Did you participate in the Ultimate Blog Challenge?

I have been participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge during the month of October.  This has been a great challenge and has motivated me to write more often.   I’m happy I participated and I’m also very grateful to Michelle Shaeffer and Michele Scism for hosting this event.

 The goal was to post 30 blog posts during the month.   I didn’t meet the goal.  I only had 18, between two different blogs.  But that is OK.  I put forth an effort and with all the other things I had going on this month.  I’m amazed I was able to post 18 times.    

Last night I was feeling sad that I didn’t meet the goal of 30, and then I got to thinking about how much the challenge has helped me to grow and blog more often and how many other great blogs I have read because of this challenge.   It is the experience and the journey that makes it fun and worthwhile, not always the destination!  

These challenges are a great way to kick your blogging into gear and get you moving.   They take place every couple months and they send you an email every day of a blog idea.   I only used one of their ideas but hope to use many more in the future.

I hope to continue to blog in November and December with a twice a week consistency and then participate in the next blog challenge in January. 

So how about you?    Do you need something to motivate you to blog on a more consistent basis?  How do you motivate yourself?  Are you interested in participating in the next blog challenge?  Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Gratitude...do you show it?

During the month of November, I hope to encourage all my family and friends on facebook to post what they are thankful for as we lead up to Thanksgiving.  If we could all remember to count our blessings every day…we would complain a lot less.   We would smile a lot more.  We would wish for a lot less. Most importantly, we would be the type of person people would want to be around.  We would be the bright spot in their day.  The happy face they need to see.  

No matter how terrible things might seem in any given moment, we have much to be grateful for.   There is always something in our life we can be thankful for.  Gratitude also gives you a number of unexpected personal results.  You start feeling a little different, your outlook on life is better, and your resiliency when things go wrong is better.

During the month of November from now till Thanksgiving….join me in posting what you are thankful for.  You will be surprised how many things you can find.

So what are you thankful for?  Who are you thankful for?   Why not leave a comment or post on your facebook status, what you are thankful for?

Check Out These Rainbow Pictures

Several weeks ago on my way home from work, It was raining and the sun was shining.  I looked up and ahead of me was the most beautiful rainbow. 

I was driving and wondered how I was going to capture this rainbow on camera before it disappeared.

I took one with my phone but I was in a small town and the picture didn’t look too great.

I drove a little further and kept taking pictures through my windshield as I drove.  I found another camera in my purse and tried to take some pictures with it too.

Finally I found a place to pull off and I was able to get out and take a few more shots.

Rainbows are so beautiful and they remind me of God’s promise to never destroy the earth.  I always feel very comforted when I see a rainbow.

So what about you, have you ever taken pictures of rainbows?   What do rainbows mean to you?

Are you a PTA member?

Last weekend I traveled to Harrisburg to participate in committee meetings and a Board of Managers meeting for Pennsylvania PTA.

I got involved with PTA about ten years ago when Neal started kindergarten.  Research indicates that students who have parents actively involved in their child’s school have better grades, less absenteeism, and fewer problems in school.  That was one of the reasons I first became involved in PTA.  I wanted to do everything I could to make the school a safe and happy place for my child and to help him to succeed in whatever way possible.



I attended meetings and participated in some of the events they held at the school.  As he went through elementary school I became more involved and served as president for several years.  When he was in fourth grade I was elected to the state Board of Managers.

During the board meeting.

This is my third term on the Board of Managers.  I previously served as Region VP and then as Technology Specialist.  I took a two year break and now serve as the Social Media and Technology Specialist.

The thing I like most about PTA is that it serves all the children.  Their motto is, Every Child, One Voice.   Regardless of whether people are rich or poor, are in PTA or not, have one or multiple children, the PTA serves them all.   We speak up for children who basically would not have a voice if someone didn’t work on their behalf.    We are advocates and help to make sure our elected officials pay attention to bills and laws that affect children. 



PA PTA Board of Managers
VP Debbie Dunstone and I are missing from the photo.



I’m a very busy person, juggling a lot of roles and responsibilities.  My free time is very limited, but I feel PTA is a worthy cause and one that deserves my time. You can learn more about PTA by visiting the National PTA page at http://www.pta.org/ or by visiting Pennsylvania PTA page at http://www.papta.org/.

So how about you?  Do you belong to your school’s PTA?   Are you involved as a volunteer at your child’s school?  Do you attend the state PTA conferences that provide leadership training and help you be a better volunteer?



Do you like "change?"

Are you someone who thrives on change?  Or do you resist change no matter what?  I wonder why we all have different feelings about change?   Due to my job, I have had to learn to not only like change but to welcome it.  Change is the only constant we have in life.

Check out my "On My Way To Work" video about change.



How do you feel about change?  Any advice or tips for people dealing with change?

Change

A week or so ago I wrote about New Beginnings.  Today I am going to talk about change.   How do you feel about change?  Is it something you welcome or something you dread?

From the recent posts online complaining about the changes facebook made the other week, I think most people dread change of any kind.   Why is this?

When the only constant we have in life is change, why do most people dread it so?  What do they fear?  Is it the unknown or just knowing they will have to move out of their comfort zone for a little while?

Jane Knaub

I have two friends who seem to have found a way to not only deal with change but embrace change.  My friend Jane Knaub, used to live in York, PA with her husband and grandson.  She had always dreamed of a beach home.  A year ago they purchased their dream in the Mytle Beach area for their summer pleasure.  Less than a year later, Jane moved her family to Myrtle Beach, quit her teaching job in PA and secured a job in South Carolina.  Talk about lots of changes…..Jane seems to have handled them all with grace and a smile.  Jane has been recording the changes in her life in a blog, MyLife in M.B. 



Brenda Huston Fortna



My friend Brenda Huston Fortna, also seems to enjoy change.  She recently decided to sell her home in Allentown that she had lived in for 10 years and downsize into a rented cottage.  She decided to make the move on sight when she first visited the cottage. She made the decision and moved in a matter of weeks. Brenda also owns another home in Cooks, PA. which is her get-away retreat for weekends and whenever she can throw a few things in a bag and steal away from her real estate business.   Her youngest son also started college this fall.  She loves to travel and seems to relish change and just go with the flow.  She records her travels on her blog, People, Places and Books.

I admire both of these women for their adaptability to whatever their surroundings might be and their willingness to put themselves out there and take some risks and have their own little adventures.   They view change as a positive experience and make the most of any situation.

So many people live a so-so life because they don’t want to rock the boat.  They don’t want to step out of the routine.  They fear even changing their cereal brand.  A friend of mine told me she has been eating the same cereal for breakfast every single day since she was 13.  No special occasions when she eats something else, no variety, just the same bowl of cereal every day.   While to many this may seem quite normal, to me I thought, “What a boring life.”  I guess it is great we are all different.

Please leave me a comment and tell me which type of person you are.    Are you someone who thrives on change or someone who would do anything to avoid change?   Either way, how do you deal with change when it happens?

Facebook Happenings

Today, Facebook is scheduled to begin the public release of Timeline.  Which will feature user's individual posts, photos and information to create a personal "timeline."  It may take a couple weeks for this to be rolled out to everyone.  Like with all Facebook changes, you should check your security and privacy settings after each change in case they are automatically set to public.

So how about you....do you have the timeline yet?  If so, do you like it?  If not, are you looking forward to getting the facebook timeline?

Doing Too Much

Do you ever say "Yes" to too many things?  Over-commit and then feel a sense of overwhelm?  All these things due at once and not sure where to begin?  I sometimes feel that way.   Beginning always seems to be the hardest part.   Usually because we don't know where to begin.  I'm learning to say "No."   But let's face it there are lots of things I want to say "Yes" to.  And if you are employed, there are lots of things you don't get a say in.  I have a tip that I use to help get my many projects completed.  Maybe it will help you to.  Check out my video and find out.

***Note....fair warning...this was a lack of sufficient sleep, no makeup, bad hair day rolled into one!

So do you have any tips to add to help get projects completed when you say "Yes" to often or are overwhelmed?

Trying Something New

Do you like to try new things?   Some people do and some absolutely hate it?  I'm one of those people that gets a kick out of trying something new.

One of the latest new things I have tried is the video - On My Way To Work.   Sometimes the morning drive is boring.  So on Friday, I thought I would just record my thoughts as I drove.   It turned out OK....so maybe I will record my thoughts now and then - On My Way To Work.

Today's video is about "Trying Something New."

So what about you....do you like to try new things?   Or are you someone who resists trying something new?  When you think about trying something new...what emotions do you feel?

Are You A Boss?

Today is Boss's Day! I'm so blessed to have such a great team in my department. I had forgotten that today was Boss's Day. When I arrived at work, my secretary had a lovely bouquet and balloon sitting on my desk. Then she and several other team members took me to lunch.

Being a boss is many things.  It is sometimes being in charge of the actions of others.  Being the person they report to, the person they complain to.It includes being the person that sometimes takes the heat for the rest of the group.  Sometimes it also means being the person who has to lean on people to get a job done.  It also means you get the pleasure of watching people grow and learn and become leaders themselves.  It means you get to be their cheerleader at times.   It means being happy for other's successes. I'm sure Webster has a more succinct definition for "Boss," today it means "Bliss" for me!

Are you a boss?  If you are self-employed I hope you treated yourself to something special today to celebrate.  Please share you "Boss" thoughts.

Do You Like To Travel Alone?

“A feeling of confidence and personal power comes from facing challenges and overcoming them.”

Earlier in the month I wrote about attending the “Take Action, Get Profits” workshop on Social Networking in Orlando.  It was a fantastic event, but one of the biggest things I gained from the trip was the empowered feeling I got from traveling alone.

New Friends - Debbie O'Grady, Annie Leiby, and Yvonne Jones

It had been about two years since I traveled alone by plane.   When I’m with my family….I just follow along like a puppy dog.  Wherever they go…I follow.  I don’t pay a lot of attention to where things are or signs, (except restroom signs.) I know they will get me there and I can spend my time people watching, gawking at the getups some people wear and checking out the restaurants in the airport, etc. 

When you travel alone, you have to pay attention.  You have to figure out where you are supposed to be, which gate, how to get there, where you get your luggage, how to maneuver it to the shuttle and the list goes on.  There is no one there to help you or tell you to just follow them.  You are on your own!



Jackie Baker originally from London



Although none of the tasks are hard, it gives you a sense of confidence and empowerment when you know you can manage and get where you are going on your own. 

I mentioned traveling alone to some of my friends and they said they would never, ever even consider doing it.  They also wouldn’t eat in a restaurant alone.  I happen to enjoy both!  I think every man and woman should take a solo trip every couple years.  Not with friends or other family members, but by themselves.   Aside from increasing your confidence in your own abilities, it gives you a new perspective on things.  It opens your eyes to new opportunities and possibilities. It also gives you a chance to enjoy your own company and the company of others you might not meet if you were with family.

The lovely pool I did NOT get to enjoy!  When we had time, it rained.

Although I enjoy traveling with my family on a routine basis, I look forward to the occasional solo trip.  How about you, when was the last time you traveled alone?  Do you get a confidence boost when you travel solo? Do you enjoy to traveling alone?  

Just Do It!

It is Friday and there is much to get done before the weekend.   I don't know about you, but for me it will be a busy day.   I plan to get everything on my "to do" list crossed off before I head home.

Check out my tip on how you can get much accomplished today as well.



How about you.....do you have lots to complete? What stops you from accomplishing your goals? Do you have any tips to share about how you "Get it done!"

Are You A Musician?

Are you a musician?   Do you sing or play an instrument? I used to sing in the school chorus, and with the Agape Singers and Players.   I used to play the piano, organ, clarinet, and tenor sax. 

Somehow when I graduated, I must have thought I graduated from having musical abilities as well.  I haven’t played the organ, clarinet or tenor sax since graduation day 30+ years ago.  I have on occasion played a song or two on the piano, but nothing to write home about.   I do occasionally sing with our church choir.  But that is about it as far as music goes.

I wonder why this is?   I know it is the same for many of my friends and family?   Why do we work so hard to learn a skill or cultivate a talent and then just walk away from it?  Has this ever happened to you?

Happy Anniversary Michael

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband.   Twenty six years ago today, I married my best friend, the love of my life and the man of my dreams.   I feel so very blessed to be married to him.  He is my rock, my touchstone, my friend, my support, my strength.   Many people ask and comment about “How I can manage to do everything I do, work long hours, be a mom, and wife, volunteer with various local and state organizations, and now intend to start a business?”   I always answer the same way.  I couldn’t do it if I were married to someone else.  Michael makes it all possible because he is there to support my endeavors and pick up the slack at home.  I am spoiled.  I come home to gourmet meals, clean clothes, and Neal’s chauffeuring needs are all handled.  Sometimes the house is clean as well.   His willingness to do these things, frees my evenings to relax, spend time with family, volunteer with band boosters, or work on my business, and spend some weekends scrapbooking, at PA PTA Board Meetings or do other things I enjoy.   Yes, I do about half the laundry and I still have to clean some things…cause I’m picky.   Yes, my house gets cluttered when I’m away a lot, but I do not have to spend my every waking minute worrying about meals, laundry, the house, etc.

On top of that….he is a wonderful, dedicated, and involved father. 

 When we were first married, and we would talk about 25^th wedding anniversaries…it seemed like that was a lifetime away.  And now here we are celebrating our 26^th anniversary.  Time flies by and over the years we have had happy times, and sad times.   We have had family members and animals that we loved pass away.  We have had ideas and dreams of things that didn’t pan out.   We have had household appliances break down, and things need to be replaced. We have arguments and disagree like all couples and we have had the routine married life most people have.  But through it all we have always been devoted to each other and been there when the other person needed them to be.   Our love is stronger now than when we said “I do.”  I am so grateful God helped me to make the right choice in selecting a mate for life.  I have much to be thankful for.

There are many times when I feel like I’m living a wonderful fairy tale…..the best thing is it is real life!

25th Wedding Anniversary Trip to the Bahamas

He Changed the World

We all heard the news last evening that Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. passed away from a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Many of us learned about his death on a device he created.

I did not know Steve personally, I am not a raving Apple fan, the only thing Apple that I own is an iPod, yet I feel like I have lost a friend.

Everyone thinks of Steve as the wealthy guy who made lots of money from computers.  But are you aware of his start?  Are you aware of how he became the person known around the world?

His mother was an unwed teenager who gave him up for adoption.  His adopted parents did not have much money.  He dropped out of college after six months.  He was homeless and walked several miles for a free meal after dropping out.   He crashed on friends floors and attended some classes he wasn't enrolled in and then moved back home and started tinkering with computers in his dad's garage.   After 10 years and he had reached a high level of success he was publicly humiliated and fired from his own company.   He created several other companies including Pixar.   He eventually was rehired by Apple and the rest is history, but he never tried to hide his roots or his background.  He was smart enough to realize it was what helped to shape him into the inspirational person he was.

Steve Jobs lived each day like it would be his last.  By doing so, he taught each of us that the inspired person who believes he can make a difference in the world, truly can bring about change.
 
Steve Jobs changed the world.  He transformed each of our lives.  He changed the way we view and communicate with the world.  He changed my life and inspired me.  Technology as we know it, is possible because of Steve Jobs.

In 2005, Jobs gave the commencement address at Stanford.  He talks about life and death.  If you have a few minutes, watch the video.  It is very moving.

The world lost a visionary leader last night.  But the world also lost someone who exemplified living in the public eye, up until he said good-bye.

Take Action, Get Profits

Our Hotel in Orlando

Last weekend I traveled to Orlando, Florida to attend a conference on Social Networking.   Anyone who knows me, knows how interested I am in Social Media.   I love reading blogs, I enjoy blogging myself, I find facebook to be a great way to communicate, Google+ looks promising, YouTube is most entertaining and I’m still trying to figure Twitter out.  I post to Twitter on a routine basis, but still don’t have the hang of it.   There are hundreds of other sites that can be included in Social Networking.   It is a big, broad field and it is still in its infancy.  I expect it to continue growing for years to come.

About six months ago, I started thinking about what I want to retire to when I leave my current job.   The first thing that came to mind was something with social media.   I could get lost reading blogs all day and post to facebook all night….but thought I needed something a little more substantial.  



Michele Scism and Robin Smith



 So I did some research and I followed a few people online that I felt were doing things that I would like to do.  People like Michele Scism,  Martha Giffin, Michelle Shaeffer, and Jo Barnes. After a few months I decided I wanted to start an online business helping people and small businesses get themselves online and be successful.   You see there is one thing to just using social media for fun and posting what you think today….it is another to be using it as a business and try to drive traffic to your business and make a profit.   Not only do they need a fan page, they need a welcome page, a squeeze page, and they need to use facebook, blogs, and other social media in a strategic manner.  I learned how to help businesses do that at Take Action, Get Profits in Orlando.

I’m starting to build my own business and business pages.  Then I hope to help entrepreneurs and small businesses with their pages.  Social Media Management is a growing field and I’m thrilled to be part of it.



Some of Our Presenters

While in Orlando, I met many people who are in various stages of their business.  It was great to meet with people who have already gone where I want to go an those just getting started, like me.  It was also wonderful to meet so many people with the same interest in social media.   Many people were there for different reasons from different types of businesses, but we all were learning how social media could contribute to our success.

I’ll be sharing a bit more about my experiences and things I learned on this trip in the future.

So tell me, what do you feel is most interesting about social networking and how it can impact businesses?  Leave me a comment and share your thoughts.

Facebook Basics

Are you new to Facebook?  Still having trouble figuring out what is what and how you do things?  I think I can help.  Tomorrow evening at 7:30 PM, I will be offering a FREE webinar going over facebook basics and how you do a number of things on facebook.   I would love for you and your friends to join me. 

 All you have to do is go to Facebook Basics and register with your email address.  On Monday you will receive an email reminder of the session.  The email will include the links you will need to log on to the webinar.  Log onto the site prior to 7:30 and you will be able to see and hear the webinar and watch the steps to do many things on Facebook.

Perhaps you have never attended an online webinar and are wondering what all is involved.  You need to have a computer with internet access, speakers or headphones to listen and the link to access the webinar.   Once you log in you will be able to view my screen and the various things I will be showing you as well as hear my voice.    If you have questions there will be an area for you to type them and I will be able to answer during the webinar.   You do NOT need a phone or a microphone.  All questions will be asked through the chat system on AnyMeeting.  It is FREE, easy and a fun way to learn new things!

So, take a minute and register today.  Also, if you know of questions you want to be sure and have answered, please enter your questions in the comments below and I include them in the webinar.

Register now……..FREE Facebook Basics Webinar, Monday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 PM.

New Beginnings

Today is October 1^st and a beginning of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.    It is a challenge to create 31 blog posts during the month of October.   I don’t have to post every day, can skip a day or two and do multiples on other days, but the goal is to create 31 different posts during the month. This is a real challenge for me since I have been lazy in regard to my blogging habits of late.   I have made a few other things my priority and since mid-July haven’t been posting much.   But I plan to make up for lost time.

If you are interested in participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, you can sign up at www.ultimateblogchallenge.com. 

I like challenges.  They help to motivate me and propel me forward.   I participated in a similar challenge earlier this year and did great the first half of the month and then didn’t do so well the end of the month.  Hope to do better this time.

This is a new beginning.  A chance to improve and let my creativity flow.  It is also a chance to help some other people and maybe even inspire someone else to try the challenge.  I like beginnings, they give me hope and a fresh outlook.

Change is something many people dislike.   I read the many posts of people complaining about recent facebook changes.  Even the smallest change was met with complaints.   I must be a strange one…because I sort of like change.    I like figuring it out and unraveling the mystery.   I guess that is why I’m in a job that deals with a lot of change and often I’m the person pushing the change.   When things are constantly changing, life is never boring.  Tiring, but never boring!

How do you feel about challenges?  How about new beginnings?   What are you feeling on change?

Please take a minute to respond and share your thoughts.