EGADS!
Ok seriously people! If you are having troubles reading and commenting you have to tell me! Thank you MommaBee, Michelle & Cori, I hope this is an improvement!
I did a quickie redesign in hopes of solving the issues. Please please leave me a comment if the design makes your computer choke up.
In all fairness I do test all my designs in IE, Safari, and Firefox. Even our old PC loaded the site fine, so I was totally in the dark.
Now if you really want to optimize your blog reading buy a Mac. Really. Mac’s are Sexy.
If you cannot *~stubborn~* buy a Mac, please download Firefox. Or at the very very least upgrade to IE 7 (the closest IE has ever gotten to allowing proper code).
Ok I will hop off my geeky soap box, for now and remind you that this week I will be announcing some fun contests to celebrate the Soodz Clan’s Return to the Great White North (aka Canada)!
ooooh, i usually just read your blog on bloglines, so no trouble for me.
and, i have a mac!
(just teasing. 
congrats to J for getting the job, and to your family for moving home!! i hope it’s a safe and minimum trouble move!
Been fine for me…
Still.
I’m still reeling from your good news by the way…
Never noticed a thing, but cute template!
I thought it was just the computer being slow!! LOVE the new template. I am yearning for an i-mac (not a mac user but they are just so pretty!!) at the moment but I think it is something that will have to wait until i know more about what is happening with my job etc..
When it first started happening to me I was going to mention it to you, but then I thought it was my own computer so I didn’t say anything
Of course I didn’t tell Joe I was having problems until right before he left! Then I read the comment yesterday and thought, ok maybe it’s not just me! Unfortunatey I think the problems I’m having do have to do with my computer cause this new template took long to load for me too. If I remember later today I’m going to get on Joe’s old laptop and see how it loads from there, if that is fine then I know it’s my computer 
Joe said I need a new processor anyway, so I’ll go from there!
There has never been an issue for me, of course I am cool enough to use Firefox as a browser even if I am not cool enough to have an Apple computer.
Wow - I’ve been having SUCH troubles getting your page to load. It’s sort of hard to pinpoint WHY things are loading slowly sometimes. But I did find this page slow to load, too… sorry!
I haven’t been having problems. No mac (as you know), I use IE, probably the latest, but you know me, you would have to ask Darren.
The fewer people that can read, the fewer people that can win. he, he, he
For what it’s worth, I’ve never had problems loading your blog or commenting.
Wow, I guess I started something!
For the record, I did mention it in a comment a couple of weeks ago or so, but it was probably after everyone else had already long since commented so no one saw it!
I never used to have any problems with that template, but then all of a sudden started to have major issues with it loading, and like the others wondered if it was me, or more specifically because I am a dinosaur and still use IE, and 6.0 to boot.
Yes, I know I am uncool. I’m okay with it. Blame my personal IT consultant, really (the hubs) since he told me not to load IE 7 a while ago when it still had bugs. Maybe it’s better now? Will have to try it at work first, heh, and see if it’s any better.
At the moment, I’m still having problems loading the page even with the ramped down design on my PC in IE 6.0 the office. Will have to try at home later and let you know how it is there, as well as with IE 7.0 here.
I wonder if it has more to do with all the stuff in the sidebar? Just a thought…is there any way you could have a “text only” option (or somewhat paired-down code version) so you could still offer everyone your lovely design talents but also have a more easily readable (and more importantly commentable, since I can still read you in bloglines no prob, but it’s coming over to comment that’s my issue) version for us dinosaurs out there?
Also, FWIW, I do have an MAC for design work, but I’m still learning it, and it’s for work stuff and not personal.
Maybe it’ll make me a convert eventually, if I ever figure it all out, so my next personal laptop might be a Mac too. We’ll see!! 
Okay, enough rambling. Sorry. I’m procrastinating, can you tell?
I haven’t had any troubles with your site, but recently a lot of people were having trouble with mine. I didn’t know either until some people told me. I hope mine is fixed. I took a lot of stuff out of my sidebar. I love the new design though.
no trouble here - regardless would be keen on a cute mac, but this isn’t a mac household and I have no control over the techo stuff. Very exciting - competitions. DO they include NZders?? Understand if we’re a bit off the map!!
It’s a tiny bit better in IE 7.0, but still takes a while to load.
Hmph.
Okay, off to get some real work done (I have been doing some during the uploads and all, really! I’m not *that* bad an employee.)
Well I’m a self admitted computer dunce so when you were taking so long to load I didn’t think much of it I figured it was MY computer. I do have a few other blogs I read that take a bit to load so again I figured it was just my computer? LOL what can I say I have no “comp smart” people to help me.
I see everything fine. I do not know much about computers, but I do have a MAC!
I haven’t had any problems and I have a pc AND I use (GASP!) AOL.
My Firefox had no problems loading the site.
I like the change. It looks good but for some reason I’m not seeing any pics? Lol! j/k
ok I’m on Joe’s laptop and it loaded ok for me…definitely faster than my comp! But I see momma bee is still having problems, so I don’t know exactly what is going on
When Joe gets back he’ll fix my comp up for me since he’s the comm guy 
Paul completely and utterly blames you for my obsession with iMacs. I am getting one next month :D.
I miss the green, but this is way cool. You are so creative! I enjoy viewing your blog in Firefox (IE loaded too slowly), with a lap cat and a nice cup of tea….
okay so macs are super sexy but how sad is it that i’ve developed a little crush on the mac genius guys at the mac store..i’m just sad
I thought it was my computer. But even with this design (which is lovely by the way) I’m still having troubling. It takes a really long time for your blog to load and then even longer to make a comment.
I’m glad you’re moving back home and I’m excited about the contests.
I love your design. I’m also a Firefox user but on pc because it’s paid for. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Our US Navy friends spent two years off the coast of Halifax and loved every minute (even though they had dreaded going when they first got their orders).