The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

This week’s tip for Tuesday’s Tip Jar is going to be about Button Code and how to read it. I know it’s nice to have the code available to copy and paste but I think it’s equally nice to understand how it works so that if you need to get into your own code and do some tweaking you’ll know how to do it, what to look for and why.

Before I get into how to dissect button code I’d just like to say that I am having a little trouble with Mr. Linky. I can’t seem to log into my account so I am waiting to hear back from them on how we are going to proceed so that I can post the section where you participate in Tuesday’s Tip Jar. In the meantime, we’ll temporarily go with a Trackback or Linkback for those participating in this weeks Tuesday’s Tip Jar. If you are participating all you do is link back to this exact post when you are referring to this week’s Blog Mommas Tuesday’s Tip Jar. The link to your blog will automatically show up at the top of the comment section on this post. Once we get Mr. Linky figured out we will bring that feature back.

Blog Mommas Button Example

Blog Mommas Code Example

<a href=”http://blogmommas.com” target=”_blank” title=”Blog Mommas”><img src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ style=”border:0″></a>

1.) The a href=”http://blogmommas.com” is the part of the code that takes your visitor to the page they need to be when they click on the button or link. Also known as the site or page URL.

<a href=”http://blogmommas.com” target=”_blank” title=”Blog Mommas”><img src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ style=”border:0″></a>

2.) The target=”_blank” is the part of the code that makes the site or page URL open up into a new window. Sometimes people will use that if the site or page URL takes the visitor away from their own.

<a href=”http://blogmommas.com” target=”_blank” title=”Blog Mommas”><img src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ style=”border:0″></a>

3.) The title=”Blog Mommas” is the part of the code that gives your button or image a name. When your visitors scroll over the link in some instances the title will tell them what they are going to click if the picture does not. It’s an indicator of where they are about to navigate to.

<a href=”http://blogmommas.com” target=”_blank” title=”Blog Mommas”><img src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ style=”border:0″></a>

In Summary it’s important to use the correct URL and to make sure you have the a href=”URL” all in quotes or the code will not work properly. The target= and the title= is not mandatory. The first half of the code will work fine without those aspects of the code. They are optional pieces to the code.

<a href=”http://blogmommas.com” target=”_blank” title=”Blog Mommas”><img src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ style=”border:0″></a>

4.) The img src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” is the part of the code that tells you where to find the image OR where the image lives on the internet. Whenever you can it’s always a good idea to store your own images and use those image’s URL so as not to infringe on someone’s bandwidth. Photobucket is just one of many free sites that will allow you to store images for free.

To figure out where an image is stored all you do is right click on the image, select view image info, and that will show you the URL of the image so you will know what to put in your code. Always make sure you ask the owner of the site if it’s ok to use their image link. Many site or blog owners will not mind. Some sites will even post a “copy and paste” key so you don’t even have to think twice about it.

You can tell from the string that I’ve highlighted above that I store that particular button image in a folder called “img” on my site blogmommas.com. If I wanted to add more images to that folder I could FTP them and upload them that way. When you insert a picture into your blog post your blog host will automatically upload and store your image for you. To test it out just right click on the images that you yourself have used on your blog or site.

<a href=”http://blogmommas.com” target=”_blank” title=”Blog Mommas”><img src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ style=”border:0″></a>

5.) The width=”125″ height=”125″ part of the code provides the dimensions of your image. It tells you how tall and how wide your image should be.

<a href=”http://blogmommas.com” target=”_blank” title=”Blog Mommas” src=”http://blogmommas.com/img/blogMommas6.jpg” width=”125″ height=”125″ style=”border:0″></a>

6.) The style=”border:0″ part of the code is something that I need on this particular theme I am using on Blog Mommas because if I don’t have that in there then every single image that I use on this blog will have a nasty border around it. So, I have that in their as a personal preference because I don’t want to see the nasty border around my images and buttons that I link to. I haven’t figured out why that is..I just know that it works.

In summary it’s important to use the correct path or URL to your image or the code will not work properly. Everything that you see inside of quotes is something that will not work without the quotes. So any time you try to use code and things aren’t working just go back and take a closer look at your code and see if you are missing something. Chances are you just need to put quotes where they need to be. It’s the same thing with the <a></a> part of the code. The <a> starts the beginning of the code and the </a> ends the code. The width=, height=, and style= is not mandatory. The second half of the code will work fine without those aspects of the code. They are optional pieces to the code. If you would like to put some space in between your images you can add a <br><br> to the end of your code and that will do the trick.

Now it’s your turn – drop a tip in the jar!

If you are into designing things for people and would like to donate some 125 x 125 buttons for Blog Mommas we will take it! All button donations will be featured on this page along with a link to your site so that people can find you and your work!

There is a button for Dads now too! It says: Blog Mommas {for blogging dads too}

Pretty Cool, huh?

I sure hope we get more Daddy Bloggers to list their blogs over here on Blog Mommas.

The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

I am! I can’t help it. Let me explain.

I have been reading the Change Your Life Daily Bible via Burning Hearts Inc. ever since Becky Tirabassi came to our church for a women’s conference. Love Her, Love Her, Love Her!

So anyway… this bible is the entire Bible organized into 365 daily readings that will set your heart on fire and change your life forever. Here’s part of what Becky has to say in the forward of this book:

I was desperate for change, but because so many aspects of my life needed revision, I had no idea where to begin! While at a youth workers’ conference in February of 1984, I finally discovered the real reason for my “out-of-balance” life! I was too busy, too tired and too lazy to spend time with God! At a Saturday workshop, in the presence of another person, I admitted that prayerlessness was sin in my life! In a simple prayer, I asked God to help me change my lazy habits and renew my love for Him! And God, through His Holy Spirit, gave me a very practical idea on how to do this. On February 18, 1984, I made a decision to spend one hour every day, for the rest of my life, in a two-way conversation with God where I would both talk to Him and listen to Him.

Isn’t that cool you guys?

Ever since I sat and listened to Becky’s story at that women’s conference I decided I wanted to have that type of relationship with God. I want to be friends with my creator. I want to be still and quiet long enough to hear and noticed what he is trying to tell me. Every day I am making an effort to spend time with Him. I want to know Him more.

Now I’m not planning to always write about how my mornings are going during my quiet time with God. But I am noticing that I am on fire for Proverbs. I never really sat and read through the book of Proverbs before and the way this bible is set up each day you get a section from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a Psalm and then a Proverb. The Proverbs are Super Cool. So I thought it would be fun to share those with you guys here on Blog Mommas.

If you want to talk about them or a Proverb happens to move you for whatever reason by all means..leave a comment and we’ll discuss it! You can even write about it from your blog and link back to the proverb that I’ve posted. It’s up to you.

I’m probably not going to start from the beginning of Proverbs. Of course.. I didn’t start from the beginning of the bible either. I just sort of picked up the bible and the prayer notebook the day of the conference and then started on that day. So I will probably post Proverbs on the day that I read about it.. for that day. Am I confusing you yet? That way, if you are following along with the same bible you’ll kind of get an idea of what I read for that day and at the very least.. it will match the Proverb that you read too.

I’m excited about it and I hope you will like this section.

Take a Break – Share Your Blog – Have Some Fun! You can do it too Dads!

We have a directory for Dad Blogs too!

I meant it when I said “Have Some Fun!” We wouldn’t be sharing in all that fun if we couldn’t include all the Dads too, right? So… this is where all the Daddy Bloggers get listed. How about that? We want you Dads to know that you are Welcome too. After all, we wouldn’t be Blog Mommas without YOU now… would we?

So… if you Dads are out there blogging about parenting, politics, family, faith OR anything else that is related to life and living it then we hope you will consider networking with us by adding your blog to this directory. Use the contact form to submit your information.

Who’s going to be the first Daddy Blogger to get listed? Come on now – don’t disappoint!

The Blog Mommas M-Z Listing is done, SEE? So is the Blog Mommas Businesses Listing and the Blog Mommas Moms A-L Listing too. Pretty soon we will have a section where Daddy Bloggers can have their blogs listed too. How about THAT?

Coming Soon: The Contact Page! I will work on that page next. That way you guys can write me and let me know the name of your blog so I can check that sucker out and figure out which page to put you on.

Once I have some new buttons for Blog Mommas I’ll probably do some sort of tutorial so that you guys will know how to post a button without grabbing the code. OR…do you like grabbing the code? Is it easier for you? Either way, I’ll probably do a button tutorial. I think it’s good for people to know how to post the buttons they want to post without grabbing the code.

For now… you don’t really need a button even though someone has offered to donate some brand new Blog Mommas buttons for the cause. Why not? I think it’s a great chance for graphic designers to showcase their work and be a permanent fixture via Blog Mommas, don’t you? Just think… that’s a permanent referral for possible clients, no? Until we get more button donations feel free to just do a text link back to Blog Mommas instead. I think that will be fine, don’t you? All you do is post “Blog Mommas” and then link back to us. Easy as Apple Pie!

Ok… my husband cooked lunch. Kinsley is praying and I have to JET! We are having mac n’ cheese, sausage & veggies. I am starving!

I didn’t think it was possible to have a blog that required a user name and password just to see the front page of it. I guess there are such things out there floating around in the Blogosphere. How Cool AND Interesting.

Unfortunately I am unable to list those because well… I just don’t have time to sign up for every blog out there that requires a user name and password… know what I mean?

I think it would probably be a better idea if you create some sort of greeting page letting your visitors know what they can expect and giving them a taste of what your site is all about before they fork over a user name and password.

I am not referring to forums. Forums already do a really good job of explaining what they are all about. These are actually blogs that I’ve run into that require a user name and password. For Real?

Speaking of Forums – I think showcasing a list of forums that you Moms and Dads out there operate is a good idea! Forums are fantastic places to network with others who are lurking under the same topics you are. Maybe we’ll find a place here on Blog Mommas where we can list such things.

Ok… back to work! I’m almost done with the Moms M-Z list. Pretty cool, eh? Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday. I know I am! I’ve already been to the gym and back. I think Spring is trying to peek through this cold air. I am so ready for spring. Now if we can just get all the Christmas lights off our tree in the front yard we’ll be good to go! ha Ha! My neighbors are probably sick of looking at it. Although there is a house two doors up the street that still has their stuff out too. Who wants to walk around in the snow and mud? I sure as heck don’t!

The Blog Mommas Moms A-L Listing is Complete. Here’s a quick summary of what our Moms A-L listing is all about: As Moms we all need a daily outlet to express our feelings. If you blog about parenting, politics, family, faith OR anything else that is related to life and living it then we hope you will consider networking with us by adding your blog to this directory.

The Blog Mommas Moms A-L Listing is at the top right hand corner of the page. Do you see it? Here’s the link. I went through all of the blogs that were listed before. I looked for Blog Mommas Buttons, Blog Mommas links, and I even looked to see if there was a Blog Mommas URL on a secondary page. I think I did a pretty good job sifting through all the blogs.

If I missed your blog that was on Blog Mommas Moms A-L Listing from before will you please let me know so I can list it ASAP? If you are linking back thank you so much for your support over the years. By the time I am done putting together the rest of the directory I will be ready to put together a BLING and CONTACT form. Yippeeee!!!

I may have to go ahead and work on a Bling and Contact Form before I move on to Blog Mommas Moms M-Z Listing. Keep your eyes peeled. Although I have been working on this all day. It may have to wait until tomorrow. I have to leave the house all bright eyed around 7:30 AM for some serious Tandem Training at the Gym. I can’t wait to work out with my trainer and my SIL. We do it Tandem because it’s cheaper that way. If you follow me over on I Am Pooped then you know I’m on a serious weight loss kick.

The Businesses listing on Blog Mommas is complete. Here’s a quick summary of what our Business listing is all about: Do you have a blog that promotes your business? Maybe you have a blog that gives business advice to other people? Perhaps you have a blog that chronicles your journey as an entrepreneur? If so, this might be the perfect place to list your blog.

The Blog Mommas Businesses Listing is at the top right hand corner of the page. Do you see it? Here’s the link. I went through all of the blogs that were listed before. I looked for Blog Mommas Buttons, Blog Mommas links, and I even looked to see if there was a Blog Mommas URL on a secondary page. I think I did a pretty good job sifting through all the blogs.

If I missed your blog and/or blog business will you please let me know so I can list it ASAP? If you are linking back thank you so much for your support over the years. By the time I am done putting together the rest of the directory I will be ready to put together a BLING and CONTACT form. Yippeeee!!!