Simpson's Paradox

Slackermama

Smock Lady

Sometimes I Wonder...

Soy is the New Black

Sparklie Sunshine

Sparks & Butterflies

Spookiez Spot

Star Knits

Stay At Aum Mom

Stop Screaming I'm Driving!

Superdumb Supervillain

Tales from the Dad Side

Taste Like Crazy

Tara's View of the World

Temporarily Me

The Angel Forever

The Dana Files

The Duck Pond

The Edge of Insanity

The Frugal Momma

The Land of Ren

The Life of a Bosom Buddy

The Life of a Home Mom

The Light's On, But No One's Home

The Poopie Patrol

The Tales of AJU5

This Full House

Those Corwins

Thotlady

ThreeSeven

Thrifty Wench

Tiny Mantras

Unexpected Bliss

Unwellness

VHM Princess

Wandering the Academy

Welcome to Twinseltown

What Was I Thinking?

What's That Smell?

Wheeler's Writings

Whirlwind

Wisconsin Mommy

*If you happen to have fantastic prizes (jobs and money are greatly appreciated), feel free to drop me an email and we'll talk.

**Pssst. PBN is giving away 8 Gift Cards with our Blog Blast with Couponers this weekend. Mark your calendar! And it's open to Canadians!

[Thanks to motherbumper and Trista for the buttons!]

--

<a href="http://motherhooduncensored.typepad.com/motherhood_uncensored/2008/07/blog-the-recess.html"><img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j29/coolmompicks/blogthercessionpig.jpg"></a>

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<a href="http://motherhooduncensored.typepad.com/motherhood_uncensored/2008/07/blog-the-recess.html"><img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j29/coolmompicks/blogtherecession3.jpg"></a>

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Comments

[Kris J]

Awesome. I emailed you my link

[MaryBeth I]

Great idea! My post is up. I normally do try to read through blogs, time allowing....

http://misaacmom.blogspot.com/2008/08/august-blog-recession-month.html

[Rhi]

Best idea ever!

[tata]

Before posting about it, I thought I'd go through and comment on all the blogs you listed, as well as those who left comments! So I'm in!!!

[pickel]

Here you go!
http://www.achildchosen.com/august-bloggin/

[dysfunctional mom]

What an awesome idea! And I've seen the badges everywhere so obviously it's catching on.
I'm in, and I plan to post about it on Tuesday.

[Scary Mommy]

I'm so in. Love it!!!

[Cindi @ Moomettesgram's Musings]

My post on Moomettesgram's Musings

http://moomettesmagnificents.com/blog/2008/08/03/blog-the-recession-join-the-movement-leave-linky-luv/

[Cindi @ Moomettesgram's Musings]

I'm a Baby Boomer and we always were great for joining a 'Movement' or a 'Cause'...I'm in!

Here's my post on Moomettesgram's Musings
and will post the one on Mama Mentor tonite & let you know.

[Sandra]

I am with you on the husband lost libido thing. Must be something in the water. It is soooo frustrating. I understand the gas thing too, only differently. My dh is looking at switching jobs which means losing company car and all that goes with it. Yikes, gas prices will kill us in the SUV. Time to downsize. Like your blog lots!

[Sheena]

Putting on my seat belt!

[trisha]

MOMDOT is IN! We posted about it on our site at www.momdot.com

Thanks for the fun Kristen!

trisha

[Alexandra Hancock]

I just emailed you the link and I'm going to post a banner in my sidebar.

[Heather~Domestic Extraordinaire]

I posted it on my blog and emailed you. thanks and great idea!!

[Trisha]

Thanks for the great op! We all could us a little help in this area. I will add the link and post on Monday.

Blog: http://www.BGBJewelry.blogspot.com

Thanks Trisha

[Naomi]

Posted here:

http://superdumbsupervillain.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-recession.html

and added to my sidebar.

[Jennifer Taggart]

I'll blog it too tomorrow . . . got to go to sleep now. But, I have 2 giveaways on my site righ tnow - Plan Toys (5 toys) and Soda Club USA home soda maker.

Jennifer
www.thesmartmama.com

[margalit]

My post is up:

http://outtamymindwithworry.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-recession.html

[margalit]

I'm in. I even have a giveaway of Method Baby Shampoo and Baby Wash.

http://outtamymindwithworry.blogspot.com

[Melisa]

What a great idea...but I'm too lazy to join in the fun.

P.S. My Hubby is a pilot too and anytime the price of a barrel of oil jumps I cringe.

[Nicole Feliciano]

Oops. forgot the link

http://momtrends.blogspot.com/

[Nicole Feliciano]

Consider it done. Posted and fingers crossed that this works!

[Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)]

Fantastic idea Kristin. Our post is up! :)

[Overflowing Brain]

I'll blog it on Monday, what a cool idea!

[Heather]

Oops. Sent my link in an email. Here it is again.

http://coolzebras.blogspot.com/2008/08/recession-stinks-so-blog-it.html

I'd also offer up one custom tutu as a prize (any size infant up to 8 girls.) like this listing in my shop: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12785737

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

I would follow you anywhere:

See?

http://sarahandthegoonsquad.com/2008/08/02/blog-the-recession-all-the-cool-kids-are-doin-it/

[rimarama]

It's like Christmas in August. I'm totally in.

http://rimarama.blogspot.com/2008/08/clicktastic.html

[rachel]

I've added the button and I'll blog about it this week. A fabulous idea!
Thanks for doing this.

[Therese]

Count me in!!!

[Carrie]

I wrote a post and added the button. Good idea! http://growingababyinseattle.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-good-idea.html

[Loralee]

Here you go, sweets.
http://loraleeslooneytunes.com/2008/08/02/sideblog-blog-the-recession/
(Tried to do html link but it said "NO!"

I would have done it contest or no.

It is a great idea.

[Heidi]

Hello there, I am all in!

http://eramblings.net/?p=641

[Margaret]

Here is mine.

http://mylife-whirlwind.blogspot.com/2008/08/psst.html

[Major Bedhead]

I'm in. Post is up here:

http://thebookishone.blogspot.com/2008/08/because-i-like-bandwagons.html

[Denise]

great idea! My post is up! I'll grab a button later..
http://www.knitchat.com/

[Nenette]

Brilliant idea! I'm in!

[Paula]

So nice to meet you! What a great idea...Here's the link to my post: http://boogersandburps.blogspot.com/2008/08/give-your-favorite-bloggers-some-love.html

Will add the button as well.

Someday I hope to actually GET PAID to do this thing that I'm obsessed with, so any way to help out those fellow bloggers, I'm happy to do!

[Leeanthro]

Put up a button, posted about it, and supplying a prize.

Now, will anyone help me with the laundry?

[Dy-Anne]

Both of my blogs now have buttons and posts.

http://babymaking501.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-recession-aka-please-help-support.html

and

http://originallikeyou.blogspot.com/2008/08/no-serious.html

I sent an email too.

Thanks for such a great idea- I'm thinking i would love to get some peeps to read my blogs other then my mother and my husband.

:) Dy-Anne

[Mom101]

Look how brilliant you are! Love this. I'm in and I want the wine.

[Adventures In Babywearing]

I've linked up and hope others hear our cries!

http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2008/08/next-month.html

Thanks again-
Steph

[NeeMom]

There...posted and linked. Linked on my photo blogs too...

krspkrmmom.blogspot.com
neemom.blogspot.com

I know I could use the nice comments, being that my only source of income decided to go on strike come Sunday.

Support us...

[Athena]

Thanks for the clarification, Kristen.

jaelithe - You can use an RSS reader and click through to the actual page. It means being able to cover more blogs in the same amount of time, and not missing any posts, which means more and guaranteed page views. As a blogger, if you want to guarantee that every single subscriber clicks through to your page, you can make your feed setting to only show a clip.

[Mrs Mogul]

Heck! good idea! I'm going through a BLOG DRAUGHT! If i have time later I'll slap on a button and email you. I need a car seat for the new bub due in oct!

[tracey]

Great idea!

[Moxie Mommy]

Three cheers (and beers, but not after you've birthed Hathor-Fetus) for you for creating a fun and unique solution to everyone's biggest headache. And thanks for forcing me to learn HTML in less than 5 minutes. ('cuz the kiddos are up and rampaging and I really wanted to get your cute piggy up and posted TODAY.) Signed, sealed and delivered. :)

[Jenny,Bloggess]

I so love this idea. And since I don't use a feed I've apparently been visiting blogs the nice way forever. It's like finding out that I've been recycling since the 70's. Which I haven't been. Ever. Even now.

But I don't use feeds so I'm pretty sure I'm even with the universe.

[Vicki]

This is such a great idea. I want everyone to know that if I read your blog, I click straight to it. I don't use a reader. I hope this helps everyone out a little more and let's all say a prayer that gas with go down some more. I miss the $.98 days...

[Issa]

I just posted mine: http://issascrazyworld.blogspot.com/2008/08/vacation-and-blog-recession.html

[Angela]

My button is up! Count me in, too.

[allison]

Great idea. Isn't everyone feeling the pinch right now?

[Adventures In Babywearing]

I do think this is a fabulous idea. Will link up today.

Steph

[Florencia]

This is such a great idea! I don't use a reader so don't subscribe to feeds, I like to visit the blogs and see what's happening. You are a sweet pumpkin! (and prob feel like one right about now, hee hee!)

[anne :)]

What a great idea! I'm totally stealing your button and encouraging my blogger friends to do the same! :)

Thanks for all your help with putting up the buttons. :)

:),
anne

http://www.happyfunpants.blogspot.com

[Miss Grace]

I think it's a great idea, but I also think it might be illegal? Or are you not asking people to click on ads, just click through to the actual blogs?

[ster]

love the idea. love it.

[Motherhood Uncensored]

TNG -- You'll just piss off the Google Gods.

And that's practically illegal.

(heh)

[jaelithe]

This is why I don't even use an RSS reader, even though it would make my life more convenient.

Not using one forces me to actually visit the blogs I read. As an SEO writer, I know how important traffic is for people.

(And now, people I am fans of, you know why I am sometimes a day or two late with birthday wishes or congratulations or condolences. I am not reading your feed. I don't get alerts. I hope though, that I am making up for my occasional lateness by bumping up your site stats, just a bit.)

[Andrea]

I've got the button up...cool idea!

[kimberly]

i like the idea...i'll post the button!

[Stef]

Great idea! Just finished writing, complete with tips on saving some money(and a picture of my little cutie because I couldn't resist)
http://lifewithollie.blogspot.com

[the new girl]

It's illegal to ask people to click on ads?

[RookieMom Heather]

Thanks. I need a big fat job, but I'll take goodies and good karma.

[Dani]

Okay. I've got the button up, but I'm at work so I'll do the blogging later.
Great idea!

[the weirdgirl]

Does this count?
http://weirdgirl.typepad.com/home/2008/07/domestic-greenery-in-more-ways-than-one.html

I wrote this earlier this week. The part I didn't blog about is that with the issues our son is having I had planned on working less to be with him. But now I may need to work more (keep your fingers crossed I can get the work) to afford the treatment. Fun times!

[carmen]

I'm in. Just posted it.

http://tinyurl.com/6c26dj

[Minnie]

Great idea!

I'll be blogging it tomorrow.

[Jen]

I was just asking people the other day, "Hey...if a dig a blogger and want good things for them am I doing them a disservice by reading them in my reader?"

Thanks for answering the question. I had guessed right and been doing the right thing for a week or so now, but I bet a lot of readers would never have thought about this.

[Motherhood Uncensored]

Hi Athena -

We're not asking people to click on ADs. That's actually illegal.

Just through from their readers to the blogs themselves.

Thanks,
Motherhood Uncensored

[Liza]

TOTALLY doing this. I will get a post up this weekend. And since I was told I'm being laid off at 7.5 months pregnant, I would sure appreciate the help myself! :)

[Athena]

I think this kind of tactic actually lowers ad revenue long-term. I know you don't use AdSense, but they for instance do a pretty good job of weeding out the false clicks from the real clicks. On pay-per-click ads, this would lower pay per click in the future. Businesses that buy ad space really mine their ad data. They'll see a higher click-through rate on ads or higher page views along with a lower conversion rate (to buying something from them), and then that ad space and ad server will be worth less to them so they'll pay less for it or get rid of it altogether. I'm not just being the moral police. I have ads on my blog and I plan to do more business-type blog projects in the future. I really don't think this tactic is good for bloggers. I'd rather donate a dollar online to someone who needs help than do fake clicking.

[Lisa]

I don't make money, but hope that this helps others who do.

http://mentalrushhour.blogspot.com/2008/08/tickle-piggy.html

[Stacey]

I'm in! Here is my post
http://havocmayhem.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-things-where-you-are.html

[motherbumper]

oh you know I'm all for this.

[MeL]

Yeah, considering my husband totaled his car this week? The one that was a POS that carried liability-only insurance, but got great gas mileage and we hoped to limp along with for at least another year.... (what with the baby due in 7 and a half weeks...) (Seriously. I lost a WHOLE WEEK somehow!) ..

Well, I don't actually carry ads on my site (yet) but I could use the extra looky-loo love, and I can definitely give it and maybe help someone else out by a few cents in the mean time.

Great idea, toots. :)

[VHMPrincess]

Count me in!

http://vhmprincess.blogspot.com/2008/08/blog-recession.html

[ali]

love this! I'm in grabbing my button now!

[Mayo (yes it's real!)]

http://motherhoodgonemad.blogspot.com/

Supporting it!

[mel from freak parade]

Badge is up. Post is up....

http://ourfreakparade.com/2008/08/01/all-shook-up/

Thanks, Kristen!

[Kyran]

wearing it with pride at Notes. great idea. xo

[ali]

I'm so in, I read a bunch of blogs every day (including this one) and anything we can do to help each other out!

[Queen of the Click]

You are very clever. I love the piggy button.

[veep veep]

I've donated a prize and there's a post on my blog right now about this - http://www.savvymommy.com/blog/2008/08/01/blog-the-recession/

[Amy]

Do the words on the face of the pig in the smallest button mean anything? I can't quite figure out what it says. Do we get a prize if we can figure out the meaning?

[laura]

here's what I had to say and share.
http://adventuresinjuggling.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/blogging-the-recession-even-if-the-experts-tell-me-this-isnt-a-recession/

[Claudious]

My first time to your blog, I think it's absolute genius, I'm so glad to meet you and look forward to returning often. Wonderful idea too for surfing through the blog'o'sphere.

[Scattered Mom]

I'm in !

http://cookienotes.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-recession.html

This is such a great idea. I have two on my blogroll who are really having a rough time of it lately, and I wish that in some small way I could help.

[Jane/Natalie]

I've read your blog forever (or something close to it), but have never commented. I decided to take the plunge tonight. I not only clicked in from the reader, but I commented, too! That's double brownie points, right?

[Robin]

Cool idea. I'm so in. I need as much blog love as I can get right now..

Be sending the link to my post soon..

[the planet of janet]

i am totally in. already posted something about it and stuck a button on my sidebar.

this is a BRILLIANT idea. thank you!!!

http://fromtheplanetofjanet.blogspot.com

[laura]

ok i grabbed a badge and will get to work on it. what a great idea.

[The Pumkin Patch]

In case you want to link to my blog, my blog address is http://swtbamamamaof2.blogspot.com

Trista

[Heather]

Will add to my 'to do' list.

[sweetney]

sweet! i'm in!

[Katrina]

I am blogging it! I have a giveaway on my blog right now... You can enter if you'd like! =) It ends tomorrow night though!