Googling

Did you know that the word "googling" is actually in our dictionary now?  It is considered a verb, meaning to use an internet search engine, particularly google, such as "she spent the morning googling aimlessly".  Or, to search for the name of someone, or something on the internet.  When I was a kid, "googling" was a description of the sounds a baby makes.  Of course, a lot of things are different when searching for anything, since I was a kid.

If I needed a phone number, there was the phone book.  Quite large, with different sections to it, it was quite the adventure exploring its pages.  The yellow pages was all businesses listed under category, for example, restaurants would bring up all the local restaurants in your area.  Sometimes it would be tricky trying to figure out just what section to look under.  The white pages was divided into two areas... business names, and residential or personal names.  And for personal names, the phone number was listed under the parents name.  And if your friends last name was Smith or Jones, you could forget it.  There would be pages and pages to sort through.

If I was looking for a person, this was usually handled by word of mouth.  You would talk to... so and so, who knew.. you know who, who was friends with... what's her name, and she knew the phone number of the person you were searching.

And you may wonder how we ever got around without google maps optimization?  Directions were given as...you know where Jack In The Box on Genesee Ave and Balboa?  Two blocks past Jack In The Box, there's that baseball field?  Turn right at the baseball field, and you know Pacific that takes you down to the beach?  Turn there and follow it to Scripps Clinic.  So and so lives just behind it.  Simple.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Pimpin' My Ride

I saw a sign the other day that read used semi trucks for sale.  I thought what an interesting job that would be to be able to see the country first hand, on the road.  It seems everyone wants to fly over our country rather than experience it.  You would spend a lot of time in that truck cab since you would  eat, sleep and work there.
I would want the interior to be comfortable and fit my personality, interests, and needs.  After all, if I'm going to drive across the country, I would want to do it in style.  How do they say it?  I would "pimp my ride"!

My bed would have luxurious high thread count sheets with a colorful comforter.  The black out curtains would be a nice pattern that felt like home.  And rather than the boring gray or black floor mats, I would get the whole thing custom carpeted.  I would cover my seats with fabric that felt cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

I also learned that you can install an inverted to "push" your electronics so you can have a flat screen TV with DVD player.  And my sound system would be incredible and of course, accommodate my iPod so I would have all my favorite tunes.  And although I would not use my lap top while driving, I would have a charger so that it would be up and ready to go whenever I stopped.

And lastly, if I had room, why not add a small refrigerator?  Or a toaster?  Yes, my semi would be my home away from home and I would travel the country while enjoying it.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Why Me?

I have been blessed with a good job, working for truly good people, however, this has not always been the case.  My search to find this job was long and hard.  I was in a no end job which was boring, exhausting, and the hours were awful.  I searched for six months, doing all the usual things, like calling, interviewing, and filling out applications.  In the end, it was my resume that saved me.

For the position I now hold, my employer received over 200 emails in response to his ad in the newspaper.  And this was all on the first day it posted.  Out of the 200, he chose to call me for a phone interview.  This lead to an interview in person, where he divulged why he was touched by my resume and felt compelled to call me.

I included a picture at the top right hand corner of my resume.  Be assured that I'm no drop dead beauty.  At the time I was a small, 43 year old woman with graying hair.  What added to the picture was that in the area of Certifications, I listed that I was forklift certified.  I have always felt that the more you know, the more valuable you are to your employer.  I learned all I could, and certified in everything I could at my previous job, and it was paying off.  My potential new employer couldn't believe that this less than intimidating woman in the picture was forklift certified, and he had to see it for himself, and in the end, offered me the job.

A lesson to remember whether you are writing your resume yourself, or using a free resume builder.  Include those unusual things that set you apart from the hundreds of others who will undoubtedly apply for the job you are seeking.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Our Kitchen Counter

Our kitchen is where all the action is... whether we're sitting around talking, playing a game, doing homework, baking, painting fingernails, administering first aid... it all happens in our kitchen.  It's the hang out.  And with our kitchen, anything goes.

We are a game playing family... and a competitive family.  And not just the regular board games like Ticket to Ride, or Settlers of Cataan.  We create our own games.  Crazy games.  One game involved coming down the hall weaving in and out of the bar stools, throwing a ball into a cup or bowl, sliding across the counter, and countless other obstacles all within the confines of the kitchen.  And you were timed.  Then of course, everyone would like to go again and again trying to beat the best time.  We have had anywhere from 65 pounds to 190 pounds sliding across our kitchen counter at top speeds.

Since the first time the nail polish was spilled on the carpet, a new rule was established that all manicures and pedicures were to be done in the kitchen.  I can't tell you how many times we played "Salon" and had a plate of  Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies to serve as I applied the polish.

Dying Easter Eggs is a holiday tradition and thank goodness for a countertop sealer to protect from the many drops and spill of egg dye.  At Halloween, this counter is full of sliced pumpkin bread and a crock pot full of cider for cold Trick or Treaters.  Thanksgiving brings countless pies created and Christmas fills the counter with candies and cookies.  New Years and the counter is covered with snacks and plastic champagne glassed filled with sparkling cider.

If our kitchen counter could talk.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Graduation Trips

Whenever one of my kids graduates from high school I offer them one of two things.  They can either have some money to help with college, or the two of us can go on a trip together.  I don't think I need to tell you which one I prefer!  They choose the destination... within reason.

My oldest chose a trip to New York City.  She's my performing arts girl and dreamed of living in New York since she was very young.  It was positively fun, fun, fun.  We wondered all over, ate New York food which was fabulous, rode the subway, and saw a Broadway show.  She moved to New York after graduation and is still there to this day.  You'd think I'd be more careful about how far I take them, but another daughter chose Cancun, Mexico.

We relaxed on the beach, nearly drowned in the ocean (another blog), drank virgin pina coladas, zip lined through the jungle, and explored Chichen Itza.  We had an incredible time and have a photo album full of incredible memories.  Although we had the time of our lives, fortunately, she did not feel compelled to live there.

Next up for graduation is my youngest, and does she have a trip planned!  She has always wanted to learn to surf and has chosen Hawaii as her destination.  Apparently on the island of Maui there is an all inclusive surf camp... but not just a "camp".  The have chefs there preparing healthy meals, tropical smoothies, and nutritious snacks.  There is yoga, and massage, and countless other spa services.  And each morning and afternoon you take surf lessons.  Honestly is sounds more like a weight loss health spa!  But among the beautiful Hawaii islands, I'm sure we will never notice.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Your Day of The Week

Every family has their plumbing concerns.  The plugged up toilet.  The leaky faucet.  The time you forgot you were filling the bathtub up and it overflowed.  The loose hose on the washing machine.  The time you had to purchase a water heater replacement.  Everything, plus the kitchen sink.  Aaah... the kitchen.

I have always teased my children that the reason I had seven kids was so that I would have one kid to do the dishes each day of the week.  And that is exactly what we did with the chores.  Each one would choose their day of the week, according to their commitments with soccer practice, basketball practice, dance, piano lessons, theater rehearsal, etc...  On this day, you were responsible for ALL the dishes of that day.  Basically, keeping the kitchen clean was your responsibility.  By the next morning, EVERYTHING should be washed and the kitchen clear for the next siblings wash day.  If this was not accomplished there was a stiff penalty.  You had ALL the dishes for the following day as well.  And the person who had that day, did nothing.  The kids were very strategic.  They knew who was most likely to falter.  I won't name names, but the minute this person would choose their day, for example Tuesday.  The wise children immediately would want to claim Wednesday, knowing full well that they may get a lot of days off!

Now having the children do the dishes was great because they really learned how to keep the kitchen clean.  And they worked hard at it.  The got after each other about leaving dishes all over the house, or using multiple cups throughout the day, and not rinsing their dishes when they were done.  I didn't have to nag.  They nagged each other.  But the one draw back was their haste in getting their dishes done and our disposal took the brunt of it.

Why go to the garbage can to scrap a plate when you have this contraption that grinds up anything?  So they thought.  It is safe to say they have also learned that the tiny baby spoons won't make it through the disposal.  Chicken bones will break up, but it doesn't sound pretty.  And the remains of an artichoke, leaves and all will definitely break the disposal!  And now that most are married and living on a budget, they remember this when it comes to their disposal.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Per Diem

My 16 year old daughter and I had an opportunity to go to New Orleans this year and it was fabulous!  Not a place I would want to live necessarily, but definitely a city full of fun things to do.  And what is the most fun a 16 year old girl can do?  Shop!  And shop we did!

We were very fortunate to have been given per diem money for the event we came for, and as I explained that "per diem" was money for food, and travel expenses, my daughter had that gleam in her eye.  The shopping gleam!  And I must admit, it was a golden opportunity.  We loved to walk... and walk we did.  We didn't go out to eat that much at home, so we could definitely be on the conservative side as far as spending money on meals.  So that did give us this extra money.

We... or I should say... she found item after item.  First there was the incredibly adorable daisy umbrella.  Everyone has to have one right?  And then there were clothes... and not just any clothes.  These were clothes that no one in her high school would have...exclusive clothes.  And of course we needed to buy gifts for all of her brothers and sisters.  And there were a few close friends.  And then there was jewelry.  And shoes.  But the thing that really absorbed a lot of our per diem was The Southern Candy Makers.  A warm praline is like nothing I have ever had in my life.  If it wasn't for the per diem, our next stop would have been to a  New Orleans bankruptcy lawyer!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. 

However, the views and opinions are my own.

Sunny San Diego

"Green" is everywhere these days.  There are constant reminders for us to remember to make a difference with our planet.  It is in the news.  You hear about it in politics, particularly now with an election year.  Fashion has green clothing, or green shoes.  Technology talks of being green.  It is on the internet.  It is literally in everything you do.  That's wonderful, but my Dad was making a difference over 40 years ago... and we thought he was crazy.

We moved to sunny San Diego, California in the 70's from Annapolis, Maryland.  The idea of fun in the sun was etched in our minds as we drove over 2000 miles to our new home.  We were young, and naturally whined having to leave our friends, go to a new school, and all the changes.  And when we got to San Diego and saw our new house we continued to complain until my Dad uttered two words that caught our attention:  the pool.  He said, "And we'll build a pool right in the backyard!"  Wait a minute.  Go back.  "We'll build a what?"  Needless to say there were no more complaints.

When my Dad got done it was fantastic!  He took us on a tour.  Showed us the deep end and the diving board, and the shallow end with the slide.  And on the hill behind the pool were giant grey panels.... really weird looking.  My Dad explained that they were solar generators and would heat the pool.  Yeah... we thought he had lost it.  He's completely gone wacky.  I was young... but still... I should have known better.  My Dad was an engineer and he was in sunny San Diego where the sun shines over 250 days a year!  My Dad was brilliant.  And he was green before green was cool.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. 

However, the views and opinions are my own.

Truck Drivers Needed

I have a son who loves trucks.  When he was little we moved into our first home, a new neighborhood full of construction.  We were one of the first families to have our home completed and so we moved in amidst the construction.  Although I remember it as dusty, my son was forever entertained.  Dump trucks.  Digging trucks.  And then of course, the garbage truck had to come down our street for our garbage.  He frequently ate his breakfast on the front steps of our house just to watch the many trucks at work.  In the winter, I wouldn't let him eat on the front porch, but he sat at our front window just for glimpse of the snow plow truck.

As he grew, trucks still were still a fascination for him.  Walking to school, he would frequently become distracted and therefore late, due to a truck.  When he got to junior high, naturally there were other things on his mind, but if a truck rolled by, he always took a long hard look.  Running errands one day, he quickly pointed out a sign that read "Truck Drivers Needed".  It was his dream job.  He never realized that the sign was meant for semi truck long haul drivers.

He could not believe that you could actually have a job where all you got to do was drive trucks.  One day, maybe a dump truck.  The next day, you could drive the garbage truck.  And in the winter, he would get to drive the snow plow truck.  I explained that the sign meant you would carry product in a large trailer that you would pull with your semi and take it all over the country.  I thought he might be disappointed, but he wasn't.  This was a huge truck and he thought it sounded like a pretty good job.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. 

However, the views and opinions are my own.

The Tangible and Intangible

When trying to make that decision on whether to go back to school or not, there are countless reasons, both tangible and intangible.

You'll make more money is a very real reason.  You'll have a lifetime of increased opportunities.  More job openings, more promotions.  Let's face it.  You'll just plain and simple be qualified for more.  Having a graduate degree will also make you more marketable for these positions and promotions.

The less material reasons include, the critical thinking and reasoning skills you learn in college.  This knowledge will last a lifetime.  Knowing you earned your degree will also give you a lifetime of pride to yourself, your family, and friends.  You will naturally gain a confidence and sense of self because graduating from college is no small task.  And I love the opportunity to live in another part of the country.  Growing up by the ocean in San Diego, I think going to the Rockies to attend MBA programs Colorado would be exciting and new.

There is no question that getting your degree is fraught with many challenges from the expense, time, and pressure.  All in all, the rewards from gaining your college degree far outweigh the challenges.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Set Up A Billing System

When you start a small business, usually with a small team, the most important question will always be:  How do we collect payment from our customers?  Without collecting payment, well, there's no chance of success, but this can be a bothersome part of starting your business.  There's so many other things you need to working on.

Setting up a business is complicated, just the task of collecting payment has numerous parts to it.  Accepting an online payment, managing customer accounts, generating invoices, processing credit card payments, the list goes on.  Set up a billing system and your list is gone.

Payment Card Industry Compliance is crazy complicated and it's just not what you do.  You obviously are creative and anxious to perfect your product or service and complying with the credit card standards is a long process.  Set up a billing system and this process is simple... for you.

And you'll want more than a billing system.  The customer data you acquire from billing is very useful sales information, but who has time to gather and sort this information?  You should be out selling your business, building your business.  Set up a billing system and your sales date is coordinated just for you.

Setting up a billing system will give your business a new momentum and guide you toward success.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.