Archiving and Site "Tidying Up"

Hi Michele,

That Amanda is a smart girl!! We do all love her!!

Karri

I agree Michele, Amanda already knows how important it is to get your name out there! I mean, she has already accomplished soooooo much in her short life...she knows that the sky is the limit! Good for her...like Karrie says, Amanda already has her own fan club!

Melissa

AMANDA AMaNDA amanda AmAnDa! Whoo hoo AManda!!!!

LOL!

ROFL!!!! You guys are the best!!!!!

Big HUGE hugs!
Michele

P.S. Sorry Nancy and Lee for getting off topic!

Thanks for the laugh, girls! The Amanda subject (once more on the search bar!) has me laughing this morning, and I needed it!

Donna

P.S. Sorry Nancy and Lee for getting off topic!

Hee hee. Don't make me archive these posts! I know a sunny beach in Florida that is begging for off-topic posts!

Sorry, Lee.
I know we're making your job harder! Can we have a folder for off-topic posts? LOL!!
Just kidding! Have a great day!

Donna

Don't send my off-topic posts to the sunny beach...just send ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK...I will stop now!!

Actually Donna,
That is a great suggestion. It's nice to have a place to shoot the breeze sometimes without having to feel like it's an intrusion. We could share about American Idol, our pets, a trip to the dentist- whatever! It's something that is on our list of possibilities.

Why not make a shoot-the-breeze folder? We can call it the Share Cafe, Share Lobby... or something that indicates it's just a place to chat. No real concerns, but a chance for new friends to chat and get to know eachother outside of preemie issues.

Maybe then we won't litter your other folders with things like:

WE LOVE AMANDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Don'cha love how I can be both ON topic and OFF topic in the same post?!?!?!)

OOOOO, American Idol! I am embarassed that I actually voted last night for the first time in four seasons!

Yeah, we need a folder like that.....

AMANDA!!! Just had to get it in one more time.....

Donna

Hey Lee,
That sounds like a great idea!! I would love to learn more about my new friends!!
Everyone who chats on Sunday nights knows I'm a big Desperate Housewives fan, because the chats are on against it!! So far I've been taping and watching it later so I can have my cake and eat it too!!
I love the idea!

Karri

I'm embarrassed for you, Donna! lol Who did you vote for??

I also love the idea of the Cafe! I'll bring the coffee!

Hugs!
Michele

Dare I say who I voted for? I can't believe I admitted that I voted. UGH!!!

Oh well...I voted for Scott and Nikko. There.. It's out in the open now. Boy, do I feel better!!

Donna

Good Job Donna!! Thats the first step towards recovery!! LOL!!

Karri

I voted for Bo, Nadia and Constantine .... (Boy was that embarrasing).

I feel much better though getting it off my chest

Shannon

I think we need to have American Idol Anonymous......it's definitely addicting!!

I like Bo. Constantine did better than he's ever done this past week. Nadia is good as well I just LOVE Scott's voice, and I like Nikko's personality!

Ugh...can't believe I actually have an opinion on this!

I did a bunch more archiving and resorting today so don't worry if you feel lost!

Now at the top level of "message boards" almost everything except the two greeting-type discussions are within specific topical folder.

The next round will be to move most of what is in "Parents of Prematures" into their relevant topical folders. Some will stay in PoP but I'm noting that I'm having a hard time deciding if something should stay in PoP or in Day to Day Coping

Feel free to let me know if I mis=filed something!!

This place has been transformed! I am so impressed. I am having ZERO trouble finding things. Everything makes so much more sense. Nanc - I love that you added "new here" to "say hi march". That will save lots of new here posts. GREAT IDEA!

This is really fabulous. Even though I had nothing to do with it, I feel really proud of the improvments. Kind of like how you feel when you finish cleaning out the garage or the closet... or a big task that you've been putting off but finally tackle!

Way to go. Nancy, if you need ideas of what to put discussions from POP, run it by here. I'm sure the brilliant SHARE users will have a good idea.

And may I add that the work we have done COMES from all of you, so you have TONS, no EVERYTHING, to do with it! This is a collaborative project with the community in the driver's seat! Yahooooooo!!!

I'll be working on the PoP stuff this afternoon and yes, I think I will need help. Maybe if you have ideas of what should move to "Day to day coping" -- that would be REALLY useful.

I'm also trying to figure out how best to do the Birthday thing. Take a look at that folder and see if it makes sense. Then look in PoP and help me imagine how we might move the great topic from Eliott's dad... add it to March Birthdays or leave it as its own topic?

Here is my suggestion about Todd's post (Elliot's birthday). I think we could slightly change the dicussion folder titled "Holidays and Family Events" to " Milestones and Celebrations" this can encompass milestones such as first steps, using the potty, losing an -ologist, to celebrating chirstmas, holidays, festivities. It can also be the retirement place for bithdays when they have scrolled. For example.... when it is april, maybe March 2005 birthdays can move to "Milestones and Celebrations". Since Elliots birthday was in Feb, it can now retire to Milestones & Celebrations. His post was so much more meaningful than just "Hey it's Elliot's birthday" though, since it really was a reflection on the NICU experience from 2 years down the road and an honest appreciation for the life of his daughter... it was almost posted like a milestone more than just a birthday party.
Again, just an idea. I won't be offended if you don't like it. Some other ones from POP that could go into "Milestones and Celebrations":
 Happy First Birthday, Ryanne!
Celebrating a preemie birthday!
 We are officially "hospital free"!!!
 My son is talking.....Finally
 Birthday Advice needed
 Today was a very special day for us...a milestone.
 Bright Preemies with a Sense of Humor!!!
 28 weeker now a 12 Year old Little League All Star Pitcher
 Shameless Brag about my 6 y/o former 25+ Wkr

As far as the POP folder. Kamie's posts on Zoe could all be combined so we can watch her progress and the emotions and situations with that chronologically. I think she didn't realize you could continue a discussion and started a new one for each step of Zoe's progress and development. It's nice to keep together though becuase it shows the journey emotionally. It could probably be broken up into diagnosis and medical conditions, as an alternative. But maybe having "Update on Zoe" "Zoe's Journey" this would tie together:
 2 steps forward, one step back it seems
 The Dance Continues
 Final some good news about Zoe!
MRI Today. Need Support

As far as day to day coping vs parents of preemies... my ideas of discussion to move into day to day are:
 How many times was your preemie hospitalized in the first year?
New here: Stress of on and off the Vent
Going back to work
Dilemma- Stay home or Return to Work
When did you finally take your preemie out?
A very frustrated mother of a preemie
Is it normal?
I had a horrible thought tonight and feel like a horrible mother. Am I normal?
 How do you get over the guilt?
has anyone else felt like this???
Does the pain ever go away?

Those are where they make most sense to me. *shrug* Hope that was a little helpful. I imagine others' imput will help, too. Hopefully all our opinions won't be too contradictory and confuse things even more! LOL!

Great "roadmap!" Thanks. I'll wait a bit to see if anyone else chimes in, then I'll get "moving!" (Some to Florida to hit the beach too.. grin. I did archive some of the older discussions into the "2005 Archive" folder in case anyone is looking for them!)

THANKS

In each of the new topical folders I've set up, I've tried to put in a bit of text that explains what sorts of discussions can be found/started in that area. If any of you have suggested changes on that copy, just let me know. The goal is so people know how to find things and where to put new discussions so others can find/join in. Clarity, clarity, clarity!!!

As time permits and my job doesn't interfere, I will look at the topical folders! lol Can you imagine people actually think I come to work to work, sheesh!

Sharing Our Resources

Need to find out about resources for your child? Have a great resource that you found and want to share? Post them here. First look and see if there is a discussion about the thing you are looking for or are pointing to. If not, open a new discussion with a clear title so others can find it! Please remember, a recommendation here does NOT imply endorsement by the March of Dimes. You should alwasy check everything out!

My suggestion...
Need to find a resource for your child? These may include books, programs, services, etc. appropriate for NICU families.

Or if you know of a resource that others would benefit from, post it here! First look to see if there is a discussion on a what you are looking for or what was helpful for you. If you find that subject, post under that heading; if you don't find that subject, open a new discussion with a clear title so others can find it.

Please remember that a recommendation here does NOT imply endorsement by the March of Dimes. You should always check everything out, especially since government programs can vary from state to state.

Just my $.02. Also, I was wondering if we need to mention that this is a Parent to Parent topic???

Feel free to delete these posts if I am overstepping!!

Hugs!
Michele

Good stuff. Thanks. Keep it comeing. I have taken some of the initial copy down as we need to run it through some channels (on the endorsement stuff) so it will shift a bit when we get the answers. Just FYI

Yes, I think a resource page is soooo important, Nancy.

I know the first year home I spent hours trying to find specific resources for specific problems we were having...families have to deal with enough during their NICU stay...and the first year they are home....without having to soak up all of their time sifting through endless information in hopes of finding something that can be of use...

we could help out with that by posting website addresses....locations of: organizations....books...manuals....magazines....news letters....support groups specific for a disability where all of the parents are dealing with the same disability....

and here is an idea...maybe the members of SHARE could post a list of hot items that they have the most experience with....say limit it to 3 or 4 items...and that could be the list the volunteer moderators glance over to find someone willing and able to give some help....I personally see that this site is growing sooooo big, it is very difficult to keep up with who might know what....unless they are a frequent visitor to the site.

And....as if what I have said is not enough, right? Parents can add to a list of developmental toys...therapy tools...etc...On this list they could rate the item with a 5 star rating....write in a couple of sentences why the toy was helpful or what the parent or therapist used it for...tell where they purchased the toy...and how much the toy costs....then OTHER people who have had experience with the toy can add their comments and rating and location of store and cost BENEATH the initial reference. Elliot's dad (Todd) could put his car seat talk beneath this...OKAY, and I know this is really, really, really pushing it...but maybe there could be A---Z hot buttons on this page where parents could put in order where their item would fit.

Okay, that is enough.....I am done...really...thorugh..... somebody stop me....

Take care you guys!

Melissa Middleton

OK, now I'm getting really nit picky. Can't help it.. I'm a bone fide perfectionist... (doesn't mesh well with prematurity!!!)

Is it just me or do you have to click, like, 20 times to get to an actual message in the Walk America discussions??

I am not sure what goes where, except for Donna's Walk success story.
  *pickpickpickpickpick*

Yup, they are a bit buried, eh? I thought about rearranging them, but it felt like a "done deal" so I resisted messing with them too much. The rule of thumb is you don't want to have to click more than 2-3 layers and that was set up one deeper.

You have a good eye for the user interface!

"You have a good eye for the user interface!"

aka: You are here so often than you have the site memorized. LOL!
-Darcy

ps - I like the new reply format... how it singles out the message and lets you view it while you're replying. Engineering genious!

ps - I like the new reply format... how it singles out the message and lets you view it while you're replying. Engineering genious!

I agree with this 100% It makes it much easier to reply when you can remember what you replying to!

Keep up the good work, guys!!!
Hugs!
Michele