I am Going Back to School

Franklin University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They say that you are never too old to learn something new, something you are not familiar with, or something I need help in.   Well, I am going back to school.  Well sort of and here is how.   I graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.  I am rusty.
When I first started school back in 1982, after a healthy and not so healthy academic career of K-12, I wanted to study acting.  I was determined to be among the Thespians that being an actress allows and more.  I was going to be an A-lister, hone in on my craft, and have my name in lights.   I was going to retired in my 60's having done the best movies any director or producer can throw at me.  Patricia Lynn Logan was going to be the name for everyone to watch over the next 50 years, until I got to The Ohio State University campus and refuse to go to class half the time, because I had to study math, English, psychology, and how to build a stage as well the first Quarter (Ohio State now runs on semesters). I was put on academic probation (straight F's).  In 1983, I went to a local college, because my parents thought I had way too much freedom at Ohio State, and they were right.  No drama department in this school. so I decided to try my hand in Social Work.  This followed by Early Childhood Ed, and secretarial science (Now called Administrative science), and I was told that I was too immature to go to school.  I transferred out of there to get a certificate of Secretarial science at a tech school.  I could go on and on about my career, but I finally matured when I started going to school at Franklin University, a business school.   This was around 1997, and I took my time.  I finally graduated with that degree with a new sense of worth, and that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to it.
Back to the present day...As I said, I am rusty.  It is not like I have not been keeping up with marketing, and that anything in marketing I learn will be a benefit to my business, but that is not the point of going back to school.   I have a list of what I want to learn:

1.  I do want to get my Master's in the subject of marketing.  
2. I want to learn advance WordPress, and website techniques.  Knowing this will allow me to create better websites, blogs, and possible make some money off of it.
3. HTML.  I know some of you out there are cringing right now, and so am I, but again, it is so I can cut cost.
4. The art of not being stressed out.  This is not a college course, and it probably will never be.
5. To take more time for me.  Again, this is not a college course, but a life course.
6. I want to be certified in a scrapbook tool, so I can teach a class in it.   Columbus is not the best place to take a class in this industry, or any industry, unless it has a college or university attached to it.  The ones I was thinking about are Copic markers, Cricut machines, or stamping.
7. I want to learn how to make jewelry, anything that goes hand and hand with scrapbooking and card making.
8. Finish my business Administrative classes
9. Cooking the basics the right way.  My cooking isn't bad, and I do know how by just watching my mother, but I want to learn the tiniest little detail about cooking them.
10. Every technology I have in my home.   I know basics, teach me the advance.

There are many more where that came from, such as being a better writer. See, you are never too old to learn, and I am waiting with eyes wide open.   Be Blessed.

Be careful what you "Pin" for, interest deleted

(Photo credit: Ruth Tsang)

I found an interest I love to do online.  I am a Pinterest phonatic (no this is not a typo, I had to find something to go with the word Pinterest).
The concept is pretty simple, you see an item you like, you pin it to the board (on their site of course), others see what you pinned, and they may want to re-pin it.  It is kind of like if Twitter and Instagram had a love child and named it Pinterest ( cue baby lullaby music): "Aw, such as cute little social media child.  It has it's mother's looks and it's father's short attention span."  OK, enough with the social media jokes.
Anyway, I was reading my email (yes I still have those things), and I got a note from them saying that they had to remove one of my pins due to copyright infringement.  "Oh it was nothing I did" they said, It was against a person who either pinned it from the beginning, or they re-pinned it from someone else who did the pinning.  Something to that effect.  In fact, I got two of those nastagrams.  (my word, do not look it up, it means a nasty email).
Here is my question:  If you (the guys who thought of this concept) have this wonderful site, which is a big hit, how can you forget there is a copyright law that as old as dirt?  They should know how people are.  After all, don't they have a Facebook account?   The folks in Washington are all over this, and would love to see courts active in slapping fines on people and shutting down sites that do not adhere to the laws of the land, especially something so trivial as a copyright law.  I got a pinterest account, because I read that I can push products on my boards, someone might see them, and will go to my website to make a purchase.  So as an Independent Longaberger Home Consultant and owner of MDN Creates (soon to be P.Lynn Designs), of course I jumped at the chance, and Longaberger did not have a problem with me placing the products on the board. So, as far as obeying the copyright law, I am good as gold, but I now need to watch what I pin from other places.  So far, only one was problem,it has been pulled, and that originally photo came from Photobucket.  "Wait a minute."  "They sent me an email back in the summer saying that they were shutting down."  "Does that mean they are back in business?"  I cancelled my account because of that announcement.  Well if they going to hold claim to pictures I take, then I do not need them.
Anyway, You no way of knowing if the picture on cats.com forbids you from pin a cute little kitten from their site, so it is always best to take your own pictures, create a blog, and pin it that way.  The best way is look for copyright information on the owner's blog or website.  If it says no copying except for personal use, just limit that copy it to your computer.  I know we all like to share, but it is the only way that you can keep the nastagrams out of your inbox.  You are going to forget, just like me, because we are human.   Just be on point and keep it real.  Re-pinning takes on a whole new meaning, and just trust your gut on this one.  Just ask yourself if it is worth sharing to your group of friends.
Over all, just be careful what you do on the internet everyday, rather it is your stuff or someone else's stuff out there, and you want to share it to the world.   Remember, know what accounts you have, because people can also send you a phishing notice about an account you do not have or once had, or they can be from the country of Niagara claiming to be the royal overseer to the king of many lying eyes, who have decided to to give you over a quarter of billion dollars of snake oil.  You need to claim it fast.    DO NOT CLICK ON THAT EMAIL!!!!. Be safe, Be Blessed, and have a wonderful evening.

P.S:  Document and give credit to the person or site you got it from always works too.

This is late but I have to say it...

Merry Christmas, everyone.   It is 7:39 pm here where I live, I am happy in most places, but sad.  Sunday, we  opened our presents, and seeing nephews Mike and Leon with their faces all lighted up brings joy, especially Leon who is only 2 year old.  My brother and his family was going home that evening, because he had to work yesterday.  He is a cook with the Salvation Army, the head chef if you want to call it that, which means he oversees things that needs to be cooked, the budget, and make things meet over there.  
Yesterday was a sad time for 27 families.   The 26 in Newtown, CT, and one here where I live.  I am talking about the ones who died in that senseless killing two weeks ago, but the one I am talking about is a family who belongs to the church I belong to.
Last week, they had to bury a young lady who was their daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, niece, cousin,and friend, but most of all, mother to a very special little boy.  Today would have been her 23rd birthday.  I know that she is now an angel to many of us, because how she lived down here.  When her great-grandmother first got sick, she took care of her, and even was studying to be a nurse at the local university.  She was a role model for the young mothers at the church she belonged to with her mother.   I could go on about the things this young lady did, things that I wish that most people her age would strive to do.  I am going to stop right there, because I want you to think about it, and ponder it in your heart. I have not mentioned her name, because I am not sure if I can mention it, a couple of her cousins are my facebook friends, and all of my posts goes to my personal page as well as Twitter.  I always go by the privacy act, unless I get permission to do so by the family or anything I post that is not originally part of me, even though I knew the young lady personally.  To that I want to still wish her a happy birthday in heaven.
I also want to say this:  We should all strive to do good in our lives.  Not just for children, but for everyone.   I am also thinking about the mall shooting that happen the week before the one in Newtown.  This has become a hateful time, and a time that not only Christians, but everyone needs to start praying for this nation, this world.  Now is not the time to be all about me, and what I want , and what I need.  if there is a need, do it, and if there is a want, and it is vital to that person's well being, try to do it the very best you can.  God commands it from each one of us, but the key here is not just do it, but to except Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.  I know I have just turned off some people, but I do not care if you are turned of but that remark.  This message is for everyone and anyone who has excepted Jesus, and who wants to except Jesus. I am not a minister, but I know someone who is, and if my pastor would allow me to give you her phone number over the internet, I would, but again, the privacy act.  If you do want to except, or renew your relationship with Jesus, contact your local church.  You do not have to become United Methodist, which is the denomination I belong to within the Christian faith, but join a church.   Make a new beginning to 2013, and tell Satan where he can stick his hatred in Jesus's Name.
Be Blessed your whole life through.

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$25 should get you started...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

....On what, I have no idea.  So what am I talking about?  I have no clue, but it has to do with making money.  I have seen on Facebook and even in my own mailbox of people advertising for the following things:

• List building
• Traffic building
• affiliate Marketing
• Internet Marketing

And the list goes on and on.   I just saw this in one of my Facebook groups, for $25 you can process email.  As I read a little further, the Splash page (or ad for those who are less technical) said that if I post 3 ads a day on Craig's list this ad (or something similar to the ad) I can get $25 for each person who answers the ad, and that's it.  The highest they have netted in a day was $1800.  So what is the position?  It is a web-based customer service assistant.  Well that sounds simple enough, and with the first $25 you earn, you pay off your membership (which is what they are calling it), after you get an answer from someone who wants the same thing.   They will tell you where on Craig's list to send it.  No experience is necessary.  There is just one little problem:
I have a problem with Craig's list.  I guess it is OK, but lately, I have been hearing about people answering ads on Craig's list, and bad things happen after that.  Here in Ohio, 4 men answered an ad on the site, and three were killed, the 4th got away.  People have been robbed for answering ads and so forth.  Then I started looking into it further.  This is a job that requires you to do the following:

• Have a premier Paypal account
• $25
• And work between 7 am -10 am for about 20 mins.

That's it.   You do not have to meet with anyone, and that is the main problem with Craig's list, the meeting part.  After you put down the $25,you will post the three ads daily, (they are pre-written and they will show you where on the site to post them), post them by 10 am, Monitor your Paypal account, then reply back to the people who pay you.
Now, the next question is, "pyramid scheme?" It does not sound like one.  You are only paying one person, and that is the person who posted the ad.  It is not like you are paying several people, and you keep on paying.  It is a one time thing, from what the ad reads,and I am reading from a Facebook group, not the actual ad. So I looked up the phrase to see what is it exactly.  Wikipedia, which is supposed to be reliable, but to some people is not the true sense of an actual encyclopedia (at least to my 16 year old nephew) said that a Pyramid Scheme is an unstable business model where people are promised goods and services primarily for getting people into the scheme.  They also say that you are promised to get rich, but the only people getting rich are the ones who are at the top.   Like I mentioned earlier, you are only paying $25 one time and that is it, but people are paying you that same $25, and everyone is processing 3 ads on Craig's list.
This is something I will have to look into further, and that is the main reason for me to post this article.  Think before you act.  This may turn out to be something good, and for you to bring in a little money, but then again, this may be something that you have see if it is worth $25.  
There are a lot of ways to make money, but some of them may be just pulling your leg.  I am not endorsing it, I was just curious, and I just thought I would review that curiosity.  If I decide to try it to see how it works, I will do another review on what exactly did I do and how I felt about it.
In the meantime, be safe, and if you do answer one of those Craig's list ads where you have to meet with someone, remember to meet in public, and bring a buddy.   There is always safety in numbers.   Be Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Hug your children...

(Photo credit: Tony Trần)

This post is very, very hard for me to write.  Normally, on my blogs I have posts on how-to's (scrapbooking,  making cards, organization, traveling tips), advise (joining my team, again tips, ), specials and deals on products, and other posts, but the this is the first time I have publicly writing on this in the three years I have written a blog.
Children are our precious commodity that a person could ever have.  You have read my posts about me not having children personally, but I am an aunt of a 16, 5, 4, and 2 year old.  They bring me joy when I see them, and each comes with their own personality.   The 16 year old is trying to be a man (he will be 17 in February); the other three is just trying to find themselves in the world and understanding all that goes on in the world.  I want to protect them as much as their own parents do, which is why I have been very sadden by these events of today.  I personally have had a death in my church family this week of a young lady, who has left behind a 6 year old son.  My heart breaks for that family, as well as the families who lost loved ones through this senseless act.  Death is a part of life, but I have a tender spot for those who die under the age of 25, for they have not even begun to live life to it's fullest, and will never know what it is like to do so.
What I am about to say may sound a little selfish, but I feel I would like to say what I felt I could not say on Facebook.
I understand when a person say things like we feel for all the parents and grandparents in today's tragedy   Ok I get it, I do too, but what about the aunts and uncles?  Do you feel for them too?  Some aunts and uncles do not have children of their own nor are they married.  Some have chosen not to go down that path in their life for what ever reason, then there are people like me who have always wanted to be a wife and mother, but for some reason, God has said that this is not the path I should take right now, even though I am two years from 50.  Who knows, it may actually happen, and I will be glad when it does.  I will adopt and I will find that man.  Enough about me.
Parents, by now if you have not seem the television of the events that happened today in Newtown, Connecticut, someone has told you about it.  Basically, a man got upset, went on a shooting rampage in an elementary school, killing 8 little ones (2 died at the hospital) and 6 adults (there is a 7th, but not sure if this is related or not).  The reason:  his mother works there, and he was mad at her.   So let me get this straight:  you are going to get mad at your mother, then shoot anyone in sight on your gun.  Has anyone heard of a thing called going to a place to cool down and let it go?   I am sure whatever reason it is, it was not worth killing people, especially 8 people who have no chance in having their first date, graduating, learning to love someone other than their parents, walking in the sunshine, getting married, having a mini-me (children of their own), or seeing where life and God will take them?  Was this person that selfish to even try to take out their own mother, that he takes out people he did not know nor cares about?  What about the adults?  They will not see their children have children of their own, plan weddings, graduations, or vacations around them.  This goes for the adults who were killed as well as the parents who lost their children.  
If you have a child, take time out to hug them, love them, and if they whine about something, let them, but do corrective measures.  Do not let a little whine bother you.  Do not let a little cry or tantrum bother you. Do not let work consume you to the point where you do not realize that you have children
Remember like I said in the beginning, children are our precious commodity, and please do not know let anyone take that away from you.   Be strong and be blessed this holiday season, through the rest of the year, and always.

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The Guy food channel Featuring Guy Fieri

White chocolate cherry chunk. Courtesy of Paula Deen. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have been a fan of FoodTv Network for many years.   I remember when I first laid my eyes on Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay.   I thought that it is possible to become a foodie with this channel, because of the recipes they showed us as Americans, that were simply to make, yet complicated, but possible.  It was even more possible to create the recipes once they introduced their website by the same name.  Every time I could not think of a thing to cook, I turned to the website to pull up the recipes.
Since that time, dozens, no, trillions of websites try to duplicate what FoodTV has achieved, many have failed, while others have succeeded (Epicurious is one of them.)  I am not here to talk about the successes and failures of food websites, for this would be a boring post, and I like would cut it off right here (I am leaving that to my other blog that covers things like that). I am here to talk about the changing of the guard, from what  FTVN (I am calling it from now on in this post) was known for, the cooking shows.
If you wanted to know how to roast a chicken (and there are people out there who still need to learn how to master that skill), you turn to FTVN, The Rachael Ray Show (who started out at FTVN, and still shows up on occasion), and the late Julia Childs on PBS (who BTW started this whole cooking thing).  In the past, you also turned to Paula Deen (my favorite Southern Gal), The Neelys, Big Daddy, and Sunny Anderson (The last three were the only African Americans ever allowed to have a show on FTVN, and succeeded).  These shows, along with Giada de Laurentiis and The Barefoot Contessa's Ida Gardner to solve the problem of "What's for dinner".  A person could just watch the show, declare that dish was tonight's dinner, and the problem was solved.
There is a show that came to the airwaves about 2 years ago, called Dinners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  The star of the show was Guy Fieri, and he just drove from town to town, showcasing that town's eating places.  It was (and still is) a place people have turned to, because it was a new show, and it was a change of pace from the ordinary cooking show.  It is working, because this show is on several nights in a row for several hours. (At least that's what it is looks like to me.)  I am not sure what makes this show so special, because I, personally cannot watch more than two episodes in one day.  This is a 30 minute show. To me, it gets rather boring after a while, and I lose interest and turn off the television.  Restaurant Impossible and other shows like it make me want to gag, because who wants to see a bad diner being remodeled and the menu overhauled?  Apparently, the executives who run FTVN thinks I do.  When they do show a cooking show, that show a re-run of a show I have already seen.  For example, critics complained about Paula Deen not promoting a healthier southern meal, even when she herself was diagnosed early this year.  I would love to see a show with her promoting that lifestyle, but instead, they show re-runs of her shows where butter is all the rage, and there is nothing on the books that show her cutting back.  (BTW, I do know she has cut back, because I recently saw her on a HSN promotion (That's The Home Shopping Network, BTW), where she used a little butter, and a lot of healthier ingredients with her demos.)
My recommendation:  Please go back to your roots.  No more multiple shows of DDD, RI, Contests of who is the worst cook, best cook, iron chef wantabe, and shows of celeb chefs in their younger days.   They are all successful because of this channel.  Oprah loved Rachael enough to give her a show (RR is on my DCR list to tape).  Most people cannot afford to travel to a restaurant by just hopping on a plane, get their fill of the place, and then fly back home.  Showing a program once a day will allow cooking (true cooking) shows to emerge, and maybe I will be back as a regular viewer again.  let's face it FTVN, you have ran out of ideas, and I am starting to get frustrated with your network.  Find something that will wow me, make me coo with envy, and make me run out the local grocery store with keys, IPad, and coupons in hand to grab the ingredients for my next culinary experience.  I need something new to fix so show me how to cook again.

Desiderata

I am forever finding things.  I found this poem.  I first heard it at a choir concert many years ago.  The program had this poem on it.  years later, on a trip to Atlanta, GA with my church, I bought a laminated copy of the poem.  I moved several times, and I thought I had lost it in the move.   I think I am going to have it framed before I lose it again.  I love this piece, because it speaks of peace, how to deal with others, how to deal with your career and how to deal with you as a person, a human being.  It also speak about how to deal with God Almighty. and finally how you should feel about your life.  I hope you will enjoy it if you not heard it all ready.  The author is unknown

DESIDERATA


"Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & remember what peace where may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly & clearly: and listen to others,even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story.  Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.  If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble: it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.  Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; may persons strive for high ideas; and everywhere life is full of heroism.  Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection. neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.   Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.  Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your SOUL.  With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

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Going through a journal and found this...

Diary (Photo credit: Barnaby)

I keep a private journal, and I have been keeping one since 2000.   I never knew looking back on earlier writings can be so much fun, but they are, especially the entry I am about to show you.   Before I do, I want ask you :  Have you every written a 10 commandments statement?   For Christians, this it not THE 10 commandments found in Exodus 20.  In this case, it is sort of a declaration or a rules of some sort.  I do not know, but I do know this,I wrote some on September 1, 2004, that I have never shared with anyone until now. Some of them are serious, some tolerable, and some are darn right silly.  I re-read them, and all of them still stick to me to some degree, although at least one of them I would have reworded it differently, LOL. Please forgive and spelling mistakes I have. By The Way, this is not meant to poke fun at Exodus 20, and if you think so,  read rule #10, and re-read it more than once.  I believe that God does have a sense of humor, because he keeps laughing at the plans you make, instead of you listening to Him.   Also this world would have been gone a long time ago, and I would not be typing this, and you would not be reading this post.   Comment below when you finish reading  about my 2004 rules.

This my entry

1)   Thou shalt buy me one of the following by Christmas:  chocolate, a array of Longaberger  items (I know I am the consultant, so what,  at least I get the products AND the sales credit for it, double the pleasure, double the fun), a new wardrobe; or a whole array of scrapbooking items.

2)       Thou shalt send me ways to lose weight without having me work for it (I.E. exercise)   I did not have to work to put this weight on, why should I have to work to take it off.

3)       Thou shalt send me a man, who will treat me like a queen.  That means for the man, there is no looking at another woman, touch another woman, look at another man (because I ain't sharing no one with you, I am not into the Trois anything movement).  I also I want to be showered with everything in the 1^st commandment.   I am Queen Tricia, and I got my instructions from Queen Clarice from Princess Diaries 2.

4)       Thou shalt wear anything what your heart desires for the moment.  If you want frumpy, wear it.   Lady like, wear it.  This is your body.

5)       Thou shalt not tempt God, even for a little while.  He loves you, and cares for you, and tolerant, but not THAT TOLERANT.

6)       Thou shalt feel and act like a child every chance you get.  Now that do not mean that you throw tempers, talk back, or pout.  You will not get your way like that.  Believe me, I have tried.

7)       Thou shalt adopt when ever possible, even if it for a little while.    You will feel good that you made a difference in that person’s life, and they will thank you for it.

8)       Thou shalt live one day at a time, and have fun while doing it.  There are too many miserable people in this world, so  please do not contribute to it.    

9)       Thou shalt find your passion and stick to it.  tell people about it, and why you feel that way.  It may be your line of work, your hobbies, your family or your faith.  Everyone has something that they can hold on to and tell everyone about it.

10)   Thou shalt do the first nine and stick to them well, and we will get along.  Be safe, and do not stir up trouble.  Be grateful in everything you do , around, and see.  You are blessed to be here, if only for this moment in time.   There is a reason for every purpose.  Add laughter to everything, and if you cannot laugh at yourself, there will always be someone who will laugh at you, so have a sense of humor.  You are a child of God, and you deserve to be here.  This as serious as it gets, and I am going to get.

Good night, and adhere to the rules. 

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Are you a Cool Aunt?

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For weeks I have seen this ad for Swifter mops, and in this particular one,  a woman says, " I'm Done".  She picks up a magazine that reads, "Are you a Cool Mom?".  she then exclaims, "I'm got to do this." (cue the announcer).  Next she ask her kids, Bright, and Not so Bright , if she is "Mom-tacler" or "Mom-Trous".  Forgive me if I am calling names, but that is the look they had on their faces.  Remember it is the questions you ask your kids when they give those silly little faces like you just killed them.
Now why am I asking this question about cool aunts?   I was thinking about this question as I was dropping my oldest nephew off at a friend's house 30 minutes ago.  You know, aunts are different than moms, because even though they may have kids of their own (I do not yet, that day is coming), there is something about an aunt, depending on which way you play it, that is cool way of getting away with everything.   At least that is the way my niece and nephews see it (the youngest one is still trying to figure me out)  Just for the record, I have nephews who are 16, 5, and 2, while the niece is 4.   to me, they are the joy of my life, and like their parents and grandparents, I would die for them, go to jail for them, that sort of thing.
so what makes a cool aunt?  I really do not know, but I can tell you what I have done...
When mommy or daddy said no,  I said yes, and gave it to them anyway.  I had fun with them and tried to understand their stuff.  I have babysat when I did not feel like it. take them to the store, bought junk food, let them stay up late when they spend the night.  While to some that is a complete no-no, I was not doing to to gain friendship, but to know I am there too.  I have also reprimanded when they needed it, gave advise, hugged, gave kisses, held when the boo-boos came, rocked to sleep, and basically loved them as though they were my own child.  My oldest nephew will be 18 in 2 years, and I am looking forward to those talks we will have when he is a man.  I wrote a entry to my second installment of my journal, and in it this is what I said at the time about my nephew when just a year older than his brother now:

"Oh do not get me wrong, I love Mikey, and he is a wonderful challenge for me.  I loved it when I changed his diapers, fed him, sing to him, and played with him.  He will be turning from a toddler to a preschooler in four short weeks, and I miss the baby in him already.  I will enjoy it, when he does turn four, because I love it when he counts, sings his Preschool songs to me, tells me what color he wants in Lucky Ducks, and he is getting better in pronouncing “L” words.  I also love it when he gives me a great big hug, and a big wet kiss." (except from "My life in the 21st century, a personal journal of mine)

One thing I have say about my nephew that most people do not get to say about their sibling's children, he is a good kid.  At the age of 16, he does have his moments, but over all he is a good kid.  Yes, he does have a girlfriend, and no I am not a great-aunt yet (let's keep it that way for a while)   The other three are learning.  The one next to him is 5, and to Deonte, I am a cool aunt. His sister thinks I am too.  Mike's little brother at age 2 is still trying to figure me out.
So Are you a Cool Aunt?   I know I am, but I have also have values and other things that will help them along in life, and maybe they can teach me how to do the Dougie.

Day Whatever: people going mad over a box of twinkies

Bye-Bye, Twinkie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First of all, I fell off the wagon.  I am not following the 30 day blog challenge, and that is OK.  I had things I needed to take care.  Phew, now that is off my chest, on to more important things....like...TWINKIES.

BREAKING NEWS...After 82 years in business, Hostess is going out of business.  I thought that as I am taking my last breath, Hostess would be standing strong with a box of Twinkies and Ho-Hos in each hand.  Now I know that there is a change that McDonald's will be going out of business in the near future.   It is sad when something like a baker's strike ruins a company.  What do these people want to do, raise more dough?  (I know bad joke, I will move on from there, and promise not to crack another baker joke).
I am torn for a lot of reasons, I will name two of them:  I grew up on this stuff.  This is what went in my lunchbox from Kindergarten to 8th grade for my dessert.  Maybe not every day, but these foods got a lot of air time in my lunchboxes (I had a Roadrunner, a Partridge Family, and I think the last one was a Brady Bunch lunchbox).  Sorry McD's but if I had to choice between your apple pie and theirs, Hostess would win.
So after hearing about this news, I called mom, and said that we have to make a Hostess run.  I still do not have my Twinkies, and I might be out of luck.  I refuse to order them on Ebay, and I refuse to pay $100 for a box.  Really, people, I did not know you can sell food on Ebay.   When I was a Tastefully Simple Rep, I was told that Ebay did not except food.  Of course the last time I asked was 2006 and it was a month before I quit.
The second reason why I am torn is because it is a sad day when you feel sorry for a food and not for the people who made the food. (Jobs).  These people have to find jobs again.   Some people have been there long enough to draw retirement checks if they wanted to, but they would not make enough in pension checks and social security to live off of.  So to that end I say stop thinking about what you are going to do when they stop making them, and start thinking about what these people are going to do about jobs and pension checks.  Chances are you probably have not put a Twinkie, Ho-ho, donette, or pie in your mouth since you were a child, when the doctor told you to stop eating them, or when the spouse forbid them from coming in your home.
Look, I feel for you.  I like them too, and I wanted to get my last box of nostalgia in the making (something to tell the grands and great grands), but then I thought, "what am I really doing?"  Yes they are loaded with fat, and yes they are not good for you.  If I get to eat my last of anything from Hostess, it  is not going to make them re-open their doors if this strike keeps on going or if they stop striking.  I heard someone say on Twitter that this is all a publicity stunt, and the CEO is going to come on television today and say that they were making this stuff up.  Humm, I thought of that for a moment, which lead me to writing this post, and I do not think that is it.  They are closing, but they also might have a chance of re-opening someday.  A new Hostess.  It has happened before, somewhere on this Earth.  
Well you ponder that for a moment.  Make a comment or two about it below.  What do you make of this news?  Do you eat this stuff?  Let me know, K?  I will talk to you later.  In the meantime, be blessed everyday.

Day 6: My day, a day of learning and rejoicing

Congrats, Mr. President on a 2nd term. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hello, I am very happy about how my day ended up.  I got up, got dressed and I went a-polling, voting that is.  I choose the candidate who will make me sleep at night, knowing that when I wake up in the morning, I feel like I can do my job as a home-business owner, so that when I decide to move my business out of my home and/or gain employees, I feel like I can do it.  I chose Barack Obama.  I know I can hear the sneers out there, but hear me out.
I really do not know what the fuss is all about?  If you want a person to bail you out of a mess that the previous guy named Bush put us in the first place, then  if people are not 100% working, the economy is not where it should be, and they are doing the best they can to work with the people who were given to them, do not get mad when they win for a 2nd term.  Let's work together on this.  Now Mr. Obama has a chance to finally finish do what he came to do.  I really feel like that a term should be 8 years or somewhere in between.  The reason is clear....When a person works with a group who does not support them, it takes longer to implement what they set out to do.  Well, Mr. President, if you happen to find this pot, congrats on your win.  You deserve it.
Well after that, I learned about organizing for the holidays, well I was supposed to learn it.  I ran late for this workshop.  why?  I went to vote, then I went to the wrong building for the workshop.  People were looking at me strange and telling me they have never heard of the company I was looking for.   so I check the directory, and the company was not there, so I got in the car and drove to the next building.  I made it with 10 minute left in the meeting.  so I did a little networking, before leaving for the grocery store.
There is a store that I love to go grocery shopping in.  I am a Foodie, and when you are a foodie, you like nothing but the best, not something that is necessary the most expensive, but of good quality.  I get that in Market District.  It is owned by the Giant Eagle Company, but please do not call them Giant Eagle, even though Giant Eagle is the store labels.   I got $178 worth of groceries, and next month I am releasing another challenge on how to save on my grocery bills again.  When I first started the My Crafty Couponer Deals a few months ago, I was supposed to show how to save money.  Well, I am getting ready to merge it with my Simple Organized Crafts Blog, and I celebrating by doing this challenge.
So I am getting sleep, this is the end of the road for a few hours.   Nighty night.

Day 5: I feel like dancing...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you watch Dancing with the Stars?  I have been a fan since season 1, but I am having a little trouble with this season, which features celebs who have been on there before.  I feel like if they have been on there before, why do they need to be on there again?  Anyway, despite how I feel about the overall concept, this has been a very enjoyable season, so far.  One of the stars I wanted to stay on top is gone, and that person was Sabrina Bryant.  I was sure that she would last past last week, but nope.  The one who I wanted to go was Kirstie Alley.  I do not know, I kind of pictured her as a Cloris Leachman  type of a dancer, but she is better than I thought she was.  One person who has been very entertaining is Gymnast Shawn Johnson.  I do have concerns.   On day one, they had concerns about Shawn dancing, because of a knee problem that forced her to withdraw from competing in the Olympics back in the summer and to retired from the sport that made her famous.  she told Tom that she had been cleared to dance, but no stunts.  Well about 3 dances in, she did her first stunt, then her second, and her third.   I thought, well the doctors cleared her for stunts.  Well two weeks ago, when she was playing around with Sabrina, Shawn re-injured her knee.  
I am still not familiar with Gilles, the actor.  Apollo Ono is easy on the eyes, especially since tonight he took his shirt off.  Emmett Smith was the only African American invited back, and I was upset about that.  I do not follow football much, so I do not know what team he plays or played on.  I just know that the Ohio State Buckeyes is my favorite team in College football, the Steelers for NFL, and the high school I graduated from, The Independence 76ers is my favorite high school team.  I do not know why they did not have a more diverse group of stars for the all-star team.  What happened to Mel B, Toni Braxton, or anyone else of color?  Why were they not asked back?
Well despite my feelings about this season's DWTS cast, it is a popularity contest,  people have their favorites, and it is not about how well a dance was executed.   It is about how long you want your favorites to stay on.  So who would you like to see in the next lineup for DWTS?  Place your comments below.

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Day 4: Be at peace with yourself and with God

Early Saturday morning I was very upset.  I thought that the problem that I had this past week was solved, but it wasn't.  I am not going to dwell on what happened, that is not the point.  The point I am going to touch on briefly is what happened next.  As I stared this problem on my computer screen, I started blaming.  I blamed people may have been involved, without even point specific fingers at any one individual.  I started blaming myself for the situation, and I could not go to bed.   Have you ever been in that type of situation?   Of all things, I brought it up on Facebook of all places, then I cried for a half an hour.  Now I feel like I a heel.  It was only a few hours I thought of this post.  I kept hearing, "be at peace with yourself, just correct the situation, and move one from there."
That is exactly what I am trying to do right now, but I also asked for forgiveness from God, because yes, He was named in the situation.  I asked for that forgiveness, and help me get to the point of me again.  So Monday evening, I need to make some phone calls, and write an email of apology for my actions, which in a way was not my fault.   But I am not going to name names because Of policy.
So what to do if you are in this type of situation.  simple?

• If you believe,pray.  I am not going to sugar coat it if you are an atheist, I am speaking to believers.  ask for forgiveness from God.  Ask for help in the situation.   
• Do not post to Facebook, Twitter, or any social media, UNLESS it will help someone.   You do not have to mention the situation like I doing now.  If you have a diary, write it there if you have to.  Otherwise forget about it.
• Ask for solutions to the problem.  You can post that, and who knows, God may send an angel to your rescue.  
• Finally find so way to help you relax for a few hours.  I finally went to sleep, looked at my emails, and me and mom went to 2 malls.   I feel better, but the problem is still there until Monday evening, because it is the weekend.

I hope this helps you, and be blessed.

Day 3: Blessed quietness

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is quiet now.  The only thing that is making a noise is me tapping on the keys of this keyboard, and me signing every once in a while.  Yes, I know it is a constant sound that I hear since I am single, but even single people have noises to deal with.   Here are my noises through the day:

All of my neighbors smoke and I am the only one of the 4-condo complex who does not.  I have one neighbor who goes outside, sits in her chair and studies.  She is a college student and is studying to be a nurse or some sort of a health assistant.  I hear her on the phone and can tell when she is outside, because the smoke travels from the garage to my back door and through my kitchen.  Who says that smoke does not travel.
Another neighbor has dogs, and when they hear something, they bark.  They now can tell the difference between me getting into my car, and other noises.  It is a great deterrent if I am in here, and I hear them barking.  That means someone is coming and it better be my parents.
My phone, especially now, because they want to make sure that I go vote early.  I decided not to, because I have a wonderful place across the street that I can go vote at Tuesday.  very few people will show up there because it is at the clubhouse in an apartment complex.  I go there during the day (hooray for self employment), and I am gone by the time people who work outside of the home get there to vote.  Sometimes it is my sister, who has no car, but wants me to take her someplace, so I go there to pick her and her two kids up and we go to where  she need to go (not this Monday though).
The television is another noise.  I have shut it off for the morning.
All of this means I can think without interruption.  Now I feel I must get interrupted one more time.  I am starting to yawn, my bottom hurts from sitting, and I have the need to sit on the porcelain throne.  I will talk to you later.

Day 2- What is your hobby?

Often worry about people younger than me.  The reason is there are so many shootings lately, and I just have to wonder why?
My spirit has to say that it is Satan and all of his dealings.   going along with that has to be the sign of the times when Christ comes back.  Both of them have to be very good reasons.  After all it says that in the Book of Revelations.   Now without getting preachy as they say, let me turn to my non-believers who happen to see this post.
I do not think people younger than me have anything to do.  I take that back.. They have plenty to do, they are just doing the wrong things.  Television is getting to boring.  I should know.  Mine is sitting behind me in the off position.  There is way too much violence on television, and too many of the same type of programming on as well.
I am going back a minute to my title, what is your hobby, and I am going for good reason.   I scrapbook, make cards, and do alternative things such as journals, books, and boxes.  They occupy my time to the point where I do not have the time nor the energy to get into things that allow me to be out in the street.  My parents taught me that.  Before that, I used to knit, crochet, needlepoint, make candles, and weave.  Oh boy, I can hear the pioneer jokes already, LOL.  when I was younger, I took piano and organ music lessons; I also took ballet, jazz, and tap dance lessons.  No this was not my mother's wishful thinking because she could not take them, I wanted to do them.  Believe me, it was a better system than being out in the street all day with nothing to do.
Before moving to the city I currently lived in since 1977, I lived at McGuire AFB, NJ.  Yes, the very same base that was hit by Hurricane Sandy this week.  My father was Master sergeant there.  I was 12 when we moved, and I could not have been any happier.  T o me, it was boring, so I occupied my time as a dancer, musician, and in Girl Scouts and church choir when I was not in school.
So do kids today have it any easier?  no, they do not.  They are more frustrated and more stress is placed on them.  you never know what goes on in their world.  Just do something, young people.

I am not sure what happened... my personal week in review

I originally had a blog post talking about my day, and I may redo it at some point, but it mystically disappeared from my posts.  This was the first time it happened, and I hope it was the last.  I had one person post it as a +1 on Google plus.  I had gotten finished with the third part of it, and I could not find part 2.   Strange.  But I do know one thing, If this keeps up, me and Blogger may have to part ways with this blog too.   There are so many things I want to talk about and do, and I cannot have anything like this happen again.

Affiliates...

There comes a time in one's life when you have to re-evaluate some things.  One of them is finances.  Now, I am not one of those people who beg for funds, but I need an outlet, and two years ago, I started hearing about affiliates and how they can help your business grow.   I know I do not have a lot of traffic on my blogs, but every time I apply, I get approved for affiliates.   I would love it if someone who looks at my blogs also look at my affiliates to see if there is anything you would like to buy.  Just look, that all. After all, it is the holidays, and presents need to be gotten and bought.   Just one little look, and I promise I will not tell the person you bought it from where you got that perfect present.

Appreciation...

Have you appreciated someone lately?   I did, I appreciate my pastor.  October was Pastor's appreciation month at my church.  Nothing big, the lay speakers took her and her family out to dinner Wednesday afternoon at Olive Garden.  I am not a lay speaker, but I am the daughter of one.  My mom is one, and this is the month that she is liturgist. we had fun.  My sister wrote on Facebook that no one told her about it.  Well she would known if she had been at church Sunday.  That just the breaks,lol.

Appointments... (oh my, I sense a pattern of words, all starting with app, LOL)

I had a doctor's appointment Wednesday (before going to dinner), and she told me I was 10 pounds over my BMI (Body mass index).  Ok, this is the first time she has scolded me for doing so, so now, I have to watch what I eat.  I tell you, it is all of this self employment thing I am doing, LOL.  If I do not finish something that I want to finish, I will stay up all night (like I am now, LOL), and take care of it.  If I am hungry, I will eat.   I need to change my habit.  Anyway, I was sick as well, because I had a flu shot, and this is the first time I got sick from it.  I feel better now.

Last item, Young and The Restless...

Do you watch this?  I do...sadly.  I have been watching it since 1997, and I am hooked.  I have some thoughts on the subject:  They need to get rid of the following people; Victor (yes I know he makes the show, but come on now, does he have to to be so cold), Jack (the feud has to end), Adam (no comment), Sharon (a clepto and a Arsonist, good choice writers), Nick (Gold-digger, but I am glad he finally said no to his father), Nikki (no comment), and Kevin (never liked him).  I am not writing them off just yet, because this soap has new writers, so it will be interesting to see how each character is in the future.  For those who do watch and wondering why I did not mention Phyllis, well, she is a basket case, and interesting to watch.

What is your take on the subjects I wrote about? I am in this challenge to write something everyday for the next 30 days.  so what do you want me to cover during this challenge?   I am staying away from the following subjects:  the election and anything that have already been written about already in this blog.  Fair enough?   Talk to you tomorrow.
 

All signup and ready to go.

NaBloPoMo (Photo credit: underdutchskies)

November is National Blog Post Month.  I am participating through Blogher, and I am supposed to blog everyday.  OK, those of you who keep up with me know about me blogging in everyday, so this is a challenge for me.  I have only signup this blog, because it is a generalized blog.  My challenge to myself is to blog something in my blogs everyday for 30 days.  Humm, that means:

MDN Creates:  30 days of something that involves scrapbooking, making cards, journaling, scrapbook reviews and such.
Tricia's Baskets: 30 days of Longaberger action.
Simply Organized Crafts:  30 days of organizational tips, interior decorating, recipes, family type stuff.
Traveling to the Mouse's House:  30 days of Disney, Disney, and more Disney.
My Crafty Couponer Deals:  30 days of shopping deals, coupons, and Black Friday (Ohhh)
And on this one:  30 days of Inspirational, life, reviews of shows (I am trying to keep that to a slow crawl), and generic stuff.

It is going to be fun, and I hope I never run out of subjects to talk about.  So I am all signed up and I am ready to go. I will talk to you tomorrow.

Hey, What are you reading?

(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Do you love to read?  I do, and I read anything and everything.  I have read how to books that can bore you to tears to incredible steamy love stories, that transform you to that moment in time, and then you forget what time it is.  I have also read erotica stories (you know, Zane and her stories).  I have gotten out of those stories, because well her stories leave enough for the imagination and then some.  Not only that, but even though God sees all, and knows all, I still may have to answer to that in Heaven, and I am not ready for that, LOL.
Anyway, since I got my smartphone last December, I started reading e-books, and I have switch them to my Ipad a few weeks ago, but I keep a copy of them on phone just in case.  I have found both the Ibooks and  Kindle apps for the Ipad very pleasing for me.  I have yet to try the Nook apps, and I will let you know what I think of it soon, or not.  I also have Overdrive, which allows me to borrow e-books from my library.  At first, when I was making a choice of what I was going to use for a e-reader, I thought that I was going to get a Kindle for the e-reader, and the Ipad for everything else.  I since learned that I do not need a separate e-reader to take care of what I need, which is to simply read a book.
So what do I have on my Kindle app?  I have all kinds of stuff from cookbooks to organizing to a sampling of this book:



Just got it.  It is part of my online reading group's book choice for the month.   I am going to read it, and if I like it, I am going to download a pay for the rest of it.
So again, what are you reading?  More important, is it a traditional book or do you have an e-reader?  I still go to the library, I still order books, and I still have my print versions of my magazine subscriptions, as well as the e-version of these same magazines.
So with that end, be blessed everyday, and I will talk to you real soon.

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Dependency on Techie.

(Photo credit: hjl)

I never knew I would be one of them.  I am wondering how did it happen this way.  I thought I was careful not to let this happen to me.  I thought I was old enough to know better but I wasn't.  I am just like everyone else in this country, and perhaps the world.  Today, I was heating up my lunch.  I had stopped working long enough to make lunch. Well actually, it was a frozen entree.  I had followed the instructions to the letter, "5 mins", that is all the package said.  I turned on the microwave, and before the lunch was finished, it happened.  My microwave oven quit on me.  It was over 10 years old, and I knew I had to replace it soon, but I was hoping for a nice Christmas present from the folks.  I could not ask them, because dad had just bought me an Ipad 2, and told me that it was my early Christmas present.  So I did what every too lazy to turn on the oven person would do, I ate it as is. Now I have an oversize timer, because that is the only thing that works on the microwave.  Yes, I am a dependent of the microwave.
About 2 hours ago, I was watching a you tube video when all of a sudden, Google Chrome quit on me.  Ok, I started it back up.  It would not connect to Facebook, which I use as my go to home page. Next, I tried to retrieve my email on Outlook, it would not connect either.  Skype crashed as well as Windows Live.  I got into a panic, which I quickly recovered, long enough to notice that my WiFi had crashed (tried it with my Ipad, and could not get connected).  I tried to call my cable company (I have Time Warner), but my home phone was disconnected, and I got a busy signal from my smartphone.  I thought they cut off my cable, but the television was working, and since when Verizon and Time Warner was one in the same company. (It could happen, but not that fast, unless I was asleep under a rock).  So I turn off the computer.  I shut it completely down, let it purge data (or whatever this thing does when it is in the off position), and then I restarted it.  Now it is acting like nothing happened.  I have my phones working perfectly, checked email, and of course I am writing this post.
I finished doing almost everything a few moments ago, decided that I was not sleepy, and wanted to play a game of Free cell solitaire on this machine.  As I reached up with the mouse pointer to grab the Ace of Diamonds, it dawned on me about the last few hours of technology disasters, the incident with the microwave and now my computer system, IPad, and phones, we depend too much on technology.   I am old enough to remember the phone attached to the wall, with an actual phone company servicing the phones, not a cable company.  My parents did not have bundled packages containing cable, phone and internet access when I was a child.  They do now.  Not only that, my grandparents, who are now gone, warmed stuff in a pan on the stove, that was gas powered.  I refuse to touch a gas stove, being afraid of leaving the pilot light on.  There was no such thing as a microwave oven in the house. If they wanted information, they turned to the local news, the library, or the next door neighbor.  Everyone had a nosy neighbor.  I can barely remember my neighbor's name and what shift she works.  We talk, but I am usually running out the door or in the door from somewhere.  I live in an all electric home, which is fine for me, until one winter 2006 when the lights went out, and I could not get any heat to save a life.  I had to have someone help me get my car out of the garage, because I have a door opener, and I am too short to reach up, pull the lever to release the door, so I can left it up manually, back the car out, and then let the door back down manually.
Do not get me wrong, I love technology, but sometimes I wonder if I love it too much.   I had problems this past weekend with same cable company.  They said they did not receive my payment, and they called to leave a message on my phone (home land line phone).  It was done electronically. I had to call some stupid 866 number, verified that I was the owner of the bill by pressing a number on the phone, enter the amount of the check on the phone and the date paid, which was the 17th.  Then I got back on the phone, called the number I usually dial when I am having tech problems, and told a human rep that I want a human being to call me next time they are having problems.  The reason?  In case I have questions.  No VRU (Voice Response Unit) will ever answer questions and help you understand the situation. It is always push 1 for this, push 2 for that.  I realize that they want to expedite problem questions to the right people, but when I worked in customer service call centers, I had to know everything.   Now if I have a question about something, if these people do not know the answer to that question, they will transfer you in a heartbeat, which is usually to someone else who does not does not know the answer either.
Well it if you do not mind, it is time for me to go for another round of solitaire or read a chapter of an ebook I downloaded with Ipad before I close my eyes in my non-tech bed.
Be blessed everyday.

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