Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve. And many many blessings to you into the New Year. Its a time of renewal, of looking back, but also looking forward, and striving to overcome those things that have held you back. Caused your regrets. Do you make resolutions? I’m not make a “to do” list, but I would like to continue on the positive path I’m on, and I “resolve” to continue to doing that. Happy New Year, everyone.
With the enticement of Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, one can’t help but think of Orlando as the perfect place for a family vacation. With 52 theme parks …and beaches within a 40 minute drive, what a great place to spend Spring Break or a family vacation. But regardless of the attractions that draw you there, there is always lodging to consider. Orlando Vacation.com is the leading hotel & vacation home consolidator. One example is this: For a limited time, you can purchase a 5-Day Park Hopper ticket for less than you would pay at the Disney gate for a 3-Day Park Hopper pass. All you have to do is book a stay at one of their participating Orlando hotels or vacation homes and they will make sure you receive this special ticket rate. They only require a $50 refundable deposit at the time of booking. The balance is not charged until 15 days prior to your arrival. Book online and their easy to navigate system will get your headed towards that vacation you and your family have been dreaming of taking.
What are my ambitions and dreams?
I know I keep repeating myself here, but right now, my ambitions and dreams all center around one thing — balance and consistency. I want to strive to be the best person I can be, and weighing what I do, its an almost impossible feat. Just getting through the day is sometimes all I can do, let along living life to the fullest. There has to be more to life than that. I’m on my way, I have turned things around to where I am weighing less, feeling better, getting our finances in order - life truly is better than it has been in a long time. But there is so much more to do that would make it better. And no, I’m not chasing an impossible dream. I know there is that fine line one can cross, where no matter what you do, its not good enough, and then you are never happy. But I don’t think that is where I am at. There is a whole different mentality one lives when you are morbidly obese. You look at life and everything it holds in a different way because you have to play by different rules. There is the physical aspect of it, there is the mental aspect of it, and the emotional. I dream of being thin. To succeed at something that I put my mind to do, and actually achieve it. I am really really good at having all these great ideas of what I would like to do … plan to do….even start to do. But, all my life, I have let those ideas slip away, and become regrets, not successes. I am going to make 2007 a year of success. THAT is my ambition for the moment and setting my dreams, that are already in motion, ahead of me and making it happen.
What are my top 5 needs? (according to Go deeper, Reach higher .. journaling for Self Empowerment).
1. Time managment, control, tracking/measuring progress
2. Planning
3. Committment
4. Focusing
5. Spiritual Connection
(also Balance, improved relationships and organization).
There are 3 or 4 focuses in my life that I want to center 2007 around … spiritual growth, weight loss, money management, and just balancing things out in general. They are all do-able things. They are all things that are happening now. But they are all things that can be improved on. I am proud of the fact that I CAN say they are all things “progress” right now. The last few “new years”, I couldn’t say that. I could say they were things I would like to concentrate on, things that needed to be addressed, but I could not say they were already set in motion. I have accomplished that much this year…setting them in motion. Now its just a matter of keeping them going, and reaching as far as I can to be the best I can be.
Back in the ’80’s, we worked in a family owned business (my husband’s family), and we traveled all over the United States … Milwaukee, Tulsa, Dallas, and Puyallup were just a few of the cities on our “circuit” (we manufactured puppets and plush animals, and then sold them retail at fairs during the summer). Of all the places we were, we both had to agree that Puyallup, WA was our very favorite place to go. We absolutely loved it there. It is a quaint little town just outside of Seattle. And we both agreed that if for some reason we would ever have to leave Kansas and move somewhere else, we would head north and make Seattle or the surrounding area our home.
Now granted, back then, living in a condo probably wouldn’t have been an option. But, as we are getting older, only two more years before the last child is out of the house, then purchasing a condo — looking at Seattle Condos to be specific — becomes more and more of an option. Seattle.condocompany.com has a program that allows various types of people such as Realtors, Owners, and Developers to list condos for sale in Seattle. This allows people like us searching for Seattle condos to find the contact information of the listing agent or owner of each condo, bypassing any middlemen.
Sounds like a plan to me!
What do I most dislike about myself and need to accept?
Even though we have a system in place that is working, I still dislike the fact that managing money is just not something I can do properly. Which is ironic, since in the jobs I have had over the years, it included that. But, it never was up to me to, bottom line, decide what needed to be paid when. I have kept the books, but for other people who wrote the checks. But, I don’t like that I can’t handle my own money. And I could wheel and deal with David to change our system, and he might cave and allow whatever I want to do to happen.
But I don’t want to do that. Whatever it is we are doing, its works. And I just need to accept it, and continue doing as we have been doing.
What life challenges do I want to resolve?
I won’t say my life is perfect, because it is far from it. And maybe I am deluding myself here, but honestly, from my perspective, life is almost pretty good. I’m losing weight; getting my spending habits under control. I’m chipping away at the disaster of a house, which is a major feat in itself. I loved my aunt dearly, and I miss her — but she is no longer a challenge. What life challenges do I want to resolve? I think the thing that bugs me the most right now about my life, about me, is the house situation. We just have so many stacks of things sitting around. Some of it is my stuff, from 25 years of accumulation. Some of it is my aunt’s stuff, and even my mom’s.
I would like to challenge myself to resolve “a room a month”. Pick a room, and just keep at it, that one particular room, decluttering, and just dealing with — whatever it is that makes it “company unfriendly” — and get that room, and then eventually, my house to where, someone stops by, it is “oh, hi, come on in” … rather than meeting them at the door and talking through an open door. *Sigh.
When Matt was here Christmas morning … the plan was, we took all the gifts out to David’s sister’s house where we were celebrating the “family” Christmas. In the “real” world, I would have had all my kids here first, and then we would have gone out. Well… maybe. It really actually wouldn’t have happened that way, because Sarah didn’t get her kids until noon Christmas day, and then its an hours drive down from Topeka. So, celebrating Christmas morning with all the kids wouldn’t have worked anyway, no matter what condition my house was in. But. Something Matt said, spurs me on to try and do something about it. He would like to have Christmas “here” next year. Yes, we will probably still go out to David’s mom’s or sister’s house for that family Christmas … but he is wanting “his” family to have Christmas here.
That is my goal for this upcoming year. To have my house in order enough to have “my” family Thanksgiving or Christmas … here.
And that….truly…. is. A. Challenge. But one I’m reading to take on.
In another lifetime (and in another marriage), I used to live in Michigan — not far from Chicago. And I have to admit, I really did enjoy living there, the changing of the seasons, and just that part of the country in general. Moving to any part of the country can be confusing, so if I were to consider moving to this part of the country, I might consider the New Castle Realty Group. They specialize in Chicago real estate in the 7 county area of Northeastern Illinois, which includes the City of Chicago, and over 180 surrounding cities. They can provide someone who is looking to move there with detailed information on population, school systems, income levels, churches, commuter systems, and local attractions. Their agents provide detailed listings of homes that meet what it is you need in a home, and schedule appointments to view these properties. Let the New Castle Realty Group take the hassle and confusion out of moving to Chicago if this is the part of the country your next move takes you.
What financial matter do I most need to tackle?
At this point, it would be saving. At one point in my life, it would have been credit card debt, or “telling David” about our financial unstability. But, strangely enough, we have moved past that. We have an unorthodox system, but hey, if it works, then we need to continue doing it. We have 3 bank accounts. He has one at Bank #1. He deposits his check there, and that pays most of our bills. He has another account at Bank #2. Basically, its “my” account, but he manages the money for me. I deposit both of my paychecks in there, and we make our house payment out of it, and what it costs me for my weight loss program. If I want or need extra money, “just because” — it has to go through him, and only if there is money enough there, as well as looking ahead to make sure there is enough money to make the monthly house payment.
Then there is there is a 3rd account. Its at the same bank as his second account where my money goes. Its “my” account. Its a checking account, but I have no checks for it. Doesn’t that make sense:) Its where my paypal stuff goes in and out. For the longest time, it was mostly just going out. I would get extra money from him from time to time to pay for the monthly bill on having my website, as well as the church’s website. And if I wanted to order graphics or whatever. But now, we have a lot more going in. We decided last week that with my PayPerPost earnings and such, that with every $100, I would do an electronic depost, and get it headed towards my bank account. It takes 3 - 4 to do that, and so by automatically doing that, the money then would be there if we need it, instead of “needing it” — but having to wait that 3-4 day time period.
Right now I only have $25 in there. But thats a good thing. I pulled $400 out of it to give to David. AND, we checked Friday, and there is enough in HIS account at that bank to make our house payment (and its not due until the 10th … so thats like 3 more checks).
So…. however we are doing it — it working. This “getting paid to blog” is a big factor, and a real source of income to me — which has be earmarked as “play money”. Only…as it has been since day 1, I want my “play money” to go towards a laptop. So. At the beginning of the year, I want to focus, focus, focus, and get that account build up where we can go buy a laptop, and I can do it MYSELF and not need any money from David.
After that. I just want the money to build. To have a nice little nest egg. There are many things we say we need to get a new one … so maybe thats what we’ll do next year…. one by one, replace our old and almost worn out appliances. But in the meantime, I do have to say, going from the “queen of denial” where finances are concerned and messing things up royally, over and over and over….it does feel good to … #1: not be in the situation anymore. and #2: be able to contribute to the family’s financial situation in a good and positive way. After 23 years of marriage…its about time!
What would I really like to do this month?
Which would actually be - “next month” — January. What would I like to do? continue on with what I am doing right now. Keywords: Consistency. Stick to the rules. Watch the numbers. The scales go down, the back account go up. Miles add up. I am doing something about all of these things, and have done OK. In January, I would like to do better. Again — that word — consistency. Allow the bank account to grow, with blinders on. No shopping trips. No mindless wandering through cyberland, looking for something to spend money on, but not really having a clue to what it might be. And to continue walking, and the food plan I’m on. 2007 is going to be a great year. 2006 wasn’t bad, in the respect of “self” — it was bad in the sense of losing yet another one that I love. But, in the self improvement area, I am actually on the right track for a change. Just a matter of continuing and improving.
We don’t venture out of our town very often, and a vacation is pretty much unheard of in this household. But there is this fascination with Disney World. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to the magic land of Disney. The best of the best of theme parks and multi-attractions. But, planning such a trip has to be overwhelming at best. Plane tickets or driving. Hotels. Motels. And then when you actually are there … Disneyquest, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks … how do you ever decide? the theme park, dinner shows, and many many other attractions.. Orlando Fun Tickets.com is there to make the decisions easier for you. Many Disney World tickets are available for many different days and options in a package called “Disney Magic Your Way”. For the lowest prices and personal service, visit Orlandofuntickets.com.
Coming from the rural Midwest, I am just totally fascinated by how the rest of the world lives. What it would be like to live next to the ocean or in the mountains. To live where you have sunshine and warm temps most of the year. HomeSalesSanDiego.com is a premier real estate referral and in-depth information website. It gives buyers and sellers reviews of San Diego real estate. How does one go about buying property like this? Where would you start? and how could you narrow it down to which town and which house. There are so many beautiful La Jolla Homes for example. Home Sales San Diego.com is a great place to bookmark for community information, and a home sales facts and figures. You can browse their website from the comfort of your home.
When I was growing up, only men who had been in the Navy had tattoos. I’m sure that is a stero-type, and that there were others that had tattoos as well. But I do know for sure that they did not have the popularity they have today. Everyone — men and women alike don tattoos. From a delicate flower hidden away, to full body tattoos, it seems like everyone has them. Even my stepdaughters! and one of my 3 sons has one as well. At RankMyTattoos.com, you can find information, profiles, jewelry, and some of the best tattoo and piercing pictures around.
Tattoo designsare as unique as the individual that choses to put that particular design on his or her body. RankMyTattoos.com gives you tattoo design advice as well has having a great collection of tattoo flash to help you make that “for a lifetime” choice. They also have a great display of temporary tattoos — for those of us who feel tattoos are a little too permanent. Temporary would definately be my choice. Since tattoos are permanent, temporary ones allow you to “check it out” without committing.
In my little world of just writing about my life, and trying to make a few extra dollars getting paid to blog, I realize that is where I am — in my own little world. I’m slowly learning, but I just did not realize just how important websites are to the business they are representing. Yes –you type in “handbags” in Google, and this whole list of sites to go off exploring pop up, and off I go. I never stopped to think just “why” one sight is listed closer to the top over another. Again, its the whole “light switch” mentality. Flip the switch, you have light. Flip the switch the opposite way, the light goes out. But, did you ever stop to think what has to occur to make that all happen. Web sites and Search engines and the whole internet thing — is much like that. There is so much about it I accept and don’t even think about. There is so much I don’t understand.
USWeb specializes in search engine marketing and is an online marketing firm that designs, develops, and implements custom web systems and integrated online marketing solutions that focus on brand awareness, audience development, and customer retention. Their search engine marketing services are designed to get you noticed. Its a dog-eat-dog world out there. USWeb was founded in 1995, and has offices across the United States. They are known for being the most experienced, qualified and professional Internet consultants in the world.
I’m not a million dollar business…just a simple family oriented gal living her life in rural America. But even I have taken away some important information from their website on how to improve the traffic at my website, and how SEO plays an important part in all of this.
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Surgery-Directory.com is a blog that covers many various links on the subject they are blogging about, whether it be breast reduction, or Liposuction. a face lift, or even cheek implants or eyelid surgery. They provide a directory that contains some of today’s leading plastic surgeons and their internet advertising company. They welcome any relevant, quality sites to add links and articles. Their goal is develop a guide to the net’s best resources for medical, health, surgical, and related information.
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Christmas is past. Millions and millions of dollars have been spent during this time of “giving”. With some people, it has been a year long project, buying during the year, instead of waiting until the last minute. Or saving money during the year, so that when it becomes Christmas shopping time, the extra expense of the season doesn’t take its toll.
But, there are millions of people who work hard, but still have to live from paycheck to paycheck. An added expense like Christmas, or even just an unexpected bill or getting sick and having to miss work, meaning even a smaller paycheck, can put them in a situation where emergency money is needed. Nationalpayday.com can help give them emergency cash they need until their next payday. They are one of the nation’s oldest online paycheck advance and payday loan companies.
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As I become more and more involved with various things on the internet, having a website and a blog, I am slowly realizing the importance of links and Search engines. How many times a day do I go to Google to search for different sites of interest? And this is just on a “have fun”, “personal blog and website” level. I can only imagine how important being ranked with Google can be for those in business, whether it be an online store, or retail store around the corner, or a major corporation in the center of New York City.
Net Results.com has an extensive article on how to build back links. The article goes over several don’ts; and then on to good, as well as common sense things to do to build backlinks. I still have a lot to learn about the “whys” and “hows” of link building, but this is definately a good article to start with to becoming more informed.
Its been a few years since my “jean wearing” days, so I am kinda out of the loop to what is “in” where jeans are concerned. But, according to Couture-Clothing.com, Seven Jeans are one of the most sought after denim jeans on the market today. The design team plays close attention to the fit, finishes, fabrics and detail to offer the jean wearing generation a line of jeans that are enjoyed by men and women alike.
After Googling Seven Jeans, I can see why they are popular. Oh, to have a cute little figure like that to show off new Seven Jeans. I can dream, can’t I?
…is my two front teeth. If this is something the residents of Alexandria, VA are wanting, they are fortunate to have a well established dental care provider among them. Hayfield Dental Care has been serving Alexandria and surrounding area since 1987, and has seen more than 23,000 different patients. That is a impressive track record. Because of the training their dentists have gone through, they can perform almost any procedure for in the general, family and cosmetic dentistry field. They also employ a full time specialist in orthodontics. It sounds to me if you live in this area, and you have any problems that require dental care, this is the place to call.
How can I free up more time for myself?
I think the top of the list of freeing up time for myself is to stop wasting time! Be happy with the the look and layout of my blog. Concentrate on the task at hand, and do what needs to be done. Bottom line. I work 40 hours a week. Not unusual for most women these days. I come home, usually start supper, we eat, dishes … and then the evening is mine. So many times I just mindlessly surf the internet, or when I do go visiting, I’ll head off in a total different direction than I intended to. If I’m going to be a “real player” in this “getting paid to blog” thing, I need to treat it like another job, and just set part of the evening to do this, and…. just do it. Focus, do what is set there for me, and forget about playing around. I know that in all of this, esp. if I am going to treat it like a job, there is still that “time for myself” factor. But, this is my play money, so the “job” doing it should be considering “playing”. But, just seeing what I was able to do this holiday season, to help David with finances, has been awesome. His birthday was yesterday, and not only was it pretty terrefic that I could buy him something special — all on my own — but also, as I shared with him…the best present I could have given him this year, which I have done — is that I am not playing around with our finances and screwing them up as I have been known to do. PLUS, not only am I not in the “snowball effect of disaster” that I have been in so many times, BUT, I also have been able to give him extra money, as we went through the holidays, and of course, the extra expenses that go along with the holiday. Its a good feeling — literally something that money did buy, but it just feels good to be able to “give back” after all I have “taken” from this marriage and all the grief I have given him.
As the parent of a teenager who just started driving, car insurance prices is a c big issue at our house. Male. Under 21. New driver. Scary. And expensive. We live in a small rural town, so our choices of insurance places are pretty limited. Being able to shop online for car insurance is a definate plus. Car Insurance.com lists several options for my zip code, but I was particularly interested in GEICO.
GEICO has added “Teens and Trucks” to its online library of safe driving materials for teen drivers. They provide valuable information for teens on how to safely share the highway with large trucks. The GEICO teen safe driving Web site is located at http://www.geico.com/auto/safety. I like the idea of a company thinking of our new drivers, and providing interesting and informative material for
us. They provide the materials at no cost to families, driving classes, law enforcement officials and state agencies.
I appreciate that, and also a website who brings the different insurance companies all together in one spot so I can do comparison shopping, seeing what each one offers, what the cost is, deductibles, etc.
…Had a very shiny nose…. ” Even Rudolph wasn’t happy with his nose. Seriously, though, we are all born in our own unique way, and sometimes, there are body parts that we are just. not. happy. with. And we wish we could do something about it.
One such body part would be the nose. Nose surgery (or rhinoplasty) was the most popular cosmetic surgery overall in 2003. What is wanted from most rhinoplasty done on the nose is either a reduction or enlargement procedure. Everything about the nose can be modified: the tip, the bridge, the nostril size, even the angle that it meets your face and lip. Most nose surgeries are done on an outpatient basis. Only local anesthesia is required. This approach keeps the expense and time lower than a hospital operation.
If this is something you are considering, its very important to find a board-certified plastic surgeon to recieve more information on the procedure.
My son is a sophomore in High School, with the whole world before him — choices to make, dreams to follow. He has also had several invitations to travel abroad, with his interest in music and drama. He literally has the whole world to chose from, if he is so inclined to follow that path as he matures into a man. If one such path he choses is to go overseas, Saint George International is one of the longest established language training centres in central London. It focuses on Business English Courses.
At SGI, they offer intensive one-to-one programs that meet the specific needs and requirements of those in the program. The content is tailor-made for each student and are designed to help those who need to learn alot in a short amount of time. They also offer Translations Services and in-company group programs.
Ethan has his whole future ahead of him. Speaking languages and being able to communicate with different cultures would be an advantage, and depending on what field of business he goes into, it could be crucial. Saint George International is one place to start if that is the path he choses to follow.
(Morning) We are almost through the holidays. I say almost, because there is always New Years Eve, with a huge spread of munchies, and usually just sitting around talking, and…. munching. By far one of the more tedious evenings to get through. If we go somewhere, I will just need to make sure I do all my supplements for the day, and not go out hungry. And drink lots of water. That will be the key to whether or not I get through the evening successfully.
I didn’t do too bad yesterday. Again, correct portions of turkey and mashed potatoes and stuffing, and lots of raw veggies. I didn’t even give the pumpkin pie or pecan pie a 2nd look. Come to think of it, I didn’t even give it a first look. I saw pumpkin pie on David’s plate, but I really don’t remember seeing it where all the food was. What caught my attention, and what would have to be considered my “bad choice” of the day was ….. a sausage ball! David’s mom makes them, and they are — the best. I didn’t get one with my meal. But as the afternoon went on, and we were standing around the bar (where the food was) talking, I munched on a couple of carrots and celery sticks. But those sausage balls kept calling my name. *Sigh. So, I had one. I kick myself for giving in; but at the same moment, I give myself credit for making good choices all the way through and for not over eating!
But, I still questioned what the holiday eating might have done. Esp. when, last week, with all that walking, I showed no “improvement”. Seeing the rec center scales down 3 lbs from last week was JUST the boost to mentally renewing my efforts here, and going after it with a positive attitude. Seeing the scales down 3 lbs made me walk an extra lap today. Still no big deal, and yet — for me — just getting up at 6:00 IS a big deal. And walking ANY distance IS a big deal. So, I forge on, renewed in the “cause” here, and more determined than ever to make this work.
Thinning hair, balding, bald spot … these are all, typically, descriptions of problems that plagues a vast amount of the men population. But even women suffer from thin hair loss. I was blessed with thick long hair, and fortunately, as I age, it continues to be long and thick. I do know, though, if this wasn’t the case, through heredity, or other conditions, I would search for a solution.
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