You're Not The Boss Of Me

2009-07-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a very long time since I've posted here, but I just had to write about a comment that was left on this blog by someone who wishes to remain anonymous. This person has a problem with bloggers and other writers because we are self absorbed in get in their way. I find this funny since this person went out of their way to visit my blog, read a post and then leave a comment that was negative. If anyone in this scenario is an attention whore, it would be anonymous for sure. Most bloggers and writers I have met have more important things to do with their lives and make a difference in other peoples' lives by writing and blogging. I've enjoyed blogging even though I don't have much time to invest in it much anymore, but it is a great, creative outlet for me and helps me develop other creative outlets by blogging about them. If that's self absorbed, then that's what I am and I'm proud of it.

2008-08-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

On friday, I thought I was headed for a rather uneventful weekend. That was until the mail came. My mail always comes a bit later in the afternoon and friday was no exception. There were the usual junk mail envelopes and pleas to apply for yet another credit card, and then there was a letter from my gynocologist telling me that my pap smear came back abnormal and that I would have to have a test called a colposcopy. The letter then further explained the procedure with a reassurance that there was no evidence of cancer. However, I did not feel very reassured at all. Of course, by the time I got the letter, the doctor's office was just about closing and my doctor was off that day any way. Thankfully, I have good friends. I reached out to them and those who have gone through the same thing reached out to me and reassured me that it was no worse than the usual exam except that the doctor would be looking more closely through a special microscope. I'm still not happy, but I'm much calmer now and, if you believe in signs, I got a very appropriate message in my fortune cookie yesterday that said "don't allow unexpected situations throw you". That one was a keeper!

2008-08-05T07:50:00.001-07:00

I recently began a job with Zip Realty. This is an internet based real estate company that gets all their leads directly from their website and then farms the leads out to various real estate agents. Agents are not independent contractors, as with traditional real estate companies. Rather, they are actual employees of the company. They are expected to undergo rigorous training, attend all meetings, conferences (both by telephone and internet) as well as mandatory "warm calling" sessions (which to me seem more like detention for real estate agents than anything else). I worked for this company for exactly two weeks. I found their over-bearing need to micro-manage agents at every level completely contrary to why I got into real estate in the first place. I wanted a career where I could control my own destiny and not have it controlled by others, as with traditional jobs. This company boasts that you work from home, but what they don't tell you is how many times you are expected to clock in during office hours (traditional 9-5 even for "warm calling" sessions) and then meet all the expectations for your clients (approximately sixty leads per month, more or less). Yes, they reimburse expenses (at least in my area), but their commission pay out for agents is far lower than traditional real estate agents. If the average income for one of their agents is $2,200 per month, that might actually break down to just about minimum wage given all the hours an agent is expected to put in during office hours, after hours and weekends. The worst part for me though was that I felt as if I had traveled back in time to high school. I hadn't felt this belittled in years. How can anyone actually thrive in an atmosphere where agents were black-listed for not meeting all their clients' expectations? How could we when we were expected to attend to so much coporate bullshit (pardon my language) and still meet the needs of the clients based on the company's expectations. I actually registered as a client with Zip on two separate occasions and both times neither agent contacted me within the required twelve hour period. This is seen as being too lax by company standards, but what I learned as an agent is that most of these leads (more than ninety percent) won't ever lead to a sale for Zip any way so maybe savvy agents have learned to weed out those leads and concentrate on ones that will actually make them some money. All in all, this might be a great experience for newly licensed agents, but seasoned agents would do much better in a traditional agency or, better still, go for a broker's license and open up your own. My final word on Zip is that they better watch the competition very carefully. Both Prudential and Remax are heavily investing in marketing their own websites right now to attract internet buyers and sellers.

2008-04-01T14:27:00.001-07:00

Are you looking for new ways to connect to people? Start thinking outside the box and go directly to Facebook. Here you will not find the usual mix of high schoolers looking to hook up, but rather an eclectic group of college students, alumni, authors, artists and anyone who is passionate about reaching out to the rest of the world. If you really want to make the internet work for you, this is a great way and best of all it's free. Want to know what else is free? Check out Book Movement. This is a great place for people who are passionate about reading, but, if you are in a book club then it's a great place to get suggestions for books for your group. You can even enter to win a new selection for your book club to read and review.

2008-02-04T04:59:00.001-08:00

Last night The New York Giants won the Superbowl (as if you didn't already know this). They were not the favorite to win. In fact many sports enthusiasts had named the Patriots to be the winners with Tom Brady ending a perfect season. The Giants were obviously fueled by these predictions and came out fighting all through the game. Even in the last ten minutes it seemed like they wouldn't win, but they pulled through with flying colors thanks to their team leader, Eli Manning. The moral of this story is never to give up your dreams and believe that you can win.

2008-02-03T07:45:00.001-08:00

Originally when I began this blog, I wanted to add some parenting tips and experiences. I haven't done so much of that, but now is as good a time as any to talk about the many milestones parents have to muddle through with their children as they pass from one stage of life to another. When my kids were little, a knee scrape required nothing more than a hug, a spray of Bactine and a band-aid. Now that my children are approaching adulthood, problems are far more complicated and require far more strategy. My college freshman son just found out that he is on academic probation. This is not at all uncommon for new college students who are learning to balance school with a social life and laundry. I only wish there were some easy answers as to how to guide him through this difficult time, but really this is where I need to step back and let him manage his own life. He may not succeed. Maybe this college isn't the right one for him, but he has to determine that for himself. As a mom, I've had to force myself to step out of my micro-managing role and allow him to experience the pain of falling down and having to pick himself up. Of course, we (his father and I) will always support him as long as he does his level best to achieve his goals, but we've learned the hard way too and now, so must he.

2007-12-28T09:42:00.000-08:00

I have little time to read, but recently picked up a copy of Eat, Pray, Love. I was slightly intrigued by the author's first visit to Oprah, but my interest was completely peaked when she was asked to make another appearance about a month later to address some of the mail the show had received about her first appearance. While out doing some holiday shopping, I noticed the book being predominantly displayed and took that as a sign that it was time to buy it. I've been consuming it little by little every day. I have to admit I am truly spellbound by this woman's journey and have made some little self discoveries as well. For instance, I notice that a lot of time, the voices in my head are not my own. Before you think that I'm crazy, let me explain that I often times hear my mother's voice or my boss, or my husband or even my own kids. I've ceased to listen to my own voice because I am more interested in pleasing others than myself. I now know that I need to stop doing that and listen more carefully to my own voice. If you happen to pass a bookstore in the near future, please give this book a try. There's really something for everyone in this book, but if you are a woman, you will especially see yourself somewhere in the pages of this book.

2007-12-24T08:11:00.001-08:00

It's been a very long time since I've posted here, but I just wanted to wish my readers a happy holiday greeting. Please take care of yourselves and remember that no one can be the ultimate boss in your life except you. Do something wonderful for yourself this holiday season and make resolutions for next year that are reasonable goals for yourself. If you need to lose weight, eat healthy, incorporate some moderate exercise into your life and keep your goals realistic. If you need to find another job, then think outside the box. Do some volunteer work at a local hospital and learn that by helping others, you ultimately help yourself. Count your blessings every day because you have more things to be thankful for than you even realize. Find a really good book to read and reconnect with the written word. If you want good friends, you have to be a good friend first and don't waste your time with people who don't treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't reach all your goals. Sometimes the road in life takes us on more than several detours, but they are there for a reason. If you are alone this holiday season, go to a local church or temple and ask if they need any help...chances are they will need you for something and that will make you feel good about yourself. Finally, thanks for reading this blog. I don't get much traffic here, but I'm very thankful for any traffic I get at all so thanks and have a great holiday season!

2007-10-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

I absolutely hate my new job. So much so, that I've started to look for a new one and have re-posted my resume on Craig's List. I have no idea why people become such idiots when they become bosses. It's like someone gave them a license to become nasty, abusive and just plain stupid. My husband says I should write a book about all the idiots I've worked for and maybe just one boss will get a clue. Not only is he (my boss) an idiot, but he barely has enough money to cover my very meager paycheck each week. I'd rather sit home and blog and make money that way rather than have to contend with another idiot. I truly believe that I just have no more patience left. I'm just praying the real estate market gets better over the next few months, but the outlook on the economy is not so great. Anyone with any ideas is welcome to post them here. Peace!

2007-09-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

If you love reality television shows and you are thinking of selling your house, whether by yourself or, hopefully, with the help of a real estate professional, Sell This House on A&E. I love this show because homeowners are confronted with all the imperfections they fail to see when an open house is scheduled prior to any updates. Then they watch a video playback of all the comments made by prospective buyers and learn that what they perceive to be wonderful, is not at all what buyers are looking for. A dedicated team of experts then come in and, in a very short period of time, the home is staged for an open house that often draws offers. It is not only entertaining, but it's also very useful for prospective sellers. I would urge any person thinking of selling to go with an expert in the real estate who can carefully guide you through the very complex selling process. Attempting to sell your home yourself in this market is not a very good idea. When you need medical attention, you go to a doctor and not try to cure yourself; when you need to buy or sell your home, rely on an expert in the real estate industry to protect your best interests in all stages of home sales.

2007-09-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

If you don't already know it, the real estate busines is awful. In fact, it's the worst it's been in sixteen years. I've not made any money and all the deals I was working on have all fallen through. As a result, I had to go out and get a job. Luckily, I now have two other sources of income while I'm waiting for my real estate career to finally take off. My husband has also started another business as a licensed home inspector, but anyone who is working in the real estate business right now is suffering from mortgage brokers to attorneys working in real estate. As always, you can still visit our website at Hough & Guidice to view all the newest listings that have been added, sadly none of them mine.

2007-09-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

I just joined Facebook and so far I love using it. I've met lots of great people, including one of my all-time favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner who invited me to be one of her Facebook friends. Facebook isn't just for young adults, but it is great for college-bound kids who have already chosen a college and want to connect with incoming freshmen or alumni. It's also great for moms who want to connect with other moms or, if you have a love of a favorite television show, you can connect with other groupies. As always, these websites should be used with great care, but it still can be a great deal of fun!

2007-09-06T05:55:00.000-07:00

Masterseek is a great search engine that puts, at your fingertips, the information on millions of companies nationwide and worldwide. Here you will find any given company's profile, information on products and contacts. You can search to find information on business partners, sales opportunities and new ways you can expand your own company. Enter your company's information and showcase your own products and services to the rest of the world.

2007-09-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

There are a few other websites you can go to for job opportunties. Career Builders and Monster are both very good sources for job opportunities in your area of expertise as well as your geographic area. The most important thing is to update your resume and proofread it. In fact, have someone else proofread your resume first before uploading it. Finally, if you are only looking for a part-time job, your best resource is Snag A Job. This is a great website for students looking for a part-time job or retirees and/or moms looking for part-time work. They allow you to apply for jobs right in your neighborhood, online so you don't have to go from place to place filling out applications. Also, if you are looking for a job in retail, then check the store's website for online applications first before wasting gas traveling from store to store.

2007-09-06T05:36:00.001-07:00

Coke zero has a brand new ad campaign entitled "Life as it should". I love that philosophy and it certainly gives me an uplifting sense when I hear it. Whatever comes to mind for you, you can now put those thoughts into images and share your own personal movie, directed by you. You can also add some very cool black and white film clips and add your own voice over the clips with your own words. Your own special movie will compete with others for the highest rated. What a great way to express yourself and your own personal philosophy of life as it should be.

2007-09-06T05:27:00.000-07:00

The news about home sales for the last few months has been less than inspiring. If you are an experienced agent, then you may have a hard time struggling with the listings that aren't selling and the reluctance of buyers to commit to an offer. If you are a new agent like myself, then you might be wondering why you even bothered to begin this career in the first place. It is challenging, but what doesn't kill you will certainly make you stronger in the long run. I've been encouraged by associates to stick this out as long as I can with the hope that I will be rewarded in the future. In the meantime, I've become a huge fan of Craig's List where I was able to find some part-time work to tide me over until I start making money in real estate. Do what you have to do in this life, but never give up on your dreams!

2007-08-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

In this day and age, real estate agents need to do everything in their power to form relationships with potential clients. People need to feel they can trust a realtor and that won't happen unless there's already a relationship in place. Of course, friends and relatives will always be there for you with referrals, but if you want to begin building a relationship with potential clients, then you need to reach out to them as often as possible. One millionaire realtor claims that you need to reach out eighty-eight times before a complete stranger will become a trusted client. There are many ways to do this through phone calls and direct mailings, but how do you stand out above all other agents? One way is through a personalized newsletter. I ordered one myself, which you can download for free (only one time though). You can read my newsletter here and you can download a free copy for yourself here. You have to spend money to make money, but make sure you spend your money wisely so you can really make an impression in someone's mind. That way, when it comes time for them to buy or sell a home, it will be you they will turn to. As always, keep checking great deals on homes at H&G Sells Homes.

2007-08-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

It's a buyer's market! That's what most realtors believe right now, but really it's still a seller's market if the price is right. This week, a study was published that showed buyers are shopping for bargain homes more than ever and that location isn't as important as it once was. If you are a realtor and are representing a seller who has become discouraged because their home has remained stagnant, regroup with your client and review the listing price to see if it is in alignment with current home sales and if your client is willing to re-price, this may make their home move faster. Also, follow-up on all leads with prospective buyers if you are lacking listings right now. Hopefully, the market will turn around in the very near future. Just keep yourself busy with direct marketing and never give up hope. As always, visit H&G Sells Homes.

2007-08-07T17:02:00.000-07:00

As a relatively new real estate agent, I'm learning new things every day. Some of those things have been difficult lessons to learn. For the last two weeks, I have been holding open houses for another agent's listing. She is not available since she works full-time in another profession. It appears that I may have brought a possible buyer for the property, but today I found out that I'm not entitled to any part of her commission unless I ask her and I can't count on her giving me anything she earns from the sale. To say that I'm disappointed would be an understatment, but I've learned my lesson. I will no longer work on any other agent's listings unless we have an agreement up front to either split the commission or at least get a small percentage in earnings. Initially I was angry with the broker, but it's my sole responsibility to get that information and I have to hold myself accountable in the future. I will continue to search for listings, canvas expired listings and hopefully, get some leads for prospective buyers. As always, you can visit our website at H & G Sells Homes.

2007-08-03T14:45:00.001-07:00

If you are thinking of buying a home in New York and you're worried about getting funding, don't worry at all. Just contact Shoreline Capital. They have access to over sixty lending institutions and can create a loan arrangement that is custom-made for you. Remember, the better your credit rating is, the better chance you have of getting a loan as close to the prime rate as possible and some banks will give you one hundred percent financing. What constitutes a good credit rating? If you have a FICO score of over 700, then you have a very good chance of getting a great deal on a home loan with possibly one hundred percent financing. Be sure to check your FICO score yourself first. If it's below 600, then you know you have to work at paying down your debt and getting your finances in order so you can increase your FICO shore. Where can you find that information? Right here at My Fico. If you need more information on how to improve your FICO score, then I highly recommend Suze Orman's My Fico Kit. Buying a new home, especially if you are a first-time home buyer is a big deal. Do your homework, get your FICO score at it's optimum best and shop around for a mortage. First-time homebuyers may be eligible for a grant to help pay closing costs, but only a loan officer can help you with that. Don't try to do these things on your own. Get professionals to help you so you can protect yourself and your most precious investment; your family and your new home. Visit H&G Sells Homes.

2007-07-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking about buying a new home and think you can do it all on your own, think again. Going through a realtor, you will be able to be pre-qualified for a mortage. Also, your real estate agent will carefully listen to your needs and try to find that perfect home you've been searching for in your price range. Your real estate agent also has access to homes you wouldn't otherwise find in your local newspaper or even on the internet. You will find your perfect home quicker and with less hassles by using a real estate agent to help you search. For more information, go to H&G Sells Homes.

2007-07-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

If you are an owner who is trying to sell your own home, please employ every safety measure when showing your home to strangers. Check identification and use a sign-in sheet. Also, never show a home alone by yourself and never turn your back on a stranger. Make sure you walk behind them and not ahead of them. Keep windows and doors open if possible too. Better still, have a professional realtor help you in selling your home. They can easily check credit references after an offer is made which will save you time and money in the longrun. For more information, got to H &n G Realty.

2007-07-23T06:56:00.001-07:00

Lending rates are up and that's scaring a lot of potential buyers from getting their dream home. However, just remember that home prices are falling which offsets the prime lending rate at the moment. Here on Long Island, houses that were selling for well over $400,000 are now listed well below that price, some even up to $50,000 less. Don't be discouraged when looking for a home. Visit a real estate agent who can quickly pre-qualify you for a mortage and be very decisive about the kind of home you are looking for. Do your homework first and look at neighborhoods, school districts, taxes and shopping areas. If you are a couple looking for a home, then make sure you have a meeting of the minds before you visit an agent. That way, you can all be on the same page when shopping for a home. People ask me "how will I know when I find the right home?". My answer to them is, it's very similar to the first time you fell in love. If you can't stop thinking about the home you saw, then that's probably the home you want to live in. As always, visit our website for more information on buying a home on Long Island at H & G Realty. Also, you can keep up to date on the prime lending rate at Bank Rate.

2007-07-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

I'll let you in on a little secret. You don't have to call a real estate agent to get a free market analysis of your home. You can do it right online at Zillow. Of course, you will bet hounded by a realtor once you get your home value via e-mail, but you are under no obligation to follow through. Look, selling a home in today's market is beyond challenging. You may think you can go it alone, but you really need a reliable agent who can think outside the box to get your home sold at a price that is closest to the true value of your home. So, get your home's value first at Zillow and then start interviewing agents to find one that you can work with. Agents should be just as concerned about forming a relationship with you as much as they are about their commission. As always, check out our website at H & G Realty.

2007-07-22T11:01:00.000-07:00

What an interesting experience being a real estate agent so far. I've met some very nice people, but I've also met some very nasty ones as well. People who insist on selling home themselves without the help of a real estate agent, need to do their homework very thoroughly before going it alone. A home is a person's most valuable tangible asset. You can easily lose more money than you would ever spend paying a broker, just by the mistakes you make trying to sell a house yourself. Many people don't know how to conduct an open house, know the value of their own home, don't know who they are allowing into their home or if a prospective purchase is even qualified to go to contract, let alone close on a home. Paying a broker's fee of 2% is money well worth spent in the advertising costs alone. Remember, only a broker can list a home on through a multiple listing service, only a broker as access to exclusive websites to market your home, only your broker will make sure that you get top dollar for your home and only a broker will make sure that your contract will lead to a successful closing. On the average, sellers who chose to sell their own homes, lost an average of $30,000. You'd spend a lot less in a small broker's fee. Do your homework! Once again you can get more information at H & G Real Estate.

2007-07-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

I've started a new career in real estate. There probably couldn't be a worse time to begin because the real estate market is terrible right now. Unfortunately, mortage rates are rising, home prices are falling, there are too many houses for sale and not enough buyers. However, I plan on turning this around to my advantage by honing my sales skills to create opportunities for me. Other agents who have been in the business for a few years have been spoiled and are now facing the prospects of cold calling. Since I don't know anything else, I feel I have some advantage over them. I also don't have any other job so I can concentrate totally on getting listings. I'll be using this blog to update my progress. In the meantime, you can visit my sponsoring broker at H&G Sells Homes.

2007-06-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

I've tried hard to keep this blog alive for the past year or so, but I am struggling to keep up two blogs. I am torn as to whether or not I should delete this one, but I will probably hold on to it for a bit longer. I have nothing new to post today, but please visit my other blog Susan's Spa and thanks for stopping by and visiting!

2007-05-25T05:59:00.001-07:00

Are you a stay-at-home mom who is looking to connect with other moms and maybe find a way to make some extra money? If so, you need to check out WAHM. This wonderful website was started by a mother who decided that she wanted to stay home with her kids, but still create income from her home. Here, you will find hundreds of ways to make money and there are jobs advertised every day that allow you to work right from home and they are legitimate. Most of all you will have the chance to connect with other moms from all over the country. Here you will make new friends and form life-long bonds and share the joys and obstacles of motherhood. This is a wonderful community so even if you don't need to work from home, but still would like to meet other moms, then check out their message boards. It really is addicting.

2007-05-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to maximize the earning potential of your blog, then go with a website that is tried and true. Two such websites are Blogitive and Pay Per Post. Both have similarities, but both are unique. Blogitive and Pay Per Post both require blog approval. Thankfully, approval doesn't take too long and as long as your blog is at least a month old and you post regularly, chances are that your blog(s)will be approved. Both allowe multiple blogs for submission and if your blogs are approved, you can accept one offer and post that offer on all accepted blogs. Blogitive usually submits offers around once a week and all pay five dollars. However, payment usually occurs once a week. Pay Per Post has numerous offers pending at all times and you can customize the offers that will apply only to your blogs which is great. Payment varies depending on the offer, but approval happens fairly quickly while payment occurs every thirty days or so. Both are tried and true and are favorites for bloggers in terms of earning potential.

2007-05-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

Bloggerwave is a website that I briefly touched on in my following post. This website is a wonderful way for bloggers to further maximize the earning potential for their blog(s). All you need to do is sign up. It's absolutely free to do so and takes all of about two minutes. You can submit up to five blogs for approval and write the same opportunity for each blog. There are always opportunities available and some pay as much as ten dollars. The assignments are easy to do and, of course, there is a support system in place should you need help. I hope you'll take advantage of this great opportunity.

2007-05-06T05:40:00.000-07:00

Making money from home requires a lot of diligence. Not only do you have to be discipliined to commit to working every day, but you need to find qualified websites that won't scam you out of your own money, while you're trying to make a living. Thankfully, there is a forum that can help you sort out the scam sites to stay away from. Get Paid is a great forum sites for all those who choose to work at home. You can join the forum to network with others who work at home and keep up to date with all the best websites and the ones to stay away from. Also, if you are a blogger and you want to further monetize your blog, then check out this new pay to post website called Blogger Wave. Here you can submit up to five blogs and write for advertisers on a variety of different offers. Also, check out Blogitive and Pay To Post for more ways to monetize your blog.

2007-04-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a website that will pay you just for signing up. That's right Hits 4 Pay will pay you ten dollars just for signing up. Once you accumulate twenty five dollars, Hits 4 Pay will send you a check by mail. This is another easy way to make money. They will send you links to read via e-mail and each link you read will bring you that much closer to pay out. You have nothing to lose by joining and ten dollars to gain for signing up. This is another highly recommended way to make some money at home.

2007-04-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

This next one is just plain fun while earning you money and points which you can convert to cash. Click Salary has some great, fun contests too and they will keep you very busy. Free to join also, with no minimum pay outs. Get referrals and earn even more money.

2007-04-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

Another great site is Tesa's Tea Mails. I like this one because it has very good earning potential and Tesa really makes the site very personal to each member. Of course, it's free to join and I like the quality of this one. Again, you won't be disappointed with the payout here. Again, sign up for as many of these programs as you can to earn good money.

2007-04-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

I'm always on the lookout for great ways to earn money online and I am going to provide you with yet another link to do this. Donkey Mails is yet another pay to read e-mails, etc. that offers a high individual pay to read as well as no minimum payout. You also earn very well for referrals and there are new offers every day. The trick is to sign up for as many of these programs as you can so you can earn constantly, on a daily basis. Give this one a try, and like all the others I recommend, this one is free to join.

2007-04-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

I just had to say something about this whole situation with Don Imus. No doubt, he made a huge mistake making the women's basketball team of Rutger's University the brunt of a bad joke, but did he really need to be fired over it? I don't like Don Imus, but he has truly been scapegoated for saying things that others say all the time without incidence. Both the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jessie Jackson are forever singling out white celebrities who overstep their bounderies with their negative language, but fail to hold accountable black people who do the same to their own race and culture. If you ask me, it's bigotry in reverse. In any event, I won't miss Don Imus because I was never a fan to begin with, but he will surely follow in the footsteps of Howard Stern (the radio jock, not Anna Nicole's boyfriend) and Opie and Anthony and get a very lucrative deal on satellite radio where he can insult every one equally five mornings a week.

2007-04-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here's another great website which has an immediate pay out at any amount. That's right, you can actually request a pay out every single day from this website. Not only can you make money, but you can earn points to for great prices like ipods and much more. So join and do their never-ending offers and earn money with immediate pay outs and/or earn points for prizes. Just sign up for free at Media Dollarz .
By the way, I'm doing great with Send Earnings and Inbox Dollars so if you haven't signed up yet, do it now and start earning money. The same goes for My Lot. Sign up and start earning money with a minimum of ten dollars for payouts just by posting on message boards. It's very addictive, fun and you'll make some cash. The most disappointing site to date is Panda Research. They take weeks to approve on their offers and pay out is at $100 so disregard what I said previously. By the way, if you sign up for Send Earnings and Inbox Dollars, they automatically put cash into your account right away. These two are the easiest because all you have to do is read their e-mail to earn money and if you want, do some offers to earn even more money. The goal is to be your own boss and I'm here to help you do that. Just check my previous posts for information to joins Send Earnings, Inbox Dollars and My Lot.

2007-03-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy the sites that offer pay for reading e-mails, then check out Inbox Dollars. Sign up is not only free, but you will get a $5 for signing up immediately and you can read e-mail and get paid or read the e-mails and do the offers and you can easily make more money at home. Cash out at only $30 which is easily attained. Sign up now for great deals and offers.

2007-03-30T06:26:00.000-07:00

Another great way to make money from home is with Send Earnings. This is a website that pays you to read e-mails which they will send you every day. It's not tons of e-mail, but enough to help you accumulate money for their cash outs. With each e-mail you can pursue paid offers which will earn you even more money. They have a great website which is easy to read too. Sign up is free to you so go to Send Earnings to start making more money at home right now.

2007-03-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here's another great place where you can make some money and it's called My Lot. Do you love to post on message boards? Well, now there's a place you can go where you actually get paid to post on message boards. I began doing this the other day and I love it. It's a great compliment to those who enjoy blogging. Just go to My Lot and sign up. It's free to do so and tons of funs. You will meet lots of new people, make friends and also make some money.

2007-03-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Pay Cage is my brand new affiliate. I just joined recently after having read great reviews about this brand new offers/survey site that pays quickly with cash payouts as low as $5. There are tons of great offers for you to complete for money, plus contests and a great referral program. This is a fairly new site and they are eager to please their members so now is a great time to join. Membership is completely free and there are no minimum requirements to complete. Do the offers, and/or add the referral banner to your own blog to make more money from home! Just click on the black banner above and joint. Registration only takes a a minute and that brings you one minute closer to making more money.

2007-03-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

If you've been looking for a survey site that actually pays you money, then check out Panda Research . Not only will they start your account out with $5 just for signing up, but all their offers carry a pay-out of anywhere from 50 cents to $50 if you complete the offers. They will pay out once you have accumulated $100 in your account and there are new offers every day. I've been using them and this is working out very well. If I come across any others that have cash payouts, I'll post them on this blog.

2007-03-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

Felicty Huffman is not only an award-winning actress, but she is also a designing woman. We know her best as the desperate housewife, Lynette Scavo on the television show of the same name, but Felicity is also a wife and mother. One day she was nursing and rocking one of her two young daughters and she noticed that her neck was beginning to ache. She looked in stores for something that could be used to support her head and neck while she was feeding her child, but nothing was available so she made one for herself with some material, pillow filling and her trusty sewing machine. It turned out to be such a great success, that she decided to have it patented and the Heads Up Pillow now sells online and at Bed, Bath and Beyond for around $30. The pillow was such a huge success that there are several versions of it for watching television or reading and it has won the Good Housekeeping seal of approval as well . You can see more about this product at From Felicity .

2007-03-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

The art of positive affirmation and the ability to be able to rid oneself of negative feelings does not come eas to most people. However, there are methods to help improve one's state of mind through meditation, positive affirmations and through positive solutions rather than negative feelings. For instance, let's say you got into a very bad car accident, and, even though you got out without a scratch, your car was totalled. How would you react? Most people would be weighed down with shoulda, woulda, coulda and "what if" mentality. This won't change what has happened, nor will it fix your car. The same could be said about the loss of a job or the break-up of a long-term relationship. The fact is, bad things happen to everyone. The reality is, most people have poor coping skills which, unfortunately, are passed down to their children. I plan on addressing these issues in my very first e-book so look for it in the near future. In the meantime, you can get more information about meditation through the holosync method at Centerpointe . Don't forget to sign up for your free holosync CD so you can begin to understand the value of meditation.

2007-03-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

Lisa Nichols is another important component to 'The Secret'. She is a dynamic motivator that has directed her energies towards teens, but now she is looking to help everyone with her "Ladies, Can We Talk" CD series. I recently heard the online phone seminar she conducted for 'The Secret' which you yourself can access at
The Secret . This is part of a free series of online seminars conducted by the principals of 'The Secret'. Of course, they are also slick marketing pieces for each who have programs of their own to sell based on the law of attraction. However, my advice to you would be to get all the information you can for free and with Lisa, you can get her 'Step Into The Secret' report which you can download at Lisa Nichols. In it she will begin to tell you about how to ask the universe for what you want, believe that it is already yours and be ready to receive. Then she will tell you to buy her CD program for under $100 (everyone's program is around the same amount of money which is another marketing technique). At some point I plan to write my own e-book on the topic, but I won't be charging even one tenth of that because I believe that it's more important to get that information to as many people as possible than to squeeze every penny out of you. One free piece of information though is to learn all you can so that's why I am putting this out there now.

2007-03-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Dr. Joe Vitale is one the masterminds behind the current best-selling book and DVD entitled 'The Secret'. 'The Secret' has been the subject of much bashing lately, but that's okay. The more people discuss it, the more publicity it gets. Those critics are usually the ones who haven't even read the book, like comedian Bill Mahr. You can't just think yourself into more money and happiness. That's not the idea of the book or the DVD. The idea is to get you into a frame of mind to open you up to ideas which hopefully will turn into action. Those actions will be what creates a better life for your personally and financially. Joe Vitale admits that this may be the one flaw of the original book and movie inasmuch as it doesn't really emphasize how to put your positive thoughts into action. He did hint on the Larry King Show that there will most definitely be a sequel. Joe is a regular, down-to-earth guy who figured out how to attract financial success into his life and he is willing to teach you too. Visit him at Mr. Fire and learn more about him at The Secret.

2007-03-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

I don't think there is anyone who can deny that Oprah has set out to change how people see their lives through her successful talk show. She is one of the few talk show hosts who chooses to concentrate her energies on how to improve your lives through her show, rather than focus on the sensational that other show hosts use to draw in viewers. Love her or hate her (and who can really hate her?), she has helped many people learn to forgive, create abundance in their lives, gain control over otherwise uncontrollable situations, give hope to the hopeless and bring joy and laughter to her viewers. Recently, Oprah featured 'The Secret' on her show in a two-part program. As usual, this sparked much controversy because some felt that there was no one there to debate the validity of 'The Secret', and it was more like an infomercial than a balanced show. However, Oprah herself has seen how the Secret, or more specifically, how the laws of attraction really work just by the way she has lived her own life. For more information about this and other shows and/or to discuss these topics on her message boards just go to http://www.oprah.com

2007-02-25T11:15:00.000-08:00

Eating disorders can ruin lives and change families forever. Don't ignore the warning signs you may see in yourself or a loved one. Are you overly concerned about your body image? Do you avoid social situations where food is involved? Are you deliberately eliminating certain foods from your diet that are otherwise healthy? Are you over-exercising or worry too much if you miss exercising? These symptoms alone can signal an eating disorder, even if you haven't lost much weight or are suffering from any other medical symptoms associated with an eating disorder. Get help for yourself and your loved ones. For more information, go to a great website at http://www.something-fishy.org

2007-02-14T06:56:00.000-08:00

The View's Rosie O'Donnell is at it again with her big mouth. It is being reported that she dissed Anna Nicole Smith on the day that she died. Sources say that she is distraught, but maybe this is a blessing in disguise and Ms. O'Donnell will finally shut that pie hole of hers once and for all. She is a boil on Barbara Walter's butt and should be lanced once and for all. However, seeing that it's Valentine's Day, I will send her best wishes for all the love she never received as a child which obviously has made her into the ogre she is today. Even ogre's need a little love though!

2007-02-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

If you are anything like me, then your are probably so overwhelmed with multi-tasking, that shopping for birthday gifts is the last thing you want to do. Since I have a birthday coming up soon, I would simply tell my friends to make a donation in my name to http://www.wish.org. The Make a Wish Foundation has been raising money for children with cancer for years. What this organization does is give these kids a break from their cancer treatments to do the things that all other kids do and more. Since I work in a hospital where children are treated for childhood cancer, I have seen the magic that happens from this organization firsthand. You'll not only be doing something wonderful for a loved one, but some kids somewhere will get a much needed smile when their dream comes true.

2007-02-04T18:06:00.000-08:00

If you are the parent of a college-bound student, then right about now you have a pretty good idea of what college will cost you over the next four years. Most will spend about $100,000 in that time period and the less money you borrow through private loans the better. Make sure you fill out your Fafsa form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ . Don't be afraid of it, it's not that difficult to fill out and the directions are given there, step by step. Also, start researching college scholarship money right now. You can do this by going to http://www.fastweb.com , which is a website sponsored by http://www.monster.com . Here you will find the most up-to-date information about scholarships that can help you offset the cost of college for your child.

2007-01-31T14:08:00.000-08:00

If you feel the insatiable need to gain more control over your life, then let the internet help you. Now, there are two websites which can help you cut off that long-winded phone call. Sorry Gotta Go can provide you with background noises (crying baby, ringing doorbell and whistling tea kettle, just to name a few)to help you pry yourself away from your mother-in-law, sister, friend, boss or telemarketer. If you are looking to make better choices in potential boyfriends, then you might want to check out Don't Date Him Girl . Here you will find thousands and thousands of names and photos of guys you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. If nothing else, if will provide you with hours of entertainment at your next pajama party.

2007-01-29T12:43:00.000-08:00

If you don't already know this, Sylvia Browne, is a world-renowned psychic, who appears weekly on the "Montel Williams Show" fielding questions from audience members. Sylvia, I think of more as a medium (someone who connects to those who have passed over) than a psychic (someone who can predict the future). If there is a difference, it's that mediums rely on the loved ones of those who have passed over to give them insight as to future events. If anything, Sylvia and people like her, should be looked upon as a source of entertainment, and nothing more. She has come under close scrutiny of late because she told Shawn Hornbeck's parents, on national television, that Shawn had been grabbed by a stranger, but that he had died. In her own defense, Sylvia has said that she is not always right and that she has made mistakes. Perhaps the biggest mistake that anyone could make is to take her word for anything. I think there is certainly validity to her gift, but to give her or someone like her too much power is a dangerous thing. She has her critics including James Randy (The Amazing Randy) who has offered her and others who claim to be psychic, one million dollars if they would take his challenge and prove that such a gift is real. Of course, no one has taken him up on his challenge, because there will never be any concrete evidence and he knows that.

2007-01-27T07:05:00.000-08:00

If you are a movie fan, or, if you are fan of actress, Dakota Fanning, then you know that there has been some controversy surrounding her new film. The movie, 'Hounddog', which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, was targeted by public-interest groups for depicting a scene wherein Dakota's character, Lewellen, is raped. These people, of course, never saw the movie, which got dreadful reviews anway and may never likely be picked up for distribution on that fact alone. If they had, they would have seen that the rape scene is very quick and not at all graphic....not like in real life that is. This post isn't about reviewing the movie, but rather the irony here. The fact is, children are brutally raped every day in this country and we still have laws that, in large part, protect the rights of the predators more than the children. If an issue needs to be raised about this movie and it's rape scene, then maybe these interest groups should shed light on why we haven't changed our laws yet to better protect our children. Legsilators are looking to pass a 'one strike' bill which will send these predators away for life if they are found guilty of harming a child in any way, sexually or otherwise. This is where the energy needs to be spent. As for Dakota and her family, I'm sure she is thinking of her long-term goals as an actress. She is embarking on her teenage years and is probably looking to make the transition as best she can without being pigeon-holed as a cute, child actress, similar to Jodie Foster and Brooke Shields, who both appeared in controversial roles as young actresses. Also, from what I have read about this movie, she is, indeed, the best thing in it.

2007-01-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

Recently, news anchor, Elizabeth Vargas, from ABC, took a step back from her hectic career to take some much needed time to stay at home with her growing family. Unfortunately, she has taken some heat for this decision. It seems that no matter what mothers do, there will be critics judging them for either returning to work or staying at home to raise their family. The last generation had simple, clear-cut answers. It was a given that that moms would most likely leave their jobs to stay home. The womens' movement changed everything for us and not necessarily in all good ways. Leaving are children to have fulfilling careers outside the home seems selfish to some, but a basic necessity to others. Either way, we are damned if we do and damned if we don't. Personally, I took another route and decided to work part-time with the stipulation that I am home for my children when they are home from school. I have made sacrafices in this regard. My job is neither fulfilling personally or financially, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that my children get my attention when they need it most. On the other hand I cannot fault any mother for wanting or needing to either work full-time outside the home or to be a stay-at-home mom, a much more demanding job. As mothers, we must learn to look for the common threads that bond us together, rather than the things that make us stand apart. Like it or not, we need each others' support and empathy because any way you look at it, raising children is the hardest job we'll ever have and the one we were least prepared for when we took it.

2007-01-20T07:05:00.000-08:00

As parents, we are always told to teach our children not to talk to strangers. We believed that if we drilled them with this information, it would keep them safe from predators. We couldn't have been more wrong. It appears that the predators are one step ahead of us and use other tactics, like force, to get want they want. Predators will also do anything they have to, once they have their prey, to keep them, including terrorizing them, either physically or emotionally. Shawn Hornbeck has already admitted, in a private discussion with Oprah, that he didn't attempt to leave because he was too scared. As time goes on, more specific details will begin to unfold and we will have a better idea of what he exeperienced for four years, and Ben Ownby experienced for four very long days. Knowledge is power; this information should be used to educate our children what to do in such an event so that they can protect themselves and escape from harm. One brave little girl just recently escaped her kidnapper by sneaking out of the truck of his car when he stopped for gas. She ran into the convenience store where the police where called and she was safe, but her kidnapper got away so he's still out there, probably planning on doing the same thing to another innocent child. Unfortunately, we have to prepare our children for such events. It's a scary world, but it is even scarier when they go missing for months and years, without a trace.

2007-01-18T05:51:00.000-08:00

Jack Bauer is finally back....with a vengence. Initially, I was never a fan of the hit TV show '24', but now I am totally hooked. The new season, which aired over two days and four hours, began with a bang....literally. Television, in general, is dealing with the idea of a nuclear holocaust, and the aftermath. If you haven't seen 'Jericho' yet, then check that out. I guess it's not so far from the truth given current events. Just when you think Jack Bauer will step in and save the day, there's a twist, and this season, we get to see a side to Jack that we haven't seen in previous seasons. The big question is, what will happen to Chloe? She may not last the whole '24'.

2007-01-15T19:38:00.000-08:00

If you want to spice up your blog or website, then think about downloading some great, sassy fonts to get the attention you deserve. So, you're probably asking yourself, "Where would I get these fonts?". You can get them at Urban Fonts . At Urban Fonts you will find a wide variety of fonts....free fonts and dingbats. Actually, they have over 8,000 free fonts and dingbats which you can download for either PC or Mac. Besides having their own blog and tag cloud with the most popular searched words, you won't get any annoying pop-ups to make you a dingbat. So mosey on over there and check out top 100 fonts and free dingbats . I'm heading over there just to find out exactly what a dingbat is!

2007-01-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

As a pre-school teacher, one of my responsibilities this year was introducing a foreign language to the children. The language that was chosen was Spanish. Unfortunately, I didn't take Spanish in school, I took French. It was at that point I realized I was at a disadvantage since I was picked to teach a language that I wasn't familiar with. Short of picking both my kids brains on how to speak the language (they both took it in school), I found a neat website that sells foreign language programs very inexpensively. FSI Language Courses are a great way to learn a language quickly and easily without investing a fortune in money or years of time. Besides, even if I didn't have to teach the little ones a new language, it would still be a great way to expand my own horizons, which only goes to show, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

2007-01-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

School bullies have been around since schools began centuries ago. It's not something that you may have given much thought to unless you yourself have been a victim of a bully (I have) or if one of your children has. It is a very painful and sometimes dangerous situation that has even driven children to suicide or even killing others in retaliation for the bullying. Parents, teachers and school administrators are often incapable of handling the situation or diminishing the problem. There are organizations that have formed in order to deal with this problem that seems only to have increased over the years. Love Our Children USA is one such organization that attempts to give a voice to children and their families who have been impacted by a bully. There are things you can do beyond the scope of the school. Educate yourselves about how to deal with bullies right at the beginning of the problem so it doesn't escalate to a dangerous situation. Really, the best way to treat a bully is to not acknowledge them in any way. By ignoring them, you take away their power and they move on (unfortunately, usually to another victim). Bullies are often people with very low-self esteem issues who are often times victims of family abuse or neglect. Nevertheless, no other child should have to endure a bully's abuse. Validate your child's feelings and learn how you can empower your child to overcome bullying.

2007-01-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

Loudlaunch is yet another pay to post website that has popped up recently, enticing bloggers to sign on and get paid to post for specific advertisers. The requirements are simple and similar to other pay to post sites. You must be 18 or over, have a verifiable Paypal account, have a blog that is more than two months old and have a verifiable readership. They will pay you every thirty days and you may post for up to two advertisers a day. There is already a backlog of bloggers as once word gets out, bloggers flock to new sites to sign on with the promise of making more money from blogging. However, you can see for yourself if Loudlauch is for you, but just clicking here .

2007-01-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

I found this great new search engine called ChaCha.com that has real people as "Guides" to find information for you on the Web! I loved ChaCha and after using it, I signed up and became a ChaCha Guide.

With ChaCha you can perform a normal instant search, but you can also click "Search with a Guide" and be immediately connected to an experienced, friendly ChaCha Guide (like myself) who will find the best Web site(s) with the exact information you are looking for!

As a ChaCha Guide, I have my own ChaCha toolbar and would like to invite you to download my toolbar and use it to search on ChaCha. It's much better than the other toolbars out there because you can connect with a real person live, to guide you. Who knows, you may get connected to me!

Click on the link below and start experiencing a NEW way to search, with real human intelligence.

Download the toolbar by clicking on the link below or copy and paste the link into your web browser.
ChaCha Toolbar

2007-01-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Having suffered the frustration of using dial-up internet service, I was very happy to switch over to my local cable company for high-speed internet service. My happiness quickly dissolved when I received the first bill from this company. One could feed a small village in a third world country for the cost of high-speed internet service. Enter My Blue Dish . This unique satellite service has the ability to offer high-speed internet service at a fraction of the cost imposed by your local cable company. Don't let those big cable companies be the boss of you. Get a grip on the situation by checking out this unique alternative.

2007-01-05T05:58:00.000-08:00

My Lot is yet another way for people to make money from their computers. You can log onto My Lot and see for yourself that by simpling posting and responding to posts you can begin to earn money with payouts beginning at $10. You must have a Paypal account to sign up so log onto Paypal to open up an account if you haven't already done so. I'll keep searching more ways to make money so that you can be your own boss!

2007-01-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

About.com is looking for a few good writers who are experts in their field. You could be a blogger who has an expertise in a particular area. The pay is very good (around $500 per month), but they have a detailed and painstaking process to determine if you are good enough. If you are, then you may have found yourself a new career. Check it out at Be A Guide .

2007-01-04T10:47:00.000-08:00

It used to be that people would say if you really want to meet someone, you can't stay home and expect it to happen. That is no longer the case. In fact, you may have a better chance of meeting someone special, if you stay home. How can that be you might wonder. With the onset of dating sites, meeting someone who is right just for you is more of a reality than wishful thinking. Unfortunately, many of these sites hook you in with a free trial period that doesn't allow you to see pertinent information (like how to contact a person). Once they have you hooked you have no choice but to join, sometime paying fees you can hardly afford. Now there's Just Say Hi which gives you the opportunity to meet a special person where you live....for free!!! That's right, you don't have to pay them one penny to join. So, if one of your resolutions is to meet a special person this year that can change your life, give them a try and, best of all, you don't have to leave home to do it!

2007-01-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

I just became a Chacha guide recently and so far I'm loving it. Since some folks might want to know how to become a guide, I just found a great website forum Searching 4 Cash which will help you understand how to become a guide and what is expected of you once you do. It will also give you a good idea of how to build your own network so you can even make more money. This is a pretty good work-at-home idea, but you have to work hard to move up and build your own network of guides.

2007-01-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

2007 is now upon us and some are wondering what the new year will bring? There's nothing wrong with wondering, but how much will you personally do to bring about the changes that need to be made? Many of us, myself included at times, let fate make these decisions for us. Sometimes though, fate does not make the right choices for us and we have to learn to take matters into our own hands whether it's about losing weight, finding a new job, starting your own business, buying a home or, the most popular next to weight loss, getting out of debt. This blog, over the next year, will explore all the options in all these categories and more to help you (and myself) to gain more control over our lives so no one but you will be the boss of you!

2006-12-30T07:14:00.000-08:00

Another New Year's Eve is upon us. So, do you not have plans for this night of amateur drinkers and party goers? Don't feel bad! You are not alone and here are some things you can do to begin the New Year on the right foot:
1) Don't sit home alone. Go visit someone who is in the hospital or a nursing home. We all know someone who is there so spread some cheer to others tonight.
2) Invite some people over who are also alone. They might just be casual friends or neighbors you rarely see, but you will be doing something wonderful by making them feel special.
3) Instead of going out and drinking, spend an evening with your children or grandchildren. Take them to a movie or a special dinner and remind yourself how lucky you are to have such a wonderful family.
4) If you have no kids or grandkids, then how about your parents or siblings? They might be lonely too tonight so spend some time with them.
5) If you do choose to spend your night alone, don't allow yourself to feel bad about it. Take the night off and just chill, watch old movies, eat your favorite foods and give yourself a break...just for tonight and have a good New Year!

2006-12-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

Here's a new message from Blog Advance:

This will be the last newsletter of 2006 from the BlogAdvance team and we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a very safe and happy new year!!

Once again we are ending 2006 on a bang by giving our members a 1.5:1 surf ratio.

Stay safe, have fun and see you all in 2007!

Jack and Deb :)

2006-12-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

Finding ways to make money at home can bring you one step closer to becoming your own boss. One way to do this is to sign up with ChaCha . This is a search engine that assigns you a guide to help you pinpoint the exact information you are searching for. To become a guide, the best thing to do is get yourself an invitation. If you can't do that, then supply the website with your information (you must be over 18 years of age) and hopefully you can register to become a guide. You will have to complete a training cycle before you are labled a "pro" and then you can get paid to do searches. It's fun, exciting and, best of all, can earn you some extra cash!

2006-12-28T09:03:00.000-08:00

Pretty soon you will be able to go to the mall to do your shopping and get your Botox fix. As reported in Style Dash , the number of medical spas has increased dramatically over the last few years. So much so, that these walk-in spas may just begin showing up at the mall so you can get your Botox shots and shop all in the same day. It's mind boggling that this anti-aging procedure has become so common place. Pretty soon, none of us will be able to read another's face for any kind of expression of emotion. It's literally mind numbing!

2006-12-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

If you are a woman and currently single, you may be looking to change your status in 2007. There are lots of places you can look. In fact, I just wrote a post about a new free dating website on my other blog. There are tons of books you can read, but one book may have all the others beat by several miles. The reason is that the authors are bartenders who have witnessed hundreds of hook-ups in their combined years tending bar. The new book entitled "You Didn't Hear It From Us" (Atria Books; $19.95) by Dushan Zaric and Jason Kosmas, is a no-nonsense gude to finding the right man for you. This is a guys' perspective to what men really want in a woman (much like "He's Just Not That Into You") that advises women spend more time working on attitude adjustment rather than cleavage adjustment. Tips include how to appear more confident in public, how to flirt, the best way to approach a guy and when to say no. So maybe if you want to meet Mr. Right you have to go to a mister to get the right advice.

2006-12-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

Last week I wrote a post in my other blog, Susan's Spa (see sidebar for link) about Shapely Secrets . I was shocked at how many searches were done for this product. Maybe I shouldn't be though. This is the time of year when people are just about ready to make those resolutions to live a healthier lifestyle and to lose weight. Our country is suffering from obesity more than ever. People are definitely looking for a quick fix with quick results, but really there is no such thing. Losing weight and keeping it off has eluded many people (including Oprah). So although I think that ordering a program like Shapely Secrets is a good start (you have to start somewhere), overall this program alone won't be the answer to your problem. You need to eat healthy and for that you need support and you need aerobic exercise coupled with strength training in order to achieve optimum results. I have used Body Flex which is another program by Greer Childers, the creator of Shapely Secrets. I can attest to the fact that you will see results from this program, but again, this alone will not work miracles. If you want to see exactly how Body Flex works, check out this video on You Tube .

2006-12-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

Is there nothing cuter than a puppy on Christmas morning? I'm sure lots of people will be surprising their loved ones with a puppy this year, but is this the best gift to give? Puppies are living and breathing things that need lots of love and attention, especially the first year. How many of these precious pups will be given to animal shelters after the holiday magic has worn off? Please think long and hard before giving a pet as a gift. If you really want to do this, then visit your local animal shelter after the holidays and pick out a puppy or dog. You will not only be giving the gift of unconditional love, but you will be saving a life in the process. For more information, you can visit Pet Finder which is a wonderful organization that helps adopt thousands of pets and can find exactly what you are looking for right in your own neighborhood. Merry Christmas!

2006-12-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Jersey Girl in a meme for five things you don't know about me. Since I rarely get tagged for anything, I'm going to give a shout out to her (go visit her cool blog) and let you in on five secrets about me:
1. I have a terrible fear of heights which I have no desire to conquer (i.e. no rock climbing for me in the near or distant future).
2. I used to work with Donald Trump. Yes, you read that correctly. Years ago I worked for the Trump Organization when it was run by his dad, Fred Sr. Rosie is dead wrong when she says Donald got all his money from his father. Fred never gave anything to anyone without them earning it the hard way and that's the truth.
3. I can't drive a stick shift. File this one also under "no desire to learn".
4. I was very overweight most of my childhood and adolescence. I was lucky enough to have a friend help me lose weight for my senior year of high school so I could buy a nice dress for graduation.
5. As a result of said weight problem, I never went to my senior prom. From what I understand, I didn't miss much.

2006-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Message from BlogAdvance
---------------------------------------------

Because it's christmas not many people will be surfing, so for the ones that do we have decided to increase the surf ratio to 1.5 for every blog surfed.

We will keep this running until the 26th of December...think of it as our little gift to you all.

Finally we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members a safe and a very merry christmas.

Hope santa is good to you all!

BlogAdvance Team -)

2006-12-21T06:29:00.000-08:00

I've never done a Thursday Thirteen post, but there's a first time for everything. This one is inspired by an article I read in U.S.News and World Reports U.S.News and it is based on ways you can vastly improve your life for the coming year, without making huge changes.
1. Get happy - Easier said that done right? Just try being grateful for what you have and learn to go with the flow.
2. Exercise - No excuses! Wear your sneakers all day three times a week and walk to more destinations, climb for stairs and ride a bike (you'll save money on gas and help the environment at the same time)
3. Eat at home - Trans fat is making us fat, unhealthy and will kill us if we keep eating it. You can control the intake at home, but not in restaurants so buy a great low-fat cookbook and save yourself some money too.
4. Read a book - Books can change lives, open doors, see ourselves and the world through different eyes and help us escape from our daily lives.
5. Join a book club - Boobk clubs are more than about books; they're about bonding and friendships and sharing. It improves the quality of life to have people you can share with. If you can't find a book club to join, start your own.
6. Learn to play an instrument - You are never too old to learn and you can bring more joy and excitement into your life that may have been missing for a while.
7. Unplug yourself one day a week - Step away from your computer, your cell phone and your ipod (this would be a good time to pick up a book).
8. Learn about other cultures - The only way to better understand each other and eliminate hate is to learn more about each other.
9. Start a blog - You've probably already done this, but if not, now is a good time to begin. Blogs will open up doors for you and give you an amazing outlet to express yourself.
10. Try to be a positive role model for your kids - This is a tough one (especially if you have teenagers). Kids don't need unnatural praise to help them build self esteem. Recognize the little things they do every day and give them a pat on the back for trying to be independent.
11. Start saving for college right now - Even if you have an infant, start saving for college today. 529 college savings plans are a great way to begin.
12. Give back to your community - This includes the whole world. Help renovate a local park or give to a fund to help build New Orleans (they still need lots of help) and vote, vote, vote!
13. Improve your relationship - Show your appreciation to your partner for all the good stuff (it's like positive parenting for adults). It will make you and them feel much better!

2006-12-20T19:14:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was reading one of my favorite blogs. I'll give you the link for it later in this post, but first I want to tell you about a woman who began a career and ended up with a fabulous idea for a business. She started out, as many woman do, selling cosmetics and skincare by Mary Kay. She made no money and she found that the products she was selling irritated her skin. Instead of giving up on a business she felt passionate about, she set out to found a company selling cosmetics that she could wear and sell to others. The company is called Beauty Bloss Cosmetics . Now, normally I would write about this stuff on my other blog, but I felt that this post was mor appropriate for this blog because this woman took an idea and saw it through to fruition. How many of us can say that we have done that? Now she sells wonderful natural mineral cosmetics. I can tell you that I purchase Bare Escentuals and her products are a fraction of the cost. You can even purchase samples from her for a very small fee to try it and see if you like it enough to purchase a larger size. That's ingenuity. If you want to read more about her, you can check out
My Mary Kay Truth .

2006-12-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

Today I learned a very valuable lesson about communication. Yesterday, I was told by my supervisor that one of my classes was being cut because of scheduling issues. Since I get paid per class, I was quite upset on the impact that would have on my salary. I simply told her that I might not be able to continue teaching with her organization since it is imperative that I make more money, not less. She is not one to immediately return phone calls or e-mails. So I was left waiting for an answer from her, preparing myself to resign and start searching for another job (a task which I truly detest). This morning when I checked my e-mail, I did receive a note from her saying that she didn't realize that I was able to work more hours and that she would do her best to help me retain the class I was in danger of losing, as well as possibly teach more classes to increase my salary. I now realize that it is my duty to open up my mouth and speak up for myself if I want to get ahead or change an unhappy situation. If you have an understanding boss, then things can and will work out. If not, it's better to know up front so you can decide to make a change if necessary to a more amiable working environment. My job will never be perfect (no job is), but I'm thankful that I said something to effect a change. If I can do it, so can you.

2006-12-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

What exactly do you do for yourself when life seems to hand you more than you feel you are capable of handling? I, for one, have made bad choices in the past which include over eating and smoking. These are not very good coping skills and, in fact, often times add to your already over-burdened life by creating serious health problems. Many times I use my blogs as a way to center myself or, if I'm at a loss for words, I'll read other blogs to gain a different perspective. I also have a book which I got many years ago which helps me to regroup and remember what's really important in my life. The book is entitled "The Woman's Book of Confidence" by Sue Patton Thoele, which includes short meditations to help accept ourselves and learn to trust our own judgment. I keep the book nearby me in my office in case I need to grab a little inspiration or a hug, which I can get from reading some of the passages. One of my favorite mantras is "I deserve to be respectived. I respect myself. I expect and insist that others treat me with respect". I won't always get it (respect that is) from my boss or the world in general, but I remind myself that I deserve it as we all do. Another one is "I deserve to be cherished and appreciated". How many of us feel cherished and appreciated? Not many, I'm sure, but nevertheless, we all deserve that much. When I read this book, it also reminds me that I must be prepared to do the same for others if I expected all these things. If I don't, I can forgive myself for past mistakes and move on. I know one thing is for sure; I'm thankful to have something I can crawl into when the world seems a little too difficult to handle.

2006-12-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

Reality television still rules the ratings and it shows absolutely no signs of stopping anytime soon. Besides the finale of 'Survivor' last night in which Yul Kwon's strategy paid off to the tune of $1 million, brand new reality shows are in the works to entertain us. I'm not sure what that says about us as a society and our cultural tastes, but it's mind boggling how these shows draw us in and keep us glued to our respective couches. Maybe it's because the stars are real people like you and me and, they literally represent every man, woman and even child in our country. Besides the return of favorites like 'Beauty and the Geek' (third season), 'The Apprentice (to take place in Los Angelos) and MTV's 'Road Rules' (#14), there will be new reality shows to add to your Tivo list including Jennifer Lopez' 'Dancelife' also on MTV; 'Top Design' on Bravo, which is following in the footsteps of 'Top Chef', this one for interior designers with host Todd Oldham; and, 'I'm From Rolling Stone', also on MTV which features young journalists vying for a spot with the magazine in a real life version of 'Almost Famous'. Some really dumb ideas for reality shows, which probably will draw their own audiences are 'High Maintenance 90210' on E! which features the exploits of domestic staffers of the super rich; 'Gay, Straight or Taken' on Lifetime which tests various young women and their gaydar and 'Engaged and Underage' on MTV about some very young people and their march towards the alter. It remains to be seen just how successful these shows will be, but if 'Beauty and the Geek' is in its third season, then anything is possible.

2006-12-17T06:28:00.000-08:00

So, did you hear who made it as 'Time' magazine's person of the year? Surprise! It's you! That's right, you made it as person of the year. In fact, we all did. You are probably wondering how that's possible. Isn't usually someone who has impacted worldwide news? Well, you have. How, you might ask? By blogging, that's how. Blogging has made such an incredible impact on worldwide news in so many ways, that the magazine decided to give us the honor this year. The only problem is, we couldn't all be in one room for the cover shot, so........you'll have to click here to find that out! Congratulations by the way; you deserve it!

2006-12-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

Before we know it, many of us will be bogged down with holiday entertaining. The mere thought strikes fear in most people. So much so, that it often takes the pleasure away from entertaining and leaves most hosts thinking "I'll never do THAT again!". There's no reason for you to feel that way. Don't let the party be the boss of you; you have to take charge. Recently, on Rachel Ray's talk show, she demonstrated a wonderful spread for a holiday buffet that took a very short time to prepare. She showed her audience who to make a cheese wheel. You can by a soft wheel (or half wheel) of cheese in your supermarket. Toast up some crushed nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds) and mix the toasted, crushed nuts with some chopped parsley. Spread on a cookie sheet and roll the cheese wheel in the toasted nuts and parsley. Serve on a platter with some crackers or different kinds of sliced breads and sliced pears and apples. This is just one idea, but there are many simple and easy ideas for holiday entertaining from Rachel, including her 5 minute fudge ring, which actually takes less time than 5 minutes and is an absolutely crowd pleaser. For more information about easy ideas for holiday parties, you can go to Everything Rachel Ray .

2006-12-15T12:24:00.000-08:00

Oops! I almost forgot to tell you that you can learn more about John Edward at
John Edward . Check out his website and sign up for his mailing list.

2006-12-15T12:14:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing John Edward at a nearby theatre. Lucky for me, John is a native New Yorker and he is very comfortable in his hometown surroundings. First of all, let me just say that I went in feeling a bit skeptical about his ability to talk to dead people (they actually talk through him), but his seminar made a complete believer out of me. I could tell you that he amazed me with obscure details of the lives and deaths of the loved ones of audience members, but something he said prior to his readings struck me and I felt they were perfect for this blog. He said that everyone in life picks one motivation from which they operate and make all decisions: the first being fear, the second being love and the third being time. Functioning out of love is the best possible scenario. All your decisions will be made with your loved ones in mind and what's best for them and yourself. In this state, you are open to your loved ones who have passed over because you have set up no blocks to get in your way. They (your decased loved ones) have no blocks. They are there with you whether you want to believe that or not. Those who operate out of fear are the most unlikely to acknowledge all the signs. They are usually the ones who shut out their loved ones for fear of rejection and of many other things. Those who operate because of time, see everything as having a time limit, but there is no time limit for your soul. Your body is just a vehicle and eventually it will die, but your soul's energy is forever out there. I'm not writing this to convince you to believe; I'm writing this so that you can ask yourself when you have to make a decision, "Am I doing this out of fear, love or time?". Hopefully, this will allow you to make the right choice.

2006-12-15T05:09:00.000-08:00

Love her or hate her, Star Jones isn't going away quietly. Her dramatic exit from 'The View' caught entertainment headlines for weeks after her departure, but she has been quietly reassessing her career since then. She had made a few guest appearances on other cable shows since, but has been busy working at home on other projects. In a recent interview, she was quoted as saying that she has entered a new chapter in her life and she is now ready to return to her public life, but not as a TV talk show host. Besides being invovled in several projects as a producer, she will be appearing next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on 'The Michael Eric Dyson Show', a syndicated talk show owned by Radio One Company. The talk show is available at Dyson Talk . The show which airs at 10 AM will revolve around real life issues and current events as well as a segment she calls "Ask the Lawyer". Frankly, I was never a big fan of Star's, but after Rosie O'Donnell took over Meredith Viera's slot, I miss Star's common sense lawyerly approach to current issues, as opposed to Rosie O'Donnell's overbearing and self-righteous opinions. Some times you don't know what you miss until it's gone.

2006-12-14T06:09:00.000-08:00

Last night was the season finale of 'Biggest Loser' with Eric walking away with the grand prize of $250,000. To win it, he had to have lost over 180 pounds and he did, indeed, accomplish that. In fact, all of the contestants lost over a whopping two tons, including everyone who entered from all fifty states. Heather had to remove herself from the competition because she is five months pregnant, but walked away with a beautiful, fully furnished nursery. The ending of this show comes at a time when people have already begun their holiday binging. One of the trainers, Bob, gave viewers some sage advice..."Don't wait until January 1st to begin your diet...start right now". Although losing weight can feel overwhelming (I know; I just lost 22 pounds myself), there is plenty of help online, including their own website Biggest Loser.com . You can opt to receive their newsletter or join for full support for about $20 a month. The most important step you take is to get some help whether it's Weight Watchers or any other online group (there are many). Like the Nike ad campaign says: just do it!

2006-12-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

Making changes in yourself for the new year, has to begin with purging. One aspect of stress is rooted in anxiety. Anxiety is often born out of the overwhelming feelings that there is too much to take on so people often go into avoidance mode. When beginning the task of getting rid of all that stuff you no longer need or want, take it one step at a time, or it will never get done. As I write this, I can tell you that you are not alone in your task. I am sitting here staring at a desk filled with papers, greeting cards, calendars, newspapers, magazines, pens, pencils, white out (which I really don't need for my computer)and, somewhere buried under the piles, is my telephone. At some point, I will tackle the desk, but I have no fear; I've done this before. What's the pay off for purging? Besides a clean desk, I have the feeling of finally completing the task that has been staring me down on a daily basis. Maybe when I'm done with that, I can move on to that junk drawer in the kitchen!

2006-12-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

Just the other day I was reading an article about the liability a company can incur during the yearly office party. I really never gave it much thought, but I suppose one can truly hurt themselves photocopying their butt after ingesting a gallon of eggnog. The last holiday office party I attended was many years ago. I was a secretary to two partners in a rather large and prestigious law firm that had connections to a very powerful political family (yes, that's the one). They shuttled us in buses to a private country club where we were treated to filet mignon and lobster tails along with unlimited champagne and lots of other alcoholic beverages. I now realized why we were taken on buses, as one by one I observed some of the most powerful partners, falling down drunk. Now, it makes me wonder how smart it is to hold such a party. At the very least you can make an utter fool of yourself and, at the worst, possibly incur an injury, costing the company thousands of dollars. If you can't throw a party that will show your appreciation to your employees, while minimizing the consumption of alcohol and office antics, how about taking that same money and putting directly into your employee's pockets? This year I am required to attend a holiday dinner with my employers and nine other teachers. None of us wants to go and the money they are spending on this dinner could have been given as holiday bonuses to us. We got no bonuses and are made to sit through a dinner, jumping through hoops, pretending that we really like each other, when we don't. I am beginning to believe that these holiday traditions are more for the employers to make them feel like they are really nice and ordinary people like you and me. To them I say, just send me a card with a check and I'll be happy spending that money the way I see fit and that would not include sitting through a meal with you.

2006-12-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

Are you all ready for another season of 'The Simple Life'? Yes, the newly reunited friends are going to soon be taping yet another season of their hit show for 'E'. Given Nicole Richie's recent arrest for driving under the influence and alleged eating disorder problems and Paris Hilton's arrest for basically the same thing, perhaps these girls should begin season three of their show in a rehab center. Shamefully, these girls names appear at the very top of the internet search list and young girls hold them up to be role models for them. Why this is, I truly don't understand. Neither one of them has shown any evidence of any talent other than keeping their publicity machine whirring 24/7. If you have a young daughter like I do, make sure you help them to understand that these girls haven't really achieved anytthing honorable. Their only claim to fame is their money and celebrity connections. They can't even be admired for their fashion sense, as they have none to speak of. Unfortunately, these girls and others like them (Lindsey Lohan for one) grab all the celebrity headline news, leaving less well-known young people who have achieved much more, in the dust. However, from every bad thing comes something wonderful. Use these events as a stepping stone to opening up discussions with your own kids. Ultimately, parents really are the best defense against drinking and doing drugs.

2006-12-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

As mothers, it feels as if we are always multi-tasking. This time of year can be particular stressful and lots of moms, like me, probably wish that they can just go out with their friends and kick back. The problem with that idea is too many moms just don't have anyone to take over when they want to go out. One solution is have a home party. You can take the kids with you if you have to and just have a girl's night in. One fun thing to do is a clothing swap. Everyone bring a bag of clothes and accessories you no longer wear and swap with your girlfriends. Do you long to do crafts, but can't find the time? How about organizing a fun and easy craft to do with your girlfriends. It's a great way to de-stress and just have some fun. If you long to share a meal together, but that feels too time consuming, how about a dessert party? Everyone bring a dessert and share with some flavored coffees and teas. If you can get out without the kids, then do something very adult, like have a wine-tasting party with cheese and crackers. Doing something like this can help you regroup for all those things you need to do to get ready for the holidays. For a great blog, that's more than a mommy blog, check out Mommy Space . It's very informative, well-written and just plain fun to read!

2006-12-10T06:16:00.000-08:00

It's not unusual for people to make resolutions for the coming New Year, but how many of us keep our resolutions? We all tend to make unrealistic demands on ourselves or our loved ones. We tend to make too many resolutions with no real plan in place for how we will execute them. Dr. Phil recently told 'Good Housekeeping' magazine some concrete ways for people to set forth realistic resolutions that they can make and follow. For instance, if you resolve to lose weight, make sure you have a game plan in place. How will you lose the weight, how much weight do you want to lose and how much time will you give yourself to reach your goal? Without having answered these questions, you may end up breaking your resolution before you even begin. If you resolve to have a better marriage, then you must be prepared to be a better partner first. We tend to put the responsibility on our partner to make our relationship work for us, but the buck stops with you. Be more loving and kind even if at first it feels unnatural to you. The more you do it, the more natural it will feel and the old saying 'what goes around, comes around' definitely applies here. Another big resolution is changing employment status. Again, be realistic. If you are making $28,000 a year now, you won't be making six figures by the end of next year. Changing jobs involves planning. Dr. Phil advises to update your resume and get professional help from a job counselor to optimize your search. Also, consider going back to school at night to help you in your goal of obtaining a better job. College graduates earn quite a bit more money than those with just a high school diploma. Take a look at your expenses as well and see where you can cut corners to save money. Cut down on eating out, expensive coffee and satellite TV if you have to. Don't just live for today; plan for your future. If you want to get your kids to behave better, then be prepared to take a look at your own behavior and how it impacts them. Do you yell a lot or give unrealistic punishments (no TV for a month would qualify here)? Again, change your own behavior and theirs will follow and be specific about what it is you want them to change so you can both work on it together. Children need your support so be there for them regardless of how they behave and give them praise when you catch them being good. Finally, set up a timeline for yourself for all your resolutions so you won't give up on them by mid-February. Be honest with yourself about what isn't working in your life and set forth to change it. If you need to get help for it, then do it. As Dr. Phil says, "Answer the question, then take the necessary steps to adress your problem and you'll be living in a whole new world this time next year".

2006-12-09T05:46:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when people begin assessing their lives and, more importantly, their employment or lack thereof. If you are at a crossroads right now in your career, want to make a move and don't know how, or you are simply unemployed, then think about volunteering. I've always volunteered for things, especially when my children were little and I enjoyed the self satisfaction I gained. Now that my children are older, I wanted to find something that I could do that would enrich me in more ways than just financially. I contacted a local teaching hospital and got involved in their volunteer program. They trained me and placed me in a position which suited my skills and personality. Now I work with children (mostly cancer patients) and their families in the hospital's family resource center. Although I'm there one day a week and it is a volunteer position, I have learned so much about myself and others who are dealing with difficult situations. I have gained much more compassion, understanding and a better perspective about my own life. If you need to do the same, then think about volunteering. Of course you may not know where to begin and that's okay; most people don't know what to do first. There are lots of websites such as Volunteer Monster which can point you in the right direction. You can also research local hospitals and animal rescue organizations in your area. The possibilities are endless and the empowerment you gain from volunteering is immeasurable. It's a great way to help gain more control over your destiny while helping others and this is really the best time of year to give back in any way you can.

2006-12-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

Below is a message from Blog Advance about a contest they are running. For more information you can click on the Blog Advance icon in my side bar, but read here about the contest:

As our members know we are running a surfing competition this month. Basically the member who has surfed the most by December 15th instantly wins the $100 paid directly into their paypal account.

However, we would like to let you all see who is currently in the top 10, by placing the top 10 on our BlogAdvance home page. The only problem with this is some members signed up with their real first names and may not want their name displayed.

So, we are currently running a thread on the BlogAdvance Forum for people to let us know by the end of this weekend if they wouldn't mind their name being displayed, or if they do they could change their details in the profile. So please login and let us know.

http://forum.blogadvance.com

This competition is sponsered By Intuity Hosting.

2006-12-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

Tips From The Money Godess has written a great post about sites that will pay bloggers to write. Check out her post and read what she has to say about these sites and what you need to do to be accepted. There is money to be made blogging so do your homework and you too can be your own boss!

2006-12-08T04:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes bosses have to admit that they can only do so much in a 24 hour time period. That doesn't mean that you are a failure, it means you're only human. Such is the case for 'Project Runway' guru, Tim Gunn. Much of the show's creative segments are filmed at Parson's, The New School of Design, where Tim is the chair of the fashion design department and has been for many years. Now Tim cannot commit to the next season of 'Project Runway', but the show's producers are adament about creating a schedule that will work for him. He is a valued member of their team and a favorite of viewers. He spoke up and hopefully his needs will be met. Good communication is the key to making working relationships optimum. Too bad not enough bosses are aware of this....including my own.

2006-12-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

If you would like to make more money blogging, then check out Creamaid . I have no idea what the name means, as it has nothing to do with cream or aid, except that it will aid your blog in making you more money and earning you more traffic. All their offers have been fun to blog about and it didn't require me to endorse anything either negatively or positively. Their acceptances come fairly quickly and they pay within 24 hours after acceptance. Their widgets, which appear at the end of each of their posts, not only draw more traffic to your blog, but anyone who accepts an offer through your widget, earns you even more money in referral fees. So give them a try by either applying through their website or you can go to my other blog, Susan's Spa and check out my two most recent posts for them. Of course, feel free to accept one of these offers through the widget that appears at the bottom of the post.

2006-12-06T05:03:00.000-08:00

I recently had a long talk with my own boss about my job. She gave me something to do which I felt was beyond my abilities. I recitified the situation myself since I work fairly independently and autonomously. She asked why I didn't come to her and I told her that I felt that she appeared overwhelmed most of the times and unapproachable. She was shocked that I felt that way, but she has been giving me mixed messages all through my employment. If she didn't know the answer to one of my questions she would just say "I don't know" and never follow up with me about any of my concerns. She only comes to me when she's in crisis mode herself. This is not a good working relationship, but since I work on my own, I don't have to be in contact with her on a daily basis. If I did I probably would have quit by now. This is what I mean by some people who are bosses, don't necessarily know how to be a boss. Here is a list of things from a Bill of Rights written by Lucinda Bassett in her book "Life Without Limits". These are some good tips to keep you in check about your own career requirements:
* You have the right to have a career.
* You have the right to enjoy your job every day.
* You have the right to change careers at any time in your life.
* You have the right to acquire new skills.
* You have the right to be the best you can be.
* You have the right to set goals and go after them.
* You have the right to make your own decisions.
* You have the right to work part time.
* You have the right to be proud of your work.
* You have the right to your own professional life.
I'll add a few of my own to this list:
* You have the right to be treated with respect.
* You have the right to take time off for illness or personal issues.
* You have the right to refuse to do things that are beyond your limits and/or that you weren't hired to do.
* You have the right to have all your questions answered so that you can do your own job to the best of your ability.
* You have the right to quit your job if it's not working for you.
In other words, treat yourself with respect and others will hopefully follow. If not, then maybe it's time to move on.

2006-12-05T05:17:00.000-08:00

If you're like me and you have a senior in high school, then you are anxiously waiting out the outcome of the college application process. Yesterday, we hit a minor bump in the road, when one college erroneously sent us a letter saying that my son's application was not accepted for early action. It turns out that his grade point average is just half a point below their requirements. When I called the admissions office to tell them that he never applied for early action, they apologized profusely and said his file would be put back into the regular active applications. I was told that if he pulls his mid-term grade up just one half point, he has a good chance of being accepted. Of course, he was disappointed, but I told him that he needs to prepared himself for all possibilities during this process. Being very young, he is idealistic about his future and this is his first major venture out into the real world. I told him that it was okay to be disappointed, but that he needed to move past it and make a plan for himself. I also told him that receiving the letter was a blessing in disguise since now he knows what he has to do in order to improve his chances of getting into any college. This is really the beginning of developing a good set of coping skills to meet all of life's challenges, big or little. The only way we can truly take control of our own lives is to set a good plan of action into motion and to be well prepared for any outcome, good or bad. This can apply to anything in life including your job, your financial situation and/or personal relationships. If you think you might need a little help in this area, you can read a great book by Lucinda Bassett called 'Life Without Limits'. Lucinda is the creator of Attacking Anxiety and Depression and the author of many books. In this one she shows you how to clarify what you want, redefine your dreams and become the person you really want to be. She can teach you how to devise a solid plan of action that really works, acquire an attitude of success, achievement and maturity, learn to be a risk taker and make effective decisions, learn how to stop worrying and start Power Thinking and work with universal energy and intuitive principles (in other words, weed out all that negative energy and surround yourself with positive energy instead). When you follow a few simple steps, you can really take charge of your life and be the boss!