I’ve been blogging for over 2+ years now. During the last few years, I’ve done the blog thing, online stores, websites, and just about everything you can think of. I’ve got close to 200 Squidoo lenses, a book, and more. You could say I’ve spent a lot of time online, and all with the goal of being able to work from home.

I’ve signed up for e-courses, read books, researched tons of stuff, but there was something about Amy Bass that told me I needed to give The Niche Blogger a try. It was well worth my time. As much as I’m an online presence, I also keep to myself about things. This is one of the few times I want to rave. I love being a member of The Niche Blogger, and my income has all ready started to increase.

It’s the little details I’ve overlooked in the past, and I’m able to take the information I’m picking up here to not only create more content, but also go back, and improve other sites I have. The Niche Blogger is a no brainer, and I happily lent my voice and picture for testimony on her site, because it’s something that truly is helping me increase my own income. Period…hands down, the best move I made this year. Go ahead…start looking around and see if you see my testimony scattered on the internet- I’ll wait. It won’t happen, because not much adds "that" much value to what I all ready know from being online.

Amy takes your hand, and goes step by step, as basic as it gets. She uses blog posts, videos, and there’s a very active forum board where people are helping each other. It’s not a cut throat board, it’s a help each other do better board. This is a community I was so happy to join, I jumped from monthly member to lifetime member the first month. I know QUALITY when I see it.

I happily recommend The Niche Blogger, whether you’re a new blogger, looking to create niche blogs and more. It’s the fine details many people overlook, and this time, I’m taking the time to do each step…one at at time. I’m all ready seeing the results of the time and effort I’ve put in, with Amy’s details.

You won’t hear me shouting out about many programs, but this is one I’m happy to have joined. I became a member of the "do it faster, take shortcuts" crew, and I wasn’t getting the results during the last two years, that I’m getting now.

“Let’s get down and dirty baby…”

You know you wanted another taste of Paolo’s music! Here’s another piece…love his live music. You can find his official website here.  

You can also see my Squidoo lens on Esthetician information at Squidoo.com/esthetician

I’ve actually built a couple of lenses on skin care, mineral make-up and others. You can check them all out!

What are you waiting for? Spread the word!!!! 

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse

2. Relationship? Happy.

3. Your hair? Windblown.

4. Work? Creative.

5. Your sister? Bonded.

6. Your favorite thing? Life.

7. Your dream last night? Quiet.

8. Your favorite drink? Diet.

9. Your dream car? Tahoe.

10. The room you’re in? Living.

11. Your shoes? Socks.

12. Your fears? Weight.

13. What do you want to be in 10 years? 50.

14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family.

15. What are you not good at? Patience.

16. Muffin? Blueberry.

17. One of your wish list items? Security.

18. Where you grew up? Bucks

19. Last thing you did? Transformers

20. What are you wearing? Jammies.

21. What aren’t you wearing? Shoes.

22. Your pet? Three.

23. Your computer? Busy.

24. Your life? Rewarding.

25. Your mood? Content.

26. Missing? Dad.

27. What are you thinking about right now? Work.

28. Your car? Pontiac.

29. Your kitchen? Refreshed.

30. Your summer? Peaceful.

31. Your favorite color? Yellow.

32. Last time you laughed? Today.

33. Last time you cried? Movie.

34. School? Graduated.

35. Love? Husband.

Time to tag a few, and I’m going to do two….This time my tag goes to Retta and Lisa (LMM)

Have you ever taken an online class? I’m not talking about college courses for a degree, but a class to learn something new or fun? I’ve taken a class or two through Barnes and Nobles, but today I learned about free classes you can take at HP.com.

When I got my new laptop last month, I signed up for their emails, and today one caught my attention. I decided to explore what they were offering, and I’m impressed. I wanted to share these options with you, because maybe you are like me, and like to stay on top of learning new things. I think it’s a great way to keep your brain active. Some of the classes they offer range from digital photography to learning excel to learning how to keep in touch with your family on the road to learning Windows Vista whether you have the basic or the premium edition, like I do.

The first thing you do is look through the full list of classes which you can find here. After choosing a class, enroll in the class. You’ll need to register if you’re new to this. Siging in is simple and easy. The class will be accessible all day and night, 24/7 while it’s going on, and then for another 2 weeks after it’s finished, so you can wrap up any loose strings. You use their messaging board system to speak with the instructor.

If you have questions of would like to learn more about the HP online classes, you can check out their FAQ here. I’ll be signing up for one of the classes shortly, will you?

1. Have a voice, and know what you want to say before you write a post.
2. Read and comment on other blogs, to understand conversational value of blogs
3. Decide if you want a niche or a general blog. Have a plan with a goal.
4. Know which blogging software or program will work best for you: WordPress, Moveable Type, Blogger, Vox, or any of the others.
5. Decide who you are writing for, and what kind of audience you want to target.
6. Read other important blogs in the blogging world that offer tips, Problogger.net, Copyblogger.com, DoshDosh.com , SEOBook.com
7. Network with other bloggers, there is strength in numbers
8. Find a pattern of writing posts and stick with it. 20 posts one day, 2 the next and then nothing for a week may confuse your readers.
9. Link out to others freely. Don’t expect things in return.
10. Write fresh content, don’t just rehash what everyone else is saying.
11. Have a unique angle if you’re writing a topic that’s well covered.
12. Add personality to your writing. It keeps people reading.
13. Find plug-ins/add-ons that are helpful to your blog, like tagging.
14. Write for people, not search engines.
15. Offer a way to subscribe either by RSS or by email.

I was just sitting outside watching a bird dance between fence posts and enjoyed seeing glass blades bending in the wind. I was sitting thinking about whether I needed something my mind has been turning to.

I work from home, so most of the time, I’m at my desk and working at my computer. This is a great convenience to be at home working, but the one thing it does is ties me to a desk a good part of the day.

What if I had a laptop that I could bring with me into another room? Maybe take it with me when I travel so I could continue to work when I had spare time. Then I started to realize, do I really want to have that capability. I’m at my desk sometimes 10 hours a day, and do I want those moments on the sun room ruined with a laptop on my experience. I’d miss seeing the bird dance, and I’d miss watching the grass blow in the breeze, because I’d be working on my computer.

Let’s talk about travel…if I have it with me, I’d sure be able to connect at the hotel, but then I’d miss the quiet I enjoy which I set aside for thinking, or reading, or taking a long bubble bath. When it comes down to it, if I have the laptop, most likely, I will work or do things in those moments where right now I treasure that quiet time.

I had to then think about why I want the flexibility of a laptop and what it represents to me. What exactly does it represent to me? I think there’s a piece of me that associates it with "business men" and "success", so if I have a laptop to go along with my desktop, it must mean that I have achieved a level of success to need both. Maybe it’s my mental imagery that pushes me need and desire to get one. I’ve been close to buying one before, but came to the same conclusion. I really don’t need one, and honestly, sometimes I desperately need a break from my computer.

When I went on a 12 day vacation, I thought I’d be lost without it, but you know what, email waits, work waits, and message boards are still there when you get back, and the time not focused on a computer meant it was focused elsewhere and I enjoyed my trip more thoroughly.

My biggest want and need is word processing capabilities, because I love to write, and when I’m away from my desk, I want the ability to jot those thoughts down quickly and easily, and quite frankly, typing gets it done SO much faster than handwriting for me. I’d then have to copy it over to the computer at a later date. I did pick up a small toy that helps me with those word processing abilities, so why would I need yet another ability? What is it that the laptop means? Why do I need it?

I’m such a retail therapy person and I’ve gotten pretty much anything I’ve wanted over the years, but this is that one thing that I’ve said no to over and over and over again. I’ve stopped myself so many times, why do I give in this time. So now it becomes, am I denying myself because it’s the one thing I’ve been able to say no to for so long, or am I saying no because quite frankly I don’t need it. Overthinking things….doesn’t do you any favors

Then I started thinking about my cell phone and realizing that there are times that I resent that thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I have it in case of an emergency, but when you are taking time for yourself, suddenly you are now "reachable". Everyone knows you have it, so why not. How many people are more accessable to their bosses as well with their online capabilities at home, cell phones and laptops at hotels when traveling. We’ve become reachable 24 hours a day, and instead of being more productive and happy that we got more done, we end up more stressed wondering how to get away from it all….

There’s a fine balance between having the tech gadgets and toys because you want them, to them driving you nuts, because you can’t get away from them. Any thoughts on this topic?

I’m not a dive into the cold water without dipping my toe first person. I test the waters, if I think I’ll like them, then you’ll see me playing in the water for way too long! It’s funny how hesitation starts me, and then I have a hard time leaving. Like anything in life, it’s finding that good balance between what works and what’s too much. When you find yourself putting more effort into the effort itself, rather than the outcome, that’s when you realize the balance is tipping.

All ready today, I feel renewed, because I have a new thought in my mind that I’m following, and it’s a better one. I feel the weight lifted all ready. I’ve got a large project I’ve been working on, and it will demand a lot of my time during the rest of April, on top of which I am hoping to learn something new. April is full, and I want to spend it doing things I enjoy, and getting things accomplished, rather than just doing things because they have to be done. It feels good, because I’m ready to finally get out of the water, and dry off.  

We finally decided to meet, and we hooked up over at the TGIFriday’s over on the Flemington circle. I was coming from Bucks County and he was in Hunterdon. I had such a good time. We talked so easily and it felt like I knew him for a long time. After lunch, we didn’t want the date to end, and we ended going back to his house to talk more. Hey! I said we talked! We spent 8 hours that day talking and talking, and really had a lot of fun laughing. The problem is, even though I liked him, I wasn’t sure I wanted to get into a relationship. One of my friends straightened my head out. She said, Deb, you just spent 8 hours on this date, you had a great time, and you’re not sure if you want to go out with him again? Tell me why again!

Needless to say, I gave it another go, just to make sure I didn’t want a relationship, and within moments, I knew I was in trouble. I was hooked. Here was this incredible, genuine kind guy and was sweet as could be. I’m blessed to have had that same man in my life for 7 years now, and he is the best thing that came into my life. I hope he feels the same way. True love can and does happen after meeting people online. I’m proof, and we’ve been happily married for many years.

If you’re looking to meet someone, there are websites that are for everyone. They even have Senior Dating services — remind me next time to tell you about my mom’s online dating experiences.