tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210199922024-02-02T10:11:32.829-05:00By Char - Beads, Thoughts, Etc.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-52103961673109452572012-09-02T14:03:00.002-04:002012-09-02T14:03:58.786-04:00Living The DreamI'm such a literalist that I have a problem when someone asks me "Are you living your Dream?" Why? Well, because if I were living it then it wouldn't be a Dream, would it?<br />
<br />
Yeah, silly I know. I know what they mean, but it still annoys me.<br />
<br />
Anyway, since I started my business in '07 (legally/officially in '08) I've had a 'dream' that I would be able to support my household (me and hubby) on the business income. And I've been able to do that. What I'm realizing now, though, is that my dream was specific enough. We're making it - barely. I should have had a larger dream that included - supporting my household while living a particular lifestyle.<br />
<br />
So, I'm taking stock again of where I am in the business world, what's working and what's not. And I'm doing it now instead of in January or any other time of the year because I've been battling the urge to hit the road.<br />
<br />
I wasn't born with the need to travel - but the way I grew up certainly put the traveling feet into me.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I've been in this house too long. </li>
<li>There are no unpacked boxes around me and that is still a strange feeling.</li>
<li>I'm tired of the view outside my office window.</li>
<li>I'm tired of seeing the same people in the same business meetings saying the same things.</li>
<li>I'm feeling constrained and restrained - very few people appreciate my views, unless they're in trouble and looking for the truth.</li>
</ul>
So now what?<br />
<br />
When we were first married I told my husband that I wanted to live in an RV and travel around the country. He was all for it - except neither one of us knew how to do it. That was in 1990. I'm tired of thinking about it. It's time to do it.<br />
<br />
But I still don't know how to do it, exactly. I know we need an income on the road. I know we need an RV to live in. I know we need to stay at places across the country. That's all I know.<br />
<br />
I met Nancy Vogel online in a beading forum back in 2003. I had just started beading and the forum was a great place to learn about techniques, get inspired with ideas, and meet women who loved beads and beading as much as I did.<br />
<br />
Then Nancy and her family (husband and twin boys) hit the road - literally. They traveled by bicycle from Alaska to Argentina...read about their <a href="http://www.familyonbikes.org/" target="_blank">adventure</a>. I followed the blog. I imagined me and my hubby with them in pretty much every country. I was glad we weren't there when the temperature dropped to 30 below and the winds were howling. I was glad we weren't there when the heat and humidity topped 100% each. But I followed along and yearned for the ability/motivation/know how to do the same.<br />
<br />
Then, just this past week, I saw a Facebook post by Nancy. It talked about <a href="http://dreamreboot.com/?ap_id=504238294c42f" target="_blank">Dream: Reboot</a>. I went to the website and knew I hit paydirt. It was time. It was time to re-awaken that dream I had 22 years ago - to hit the road and live in an RV with my husband. And here was the place that would show me how, encourage me to follow through, be with me as we made plans and finally do it. I start tomorrow - wanna join me? Check it out for yourself and if you're ready then I'll see you in the forums!Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-59524843640155360262012-08-27T13:38:00.000-04:002012-09-02T13:41:09.185-04:00The Weight Loss GameSo, it's been quite a while since I first posted that I was going to work with someone to help me lose weight. And work I did! I met with my personal trainer 3x/week and focused on weight training and flexibility exercises. For 6 months I did this, and was careful about what I ate. I didn't remove foods from my diet though. I didn't remove sugar, grains and oils. And somethings I overindulged in ice cream because the craving for something sweet was too much to handle. But, overall, when I look back, I think I did okay - not great, but okay.<br />
<br />
Results: after 6 months I lost 6 lbs. Disappointing, until I see that I gained strength and flexibility. When I started the effort I couldn't lift my own weight or stretch my legs beyond a certain point. When I finished I could not only lift my own weight but do so in reps. And boy was I flexible!<br />
<br />
But, I was still too heavy and very uncomfortable. Then I lost a large client and couldn't afford the personal trainer.<br />
<br />
I didn't gain the weight back - and I really haven't lost the strength. I found a YouTube video series that I now use - it's using kettlebell workouts. The series shows beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of use and they videos are short enough that I don't feel like I have to take out an hour or two of my day to follow them. Her name is Kitty and her site is My O My TV. Go ahead, check her out.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I've once again decided to tackle the weight issue by following a restricted diet. How restricted? Well, I've cut out dairy, oils, grains and sugar. High protein every meal in quantities of less then 4 ounces, lots of greens - green leaf veggies and green veggies (cooked and cold). It's been a few weeks, I've lost 10 pounds (mostly, I think, to no sugar or grains) and I'm feeling pretty good. We'll see. I treated myself to a bit of sugar yesterday (Snickers), and it didn't taste that great. Maybe I'm on to something, heh?<br />
<br />
Doctor says either do it this way or try diet pills again. Diet pills worked to get me started on a weight loss track, but then I had to take Prednisone again and gained 30 pounds - obliterating any evidence of weight loss via the pills. And I don't like taking pills - so I said no thanks Doc, let's do something else.<br />
<br />
He told me to try the Paleo diet without the oils and grains. So, that's what I'm doing. Another few weeks and I'll start introducing oils, grains, sugar and milk back into my diet. One at a time. If I feel different/icky/ill, etc. then I know what not to eat moving forward.<br />
<br />
Oh, and I haven't had a Crohn's flare up in over 6 months. Let's pray that I don't have one for another 6 months, heh?<br />
<br />Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-81075166164308194102011-11-21T04:10:00.004-05:002011-11-21T04:21:24.693-05:00Weight Loss, Food and the Personal TrainerSo, I’ve discovered something about myself.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://charleneburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image.png"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" class="alignnone" height="233" src="http://charleneburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image_thumb.png" style="border: 0pt none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="348" /></a><br />
<br />
No, it’s not that I dislike working with a personal trainer. I am sticking with Maddie and though I’m not seeing or feeling results, I know I will simply because now that I’m moving my body there will be results. And, I wasn’t silly enough to think that I would see results in days. I probably won’t see results for quite a few weeks – it’s how my body works and is built.<br />
<br />
<br />
No, what I’ve learned about myself is that I love food.<br />
<br />
I watch the Food Network and Cooking channel regularly.<br />
<br />
No wonder I’m overweight!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://charleneburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image1.png"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" class="alignnone" height="229" src="http://charleneburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image_thumb1.png" style="border: 0pt none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="357" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Not only do I snack, a lot, I watch shows about food and cooking – which in turn make me think I’m hungry so I snack more.<br />
<br />
Therefore, resolved today: I will exchange the watching of Food Network and Cooking channel to ESPN or Fitness channels.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Because it makes sense that if I’m watching people being active I will tend to be more active.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://charleneburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image2.png"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" class="alignnone" height="267" src="http://charleneburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/image_thumb2.png" style="border: 0pt none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="355" /></a><br />
<br />
In the meantime, I’ve considered taking up bowling again. It’s a sport I’m good at and I used to enjoy.<br />
<br />
So today I’m heading to the local bowling alley to see how well I do. I’m also going to inquire about joining a league.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-85274681603355460232011-11-21T04:08:00.000-05:002011-11-21T04:08:51.366-05:00Working with A Personal Trainer<div class="format_text entry-content"> And our first day was today. Early this morning. 6 am. Not early enough for me, but she just wouldn’t add a 5 am session to her schedule.<br />
<br />
I’ve worked out at the YMCA for about 2 years – off and on. And that’s the problem. It’s an off and on relationship based on workout buddies that pooped out on me after a month, two months, one time after a week. I’m good on my own for about 2 weeks and then I find an excuse to stop. Why? The workout buddy kept me interested with conversation. And I could encourage her while she encouraged me. Left to my own devices I got bored. Hey, I can walk forever but if there’s nothing to see in terms of landscape, people, architecture or farm animals than the walk is pointless to me.<br />
<br />
Then I hired a personal trainer at the Y. She was good. I asked for a workout to help me lose weight and to get strong (no upper body strength in this woman). We worked with Cybex equipment and the treadmill. I didn’t see a change in my body weight, but I felt a bit stronger after two months. Then I couldn’t afford the trainer and my workout buddy stopped coming to the Y.<br />
<br />
This time is different. <br />
<br />
I stopped my YMCA membership.<br />
<br />
I joined Anytime Fitness.<br />
<br />
I hired a personal trainer for 12 sessions of 30 minutes each.<br />
<br />
We worked with free weights and resistance.<br />
<br />
I could feel the workout in my body as I did the sets.<br />
<br />
We’ll be meeting Monday and Friday morning. <br />
<br />
I’m to come 30 minutes early (suits my schedule anyway) and do cardio – treadmill is fine for now, can easily go to stationery bike. Then she’ll come get me and we’ll do our 30 minutes. <br />
<br />
On Tuesday morning I joined a group of women in spin class. I survived. Actually, I more than survived. I’m ready to go back.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday morning I’m to do cardio workout – 30 to 40 minutes.<br />
<br />
On Thursday morning I can take a break or do cardio workout.<br />
<br />
On Saturday and Sunday morning I’m to do cardio workout in preparation of Monday with the trainer.<br />
<br />
After a few weeks I can do the free weights on my own – I’m not to try them on my own until she says I’m ready.<br />
<br />
I can say, in all honesty, that this time is different and I’m looking forward to seeing the changes in my body after 6 weeks.<br />
</div>Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-60874124001885839162010-12-10T15:27:00.000-05:002010-12-10T15:27:20.056-05:00Was thinking of moving....A letter to my poor neglected followers. I'm sorry I haven't kept you up to date with the happenings of my life. I have been updating my other blogs, and gave serious consideration to closing this one and redirecting you to the other ones. But then I realized that I wouldn't have a place to just let loose! Or to share my bead work. I do have another blog going at <a href="http://charleneburke.com/">charleneburke.com</a> and encourage you to check it out. But I don't feel comfortable sharing the same things there that I share here.<br />
<br />
Then again, that blog is on a WordPress platform is much easier for me to type in - Blogger tends to skip lines as I'm writing, then doesn't respond when I press enter to start another paragraph. It's been that way for a long and I've always found it annoying.<br />
<br />
But to heck with it. For now I'll handle the annoying issues with Blogger and take it in stride. I foresee a few posts that include a bit of a rant. As well as a few posts that focus on my beadwork.<br />
<br />
I'll check in again in a week or so and give you a better update. But for now, rest assured, that I'll be keeping this blog for a while. And if I do decide to move it permanently I'll let you know.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-77353995995006640322010-03-12T12:59:00.000-05:002010-03-12T12:59:39.462-05:00Oh my goodness - it's March already?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqONlO8hwuXtDKWj0wnz5Nh_1zDlBnyxo4dwgkBd3wiEqXxVW1ncA6r99-V1tsPemBKX1zYMCojqQkokRnRXEOX2wzw4AQ-dqP-biC26Olvp4aEoEX8WyD-A7izaG9W6dxsHs7w/s1600-h/amazed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqONlO8hwuXtDKWj0wnz5Nh_1zDlBnyxo4dwgkBd3wiEqXxVW1ncA6r99-V1tsPemBKX1zYMCojqQkokRnRXEOX2wzw4AQ-dqP-biC26Olvp4aEoEX8WyD-A7izaG9W6dxsHs7w/s320/amazed.jpg" /></a></div>I couldn't resist that headline. With the amount of work I've been doing these past two months I am giving serious consideration to hiring a virtual assistance. Two more retainer clients and I will have to.<br />
<br />
I picked up an excellent client recently - Turbo Wheelchair Co., Inc. located online at <a href="http://www.merlexi.com%20/">www.merlexi.com </a>Dr. Jane Hermes is the creator/inventor/designer of the plastic wheelchair, an advocate for elder mobility and an all around fascinating woman. I'm thrilled to have her as an online marketing client. Some of the initial website work is done - I am working with the existing site - and most of that initial work has been in the back-end. My plan for her online marketing efforts are based on building one component on top of the other, which means that now I'm into site content, optimizing existing content, writing new content. *sigh* it's a good thing I enjoy writing.<br />
<br />
In addition to Dr. Jane, I have been working with Dr. Nancy Keck of New Directions Unlimited. She provides business consulting beyond anything I've ever seen - no, she's not my consultant, but she is my mentor - and the work I'm doing for her is online marketing related. Right now we're in the middle of building a website for her - then we'll get to content.<br />
<br />
Hmm...another project I'm working on is for Greater Louisville Business Alliance - <a href="http://www.glbaonline.org/">GLBA</a> - a business networking group in Louisville for which I am an officer (Secretary). The project is creating a Facebook Workshop - walking attendees through building a personal profile then a business fan page. We've limited attendance to 25 because I anticipate having to hold the hands of about 10 and don't want to be overwhelmed. Anyway, that's scheduled for April 5 so I'm just finishing up the framework of the session.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, I'm presenting to a small business group next week - an overview of business networking on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. I'm supposed to talk for about 20 minutes (easy to do on social media) then allow for Q&A - very casual so should be fun.<br />
<br />
<br />
Today I just picked up a client who wants me to teach him how to use the software on his computer - in 15 minute increments on a weekly basis. Based on questions he brings to me. Should be fun :)<br />
<br />
Most of my time has been spent at the computer. Most people don't realize that adding a page to a website can take 10 hours, or optimizing content includes research first then deciding where to put the keywords and phrases for best results (which can take 5-6 hours). But in the end, it's only important that my clients are happy with the results I said I would give them - and so far they are.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-2371431271325571232009-12-18T07:48:00.000-05:002010-01-02T07:49:20.999-05:00National Conference of Network Members/Agency Owners Online Marketing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qHNOvU_lojg83x1RVBxFsgHkylxBWXMy1WUzripji__5WXjgYnSjuZHrkTM7MlAWcuJBh8KchUssrjm_4zRYicUZeOfQTB00HTRGxN6XCxaXGZHbcveQ6dcSNKoPQCRYSuH1pA/s1600-h/SMM+Atlanta+2009+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qHNOvU_lojg83x1RVBxFsgHkylxBWXMy1WUzripji__5WXjgYnSjuZHrkTM7MlAWcuJBh8KchUssrjm_4zRYicUZeOfQTB00HTRGxN6XCxaXGZHbcveQ6dcSNKoPQCRYSuH1pA/s320/SMM+Atlanta+2009+010.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>So, I went to another national conference for online marketing business owners/network members a few weekends ago. The conference was held at the Evergreen-Marriott Resort in Stone Mountain, GA. Room rates were reasonable, even better for me because I shared a room with fellow business owner Cecilia Ansola, the food was acceptable and the business owners I met were awesome!<br />
<br />
I presented again, this time on Blogging for a Client or yourself. There are many people scared off by blogging, either for their own business or for a client, and I was able to provide a few tips and tricks that would help them along. Then, there were a few that knew there was no way they were going to blog for anyone! and they asked if I was available to contract work to - of course I said Yes. <br />
<br />
I met new business owners, connected with some I had met in Las Vegas, and best of all I learned a few new things about keeping myself and my business on track.<br />
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My trip to Atlanta/Stone Mountain was strictly business, as was the remainder of my 'tour' through the south. But, I was able to fit in some time with family. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4pIN71RJAO3iHN_DRgosCO0zbaDTWynfkFXD2Gm4nrEL7_d-0s5i1rlm7xhSSHnKUunrlj_rmeiiUoEI5uaR3xywbUMrk9NWMnYGkxd1jK7EoXKhtAH_fTbTtjie1goAgzgvEw/s1600-h/SMM+Atlanta+2009+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4pIN71RJAO3iHN_DRgosCO0zbaDTWynfkFXD2Gm4nrEL7_d-0s5i1rlm7xhSSHnKUunrlj_rmeiiUoEI5uaR3xywbUMrk9NWMnYGkxd1jK7EoXKhtAH_fTbTtjie1goAgzgvEw/s320/SMM+Atlanta+2009+018.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Leaving Stone Mountain on Sunday the 6th, I drove to Homossasa, FL and stayed with Mom at her camper. We spent the entire day, Monday, together...enjoying the scenery, walking the zoo (manatee park), talking and laughing and enjoying each other. Basically, Monday and Tuesday morning were my weekend because I left mid-day Tuesday for Port Orange/Daytona Beach area.<br />
<br />
I arrived at my sister-in-law's place in Port Orange on Tuesday afternoon, and she was ready for me! Sweet iced tea, fruit, conversation - yes, she was ready to relax with me. Then came Wednesday. I put my laptop on the breakfast table and started working. I was able to complete a primary research project using my laptop and cell phone, write articles and site content for myself and a client, and enjoy the sunshine through the large windows of Lisa's front room - the occasional strange Florida bird would fly by and distract me for a moment, but it was a nice distraction.<br />
<br />
Thursday was fun because Cecilia drove over from Orlando and we spent the day reviewing her businesses and what I could do for her. We reviewed our 2010 plans, helping each other to refine some of the details. I will be writing site content and blog posts for her, while she will be helping me to lose weight (she is a Take Shape for Life coach, having lost and kept off 40 lbs).<br />
<br />
Friday was a 'normal' work day spent cleaning up files on my computer, recording notes from the conference, researching a potential market for my online marketing business. That evening was nice because Kevin, Allysa and I went to see Mannheim Steamroller in Daytona Beach. We finished the evening off with terrific Mexican food at their favorite restaurant.<br />
<br />
The weekend was fun, too. I took out the laptop for a short time, but decided that because I was traveling Monday I would use Saturday and Sunday to relax and have fun. And I did. Lisa and I drove Kevin to the airport Saturday morning (he had to fly to Taiwan for a day), then we went on to a 'stamping class'. New to me, but I am always so impressed with Lisa's creativity and craftiness that I agreed to the offer - and I had a good time. I don't believe I will become a stamper of her caliber, the woman has as many stamps as I have beads, but I learned a few techniques that I will be using to make personalized greeting cards.<br />
<br />
Sunday was spent drinking coffee, talking and getting to know each other, shopping for basic things, and overall just girl stuff - and it was great.<br />
<br />
Monday I headed out mid-morning to Birmingham, AL. I was going to spend the night with friends in Alabaster, then meet with a client Tuesday morning, then head home after meeting with the client.<br />
<br />
I met Martin at a coffee shop in Hometown (suburb of Birmingham) and we talked about his upcoming product launch via the internet. He's old school advertising and marketing, which means he's very leery of what the internet is all about. I took out my laptop and showed him some details about websites and blogs, advertising, landing pages, etc. He's still very uncertain. After about 3 hours I realized that I had to get back on the road or not be home before midnight. Saying my good-byes to Martin, he handed me samples of his product to try and assurances that he's much closer to putting the online marketing and website into action.<br />
<br />
I rolled into our driveway at about 9 p.m. Tuesday the 15th. <br />
<br />
I really enjoyed the road trip - it had been almost a year since the last one I had taken and I was getting itchy-foot to hit the road. I was gone for well over a week, but it felt like just a few days...until I parked in our driveway. Then I realized just how good it is to come home.<br />
<br />
The trip was successful because I was able to work, pick up a few clients that should start using me by February 2010, and deepen the family and friend connections. It doesn't get much better than this.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-14053474878554295212009-11-27T11:41:00.000-05:002009-11-27T11:41:26.452-05:00Thanksgiving 2009This year I spent the afternoon and evening at the Kelly house in Clarksville, Indiana. Rick and I decided that going to Warsaw was going to be too much for him to tackle. He's been working 7 days a week, 5 days out of town and at least 1 weekend day on a side job here in town. He's tired. We talked to Mike and Tammy and look forward to seeing them for Christmas. <br />
<br />
Then, Rick asks me if I'm okay with him going hunting on Thanksgiving Day. Knowing that he hasn't been hunting but once this season, knowing how much he enjoys being in the woods and contemplating the issues of the day while sitting under a tree, knowing how much he want to fill our freezer, I realized that he would be a better 'Rick' if I let him go. That left me here, at home, wondering what I was going to do with myself on Thanksgiving Day. I had many options available to me, it was just a matter of deciding which one best suited me.<br />
<br />
I could stay home - by myself - on a holiday that is best spent eating/dining/sharing with others. <br />
<br />
I could serve meals at the local shelter - they put out a list of volunteer needs and I fit a few of them.<br />
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I could join a group of travelers and loners at a local club, meet new people, exchange interesting stories.<br />
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I could join the family of a fellow Toastmaster - she initiated the invitation to me as soon as she heard that we would be in town.<br />
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I could join the Kelly family.<br />
<br />
I decided that I would join the Kelly family, at least those that were in town and able to gather at the Kelly house.<br />
<br />
The Kelly's have become second family to me, and now to my husband. We've had a key to the house for over 20 years. When we lived in Indianapolis, Mary and Terry would visit with us on weekends. We traveled many times from Indianapolis to Clarksville and spent weekends at the Kelly house. <br />
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</div><br />
The house wasn't full this year, but was still warm and cozy. We all acknowledged the absence of Terry (Pop - died in 2008) and Jamie (Brother - died in 2004). <br />
<br />
Mary and Erin cooked the meal. Here's Mary putting the finishing touches on the feast and not knowing I snuck a picture of her:<br />
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Dallas, Jamie's widow, joined us with her new husband (actually Kenny didn't want to join in the meal). Here Erin is frenchbraiding Dallas' hair for the evening.<br />
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Joe Heuser, joined the Marines on the buddy system with Jamie, still a Marine now stationed in Japan.<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kevin Kelly was there, with Buck, a friend and roommate. <br />
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</div>Erin Kelly was there with her two children, Maresa and J.A.K. (Joseph Kaiser, called Jack). <br />
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We ate. We laughed. We played. Rick was able to join us late in the evening. Though he didn't get a deer, he looked calm and refreshed, so it was a good thing that he went hunting.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-39512801704798379012009-11-17T13:25:00.000-05:002009-11-17T13:25:58.445-05:00It's been an icky few weeks here...Most of you know that I have Crohn's Disease, and a few of you will be surprised to learn this. Anyway, these past few weeks have been physically draining and I can honestly say - thank goodness I work at home! The hardest part of being physically drained is the mental tiredness that starts to set in. <br />
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Since I was first diagnosed in 2000, I have learned how to manage pain through mental diversion and meditation; Rick and I both have learned to be flexible with our traveling schedule, as well as simple things like accepting dinner or outing invitations; I have learned to adjust my daily activities to match my physical abilities; and in general I can handle minor flare-ups without difficulty - minor being relative, of course. Most minor flares last about 2 weeks because additional medications begun within the first few days start to work on my body. This time, though, I found myself taking the additional medications, but not getting relief until well into the 2nd week...meaning I'm just now getting back to feeling full functional. <br />
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After the 2nd week of having my body fight internal infection, reject foods other than water, iced tea, toast and potatoes, I'm tired physically. Into the 3rd week and my thinking slows down. Then I take two days to make a decision that should take an hour. Or instead of making 10 phone calls, I'm only able to make 2. Keeping organized is difficult and something I'm going to work on...meaning I'm in search of a different system for keeping my projects for work/clients organized well enough for me to stay on top of everything. I know, difficult request.<br />
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I have had a challenging project that I have been working on for almost 4 weeks now. Yep, at the beginning I have a flair, which means I'm going to be squeezing most of the project into this week. *sigh* <br />
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So, that's why I haven't updated here - I've been trying to focus on business, clients, blogs for business and additional revenue streams. Obviously not all at once - but one at a time. <br />
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Rick has been working out of town, coming home on weekends. He'll be out of town for about a year - and we're both glad of it because the pay scale in Illinois is much higher than here in Louisville and means that the stress of my making more than my initial revenue goal/week is relieved for a bit - which in turn is good because it reduces my stress. <br />
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So, that's it for now. My hope is that next week I can post something much more interesting, maybe about how excited my client was after receiving the results of the project he entrusted to me! Until then - be well, take care, and say a short prayer for me please.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-8741626205694239712009-10-31T12:19:00.000-04:002009-10-31T12:19:07.866-04:00Training via Webinar and 3 Things I LearnedOn Friday the 30th I gave a training session via webinar to 27 business owners and learned a lot. The training was about Online Reputation Management. Another business owner and myself created the training early this year and presented it in Las Vegas in May to members of a national network - with great success and kudos given from attendees. <br />
Last month I received an email from the national network, asking if I could provide this same presentation/training via the internet and telephone. Of course I said Yes! Who am I to turn down the opportunity to teach, train and present? Three things I really enjoy about being a business owner.<br />
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So, I reviewed the powerpoint file from May and realized how much the internet has changed in these short few months. New statistics are available, new sites have been launched and flocked to, social media is exploding with Twitter and Facebook and LinkedIn. It is truly an amazing thing to watch because I know that there currently are no limits to what the internet can become.<br />
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The powerpoint file needed to be updated, and because the other business owner's name was on it I considered re-doing the entire training module. But after some thought I realized that it was effective in Las Vegas, so why mess with a good thing? I updated statistics, tweaked a few words here and there, and went with it. <br />
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During my introduction I made sure to credit the other business owner, mentioning that they are no longer focused on online/internet marketing, but that their expertise in Online Reputation Management was certainly evident in this presentation and that their contribution was invaluable.<br />
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The training lasted about 40 minutes and there were many questions afterward - all of which I was able to answer (yay!). Hey, sometimes there's a question that throws me and requires investigation - and yes, I know that "I don't know" is an answer, but I prefer being able to provide something more concrete if possible.<br />
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Some things I learned during the training:<br />
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<ol><li>I really appreciate having face to face contact with my audience. Because I couldn't see their faces I found myself 'assuming' their reactions as I talked and pointed out things on each slide. It felt awkward because I couldn't respond to a reaction, a noise, a facial expression.</li>
<li>My lower jaw locks up when I get anxious. This was an interesting development and something new. Even in Toastmasters I've not had this happen. But it did on the phone, and it did when I did an interview online via webcam. I felt the locking start about 3 minutes before the training was to begin, and to combat it I stretched my mouth as wide as possible ... repeatedly. This worked initially, but after about 15 minutes I could hear the change in my speak as my lower jaw got tighter and tighter. I'll be looking for an answer to this in days to come.</li>
<li>Although a webinar training module is supposed to be trainer talk, attendees listen - I like having interaction throughout a training session. I did not like having to answer questions at the end about items that were covered in the beginning. Hmm. The only answer I have for this is to layout the slides in a grid on the screen so everyone can see what the questioner is referring to. I'll have to look into how to do this the next time.</li>
</ol>Overall I think I did well. I've not received emails or telephone calls about my performance, but I did speak with the moderator and she told me that she received emails from some attendees that gave good feedback and kudos for my performance. I hope evaluations are sent in because it's the only way I know that I can improve. Constructive criticism is vital to a presenter - it's the only way we can rid ourselves of annoying, distracting and ineffective ways of communicating.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-8146035223657624962009-10-29T09:27:00.001-04:002009-10-29T13:40:25.042-04:00Outlook Error Message: 0x80042109I know you're asking - what the heck is that? Well, that is the error message I get when I try to send an email using Outlook and my business email address/server.<br />
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<div> </div>***Edited to add this solution***<br />
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This solution was not provided by a Verizon employee/technician, but by a fellow user on a forum. It appears to work, for now. I say this because there are other messages in the forum that say various solutions were temporary. Anyway...try this:<br />
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<ul><li>Outlook 2007 Tools</li>
<li>Account Settings</li>
<li>Highlight email account to change</li>
<li>Select change</li>
<li>Change SMTP to read: outgoing.verizon.net</li>
<li>Select More Settings</li>
<li>Select Outgoing Server</li>
<li>Highlight 'Long on using' Radio button</li>
<li>Enter your Verizon user name and password</li>
<li>Select Ok</li>
<li>Test Account Settings - a test email is sent and you will either receive an error message or a notice saying it was completed and your email is now set up.</li>
<li>Select Next</li>
<li>Select Finish</li>
</ul><br />
*****************************************************************************<br />
Today is Thurday, October 29. This started Tuesday, October 27. Until then, I had been sending and receiving emails, doing business, using Outlook as my centralized organization system. Then, boom. I see that emails are stuck in the Outbox. I'm receiving just fine - but can't reply to an email, send to a distribution list, nothing.<br />
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<div> </div>I spoke with Verizon via their chat option. Using my desktop I was able to chat with the technician while she looked at my settings in Outlook on my laptop. All settings were good, but she couldn't get it to work. We changed my outgoing SMTP to outgoing.verizon.net and it was not good! Changed the ports from 25 to 587 and it was no good! She then told me that Verizon does not support Outlook, that I would have to contact their Verizon DSL technical support, a pay for service. I don't think so!<br />
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<div> </div>I spoke with my hosting company. What a fabulous group of people they are - responsive, courteous, helpful. But everything on their end was good...so that meant it was either Outlook itself or Verizon.<br />
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<div> </div>I reloaded Outlook using my original installation disc. Problem still there!<br />
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<div> </div>I checked out Verizon's customer forums and found a litany of messages from irate customers who cannot send email using their 3rd party addresses. That means no business can send an email while using VerizonDSL as their ISP! Holy crap!<br />
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<div> </div>Verizon support, locally, is fabulous. And their front line people are quite good. Just don't ask for assistance for anything more difficult than the basics of setting up a phone account. <br />
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<div> </div>VerizonDSL support is handled by technically adept people who don't speak English very well. I have encountered a few different accents, but haven't truly been able to communicate with anyone well enough to make them understand that this is a VerizonDSL issue - not my Outlook!<br />
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<div> </div>I wish I had a choice. VerizonDSL is the only high speed internet provider in my area. Heck, they came here in June of 2008 - so before that I was using dial-up and an unstable wireless system provided by my local town.<br />
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<div> </div>So, now here I sit. I can use my web-based program to send emails out - but can't use my contact list, address book, reply to existing emails, etc. I've just increased my work load and am not happy about it.<br />
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<div> </div>My hope is that there are others in this predicament willing to Twitter, Facebook, etc. about this issue and shame VerizonDSL (a company all about communication) into looking at their own system as the problem!<br />
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<div> </div>If you use Twitter, use hashtag #verizondsl so a stream can be followed.<br />
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<div> </div>*Sigh* okay, back to work - because I do have projects that need tending to, and as irritating and annoying as this issue is, I must take care of my clients.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-20218812511253171642009-10-15T09:07:00.007-04:002009-10-15T09:27:36.368-04:00Books are as necessary as food in the pantry<div align="left">Don't believe me? Here is my dream room:<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_iIykZFqqlUzLsllmbqSjJBzBcexm_e5obV7gmrSV9hp1bJEJr8QOKdWNt-3vp1yWTN6rE7SfdY8LX3E4LQnf0dx2NudLh2e-WRqYy_EYZARqT9a7d4IdcDZLXm9vSWKYZQ-gA/s1600-h/librarysmall.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392812982427123090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_iIykZFqqlUzLsllmbqSjJBzBcexm_e5obV7gmrSV9hp1bJEJr8QOKdWNt-3vp1yWTN6rE7SfdY8LX3E4LQnf0dx2NudLh2e-WRqYy_EYZARqT9a7d4IdcDZLXm9vSWKYZQ-gA/s200/librarysmall.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 213px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 362px;" /></a><br />
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My husband stopped breathing when I showed this to him, almost panicked actually. I'm not kidding though. If we had the money and built a home it would have a library that was so filled with books that the only needed accessories would be two chairs and a lamp to read by. <br />
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Earlier this year I cleaned out my home library. And I do mean cleaned out. I donated many, many, many books to the local library and their donation spot didn't have room for them all! <br />
</div><br />
<div></div><div></div><div></div><div>I cried buckets. Books have been a part of my life - always. I felt like I was giving away old friends. I know, pitiful. <br />
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</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>But it was necessary. I had accumulated so many books that there was a path made between the stacks so that I could reach my desk. It was bad.<br />
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So, Rick put his foot down (and rightfully so) saying that he wanted to remodel this room to make it a good office space for me to work in - but I had to clean out every book and piece of paper before he could do this.<br />
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That's how I happened to be on my knees, in the room, crying buckets and putting book, after book, after book into large plastic bags and copy paper boxes.<br />
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*Sigh* An experience I hope to not repeat.<br />
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Today the room is beautiful and spacious and not overloaded with books. Rick got a storage unit with doors for me to use for all my business books and files, keeping the floor free from the stacks. Of course, I just looked down and realized that I had put an entire stack of files on the floor earlier this week and they're still there - NO! I will not let them stay! I will put on my Today List the need to clean the stack.<br />
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<div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Hmm...looking around, I think I'll also put on the Today List that I will organize my desk again.<br />
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</div><div></div><div>And so it goes. Another day of realizing that I will never be neat, clean and utterly organized for more than a few days. Another day of realizing that this is how I work and as long as I go into action right after the realization I can prevent overload from happening.<br />
</div><div></div><div></div>Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-80412413572393777852009-09-27T16:16:00.009-04:002009-09-27T16:27:55.170-04:00Meet Herschel & Mavis....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ0IpH5-tLG3DOfHzAJHb_Rto7wPdhYbWOMicI208-VF0Ya_izi2ng3iYni30ePAeQzPx0jaCffhf1H3gM0EldNmDGV4ub8bx3KSq9DGfZfkkDrQeBHql51ex9eqrBarnQnJoPA/s1600-h/IMG_0108.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386245241735407330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZ0IpH5-tLG3DOfHzAJHb_Rto7wPdhYbWOMicI208-VF0Ya_izi2ng3iYni30ePAeQzPx0jaCffhf1H3gM0EldNmDGV4ub8bx3KSq9DGfZfkkDrQeBHql51ex9eqrBarnQnJoPA/s200/IMG_0108.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>Two domestic geese that decided our front and back yards were excellent grazing sources. Here they are in the back, catching sight of me at the french doors to the deck.<br /></div><div>Herschel is gray, Mavis is white. Why? Because it makes sense. Trust me...I'm not going out there to check which is which.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBifve3VzpjZ18yPosObyB9Mc_uQ42LAa6GfUYsU9o2MzIWV6ci71h2eYoMBcbu4PQGu6QyyyE-BYZpr7Fip0GY4IoFnDJGK9ORB4wX109QrGM8zn0cN7YZxUxbCckanRyGeyuQ/s1600-h/IMG_0111.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386244454023929442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBifve3VzpjZ18yPosObyB9Mc_uQ42LAa6GfUYsU9o2MzIWV6ci71h2eYoMBcbu4PQGu6QyyyE-BYZpr7Fip0GY4IoFnDJGK9ORB4wX109QrGM8zn0cN7YZxUxbCckanRyGeyuQ/s200/IMG_0111.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Here they found the back missing fence area into the back yard.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>They're quite vocal - letting me know that they're there, that in no way are they going to take any guff from me, and that my grass/weeds is really where they want to be.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJjobW9WkAqAPBRkzkGE0fcLfzVqGbHxyCfD8orlvY5ipOSEdvIpcd0TTOOA-_r6XSNSN95xIFbR0G6Yze5d-8hcA59fQPSq5vNgmw2dyubIL4TZnbQ00gAMVQy8F-RlN29VgOA/s1600-h/IMG_0114.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386244918666727458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJjobW9WkAqAPBRkzkGE0fcLfzVqGbHxyCfD8orlvY5ipOSEdvIpcd0TTOOA-_r6XSNSN95xIFbR0G6Yze5d-8hcA59fQPSq5vNgmw2dyubIL4TZnbQ00gAMVQy8F-RlN29VgOA/s200/IMG_0114.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Until I step out onto the deck, then stomp a foot. Those big wide butts waddle fast and furious! Quite amusing.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>It was quite the experience, having Herschel and Mavis visit every morning, then every evening. It didn't take me but a day or so to realize that they lived on a pond about 1/4 mile from the house. I really don't know why they left the pond. And, honestly, was concerned that there would come a day when I would hear car tires squealing and see feathers and down floating on the wind. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Then, one day, they stopped coming by the house. No reason that we could see. At first we were concerned. Then we were happy - no more goose poop on the driveway, or on the walkway, or in the yard. Happy day! </div><div></div><div> </div><div>We hear geese squawk and honk throughout the day, so we're assuming that Herschel and Mavis simply got tired of wandering and went back to their pond down the road.</div><div></div></div></div>Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-23649638076580914622009-09-19T13:51:00.004-04:002009-09-19T14:04:32.905-04:00Another Beautiful Day in IndianaSometimes I wonder why we moved to this area, then I remember the troubles we had in Indianapolis. Rick was so heartbroken and needed to be near friends and family to heal, while I was still stunned and shocked over the various things we experienced. Then I wonder why we're still here and I look out the window and sigh. It's another beautiful day in southern Indiana - mid 70's, lightly cloudy, occasional breeze. Yep, it could be worse :)<br /><br />Now that my business has hit a tipping point - I have customers, I have projects in the pipeline, I will soon make enough money to tell Rick to look for other work - we've talked about our future. That in itself is nice to be able to do. We used to talk about our future. We used to have dreams and hopes and aspirations. I'll be the first to tell anyone that sometimes Life sucks the incentive right out of you - and that happened to us. Until a year or so ago.<br /><br />So, we've talked and talked and pondered and talked some more. A few months ago we came to the conclusion that we no longer need to be wrapped in the arms of friends and family. That we can live our lives now and live how we want to. That means we'll be moving soon. We need to go south, mainly because Rick just can't handle the cold weather anymore. He's only 50, but has worked out in the cold since he was 9 years old and when he gets cold to the bone - well, let me just say it hurts to watch him try to move.<br /><br />We'll be looking at the Port Orange, FL/Daytona, FL area because his sister and her husband live there and we all like each other. Also because the cost of living is reasonable, and after having visited there a few times I realized how much I like it.<br /><br />Now, this won't be happening soon. The plan is to leave in a year or two. It truly depends on my business success. I have a business loan to repay, Rick has some work still to do on the house, and we both need to be on task and work toward the goal of having cash and being able to sell the house. The nice thing is that we're basically debt free - we have a mortgage and I have the business loan.<br /><br />I'm going to stop here and go back to enjoying the pretty day - maybe I'll venture outside for a few minutes, catch a freckle or two :)Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-11864144170264016592009-09-12T12:03:00.002-04:002009-09-12T12:15:58.790-04:00I'm Back! Really I am!Really. Not kidding here. I know I've been 'gone' since February - whew, considering how cold, wet and nasty it got here you'd have been gone, too...trust me!<br /><br />Anyway, in March I began posting weekly to my business <a href="http://blog.burkeresearchservices.com/">blog</a>. I know, that's supposed to be different than this one and it is. Okay, so I've also been spending time on Facebook. This is where the photos went, the notes about daily life, etc.<br /><br />Then I realized that one thing missing is my posting to this blog. Not that I have many followers (all 2 of you are appreciated!) but instead that I used this place to write semi-regularly about stuff. You know, general stuff. Not focused on business. Not focused on keywords, not focused on increasing readership. Instead, just stuff about my life in general.<br /><br />Having said all that, I intend to get back to posting semi-regularly again. I guess 7 months could qualify as semi-regular, but I won't say it. Instead I'll just start over and post more often.<br /><br />So, overall life has been pretty darned interesting. Rick and I survived the winter of '09 and have since been making plans to move south. Our short trip to Port Orange, FL made us both consider our options of where we wanted to live.<br /><br />Though we think southern Indiana/Louisville, KY area is stunning in beauty, and in general the people here have very large hearts - we both realized that the reasons we moved back to this area no longer exist. Rick has healed from the horrors of our experiences in Brownsburg. We re-connected with friends from the '80s. And now that 10 years have passed, we are ready to move on with our lives.<br /><br />I have plans for my business. Plans that include multiple revenue streams, portability and a revenue goal to reach this time next year. My plans were put off by a year because of the national/international economy...but are now back on track. Once I meet the revenue goal I will tell Rick that we can look for a place in Florida and prep our house to be sold.<br /><br />Okay, that's it for now. I'll return in a few days and post some pics of interesting things I've noted along the way :)Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-18663302989743602322009-02-01T07:50:00.014-05:002009-02-01T08:02:22.706-05:00More pictures from ice storm 2009The following were taken when the ice was about 1/2" thick on all tree limbs and branchs. And all of them were taken from my house in Georgetown, Indiana.<br /><br />Pitifully droopy cedars, so sad hardwoods, icicles measuring 10"-12" long! and in the sun the sparkle is crazy :)<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6WgZkCNoGib4ZOLBfh2YmSLcxmnP8ocwWV6Z1MUmSw2BGY9RnmORHhwmXX-Vv_YDEcIObKZpzGfDDuU9v8ykXNJMLKiApl-uqGN9hf62p_JPlKc3z4_jXxAu5abTY1AZ1EHAAA/s1600-h/DSCN1127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297810947955881058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6WgZkCNoGib4ZOLBfh2YmSLcxmnP8ocwWV6Z1MUmSw2BGY9RnmORHhwmXX-Vv_YDEcIObKZpzGfDDuU9v8ykXNJMLKiApl-uqGN9hf62p_JPlKc3z4_jXxAu5abTY1AZ1EHAAA/s200/DSCN1127.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297813394231190242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoQXyDn76brV3jYSCGLE7mvy36oCgvoCcOwm9XWjstdBQBLjQ7Ch2S9NNSU1oC0cwUyeY7QH3_itjRChfORhbr67FOiNY2LmtNqNGxVb8U90OJ4Z5Y9E3AGVjfsWyqlDzBzUeKA/s200/DSCN1131.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPmHPNuv08iXovwgB_KxTAmSIeSSSSH96bu7Q6MlWVp2bjFBbsIWTzoCa9sc4FTNm3aTTZJfmudhUxbtUhzRbu4agQh-xFgfzMF7-LkAMv4z5J_WFwFDO5fe8YCderOMJl-EwmQ/s1600-h/back+fence+3+ice+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297810853632829410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPmHPNuv08iXovwgB_KxTAmSIeSSSSH96bu7Q6MlWVp2bjFBbsIWTzoCa9sc4FTNm3aTTZJfmudhUxbtUhzRbu4agQh-xFgfzMF7-LkAMv4z5J_WFwFDO5fe8YCderOMJl-EwmQ/s200/back+fence+3+ice+09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGuZicwsED4l2GveBSEXaeok129kr97pQ8g1fkkm1Mow3nWesNz1WT9VIs7tSN8OjqARGOgb0nOWJGUB1-tSUecEKo1VmyJ1eb39UK5CVL_wsrOu-_iO4nyMblag7S5M-EL-01g/s1600-h/back+fence2+ice+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297810750248214130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGuZicwsED4l2GveBSEXaeok129kr97pQ8g1fkkm1Mow3nWesNz1WT9VIs7tSN8OjqARGOgb0nOWJGUB1-tSUecEKo1VmyJ1eb39UK5CVL_wsrOu-_iO4nyMblag7S5M-EL-01g/s200/back+fence2+ice+09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-90126537956026368312009-01-31T12:20:00.007-05:002009-01-31T12:33:22.756-05:00Pictures!I know...finally, heh? So, it was cold and dreary and I used my 2 megapixel camera. Yes these were shot in color - they just look black and white because of the ice and clouds. My favorite is the Redbud tree comparison. Usually it stands proud and tall at about 15 feet...now it's pitiful at about 6 feet. The hardwood trees all remind me of a Dr. Seuss story - I think it's the Lorax one - where all the trees are so droopy and sad looking.<br /><br />1/2" of ice atop the fencing<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpGfawnjpkdIzLmdVbMNlEsEbMJM0NT-sVw0QpIne-zPR8h_DU6PAyNAsEYNIEqq-h9T6csGRA4o8Jkw2jGD-BRmu88R3jmahhLFv8uciVGxMkFdDCbx6lQBo1TqYYWEAoqpooA/s1600-h/fence+ice+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297511376584020450" style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpGfawnjpkdIzLmdVbMNlEsEbMJM0NT-sVw0QpIne-zPR8h_DU6PAyNAsEYNIEqq-h9T6csGRA4o8Jkw2jGD-BRmu88R3jmahhLFv8uciVGxMkFdDCbx6lQBo1TqYYWEAoqpooA/s200/fence+ice+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Redbud tree before <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOl_72S9uVEaNSXhDUB6QHZCdrSJ8JjAUGUE5XCli6Dl0V5mPhGi646iFRabWn-Dym7LimUQsY6y5u4BVKX2PZaFxoGn9To-ZdZBIlluYZri_C08JiS2Afj-6uPAz7RUXNnm8KQ/s1600-h/redbud+tree.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297509565512116162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOl_72S9uVEaNSXhDUB6QHZCdrSJ8JjAUGUE5XCli6Dl0V5mPhGi646iFRabWn-Dym7LimUQsY6y5u4BVKX2PZaFxoGn9To-ZdZBIlluYZri_C08JiS2Afj-6uPAz7RUXNnm8KQ/s200/redbud+tree.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UAha5k22UTsbk2KLzdVJxHg2UOxK0kBs7usIQdrNPdakGW2ilgWlynqRQkjetF0yLy7lmWrbfw4VL761gGFbGuTwfmL5g3xnZxuBPdB7ngbVOYBIfv9D4E7uGjN0xcTJrVbVkg/s1600-h/back+fence+ice+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297510107669722114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UAha5k22UTsbk2KLzdVJxHg2UOxK0kBs7usIQdrNPdakGW2ilgWlynqRQkjetF0yLy7lmWrbfw4VL761gGFbGuTwfmL5g3xnZxuBPdB7ngbVOYBIfv9D4E7uGjN0xcTJrVbVkg/s200/back+fence+ice+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyv7SvApG8cqgeoxUv_HEre0V5djss1vsO-CIDCcg1JJhyphenhyphenr9JhTov2AdV1xHwULhSMHcp0eff_6NjTlGqkrR_4ZmMMMzoVfhvNdqqFDB_uSmZi5pLDjvH2abSJAjYAPMIuTivEQ/s1600-h/back+fence+3+ice+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297510832301510034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyv7SvApG8cqgeoxUv_HEre0V5djss1vsO-CIDCcg1JJhyphenhyphenr9JhTov2AdV1xHwULhSMHcp0eff_6NjTlGqkrR_4ZmMMMzoVfhvNdqqFDB_uSmZi5pLDjvH2abSJAjYAPMIuTivEQ/s200/back+fence+3+ice+09.jpg" border="0" /></a>Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-57356565674302856102009-01-30T16:42:00.002-05:002009-01-30T16:51:55.305-05:00Still have Power and Heat, thank goodnessI can't say enough about the Harrison REMC crews. Last September they busted butts to get the county up and running after Hurricane Ike wiped out power lines and poles, and they're doing the same now. Most of our county now has power, while Louisville, KY still has more than 170,000 households that have no power and no heat. Yes, this county is small - less than 40,000 in the whole county. But it is large in square miles and rural.<br /><br />Rick worked yesterday and today. He's working inside as a carpenter on a school in Milton, KY. Last night he said it was scary driving through Madison, IN - the main road is a corridor of beautiful trees. Now those trees are heavily laden and encrusted with ice - limbs snapping at any moment, limbs hanging to the ground with the weight of the ice. He made it home safe and called me today to say all is well on the site.<br /><br />It seems that the Kelly house is still full :) Erin says it'll be another two weeks before she expects her power to be on and Kevin says he thinks it'll be at least a week for his place. Wow. Thank goodness for Mom's place, heh?<br /><br />I've been busy working. Being self-employed does have its advantages - one of them being portability. I took the laptop and customer files with me to Florida and was able to complete a project while down there. Now I'm almost finished with a project and ready to take on new ones. I have 6 outstanding quotes, 4 of which will come to fruition. It's just a matter of funding - isn't that the lament everywhere?<br /><br />So, why am I not in Florida you ask? I wish I had a straight answer for you. A part of me says "go, go, go now you fool!" while another says "it's nice to be home, to cook like I want to, to sleep in my own". Hmmm. Honestly, if the weather turns bad again I will probably go down to stay with Mom in the camper. Rick has already said he would stay home and go to work, making sure the pipes don't freeze. I will keep you updated.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-65873576887654709862009-01-29T16:30:00.000-05:002009-01-30T16:42:03.036-05:00Glad to have Power and HeatWell, we've been home since Monday evening and it certainly has been an adventure.<br /><br />We left Alabama early Monday morning. After watching the news and weather stations, we knew that an ice storm was headed toward southern Indiana/Louisville and we wanted to get home before the storm hit.<br /><br />We got home early afternoon. And it was cold! Very cold! We got out of the truck and wondered why we came home!<br /><br />We had an uneventful Monday night, with temperatures dropping and sleet.<br /><br />Tuesday was snow and dropping temperatures with occasional icy rain and sleet.<br /><br />Tuesday night, late, we lost power. I know this because we awoke to a very chilly bedroom.<br /><br />We bundled ourselves up, lit some candles, found the flashlights and wondered what we were going to do next. Just how bad was this going to get?<br /><br />At about 5:30 a.m. Rick drove down the road to get some coffee and to get an idea of what were in for. He comes home with a thermas full of coffee and some interesting information. The only store/station open is our little Marathon station that sits in the middle of Georgetown. Everything and everyone was without power. Everywhere. Huge trees were down and blocking the road. Limbs were snapped off and hanging on power lines.<br /><br />At about noon we started calling friends and found one who had heat and power. They had room for us. So off to the Kelly house we go. Turns out Mary (mom) is in Washington state, so we kids snuggled in for the day. By kids I mean me and Rick, Erin and her son Jack and daughter Maresa, Kevin and Tina. More were expected to arrive by evening. Erin made a pot of potato soup. Rick took Erin's kerosene heater and headed home - our main concern was freezing pipes. We still had water, but the house was getting colder and without some heat source we knew we were in for trouble.<br /><br />Rick calls at about 4 p.m. - hey, we have power! Yeah! Now, we're in a different county than Erin, Kevin and the rest. It seems that still today Erin and Kevin and all are staying at the Kelly place. <br /><br />Louisville, KY still has 174,000 households without power.<br /><br />Ice is caked on electric lines, weighing down trees, coating fences. At least 1/2 inch thick and in some areas a good 3/4 inch thick. We're losing trees left and right - large limbs are snapping with great force and crashing into roofs, onto power lines, onto vehicles.<br /><br />For those who remember the blizzard of 77-78, this is much worse. Much worse because it is cold and icy and affecting many more people. Today alone 3 people in Louisville died from carbon monoxide poisoning - they didn't have the gas generator vented correctly. The death count is up to 10.<br /><br />Yes, we're very glad we have power and heat. If it wasn't for the fear of frozen pipes we would head back to Florida and crash at his sister's place, again :)Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-16347611658713232562009-01-25T10:33:00.003-05:002009-01-25T11:08:48.813-05:00Traveling and Business and FriendsMy goodness, we have been busy!<br /><br />The cold hit in December, with our traveling north to Warsaw for the holidays. Had a great time with family. Tammy cooked Christmas dinner - rib roast that melted in your mouth! Yum! We played games with the kids - pictionary. We laughed, we giggled, we had a great time.<br /><br />Came home and Rick went back to work in the cold. The job for the next few weeks was putting on outside doors at a newly built school. Which meant that he was working outside, in the freezing cold and wind, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for three weeks. My poor husband was frozen every night, chilled to the bone :(<br /><br />Finally, he comes to me and says "we're having a lay-off for two weeks starting the 15th. Let's go south and warm up!"<br /><br />I told him that he was responsible for the details and I would gladly come along.<br /><br />Today I'm sitting in the kitchen of a friend's home near Birmingham, AL. It's getting chilly outside, about 50 or so. But warm enough for me :)<br /><br />We first went to Port Orange, FL to visit with his sister and BIL. I sat outside, on the lanai with my computer and worked while catching some freckles :) Initially it was a bit chilly, 50 to 60 degrees, but the sunshine made everything worthwhile! Alyssa and I went in to Daytona Beach and we drove on the beach in her cadillac; that was fun :) Then we went to a marina that rescues sea turtles - did you know that sea turtles can get as large as 8 feet long and weigh 1800 lbs? Wow. She showed me a beautiful light house on the point, long and tall and painted brick red. We didn't go in because time was running out and I needed to 'work' on my computer :) But we had a delightful day out, with opportunity to get to know each other. Being married to Rick for 18 years I finally got to spend some time with his sister - and I truly enjoyed myself.<br /><br />Alyssa and I also found the local bead store, Imagine That!. I found some terrific matte blue beads, not sure what they are but the striation caught my attention. They're round, about 12 mm (I know, large for me!) and they were cheap. I think I'll stitch up some herringbone tubes and string them in between the 5 rounds. Then Alyssa found a strand of square, glass, pinkish/blueish/grayish beads. They're very pretty, looking almost ceramic. She grabbed them up and says "Char, do you think you can make something with these?" Of course I gladly said yes. My first project upon getting home will be to design her a necklace with these. Yes, I'll scan the finished project and post a picture before sending it off to her :)<br /><br />We left on Tuesday and made our way to the panhandle. Mom is in her RV at DeFuniak Springs, just north of Destin. The 5 hour drive to Defuniak Springs was uneventful and boring - picture I-10 as a tunnel of pine trees for 4.5 hours of the drive. Blah! The cold followed us, so the first night in the camper was brisk - it got down to 35 degrees. Yes, she has a heater, thank goodness. The next morning we all realized that the camper is simply not made to hold three adults comfortably. Our original intent was to sleep in her outside room (a wonderful screened in 'room' attached to the camper), but the weather did not cooperate. Love you Mom, but we agreed it was too close for comfort :)<br /><br />Rick and I rented a cabin at the resort for the next three days. It faced King Lake, a fishing lake known for large bass, and by Friday the sun was out and it was over 70 degrees. Yes, I caught a few more freckles while working on my computer. Rick met a fella in the cabin two doors down. He was from Iowa and had a boat so the two of them spent all day Friday on the lake. It doesn't matter that they didn't catch anything. All that matters it that Rick finally got a chance to fish in Florida :)<br /><br />Mom joined us for all meals, whether we cooked in at the camper or took her out for lunch and dinner in town. We had a good visit. I think the last time I spent time with Mom was in Indianapolis sometime in September, so it has been a while. <br /><br />We left DeFuniak Springs Saturday morning and headed north toward Birmingham, AL. We thought we were in for another 5 hour drive, but we were pleasantly surprised when 3.5 hours later we were rolling into the neighborhood. Dan and Karen live in a suburb of Birmingham. They're friends from Indianapolis and I haven't seen either one of them for about 4 years. Rick has spent some time with them at their cabin on a nearby lake, and at their home. He traveled for work last year and was able to fit in some visiting time. So it is a real treat for me to be here to spend time and catch up with the two of them. <br /><br />So, that's how I ended up sitting in the kitchen of a friend's place near Birmingham, AL. We'll head home Monday. Rick is relaxed and warm. I am happy to know that my business is portable, and I did catch a face full of freckles :) We'll both be ready to tackle the world come Tuesday. Until then? We'll gladly talk and eat and drink coffee with good friends.<br /><br />Until next time....bead happy, bead on!Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-46400510067556288432008-12-07T13:08:00.002-05:002008-12-07T13:24:32.281-05:00The Season is Here - Christmas Party and FriendsWow, Saturday sure was busy. Rick spent the day hunting at the farm, saw a doe but in the end wasn't able to get a deer. He's out again today. The freezer is no longer full, we have about 30 lbs of beef left, and he gave the two bucks he shot a few weeks ago to some very needy families. Now it's our turn to fill the freezer :) Our area has designated seasons - bow hunting, rifle/shotgun, and muzzleloading. So he does have a few more weeks of opportunity. In the meantime, I'm going to meet with my favorite local butcher and stock up on some pork and chicken - not fill the freezer, but provide us with some good variety through the winter. I do this every year and have found it to be the most economical way to keep us in meats and poultry.<br /><br />So, yesterday I spent most of the day at the shop - got there at 10:30 a.m. and got home at 5:30 p.m. Okay, I squeezed in a late lunch with Katherine and Hope at Max & Erma's to talk business and shop. <br /><br />Got home just two minutes before Rick and we both set out to doll ourselves up for the evening. Nothing too fancy, but we knew we were going to Saundra and Chuck's place and also knew it was going to be memorable. So, we dressed up a bit and headed out.<br /><br />Got to Saundra's at 7:30 p.m. and after shedding the winter coats we toured the house. Saundra does Christmas. She has a tree in every room and every tree is themed - Train Tree, 50's movies tree, Africa tree, Sci-Fi animation tree, Santa tree, Music tree. The main tree, located in the front room, also includes the pickle ornament. The search for the pickle is a favorite game for annual attendees to the party - especially when the children get involved. <br /><br />The other wonderful thing about Saundra's party is that we were assured of meeting fascinating people. This year was no exception. Though I had many conversations throughout the evening, such as the movie producer Hershel who is going to put me in his next zombie movie, Jane the admissions counselor at the local university celebrating her 20 year anniversary with the university, Julie the admin asst/scheduling expert at the local university deciding to become a Passion Party consultant, Jennifer the budding baker and mother of 4 and 6 year olds trying to 'find herself'. I finally settled in for the evening with Hattie, aunt to Saundra.<br /><br />Hattie is well into her 70's and absolutely fascinating. She shared her many life experiences while making me share some of mine. She kept asking me questions about my life as if I had the most wonderful experiences to share. And I kept trying to get her to share more of her experiences with me. In the end, we thoroughly enjoyed each other.<br /><br />Rick settled into conversation with Diane, cousin to Saundra. Diane is a local journalist and strong advocate of free speech and expression. Between the two of them they learned quite a bit about both sides of censorship and freedom.<br /><br />We left the party at 11:30, too pooped to converse any more! But, again, the following morning (today) we found ourselves sharing our thoughts about the people we met while we enjoyed our coffee and looking forward to next year's party at Saundra and Chuck's place.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-34581483304094668902008-12-07T12:57:00.003-05:002008-12-07T13:07:56.626-05:00I Taught a Beading Class and it was Fun!Saturday morning/afternoon I taught/led a two-hour Bead-A-Gift Party at Eye Candy Jewelry & Beads. Katherine, my friend, is the owner of this intriguing and wonderful shop located at Watterson Trail and Taylorsville Road in J-Town (an eastside area of Louisville, KY).<br /><br />We had two women attend, a mother and daughter. Turns out that their birthdays are one week apart and when they saw the advertisement for the Bead-A-Gift Party they purchased a gift for each other!<br /><br />Julie, the daughter, and Laura, the mother, were fun and creative and willing to try anything I suggested - which made the teaching experience quite wonderful.<br /><br />Julie, a woman in her 20's, is getting married in June and has incredibly intense, beautiful green eyes. Laura was captivated with Julie's color choices and wanted to expand her palette, but kept going back to black and white. By the end of the party, Laura had a flower themed black and white lampwork bead bracelet, and Julie had a very organic necklace that included warm topaz/browns with bright leaf greens and a spot of yellow here and there. <br /><br />I was quite impressed with the results and both were thrilled with their creations. The best part? Neither one had ever made a piece of jewelry for herself, yet both walked out of the store with a professionally completed project and were very proud of their creations. They were ready to sign up for the next party! <br /><br />Such fun. I really enjoy teaching and am glad to have the opportunity to do it at Katherine's shop.<br /><br />So, immediately following the Bead-A-Gift Party, I have the store manager at my back whispering "please help, please say you'll help". It seems that she had booked a beading party for a 10 year olds birthday and the party room was now filled with little princesses in the making. Now, how in the world could I turn that down?! Of course I jumped in the middle and helped each young one pick out the perfect colors for her stretchy bracelet. Then, with clip on earring parts, we made some especially notable dangling earrings for each of them (which were worn for about 4 minutes at a time because they were "pinchy"). Great fun was had by each girl - and great fun was had by me as I watched them 'glam it up' and pose for pictures :)Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-63843333288251789332008-11-22T09:51:00.003-05:002008-11-22T09:57:41.469-05:00I Really Flopped on this oneWell, Thursday night was the night I was to tell the story of Rick being Rodeo Clown. Earlier this week I realized that the story was simply not coming together. I wasn't going to meet the 5-7 minute time limit, and no matter how I practiced it, it was not good. So, at the meeting I backed out. Told the MC that I the 'speech' simply didn't come together. I wasn't the only one, by the way. <br /><br />But, upon realizing that with a few of us backing out left only 2 speakers, we were convinced to give it a go. Knowing that I would go over the allotted time meant I wasn't eligible to win the contest, and warning the group that no matter how much I worked on this story it didn't feel right, I did it. <br /><br />Ok, I say I flopped, but in reality it was a good story. Just didn't meet the requirements for the contest. Those in attendance enjoyed it and encouraged me to participate next year.<br /><br />So, I tried. I don't like to flop/fail/not do well, but it was a good experience. I don't do comedy, nor do I have much experience storytelling - so this was a good night for me to learn from.Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-5319935620912203722008-11-11T15:17:00.002-05:002008-11-11T15:27:04.110-05:00Toastmasters and MeWell, I must say that I am truly enjoying being a member of Toastmasters. I knew I would, but am surprised by how much. <br /><br />According to the 15 or so regular members, they're enjoying me, too :)<br /><br />Brag time!<br /><br />I gave my second speech, about beads and beading, two weeks ago and got terrific feedback. At the time, the most encouraging was - "great eye contact and movement. I'm ready to take up beading!"<br /><br />Last week I gave my third speech, about how communicating is much more than talk, and am thrilled with the feedback. The most important to me is the one from my mentor, an established and accomplished speaker who has been a professional speaker for about 2 years. His comments were "you have a speaker's presence. Keep the work going because you are making your presence known." Wow.<br /><br />I'm prepping my fourth speech - a humorous tall tale - to be given on the 20th. Of course, I'll be talking about my hubby's attempt at being a rodeo clown (a story soon to be posted). No, it's not a tall tale, but trust me - most people don't believe us when we tell it :)<br /><br />This Friday (the 14th) I'm attending an all day event being presented by the National Speakers Association. There will be 11 presentations given by well-known speakers and plenty of opportunity to network. I'll be taking notes because each speaker will be giving pointers on how to improve and study the craft. Then, I'll be handing out at least 100 business cards (that's because more than 100 people are registered to attend!) and promoting my research business.<br /><br />Speaking of my research business, I'm meeting with the President of the NSA/Kentucky chapter to discuss his research needs for his three businesses :) Yes, the meeting will be included in the price - consultation fee!<br /><br />Okay, back to work. Then back to refining my speech for next Thursday!Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21019992.post-24759412704936158422008-10-28T15:58:00.001-04:002008-10-28T16:02:20.867-04:00Freezing Point<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/051514536X/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img"></a><a onclick="return amz_js_PopWin(this.href,'AmazonHelp','width=700,height=600,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,toolbar=0,status=1');" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/051514536X/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books" target="AmazonHelp"></a><br />Freezing Point (Paperback)by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Karen%20Dionne">Karen Dionne</a> (Author) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/051514536X/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/051514536X/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img</a><br /><br />Ben Maki, environmental activist, wants to solve the world's drinking water problems by using polar ice and icebergs. A book worth reading. Karen Dionne's writing style is fluid and on target for leading the reader into great visuals, rather than getting stuck in the narrative and not trusting the reader to 'get it'. I'm a fan of thrillers, be they science or medical or psychologically based, and this one is a good one. The characters are believable and have personalities that are consistent throughout the plot. The science is interesting and appears to be well researched, at least the writing was convincing and in fiction that is the point. Knowing this is her first book, I am anxiously awaiting her second.<br /><br />Check it out!<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/051514536X/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img"></a>Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09939095498726423889noreply@blogger.com0