Abby Gabs: Solving Your Problems, One Blog At A Time

A few weeks ago, I introduced the "Dear Abby Gabs" tab at the top of the page, hoping that readers and fellow bloggers alike would spring to action, asking me thought-provoking questions and tempting me with creative blog ideas.


Alas, that has not been the case. If that tab were a room, all you'd hear upon entering is crickets.

Now, I know that my fan base is made up of hardworking, busy-bee, super-sexy folks with a ton of get-up-and-go. So, expecting you to come flooding out of the woodwork and inundate me with questions about my humble little blog was probably a little bit supercilious of me. But, in the spirit of teamwork, I'd hoped even a few of you would come forward. Since you haven't, I'm going to show you how much fun it would be to read a weekly (monthly? quarterly?) post in which I answer your most burning questions. 


My first pretend email came to me by way of CoffeeLover 129. She asks:

Dear Abby Gabs,

I see you are an avid coffee drinker, as well. What do you do when you forget to take your favorite coffee mug with you to work? Or worse yet, it gets lost in the shuffle from home to work and back again? 

Thanks for your speedy response, 

CoffeeLover 129

Yes, CL, I do love me some coffee. Especially since the hubs bought me a Keurig one-cup coffee maker for Valentine's Day. I can't get through the morning with a steaming hot cup of my favorite Vermont Country Blend! Oh, no! 

The answer to your question is a simple one, really, and you can choose which option will work best for you. You can always peruse the desks of your fellow coworkers, looking for a replacement. (Note: You may consider wearing funny disguises when you visit the coffee pot with a stolen mug.) Or, if you're desperate, you can always substitute different crockery for your morning caffeine fix. May I suggest a cereal bowl?

Bottoms up!

The next inquiry comes to us all the way from Alaska! JunoJoe writes:

Dear Abby Gabs,

I have this hilarious picture of my dog (who looks remarkably like your brother's dog, Charlie) and I really want to turn it into something special for my friends and family. But I don't even begin to know how to work Photoshop. Can you help me?

Thanks a million,

JunoJoe

Joe's dog, Brownie.

Well, Joe, there's nothing more special (or funny) than a motivational poster, am I right? Why not try this on for size?

Or perhaps you'd rather go the more traditional route?

Or maybe you're geek chic, like me?

Either way, these posters are sure to put your friends in stitches! Enjoy, Joe!

The final question for today's post comes from IWantToBeAbbyWhenIGrowUp13. She writes:

Dear Abby Gabs,

I have a friend who just got some not-so-happy news. I don't know what to do or say to make her feel better! You're so amazingly talented and funny that surely you must have a solution to my dilemma! 

Please Help!

IWantToBeAbbyWhenIGrowUp13

Well, Wannabe, I wish I had the perfect answer for you. Truth be told, sometimes silly Photoshop photos and hilarious Twitter anecdotes aren't enough to pull even your best friend out of the bad news blues. The best advice I can give is to be whatever she needs, whenever she needs it. 

Dust off that shoulder for her to cry on.
(Make sure you do it with Jay-Z Style.)

If she needs a disco dance party, you provide the disco ball and
cheesy Saturday Night Fever sound track.

If she needs wine therapy, bring the biggest bottles you can find.

Most importantly, Wannabe, just be there for your friend, no matter the outcome, and you'll both be a-ok. (Did we suggest wine? Ok, just checking. Retail therapy works, too.)

So, readers, after seeing just how much awesome fun it could be to participate in an Ask Abby Gabs tab, don't you want to play? (It's ok if you don't. I'll understand.) (Well...I'll *pretend* to understand, and then I'll just make up more imaginary people who ask me interesting questions and write another blog about that, instead.) (No, really, it's ok. I have a very vivid imagination--hence my pretend relationship with Donnie Wahlberg.)

Dear Abby Gabs

It occurred to me the other day that, recently, my blog has been all about me.


Okay, well, it's been *mostly* about me from the very beginning.


But I began to wonder what wonderful, entertaining ideas my readers might have wandering around in their brains when they visit Abby Gabs. And, well, that got my own wheels turning. So, I've decided to create a page just for my readers! (Check out the new button, titled "Dear Abby Gabs," on the header above!)

If you have a question, a blog topic, a funny story, or a conversation starter that you'd love to see me tackle here on A.G., now's your chance to jump in with both feet and request an audience with yours truly. 


(I won't make you bow or anything. Curtsy, perhaps, but no bowing.)


A lot of my blog ideas come from conversations I have with family or friends, and I'd love to have a conversation with you too, readers! So don't be shy...check out the tab above and hit me with your funny, controversial, silly, or heart warming ideas. (Donnie Wahlberg is still, and will always be, up for discussion here, folks.)


In short, I invite you, dear readers, to give me your best blog fodder. I know you can do it. Because I have the best readers in the world!

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     

And, as usual, here's the twist you didn't see coming. Today, I'm going to ask YOU a question. (See how that works? Aren't I so clever?) Hopefully, you'll be able to give me some answers. So, here it goes.

"In your opinion, what is missing from Abby Gabs?"

I'm interested in increasing my readership, which hopefully will increase reader input here on the blog. So, from blogging veterans to casual readers--do you have any ideas on ways I can increase my traffic here? (I can't afford a sky writer. Otherwise, I'm wide open for suggestions.) I've considered looking into advertising, but I'm not sure how that will draw readers to Abby Gabs. As with most "small enterprises," most of my readership comes from word of mouth. (Thanks Mom! And Brian! And Dana...and Jenna...and...oh...well....all my friends....). 

How about a line of Abby Gabs merchandise?

Advertisements? Perhaps commercials? An interview with Matt Lauer?

Whatever your ideas, readers, I'm all ears. I want to take over the internet with my wit. With your help, anything is possible. 

Wait, maybe I need to shift my focus. Maybe I should be asking you how to arrange a meeting with Donnie Wahlberg instead. Hmmm...Meh. Maybe next week.