Google has just unveiled its latest attempt to become more relevant in the social media space—Google Buzz. The product is integrated within Gmail and will be rolled out gradually to all of the webmail service’s users over the next few days. While this development is still unfolding, you can check out Google Buzz’s two-minute demo of Buzz in action both online and via mobile. What are your initial reactions? Another soon-to-be-forgotten Google product like Wave, or a Facebook/Twitter killer? Full story at Mashable. Total Google coverage. Permalink | Leave a…
Selected by marybabysteps
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Holy Kaw!
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Google Buzz's official demo [video]
9 Feb 2010 | 11:25 am -
Darth Vader’s original wimpy voice [video]
9 Feb 2010 | 11:15 amImagine a galaxy far, far away where Darth Vader sounded like any other British bloke strolling down the corridors of the Death Star. Before James Earl Jones provided the menacing voice of the Dark Lord of the Sith, English actor and bodybuilder David Prowse delivered the lines from inside the Darth costume. While George Lucas never intended for Prowse’s voice to make the flick’s final cut, it’s weird to imagine how different Star Wars would have been with a different Vader voice. Full story at Huffington Post. Tons of Star Wars tidbits. Permalink | Leave a… -
7 things you didn’t know about condoms
9 Feb 2010 | 10:14 amRubbers. Raincoats. Inconvenient. Whatever you call 'em, condoms remain a must-have in the safe sex tool box. Long before the days of Durex and Trojans, men used animal intestines to protect their willies (that sounds lovely, eh ladies?) and still to this day use lambskin condoms for latex allergies and supposed extra sensitivity. Want to learn even more fun facts about condoms that will surely impress your friends and potential lovers? Check out Asylum's seven things you probably didn't know about condoms that includes tantalizing tidbits like: Vaseline + condoms = Disintegrated rubber and… -
Horror flick mirror scare mash-up [video]
9 Feb 2010 | 9:25 amHorror movies love to rely on cliches to scare the bejeezus out of us, but does it really surprise anyone that the axe murderer is going to pop in the reflection of a mirror? Ok, yes, it still totally sparks a few pee-in-pants moments. Check out this mash-up of mirror scare moments (fair warning: don’t watch alone in a big, dark, scary house): Full story at Four Four. Boo! Tons of scary and not so scary movie news. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
7 things you shouldn't do on Valentine's Day
9 Feb 2010 | 9:13 amAh, Valentine’s day. February fourteenth marks that special moment in the year when Hallmark cashes in on our emotions and cupid gets busy shooting arrows. Whether you’re indifferent, excited, upset, or madly in love—there are seven things you just shouldn’t do on this lovey-dovey holiday. See a few do-not-do’s below: Go on a first date. First dates are hard enough, why add the extra pressure? Call your ex. Abort mission! On a day like this, it’s normal for your thoughts to drift to the one you used to be with, but you broke up for a reason. So, spare…
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iVillage Today
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9 Holiday Makeup Looks: How To Apply
'Tis the season dedicated to cocktail parties, friends and family. And we all want to look our best. That's why we asked some of Hollywood's leading makeup artists for their advice on how to get some of the hottest celebrity looks for the season. -
From Pumps to Peep-Toes: Take a Walk in Sarah Palin's Shoes
Who knew shoes could be so scandalous. -
22 Heartfelt Holiday Presents You Can Make
From salt dough ornaments to personalized picture frames, get back to the true meaning of the holidays with these handmade gift ideas from the iVillage community and the experts at Valspar paint -
9 Tacky Holiday Sweaters We Can't Help But Love
Santa's embroidered face on your chest? Check out these other tacky holiday sweaters we love... -
Sink Your Teeth into 'New Moon'
Twi-Hards rejoice! We're taking a bite out of the vampire and Twilight craze -- from the sexiest bloodsuckers of all time to juicy pics of R-Patz
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Okay, Fine, Dammit
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Thank you.
5 Feb 2010 | 7:07 pmI’m good. I’m in a really, really good place. I am supported and I am loved and I am engaged in a handful of proven programmed solutions. I am parenting and wife-ing and working, all with a new sense of peace and pride. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wretched sometimes, yes, and it’s outlandishly busy almost all the time, and it’s equal parts mind-blowing and brain-numbing and it’s fresh and it’s wicked and it’s glorious and it’s foul and it’s all the time, all the time, all the time, all the time, but that’s okay. I’m… -
Nine days sober.
29 Jan 2010 | 6:00 amI took my last drink nine days ago. I admitted I am powerless over alcohol, and that my life had become unmanageable. There it is. I have been silent online. I have been suffocating beneath the weight of my truth, the elephant on my chest, the muzzled agony in knowing that if I can’t say this, I can’t say anything at all. I don’t want to say anything else. I have written and re-written this post in my head a thousand times. I wanted it to be just right. I didn’t know how to say it. I didn’t know how it–I–would be received. In the end, it’s… -
The Constellation
15 Jan 2010 | 8:45 amIt is once upon a time, 34 Septembers ago, and a woman with apple cheeks and Pantene-commercial hair goes into labor. Her husband puts down the beer, sells a shotgun, and uses the $40 to drive 50 miles to the nearest hospital. They bring their baby Girl home to a cabin built by their unpracticed hands on a deep, black lake choked with lily pads, place her gently in a cardboard box crib and go on about the business of living on love, if nothing else. 422 miles away a six-year-old boy palms treasures of frogs and fish, proudly presents them to his mother between distracted back-of-the-wrist… -
Embracing the Mommyblogger
12 Jan 2010 | 9:09 amI used to roll my eyes at the very word, mommyblogger, spit it from sneered lips so I wouldn’t have to hold its taste in my mouth. And by “used to” I actually mean right up until this past Saturday, when I greedily gobbled an entire crow pie, followed by a cupcake chaser. We all do it. We moms who blog have been trained to accept that we’re not supposed to like being called mommybloggers. Condescending newscasters say the word like they’ve got a mouthful of honey, closely guarded by bees. Tech and pro bloggers use it as the new “You throw like a… -
All the Little Things (in response to Neil) *edit at bottom
4 Jan 2010 | 6:43 amIt’s the little things I remember. That time Sarah Hain and I were walking down my rural Minnesota highway in the third grade and that car full of men (teenage boys?) pulled over and did everything they could to get us inside, thwarted only by the appearance of a second car on the horizon. That time I finally socked Josh Schmidt in the gut for trying to feel my non-existent first grader’s chest one too many times on the bus. That time in eighth grade at that Florida hotel, running up three flights of stairs so fast my lungs blazed, two college-aged men in fast walking pursuit. That time…
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iambossy.com
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Ten-Word Tuesday. The Blizzard Edition
9 Feb 2010 | 4:39 amBossy is going to tell you something you never heard, especially those of you who watch the news or the Weather Channel or talk with friends or subscribe to Facebook or Twitter or have internet: Last weekend an East Coast blizzard dumped close to two feet of snow in a blanket that wiped out power from D.C. through Bossy’s neck of the woods, which is neither a neck nor woods. Bossy paid enough attention to the forecast to know a storm was coming, but she tends not to take threatening weather reports too seriously — not since the time a local broadcaster stood outside the television… -
Notes From A Far-Flung Correspondent
9 Feb 2010 | 4:39 amWelcome to Notes from a Far-Flung Correspondent, which features the weekly interests and musings of Bossy’s Son, who is currently enjoying his sophomore year at Columbia University in the City of New York. This week: Seltzer Water So let me explain. I am not one of those people (cough, cough, my friends from LA, cough) who think NYC tap water isn’t great to drink. Nor am I the San Pellegrino socializer, the restaurant patron for whom sparkling water is the way to go. But to members of Bossy’s Esteemed Council, I say that I am one of those people — the unfortunate, battered souls —… -
Bossy’s Favorite Things
9 Feb 2010 | 4:36 amThis photo. Bossy took it the other day while she was trying to walk some of the post-operative symptoms from her leg. It’s cool because this car, in this alley? It spans many decades. Bossy added the effects in Photoshop, but she didn’t even really have to… -
Yet Another Little Known Fact
9 Feb 2010 | 4:35 amOld Bossy has a rather sour attitude toward birthdays in general — beyond the age of 21 — and her own in particular. But alas, they keep coming anyway. If we’re lucky. delicious cake by the multi-talented bossy’s daughter -
Bossy’s Ear Worm
8 Feb 2010 | 9:16 pmWelcome to Bossy’s Ear Worm, which features songs currently in Bossy’s headphones. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Zero 7, Swing. Bossy has always liked Zero 7, which is a UK duo with a successful background in audio engineering, who enlist a variety of singers on their records. This tune, off their latest 2009 release Yeah Ghost, is a simple fun ditty with a carnival undercurrent. And who doesn’t enjoy a little steel drum action in their waltz — even if digitally produced. Bossy isn’t sure where Swing comes from since it never…
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Totally Her, Totally Real - TotallyHer.com
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Megan Park Interview: The Secret Life of the American Teenager
9 Feb 2010 | 5:38 amGrace is the Christian good girl that is finding her life turning out much differently than she expected. Watching this character grow, change, and mature is a relatable journey not only to the audience but also to Megan herself. -
Baby Crying? Check Your iPhone!
9 Feb 2010 | 5:36 amNow, there's an application to help new parents figure out what their baby's cry means. Are we getting too dependent on technology? -
Haiti: Miracles in the Midst of Disaster
8 Feb 2010 | 6:01 amThe images we've seen on television are heart-wrenching. Collapsed buildings. Bloody and broken bodies. And, the worst, lifeless bodies pulled out of the rubble. In the midst of devastation, there are so many unbelievable stories of survival. These are the miracles of Haiti. -
Abstinence Works
8 Feb 2010 | 6:00 amResults showed that while 48.5 percent of students in the health-promotion group had sex for the first time during the study period, only 33.5 percent of those in the abstinence-only group did so. -
How to be Less Cranky
5 Feb 2010 | 6:00 am10 ways to be less cranky, improve your mood, and get in tune with your emotional well being.
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Girlfriendology
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Daily Inspiration – Be YOUrself
9 Feb 2010 | 11:15 amTo be YOUrself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. Ralph Waldo Emerson My girlfriend Judi’s daughter wears non-matching socks everyday. Penny loves to pair up two earrings that are different but work… -
Daily Inspiration – The One Thing …
8 Feb 2010 | 12:11 pm“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt ‘Surrounded by smart, savvy, socially-connected women’ is how I’d describe the Blissdom Conference I attended last week in Nashville. 500 women bloggers from around the world gathered to learn, share and… -
The Gift of Sharing – Guest Blog
8 Feb 2010 | 8:54 amI love the wisdom that women share. Girlfriend advice from simple tips to handling life, we all benefit from sharing life and wisdom with each other. So, it’s a joy to introduce you to CATHY RAFF and to share some of her… -
Blissful, Blissdom Women’s Online Communities
4 Feb 2010 | 8:25 pmAre you here in Nashville for Blissdom – the great conference for women bloggers? If so, look for me – I’m wearing the Girlfriendology orange flower. There’s about 500 of us female blissful bloggers who are passionate about the blogosphere and social media.… -
Daily Inspiration: Sage Advice Girlfriend …
3 Feb 2010 | 11:55 am“Give others the benefit of the doubt and offer a hand of FRIENDSHIP instead of a cold shoulder.” Sage Scrolls Dear Girlfriend, As I friend, I owe you the benefit of the doubt. Right? Actually, there’s no doubt – I do. You deserve a ‘hand…
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BlogHer
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Samantha Bee on Male Inequality
9 Feb 2010 | 11:38 amFeb. 3, 2010: The Daily Show's Samantha Bee reacts to all those news stories about it being a women's nation and the so-called "new economics of marriage" by crashing a men's retreat: "Having never heard of Las Vegas, these disenfranchised men seek solace in the woods, where they play games no one liked in PE class and complain about their wives." The best part: Matthew Tobey's intro of the clip on the Comedy Central blog: "We men have had it tough for a long time. For example, I can hardly hear myself think sometimes with all the women banging on the underside of my glass floor." The Daily… -
Living on the Road Together
9 Feb 2010 | 10:00 amWith Valentine's Day around the corner, my inbox is a swamp of cliched press releases, each one of them attempting to sell me the idea of romantic travel -- a trip to Paris, perhaps, or exotic chocolates from far away places, or little extras that you can pack to transform the sturdy beige interior of your hotel room into a rose colored tent in the desert. Yeah, okay, maybe. There is, I think, nothing more romantic than falling in love when you are traveling, even if it is with someone you are already in love with. I met my husband while traveling -- he stood the other side of the campfire… -
Spring Trends: What Will You Be Wearing?
9 Feb 2010 | 10:00 amIt's still winter outside, but spring trends are showing up in magazines and catalogs -- and the draw of all those bright, summery pieces is appealing, especially when you're digging out of the latest winter storm. Freshen up your wardrobe by incorporating some spring trends now. This month, Lucky magazine chose their five favorites -- which ones will you wear?Ikat: Tie-dye for grownups, ikat works best a feminine, tailored shapes. No Woodstock-inspired hippie skirts here; look for slim cocktail dresses and pencil skirts. Pictured at left: DKNY ikat tunic, currently $29.99 at Macy's.Picture… -
Your Burger, With a Side of Dog Food and Ammonia
9 Feb 2010 | 8:32 amQuestion. Would you eat dog food?No?What if it was mixed in with your hamburger meat? Would you eat it then?What if I told you it wasn't your choice? What if it was already in the burgers you are eating?Don't shoot the messenger. Anyway, it's not like they are just putting dog food into your burger, they are adding ammonia first to kill off the E. coli. Well that's a relief. And if the USDA says it's safe, it shouldn't matter whether you know about it or not. Right?I don't know how I missed this - It was in the New York Times back in December...Eight years ago, federal officials were… -
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Why You Really Might Be the Expert in the Room
9 Feb 2010 | 7:00 amI became aware of the Impostor Syndrome eight or nine years ago, when I was working for a failing start-up. Watching our staff whittle to half its size every few weeks was starting to take a toll on the remaining employees. I was grateful to still be working, but I wondered whether I should start looking into another job -- something more secure.I spent my lunch hours in Starbucks studying for my GRE -- surely I would need another degree to help me get the security I needed -- and poring over job sites, looking for anything in the rapidly shrinking online media job market that approximated my…
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BettyConfidential.com
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Kate Gosselin to Release Personal New Book
'Jon & Kate Plus 8' star to release third book in April. -
Meghan McCain Disagrees with Sarah Palin's Double Standards
John McCain's daughter reveals on 'The View' that she disagrees with many things Sarah Palin has said. -
Angelina Jolie Visits Haitian Refugees
The actress was in the Dominican Republic yesterday to visit with Haitian children and the country's President, Leonel Fernandez. -
Mean Betty on Donatella Versace and Lindsay Lohan
Donatella Versace and Lindsay Lohan: The high queens of the "natural look.” Or not. -
Hot Links: Unretouched Madonna and More
Plus: Katherine Jackson lashes out, and Howard Stern may join American Idol.
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Viva la Feminista
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Erica Watson Surfs into NYC on a New Wave of Black Comedy
8 Feb 2010 | 6:37 pmThis was originally posted on the AWEARNESS blog Erica Watson is fat and she isn't afraid to tell you either. In fact, her one-woman show is called "Fat Bitch" and if you attend you'll learn a lot more than just how big she is. You'll learn about her 21st birthday party with a major stripper fail and how she thinks that being a cute fat chick is just too much pressure. "People are always telling me that if I just lost weight, I'd be sooo much prettier." I could see the eye roll from a dozen rows back when I saw the show in November. Watson and other "new wave" black comics don't "relentlessly… -
Cohen Watch
6 Feb 2010 | 4:32 pmScott Lee Cohen's tune seems to be changing. The media is digging more into his story and painting an uglier picture. Early on Friday he was sticking to his stance that the people of Illinois had voted for him and he was staying. On Twitter a bunch of people were saying the same thing. Warning that if we let the party nudge someone off the ticket for being unsavory or unlikeable, well then democracy would start down that slippery slope of ethics into a place where party bosses would hand pick candidates. What the hell do people think already happens? Cohen represents not a victory for… -
Just what Illinois politics needed: Scott Lee Cohen
4 Feb 2010 | 10:03 pmBlago. Burris. Stroger. We thought we had finally turned a corner Tuesday night. Even with the weight of Alexi's family's bank saga, we at least were moving away from embarrassing politicians. We cheered the defeat of Todd Stroger and wished Toni Preckwinkle all the luck of a field of four-leaf clovers, cause she's gonna need it to clean up the mess of Cook County. Then we woke up on Thursday to news that 212,902, er, 212, 901 voters didn't do a good Google search of their candidate. Scott Lee Cohen admits to choking his ex-wife and violence against his ex-girlfriend. He didn't fess up after… -
Want to adopt a Haitian orphan? WAIT!
4 Feb 2010 | 8:32 pmThis post was written right after American missionaries were arrested and originally posted on the AWEARNESS blog. I admit that my husband and I had "the talk." The "Can we adopt a child from Haiti?" talk. Of course it was out of sheer love for the children who need help, but we quickly snapped back to reality: Now is not the time to get in line for a child. Apparently some people think otherwise. Ten Americans were arrested over the weekend for child trafficking out of Haiti. Of course they say they were just trying to help by scooping up children and taking them across the border to… -
Sean James and Al Joyner respond to the Tebow Super Bowl ad
4 Feb 2010 | 5:25 amWarning...Feministas, grab a tissue before you watch this amazing and beautiful video. Welcome to my new Laughing Liberally friends. This is the video Matt & I talked about last night. From Planned Parenthood: Matt asked me what dudes can do to help in the fight and I said, be aware and then I talked about this video. Men, be aware of how your actions impact our lives. Of your privilege that allows you to not worry about being raped when you walk around a corner to get to your car after a fun night with friends. How you have to decide if you'll ask for a friend to talk with you, if you'll…
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Everyday Baby Steps
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Watch Designer Abby Z on HSN!
9 Feb 2010 | 10:42 amI just got home from Blissdom Sunday night, and I'm still dragging. It was a wonderful time, and I will blog about it, but first I wanted to give a shout out to a fabulous designer I spoke to recently. Her name is Abby Z, and she designs clothing for every woman. In fact, her tagline is "sexy in every size". Abby designs pieces that will look great on women from size 2 to size 24, and her clothing is amazing. I had the opportunity to talk to Abby not long ago, and her personality is so vibrant and warm. I know you'll love her, too. I also had a chance to try out some of her clothing, and the… -
Molly Brown Designer Girls Jewellery
29 Jan 2010 | 2:42 amMolly Brown Jewellery is just for girls, from little girls to preteens. Based out of London, Molly Brown has been called the Tiffany for girls by Vogue magazine. I checdked out the Molly Brown site and loved what I found. Little girls love pretty baubles and want to be like mommy, and tween girls love sparkly things too. Molly Brown has lots of beautiful items designed especially for girls. There's jewellery for every occasion. Find something special for your little girl's birthday, a special holiday gift, or christening jewellery. The web site even offers a gift guide to help you choose by… -
Vegas Red Online Casino
28 Jan 2010 | 2:24 amVegas Red is an online casino where you can play all the games found in Vegas in your own home. Casino Red Vegas looks like a fun, flashy environment where people who enjoy the fun of casino games can take part in them without the expense of a plane ticket, hotel accomodations, and meals associated with a real trip to Sin City! You can preview the games they offer and choose which game or games you want to play. With over 100 games to choose from, you're sure to find something you like. Do you like card games? Vegas Red has all kinds of card and table games to choose from, such as Blackjack,… -
I'm Going to Blissdom With a Lot of Help From My Friends!
27 Jan 2010 | 12:30 pmYes, I'll be attending the Blissdom '10 Conference next week in Nashville, TN. I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it! You may remember that I went to my first blogging conference, Type-A Mom, this past fall. I learned so much there and connected with so many amazing, brilliant, talented and inspiring women. I was able to bring home a great deal of information and motivation that has helped me to add a few new writing gigs and to improve my focus. I can't wait to do it all over again at Blissdom! I also can't wait to meet him. Yes, the very handsome Harry Connick Jr. is going to be performing,… -
Store Brand Formula Found as Nutritious as Name Brand
27 Jan 2010 | 10:12 amThis is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine. For those of you who bottle fed your babies, did you think you had to buy the expensive name brand kind? Did you feel guilty for even thinking about giving your baby anything but "the best"? That may be because of advertising from a name brand that led you to believe that store brands weren't as good. A recent ruling in U.S. District Court awarded PBM Products a $13.5 million false advertising judgment against Mead Johnson, makers of Enfamil. PBM is the maker of store brand formulas sold at Walmart,…
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The Student Affairs Blog
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TuesTally: How many days do you take a lunch break?
9 Feb 2010 | 7:11 amIf you cannot view this poll click here. And here are the results from the last poll. -
The #sachat Introduction Video
8 Feb 2010 | 8:20 amWe started the #sachat experiment in October 2009 and, more than anyone expected, the growth has been explosive. Each week, more and more student affairs professionals are connecting together and sharing their experience on a variety of topics from Job Expectations to Resident Hall Discipline. Inspired, and requested, by the #sachat community, here’s a video I hope captures the feeling many of us experience each week we participate in the #sachat. Ready to join the conversation? Start here > http://bit.ly/4o6NKH -
ACPA wants us to Mingle
7 Feb 2010 | 9:15 pmSlightly hidden, due to a minuscule font size, within the recent ACPA eCommunity email update was an interesting question: “Are You Ready To Mingle?” Intrigued, I read the rest of the “mingle” text: Are You Ready To Mingle? Engage in real life social networking at the Boston 2010 Annual Convention. This new and innovative technology enables attendees to simply ‘click to connect’ at the event and then share their online profiles after the event. With over 4,500 ACPA members expected to attend the Annual Convention in Boston, the MingleStick may provide an… -
Professional Staff Development Strategies – #SACHAT Recap
4 Feb 2010 | 6:51 pmThanks to everyone who participated in today’s #SAchat focusing on Professional Staff Development Strategies. Each week, we continue to grow our numbers and today’s chats produced 936 comments from 87 student affairs professionals, graduate students and undergraduates interested in the Student Affairs field! In case you missed it, below is a quick recap. If you haven’t yet participated in an #sachat, learn more here. Full Transcripts DAYTIME: View as webpage Download as PDF EVENING: View as webpage Download as PDF Today’s Top Contributors @ARL275 @edcabellon… -
Drowning in Leadership Data!
3 Feb 2010 | 10:20 amI wrote last about our campus initiative that is going to push us toward a “comprehensive” leadership program. We’re really building this from the middle, as there are many leadership efforts around campus that already exist. A move in this strategic direction is still without a lot of focus and without any defined leadership roles for our office in this effort, but as the Director of Student Involvement and LEADERSHIP, it’s probably a good idea for me to get our ducks in a row, right? In preparing for this movement on our campus, I know that someone needs to…
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Cutie Booty Cakes
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Operation Weight Loss Week 11- The incredible shrinking woman
9 Feb 2010 | 10:39 amAfter a great trip to Nashville for the Blissdom blogging conference I had no expectation of dropping any pounds. Although I made pretty wise food choices, I did indulge more than once. My weakness is craisins and almonds, I had them with me for a snack and let's just say "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!" LOL I also had some fried foods - coconut shrimp and a puffed pastry that was amazing. Despite these indulgences, I still made sure I exercised. I tried a new machine at the hotel gym called the Mountain Trainer and that thing kicks butt! If you are a member of a gym and they have one… -
Momspotting
3 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pmIf you follow me on twitter you've probably seen me use the hashtag (#) #momspotting and wondered what in the world that was all about. Momspotters are community journalists - moms that are chronicling their experiences using technology and how it effects our everyday lives. At least three times a day I tweet about technology and parenting and I also participate in the Family Connections forum on BlogHer where I and 19 other moms are writing about our experiences with technology. We'd love to have you join the conversation. You can simply join in and use the hashtag on twitter or even join… -
Wear Red Day - Friday February 5, 2010
3 Feb 2010 | 6:07 amGo Red for WomenOriginally uploaded by rj_ross.rmYesterday I went to the doctor. Nothing is wrong but I needed to take care of something that I've been putting off for awhile. As usual, the nurse took my blood pressure and I was a little anxious. All of the women in my family are hypertensive - my mother, my aunt, my grandmother and my great aunt. Although my great aunt and grandmother are no longer with us, they both suffered as a result of their heart disease.Every time I have my blood pressure checked I worry. I don't want to be in the same boat as the other women in my family and have to… -
Operation Weight Loss Week 10- The incredible shrinking woman
2 Feb 2010 | 9:59 amWeek 1 Week 10 This is week 10 on my journey to live healthy and lose 50 pounds. At my weigh-in today I basically maintained my weight loss from last week - there was a .4 difference but I'll take it! I know that I have been eating properly and exercising so I have no doubt that the scale will move next week. I also monitor my progress by checking out the way my clothes fit. I am proud to report that my size 12 jeans from Ann Taylor are fitting with some wiggle room! I still wear a 14 in Gap jeans but I have no doubt that I will soon be in a 12. One thing to keep in mind is that all designers… -
Never Give Up!
1 Feb 2010 | 12:02 pmI can't believe that it has been 11 weeks since that fateful day when I was told I am obese. Wait, let me change that - I "was" obese but now after weeks of hard work I am now overweight. Although I have a long way to go before I am in the "normal' range, I celebrate the fact that as of last Monday I've lost 25 pounds. And tomorrow I am sure I will be down at least another 2 pounds. If you've been following my blog, you know that I have been quite focused on my journey to healthy living. And it has been a journey. It started early last year, well, really in 2008 but this time I've been…
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Hormone-colored Days
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Another Blissdom Post: You are not Invisible
9 Feb 2010 | 7:24 amI started a little conversation on Twitter that seems worth exploring a bit. First off, let me explain that I spent several years as a SAHM, I did a little "work thing" on the side, maybe three hours a week just to make a teensy bit of money and get me out of the house now and again. But mostly, I was invisible.If you've been there, you know what I mean. For the most part, I loved taking my kids places and doing things with them and just being with them, but I felt marginalized by society. It was as though walking around with a stroller indicated I had no brain, no voice in the larger… -
Blissdom Wrap-up: Should You Write for Free?
8 Feb 2010 | 10:45 amBlissdom was fabulous! There is so much I could rave about. The crowd, 500 bloggers strong, was just the right size, the schedule was busy without feeling packed, the sessions were interesting and useful, the sponsors were appreciated and set up in such a way that attendees didn't feel like we were in a massive trade show. And the women- such an inspiring and talented group! For details and links, I'm going to send you over to Christine Koh's thoughtful and thought-provoking blog for the Biggest Blissdom Link Love Lovefest Ever.If you've never been to a blogging conference, one of the smaller… -
Marketing to Moms: Letting Someone Else do the Talking
2 Feb 2010 | 3:54 amI'm busy working on a top secret project and preparing for the Blissdom conference. Why take time out to write when my digital girlfriends have already provided brilliant fodder on the topic of marketing with moms?Jennifer James, founder of Mom Bloggers Club, is kicking ass and taking names with her recent post How to Determine a Mom Blogger's Influence without Asking Her and pointed thoughts about brands that do not follow back on Twitter.In recent months, I've been talking to clients about micro-influence and taking PR offline into real life and I've been thinking about it even more. -
Ready, Set, Show!
31 Jan 2010 | 7:13 amCheck out my latest posts over at the Roost blog as I share my best tips for decrapifying a house. In a follow-up piece, I share tips from blogger extraordinaire Vanessa Druckman of Chef Druck Musings on keeping the house show-ready when you have kids underfoot.Thankfully, we are not in that position. I can't keep my house clean for more than about a day at a time. I can't imagine the pressure of always having it ready to show with just a few minute's notice.At any rate, things are about to get interesting with the house sale, so stay tuned. -
Marketing to Mombloggers: When brand advocates become unpaid saleswomen and then call it quits
25 Jan 2010 | 6:49 amAs a "mommy blogger," I'm on the receiving end of lot of marketing pitches. As a consultant, I sometimes find myself developing the pitches and broader outreach efforts. I understand that clients want numbers, they want measurable results. But there's a line between developing brand fans and "hiring" bloggers for free advertising.Late last year, I was invited to a party to learn about a piece of at-home fitness equipment that is used in conjunction with a popular family gaming platform. Just as Walt Disney asked his employees to "plus" their ideas, to make them bigger and better, this brand…
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Mrs. Mogul
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Jim Carrey And Jenny McCarthy's Spectacular Night [Digg]
8 Feb 2010 | 1:02 pmJenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey are a great couple. They're both funny and really seem to have a fantastic relationship. While at the 4th Annual Saturday Night -
Tiger Woods Returns To Golf In March [Digg]
7 Feb 2010 | 11:00 amTiger Woods is returning to golf sooner than people think! After his wife Elin flew to Mississippi to get him out of rehab, he's now reunited with his two kids. -
Ashton Kutcher Is Not Into Valentine’s Day (POLL) [Digg]
4 Feb 2010 | 5:49 amAshton Kutcher's next flick is called Valentine's Day. The irony of it all is that he hates that day. I think every day should be a day of romance, he -
Melissa Joan Hart And Her Sippy Cups
3 Feb 2010 | 1:19 pmMelissa Joan Hart was spotted taking some time off of her new show with co-star Joey Lawrence, “Melissa & Joey” to spend some quality time with her two kids, Mason and Braydon. The three cuties stayed bundled up together in Bryant Park, NYC.Melissa seemed to be taking care and having fun with her little ones with plenty of ease. She has “tweeted” saying she is a huge fan of BornFree baby products and that was easy to tell as she was pouring her older son, Mason chocolate milk in his BornFree Sippy Cup while youngest, Braydon looked very content with his BornFree pacifier.I… -
Kourtney Kardashian And Her Baby Surprise Ryan Seacrest [Digg]
1 Feb 2010 | 5:09 pmKourtney Kardashian surprised Ryan Seacrest by showing up at the KIIS-FM studio on Friday with her one-month-old son Mason. Kourtney's mom Kris and sister Kim
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A Mom in Red High Heels - Beauty & Style Tips for Moms
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Looking for a Modern, Low Maintenance Hairstyle? Try This Meg Ryan-Meets-Keri Russell Style!
8 Feb 2010 | 11:45 pmMoms complain of “boring hair” all too often, don’t they? It’s time to make a cut and go for something sexy with movement! Check out this style recommendation that’s a cross between the famous Meg Ryan do and a modern Keri Russell style! New mom Sharron is ready for a new fabulous look: “I just found your blog and thought I’d send in my pic to see what you might have to say about possible new hairstyles. . . I’m a 39-year old mama to a lovely little 6.5 month old boy and am ready for a new do. Had super-short hair much of my life. Have loved… -
Diabetes: It’s Our Thing Now
6 Feb 2010 | 10:30 pmAs a regular reader of A Mom in Red High Heels you may have noticed the posts stopped updating on Wednesday. On Wednesday, February 3, 2010, our lives changed forever. My five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Her sweet little body no longer produces insulin on it’s own and she will be insulin dependent for the rest of her life, or until they find a cure. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you have seen my updates as my family has begun a new journey in learning exactly what Type 1 Diabetes is, how to treat her, what to feed her and when. For this generally… -
Exclusive: Meet Deidrea Haysel of Hot Mama Gowns
2 Feb 2010 | 10:45 pmYour Name: Deidrea Haysel How many children do you have? 2 right now. Naomi is almost 4 and Austin is almost 2. We plan on having 4 children, but we’ll see how much we like that plan after 3! Your Business Name: Hot Mama Gowns Brief Description of Your Business: We offer personal hospital maternity gowns made of 100% Organic Cotton, manufactured solely in the USA, and designed to fit just about every size mommy and bump, with sizes from XS(2) – XXL (24)! Our gowns offer the expectant Mom the style, function, and comfort not offered by generic hospital gowns. Our gowns are also designed to… -
Chick Downtown Offers Major Discounts on Designer Clothing
2 Feb 2010 | 4:08 pmA totally amazing sale is going on at Chick Downtown! That means, designer clothes on clearance! You need to browse the pages and see if there is anything you can’t live without because at these prices, you can afford to shop! Of course, sizes are limited with discounts this deep so hurry! Sale ends 2/4/10. * do note that the company has stated shipping is slow due to large volumes of sales. 70% off regular merchandise using code CD70 Additional 40% off sale merchandise using code ADD40 Chick Downtown.com Related posts:Maghound Now Offers Gift Subscriptions Your holiday shopping… -
The Dynamic Duo of Skin Care from La Mer
2 Feb 2010 | 2:00 pmLadies, are you looking for a luxurious gift idea to recommend to your guy in hopes that he’ll get you something really fabulous for Valentine’s Day? How about the ultimate in luxurious skin care, La Mer? The perfect body care duo, The Body Refiner and The Body Crème work in tandem to polish and soften the skin. Since The Max Huber Research Labs began engineering their first body treatments, they have incorporated the most luxurious ingredients. A multi-faceted treatment which utilizes precious ingredients—including 1.75 carats of pure diamond dust— the Body Refiner delivers…
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Type-A Mom News Feed
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Learning to Deal with my Tween
6 Feb 2010 | 9:08 pmLately my”tweener” - otherwise known as my 10 year old daughter - has been a tad bit emotional. One minute we are talking and the next I am calling for an exorscism. She is up and down and extremely nasty to me. The venom starts pouring out and doesn't seem to stop. There's screaming and crying as well. I feel as though we have entered the second round of “Terrible Twos”, except she is big now with a lot more words. Read more... -
Book Review: Red Light. Green Light, Eat Right by Joanna Dolgoff, MD
6 Feb 2010 | 7:41 pmFor the "most" part we eat well in the Musings from Me home. Fruits. Veggies. Milk. Small amounts of juice. Lean meat. But, it's the word "most" that is the key to the days when we eat on the run...or grab a nonhealthy snack as we are running out to sports practice...or any number of other times when our eating habits could use some improvement. We try to eat healthy, but it is hard. Read more... -
Is Democratic Party Tough Enough to Get it Done?
6 Feb 2010 | 12:06 pmLast week, I got settled on the couch and, with a sigh, turned on the State of the Union Address. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve been feeling a little frustrated recently and wasn’t sure if this Address would just bring more of the same: lots of well-intentioned discussion but no indication of any, well, backbone from my party. But that State of the Union Address made me sit up straight in my chair. And many other Americans did too. It left me wondering about the stern tone of our President's address and why its message seemed so successful. Do the Democratic Party and the current… -
Keep Your Toddlers Occupied with Tickle Tap Apps for iPhone
3 Feb 2010 | 8:17 amTickle Tap Apps is a cool company that Mom's should love. Why? Because they completely understand that sometimes we have to keep our kids busy... even if it means letting them play with our iPhone! Read more... -
Pause, Prompt, Praise. A simple technique in helping your child to read.
3 Feb 2010 | 4:41 amThere is nothing more frustrating for a parent trying to help their child learn to read than to listen to the slow sounding out or guessing of words as they stumble their way over a story. For many parents, this frustration leads to anger expressed at the child; which then leads to resistance or avoidance on both sides. Try this technique to save your sanity and encourage your child on their journey to read independently. Read more...
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BabyCenter: MOMformation
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The government has a piece of your baby
9 Feb 2010 | 3:34 amDid you know that right now a sample of your baby’s DNA might be sitting in a government lab? I didn’t either until I read this CNN article. The government mandates that DNA be taken from all newborns and screened for a variety of potentially harmful conditions. Some parents never realize the collection was made until their pediatrician [...] -
Photo caption contest: And the winner is…
8 Feb 2010 | 10:09 amThis little gal means business. We asked you, why is she putting on her serious face? From Pramilla, this week’s winning caption is: “Terminator — The Beginning” Stay tuned tomorrow for a new photo caption contest featuring one of your most caption-worthy photos. And don’t forget to check out these other great captions and last week’s winner. -
Should fatherhood have an age limit?
8 Feb 2010 | 8:59 amWe’ve gotten used to discussing the age of mothers, and the pros and cons that go along with having children early, late, or right on time, whatever that is. But what about dads? Are men completely free to reproduce whenever they damn well please without fear or judgment, or both? It certainly seems that way. But, being [...] -
Very Violet: Here come the creditors
8 Feb 2010 | 8:00 amOK, whew, this week is better. We think last week’s horror was touched off by the two weeks of rain San Francisco has had. Violet hasn’t been running around at school, we haven’t been going to the playground. It’s been a lot of sitting inside and drawing or reading or playing fort. That just doesn’t use [...] -
Leave the satire to Swift
8 Feb 2010 | 3:57 am“The math we do is really easy. If your child is either too lazy or too stupid to finish it in class, I’m sending it home so that you can work with them and judge for yourself whether it is laziness or idiocy that inhibits your child’s progress.” Ouch. This is just part of the letter that [...]
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Table for Five
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Here Comes The Snow, Little Darlin
9 Feb 2010 | 8:36 am“Heavy snow is possible near the Great Lakes today, tapering off tonight with snow showers possible tomorrow. Gusty winds can also be expected through tomorrow, tapering off Thursday.” Yippee. Of course, it’s not just a normal boring week with nothing going on. Ryan has an Orchestra Performance tonight, then an after-school club meeting tomorrow. Nathan has a Band Performance tomorrow night. Nothing says fun like chauffering kids around in heavy snow, especially since our Township side streets get plowed last after the city finishes the major streets. On a positive note, the… -
Hershey’s Special Dark and Extra Dark Chocolate Giveaway!
8 Feb 2010 | 10:19 amWith Heart Health Month as well as National Chocolate Month both occurring in February, now is the time to treat your body right. According to world-renowned health and fitness expert Bob Greene, you can stay on track to live your Best Life while enjoying Hershey’s Extra Dark Chocolate and Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate. Hershey’s Extra Dark Chocolate is the only chocolate to receive the Best Life Treat Seal of Approval, which was created by Greene and appears on select foods. The treat seal is intended to help consumers make healthier food and lifestyle decisions. Chocolate lovers… -
Scientists looking for black holes should check my house
4 Feb 2010 | 7:02 amIt’s no secret that I’m unorganized, a piler, a clutterer. But it’s not like the crew of Hoarders will be parking 1-800-Got-Junk trucks out front or anything. The surfaces might be piled with stuff, but you can tell there are surfaces underneath. Nevertheless, every once in a while, something disappears and no matter how hard we look, we just can’t find it. The first thing to go missing was one of Kaitlyn’s shoes. A shoe is not a tiny thing, and yet although we’ve torn the house apart, we just can’t find it anywhere. Then, the case for my Nintendo DS… -
Kraft Foods Gift Basket Giveaway
1 Feb 2010 | 10:12 amthis giveaway is closed. Kraft Foods, makers of products like Oreos, Ritz crackers, Stove Top stuffing, and Maxwell House coffee, have re-launched their Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages to make it even easier for busy cooks to find great recipes and cooking tips. On their terrific recipe site, Kraft has a Community forum where you can ask questions and share your favorite recipes. I’m not exactly a pro in the kitchen, and I subscribe to Kraft Food & Family magazine for dinner tips, and also rely heavily on the Budget Wi$e section of the Kraft website, especially their “1… -
Happy Birthday to Me, I’m Now Forty-Three
30 Jan 2010 | 7:00 amImage via Wikipedia It’s my birthday! I’m 43 today, and I’m feeling pretty good. I got to sleep in this morning, and later today, Chris and I are going to the movies. Other than that, it should be a regular day. Thanks for stopping by to leave me a birthday comment! I started this tradition in 2007 when I turned 40, and wrote a post saying all I wanted for my birthday was 40 comments. I did the same thing in 2008 and 2009, so now here it is my birthday again, and I’m hoping for 43 comments! I realize that few people read blogs on Saturdays let alone leave…
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Surrender, Dorothy
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Learning What to Hide
9 Feb 2010 | 7:09 amThe little angel and Neighbor Girl bounced off the school bus, waving and giggling as one went left and the other went right. I could hear them yelling back and forth to each other about playing. I needed to go to the pharmacy. Desperately. As in I'd already gone one day without the medication that needs to be kept at a pretty consistent level. My girl walked in the house, busily pulling things out of her backpack, chattering away about how she was going to play with the neighbor. I've hated this half-bath ever since we moved to Chateau Travolta. It is the crown jewel of ugly. But I couldn't…
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fussypants
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Telling the BlissDom Story!
4 Feb 2010 | 9:14 amJoin me! More check-ins at Opryland Hotel Powered by Whrrl -
Her.
17 Jan 2010 | 9:43 pmI keep thinking of her. I will never know her name. Days ago we shared the same life. Wife to one. Mother to five. She made breakfast, wiped tears away, disciplined when needed. She laughed with her family, she rocked babies and sang songs of love in little ears. She was me. Today she mourns for her five children. Her husband unable to console her grief. Loss so debilitating and incomprehensible. She mourns a loss that I pray I am never able to fathom. I am wrecked for her from the warm, safe cocoon of my home. I have no answers. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was… -
Personal Blogging, Privacy & Keeping It Real.
12 Jan 2010 | 10:52 amAs many of you know, my step-daughter moved to far-far-far-awayland and we wait impatiently to see her over Christmas and Summer break. She’s 14 and teetering on the edge of young adulthood. She is wonderful. Want to see us all? Good. Sometimes it takes three pictures to tell a story. Through the years, you have seen little glimpses of her, but I wanted to limit her mentions until I had her permission, as a young adult, to blog about her. Which leads to me the topic of privacy. Personal blogging is a delicate balance of sharing your life without sharing too much. How do we tell our… -
Remembering 2009 with a happy heart…
31 Dec 2009 | 8:33 pmI often talk of my love affair with the Internet. It is a magical portal that throws doors of opportunity open that were once closed. The Internet connects people who so often would never have a chance to meet or get to know each other. The things that so often keep us apart, be they geographical distance, political differences et cetera, are simply an after thought. This past year has been full of excitement, beautiful new friends and treasure trove of wonderful memories. The 2009 slide show is full of memories and experiences that have all come to life because of blogging. I threw… -
A Day in my Life…
20 Dec 2009 | 8:25 amI last minute Christmas shopped yesterday and decided to have a little fun snapping pictures as I went along. I found things I loved (Vinyl Wall Lettering was 50% off. Holla!) and so much that scared me. Oh No, Snuggies for kids! I even shared what it is like to arrive home to the chaos and love of my rowdy home. Hope you enjoy. More stories at Rivergate Mall Powered by Whrrl
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Blissfully Domestic
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My BlissDom Fashions – and a Giveaway!
9 Feb 2010 | 8:46 amI had the privilege of wearing one of my faaaaavorite clothing companies, Shade Clothing, at BlissDom. They provided me with a couple of outfits and I also wore some Shade things that I already owned (because I am their BEST customer!) I wanted to show you how my outfits turned out! I was really pleased with them! I wore this Shade cardigan on the way to BlissDom and when I first arrived:It was extremely comfortable and extremely SLIMMING! I adore it!I wore this pink interlock dress on Thursday night for the opening cocktail party. I forgot to be vain enough to have someone take a… -
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly : Word of Mouth Marketing
9 Feb 2010 | 8:15 amHave you ever recommended a good movie to a friend? Have you ever stayed away from a restaurant because someone told you they had a bad experience there? This is word-of-mouth advertising and it can have a huge impact on your business.In most cases of advertising, the business owner has control of how the ad looks, feels, and the message it conveys to the potential customer. The exception to this is word-of- mouth advertising. With word of mouth (including social networking), your prior customers have all the control over potential customers. If they rave about you, you'll… -
Saltine Candy Treat Recipe
9 Feb 2010 | 5:29 amPhoto by Angie Arthur PhotographyIt doesn't matter where I take this yummy treat, it is devoured instantly!1 box saltine crackers1 cup butter1 cup light brown sugar1 small bag chocolate chips1 bag chopped almondsDirections:1) Set oven temperature to 400 degrees.2) Line a large bar pan with aluminum foil. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.3) Line up your crackers in the pan (8 rows of 5 crackers in each) with the salt side up.4) On your stove top, melt 1 cup of butter then add 1 cup of light brown sugar.5) Let the mixture come to a full roiling boil and then set your timer for… -
Avoid Wedding Stress with These 10 Wedding Day Tips
8 Feb 2010 | 10:41 amAs a professional wedding photographer, I've seen my share of problem weddings that only add to the ever-present wedding stress. Planned improperly from the get-go, no one person is to blame, but the outcome is upsetting for everyone involved. Often, the bride's face looks utterly uncomfortable in all the pictures thanks to mile-high heels, guests are kept waiting for an inordinate amount of time, and the bathrooms are a logistical disaster!Planning a wedding is serious business, especially if you have out-of-town guests to worry about and little children to keep an eye on. Here are… -
Cold Prevention: Ten Tips to Stop Colds from Spreading
4 Feb 2010 | 8:55 amAlthough there is no cure for the common cold, there are several things we can do to reduce spreading it. Here are ten tips that may help prevent the spread of colds for you and your family this cold season. This list was created by the National Network for Child Care adapted from Rice and Pollard’s book, Colds, Flu, and Other Respiratory Infections.1. Wash hands. Washing hands literally rinses germs away. Be sure to use soap and warm, running water to best wash germs off the hands. Teach children to say their ABCs while washing so they keep their hands under the faucet long enough.2.
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A Cowboy's Wife
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A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
3 Feb 2010 | 12:44 pmFirst off, I wanted to say thank you for the nice comments. If anyone has noticed, aside from yesterday’s rant, I hadn’t posted since Jan 24th. I have a lot on my mind, the direction I want to take, and just spending more time with family doing things I used to do before I started blogging. Until I figure out my path, posts here will be at a min so bear with me. I’m headed to Nashville today for the Blissdom Conference. I’m so excited to see everyone but mostly excited to just be out of the house. I come back on Sunday and then leave Monday to Orlando to Disney… -
You Make Me Want to Quit
2 Feb 2010 | 7:35 pmWhen I first started blogging, my goals were to make money, period. And I did. In no time, I was in the top 50 money making blogs along with some very well respected affiliate marketers. But then, I realized it was taking over my life. It was changing me, the competitiveness, the money, all of it and I hated myself for who I was becoming. So I switched gears and directed my focus towards mom blogging. It was the complete opposite and felt I had found my place. Then, out of nowhere, it becomes this shark infested sphere right before my eyes and I’m thinking to myself how… -
Morning, Afternoon, and Evening
24 Jan 2010 | 8:40 pmDoesn’t it seem like life just passes you by so fast sometimes? Do you have take a moment to look around and reflect on the beauty of the day and the mystery of the night? It’s easy to do on the ranch but I can imagine how hard it would be for town folk. I’ve been in Houston and seen the sun rise and fall and it sure would be a pretty site if there weren’t airplanes, lights, and buildings obstructing the view. I just can’t imagine not ever being here one day and seeing these beautiful works of nature, life. I sure hope you’re taking a few minutes to… -
Photo Nuts and Bolts – Know Your Camera and Improve Your Photos
20 Jan 2010 | 7:40 amUpdate: I am looking at this ebook and wowed with all the info and photo tutorials. EXCELLENT! OH, and the pocket guide is sooooooo handy! I just printed it to keep with me at all times. Just released from DPS, is this fabulous ebook, Photo Nuts and Bolts, that compiles excellent tips and help for you to get to know your camera and improve your photos. If any of you are wanting to improve your photography, this is going to help you a great deal and the fact that the information comes from such a trusted source, Darren and his DPS peeps, it’s packed with tons of very useful… -
His Work Ethic
9 Jan 2010 | 3:00 amEvery since Tyler was little, he’s always had this incredible work ethic. He’s also pretty strong. I can still remember when he was 6mths old, pulling himself out of the swing,holding on the side of the sofa. We had a wooden sofa with cushions. He was just hanging there…I couldn’t believe it. Then when he was 5, the age he is below in his first branding, he would insist on feeding the horses. This meant that he had to drag 50lbs feed sacks and lift them up onto the feed troughs to pour feed out. THAT is a hard worker. 16 now and Tyler still has an amazing work ethic.
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We Make Three
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Good so far
6 Feb 2010 | 5:25 pmIt’s a blur! We’re already well into February. I’m thinking about my 2nd grader, and how soon he’ll be moving on. Having a child in school makes time blur even more – one school year into the next. Here’s a look at January. Know that Joe Walsh song? Life’s Been Good? That’s where I am. That’s January. It’s good. -
20100203-POTD
3 Feb 2010 | 7:13 pm20100203-POTD, originally uploaded by myrac. My former sunroom, the man cave. -
Starting Off February
2 Feb 2010 | 7:15 pm2/1/2010: So much easier to listen to my favorite podcast. I heart Ira. 2/2/2010: Michael gave me this one tonight. -
20100129-POTD
29 Jan 2010 | 5:11 pm20100129-POTD, originally uploaded by myrac. A perfect day… bike ride to the beach, lunch at our favorite spot from when we were dating in 1989. Conversation, the best company, and a great workout. I needed this. I had us turn around when I spotted this boardwalk. I found these mangrove leaves and knew I had my POTD. -
Remembering Haiti in the POTD
24 Jan 2010 | 5:27 pmToday, driving to Tampa, we stopped for a minute and I shot the waves spraying on the rocks. That photo became the inspiration for this layout: Everything from Designer Digitals – this layout features the Help Haiti Collaborative Collection. Journaling: Today while taking the Causeway to Tampa, I asked Michael to stop so I could shoot the water. I watched the waves crash on the rocky shoreline and appreciated the how the water sparkled as the waves broke into spray. | Later, as we drove home, I was still thinking about the water. It occured to me that the same stray water droplets that…
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The Integrated Mother
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The secret to a strong marriage
5 Feb 2010 | 6:59 amPlease welcome Chrysula Winegar, a new face here at The Integrated Mother. You’ll enjoy her first post, so read on! My husband and I created a mission statement several years ago. Rather than some inspiring words on a piece of paper that you put on a wall or in a drawer, we wanted something more dynamic and meaningful. To make it live, we had to implement its concepts into our lives, so we established a weekly joint planning meeting. With some tweaking, it can be applied to an individual just as easily as a couple or household. It has literally changed my life and our marriage. We have… -
The language of love & respect: a review
1 Feb 2010 | 2:14 pmTitle: The Language of Love & Respect: Cracking the Communication Code with Your Mate Author: Dr. Emerson Eggrichs ISBN: 9780849948077 Pages: 355 Release Date: October 13, 2009 Publisher: Thomas Nelson Genre: Marriage Rating: 4 out of 5 Summary: This book is a follow up to his first book, Love & Respect. Now focusing specifically on communication, Eggrichs offers a step-by-step approach for how married couples can learn to speak to each other in ways that show respect for him and love for her. This level of mutual understanding, Eggrichs asserts, is the key to a happy, successful… -
When it comes to budgets, keep it simple
29 Jan 2010 | 11:27 amLast week I described the financial mindset you must have before setting a budget. Now it’s time to set the budget! When you think about it, budgeting is simple. You have a set income and what you spend each month shouldn’t exceed that amount. Simple! But for many, it’s not that simple so I’ve broken down the elements of a budget here with some suggestions for how to allocate your money. For the sake of this illustration, we’ll assume your income is $1,000 per month. Here is how I suggest allocating your expenses: Charity – 10%: In my personal budget, I… -
Get ready for summer – now
27 Jan 2010 | 11:10 amThis month has been incredible. I made a commitment to be more purposeful and focused in my work-life. I’ve also worked to be more proactive, rather than reactive. It’s been a true test of discipline and determination because old habits are hard to break. But, the rewards of my commitment far outweigh the challenges I faced trying to meet them, so I press on. Today, I flipped through the monthly pages of my momAgenda and in just a few quick page turns, the May calendar was sitting in front of me – May 27th to be exact. That’s the last day of school for my kids. Despite… -
Childcare: Are you proactive or reactive?
25 Jan 2010 | 11:58 amThis morning my 8-year-old daughter was sitting at the kitchen table watching me make breakfast. Of course, she still had on her PJs, hadn’t brushed her teeth or made any progress beyond rolling out of bed. We had just 40 minutes until we had to walk out the door to head to school. Me: Honey, what are you doing? Daughter: Waiting for you to finish making me breakfast. Me: OK, well I’m going to be about 10 minutes. What might you be doing in that time? Daughter: I dunno. Me: (Oh, I love learning moments!) I’m going to make a suggestion and then you can go do it. When…
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lifefrommylaptop.com
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What Book Would You Add to My Must Read List?
I'm an avid reader, or at least I used to be, but I admit since having children I haven't read quite as much. I want to though and therefore I need some "reading material", so as usual I am polling others and asking what they'd recommend to read. This weekend ... -
Menu Plan Monday – February 8
I haven't done a Menu Plan Monday in quite some time, though I do enjoy them and I always menu plan so it should be an easy thing to keep up with. Here's my menu for this week. By the way, I am starting to use E-Mealz.com to help with ... -
Things I Feel Guilty About
So, I've been fighting the fact that I can't find anything to blog about, or maybe I should say I can't find the time to blog here. Even though I want to, I long to, I enjoy it when I do, and miss it when I don't. The fact ... -
It’s Been a Day of Clearing
It's definitely been a day of clearing. In more ways than just one. I cleared my desk, man was it ever a mess. You can see a before and after picture below. This was inspired by one of my new Twitter friends @MyGOMOM, Molly Gold, president of Go ... -
Chore Chart Winner!
Last week I listed this fabulous giveaway by My Precious Kid here on the blog. I also asked for your "chore" tips to help me get my little ones to do their "chores". I had several great ideas given. I love the colors tip and I realize now that I ...
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The Adventures of Supermom... now, where is my cape?
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Thank you for all the kind words and well wishes.
9 Feb 2010 | 6:24 amThis will be a "fluffer" post until I feel better. You can find me on YouTube. You can see my pictures on Flickr. I even tweet from time to time. I have a fan page on Facebook. You can follow me through Networked Blogs. Don't forget to comment to win the first ever Only Ollie Giveaway! Feel free to rate my blog on Blogged. -
First Ever Only Ollie Giveaway!
8 Feb 2010 | 2:25 pmIt's my pleasure to have the first ever Only Ollie Giveaway! These are Supermom Originals!!! Sweet treats to eat and yummy drinks. NO TWO ARE ALIKE! Perfect for little fingers. Preferably not under 3 because there are beads sewn on the treats. One cup of milk, perfect for dipping your cookies. One cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows. One little tea cake to share. One strawberry cookie. -
Holy Shit ~ Can I not get a break!?
7 Feb 2010 | 6:28 amAfter being sick since like January I'd had enough. Coughing. Aching. Snotty. So early this morning I woke up coughing and hurting in my chest. My head was pounding. Time to visit a doctor. Any doctor at this point. Hell, I might even go to the local vets!!! I whipped out my handy dandy Blackberry and realized the local Urgent Care didn't open until 9 am. Nope, couldn't wait that -
Week in Review.
5 Feb 2010 | 12:20 pmSupermom is sick again. Snow and sleet in Asheville. The Jungle Book Show must go on at the Asheville Arts Center. Baby M grabs the scissors. Did I mention I am sick? It's cold and the weather is crap! Someone just come and hold me please. -
A Day in My Life ~ February 4, 2010
4 Feb 2010 | 6:00 amLast night as I was on my death bed (COUCH) sick and coughing with tissue stuffed up my nose because it was a constant stream of snot I thought I would do A Day in My Life today. Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate? Yummy Cakes. Cupcakes. Cookies. Sweet Treat Tray. Marshmallows. I am working on putting together some children's tea sets for my ETSY shop Only Ollie. Email me if
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From Cribs to Car Keys
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The One Where I Lose It…
3 Feb 2010 | 3:10 pmIt’s one of THOSE days weeks months around here, again. I have so many tasks screaming my name, so many loose ends to tie up, that I can’t figure out whether I’m coming or going. There’s always work to be done; a house to be cleaned; people think I should feed them regularly…not to mention that we’re leaving for Disney in 5 days (OMG!) and I haven’t packed a thing, nor am I even sure that I have enough clothes in this house for everyone. No one else around here seems to see the sense for any urgency in the matter and I can just imagine what Sunday night and Monday will be like… -
When You Wish Upon A Star
19 Jan 2010 | 8:36 amSometimes dreams really do come true! Wanting to take your children to Disney World is something that just about every parent dreams of and I am no exception. Since J could barely walk, I dreamed of taking him to the Happiest Place on Earth. I spent hours researching costs, hunting down ways to make the trip affordable and simply wishing that I could enjoy the fun that I had at Disney as a child with my little boy. Sadly, years passed and I never got the chance to take him when he was in the years where he would have really experienced the magic of the characters. At about 9 years old, my… -
Chuggington is Coming!
15 Jan 2010 | 9:32 amI’m going to take the broken record route and say again that K and D are total train freaks. Not a day goes by that we don’t have at least one track set up, be it Thomas, GeoTrax, or some other random set. On trips through town, we have to run down the side streets and see the engines and train cars that are parked on the siding. It’s more than just a love for these two, it’s an obsession. Last week, I was lucky enough to have received a preview DVD of Chuggington, the new show premiering on Monday, January 18th on Playhouse Disney. The boys had seen the commercials on the Disney… -
New Year, New Look
4 Jan 2010 | 10:50 pmIt’s been awhile since I gave this blog the attention and respect it deserves. One of my goals for this year is to change that, so I’ve decided to start with a new design! You can already see the fabulous new header that the amazing Amy of Resourceful Mommy made for me, and I’ll be tweaking the sidebars and widgets over the next couple of days. Might take me a bit to get things where I want them, as we’re battling some nasty cold/flu thing over here, but I can’t wait to see my finished product! I hope you enjoy! I look forward to sharing more with you throughout… -
Playskool Dinoroars Stompers Triceratops Review
21 Dec 2009 | 11:09 pmBack in the spring, we received a Kota Hatchlings Triceratops for review. My little boys were just starting to get into the whole dinosaur loving phenomenon, so the timing was perfect. Since then, their love for everything dinosaur has grown. We recently received the Playskool Dinoroars Stompers Triceratops to review. My boys love this just as much as they did the little guy from the spring, and have taken to calling it the “daddy” of their little friend…or “mommy” depending on what they want the big dino to do. Yeah, evidently we practice a little gender stereotyping around here.
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The Mogul Mom Blog
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February Action: Plan Ahead
7 Feb 2010 | 7:42 amLast weekend, my husband and I took our three kids and one big dog to New Hampshire for three days. The stars and planets must’ve been aligned just so because, before we left, I completely outdid myself with planning ahead. I: Scheduled a blog post Turned on my email autoresponder letting people know I was away Planned the [...] Current Sponsors: [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Become A Blogger Premium (Review)
3 Feb 2010 | 4:11 pmBack in 2007, I started blogging here on The Mogul Mom using Google’s Blogger platform. I didn’t know anything about blogging but thought it was a great way for me to share with mom entrepreneurs everything I’d learned along my own journey without the hassle and expense of a website. Not long into my blogging career, [...] Current Sponsors: [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Pitch Perfect With Cristin Mitchell
30 Jan 2010 | 5:38 pmThis post was originally published on October 27, 2008. To continue our perfect pitch practice, I asked Cristin Mitchell, my sister AND a former Boston news producer, to share some pitching peeves and positives with us from a pitchee’s perspective. The view is much different on that end. Heather: Tell us about your background—education and professional experience. Cristin: [...] Current Sponsors: [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Your Ambassador of Quan
29 Jan 2010 | 4:00 pmSo you have this incredible product that you’ve created, right? And you want to sell the heck out it and see it on store shelves everywhere, right? But where do you start? How in the world do you get retail stores to start carrying your product? That’s exactly what I wondered back in 2004 when I [...] Current Sponsors: [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] -
Business Baby Shower Contest
25 Jan 2010 | 2:07 pmCelebrating entrepreneurial moms and all they do to birth and grow a business The Business Baby Shower, a new contest celebrating entrepreneurial moms and all they do to birth and grow a successful company while balancing family life, was recently launched as a partnership between The Mom Entrepreneur and Corporate Mom DropOuts. The Contest, which runs from [...] Current Sponsors: [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
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The Dirty Shirt
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Flirty Lasso | Necklace Review and Giveaway
9 Feb 2010 | 5:28 amCompany: The Flirty Lasso Item Reviewed: Flirty Lasso Necklace Item Given Away: Flirty Lasso Necklace Start Date: February 9 End Date: February 23 From the website (has music make sure speakers aren’t loud): On a recent trip to Cancun, Mexico for my 20th wedding anniversary my husband purchased me the most beautiful lasso necklaces. I had never seen anything like them before. I wanted one in every color! Upon my return home, these necklaces quickly became my favorite piece of jewelry. I started to receive many compliments and inquiries as to where I got them. Being a bit of a… -
February 9th Winners On The Dirty Shirt
9 Feb 2010 | 5:02 amRepax winner is… Here are your random numbers: 117 Timestamp: 2010-02-09 12:36:14 UTC Andrea V – Please check your email (and spam folder) and get back to me within 48 hours or I will have to choose another winner. Sweethearts winners are… Here are your random numbers: 6 – Debbie Jackson 73 – Jennifer 59 – Julie Cutshaw 11 – Rebecca Cruz 23 – Tsmom 55 – Val Pearson Timestamp: 2010-02-09 12:43:58 UTC Please check your email (and spam folder) and get back to me within 48 hours or I will have to choose a new winner. -
New Leopard Print Card Cubby | Out of the Blue Delivered
8 Feb 2010 | 12:28 pmI can’t live without my Card Cubby and I am so excited to see that it has come out in the fun, new Leopard Print at Out of the Blue Delivered and today for all my readers I have a special discount of 10% off if you go here and order, just put SHIRT (all caps) in the coupon code area and you are all set. -
Sade | Soldier of Love | CD Giveaway
8 Feb 2010 | 5:22 amArtist: Sade Item Reviewed: Did Not Review Item Given Away: 3 copies of Sade’s Soldier of Love Start Date: February 8 End Date: February 22 The group, best known for their mellow, melodic hits like “By Your Side” and “No Ordinary Love,” will release their first album of new material since 2000, Soldier of Love, on Feb. 9. Among the new tunes is “Babyfather,” “about how great it is to be a parent, what a great honor and privilege that is, and what a terrible thing that is to waste,” frontwoman Sade Adu tells PEOPLE. Listen to the track here… -
Colors Are Fun | DVD Review and Giveaway
8 Feb 2010 | 5:02 amCompany: Lionsgate & HIT Entertainment Item Reviewed: Colors Are Fun DVD Item Given Away: 2 copies of Colors Are Fun DVD Start Date: February 8 End Date: February 22 Your child’s DVD library is about to get even more vibrant! Colors Are Fun!, a plucky palette of stories featuring preschool favorites Barney™, Thomas & Friends™, Bob the Builder™, Fireman Sam™, Fifi and the Flowertots™ and Kipper™, arrives on DVD February 9, 2010 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Each “colorful” episode features fun adventures and timeless tales of helping others, friendship and…
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Writing for the Web
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Getting paid (or not) for webwriting
30 Jan 2010 | 2:52 pmI have Google Alerts out for "webwriting" and "writing for the web," and the articles they bring me are really pretty discouraging.One common theme is "make big money writing freelance for websites." This is supposed to be especially attractive for "wahms," which I gather means "work at home moms." If the money is so big, why are people writing "make big money" articles instead of making big money writing real articles for websites?Dianne Jacob, on her blog Will Write for Food, strikes a more realistic note: Is Lower Pay for… -
UK: Web Editor, 3 month contract, c.£150 per day
26 Jan 2010 | 5:34 pmVia Futureheads Blog: Web Editor, 3 month contract, c.£150 per day (ref j176). Excerpt:We are looking for web editors with significant experience of working on major consumer websites and large-scale web launch or relaunch projects. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the launch of a major new website for a well known organisation in the third sector and to help rewrite their content to work with a new brand and web strategy. Working with content contributors from around the organisation, the Editor will rewrite and edit content in accordance with new brand guidelines,… -
Online headlines should entice readers
23 Jan 2010 | 5:11 pmVia The Editor's Desk, the blog of Andy Bechtel at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UNC-Chapel Hill: Guest post: Online headlines should entice readers. The guest is Daniel Bethea, a journalism student. Excerpt:The headline is typically the first thing that a person reads, but a recent study shows just how important online headline writing is. The study found that 44 percent of Google News readers only read the headlines and did not actually follow the link to the publications’ Web sites. What does this tell us about headline writing for the Web? First,… -
Arizona job
23 Jan 2010 | 1:36 pmVia AZjobz.com: Web Content Writer. Excerpt:Phoenix based corporation it’s seeking a Web Content Writer who has a strong understanding of SEO to help support the Internet Marketing and Writing Department. If your editorial skills can't spot the error in that excerpt, don't bother to apply. -
Webwriting jobs
23 Jan 2010 | 1:22 pmI'm starting a new feature: Posting webwriting and web editing jobs as I become aware of them. If a job looks totally awful, of course I won't waste your time with it. But maybe you're just the vampirophile person to respond to this: Twilight News » Help Wanted!
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Writing Roads
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Who needs statistics when we’ve got reality.
9 Feb 2010 | 3:24 amWhile many of my friends spent our junior year abroad in exotic places like Florence, Tanzania, Nepal, Paris and Argentina, I opted for the wilds of St. Louis, MO. My main gig was volunteering at a domestic violence agency where I researched and wrote the organization’s history, taught dating violence prevention in local schools and worked on the 24-hour crisis hotline. And in order to do this terrifying and terribly important hotline work, I went through an intense and long training program. I learned why women stay in abusive relationships when it seems so obvious to the rest of us… -
If only my brain were pregnant.
8 Feb 2010 | 4:04 amYou know how everyone makes all the usual jokes about pregnancy and food cravings? Pickles and ice cream will always be hilarious, but these cravings are a serious force to be reckoned with. If I could bottle them, I’d be rich. I remember distinctly a feeling of almost possession when I was craving something. Like the baby was calling for protein and my stomach wanted carbs and my bones wanted calcium and my mouth wanted butter and salt – so I ended up eating dark sourdough toast with a 1/4 stick of butter, feta cheese and smoked salmon, sprinkled with jalapeno stuffed green… -
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo meets Writing Roads (another girl with a tattoo or three)
5 Feb 2010 | 3:47 amI’m bad at picking books to read at the bookstore, you know, when it’s just me and shelves of beautifully packaged words. Apparently I missed that gene. I get swayed by the cover or the fact that the author’s name kind of looks like mine and I’m blinded by the dream of being published. Anywho, the ones I pick up on my own almost always disappoint. Thank the good lord, I’m very good at taking book orders recommendations. I might be a little annoying about it too. I ask a million questions, like: Do any animals get hurt? (I literally can’t take it) and Is it… -
Reason 731 to hire a copywriter or The demise of Steve Jobs
4 Feb 2010 | 3:30 amFirst, watch this video (or at least the first 30 seconds)… My dear friend and tech writer extraordinaire, Ron Miller, posted this video on his blog and sent me over to see it. And I have to tell you, I didn’t think it was funny at all. I was embarrassed for Steve Jobs and the whole Apple team. I cringed. NOT because of the name of the new product (personally, I think this whole hooha about feminine hygiene products is really, really stupid) and NOT because Mr. Jobs looks silly in that turtleneck with those bright white sneakers. (You’re a bazillionaire, Stevie, try a little… -
What to do when it just won’t fit.
3 Feb 2010 | 6:58 amI haven’t been sleeping well. Even when I appear to sleep well (ie. I go to sleep at 10 and wake up at 6), I open my eyes and feel like I’ve been fighting a war all night. I’d say 99% of the time, I wake up drenched in a cold sweat. Last night at some point I had that horrible feeling like you’re plummeting to the ground that jerks you awake and freaks the shit out of you. And then, there are the dreams. My dreams are long, intricate, heavily detailed and almost always remembered in the morning with startling focus. Also, many of these night visions are recurring. Not…
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Freelance Writing Gigs
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Freelance Writing Jobs for February 9, 2010
9 Feb 2010 | 6:26 am// No time for chit chat. I have a sinking feeling school will be canceled tomorrow and for the rest of the week so I have to plan ahead.Your daily lists:New around the Freelance Writing Jobs Network:48 Celebrity Book AuthorsShould You Trust Your Freelance Writing Clients with Personal Information?How to Spend Your Tax RefundPlease Welcome [...] -
Monday Markets for February 8, 2010
8 Feb 2010 | 2:30 pmLatitudes & Attitudes MagazineFrom the Web Site:There’s This Place (Port Guide)Pay Rate: $100-175Two to three pages of information regarding a particular harbor or anchorage. Should include a sketch chart and photos of the area. Photo copies from original charts or cruising guides may be used.Galley Gourmet (Recipes)Pay Rate: $50-75Should include a photo of the finished [...] -
Freelance Writing Jobs for February 8, 2010
8 Feb 2010 | 5:40 am// Where is everyone in the Freelance Writing Jobs community located? You don’t have to give specifics, but a general region. My son and I are geography buffs and I’ve been thinking about maptacking the FWJ community as part of project for him.Were you caught in the blizzard this weekend? It wasn’t bad in my [...] -
How to Spend Your Tax Refund
8 Feb 2010 | 3:28 amNow, let me start out by saying this: if your freelance writing business is making enough money, there’s a good chance you may not be getting too much back in your tax refund this year. In fact, freelance writing businesses that are really shakin’ are going to instead have to pay in taxes – not [...]Related posts:Where Do You Spend Your Marketing Dollar?Choosing Your Freelance Writing Business Structure: Corporations and LLCs7 New Year’s Resolutions to Rock Your Freelance Writing Business -
Professional Producer/DJ Blogger Wanted
6 Feb 2010 | 10:30 am// Looking for a person to blog for our website. You must have the following qualities:-You are a professional Producer and DJ-You have attended a professional audio engineering college or school-You are passionate about electronic music in all its forms-You are passionate about teaching and helping others within the community-You like fast cars and [...]
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About Freelance Writing
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How To Improve Your Writing 2 – Resource Roundup Tuesday
9 Feb 2010 | 8:28 amThere are lots of good resources for improving your writing on the web. The first How To Improve Your Writing has some great ones, and all the links still work. Here are 5 more good ones: Deb Ng, the creator of FreelanceWritingGigs.com has a whole section called Article Writing Tips. Bookmark this one – there’s a ton of good stuff about writing here. Over at AllFreelanceWriting.com Jenn has a section called Specialties. Not every article there is a How To about writing, but many are – another bookmark. We all have grammar questions occasionally. That’s why I’ve… -
Dare To Ask Questions!
8 Feb 2010 | 11:45 amDo you ask enough questions? Many freelance writers and other freelancers simply don’t ask questions often enough, particularly business questions. Consider: An editor buys a piece, publishes it and your check doesn’t arrive, not in a week, or ten days or even a month. Picking up the phone and asking the editor when to expect the check will often result in the check and it may even help you develop a more productive relationship with the editors. Yet many hesitate to ask for fear of offending someone or appearing greedy. It’s my contention that asking when to expect to get… -
Freelance Writing Jobs For Monday, February 8, 2010
8 Feb 2010 | 7:07 amToday we have 74 freelance writing jobs, blogging jobs, editing jobs, translation jobs and creative gigs today. Job Postings Here Are The Tip Of A Great Big Iceberg! A must-read if you’re new to freelance writing, editing, blogging or translating or new to looking for gigs online. How To Find and Land Freelance Writing Gigsis an ever growing category listing articles about how to get freelance writing jobs and the article, How to land a writing job is aimed at helping you when you apply to one of the freelance writing jobs listed here. Hiring Nonfiction Freelance Writers! Suite101… -
Go Ahead, Write Your Novel – Videos For Writers
7 Feb 2010 | 8:12 amEric Wilson, who has the experience to know, has started a video series on how to get your novel written. This first segment is too dark, which he promises to correct. If you want to write a novel I suggest you subscribe to his series. His first five points or suggestions are excellent. Are you writing a novel or wanting to? Write well and often, Two newsletters: Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings. Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written. -
New Worlds – Quotes To Inspire Writers
6 Feb 2010 | 8:09 amEvery generation has the obligation to free men’s minds for a look at new worlds . . . to look out from a higher plateau than the last generation. ~ Ellison Onizuka (astronaut) Submitted by Medical Justice aka Georgena Sil Thanks Georgena! Do you have a quote? Submit it in comments and it will probably show up some Saturday with a link to you. Write well and often, Two newsletters: Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings. Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written. Image from http://www.sxc.hu
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Quips & Tips for Freelance Writers
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5 Ideas for Earning Money Writing – Tips From Experienced Writers
9 Feb 2010 | 8:08 amAccording to reader response on my articles about bookkeeping and finances, writers and bloggers are hungry for ways to earn more money! These ideas for making a living as a writer are from experienced freelancers…with a sprinkle of suggestions from yours truly…. Before the tips, a quip: “A writer should say to himself, not, ‘How can I get more money?’, but ‘How can I reach more readers (without lowering standards)’?” ~ Brian Aldiss. The beauty of reaching more readers is that it’s usually associated with earning more money. The more readers (and thus advertisers) a… -
Should Freelance Writers or Bloggers Hire Bookkeepers or Accountants?
4 Feb 2010 | 10:39 amYou don’t need to earn a full-time income from freelance writing or blogging to hire an accountant or bookkeeper! Investing in your writing career by hiring someone to do your taxes and keep your income and expenditures organized may be the best move you make this year. Here are a few ways to know if you should outsource your bookkeeping and accounting tasks or if you can remain successful on your own… Before the tips, a quip: “By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day.” ~ Robert Frost. I’m the boss of my writing and… -
6 Bookkeeping Tips for Freelance Writers and Bloggers
2 Feb 2010 | 2:54 pmAre you earning money from freelance writing, web writing, or blogging? Then you need to keep accurate records of your income and expenditures! These tips for bookkeeping for small businesses are simple yet important, and they’ll save you time and frustration at tax time… Before the tips, a quip: “Writing is turning one’s worst moments into money.” ~ J. P. Donleavy. Even if you only earn a couple hundred dollars a month from writing or blogging, you need to start putting these basic bookkeeping tips to work for you. Later, when you’re making thousands of dollars a… -
8 Ideas for Blog Posts or Online Articles on Valentine’s Day
1 Feb 2010 | 3:12 pmFebruary 14 can be a source of writing inspiration and blog traffic – if you can think of interesting ideas to write about! These tips for blogging on Valentine’s Day will take you a step beyond the same old articles about “romantic gift ideas” or “tips for saying ‘I love you’ on Valentine’s Day” (not that there’s anything wrong with those types of blog posts – I’ve written them myself! They’re just tired, is all). Before the tips, a quip: “I don’t wait for moods,” said Pearl S. Buck. “You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got… -
7 Ways for Extroverts to Increase Their Writing Productivity
28 Jan 2010 | 1:43 pmWriters with extroverted personality traits tend to spend more time with friends and family – especially when compared to introverts! Here are seven tips for increasing writing productivity for extroverts (although people with introverted personalities are welcome to use these tips, too ). Before the tips, a quip: “Write only if you cannot live without writing. Write only what you alone can write.” ~ writer and professor Elie Wiesel. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, there are words and articles and books in you that only you can write. These tips for being more productive…
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Get Paid to Write Online
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Successful Subbing – Ten Tips for Outsourcing Your Writing Work
6 Feb 2010 | 9:24 amWorking with other writers is productive if managed correctly. For most busy freelance writers, there will come a time when you might consider getting some help juggling your writing workload. Things come up, volumes get heavy, and there may be a time when you just don’t have the expertise to write on a particular subject. Know someone who does? Want to find someone who can help you? Sub-contracting writing work out on occasion could help you tremendously. It could also go horribly wrong (I’ve witnessed public arguments between writers who have tried to work together) so be… -
How To Keep Deadlines Every Time
4 Feb 2010 | 4:05 amLet this simple deadline tip keep you on track I pride myself on never missing a deadline. Lots of people – both writers and clients – ask me how I do it. Let me tell you a story that showed me what to do. Several years ago I was working as the editor of a monthly magazine. The editorial staff consisted of me, a sub editor and two writers, as well as the managing editor, who didn’t do much writing. Three of us were great with deadlines, but one of the writers was not. We had regular deadlines set in advance and he seemed unable to keep up with them, putting the rest of the schedule… -
Tweet Your Way To Free Business Cards – Contest
2 Feb 2010 | 3:08 pmThe folks at PrintRunner ha ve offered to give away 250 free business cards each to two readers of Get Paid To Write Online. The cards on offer are full color, glossy or matte, front + back printing, though you will have to pay for shipping. About PrintRunner PrintRunner offers a wide range of products including business card printing, full color catalogs, brochures with multiple fold options, glossy or matte postcards, flyer printing, custom stickers, and more. In 2009, PrintRunner was named to the INC. Magazine list of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in the U.S. Entry details… -
Paid To Blog Opportunity
2 Feb 2010 | 9:35 amThis paid to blog opportunity came in by email from Mary Ward (contact details below). I’m posting it here in case you’re interested – Sharon I Will Pay You To Let Me Post To Your Blog What I am looking for is bloggers with fairly established blogs who are willing to post a guest post article for pay. In other words, I will pay you to be a guest blogger on your blog. This is basically how it works: I will provide you with a professionally-authored guest post article of about 400-500 words. This will be an exclusive article that has not been posted anywhere else, and will… -
When the Client Hates Your Writing
27 Jan 2010 | 11:36 amIn my last post I talked about the need for a thick freelance writing skin but let’s delve a bit deeper. Beyond being able to take it on the chin once in a while, there will be times when you need to act after being criticised. What should a writer do when a freelance client hates the work they’ve turned in? If everything you write is getting rejected that’s a bigger problem than I’m prepared to deal with here but if you’re like most freelance writers you get it right most of the time but have the odd occasion crop up where a client doesn’t beam with joy after you’ve sent them…
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Freelance Folder
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5 Bad Work at Home Habits: Are You Guilty?
9 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amIsn’t working at home great? That’s why so many of us are either already doing it, or dreaming about doing it. We know it’s just the thing for creative types who don’t like structure and hierarchy. Working at home has its perks. However, working at home also brings many temptations that can sabotage our productivity, creativity, sanity, happiness and even our health. Below are what I consider to be the five most common pitfalls of working at home, why they’re bad for us, and how we can avoid or overcome them. 1. Working in Your Pajamas or Underwear You have to… -
10 Free Project Management Applications
8 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amHow do you make sure that you get all of your work done on time? As freelancers, we wear many different hats. In addition to performing our freelancing specialty for the client, we’re also the sales staff, the manager, the support team, and the accountant all rolled into one person. For many freelancers the project planning tasks that go along with freelancing may seem kind of overwhelming (especially if they’ve never done any project planning). Other freelancers may find that they need to provide the same kind of project plans to their clients that would have been required of… -
How to Make Your Portfolio Better Than the Competition’s Portfolio
7 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amCompetition is fierce in the world of freelancing. In the clients’ eyes, one of the few factors that differentiates you from the competition is the quality of your portfolio. While much of what makes up a portfolio is both subjective and based on personal preferences, there are still several surefire ways to distinguish yourself in the sea of freelancers. Let’s takes a look at some ways you can make your portfolio better than your competition’s portfolio. A Great Design Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many terrible freelance portfolios are on the web. -
Staying Sane While Freelancing With a Loved One
5 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amTwo years ago, I was the full-time web guy at a conservative insurance company. My wife could see my frustrations there and encouraged me to quit and pursue a freelance career. She suggested that we could use her income as our base if things got really tight, financially. I’ve never been happier. However, during the last two years, I’ve seen her deal with the same frustrations in her current work situation that I experienced two years ago. I realized our situations were reversed, and since she rescued me from my previous work situation and offered me a better career and better… -
Mastering the Art of Client Relations
4 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amHow comfortable are you with your clients? Do you feel like you understand what they need and want? Would you rate your communication with your clients as being excellent? Do you think they would come to you for ideas? Are you the first freelancer that your clients turn to when they need something done? If you’re like most freelancers, you probably don’t know your clients very well. You do your best to make your clients happy and provide quality work, but your communication is limited to when there is work being done. Many articles have been written about client relations, but not…
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Write to Done
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A Writer’s Greatest Tool: the Smartphone
7 Feb 2010 | 7:32 amA guest post by David Pierce from Digitizd I’m a writer, and I don’t carry a notebook around with me. Heck, I don’t even carry a pen. Do people even use those anymore? Pens. So old school. Instead, I just use my cell phone. In my life as a writer, there’s been no tool more useful or worth the investment than a smartphone. For such a small device, its benefits are enormous. For writers, the benefits might not be as obvious as they are for, say, money managers, but they‚Äôre no less fantastic. Since owning a smartphone (mostly meaning a phone with a functional… -
What Lance Armstrong Can Teach Us About Motivation
3 Feb 2010 | 7:46 amA guest post by Diggy from UpgradeReality.com. Let me paint a little picture. Allow your imagination to go to work. It’s a beautiful sunny afternoon, you’ve just stuffed yourself with a great lunch and you’re all stretched out on your couch. Flipping the channels on your TV to find something that you will allow to steal your afternoon away. You have plenty of ideas you want to start and projects you want to complete, but you can’t get yourself off that couch and get motivated to get to work and start writing. < How Do You Find Motivation? The answer to this question… -
A New Way to Look At Writing Blog Posts
1 Feb 2010 | 7:48 amA guest post by Glen Allsopp who writes about Viral marketing. I wrote my first blog post back in 2006. At the time, blogging was just starting to be used as a way to connect with your audience and attract more eyeballs to your products and services. Back then, I didn’t care about building a readership or writing posts that hit the Digg homepage, I simply kept writing content so that Google would send me more traffic. Of course, a lot has changed since then. I now couldn’t care less about search engine traffic to my blog and instead focus all of my energy on building a vibrant,… -
How to Leave Your Readers Better Than You Found Them
28 Jan 2010 | 3:00 amA guest post by Nathalie Lussier of Raw Foods Witch Why do you write your blog? Maybe you are writing to share your point of view, help others, or just get things off your chest. No matter what the reason you write for your blog, you need to learn how to craft each post to have the greatest impact on your reader. Your readers are granting you their valuable attention, after all. How storytelling applies to blogging In an effort to expand my skills as a blogger, I started reading about the power of storytelling. Storytelling is an age old tradition that is as natural to human beings as… -
The Ultimate Playground: Blogosphere
25 Jan 2010 | 7:00 amA Guest Post by Tomas Stonkus of Uncertain Change I have one question for you: “When did you grow up?” OKAY, that is actually just the first question. Here’s the rest. Do you remember that exact moment when you decided to stop having fun and start being serious? Do you know when your careless smile was replaced by a frown? Do you know when you stopped believing in your dreams and decided to become reasonable? Maybe it was around the time when you stopped playing. Until that point, the whole world seemed to be your playground! There were no rules, no limitations. Everybody…
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Freelance Switch
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4 Ways to Kill Scope Creep
9 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amSome clients just keep asking for a little more: a four page website design can turn into a design plus copy or even a design plus copy plus marketing. It often happens just a little request at a time, as the scope of the project creeps ever larger. Scope creep isn’t always an entirely bad thing, of course. As long as your clients are willing to pay for the work that goes along with a bigger project, it can be beneficial. Depending on the situation, there are several responses you can offer to a client with a case of scope creep.1. Glad to help — here’s a new estimateIf you can… -
Freelance Freedom #142
8 Feb 2010 | 4:30 am -
From the Community: Advice for New Freelancers
5 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amRecently, the FreelanceSwitch community was asked what simple, one-line advice they would give newly minted freelancers. The result was a surprising and poignant mix of wisdom, humor, and insight on topics such as clients, money, marketing, and keeping one’s sanity. Read on for the best advice from the FreelanceSwitch community! It’s a not so well-kept secret that the FreelanceSwitch community forums are filled with experts and seasoned freelancers of every make and specialization. But everyone had to start somewhere! Being a new freelancer can be an exercise in hard lessons… -
Automate Your Bookkeeping
4 Feb 2010 | 4:30 amAs a freelancer, it’s important to focus as much of your time as possible on the work you have or getting the work you need. And that means minimizing administrative tasks. Take bookkeeping, for example.Bookkeeping is critical for maximizing tax deductions and monitoring the overall health of your business, but it’s a royal pain. In this post I’ll show you how to automate bookkeeping tasks so you can stay focused on existing jobs while marketing your talents.Decide on a bookkeeping systemMany people still hand-write their income and expenses in a notebook or Excel… -
7 Elements of a Successful Freelancer’s Website
3 Feb 2010 | 4:30 am“The shoemaker’s children go barefoot.”You’re not a shoemaker but the saying still fits. Between client projects, conferences, and social obligations (okay, okay, WOW clan meetings may count as social obligations), your site has been sorely neglected. A neglected website might not seem like a big deal if you’re flush with work. But what happens when, Zeus forbid, work slows? You’ll start pushing for new work, realize that your site is a mess, and spend time working on your site you should have spent landing new contracts.As a reminder for the veterans and a…
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Men With Pens
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Can You Finish Your Projects?
7 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pmI have a reputation for confidence. I am the one who knows what he wants and pursues it relentlessly until he achieves it. I will not rest until every single genius idea in my brain has come to life. Except… Well, no. Not really. I’ve achieved a lot of accomplishments, true. This business is one of them. But for every amazing venture you hear about me starting, I’d estimate that at least a dozen others get a stuttering start followed by a lot of frustration that boils up until I throw the project aside and declare I’ll never start another venture again. Until next week. This is a… -
We’re Back – and Bolder than Ever
6 Feb 2010 | 6:19 amYou may have noticed that Men with Pens looks a little different these days. This is the fourth – count ‘em, four – reincarnation of our design since we started this blog back in early 2007, and it’s likely nowhere near the last, despite the fact that I swore this is the absolute very last time ever. EVER. (I know. I said that last redesign too.) This change wasn’t because our readers didn’t like our last design. It’s not because we decided to change everything about the way we do business. Every business needs to shake things up now and then. It’s about finding ways… -
Dating Rules for Courting Your Clients
28 Jan 2010 | 10:00 pmToday’s guest post comes to us from Susan Johnston, the Urban Muse Writer. Enjoy! Anyone who has ever sat through drinks or coffee in their search for love knows that first dates can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Freelancing can be much the same. Courting clients isn’t that different from courting a potential mate. You’re nervous as hell, but you still want to make a good impression and hopefully seal the deal. Whether you’re on a first date or courting your first client, here are five dating rules that you can apply. Rule #1: Don’t give the milk away… -
Are You Trying to Be Too Smart?
26 Jan 2010 | 10:00 pmAs a professional writer, your vocabulary is literally your stock in trade. Other businesses have huge stockrooms full of whatever they sell – frozen food, Gucci shoes, leather satchels… You, you have words. If you’re anything like me, you’ve taken some pains to make sure your stock hasn’t been the same since 1997. You read good magazines and periodicals, and you take note of new words when they’re used. If a friend happens to use a word that is new to you in conversation, you may very well follow up on it just because it sounded especially delightful (thanks to my friend Tess… -
Are You Selling Yourself Short?
24 Jan 2010 | 10:00 pmIf you make your living as a freelancer, you’re going to be asked – constantly – to prove your worth. Your clients want to know if you’re the best person for the job.Your blog readers want to know if you really have the smarts to give them advice. Your social media “friends” want you to prove that you’re interesting, funny, worth their time. With all those people constantly questioning your authority, it’s only natural that you’ll occasionally question your worth. Of course, most of the time, you’ll pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go right back to putting together…
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About.com: Freelance Writing
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2010 Then? Accidental Freelancing and the 1099
9 Feb 2010 | 5:44 amI was happy to see two blogs pick up my post "Is 2009 the Year of the 1099." I was proud of this post mostly because I thought the title was so darned clever (kidding), but I didn't get many comments, links or even feedback when I used the same concept to shop around some speaking engagements/radio spots. So, perhaps it was 2009 that was the year of the Independent Contractor? Maybe it's this year. Judging by the money I've spent this year hiring others, I am certainly doing my fair share! What about you? Are you just biding your time until the economy picks up, or are you a die-hard… -
What a $1500 Day Looks Like
4 Feb 2010 | 1:35 amToday I stand to finish projects totaling a $1500 payout. In all fairness, I've been working on these since last week, but I thought the headline might grab your attention. Here is my freelance writing schedule for today (9a-3p). Finish a sidebar for a trade magazine ($100) Finish a large set of proofreading for an academic company ($700) Conduct an interview for a different trade magazine ($200, although I won't write this until tomorrow) Finish a rewrite of web articles ($360) Proofread some documents for a private company ($50) Proofread a newspaper from 12-3 via Skype ($90) If your next… -
Is it POSSIBLE to Freelance 60 Hours Per Week?
2 Feb 2010 | 9:33 amThis is an honest question. I've put in some massive work weeks lately due to some issues, and I am seeing my writing suffer- typos, deadlines pushed, etc. Yet, I know some people do this regularly. Freelance writers: does anyone out there work this much regularly? If not, about what's your average work week (and let me know if this is your only career or your moonlight career).Is it POSSIBLE to Freelance 60 Hours Per Week? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 17:33:43.Permalink | Comment | Email this -
Lacking Balance Today
1 Feb 2010 | 7:02 amReaders, I'm overwhelmed. My January resolution to earn "more, more, more" got the best of me, and I worked hard in that month to make sure my numbers were up. Now I'm in the thick of it and feeling a bit burned out. Where's the balance? I've got a personal project going on which requires a good amount of expendable income, so I can't scale back. However, once that's over (end of Spring) I'm going to look at realigning some of my goals, and move away from the dollar signs a bit. Because, I tell you what-- right now I just want a day off!Lacking Balance Today originally appeared on About.com… -
Forum Updated! Freelance Writing Jobs Posted in There!
27 Jan 2010 | 3:04 amHi writers. Just wanted to let you know that I updated and cleared out some junk and did some maintenance in our freelance writing forum. While I was there, I noticed a couple freelance writing jobs were posted. Remember, if you find the forum overwhelming, you can click on the drop down menu at the top, which allows you to choose which messages you see. I would recommend "Last 7 days" or similar.Forum Updated! Freelance Writing Jobs Posted in There! originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 11:04:52.Permalink | Comment | Email this
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All Freelance Writing
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Late Shift — From the Freelance Theater MadLance Series
9 Feb 2010 | 8:58 amAs you might know, Yolander and I teamed up last year to launch Freelance Theater — a site featuring audio plays (and other entertainment to come) for freelance writers. The idea was to do something different, taking a new and lighter approach to looking as issues facing freelancers. Today we released our second audio play episode from the MadLance series: Late Shift. You can listen to it at Freelance Theater, in our playlist in the sidebar here at All Freelance Writing, or below in this post. This episode featured our first guest star, fellow AFW contributor Clint Osterholz. Powered by… -
Freelance Writing Jobs – February 9th, 2010
9 Feb 2010 | 8:25 amThat stupid groundhog really sent me up the river. I’m freezing, I’m barely able to feel my fingers, and I’m stuck between bumping my heat up to a level where things can technically live but paying roughly $1,000 a month for the privilege or freezing to death a rich man. Fortunately, there are a lot of freelance writing jobs out there to help me cover my heating bill, or maybe fund my trip to Pennsylvania to take that punk rodent out once and for all! The Freelance Writing Jobs Travel blogger – do you like to travel but hate the tourist traps? Do you know those hidden… -
Please Welcome Two New All Freelance Writing Contributors
8 Feb 2010 | 5:06 pmI’d like to introduce you to All Freelance Writing’s two newest bloggers: 1. Dan Smith — Dan will be resuming Jenn Escalona’s do-it-yourself series for freelance writers. A new DIY project will be posted on the first of each month. 2. Catherine L. Tully — You might know Catherine from her blog posts at Freelance Zone. Catherine will be covering a new series here, on writing for print (magazines and newspapers). We’ll be able to share more about the final schedule for these posts shortly. I hope you’re as excited as I am to have these two new writers… -
Cold Calling to Find Freelance Writing Clients
8 Feb 2010 | 6:42 amDo you have a “go to move” when it comes to marketing your freelance writing services? Many people like to send query letters, some send cold emails, and others rely solely on word of mouth. Have you ever thought about the benefits of cold calling? Believe it or not, this is a great way to drum up new business. There are thousands of companies out there who need the services of a freelance writer. Some of them know they need the assistance of a qualified writer; others are still on the fence. Either way, with a cold call to the right person you are sure to put yourself in position to land… -
Weekend Reading – February 7, 2010
7 Feb 2010 | 10:38 amStarting tomorrow we’ll have some announcements related to All Freelance Writing and Freelance Theater. In the meantime, why not catch up on some other posts related to freelance writing and blogging? Here are a few to get you started. Maybe you missed them earlier in the week. 6 Ways to Check on a Job Poster and Avoid Scams Freelancers vs. Salaried Employees Freelance Funny of the Day (video) Worthy Tip: Staying Professional Templated Writing: One Way to Speed up Your Writing How to Build Your Professional Writing Services Business Freelance Writing Income: What to Expect 9 Tricks I…
