Or: Shop Like You're Poor
I was in a situation a few years back in which I was in need of new eye glasses as I wasn't seeing very well out of the ones I had purchased many years ago. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the eye exam along with the cost of the new glasses. The eye exam is a minimum of one hundred dollars and the glasses - well, glasses will cost in the hundreds of dollars. Further, I wasn't dreaming I was poor. I really was poor. Like many others, I had lost my job. To further enhance the situation, my mother needed my help so I moved back home. I searched for a job here in town but nobody wanted to hire a middle aged woman with years of publishing and management experience.
With no well paying job in sight, I had to get creative in finding new eye glasses so I could see. Thus began my search on the Internet for a decent pair of cheap glasses. It took weeks of looking through pages of URLs before I found a company that sells really inexpensive eye glasses.
Zenni Optical is where I finally landed. I could hardly believe my eyes. Glasses for twelve dollars? You're kidding me, right? Nope, not in the least. This discovery took me on another search but this one was to find ratings from others who had used Zenni Optical. I could find no major complaints about the company. Oh, there were the usual complaints about slow delivery here and there but every rating I read said the same thing. All who had purchased from Zenni Optical were satisfied with their purchase.
I also looked up the company on Dun and Bradstreet. I knew if I found it listed there it would be a legitimate company. I didn't think about looking up the company in the Better Business Bureau website which was sort of a stupid move on my part. My guess is if I looked them up today, I wouldn't find any - or very few - complaints.
Something more nagged at me, though. I came to realize this company fulfilled orders through a company outside of the United States. After further research, I realized a Chinese company was fulfilling special orders and would fulfill mine as I requested no-line trifocals. I have nothing against the Chinese. I have never been to China. I don't particularly like their politics but what bothered me the most was I was going to have to go outside of my own country to get a new pair of eye glasses. It's apparent to me that Zenni is somehow connected to China. I presume they're a branch of a company there. I will say I don't know for certain. It just seems logical to me.
However, this knowledge didn't stop me. I needed new glasses and I had no alternative but to go through with the purchase. I did and my twelve dollar glasses have served my sight well. The ear pieces are titanium, and won't and don't loose their shape. The lenses are scratch resistant and the entire package is light weight. They aren't heavy so don't hurt my nose.
I started this evening's blog to encourage people to shop like they're poverty stricken; to learn to scrimp and save at every turn but it seems I have come up with another subject or two. But I won't go into either this evening. Instead, I'll end this with the thought with which I originally began.
Dream of being poor and shop like you are. It is amazing how much money you will save. We did and managed to pay for two cataract surgeries.
Visit my store: Visages Gift Store
Custom Personalized Candy Wrappers & Party Supplies
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Dreams: Saving Money on Canned Dog Food
My seventy-eight year old dad loves spoiling his schipperke (pronounced "Skipper-key"), Cinder. I cringe whenever I see him open a can of expensive dog food. It's not because he cuts the dog food up into small bite size pieces then feeds her each little portion from a plastic knife because that's the only way she'll eat it. I cringe because he spends a fortune on brand name canned dog food.
But I bite my tongue. I don't tell him to save his money and not buy the stuff; that he could actually provide her meat from his own kitchen table. No, I don't advocate giving dogs leftovers from the table. What I do advocate is reserving meat that you have cooked for your canine.
And that is just what my husband does. He does all the cooking around here (shopping, too). Whatever meat he prepares, he always reserves a certain amount for Tsaile (pronounced "Say-lee"), our Rhodesian Ridgeback. Whether it's chicken, ribs, roast, pork chops or steak, we always have a small plastic bag of meat set off to the side in the refrigerator. Every morning and every night, we put a bit of meat on top of Tsaile's dry dog food.
I know for a fact that she would eat her dry dog food without that bit of meat on top of it because we have run out of the reserve and had no choice but to give her only her dog food with a bit of warm water mixed into it. I also know she would eat her dry food with cooked rice, carrots or potatoes.
We don't scrape leftovers into her food bowl but we will keep a small amount from our plates occasionally to add to her food.
She isn't over-weight because we're very conscious of what we feed her. And, we're not spending a fortune on canned food or doggie treats. Yet, I can tell you she is very spoiled.
Conclusion: If you're looking for something to cut from the budget, consider substituting something for the expensive treats or food you serve your pet.
P.S. My ferret, Ponc, gets off-brand raisins instead of the five dollar packages of ferret treats.
But I bite my tongue. I don't tell him to save his money and not buy the stuff; that he could actually provide her meat from his own kitchen table. No, I don't advocate giving dogs leftovers from the table. What I do advocate is reserving meat that you have cooked for your canine.
And that is just what my husband does. He does all the cooking around here (shopping, too). Whatever meat he prepares, he always reserves a certain amount for Tsaile (pronounced "Say-lee"), our Rhodesian Ridgeback. Whether it's chicken, ribs, roast, pork chops or steak, we always have a small plastic bag of meat set off to the side in the refrigerator. Every morning and every night, we put a bit of meat on top of Tsaile's dry dog food.
I know for a fact that she would eat her dry dog food without that bit of meat on top of it because we have run out of the reserve and had no choice but to give her only her dog food with a bit of warm water mixed into it. I also know she would eat her dry food with cooked rice, carrots or potatoes.
We don't scrape leftovers into her food bowl but we will keep a small amount from our plates occasionally to add to her food.
She isn't over-weight because we're very conscious of what we feed her. And, we're not spending a fortune on canned food or doggie treats. Yet, I can tell you she is very spoiled.
Conclusion: If you're looking for something to cut from the budget, consider substituting something for the expensive treats or food you serve your pet.
P.S. My ferret, Ponc, gets off-brand raisins instead of the five dollar packages of ferret treats.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
How I Saved Money on Postage This Christmas
How many of you have compared flat rate Priority versus Parcel Post pricing? I made the mistake of not doing comparisons last year and ended up spending more than I needed to spend when I mailed Christmas presents.
This year was different. Instead of assuming United Postal Service's flat rate boxes (if it fits, it ships) would be the cheapest way to mail Christmas presents, I navigated to USPS.com to do a little research. The URLs are located at the bottom of this blog.
I clicked on Parcel Post, located the zone table and typed in the first three digits of the zip code for the address furthest from me. Based on the weight of the package going to that zone, I was going to save close to three dollars for the one package as compared to mailing using a flat rate box. With that information in hand, there was no doubt I would save on the remaining packages as all of them were basically the same weight.
In all, I saved close to thirty dollars mailing nine packages Parcel Post. So, unless you are sending a personalized brick that can fit into a medium sized flat rate box, save your money by packing in a box you have laying around and send it Parcel Post.
http://www.usps.com/prices/priority-mail-prices.htm
http://www.usps.com/prices/parcel-post-prices.htm
This year was different. Instead of assuming United Postal Service's flat rate boxes (if it fits, it ships) would be the cheapest way to mail Christmas presents, I navigated to USPS.com to do a little research. The URLs are located at the bottom of this blog.
I clicked on Parcel Post, located the zone table and typed in the first three digits of the zip code for the address furthest from me. Based on the weight of the package going to that zone, I was going to save close to three dollars for the one package as compared to mailing using a flat rate box. With that information in hand, there was no doubt I would save on the remaining packages as all of them were basically the same weight.
In all, I saved close to thirty dollars mailing nine packages Parcel Post. So, unless you are sending a personalized brick that can fit into a medium sized flat rate box, save your money by packing in a box you have laying around and send it Parcel Post.
http://www.usps.com/prices/priority-mail-prices.htm
http://www.usps.com/prices/parcel-post-prices.htm
Monday, December 13, 2010
Another Way to Earn Extra Income
I have a little artistic talent; can paint poinsettias, snowmen, winter and summer country mountain or forest scenes and the like on canvas, paper, wine bottles or glasses. After painting a Christmas scene on one of the windows in our house I decided I would see if there was anyone interested in having their own home window painted with a Christmas scene for a small fee. Sure enough, after advertising on a website that offers free posting, a lady replied; emailed that she had two windows she wanted painted with Christmas scenes.This goes to show that if you have a talent for something, chances are at least one other person will need or want your services.
Here are some ideas to earn extra income or for barter:
Flower arrangements
Bouquets and candy bouquets
Party planning
Snow shoveling
Organizing closets, garages, cabinets
House cleaning
Cut hair
Style hair
Rake leaves
Clean car interiors
Run errands
Grocery shop
And pass the word around to all of your friends. Tell them you are willing to apply your talent or knack for a small fee. Be sure to advertise on websites that allow posts for no cost and post on your favorite social network website.
I did a search for sites like craigslist and found several responses. I plan on checking them out to see what will best serve me. And, I never charge a lot for my services. I research costs then under bid by several dollars. Doing so ensures I will get a customer at least ninety percent of the time.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Daddy Shot Santa... Written by my brother, David Graham
Daddy Shot Santa
Twas the night before Christmas and all ‘cross the farm
The critters had settled with no cause for alarm.
Our stockings we hung on our bedroom doorknobs
In hopes that Santa would bring trinkets and bobs.
The tree, just put up, seemed slender and slight,
But shined of great promise with each Christmas tree light.
The cookies and milk we displayed quite exquisite
As Mama read soft tones of Santa’s famed visit.
The hour grew late and our bedtime grew nigh,
Our excitement did brim as the minutes dragged by.
Mama’s chores done, her children bathed and fed,
Did herd us like cats to each waiting bed.
We filed up the stairs wishing Daddy Christmas goodnight,
But his whispered response gave us considerable fright.
“That old man better not come, I told him last year,
I told him ‘Stay away,’ he’s not welcome here.
“I called him a thief, a scoundrel, a dastard.
If he comes ‘round here I’ll shoot the ol’ bastard.”
Our lips did quiver; our sobs we did stifle.
For it was much too late to hide father’s old rifle.
Calm and composed, Mother tucked us with care
And wished us sleep tight with a kiss and a prayer.
Her soft steps betrayed by the squeak of each stair
“Stay in bed, be quiet, don’t make me come up there.”
Her warning we heeded for a minute or two,
‘Til silent night broke, “What shall we do?”
“Will Daddy shoot Santa,” the sister did dread.
The youngest chimed in, “I don’t want Santa dead.”
- Hide quoted text -
Entranced I gazed through frosted glass pane,
I puzzled and pondered and contorted my brain.
This couldn’t be true; it wasn’t quite right.
You can’t shoot Santa on Christmas Eve night.
Like the blaze of a star streaking a moonless sky
I realized in a moment there was no reason to cry.
“Don’t give it a worry, there’s no cause to whimper.
It’s only a joke,” I said with a simper.
With sighs of relief our fears were allayed,
We nestled warm blankets, no longer afraid.
When outside such racket atop our own roof.
Were those pebbles on shingles or each prancing hoof?
We moved not a muscle, our breath quite bated,
We strained to hear more and nervously waited.
Father’s heavy steps, a slamming screen door,
Shouted harsh words, “Yer not welcome no more.”
“I told you last year, stay off’n my place.
Yer a cheat, a liar, a louse-bound disgrace.
I got ol’ Betsy an’ a bad trigger twitch.
I’ll shoot yer ass now, ya ol’ som-bitch.”
What happened next I’m loathe to tell,
But Daddy shot twice, and began to yell.
“I shot the ol’ man,” our father did hoot.
“I winged the ol’ bastard; I got the ol’ coot.”
A shocked icy silence befell the homestead.
Had Daddy shot Santa; had he filled him with lead?
Not a word was spoken, not even a peep
As each child slipped into a worried, fitful sleep.
No visions of candy canes, no hopes of that toy.
We’d all grow up in a world without joy.
In morning we gathered scrubbing sleep from our eyes,
To venture downstairs to witness Santa’s demise.
But what to our weary eyes did we see?
A pile of wrapped presents under the tree.
And off in the corner sat Daddy quite smug.
He dismissed our new bounty with a wink and a shrug.
“For a fat old elf, he’s nimble and quick.
You gotta be sharp to get ol’ St. Nick.
I fired twice; he sure lit outta here,
Cursin’ and whippin’ each tiny reindeer.
“In his hurry from off his back
Fell all these gifts out of his pack.
So, merry Christmas, be of good cheer.
I’ll try it again this time next year.”
Copyright 2010 David Graham
Twas the night before Christmas and all ‘cross the farm
The critters had settled with no cause for alarm.
Our stockings we hung on our bedroom doorknobs
In hopes that Santa would bring trinkets and bobs.
The tree, just put up, seemed slender and slight,
But shined of great promise with each Christmas tree light.
The cookies and milk we displayed quite exquisite
As Mama read soft tones of Santa’s famed visit.
The hour grew late and our bedtime grew nigh,
Our excitement did brim as the minutes dragged by.
Mama’s chores done, her children bathed and fed,
Did herd us like cats to each waiting bed.
We filed up the stairs wishing Daddy Christmas goodnight,
But his whispered response gave us considerable fright.
“That old man better not come, I told him last year,
I told him ‘Stay away,’ he’s not welcome here.
“I called him a thief, a scoundrel, a dastard.
If he comes ‘round here I’ll shoot the ol’ bastard.”
Our lips did quiver; our sobs we did stifle.
For it was much too late to hide father’s old rifle.
Calm and composed, Mother tucked us with care
And wished us sleep tight with a kiss and a prayer.
Her soft steps betrayed by the squeak of each stair
“Stay in bed, be quiet, don’t make me come up there.”
Her warning we heeded for a minute or two,
‘Til silent night broke, “What shall we do?”
“Will Daddy shoot Santa,” the sister did dread.
The youngest chimed in, “I don’t want Santa dead.”
- Hide quoted text -
Entranced I gazed through frosted glass pane,
I puzzled and pondered and contorted my brain.
This couldn’t be true; it wasn’t quite right.
You can’t shoot Santa on Christmas Eve night.
Like the blaze of a star streaking a moonless sky
I realized in a moment there was no reason to cry.
“Don’t give it a worry, there’s no cause to whimper.
It’s only a joke,” I said with a simper.
With sighs of relief our fears were allayed,
We nestled warm blankets, no longer afraid.
When outside such racket atop our own roof.
Were those pebbles on shingles or each prancing hoof?
We moved not a muscle, our breath quite bated,
We strained to hear more and nervously waited.
Father’s heavy steps, a slamming screen door,
Shouted harsh words, “Yer not welcome no more.”
“I told you last year, stay off’n my place.
Yer a cheat, a liar, a louse-bound disgrace.
I got ol’ Betsy an’ a bad trigger twitch.
I’ll shoot yer ass now, ya ol’ som-bitch.”
What happened next I’m loathe to tell,
But Daddy shot twice, and began to yell.
“I shot the ol’ man,” our father did hoot.
“I winged the ol’ bastard; I got the ol’ coot.”
A shocked icy silence befell the homestead.
Had Daddy shot Santa; had he filled him with lead?
Not a word was spoken, not even a peep
As each child slipped into a worried, fitful sleep.
No visions of candy canes, no hopes of that toy.
We’d all grow up in a world without joy.
In morning we gathered scrubbing sleep from our eyes,
To venture downstairs to witness Santa’s demise.
But what to our weary eyes did we see?
A pile of wrapped presents under the tree.
And off in the corner sat Daddy quite smug.
He dismissed our new bounty with a wink and a shrug.
“For a fat old elf, he’s nimble and quick.
You gotta be sharp to get ol’ St. Nick.
I fired twice; he sure lit outta here,
Cursin’ and whippin’ each tiny reindeer.
“In his hurry from off his back
Fell all these gifts out of his pack.
So, merry Christmas, be of good cheer.
I’ll try it again this time next year.”
Copyright 2010 David Graham
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Get Busy and Dream Your Dream
Get busy dreaming; imagining yourself doing something you wouldn't do in your normal life and routine. Dream about working at home or starting your own business. Dream about taking that vacation to Europe you used to day-dream about. Or, dream up something then imagine yourself doing it. You can't? Why not? Does it feel a little like window shopping without any money? There's no satisfaction in that, is there?
Dreaming of doing something you wouldn't normally do is merely setting a goal for yourself. Certainly some may view the goal as unattainable therefore only allowing themselves the imagination. Then there are those who honestly consider their dream as something quite attainable.
How are goals attained? They are attained by putting one foot in front of the other travelling a path toward accomplishment with intention. Origin of INTEND: Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch.
We accomplish many intentions in our lives. We intend to do laundry; we intend to change the oil in our car; we intend to get up in the morning, have coffee then get ready for work and we intend on getting ourselves to work. We have successful intentions everyday. Yet, we sometimes have dreams we - for some particular reason - don't intend on achieving. Why? Is it the fear of affecting our survival? Is there not enough time in the day to put forth the effort? Or, is the dream merely a form of entertainment?
If your dream is not the latter then consider the other two reasons as excuses and untrue. They are untrue because there is no intention to attain the dream; the goal. I can hear the denials as I type. I have used those very same excuses myself. It's human nature. On the other hand, many of my dreams; my goals have been attained through mere intention. I let nothing stop me. I found ways to accomplish my dreams by putting one foot in front of the other; researching, if necessary, methods to get where I wanted to go then actually heading toward the end result, continuing until I reached my goal.
So, if you're not dreaming, conjuring, imagining for self-entertainment, start putting one foot in front of the other and heading up the path toward your final destination. There is nothing more enjoyable than productively accomplishing an end result: Your dream.
Dreaming of doing something you wouldn't normally do is merely setting a goal for yourself. Certainly some may view the goal as unattainable therefore only allowing themselves the imagination. Then there are those who honestly consider their dream as something quite attainable.
How are goals attained? They are attained by putting one foot in front of the other travelling a path toward accomplishment with intention. Origin of INTEND: Middle English entenden, intenden, from Anglo-French entendre, from Latin intendere to stretch out, direct, aim at, from in- + tendere to stretch.
We accomplish many intentions in our lives. We intend to do laundry; we intend to change the oil in our car; we intend to get up in the morning, have coffee then get ready for work and we intend on getting ourselves to work. We have successful intentions everyday. Yet, we sometimes have dreams we - for some particular reason - don't intend on achieving. Why? Is it the fear of affecting our survival? Is there not enough time in the day to put forth the effort? Or, is the dream merely a form of entertainment?
If your dream is not the latter then consider the other two reasons as excuses and untrue. They are untrue because there is no intention to attain the dream; the goal. I can hear the denials as I type. I have used those very same excuses myself. It's human nature. On the other hand, many of my dreams; my goals have been attained through mere intention. I let nothing stop me. I found ways to accomplish my dreams by putting one foot in front of the other; researching, if necessary, methods to get where I wanted to go then actually heading toward the end result, continuing until I reached my goal.
So, if you're not dreaming, conjuring, imagining for self-entertainment, start putting one foot in front of the other and heading up the path toward your final destination. There is nothing more enjoyable than productively accomplishing an end result: Your dream.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Dreams: Christmas Cards
What's more unique than a handmade Christmas card? A hand painted Christmas card.My Christmas factory has been busily designing, creating and painting Christmas cards. Thanks to a good friend, Rick, I received and finished my first order of 16 homemade, hand painted cards! Done in layers of colored paper with the main image painted in acrylics, I have illustrated Cowboy Snowmen.
For the Cowboy Snowman and snow, I used a base of purple with glaze then add layers of white and blue. The hat is painted in layers of yellow ochre with glaze, tan and brown using white and black to highlight and shadow.But I'm not limiting myself to just Cowboy Snowmen. I'm painting poinsettias, ferns, Christmas balls and holly. Interested? Please go to my website millerswrappedexpression.com
Monday, November 22, 2010
Dreams of Saving Money
It's difficult to save money these days what with the economy the way it is. If you're without a job or your hours have been cut back, it's next to impossible if not entirely impossible to save for that rainy day, vacation and/or retirement.
My parents didn't teach me how to save or economize. They didn't tell me to save at least fifteen percent of my pay checks. It wasn't until I was in my thirties I even heard about putting a portion of my income away into a savings account. They also never suggested to me to wait for sales to buy clothing, vehicles, food or anything for that matter. And, how many of us have ever heard the words don't buy what you can't afford? What we do hear plenty of is buy with credit. We're inundated with that message.
When I was a kid growing up on a farm, whenever my parents needed extra money Daddy would sell a hog or two. Unfortunately, I don't have that option today but I have learned to not buy what I can not afford.
This brings me to my list of things we do to save.
My parents didn't teach me how to save or economize. They didn't tell me to save at least fifteen percent of my pay checks. It wasn't until I was in my thirties I even heard about putting a portion of my income away into a savings account. They also never suggested to me to wait for sales to buy clothing, vehicles, food or anything for that matter. And, how many of us have ever heard the words don't buy what you can't afford? What we do hear plenty of is buy with credit. We're inundated with that message.
When I was a kid growing up on a farm, whenever my parents needed extra money Daddy would sell a hog or two. Unfortunately, I don't have that option today but I have learned to not buy what I can not afford.
This brings me to my list of things we do to save.
- There are no credit cards in this house. Nothing is purchased with credit. What would happen if we did then found ourselves without jobs? Think about it because in today's world losing a job is more likely to happen than not.
- We paid off our car early. Yes, I did say I don't buy what I can not afford but few of us have ten thousand dollars laying around to buy a used car.
- That's another lesson I learned: Don't buy a brand new vehicle. Think of the money lost in interest and car value when you drive it off the lot. I saved at least ten thousand dollars (not including interest) buying used instead of new.
- In a past post, I wrote about using coupons. Wait for the coupon. We NEVER buy glucosamine at full price nor do I buy supplies for my hobbies at full price. We wait for the fifty and forty percent off coupons. In truth, we use coupons for everything from dish soap to oil changes.
- Our bank offers the opportunity to save when we use our debit card by rounding up the dollar amount then putting it into a special savings account. At the end of the year, they match the savings up to $250.
- When I saw our bank was charging us a minimum balance fee, I called and threatened to change banks. We pay no fee what so ever.
- We mow our own lawn, turn out lights, keep the thermostat at sixty eight during the winter and eighty during the summer.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Website and Blog Optimization: Not for the Amateur
My dream of optimizing my website, https://sites.google.com/site/millerswrappedexpression/, and blogs (this blog plus http://paintcreaterepurpose.blogspot.com/) has been shot down. Finding that I can't took nearly a day.
My biggest road block? I'm not familiar with HTML and using a free optimizer requires that I do. I could wing it but I risk screwing up my website and I have no friends to help me here in town. According to the free optimizer instructions, if I don't know HTML then I should find a web master to help me. So much for retaining independence.
So, what do I do now? The answer: Continue researching using key words like optimizer. That said, it is one of the basic necessities for getting a website known. Use key words people most likely would search.
Next, I will find other websites like mine and ask for a reciprocal link.
I already have my blogs and website URLs in the signature of my email which is helpful.
As for my blogs, I have begun clicking the share button to share them on a social network.
For both my website and blogs, I have taken advantage of AdSense, a free add-on that puts advertisements on my sites according to content. According to my account, people have visited my sites and I have had click-throughs which has earned me about ten dollars. Still, it's exposure.
Many people have the information I need. I find it all over the Internet. It's simply a matter of reading, studying and using the information I find.
If you can't afford a website and you utilize free space offers on your own with no help from a web master, expect to use the basic of basic methods to get traffic moving through it.
My biggest road block? I'm not familiar with HTML and using a free optimizer requires that I do. I could wing it but I risk screwing up my website and I have no friends to help me here in town. According to the free optimizer instructions, if I don't know HTML then I should find a web master to help me. So much for retaining independence.
So, what do I do now? The answer: Continue researching using key words like optimizer. That said, it is one of the basic necessities for getting a website known. Use key words people most likely would search.
Next, I will find other websites like mine and ask for a reciprocal link.
I already have my blogs and website URLs in the signature of my email which is helpful.
As for my blogs, I have begun clicking the share button to share them on a social network.
For both my website and blogs, I have taken advantage of AdSense, a free add-on that puts advertisements on my sites according to content. According to my account, people have visited my sites and I have had click-throughs which has earned me about ten dollars. Still, it's exposure.
Many people have the information I need. I find it all over the Internet. It's simply a matter of reading, studying and using the information I find.
If you can't afford a website and you utilize free space offers on your own with no help from a web master, expect to use the basic of basic methods to get traffic moving through it.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Dream of Making/Earning Extra Money or Income
I dream about making extra money all of the time. Some questions I ask myself are, "What can I sell on Craigslist?" "What legitimate websites offer opportunities to earn extra income?" "How can I optimize my website and blogs using the tools Google (and other search engines) offer?"
Using Craigslist was easy but a hit and miss endeavor. It involves testing items to sell. Last Spring when I started my garden I decided I would test selling young, three inch tall sunflower and tomato plants. Once they were to height, I listed them in two separate listings for $2 each. The listing titles simply said, "3" Sunflower Plants", or "3" Tomato Plants".
To my surprise, I sold them all and had to plant more to sell. I concluded young plants generate interest as Spring gets underway; that next Spring I will plant other flowers in addition to the sunflowers and vegetables in addition to the tomatoes. I will also ask $3 for the young seedlings upping the price by $1.
On the other hand, I have listed two solid wood end tables. These I listed at $10 each. The post generated interest but nobody was willing to pay $10 each for solid wood end tables. I'm not willing to go down on price because they're solid wood. That people don't want to pay my asking price leads me to believe people who can afford new furniture don't shop Craigslist.
I have also tested hand painted wine bottles, new teddy bears, Styrofoam(TM), plastic vases, homemade candles, etc. None of the items sold.
The thing about test marketing is this: The success (selling the item) or failure (not selling the item) depends on many factors like the time of year, consumer confidence, if people are able to get out and about to purchase (i.e. is there a virus going around or is there flooding), if what you're selling is desirable. There are more factors to consider but you catch my drift.
But I'm not letting up testing unsold items on Craigslist. I will continue listings those unsold items but I will change the verbiage, pictures, or pricing. Any one of these changes might make a difference as to whether I sell the items or not.
The other two questions I asked myself (see first paragraph) I am still researching. I'm sure to find the answers at some point.
Using Craigslist was easy but a hit and miss endeavor. It involves testing items to sell. Last Spring when I started my garden I decided I would test selling young, three inch tall sunflower and tomato plants. Once they were to height, I listed them in two separate listings for $2 each. The listing titles simply said, "3" Sunflower Plants", or "3" Tomato Plants".
To my surprise, I sold them all and had to plant more to sell. I concluded young plants generate interest as Spring gets underway; that next Spring I will plant other flowers in addition to the sunflowers and vegetables in addition to the tomatoes. I will also ask $3 for the young seedlings upping the price by $1.
On the other hand, I have listed two solid wood end tables. These I listed at $10 each. The post generated interest but nobody was willing to pay $10 each for solid wood end tables. I'm not willing to go down on price because they're solid wood. That people don't want to pay my asking price leads me to believe people who can afford new furniture don't shop Craigslist.
I have also tested hand painted wine bottles, new teddy bears, Styrofoam(TM), plastic vases, homemade candles, etc. None of the items sold.
The thing about test marketing is this: The success (selling the item) or failure (not selling the item) depends on many factors like the time of year, consumer confidence, if people are able to get out and about to purchase (i.e. is there a virus going around or is there flooding), if what you're selling is desirable. There are more factors to consider but you catch my drift.
But I'm not letting up testing unsold items on Craigslist. I will continue listings those unsold items but I will change the verbiage, pictures, or pricing. Any one of these changes might make a difference as to whether I sell the items or not.
The other two questions I asked myself (see first paragraph) I am still researching. I'm sure to find the answers at some point.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Some Dreams Don't Come True
I had a dream of becoming a contributor for a popular how-to site. I enjoy writing especially about things I have conceptualized and made. Although I know I'm not a fantastic writer, I thought I would submit my application. After all, the worst that could happen is they would say no.
The application process required a resume. I dug out my back up CDs, found my resume, re-worked it then saved it to my personal desk top folder.
The website also required sample writing. What I should have done was submit a piece I had written and re-written several times to ensure there were no mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Instead, I wrote a new piece. I read it over several times, corrected the mistakes I found then headed to the website to fill out the application.
I entered all the required information which was basic like my name and address; attached my sample piece and my resume, hit the submit button then waited.
It took only a couple of hours to receive their response; surprising considering they must receive hundreds of applications a day. My application was declined. I was hurt but only a little as I had no great expectations but I did wonder what was wrong with my writing sample. I pulled it up and re-read it.
Tarnation! There was a mistake in the last paragraph. I had re-written a sentence but neglected to remove a word. Obviously, I hadn't re-read what I had corrected. Lesson: Be sure to re-read what you have written before submitting it as a sample of your work especially if you seriously want to be hired to write how-tos for money.
I dreamed; I tried but apparently sabotaged myself. So, on to the next dream...
The application process required a resume. I dug out my back up CDs, found my resume, re-worked it then saved it to my personal desk top folder.
The website also required sample writing. What I should have done was submit a piece I had written and re-written several times to ensure there were no mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Instead, I wrote a new piece. I read it over several times, corrected the mistakes I found then headed to the website to fill out the application.
I entered all the required information which was basic like my name and address; attached my sample piece and my resume, hit the submit button then waited.
It took only a couple of hours to receive their response; surprising considering they must receive hundreds of applications a day. My application was declined. I was hurt but only a little as I had no great expectations but I did wonder what was wrong with my writing sample. I pulled it up and re-read it.
Tarnation! There was a mistake in the last paragraph. I had re-written a sentence but neglected to remove a word. Obviously, I hadn't re-read what I had corrected. Lesson: Be sure to re-read what you have written before submitting it as a sample of your work especially if you seriously want to be hired to write how-tos for money.
I dreamed; I tried but apparently sabotaged myself. So, on to the next dream...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Easy Homemade Rug or Repurposing
Browsing second hand and donation stores is a favorite pastime of mine. It's even better when I score.At Goodwill, I found two tapestry-like pillow shams for 59 cents each that I converted into bathroom rugs. Although they were pretty thick and cushy already, I wanted them to be thicker so I cut an old towel in half and inserted a half into a pocket at one end of each sham. If I had wanted them even thicker I would have inserted a whole towel in the pockets by laying it flat and inserting one end in each pocket.
Next, I folded the shams in half (along the long edge not the narrow edge) and whip stitched the edges together with matching embroidery floss pulling the floss though the gold cords that adorn the shams' edges. The sham rugs add a classy touch and look much better than a folded towel on the floor. What's even better? They were inexpensive!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Homemade Thanksgiving/Autumn Candle Bouquet
My husband had set aside vegetable cans he had emptied the contents from and rinsed. Grabbing them, I set to work.
First, I washed and dried them. Next, I wiped the exterior with alcohol to remove any sort of film then I set about painting them with acrylic paint. After choosing the colors, I painted the background. Because there isn't one spot in our house that is formal, I didn't mind if the silver of the can showed through a littler here and there. And to tell the truth, you'd have to use several layers of paint to entirely cover the metal.
After the paint dried, I sprayed them with flat finish lacquer.
I didn't have any artificial flowers on hand and I knew the hobby stores were having great sales on their autumn flora so off I went to find a great deal on flowers. I found a small bouquet of orange and red flowers for 60% off which was perfect and matched the cans I painted.
Next, at a dollar store, I found a roll of moss for - you guessed it - a buck. When I got home, I rummaged through the garage and found the Styrofoam I had removed and saved from some teddy bear candy bouquets my husband was unable to sell.
The blocks were not so large that I couldn't simply shove them into the cans but I knew if they were too large I could take a serrated knife and saw off the edges.
After the Styrofoam blocks were in place, I glued the moss on using hot glue; removed some fabric flower heads and sprays from their plastic stems then hot glued them into place.
The candles sticks wouldn't set on top of the Styrofoam so with a small knife I cut out a shallow holes, put some plumbers putty on the bottom of the candle sticks then pushed them into place.
Now all I have to do is make napkins and place mats for our Thanksgiving table.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Coupon Hound or More Income Supplement
In all of my adult life I have maybe clipped coupons twice. As far as I can remember the coupons remained on the kitchen counter because I ran off to go shopping without them. What made me think about coupons is the Google Adsense advertisement on my blog for Kansas City Restaurant coupons.
Back in the day - I mean, way, way back in the day - if I did happen to look at coupons in the Sunday paper all I found were high-end name brand coupons, name brands I would never consider purchasing, first of all. Second of all, way back in the day, even with the discount from the coupon the name brand was still more expensive than the off-brand product I would purchase which - in my opinion - was just as good or dang near.
This isn't the case these days. John, my husband, is the opposite of me when it comes to clipping and using. And, he finds great deals even on off brand products.
"Do you need laundry detergent? They've a got 2x 32 load bottle for $1.99," he'll call to me from the living room.
Sometimes and more often than not, he'll come home from the grocery stores - because he'll shop at more than one - laden with plastic bags full of items and with the excitement of a child finding a five dollar bill on the sidewalk says, "Boy, did I make a killin' on pork roast. I got it for $1.48 a pound!"
"Is that good?" I ask in ignorance because I haven't grocery shopped in years.
"Oh yeah," he replies. "It's normally $1.99 a pound."
I have to give him credit, he manages to save us money. I haven't calculated how much but I have a feeling he manages to save us a bundle during a month. This of course means more money in our pockets which tickles John to no end. There's only one thing he likes better than getting a good deal with coupons and that's getting something for free.
And speaking of free, we haven't bought toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste or tooth brushes, etc. in a very long time. He travels three times a week selling to hospital gift shops. Part of what he furnishes and sells is what he calls sundries; shampoo, condition, aspirin, etc. Whenever he finds a damaged box of these goods he brings the box home rather than using company money to send it back.
Also, because he stays in motels three times a week, he'll stuff the extra roll of toilet paper from the motel bathroom into his overnight bag to bring home. Granted, it's not the softest nor the thickest toilet paper in the world but the way I figure it my bottom doesn't really care. It's not like it's going to pucker up and not do its job. And, like I said, John like getting things for free.
We're not rich by any stretch of the word but the money he's saving us using coupons and taking the motel toilet paper is in our pockets and not in the store's coffers.
Back in the day - I mean, way, way back in the day - if I did happen to look at coupons in the Sunday paper all I found were high-end name brand coupons, name brands I would never consider purchasing, first of all. Second of all, way back in the day, even with the discount from the coupon the name brand was still more expensive than the off-brand product I would purchase which - in my opinion - was just as good or dang near.
This isn't the case these days. John, my husband, is the opposite of me when it comes to clipping and using. And, he finds great deals even on off brand products.
"Do you need laundry detergent? They've a got 2x 32 load bottle for $1.99," he'll call to me from the living room.
Sometimes and more often than not, he'll come home from the grocery stores - because he'll shop at more than one - laden with plastic bags full of items and with the excitement of a child finding a five dollar bill on the sidewalk says, "Boy, did I make a killin' on pork roast. I got it for $1.48 a pound!"
"Is that good?" I ask in ignorance because I haven't grocery shopped in years.
"Oh yeah," he replies. "It's normally $1.99 a pound."
I have to give him credit, he manages to save us money. I haven't calculated how much but I have a feeling he manages to save us a bundle during a month. This of course means more money in our pockets which tickles John to no end. There's only one thing he likes better than getting a good deal with coupons and that's getting something for free.
And speaking of free, we haven't bought toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste or tooth brushes, etc. in a very long time. He travels three times a week selling to hospital gift shops. Part of what he furnishes and sells is what he calls sundries; shampoo, condition, aspirin, etc. Whenever he finds a damaged box of these goods he brings the box home rather than using company money to send it back.
Also, because he stays in motels three times a week, he'll stuff the extra roll of toilet paper from the motel bathroom into his overnight bag to bring home. Granted, it's not the softest nor the thickest toilet paper in the world but the way I figure it my bottom doesn't really care. It's not like it's going to pucker up and not do its job. And, like I said, John like getting things for free.
We're not rich by any stretch of the word but the money he's saving us using coupons and taking the motel toilet paper is in our pockets and not in the store's coffers.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Supplement Income
Have you ever been in a bind when you needed some quick cash? We were two years ago when my husband's doctor told him he is border-line diabetic. His insurance paid for part of the office vist and his supplies but didn't cover them 100 percent. We were left finding a way to produce more income to cover the costs and I am out of work and unable to a job.
The most immediate solution I thought of (or to stay with the theme of my blog, dreamed of) was to have a garage sale. We didn't have enough items to sell so I asked my mother and brother if I could rummage through their closets and garages explaining to them that I was having a garage sale to earn some money to help pay medical expenses for John. They were more than happy to have me go through their unused items as long as I got their permission to sell what I found. Also, they allowed me to keep all of the money I collected since - in essence - I was helping them to consolidate unused items literally cluttering their storage spaces.
Since I wasn't willing to dip into our income for the additional expense of advertising the garage sale in the local newspaper, I used Craigslist, a free service for people like me to advertise items for sale. The web site as well as the registration process were easy to navigate and in just a few minutes I was on my way to creating an ad.
I wanted to make sure I enticed not only women to the garage sale but men, too. I did this with the header or title of the listing, "Garage Sale Tools & Household items". Then in the body of the advertisement, I typed out those things I had gotten from my brother like rolling toolbox, tools, air compressor. I knew these would be the high ticket items. Below those I listed the things I had and had gotten from my mother like end tables, king sized mattress, homemade candles, etc. Making sure I had entered my address and the time of the sale, I waited for the day to come. I made no preparations like pricing items but I did set up the garage with tables on which I put my smaller, not-easily-seen items.
The ad worked. At 15 minutes to the official start of my garage sale, men began meandering in and looking. In fact, I had more men than women who didn't start wandering in until after nine. In no time at all, I had sold all of my brothers tools, tool boxes, air compressor, grinder, etc. Although the women bought nothing whatsoever, I still made a whopping $200 which was more than enough to pay for John's medical expenses.
And that's how I made some quick money.
The most immediate solution I thought of (or to stay with the theme of my blog, dreamed of) was to have a garage sale. We didn't have enough items to sell so I asked my mother and brother if I could rummage through their closets and garages explaining to them that I was having a garage sale to earn some money to help pay medical expenses for John. They were more than happy to have me go through their unused items as long as I got their permission to sell what I found. Also, they allowed me to keep all of the money I collected since - in essence - I was helping them to consolidate unused items literally cluttering their storage spaces.
Since I wasn't willing to dip into our income for the additional expense of advertising the garage sale in the local newspaper, I used Craigslist, a free service for people like me to advertise items for sale. The web site as well as the registration process were easy to navigate and in just a few minutes I was on my way to creating an ad.
I wanted to make sure I enticed not only women to the garage sale but men, too. I did this with the header or title of the listing, "Garage Sale Tools & Household items". Then in the body of the advertisement, I typed out those things I had gotten from my brother like rolling toolbox, tools, air compressor. I knew these would be the high ticket items. Below those I listed the things I had and had gotten from my mother like end tables, king sized mattress, homemade candles, etc. Making sure I had entered my address and the time of the sale, I waited for the day to come. I made no preparations like pricing items but I did set up the garage with tables on which I put my smaller, not-easily-seen items.
The ad worked. At 15 minutes to the official start of my garage sale, men began meandering in and looking. In fact, I had more men than women who didn't start wandering in until after nine. In no time at all, I had sold all of my brothers tools, tool boxes, air compressor, grinder, etc. Although the women bought nothing whatsoever, I still made a whopping $200 which was more than enough to pay for John's medical expenses.
And that's how I made some quick money.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Ferrets and Rehoming
I’m specifically looking for an older ferret who’s more the age of Ponc. If I get a younger one then I’ll be in the same situation when four year old Ponc dies that I’m in now; looking for a bedmate for the ferret left behind. They live to be - on average - eight years old. Pogo, Ponc’s former bedmate, died almost exactly at eight years of age.
But I haven’t found an older ferret being re-homed. The ones listed are anywhere from ten weeks to one and a half years. This has really begun eating at me. Why, I have asked myself, are only young ones being re-homed while middle-aged ones aren’t? Most of the listings indicating they have no more time and their little friend isn’t being let out to exercise enough concern the ones ranging in age from one to one and a half. I can certainly understand taking on extra work or taking the opportunity to work full time considering today's economy. These people have had their ferret since it was a baby and hate giving it up but know that it's for the ferret they do this. But what about the little bitty guys - the babies - who are being re-homed? Well, I’ve come up with my own theory regarding people rehoming them.
I believe those people who are listing their young ferrets on Craigslist purchased a ferret before researching and learning about them. This is an absolute no-no when buying any pet. You must research in order to make sure you will be happy with your choice prior to buying. Why? Well, if you’re wanting a dog do you want one that needs a lot of exercise because you enjoy either walking or running? What if it’s a barker; barks at a fly in the house or a leaf falling from a tree? Or would you rather have one that enjoys quiet time and is content simply laying at your feet? Size is important. How much food can you afford? Is your house large or small? There are so many important factors to consider before purchasing any pet. Period.
Ferrets are naturally curious creatures. They enjoy slipping through cracks and holes, love burrowing, and want to investigate every part of the room in which they are exercised. They will not hesitate climbing into and tipping a waste basket. They’ll force their heads into holes in bass speakers. They will crawl in between the cushions and get into the inside of your couch or recliner. Some enjoy digging at rugs or carpets creating holes while others don’t. They can open cabinet doors on entertainment centers, climb up onto shelves if there’s a way up and knock everything off the shelf.
Sometimes he gets it into his head that he simply can’t live unless he has done a couch dive (my term for squeezing past the cushions into the interior of the couch). I might have to get up twenty times to retrieve him. If he does manage to get in there and falls asleep inside the arm of the couch I will play hell trying to wake and bribe him out.
He’s not a digger, thank goodness but he does love pooping and/or peeing in one corner of the room. Some ferrets can be litter trained; others can’t. I live during his play time to wipe pee and pick up his poop. This reminds me, they must have time out of their beds/cages to exercise otherwise you’ll have one very unhappy and untamed ferret on your hands. They must be let out at least twice a day for an hour.
To keep Ponc from roaming the rest of the house and possibly climbing into the back of the refrigerator or finding a hole to climb into within this sixty-year-old house, I have put up a baby gate onto which I stapled cardboard. The gate is too high for him to reach the top if he stands on his hind legs and the cardboard too slippery for him to claw up. He is confined to one play room in which I spread his boxes, plastic bags, old jeans and old throw blanket. Periodically, he gets a new paper bag or a suitcase I don’t care about to play in.
I adore the little guy. He’s fun and comical but I’m telling you there are times he’s a pain in the ass and I could just shake him silly after I’ve gotten up out of my chair for the twentieth time to retrieve him from the sofa.So honestly, if you can’t put in the time to watch him while he‘s playing, have no patience for curiosity, or don’t have a way to keep a ferret from climbing into the walls of your house, into the back of your refrigerator or squeeze beneath a stove, please I beg you not to purchase a ferret.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
A Couple of My Acrylic Paintings
I'm teaching myself to paint. I'm not an abstract artist but I tend to render. Lately my subjects have been fruits. The pumpkins and pears are my first. Next will be carrots. This is another fun journey...
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Use Your Voice
I didn’t really mean to do it but it seems I am writing quite a lot about finding your voice. I thought at first that I was writing about finding my voice but I’ve used mine quite a bit through the years. With age it has gotten stronger, more confident and loud.
I didn’t use it much when I was little. Neither of my parents allowed me (or my brothers) to use it much and I’m ashamed to say I was scared of them and the consequences of using my voice to tell them I was unhappy with the life we were living, or I was unhappy with school, the lack of instruction in art and music. Starting something verbally meant a slap or a spanking, and it was considered just that: Starting something.
How often did you hear the words don’t start with me or don’t start with your brother (or sister)? Don’t start something - those words lived with me for quite a while. But I’m me, I’m older and if I see something I don’t like - particularly an injustice - I’ll start something.
I started something when I found female editors at a publishing company I worked at were being paid less than their male counter-parts. Via internal email, I contacted the president and carbon copied the COO. I merely asked why the difference in pay? In about two month’s time, all the females within the company were given raises to match the pay of their male counter-parts.
Using your voice must be done with some discretion, however. Why ruin a perfectly good working or not relationship over the last bit of coffee being taken and a fresh pot not being made? Things, events, instances that mean little in the long run are not worth mentioning. But contacting your senator about what is being done with our tax dollars is most certainly an instant when your voice should be used. Finding illegal immigrants working at your company should be loudly voiced as should unequal pay.
Of course, those are my opinions so whatever you do, find your own voice and ways to use it. Don’t let anyone bully you or scare you into thinking you have no right but at the same time, make sure you do have the right. As a former boss once told me, don’t take any sh** from anyone.
I didn’t use it much when I was little. Neither of my parents allowed me (or my brothers) to use it much and I’m ashamed to say I was scared of them and the consequences of using my voice to tell them I was unhappy with the life we were living, or I was unhappy with school, the lack of instruction in art and music. Starting something verbally meant a slap or a spanking, and it was considered just that: Starting something.
How often did you hear the words don’t start with me or don’t start with your brother (or sister)? Don’t start something - those words lived with me for quite a while. But I’m me, I’m older and if I see something I don’t like - particularly an injustice - I’ll start something.
I started something when I found female editors at a publishing company I worked at were being paid less than their male counter-parts. Via internal email, I contacted the president and carbon copied the COO. I merely asked why the difference in pay? In about two month’s time, all the females within the company were given raises to match the pay of their male counter-parts.
Using your voice must be done with some discretion, however. Why ruin a perfectly good working or not relationship over the last bit of coffee being taken and a fresh pot not being made? Things, events, instances that mean little in the long run are not worth mentioning. But contacting your senator about what is being done with our tax dollars is most certainly an instant when your voice should be used. Finding illegal immigrants working at your company should be loudly voiced as should unequal pay.
Of course, those are my opinions so whatever you do, find your own voice and ways to use it. Don’t let anyone bully you or scare you into thinking you have no right but at the same time, make sure you do have the right. As a former boss once told me, don’t take any sh** from anyone.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
To Voice or Not to Voice
A friend called me over the weekend to catch me up on the latest news. It seems the restaurant she works for was invaded by the IRS who raided the cash register of all its cash contents, receipts and pay checks not yet distributed. The owners were on vacation in Florida and were unaware of the invasion. But that is not what this is about.
During the raid, a minority immigrant cook in the kitchen began sweating, scared the suited people who invaded the restaurant were actually INS. My friend and I wondered about this. Why would or should the cook be frightened? Only one answer came to us. The female cook is in the United States illegally. This realization prompted another question. How could she be if all businesses are required to take a copy of a drivers license or Social Security card?
I don't begrudge any human the right to survive but I have to say I became very angry about that cook being in this country illegally. The right to survive does not include illegal activity. One doesn't steal. One labors to find legal means to buy food and housing. Then I became even more angry when I thought about the restaurant hiring the illegal immigrant. When I voiced this to my friend, she told me the co-owner is an immigrant who has family working for him - one of whom is the immigrant cook. My friend feels she can say nothing to authorities for fear of losing her job.
All of this aside, I have to wonder how living life in fear affects the quality of life for the immigrant cook? How does it affect her home life; the quality of her work? Years from now, yes, she will probably look back and say leaving her home country for the United States was the best thing she's ever done but if you think about it, how can she possibly recall any pleasant memories if she was consumed with fear and guilt for going against the law?
If you are here illegally, then do the right thing. If not to obey the laws then at least for yourself and your quality of life.
During the raid, a minority immigrant cook in the kitchen began sweating, scared the suited people who invaded the restaurant were actually INS. My friend and I wondered about this. Why would or should the cook be frightened? Only one answer came to us. The female cook is in the United States illegally. This realization prompted another question. How could she be if all businesses are required to take a copy of a drivers license or Social Security card?
I don't begrudge any human the right to survive but I have to say I became very angry about that cook being in this country illegally. The right to survive does not include illegal activity. One doesn't steal. One labors to find legal means to buy food and housing. Then I became even more angry when I thought about the restaurant hiring the illegal immigrant. When I voiced this to my friend, she told me the co-owner is an immigrant who has family working for him - one of whom is the immigrant cook. My friend feels she can say nothing to authorities for fear of losing her job.
All of this aside, I have to wonder how living life in fear affects the quality of life for the immigrant cook? How does it affect her home life; the quality of her work? Years from now, yes, she will probably look back and say leaving her home country for the United States was the best thing she's ever done but if you think about it, how can she possibly recall any pleasant memories if she was consumed with fear and guilt for going against the law?
If you are here illegally, then do the right thing. If not to obey the laws then at least for yourself and your quality of life.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Voicing Your Opinion
For as long as one man has worked for another, he has found difficulty in using his voice to protest to his employer. In fact, man (used in this instance as a collective we) has done the opposite. He has coddled, bowed to, agreed with, and kowtowed to his employer all in hopes of keeping his job. I'm just as guilty of this as the next.
Last night while listening to Juan Williams, a popular NPR host, I was reminded of those times when I chose not to kowtow to my superior. NPR fired Juan because he stated on a popular television station his fear of seeing a traditionally dressed Muslim on board the same jet on which he was flying. He was - basically - fired immediately for stating his opinion; his fear.
I could only emphasize with him as I recalled my last encounter with an employer who fired me for what I thought was informing him of troubles within the organization. Troubles involving someone the owner hired to run the company and lift it into a better financial position. The newly hired person was - in fact - ruining the the company's reputation with those who purchased our product.
Two years later, unbeknown to me I was proven right and the company closed its doors. The affect on me of voicing my observations and opinion and subsequently being fired haunted me for years to come. Despite knowing I would never have been happy working with and for someone who was obliterating the company's reputation I wondered if I had been wrong. None of our customers expressed their dismay or unhappiness so where did I get my information? The answer was in my gut; it was intuition and past experience in customer service. If you want customers, you do not alienate them which was exactly what the new hire was doing.
Some four years later, I emailed the owner of the company. I felt I had to put closure to the incident and I needed relief from guilt of perhaps doing something wrong. The owner responded to me shortly after, wrote that I had done nothing wrong that - in fact - the person he hired had treated him as the customers were treated; had not increased the income as he had promised he would do.
I thanked the former owner for telling me and expressed my relief.
My congratulations to Juan for his voice and - perhaps - expressing what many of us feel or at the very least exactly what I feel, and poo-poo on NPR who I discovered last night is partly funded by our government expressly you and me.
Last night while listening to Juan Williams, a popular NPR host, I was reminded of those times when I chose not to kowtow to my superior. NPR fired Juan because he stated on a popular television station his fear of seeing a traditionally dressed Muslim on board the same jet on which he was flying. He was - basically - fired immediately for stating his opinion; his fear.
I could only emphasize with him as I recalled my last encounter with an employer who fired me for what I thought was informing him of troubles within the organization. Troubles involving someone the owner hired to run the company and lift it into a better financial position. The newly hired person was - in fact - ruining the the company's reputation with those who purchased our product.
Two years later, unbeknown to me I was proven right and the company closed its doors. The affect on me of voicing my observations and opinion and subsequently being fired haunted me for years to come. Despite knowing I would never have been happy working with and for someone who was obliterating the company's reputation I wondered if I had been wrong. None of our customers expressed their dismay or unhappiness so where did I get my information? The answer was in my gut; it was intuition and past experience in customer service. If you want customers, you do not alienate them which was exactly what the new hire was doing.
Some four years later, I emailed the owner of the company. I felt I had to put closure to the incident and I needed relief from guilt of perhaps doing something wrong. The owner responded to me shortly after, wrote that I had done nothing wrong that - in fact - the person he hired had treated him as the customers were treated; had not increased the income as he had promised he would do.
I thanked the former owner for telling me and expressed my relief.
My congratulations to Juan for his voice and - perhaps - expressing what many of us feel or at the very least exactly what I feel, and poo-poo on NPR who I discovered last night is partly funded by our government expressly you and me.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Desperate Times
I heard a news reporter not long ago say something about how more people are starting up their own business. I wrote about this a while back. As more people discover they don't have much time left to find a job they're reacting in a survivalist way and doing things they wouldn't normally consider like starting a business.
I started a house cleaning business when I moved back to my home town because I was over qualified (and I'm sure too old) for anything within this small college town. I began with one customer by answering an ad in the newspaper. She referred me to another who referred me to another, and I found yet two more on my own. Starting a business is all about finding and fulfilling a need. After two years, I had to give it up because of physical difficulties.
A month ago I came across an ad in CareerBuilder.com advertising a work at home position. I wouldn't normally consider an advertisement for a work at home position but my husband had just been laid off from work and I needed to be open to something - anything that would bring income into our bank. Prior to his situation I would have thought the opportunity to be a scam and I still did. However, I began to dig. I started with Dun & Bradstreet. I looked up the company and found them listed. I checked the Better Business Bureau and found them listed there as well. Then I stumbled upon a forum call WAHM (Work at Home Mothers). There I found everything I needed to know from postings of individuals who had worked at home for a few years and knew legitimate companies from the non-legitimate. Some worked with NEC and found them to be legitimate; paying regularly and holding up to their promises found on their web site.
This was all I needed. I dragged my husband in to read all the information I had found. He agreed with me that based on the information we were safe from fraud. Armed with this, I made the dive. New England Crafters (NEC), the company I was interested in, required me to purchase supplies. I wasn't happy about this but being a business woman I understood their need to protect themselves. What intrigued me was their promise to repay the cost of supplies and postage so in essence I would potentially loose nothing.
Based on what I have read in the WAHM forum, NEC's quality control is high; very strict and it could take me a few times to pass their inspection but I'm confident I can and will. The driving force is the extra income and the need to work. I do give plasma twice a week for which I'm paid $234 a month but I need more. I'm looking forward to this experience.
If you're looking for extra income, consider plasma donation and NEC. And while you're at it, check out WAHM. You just might find something for yourself there because they have a load of information about opportunities.
I started a house cleaning business when I moved back to my home town because I was over qualified (and I'm sure too old) for anything within this small college town. I began with one customer by answering an ad in the newspaper. She referred me to another who referred me to another, and I found yet two more on my own. Starting a business is all about finding and fulfilling a need. After two years, I had to give it up because of physical difficulties.
A month ago I came across an ad in CareerBuilder.com advertising a work at home position. I wouldn't normally consider an advertisement for a work at home position but my husband had just been laid off from work and I needed to be open to something - anything that would bring income into our bank. Prior to his situation I would have thought the opportunity to be a scam and I still did. However, I began to dig. I started with Dun & Bradstreet. I looked up the company and found them listed. I checked the Better Business Bureau and found them listed there as well. Then I stumbled upon a forum call WAHM (Work at Home Mothers). There I found everything I needed to know from postings of individuals who had worked at home for a few years and knew legitimate companies from the non-legitimate. Some worked with NEC and found them to be legitimate; paying regularly and holding up to their promises found on their web site.
This was all I needed. I dragged my husband in to read all the information I had found. He agreed with me that based on the information we were safe from fraud. Armed with this, I made the dive. New England Crafters (NEC), the company I was interested in, required me to purchase supplies. I wasn't happy about this but being a business woman I understood their need to protect themselves. What intrigued me was their promise to repay the cost of supplies and postage so in essence I would potentially loose nothing.
Based on what I have read in the WAHM forum, NEC's quality control is high; very strict and it could take me a few times to pass their inspection but I'm confident I can and will. The driving force is the extra income and the need to work. I do give plasma twice a week for which I'm paid $234 a month but I need more. I'm looking forward to this experience.
If you're looking for extra income, consider plasma donation and NEC. And while you're at it, check out WAHM. You just might find something for yourself there because they have a load of information about opportunities.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Whatever it Takes
Recently my friend, Lauren, lamented to me that her husband's hours were cut back yet again at the printing plant at which he works. Another of several cut backs for them within the past two years which left them living on yo-yo income.
Shortly after that, Beth, a stay at home mother of one, who lives in Bonner Springs, Kansas, developed excruciating pain down her right arm. The pain left her writhing on the floor and crying one night. The next morning after a sleepless night for her and her husband, they made an emergency appointment with her chiropractor. The chiropractor examined all of the numerous x-rays then told Beth and her husband that Beth developed a compressed disc in her neck; that she was going to have to make regular weekly visits for adjustments if she didn't want to experience the pain.
The news sent Beth into a downward spiral of grief. They have insurance through her husband's work but the deductible is $500 and even then the insurance company pays only twenty percent of the cost of the visit. What was even more upsetting was being behind in their house payments due to the cut back in hours occurring several times over the past two years. Beth felt hopeless and helpless.
I assured her we'd find money for them somewhere. We'd sell collectibles she had inherited through Ebay. I would help her post a garage sale notice on Craigslist which I did but we haven't yet posted her collectibles on Ebay. She had made up her mind that she would take a job waitressing at a family owned restaurant not far from her house in the small town. As well, she managed to get two free visits from the chiropractor when she informed the doctor there was no way she could afford the weekly visits.
Beth made over one hundred dollars from the garage sale and the waitressing job is providing a bit of cash through the tips she makes. She has used her two free chiropractic visits and is nearly pain free. She seems more calm and in control these days despite the phone calls and letters from the mortgage lender.
The two of us agree that sometimes we have to do whatever it takes.
Shortly after that, Beth, a stay at home mother of one, who lives in Bonner Springs, Kansas, developed excruciating pain down her right arm. The pain left her writhing on the floor and crying one night. The next morning after a sleepless night for her and her husband, they made an emergency appointment with her chiropractor. The chiropractor examined all of the numerous x-rays then told Beth and her husband that Beth developed a compressed disc in her neck; that she was going to have to make regular weekly visits for adjustments if she didn't want to experience the pain.
The news sent Beth into a downward spiral of grief. They have insurance through her husband's work but the deductible is $500 and even then the insurance company pays only twenty percent of the cost of the visit. What was even more upsetting was being behind in their house payments due to the cut back in hours occurring several times over the past two years. Beth felt hopeless and helpless.
I assured her we'd find money for them somewhere. We'd sell collectibles she had inherited through Ebay. I would help her post a garage sale notice on Craigslist which I did but we haven't yet posted her collectibles on Ebay. She had made up her mind that she would take a job waitressing at a family owned restaurant not far from her house in the small town. As well, she managed to get two free visits from the chiropractor when she informed the doctor there was no way she could afford the weekly visits.
Beth made over one hundred dollars from the garage sale and the waitressing job is providing a bit of cash through the tips she makes. She has used her two free chiropractic visits and is nearly pain free. She seems more calm and in control these days despite the phone calls and letters from the mortgage lender.
The two of us agree that sometimes we have to do whatever it takes.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Twig Chairs, Hand painted Items
Latest creations... All items are handmade. Twigs for chairs and frames are hand picked, hand cut and hand assembled. Paintings are hand painted. They're my designs and my creations from my imagination.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Dad Carries on & Jim Gets Lucky
Daddy always has a story to tell. Jim gets lucky shooting a black powder rifle.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Calamity Mama Shoots Black Powder
In this short video, Mama shoots a black powder rifle. It's a 50 caliber that weighs 9 lbs. Although she is shooting for a paper plate she ends up hitting a plastic fork that sets on top of the same wooden post as the plate. Bullseye! Well, almost...
Dead Eye Cowboy John
In this video clip, John shoots a spoon that is setting sideways (thin side toward us) on a post. The gun he's using is a 50 caliper 9.5 lb black powder rifle.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Medical Insurance: Do without & hope?
John stated he finally had to have cataract surgery. The sunlight is what bothers him most. He said it's like looking through milky glass with a bright light on it causing a glare. He's a salesman who drives Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma. There's no questioning his judgement.
We have no insurance so there was a bit of panic when he finally made his decision. Not a lot but enough to force me into shopping for insurance and begin getting estimates to have the surgery done.
The biggest thing; the most important thing I found out is if you have high blood pressure and/or are diabetic you can be assured medical insurance will cost you $500 a month. No, his company does not offer group health insurance. But, they do pay him $300 a month to go toward insurance.
Besides not being able to live on his salary minus the $300 per month, I did the math and discovered cataract surgery for both eyes will cost $3,000 to $3,400 plus the cost of pre-surgery testing; EKG and blood work. Those costs are less than what we would annually pay for insurance. And understand that I'm not even counting the deductible we'd have to pay on top of it all if we DID have insurance.
John argues that we'd have no insurance to pay for hospital stay, maybe surgery, meds, or a doctor if one of us have a heart attack. Yes, that's a chance we are taking. After all we are in our fifties. Hopefully we have a few more years before our bodies begin falling apart. Hopefully we'll make it to the age for Medicare coverage. We might possibly be able to afford a supplemental then.
Still, I have to wonder. With the government forcing insurance down our throats, the likelihood of health insurance NOT skyrocketing is one chance in a gazillion, I'm thinking. Individual coverage is not for the poor or middle-class.
I'd rather take my chances... With the way time is flying it won't be long before I'm covered by Medicare.
We have no insurance so there was a bit of panic when he finally made his decision. Not a lot but enough to force me into shopping for insurance and begin getting estimates to have the surgery done.
The biggest thing; the most important thing I found out is if you have high blood pressure and/or are diabetic you can be assured medical insurance will cost you $500 a month. No, his company does not offer group health insurance. But, they do pay him $300 a month to go toward insurance.
Besides not being able to live on his salary minus the $300 per month, I did the math and discovered cataract surgery for both eyes will cost $3,000 to $3,400 plus the cost of pre-surgery testing; EKG and blood work. Those costs are less than what we would annually pay for insurance. And understand that I'm not even counting the deductible we'd have to pay on top of it all if we DID have insurance.
John argues that we'd have no insurance to pay for hospital stay, maybe surgery, meds, or a doctor if one of us have a heart attack. Yes, that's a chance we are taking. After all we are in our fifties. Hopefully we have a few more years before our bodies begin falling apart. Hopefully we'll make it to the age for Medicare coverage. We might possibly be able to afford a supplemental then.
Still, I have to wonder. With the government forcing insurance down our throats, the likelihood of health insurance NOT skyrocketing is one chance in a gazillion, I'm thinking. Individual coverage is not for the poor or middle-class.
I'd rather take my chances... With the way time is flying it won't be long before I'm covered by Medicare.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Land of Oz
I couldn't help but post a video of the storm that swept through Lawrence this morning. This particular storm didn't last an hour, I believe. This is uncommon as most come rushing in announcing their presence with bright lightning and thunder that shakes our old house. They will sometimes remain for at least a couple of hours.
The dog wanders the house looking for safe haven. John being the tender heart he is opens our bedroom door we keep closed because Mama (me) doesn't want our bed smelling like dog or be a lounge for fleas. The dog gives him a grateful look and heads to the six inches of floor space between my side of the bed and the wall. We didn't see her again until John announced to her the storm had passed and it was okay to come out now. What? She didn't see the sun shining for the past hour and a half?
The dog wanders the house looking for safe haven. John being the tender heart he is opens our bedroom door we keep closed because Mama (me) doesn't want our bed smelling like dog or be a lounge for fleas. The dog gives him a grateful look and heads to the six inches of floor space between my side of the bed and the wall. We didn't see her again until John announced to her the storm had passed and it was okay to come out now. What? She didn't see the sun shining for the past hour and a half?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wedding Dreams
My daughter is getting married at the end of this month. The only wedding preparation experience I have is comprised of planning and executing my own wedding thirty-three years ago.
But my daughter who has never been a planner, who has - for most of her thirty-year life - waited until the last minute to plan and execute has her wedding plans under control. I'm - to say the least - surprised and thrilled. I don't have to do anything but drive the one thousand-plus miles and show up to attend.
My daughter's future mother-in-law has a different approach to the wedding plans and wants desperately to involve herself. From the phone calls I have received from my daughter I can only shake my head and pity her and her fiancee.
For instance, I received a call from my daughter two days ago as she drove to pick up her fiancee from work.
"You want to hear the latest news?" she asks with sarcasm that oozes through my cell.
"Sure... Shoot," I respond anxious to hear what the future mother-in-law, Marsha, has thought up this time.
"Marsha told Chris (the fiancee) not to tell me but she wants to blow up of picture of me. She wants a huge picture of me for all the guests (attending the wedding) to sign." Exasperation from her now flows through my cell. "Chris' sister-in-law had it done and now she has an enormous picture of herself with tons of signatures hanging on her wall."
I emit a snort.
"Mo-omm! I don't want an enormous picture of myself with signatures scribbled all over it! What am I going to do with that?" she wails.
"Didn't I tell you she was going to come up with something else despite you and Chris telling her not to plan any surprises?"
"Yes," my daughter concedes. "You know what else she wants to do?"
"I can't imagine."
"She wants to hand out bottles of bubbles to everyone to blow at me and Chris."
I laugh out loud.
"Can you just see Maw-maw, Pa-pa, you, Dad, and (brother) Erik standing there blowing bubbles at me and Chris? I mean, we're not even leaving the church by ouselves! We're all leaving together to go to Marsha's house for the reception. What will everyone do? Stand there blowing bubbles at me and Chris while he and I stand there looking like idiots before we all leave for Marsha's house?"
I'm at a lose for words. "Well, Honey..." This is beyond funny now.
"And now she and Chris' dad told us they won't help us pay for a party for everyone who we didn't invite to the wedding," she whines.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, they spent ten thousand dollars on Chris' brother's wedding but they won't help us with the party. I mean, we're not talking but maybe five hundred dollars. Chris said he feels worthless."
"Awww, poor guy."
"Yeah, and Chris' brother and his wife aren't even responsible. Their baby went without shoes this winter, they have maxed out their credit cards, the wife wanted another baby so she got prenant then quit her job! They can't even take care of themselves and the baby they have! Chris' mom said she can't help us because she has to help Chris' irresponsible brother!"
"Sounds to me like you and Chris have to be irresponsible in order to get help."
"I know," she yells.
"Dang it. I wish I had money to help you," I lament.
"No, Mom. You have helped me and (brother) Erik tons over the past twelve years. That's not what upsets me. Marsha said she and Chris' dad would help us but now tell us they won't."
"What a bitch," I say.
"Yeah..."
"I hate her liver, tongue and vocal cords," I continue as anger swells. But this makes my daughter laugh.
"Mom, I love you. I'm so glad I can talk to you."
I smile and say, "I love you too, Baby."
"Thanks for letting me talk to you. I have to go now. Chris is coming out (from work)."
"Okay, Sweetie. Hang in there."
"I will, Mom. Bye."
""Bye, Baby."
But my daughter who has never been a planner, who has - for most of her thirty-year life - waited until the last minute to plan and execute has her wedding plans under control. I'm - to say the least - surprised and thrilled. I don't have to do anything but drive the one thousand-plus miles and show up to attend.
My daughter's future mother-in-law has a different approach to the wedding plans and wants desperately to involve herself. From the phone calls I have received from my daughter I can only shake my head and pity her and her fiancee.
For instance, I received a call from my daughter two days ago as she drove to pick up her fiancee from work.
"You want to hear the latest news?" she asks with sarcasm that oozes through my cell.
"Sure... Shoot," I respond anxious to hear what the future mother-in-law, Marsha, has thought up this time.
"Marsha told Chris (the fiancee) not to tell me but she wants to blow up of picture of me. She wants a huge picture of me for all the guests (attending the wedding) to sign." Exasperation from her now flows through my cell. "Chris' sister-in-law had it done and now she has an enormous picture of herself with tons of signatures hanging on her wall."
I emit a snort.
"Mo-omm! I don't want an enormous picture of myself with signatures scribbled all over it! What am I going to do with that?" she wails.
"Didn't I tell you she was going to come up with something else despite you and Chris telling her not to plan any surprises?"
"Yes," my daughter concedes. "You know what else she wants to do?"
"I can't imagine."
"She wants to hand out bottles of bubbles to everyone to blow at me and Chris."
I laugh out loud.
"Can you just see Maw-maw, Pa-pa, you, Dad, and (brother) Erik standing there blowing bubbles at me and Chris? I mean, we're not even leaving the church by ouselves! We're all leaving together to go to Marsha's house for the reception. What will everyone do? Stand there blowing bubbles at me and Chris while he and I stand there looking like idiots before we all leave for Marsha's house?"
I'm at a lose for words. "Well, Honey..." This is beyond funny now.
"And now she and Chris' dad told us they won't help us pay for a party for everyone who we didn't invite to the wedding," she whines.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, they spent ten thousand dollars on Chris' brother's wedding but they won't help us with the party. I mean, we're not talking but maybe five hundred dollars. Chris said he feels worthless."
"Awww, poor guy."
"Yeah, and Chris' brother and his wife aren't even responsible. Their baby went without shoes this winter, they have maxed out their credit cards, the wife wanted another baby so she got prenant then quit her job! They can't even take care of themselves and the baby they have! Chris' mom said she can't help us because she has to help Chris' irresponsible brother!"
"Sounds to me like you and Chris have to be irresponsible in order to get help."
"I know," she yells.
"Dang it. I wish I had money to help you," I lament.
"No, Mom. You have helped me and (brother) Erik tons over the past twelve years. That's not what upsets me. Marsha said she and Chris' dad would help us but now tell us they won't."
"What a bitch," I say.
"Yeah..."
"I hate her liver, tongue and vocal cords," I continue as anger swells. But this makes my daughter laugh.
"Mom, I love you. I'm so glad I can talk to you."
I smile and say, "I love you too, Baby."
"Thanks for letting me talk to you. I have to go now. Chris is coming out (from work)."
"Okay, Sweetie. Hang in there."
"I will, Mom. Bye."
""Bye, Baby."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Watching My Garden Grow
I find myself in an emotional tug-of-war. It stems from not holding down a job outside the home and bringing in a scheduled salary.
On one hand I am perfectly happy to remain at home while John leaves every morning to sell inventory to hospital gift shops. Twice a week I do donate plasma for which I'm paid twenty dollars for the first donation of the week then thirty the second donation. The two hundred dollars a month I bring home remains in savings and is our only source of savings.
I stay busy cleaning the house, planting vegetables and flowers, running errands, making phone calls for John who can't find time during the day. I pay our bills, run our financials, tend to our five pets, and fill the remainder of the time creating.
On the other hand we have debt the latest of which comes from the IRS caused by ignorance of tax law. Otherwise, the car I bought four years ago has a small loan balance. John has a cataract. It will cost no less than three thousand dollars to surgically have lens replacement. I decided it was time to check into medical insurance as an alternative. Because John takes blood pressure and diabetic medicines, insurance will cost upwards to five hundred dollars a month. We would NEVER spend that money on medical expenses in a year!
So I endure guilt for not working outside of our home. The fact is I don't want to. I spent thirty two years working my way up the corporate ladder; endured some pretty nasty managers who were not only micro-managers but insulting too. I don't have any desire to work for someone else ever again. That's not to say I won't at some point and that I'm the only one experiencing this frame of mind as millions of others find themselves in the same predicament.
I gave up the house cleaning business I started to be a 1099 contract employee for a company that went under a few months back. I'm physically incapable of restarting the house cleaning business because of compressed discs and arthritis in my lower back and neck. But, there again, if I was physically capable I wouldn't restart the house cleaning business.
I have the candy wrapping business but in order to market it I would have to travel outside of town since Lawrence isn't the proper market for personalized wrappers. This is more of an excuse than anything because there again I simply do not want to work more than what I'm working now.
Hence the guilt. Do you find yourself in the same emotional position? I tell myself to suck it up and begin marketing personalized candy wrappers. After all, the success of selling them would certainly alleviate the guilt. On the other hand, maybe watching my garden grow then reaping what it produces will rid me of the feeling.
On one hand I am perfectly happy to remain at home while John leaves every morning to sell inventory to hospital gift shops. Twice a week I do donate plasma for which I'm paid twenty dollars for the first donation of the week then thirty the second donation. The two hundred dollars a month I bring home remains in savings and is our only source of savings.
I stay busy cleaning the house, planting vegetables and flowers, running errands, making phone calls for John who can't find time during the day. I pay our bills, run our financials, tend to our five pets, and fill the remainder of the time creating.
On the other hand we have debt the latest of which comes from the IRS caused by ignorance of tax law. Otherwise, the car I bought four years ago has a small loan balance. John has a cataract. It will cost no less than three thousand dollars to surgically have lens replacement. I decided it was time to check into medical insurance as an alternative. Because John takes blood pressure and diabetic medicines, insurance will cost upwards to five hundred dollars a month. We would NEVER spend that money on medical expenses in a year!
So I endure guilt for not working outside of our home. The fact is I don't want to. I spent thirty two years working my way up the corporate ladder; endured some pretty nasty managers who were not only micro-managers but insulting too. I don't have any desire to work for someone else ever again. That's not to say I won't at some point and that I'm the only one experiencing this frame of mind as millions of others find themselves in the same predicament.
I gave up the house cleaning business I started to be a 1099 contract employee for a company that went under a few months back. I'm physically incapable of restarting the house cleaning business because of compressed discs and arthritis in my lower back and neck. But, there again, if I was physically capable I wouldn't restart the house cleaning business.
I have the candy wrapping business but in order to market it I would have to travel outside of town since Lawrence isn't the proper market for personalized wrappers. This is more of an excuse than anything because there again I simply do not want to work more than what I'm working now.
Hence the guilt. Do you find yourself in the same emotional position? I tell myself to suck it up and begin marketing personalized candy wrappers. After all, the success of selling them would certainly alleviate the guilt. On the other hand, maybe watching my garden grow then reaping what it produces will rid me of the feeling.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Recession Sparks New Dreams
I read or hear whenever this country is in financial trouble, when jobs are scarce and employers aren't hiring that the number of people starting new businesses rises.
This isn't news, really. The majority of people - when forced - opt for survival over a slow financial death. Creativity flows. How do I feed myself and my family? How do I pay the monthly mortgage or rent? Where do I find money for gas just to run a few errands?
These are hard questions to answer. And if one is wont to stand up and fight for survival rather than running and hiding or throwing up their hands in defeat, one will find the means to meet the end. Face it, it's much easier to wallow in self pity, lie on the couch watching television while creeping into depression.
This brings up a pet peeve of mine. Commercials for anti-depressants induce a rage within me I can not control. I holler at the television whenever I see an actor portraying a depressed person. "Get up! Exercise! Take vitamin B. Take a butt-load of vitamin C! Get productive!" All of these have proven effective toward what the psych people call depression.
But back to what I was saying. Yes, during financial crisis studies show an increase in the pop-up of new businesses. These people have found how easy it is to begin one and have discovered a niche to fill. Starting a new business is simply a matter of finding what is needed and wanted. Think about it. Someone out there came up with the idea of clothes pins to hang clothes on a line. How did he come up with the idea? He observed a need and fulfilled it. A need could be something as simple as providing competition to a business whose fees are high and out of control.
Some ideas are easier to implement than others. If you've come up with a new design for a wind turbine blade, then you'll have to fork out money to patent it, market it to businesses that build wind turbines then find a company that will manufacture it. But if you're starting a recycling service, house cleaning or lawn service, you need only to aim your marketing efforts at businesses or home owners that use these services.
How? Get out there and knock on doors. It really is that simple. You would be surprised at how many are interested because they're sick of paying high prices, the providers do a crappy job, aren't reliable or the person doing the job dropped their customer.
No, I'm not surprised at the rise of new businesses starting. It's par for the course and is - for many entrepeneurs - a matter of survival.
This isn't news, really. The majority of people - when forced - opt for survival over a slow financial death. Creativity flows. How do I feed myself and my family? How do I pay the monthly mortgage or rent? Where do I find money for gas just to run a few errands?
These are hard questions to answer. And if one is wont to stand up and fight for survival rather than running and hiding or throwing up their hands in defeat, one will find the means to meet the end. Face it, it's much easier to wallow in self pity, lie on the couch watching television while creeping into depression.
This brings up a pet peeve of mine. Commercials for anti-depressants induce a rage within me I can not control. I holler at the television whenever I see an actor portraying a depressed person. "Get up! Exercise! Take vitamin B. Take a butt-load of vitamin C! Get productive!" All of these have proven effective toward what the psych people call depression.
But back to what I was saying. Yes, during financial crisis studies show an increase in the pop-up of new businesses. These people have found how easy it is to begin one and have discovered a niche to fill. Starting a new business is simply a matter of finding what is needed and wanted. Think about it. Someone out there came up with the idea of clothes pins to hang clothes on a line. How did he come up with the idea? He observed a need and fulfilled it. A need could be something as simple as providing competition to a business whose fees are high and out of control.
Some ideas are easier to implement than others. If you've come up with a new design for a wind turbine blade, then you'll have to fork out money to patent it, market it to businesses that build wind turbines then find a company that will manufacture it. But if you're starting a recycling service, house cleaning or lawn service, you need only to aim your marketing efforts at businesses or home owners that use these services.
How? Get out there and knock on doors. It really is that simple. You would be surprised at how many are interested because they're sick of paying high prices, the providers do a crappy job, aren't reliable or the person doing the job dropped their customer.
No, I'm not surprised at the rise of new businesses starting. It's par for the course and is - for many entrepeneurs - a matter of survival.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Psoriasis Control
My husband has psoriasis on his hands, legs, elbows and buttocks. From what I understand he has had it for much of his adult life. The creams he has been prescribed were of minimum effectiveness resulting in - at best - a slight recovering of the scaling skin but did not remove the redness.
I did some research on natural remedies and skin moisturizing and found glycerine to be a major factor for both. It is an organic compound used for:
Topical pure or nearly pure glycerol is an effective treatment for psoriasis, burns, bites, cuts, rashes, bedsores, and calluses. It can be used orally to eliminate halitosis, as it is a contact bacterial desiccant. The same property makes it very helpful with periodontal disease; it penetrates biofilm quickly and eliminates bacterial colonies. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol)
Doing further research, I discovered common kitchen vegetable oil to be a component for homemade creams and lip balms.
With this knowledge in hand, I prepared a (coffee) scrub and lotion for John to use. The scrub is a simple combination of 3/4 vegetable oil, coffee grounds and 1/4 glycerine. The lotion is made up of 3/4 vegetable oil and 1/4 glycerine.
It's too bad I don't have before and after pictures. It is incredible what the combination of liquids have done for John's psoriasis. After approximately three months, the patches of psoriasis are no longer scaly, and the red patches on his hands have faded to nearly normal skin color. Further, he no longer uses the prescribed cream on his hands. He uses only the homemade lotion.
While the glycerine is rather expensive if purchased from the hobby store, it does last quite a long time. I highly recommend adding glycerine to the lotions you have on hand or making homemade lotion with vegetable oil and glycerine if you have psoriasis or cracked, dry skin. You will see a remarkable difference in a few weeks.
I did some research on natural remedies and skin moisturizing and found glycerine to be a major factor for both. It is an organic compound used for:
Topical pure or nearly pure glycerol is an effective treatment for psoriasis, burns, bites, cuts, rashes, bedsores, and calluses. It can be used orally to eliminate halitosis, as it is a contact bacterial desiccant. The same property makes it very helpful with periodontal disease; it penetrates biofilm quickly and eliminates bacterial colonies. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol)
Doing further research, I discovered common kitchen vegetable oil to be a component for homemade creams and lip balms.
With this knowledge in hand, I prepared a (coffee) scrub and lotion for John to use. The scrub is a simple combination of 3/4 vegetable oil, coffee grounds and 1/4 glycerine. The lotion is made up of 3/4 vegetable oil and 1/4 glycerine.
It's too bad I don't have before and after pictures. It is incredible what the combination of liquids have done for John's psoriasis. After approximately three months, the patches of psoriasis are no longer scaly, and the red patches on his hands have faded to nearly normal skin color. Further, he no longer uses the prescribed cream on his hands. He uses only the homemade lotion.
While the glycerine is rather expensive if purchased from the hobby store, it does last quite a long time. I highly recommend adding glycerine to the lotions you have on hand or making homemade lotion with vegetable oil and glycerine if you have psoriasis or cracked, dry skin. You will see a remarkable difference in a few weeks.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Means to the End
The best I can guess the old Montgomery Wards machine is 70 or 80 years old and had been sitting in my mother's damp basement for nearly 40 years. I wasn't sure I could make it work again but I dove into the project with both feet.
As you can see, there was rust and grime covering it. I gave the wheel a spin and determined I needed only a belt and needle clamp. I found a man here in town who restores old machines. I bought a belt, a needle clamp and special oil from him. I removed the machine from its cabinet and cleaned and oiled the rods housed beneath the machine. Then I removed the end plate and cleaned and oiled everything I could find in there.
It took an entire day but the ancient sewing machine works like a champ now.
To my great surprise the original manual was in one of the cabinet drawers. I found the illustration to thread it and have been sewing with the newly restored Damascus ever since.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Personalized Touches
I've been busy. I see that my blog says it has been three weeks since I last posted. As I said, I've been busy.
My daughter is getting married in May, 2010. Funds are slight. I needn't ramble on about how the economy stinks and jobs are scarce. Still, I want to give my daughter and her fiancee something for their house despite them already everything they could possibly need.
I can not say what it is I have done because I haven't sent them to my daughter yet. If she were to check what I have written of late, the surprise would be ruined. But everything I have made is useful. Everything I have made... well, I have made and not some person in a factory somewhere getting 50 cents a day for their labor.
What I have made is 100%, U.S.A. handmade. On top of it all, I don't have a sewing machine so everything is hand stitched. Uh, except for those few things I glued as I was becoming impatient and wanting to complete the project(s).
So, stay tuned. Once I get the gifts mailed to her and she receives them I will provide pictures and descriptions of the items. All were easy, oh so inexpensive, and very useful.
Keep dreaming...
My daughter is getting married in May, 2010. Funds are slight. I needn't ramble on about how the economy stinks and jobs are scarce. Still, I want to give my daughter and her fiancee something for their house despite them already everything they could possibly need.
I can not say what it is I have done because I haven't sent them to my daughter yet. If she were to check what I have written of late, the surprise would be ruined. But everything I have made is useful. Everything I have made... well, I have made and not some person in a factory somewhere getting 50 cents a day for their labor.
What I have made is 100%, U.S.A. handmade. On top of it all, I don't have a sewing machine so everything is hand stitched. Uh, except for those few things I glued as I was becoming impatient and wanting to complete the project(s).
So, stay tuned. Once I get the gifts mailed to her and she receives them I will provide pictures and descriptions of the items. All were easy, oh so inexpensive, and very useful.
Keep dreaming...
Saturday, February 6, 2010
How to Make Your Own Personalized Candy Wrapper
I have added a page called Candy Wrapping Tips and Ideas to my web site... It will take time to grow as I replace an old tip on the home page and archive it in the Tips & Ideas page.
Did you know you can make personalized custom candy wrappers in a word program?
To size the wrapper:
Choose the candy bar of your choice. Unwrap it being careful not to tear the paper. (Of course you must eat the candy!) And if it does tear, no biggy...
Lay it on a flat surface then get your ruler and measure the width and length.
Add about 1/8 of an inch to all sides because you're not going to remove the original candy bar wrappers from the candy bars. Instead, you are going to wrap your wrapper around the all ready wrapped candy bar.
Measure the front of the wrapper that is indicated by the folds. This will be the front of your wrapper.
Get started creating:
You might find a border to be useful for cutting the wrapper to size.
Also, you might find it easier to create text boxes to hold your images. The text boxes are easier to move around.
When wrapping candy bars that have edges not folded or glued under - like a Hershey (R) bar - you'll like the appearance of your finished product better if you fold the edges of the original wrapper under.
I made several mistakes when I first started making my own personalized candy wrappers. But with practice and effort, printing and test wrapping, I honed the skill.
Got questions? Leave a comment...
Did you know you can make personalized custom candy wrappers in a word program?
To size the wrapper:
Choose the candy bar of your choice. Unwrap it being careful not to tear the paper. (Of course you must eat the candy!) And if it does tear, no biggy...
Lay it on a flat surface then get your ruler and measure the width and length.
Add about 1/8 of an inch to all sides because you're not going to remove the original candy bar wrappers from the candy bars. Instead, you are going to wrap your wrapper around the all ready wrapped candy bar.
Measure the front of the wrapper that is indicated by the folds. This will be the front of your wrapper.
Get started creating:
After you've written all your measurements down, take your notes and the original wrapper to your computer and open a new document in a word program. In page settings, change the measurements to your measurements plus .25 inch both width and height.
Create a text box for the front using the measurements your wrote down. Use the original wrapper you removed from the candy bar as a guide. Center the front text box side to side.
Center the front text box top to bottom. Now move it up about 1/4 inch. You don't want it exactly centered because of the glue area.
Also, you might find it easier to create text boxes to hold your images. The text boxes are easier to move around.
When wrapping candy bars that have edges not folded or glued under - like a Hershey (R) bar - you'll like the appearance of your finished product better if you fold the edges of the original wrapper under.
Got questions? Leave a comment...
Friday, February 5, 2010
Personalized Custom Candy Wrapping Website
It's clear to me as to why. 1) There's not a gazillion people demanding personalized custom candy wrappers here in the Midwest. 2) There are tens of thousands of people all over the world wrapping candy bars, etc. who have had web sites for years.
One suggestion Google made is to exchange links with other candy wrap web sites or sites with similar content. The reasoning is sound: The more web sites you have your company's name on (with a link) the more chance someone will find you.
Guess what my next goal is.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Candle Wax or Making a Candle Out of Leftover Wax
Candle wax scraps... What to do with them. I don't know about you but I hate throwing them away especially the ones I really enjoy the scent of.
You could do a couple of things. One is to go out and buy wicks for votive-size candles. But the easiest is to make wax melts for your wax warmer because you need only melt and pour the wax.
To make candles:
1) Keep a yogurt container or two, wash and dry (make sure they're good and dry) then spray the inside with Pam or rub the inside with vegetable oil on a paper towel.
3) Now lay the skewer across the top of the yogurt container. Is the nut you tied to the wick touching or near the bottom of the container? If not, fix it so it does.
You could do a couple of things. One is to go out and buy wicks for votive-size candles. But the easiest is to make wax melts for your wax warmer because you need only melt and pour the wax.
To make candles:
1) Keep a yogurt container or two, wash and dry (make sure they're good and dry) then spray the inside with Pam or rub the inside with vegetable oil on a paper towel.
2) (If you're doing wax melts, ignore steps 2 through 3a) Tie a nut or bolt or washer to the end of the wick, drop the wick with the nut (or bolt or whatever) to the bottom of the yogurt container and snip the wick a couple of inches above the top ridge. Tie the end you snipped to a skewer.
3) Now lay the skewer across the top of the yogurt container. Is the nut you tied to the wick touching or near the bottom of the container? If not, fix it so it does.3a) Is there a lot of slack in the wick when the nut touches the bottom? If so, fix it so it doesn't.
For wax melts or votive:
4) Melt your wax. You MUST use a double boiler to melt the wax otherwise you're going to have scorched wax or a fire. I use a fondue pot as a double boiler. You could also use a deep skillet or a stew pot, add water, insert the pot containing the wax into the water. I fill the fondue pot about half way up then I put my wax into an old sauce pan I no longer use and put the pan containing the wax into the water. You could also use an empty, clean vegetable can to melt the wax in.
I set the temperature to simmer. If you're doing this on your stove, still put the temp to simmer. You don't want to get your wax too hot.
Then wait. Once the wax is melted, pour it into your yogurt container. Center the wick... Wait several hours... Voila! You have another candle.
If you're making wax melts, everything is the same except you won't need a wick. Simply melt the wax and pour into an oiled container. When it has cooled pop it out, put it in a votive holder or suitable container to sit on the wax burner.
Mix scents... cinnamon and vanilla... rose and chamomille. Mix colors... white and yellow... yellow and green... blue and red... red and yellow... green and blue... It's all fun.
Most importantly don't be scared that you'll screw up. How can you? You've already spent the money on the candle(s). Unused left over wax is money thrown in the trash.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Imperfect Dreams - Lilly illustration by Deborah A. Miller
Last week, I took an old cork bulletin board, covered it with left over fabric we used to redo kitchen chairs then hung it behind our kitchen stove. It serves as a back-splash but it also adds color to our otherwise white walls. I took more of the same material and made a small valance for a kitchen window which ties into the back-splash.
I found an outdated calendar with pictures of flowers. I traced these flowers (above) onto the appropriate paper then painted them with acrylic paints. I will use this for a candy wrap or perhaps a candle applique.
In the mean time, I will continue to create and building an inventory of everything I enjoy doing. I foresee a garage sale this summer in which much of the inventory will be priced and hopefully sold.
After all, the more people you show your stuff to the better chance you have of selling. Right?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Dreaming of Change
One day while allowing myself some free time to sit, imagine and dream I eyeballed the light switch plate on the wall next to our front door. It's made of off white plastic and looks cheap. It isn't that our house is a fine specimen of a house. It was built in the 40s and has been a rental house for a number of years. It has cracks in the ceilings, ugly linoleum in the kitchen, cheap carpet in the middle room and wood floors painted white which shows numerous scuff marks in the main living area. But I reside here and want it to be a reflection of me.
Above the switch plate is a Southwest sand painting with earth tones and fits nicely in our Western decor in that room. A portion of the painting illustrates a kokopelli (shown above). It occurred to me that I would neither have to purchase a new switch plate or paint it. It occurred to me the I could scan the painting, crop the kokopelli portion, print the kokopelli on plain white copy paper (after measuring the switch plate), cut it out and wrap the switch plate with the print. I did this after cutting out the holes for the switches. I didn't use glue or an adhesive of any kind. I simply wrapped the paper around the plate and screwed in the little screws that hold the plate to the wall. The plate tightly held to the wall holds the paper in place.
Now the light switch plate that hangs on the wall by the front door no longer looks like cheap plastic. It is uniquely designed and matches the sand painting above it.
Then I went back to work designing new candy wrappers satisfied that I had embellished the ugly plastic plate. See where a little dreaming will take you?
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