How's my writing...

I am not asking this question for you to give an analysis on the way I write.  I mostly write to relax (among other things I do to get ready for the evening ahead), clear my head, or to get things off my chest.  By now, if you have been following me on this blog, or any of my other blogs, I have sort of an observational point of view of looking at things and events.  I write what I see, and give you a play by play of what I think of it.   I think most writers write this way.  I  do not know what you call it.   Some of it is humorous, some serious, and while most are middle of the road.

For example, I wrote in my MDN Creates blog back in January 2012 about my 3-year old niece and her mouth.  As humorous as it may have sounded in cyberspace, I, nor my sister was laughing at the time, and since then I believe she is cured for now.  Nine'na is learning how to choose her words carefully.  However, clocking her brother, Deonte (who is 18 months older), or bossing her cousin, Leon (who is 23 months younger) she has a ways to go.  I may start trying to be funny, and end up serious, but not too serious.   My post on Whitney Houston is one example I wrote on this blog.   My informational pieces talks mostly about things that I hold near and dear.  These are things I want people to know about (my scrapbooking, how to achieve a nice scrapbook, organizing, and topics like being True to yourself).

The point I am trying to make is write what you know.  Somewhere out there, you have intrigued a person, who for some reason has not heard your point of view.  My point of views have never meant to be mean-spirited nor will they ever.  I wrote in my first post on this blog, that my point of views are just that, Point of views.  if you find yourself rethinking on how you approach something in your writings, by all means change it.  Sometimes I wonder if I sound like a senior citizen, LOL.   Well it is true, but when I think about the comments I read from the local newspaper articles, I feel like I am in good company.   After all, how would you see A person being careless about securing their belongs such as personal id's.  (This a hint for my next post: I saw a person in front of me in at Michael's Arts and Crafts making a big mistake, SMH)

Well, I need to get ready for the day ahead.  God Bless You.

Be true to Yourself and others...

...When offering a service they could use.  I am surprised by the number of people who actually claim they have a legitimate business.  I am not talking about people like me, who try to make an honest day's wage in the form of a home or small business, or even the ones who work for someone else.  You are fine.  I am talking about the people who claim they have some get rich quick business, in hopes that the get their "sucker born every minute person."  Sure, we all want money, that is the point of working, but it should not be to the point of robbing a person blind.  We all have valuable skills that can be used for the common good, but I could tell you of the countless people who flood my inbox on a daily, wanting my time, and my money so that I and others like me can line their pockets.  

Look, no one likes the idea of depending on the government to pay for bills, feed the family, and help find  and pay for housing.   If you have to depend on the government, that is fine too, but do it temporary.  During the time of dependability, gain some skills.   I know it is easier said than putting fourth an effort.  Some people think that asking for help are for the lazy and the dumb.  No it is not.  It is for people who need a little boost, until a person can find a better way of doing things.   For people who judge, you do not know a person's situation.  There maybe generations of people on welfare, but has anyone ever bothered to ask that family why they are on welfare in the first place?  Has anyone ever bothered to ask that young mother why she is pregnant for the 8th time.  If you were in that person's shoes (and we are all one paycheck from being there ), what services would you want someone to teach you?   Is it how to interview for a job?  Childcare needs?   Utilities?    Healthcare options?

For those of you who are currently on some type of assistance, what is holding you back for getting all that you want?  Is it pride?  self esteem issues?  Lack of skills?  Lack of resources?  Envy of others not necessary like you but of your race?  The lack of wanting to know a higher power who is bigger than all of us?   Hum, I think I might have struck a nerve here, but I am going to let you ponder that for a moment, and it is sometime to think about.

We all have something to contribute to this world if we all just stop and think about it.   For some reason, at least where I live, help stops at age 21-24, and for what?   There used to be a time where people are kind enough to offer help just to offer it, and people kind enough to except it.   Now there is this "don't touch me", "text me", "I do not want to speak to you", and "if you come near me, I will sue you" type mentality.  We have our head buried in the sand (cell phones, Ipad, laptops) to the point where even teens text each other when they are across the table from each other.   We talk, but we do the wrong type of talk.   Ponder that too, and I will catch you later.

Monday Morning being single and childless

Happy morning to you all.   I have no particular topic for this morning.  It is 7:28am where I live, and it a lovely May 7, 2012 day.  So far.  I have a really busy week ahead of me, that I am sure the Lord will bless me with.   When I woke up, I thought about my day, and what it will bring a single gal like me.  I do not have to get up, try to fix breakfast for myself, a husband, and kids.   If I had to do it all over again and choose my destiny, by now, that getting up, getting dressed, meeting my husband in the bathroom as he getting ready for work would have been a reality.   I would say that I miss it, but I never had it in the first place.  How can I miss something I never had?    Let me ponder that for a moment.

For you single ladies out there, no matter what age you are, Why are you single and how have you dealt with it up to this point?  For me, it was a little of choice, a little of career, and a little of "where are the men?"  I wanted it all.  I wanted to be one of the ones in the household bringing home the bacon.  My mother was at home for a while.  This was during a time when women stayed at home, while the husband worked, and women formed clubs to pass the time away, when they were cleaning, making dinner, washing something (clothes, dishes, children).  When they were not doing that, they were grocery shopping, mending, and as I said earlier, getting together with the ladies.  My father was in the Air Force (retired in 1979), so he flew a lot.  I have had my share of pachinko machines he would bring back from Japan.   When I was 12, my mom got her first job, at a fabric store.  There she became assistant manager, and I learned my first skill, inventory. Starting at age 16, I would volunteer to do inventory, and made a little bit of money for whatever I wanted.  It was easy, because I was the assistant manager's daughter, so you better not mess with me, at least so I thought.  She retired in 1995 from working in a home improvement center, but she has not stopped working.   She now works in the church, doing things such as food pantry and being a Christian Education chairperson (a position she has held proudly since 1980).  When she retired, she and my dad became foster parents, which is how I got my sister (My birth sisters are in heaven).

Yes, I still want to get married.  I love the idea of loving someone, and getting love back from them, which brings me to the point of children.  I am the only one in the family without a child.   The idea of physically giving birth ended at age 29 due to health issues, but I never said that I would not adopt either way.  I have not dealt with the news very well at times.   My brother has two boys, and my sister has a boy and a girl, and although I love being aunt to these four people (ages 16, 4, 3, and 1), I still long for one of my own.  Although, the child will not be growing inside of me they have,  however, been growing inside my heart for the last few years.

I am not saying that being single does not have its perks.  If I want quiet time, I turn off the television or radio.   If I really do not want to be bothered (and I have not), I do not answer the phone (although I make my parents worry).  The messes are mine (except my car in the backseat -its theirs, LOL, and I am still finding french fries from Mickey D's).   I still like Disney, and trying to take the family of 10 (4 adults, 2 seniors, a teen, and 3 little ones) in 2013.  I have my own business, and I can work up to 4 am if I want to without taking a break except to eat and go to the bathroom.  If I had hubby and kids, there would be the constant "honey could you do this", calling mommy for no reason (although it is hilarious when the kids scream aunty for no reason), boo-boos (hubby and kids), and the endless calls of "what's for dinner?".   So for those of you who are married (and you know who you are), ask yourself this question, "how would it feel to be single and childless?"  Consider yourself blessed with the fact that you have found someone, and that you can get up for those 2am feedings.  I consider myself blessed in all areas, single and childless or not, but I am still looking, and my baby girl (or boy) is not far, rather I marry or not.  I still enjoy working, and everyone would have to adjust to my present schedule, and me to theirs.  God Bless you on this day.

Teams

Hello-

I am sorry that I have not written in a long time.  To say I have been busy is a understatement, or an excuse, whichever works for you.

I want to talk about being part of a team.  Not necessary as is in "there is no I in team" for if you have ever been part of a team, you should know this, but when a person decides to select someone to be part of a team.  I think, I can speak for myself on this one, but I cannot.  When I ask a person if they ever considered being part of my team, I have already seen qualification which makes them a good team player.  That person may have seen it too, but never asked about being a consultant.  Once that person applies to be a consultant, only Longaberger can have the final say so in that process.  That task is very simple.   There is another type of team I want to talk about.

I mentioned this, because lately I have been trying to join a design team with someone.  A design team is a group of people who can take what the head person gives them, and turn it into their own creation.  There are graphic design teams (I cannot draw good enough to save a life), and scrapbook design teams.  I am trying to join a scrapbook design team.  These teams are, as I said, a group of people, who can take say a piece of paper, ribbon, a rubber stamp, and ink, and incorporate them into a scrapbook layout.  This is supposed to show the reader some ideas of what to do with items they have at home.   Some teams are the manufacturers who make the products (like Basic Grey, K and Co, and Bo-Bunny), while there are others who have blogs who are asking for  design teams as well.

Now I do good work, not great work, but good enough to be on a design team.  To be on a basic design team, you have know how to scrapbook or make cards.   You also have to know what they are talking about. some teams require you to have a blog, like one team that I am on, and for some teams, it is not a requirement. Some teams do not require you to be unique, while others do so, but all require you to be creative.  Bottom line, follow the requirements, and maybe you will get on team of your choice.   So far for me, 1 out of 10 I have applied for and actually made.   I only want one more, and it is dishearten when you think you are one of the ones to be selected only to be shot down.   Well, I applied to the next one, Prima, who makes Prima flowers and paper. The deadline is May 15, and I applied the day they announced it.  This is how bad I want to be on a design team.

Now since I mentioned my plea on this blog and not my scrapbooking blog, those of you who do not make scrapbook layouts or cards may wonder why put myself through things such design teams, when they do not pay a dime.   I do it for several reasons.  First of all, recognition.  I am not a famous person,my creations are not known, except through  several family members,friends, and those who read my blog, I have 170 or more followers.   Second, customers.  I plan to and want to make scrapbooks, cards, mini books, and journals for people.  I also want to teach classes on the subject.   This requires customers, paying customers.  After all, a girl's got to eat and pay bills. Lastly information.  Even though there plenty of information out there on scrapbooking, many still think of it as a way for a housewife or student to past the time away, when it can be much, much more.  There are people who would pay hundreds of dollars just for one scrapbook, and there are machines which can cut out designs for books, which can cost up to $500.   That is how serious this craft is.   I can go on.  People want to copy what you do when they run out ideas.  I also find it relaxing.

So for those who choice which person would make a good fit on your next team, whether it is a design team or something which you have to do for the boss.   Be careful on the approach and weigh each decision carefully.  Ask yourself what each person brings to table that is unique, but not too unique that you have to be picky about it.   Everyone has their own way of doing things.  Just give them the basics and just let them be if you pick them.  If they go so far out there until you cannot stand it, just reel them back in, tell them to focus, do not drop them.  Things will be fine at the end.  If it is only a year's commitment, it is only a year, then you get to pick a new bunch of people.  Again, it will be alright.  

How can I ever make up for this?

I feel bad.  Not the kind a person gets when they ate too much or feel a cold coming on.   No, that is the best thing that could happen to me right now.   it was one of those "could have done's but life somehow got in the way" events I live for.  Everyone gets them but it is too late to retract the situation.  Here was my little dilemma:

The day before I always plan out what I am going to do.  I do this by looking at my calendar, place in my mind any events that I need to attend to, and then it gets done.  On occasion I do not put it on the calendar.  The reason is I do not have all the facts to formulate an entry on my calendar.  I could have gotten a reminder for one of them, and it was all my fault.  Wednesday nights I usually go to bible study.  Well I did not feel like going, because I was upset with Saturday.  Long story, not going to explain.  Anyway, I did remember that my pastor's grandson was having a book signing yesterday.  This was his first book signing, and I wanted to go to support him.   I also had a business meeting yesterday morning.   So I had thought to myself Tuesday evening that I will go to my meeting Thursday morning and the book signing Thursday evening.  My day was completed, I can come back and work on the mini book swaps I need to mail off next Friday.   I had lost the flyer, but no problem, I thought, because I would be reminded of the book signing at bible study, and I can get the location there.  
So yesterday, I did not feel like going to my meeting, so I had a "work in my PJ's " moment.   5pm hits, and my sister calls.  she tells me that mom was going to babysit her kids, keep them overnight, so she can go today to put in some applications.   One thing about my sis is that she calls you at the last minute, expects you to drop everything, and come to her rescue.  OK , that is not how it really happens, but that what it feels like to me.   So she tells me, "What time are you picking up the kids?"  She does not ask me if I WILL pick the kids up for mom, but "what time?"  I blatantly told her that I had not planned on picking up any kids,  just like I did not say anything to her Wednesday night about me babysitting today.  I am the type of person you have to ask me if I have the time to do things for you.  I do not mind doing things for people, if they ask on time, and ask me if I am doing anything first.  I am also the type of people who expects a person to not get mad if I have plans, and I had plans on both occasions.   This chick also does not have a working cell phone at the moment for me to call her back.  She gets mad at me, and tells me that she will call me back.  (she is using someone else's phone).  My sister never calls me back, I missed the book signing, and now I feel bad about the whole thing.  On top of that, I had to call mom, who with dad goes out to dinner (WHAT did you forget that you were babysitting?)  So they get home, call me, and I tell them what happened (minus me forgetting about the book signing), she ask me about the number my sister called from, them mom calls me to tell me that it was not a working number.  It was working a second ago.On top of all of that, I cannot find the paper stack I am supposed to use on one of the books, so now I have to take the time to go get another one.
Today better become one beautiful day and fast.

So how can I make up for this?  for starters, learn to say no more, then my sister will learn how to except it more. (Just because I am single without kids that does not mean I can jump went you ask me to do something.  I do have a business to run, as well as other things I would like to do).  Do not beat myself up just because I did not do something I planned to do. Set ground rules.  My family tends to forget that single people have things to do too.  Lately, expect the unexpected.  My sister is good at this one.
\Well good night.

Easter Blessings

I am very sorry I am late with this post.  Easter is almost gone and I do not have a thing to write.   That is not true.  I was busy.  My day went just like most Christians on this day.   It was a day of reflection.  Not self-reflection of sorts, but a reflection on one person named Jesus, and what he did for you and for me.

In case you do not know the Easter story, let me explain to you in a few sentences, if you do not mind.  First of all, the story is told in the following text of the Bible:  Matthew 28: 1-20, Mark 16:1-19, Luke 24:1-53, and John 20: 1-22;25.   I will go over highlights.   Jesus was considered a prophet by all accounts.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, and perform miracles such as feeding the 5000 with only 2 fish and 3 loaves of bread.   Well, it did not set well with the high priests of the area, so they plotted to have Jesus killed.   So they contacted Pilate to have Jesus arrested and bring him to trial.  Jesus knew of this, because this was foretold according to the scriptures.  In fact, He spoke of this during the last supper.  After He had the last meal with his disciples, He told them that Peter will deny Jesus three times before the rooster crows, and Judas will betray Him.  Jesus prayed in the garden for God to take this burden off of Him, but at the end of the prayer, Jesus said to God, “not my will, but thy will be done.”  At that time, Roman soldiers along with Judas came to take Jesus to Pilate.

At the trial, Pilate asked crowd to release Jesus and have a man named Barabbas crucified, because he found no fault in the things Jesus did, but the crowd wanted Jesus dead.  So Pilate pleased the crowd, and a crown of thorns was placed on His head, and he was given a purple robe.  Jesus was given a cross to carry, but the weight had gotten too much for Him, so a man volunteered to carried it for Him.  Once they got to the place to put the cross, Jesus was placed between two thieves.   During that time, soldiers tormented Jesus, and even asked at one point,” If you are the Son of God, why don’t you save yourself?” Jesus did not say anything to them.   At the end, Jesus hung His head, and died.   This is only the beginning.  The rest of the story is what happened after He died.  The curtain in temple was torn into two; there was thunder, lighting, and an earthquake.  Only then did people believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Three days later, Jesus rose again.    

The stone of the tomb he was in was rolled away.  Now Jesus did not have to do this, but He fulfilled a promise according to the Old Testaments.  For that alone, I am glad that Jesus died for all of our sins.  It is a wonderful feeling to know that he cared so much.

Well, after church service, I ate at my parent’s house and we sat around.  I was sleepy, but perked up when my brother came by with his youngest child.  My brother and fiancee was expecting their second, and now it is not going to happen.   My prayers go out to them.  They had only found out two weeks ago that she was pregnant.  After he and the baby left to go home, we ate some dessert, watched the Amazing Race and The Good Wife.

Well th at was my Easter and my lesson.   I will talk to you later.

It could not happen soon enough, but it is needed, badly

Hello-

I am so glad when things happen for a reason.  I do not know why, but sometimes it does.   I have not been getting the same warm reception I received with this blog that I received with my other two blogs, Tricia's Baskets and MDN Creates.   I realize that saving money is an acquired taste; you either do it, or go home.   It is up to the individual to decide if and when they want to do this task. Some do it gradually, like me, while others start at a maximum speed, and get it done while family and friends watch the change overnight in amazement.   For me, it comes with a price:

I have sprinkled too many topics in this blog.

I know what I have to say but I have to do this: I need to split up the family.   What do I mean?   I saying (and I am not doing a very good job in saying it) the topic that were meant for this blog, stays on this blog.   The other topics?  They are going to a new blog.   Two new blogs in three months wow.   Dare I say three new blogs?   OK, three it is.   Here is the breakdown of my blogs:

MDN Creates:  that is a given.  It has been in my life since January 2009, and I am loving every moment of it.   I can use a little bit more fans (Ok, a thousand or so, lol).  I am currently sitting at 172 followers from the last blog hop I have done.

Tricia's Baskets:  This too is a given.   I have been selling Longaberger for 10 years, dealing with everything from what the company has allowed me to say on this blog, to my own way of thinking of how to introduce to this company to some, and give my best to those who know the company.   I do need a fan base with this one (8 followers at last count).

My blessed life:  If course you know the struggles of getting this off the ground.   I have asked last week on Facebook for people to go to this blog, and give their honest option.   At first, I did not think anyone was paying attention, and then I got three responses.   The first person said that people do not pay blogs any attention no more, and I was wasting my time.   The second person said that they do agree with the response.  Yes, they are still my Facebook friends.   I value all opinions, rather I agree with it or not.  I may add to that response, “the blog market is oversaturated, but according to some experts I have been reading lately, they are like static sites, you just to find your niche, and give a reason why people should return to the blog each week.”  With that, I give you what a friend of mine said to me yesterday.  She basically told me that I had too many topics on this blog, and I happen to agree.   In one month (well two), I have hit you with a review on a show I watch, coupon deals, signups, referrals,  death of three iconic people (even though one of the write-ups was a snippet), how to shop, and how to plan a vacation.  The list goes on and on (trust me, I have the sheet to prove it), and now I am posting about changing the blog.  

Introductions are in order

The first blog will be called I’m Kicking and Screaming all the way to the Bank, with a subtitle, “…Laughing to keeping my dignity with family and friends.   Let’s face it folks, no one, and I mean no one likes to be told that they spend too much money on things that they need.   I am one of those people who cringe every time I hear someone like Suze Ormen (I think I have the spelling right) say, “If you have bills, you cannot afford to get xyz.”  Sometimes I feel like the woman wants us to sit around and do nothing but pay our debts.   There is a way to do both.  I do not know what it is yet, but I am learning.   I am learning from my own mistakes in life.   I feel like this; what is wrong with having fun, and still pay bills.  If you count utilities, you will always owe for a bill, but you can have a savings, even it is one or two cents a day.  Yes, I know it is hard, because I feel it.  After all, I still want an Ipad, and I still want to go on vacation.   I am trying to save for both, and I am trying different avenues to do it in.   Well that is all I have to say about KASATWTTB.  You will have to turn in and see.

My second blog is called, “Tripping on Disney Fun.”   It is based on my own personal journal of planning my family’s vacation.   I am the resident Disney fan in my family.  Yes, they like it, and they think it is way too expensive.   We are still going.  With the blog version, I am on a quest:  To show you how to make, not only Disney, but any trip fun and exciting, even one dayers.   I will have fun facts about Disney, The United States, and beyond. (Who knows I might still be living when they allow civilians to take the first moon flight, LOL).  We will see.

So what is going to be in this blog now that I have separated the family:   Inspiration and writing?  Inspirational writing.  Who knows?   I think God was trying to tell me something with my poll numbers.   I think He was saying, “Patricia you are not getting it.”  He’s right, I was not getting it.  So after I get back from my stamp club meeting (not that kind of stamp club, rubber stamping club), I am moving the articles to their prospective places, and I will see if that helps.   I will also have links to the side.  Until then I will see you.