My Grandpa Brown
My Grandma Brown
Wednesday, April 30
Turn Your Hobby Into A Business
Turn Your Hobby Into a Business
Many people would like to turn their hobby into a business and the best way to go about this is to start while still working at your day job in the beginning. You can then begin to make your contacts, send out press releases and generally plan for the day you will be able to kiss being an employee goodbye. This way you won't be losing any income while you are getting things up and running. So unless you have a sizeable chunk of capital to inject into the business at the beginning, this is the best way to start - slow and carefully.
Everyone would love to get paid for doing something they would be doing anyway, so building up a small business from a hobby is the ideal way to make a living. Not only will you be your own boss, you will be doing something you love to do anyway - work isn’t like work if you enjoy what you are doing. On top of this, if you are marketing your own products and designs you are far more likely to work harder and have a belief in your product. Also, the love you put into producing your work will shine through, not like if you were promoting someone else s wares.
There are many ways to turn a hobby into a business. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something you make to sell. If you like cooking, why not start a recipe newsletter for other like minded chefs. Or if your forte is fancy cakes or cheesecakes, why not try to get one or two regular customers, in the way of coffee bars or sandwich shops, to buy your extravagant confections to sell in slices to customers. Obviously if you are going to do something like this you will have to comply with health and safety regulations, but it is definitely worth considering.
If you enjoy making crafts, why not sell them via mail order, rather than going down the usual route of selling through craft fairs. What about sewing? Are you a good quilter? Could you make exclusive cot quilts and bumpers? Cuddly toys, clothes alterations, soft furnishings? All these pastimes can be turned into lucrative businesses, especially on a part-time basis. By working as many hours, or taking as many or as few orders as you like, you can control how big your business grows and at what rate.
When you have decided to take the plunge, it is worth reading up on how other people have started up home based businesses. You can get plenty of books from the library which will not only give you inspiration, but inform you of tax, insurance and accounting. Also statutory rules and regulations you may have to comply with.
Your hobby might involve a very specialized product, or may even be something that relates to a locality. If you are a collector and want to start up an agency that deals with your particular obsession, then the best way to find other like minded souls, is by advertising your service or product in some of the specialist magazines that are available on the news-stands or via Internet newsletters on the subject.
These days, you can get magazines on any subject under the sun, from miniatures, through to everything British, family trees through to card making. They re all there if you just go out and find them. Also it is worthwhile looking in trade magazines too, which refer to the field you will be entering into. Many useful contacts and associations can be found in the pages and you will need all the information and help you can get at the beginning.
The next stop is to find out if there are grants or bursaries available to the small business person. If you feel confident and your research tells you that it would be safe to give up employment and go the whole hog straight away, contact your local employment centre to find out if there are any allowances to help the new business person. When I started freelancing designing knitting patterns for magazines many years ago, I got something called The Enterprise Allowance Scheme which gave me 40 per week for a certain length of time in order to get my business off the ground.
If your product or service will sell on a local level, why not try leafleting door to door in your area, posting small A5 flyers promoting your services. Alternatively you could always use the tried and tested method of post cards in shop windows. Not very glamorous admittedly, but an effective way of advertising very cheaply.
On the other hand, if you are going to have to advertise nationally, then you will have to have at least some budget put aside for this purpose before you start. Advertising can be expensive - but doesn’t have to be. It depends on the publication. Why not try contacting magazines relevant to your product with a press release telling your story or advertising what you have to offer?
You might even get a feature about you. Your story has to be unusual or different however, if you are to hit gold straight away by sending press releases.
In summary, turning your hobby into a part-time business is the ideal way to be your own boss, work at something which you are doing - and get paid for it, be in complete control of your working life and have the opportunity of working from home. You have to do your research before you start though. Never jump in before you are confident that there is a market for your product and that you have enough financial reserves to keep you going during the early days of your business.
Many people would like to turn their hobby into a business and the best way to go about this is to start while still working at your day job in the beginning. You can then begin to make your contacts, send out press releases and generally plan for the day you will be able to kiss being an employee goodbye. This way you won't be losing any income while you are getting things up and running. So unless you have a sizeable chunk of capital to inject into the business at the beginning, this is the best way to start - slow and carefully.
Everyone would love to get paid for doing something they would be doing anyway, so building up a small business from a hobby is the ideal way to make a living. Not only will you be your own boss, you will be doing something you love to do anyway - work isn’t like work if you enjoy what you are doing. On top of this, if you are marketing your own products and designs you are far more likely to work harder and have a belief in your product. Also, the love you put into producing your work will shine through, not like if you were promoting someone else s wares.
There are many ways to turn a hobby into a business. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something you make to sell. If you like cooking, why not start a recipe newsletter for other like minded chefs. Or if your forte is fancy cakes or cheesecakes, why not try to get one or two regular customers, in the way of coffee bars or sandwich shops, to buy your extravagant confections to sell in slices to customers. Obviously if you are going to do something like this you will have to comply with health and safety regulations, but it is definitely worth considering.
If you enjoy making crafts, why not sell them via mail order, rather than going down the usual route of selling through craft fairs. What about sewing? Are you a good quilter? Could you make exclusive cot quilts and bumpers? Cuddly toys, clothes alterations, soft furnishings? All these pastimes can be turned into lucrative businesses, especially on a part-time basis. By working as many hours, or taking as many or as few orders as you like, you can control how big your business grows and at what rate.
When you have decided to take the plunge, it is worth reading up on how other people have started up home based businesses. You can get plenty of books from the library which will not only give you inspiration, but inform you of tax, insurance and accounting. Also statutory rules and regulations you may have to comply with.
Your hobby might involve a very specialized product, or may even be something that relates to a locality. If you are a collector and want to start up an agency that deals with your particular obsession, then the best way to find other like minded souls, is by advertising your service or product in some of the specialist magazines that are available on the news-stands or via Internet newsletters on the subject.
These days, you can get magazines on any subject under the sun, from miniatures, through to everything British, family trees through to card making. They re all there if you just go out and find them. Also it is worthwhile looking in trade magazines too, which refer to the field you will be entering into. Many useful contacts and associations can be found in the pages and you will need all the information and help you can get at the beginning.
The next stop is to find out if there are grants or bursaries available to the small business person. If you feel confident and your research tells you that it would be safe to give up employment and go the whole hog straight away, contact your local employment centre to find out if there are any allowances to help the new business person. When I started freelancing designing knitting patterns for magazines many years ago, I got something called The Enterprise Allowance Scheme which gave me 40 per week for a certain length of time in order to get my business off the ground.
If your product or service will sell on a local level, why not try leafleting door to door in your area, posting small A5 flyers promoting your services. Alternatively you could always use the tried and tested method of post cards in shop windows. Not very glamorous admittedly, but an effective way of advertising very cheaply.
On the other hand, if you are going to have to advertise nationally, then you will have to have at least some budget put aside for this purpose before you start. Advertising can be expensive - but doesn’t have to be. It depends on the publication. Why not try contacting magazines relevant to your product with a press release telling your story or advertising what you have to offer?
You might even get a feature about you. Your story has to be unusual or different however, if you are to hit gold straight away by sending press releases.
In summary, turning your hobby into a part-time business is the ideal way to be your own boss, work at something which you are doing - and get paid for it, be in complete control of your working life and have the opportunity of working from home. You have to do your research before you start though. Never jump in before you are confident that there is a market for your product and that you have enough financial reserves to keep you going during the early days of your business.
5 Tips To Get Through A Day If You Work From Home
Five Tips To Get Through The Day When You Are A Work At Home Mom
Five tips to get through the day when you are working from homeAnd you have toddler(s) running around your home office These are my five tips to get through the day Plan for the week and not for the day. One thing I have learned After having kids is that things don't always go as planned.Some days my son is just clingy for only reasons he knows or he Has a sleepless afternoon or I could be totally exhausted after A sleepless night. Prior to having kids, at the end of each day I would cross off the things I finished that day and then move The unfinished tasks for the next day. This worked well becauseI had child free days and I managed to get most the things on my To-do list crossed off (most of the time). But this approach did Not work for me after I had my children. At the end of the day When I looked at my to-do list, most of the tasks were still Unfinished. This would leave me sad and a bit depressed. And Then one day I decided that things would be better if I planned For the week and not the day. This way even if I have a couple Of bad days, its okay because I will have a couple of good days In the week when I can finish the tasks. Of course there are Some activities (like clearing off my inbox) that have to be Done daily. Have `child only' time. Every day in the mornings I spend a few Hours with my son. My son and I go out in the mornings to finish All our outdoor errands. This way while I finish my errands, mySon enjoys his time out. When we come home, he is usually Exhausted and hungry. I feed him and then he has a nap for anHour or two. This is when I get into my business work. There are Times when I have a deadline looming on one hand and on the Other he is getting bored and is a bit cranky. Though its Tempting to attend to my deadline project first, I have learned That its better to put him first, spend time with him, get him aBit tired and then when he is asleep I can start my work. There is no better time than `now'. For household chores don't Accumulate and do them all in one go. I find this takes up moreTime. As I am walking into a room if I find toys lyingEverywhere, I just spend a couple of minutes and get the toys Into the toy box. If I have some spare time I might just chopThe veggies and keep them ready for dinner so that when its time To cook dinner at least I have some of the ingredients choppedUp. Menu Planning saves time. I normally plan my weekly menu on the Day that I go grocery shopping. I actually hate planning theMenu one week in advance. But if I don't do it everyday its like What do I do for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner? Planning in Advance clears up a lot of your time. Take care of yourself. If you are not well nothing gets done And the whole house will be in chaos. It's important that you Take care of your health. I have vitamins everyday. I try toExercise at least 3 times in a week. Have at least one cup of aCoffee or tea before it turns cold.
About The Author: Sandy Naidu is a work at home mother. Sandy'sWebsite http://www.DotComMothers.com features interviews withWomen business owners. Most of the guests are mothers who have Created a successful business working from home. There are also Resources on the site to help you start your own business.
Five tips to get through the day when you are working from homeAnd you have toddler(s) running around your home office These are my five tips to get through the day Plan for the week and not for the day. One thing I have learned After having kids is that things don't always go as planned.Some days my son is just clingy for only reasons he knows or he Has a sleepless afternoon or I could be totally exhausted after A sleepless night. Prior to having kids, at the end of each day I would cross off the things I finished that day and then move The unfinished tasks for the next day. This worked well becauseI had child free days and I managed to get most the things on my To-do list crossed off (most of the time). But this approach did Not work for me after I had my children. At the end of the day When I looked at my to-do list, most of the tasks were still Unfinished. This would leave me sad and a bit depressed. And Then one day I decided that things would be better if I planned For the week and not the day. This way even if I have a couple Of bad days, its okay because I will have a couple of good days In the week when I can finish the tasks. Of course there are Some activities (like clearing off my inbox) that have to be Done daily. Have `child only' time. Every day in the mornings I spend a few Hours with my son. My son and I go out in the mornings to finish All our outdoor errands. This way while I finish my errands, mySon enjoys his time out. When we come home, he is usually Exhausted and hungry. I feed him and then he has a nap for anHour or two. This is when I get into my business work. There are Times when I have a deadline looming on one hand and on the Other he is getting bored and is a bit cranky. Though its Tempting to attend to my deadline project first, I have learned That its better to put him first, spend time with him, get him aBit tired and then when he is asleep I can start my work. There is no better time than `now'. For household chores don't Accumulate and do them all in one go. I find this takes up moreTime. As I am walking into a room if I find toys lyingEverywhere, I just spend a couple of minutes and get the toys Into the toy box. If I have some spare time I might just chopThe veggies and keep them ready for dinner so that when its time To cook dinner at least I have some of the ingredients choppedUp. Menu Planning saves time. I normally plan my weekly menu on the Day that I go grocery shopping. I actually hate planning theMenu one week in advance. But if I don't do it everyday its like What do I do for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner? Planning in Advance clears up a lot of your time. Take care of yourself. If you are not well nothing gets done And the whole house will be in chaos. It's important that you Take care of your health. I have vitamins everyday. I try toExercise at least 3 times in a week. Have at least one cup of aCoffee or tea before it turns cold.
About The Author: Sandy Naidu is a work at home mother. Sandy'sWebsite http://www.DotComMothers.com features interviews withWomen business owners. Most of the guests are mothers who have Created a successful business working from home. There are also Resources on the site to help you start your own business.
Tuesday, April 29
Chores For Children
Age Appropriate Chores for Children
Ages 2 and 3
Many toddlers are eager to help with chores, and while their “helping” may not always be appreciated, keeping their excitement and the habit of helping out alive, should be. Sticker charts are a great way to keep toddlers excited about helping. Their chores may have to be completed with you helping every step of the way, but you are laying the groundwork for children that find chores and helping a way of life.
Some chores 2-3 year olds can do…Help make the bed.Pick up toys and books.Take laundry to the laundry room.Help feed pets.Help wipe up messes.Dust with socks on their hands.Mop in areas with help.
Ages 4 and 5
Preschoolers still find helping to be an exciting venture and usually are thrilled when time is taken to teach them new chores.
Here Are Some Useful And Very Helpful Links To Help You And Your Child Get Started
Chore Chart For Children Personalized Printable Chore Charts Get Free Help From Blurtit Users! Blurtit.com
Print Chore Charts Free Create to-do lists, printable chore charts and set fun goals for kids! www.handipoints.com
Free Kids Chore Charts Fully editable chores list helps you teach children responsibility. active allowance.com/Chore_Lists
They are ready to do some chores without constant supervision. Rewards at this age are very motivating. A sticker chart that allows you to build up to bigger rewards can be appropriate. For some preschoolers, tying chores to an allowance is a great option and fosters independence in choosing a reward.
Some chores preschoolers can do in addition to the ones above…Clear and set the table.DustHelp out in cooking and preparing food.Carrying and putting away groceries.
Ages 6-8
These school age kids may or may not still have their childlike enthusiasm for completing chores. What they do have, however, is an overwhelming desire to be independent. Parents and caregivers can guide children to become independent in their chores, using chore charts to keep track of their responsibilities both completed and pending.
Some chores that they are capable of in addition to the ones above…Take care of pets.Vacuum and mop.Take out trash.Fold and put away laundry.
Ages 9-12
Children in this preteen age are capable of increasing responsibility where chores are concerned. Keep in mind that many children this age rely on continuity. Find a system that works for your family and do not change it without the input and support of the people it directly affects. Make sure that you factor in rewards and consequences and address those issues with your children. Let them know the consequences of not completing chores, as well as the rewards for fulfilling their responsibilities.
Some Chores preteens are capable of in addition to the ones above…Help wash the car. Learn to wash dishes. Help prepare simple meals. Clean the bathroom. Rake leaves. Operate the washer and dryer.
Ages 13-17
Teenagers are developmentally ready to handle almost any chore in the home. At the same time a teenager’s schedule can sometimes become quite hectic, leaving little time for chores. Make sure that the workload of your teenagers is manageable.
Some chores teenagers are capable of in addition to the ones above…Replace light bulbs and vacuum cleaner bags. All parts of the laundry. Wash windows. Clean out refrigerator and other kitchen appliances. Prepare meals. Prepare grocery lists.
Remember that children mature at their own pace and not all kids will be capable of advanced chores at the same age, just as some children may be ready for more difficult chores at a younger age. The most important guidelines are supervision and evaluation of your child’s needs and abilities.
Ages 2 and 3
Many toddlers are eager to help with chores, and while their “helping” may not always be appreciated, keeping their excitement and the habit of helping out alive, should be. Sticker charts are a great way to keep toddlers excited about helping. Their chores may have to be completed with you helping every step of the way, but you are laying the groundwork for children that find chores and helping a way of life.
Some chores 2-3 year olds can do…Help make the bed.Pick up toys and books.Take laundry to the laundry room.Help feed pets.Help wipe up messes.Dust with socks on their hands.Mop in areas with help.
Ages 4 and 5
Preschoolers still find helping to be an exciting venture and usually are thrilled when time is taken to teach them new chores.
Here Are Some Useful And Very Helpful Links To Help You And Your Child Get Started
Chore Chart For Children Personalized Printable Chore Charts Get Free Help From Blurtit Users! Blurtit.com
Print Chore Charts Free Create to-do lists, printable chore charts and set fun goals for kids! www.handipoints.com
Free Kids Chore Charts Fully editable chores list helps you teach children responsibility. active allowance.com/Chore_Lists
They are ready to do some chores without constant supervision. Rewards at this age are very motivating. A sticker chart that allows you to build up to bigger rewards can be appropriate. For some preschoolers, tying chores to an allowance is a great option and fosters independence in choosing a reward.
Some chores preschoolers can do in addition to the ones above…Clear and set the table.DustHelp out in cooking and preparing food.Carrying and putting away groceries.
Ages 6-8
These school age kids may or may not still have their childlike enthusiasm for completing chores. What they do have, however, is an overwhelming desire to be independent. Parents and caregivers can guide children to become independent in their chores, using chore charts to keep track of their responsibilities both completed and pending.
Some chores that they are capable of in addition to the ones above…Take care of pets.Vacuum and mop.Take out trash.Fold and put away laundry.
Ages 9-12
Children in this preteen age are capable of increasing responsibility where chores are concerned. Keep in mind that many children this age rely on continuity. Find a system that works for your family and do not change it without the input and support of the people it directly affects. Make sure that you factor in rewards and consequences and address those issues with your children. Let them know the consequences of not completing chores, as well as the rewards for fulfilling their responsibilities.
Some Chores preteens are capable of in addition to the ones above…Help wash the car. Learn to wash dishes. Help prepare simple meals. Clean the bathroom. Rake leaves. Operate the washer and dryer.
Ages 13-17
Teenagers are developmentally ready to handle almost any chore in the home. At the same time a teenager’s schedule can sometimes become quite hectic, leaving little time for chores. Make sure that the workload of your teenagers is manageable.
Some chores teenagers are capable of in addition to the ones above…Replace light bulbs and vacuum cleaner bags. All parts of the laundry. Wash windows. Clean out refrigerator and other kitchen appliances. Prepare meals. Prepare grocery lists.
Remember that children mature at their own pace and not all kids will be capable of advanced chores at the same age, just as some children may be ready for more difficult chores at a younger age. The most important guidelines are supervision and evaluation of your child’s needs and abilities.
Mother's Day Sale At Creative Scentsations
Join my team at Creative ScentSations!
http://www.creativescentsations.net/store/affiliate.asp?aff=214
FREE TO JOIN - NO QUOTAS OR MONTHLY MINIMUMS!
JOIN TODAY AND START EARNING!! BE SURE TO TELL THEM Rachel Rodrigues #214
(put in fax line) SENT YOU!
Mother's Day Sale!
Get 20% Off Any Order Til May 3rd
Use Voucher Code 20mom
Creative ScentSations offers unique country candles and so much more!
All products are handmade to order with the finest ingredients - no
Two are exactly alike! All creations are highly scented because the
Maximum amount of fragrance oils allowed are used.
Some of the products include gourmet bakery candles, wax dipped
Critters, tarts, tealights, electric grubby candles, tart warmers,
Candle accessories & so much more! The bakery style candles look and
Smell good enough to eat!
Creative ScentSations also specializes in alternatives to burning
Candles such as smelly jellies, electric & battery tealight candles,
Potpourri, and more! These products are a great way to scent any
Room in your home, dorm, office, etc. Without having to worry about
A flame!
New products are constantly being added!
The Rep Program is FREE to join and an easy way to make money or
Earn FREE products! Creative ScentSations offers so many fun and
Unique products that they basically sell themselves!
Here's what you get:
* - NO Quotas or Montly Minimums!
* - FREE Rep referral link
* - 25% Commissions on sales from your Rep Link or 40% in store
Credit for free merchandise
* - 5% Downline
* - 40% Personal Discount - (limited time! Join now to become a
Founding Rep and retain this discount!)
* - Banners & buttons for advertising
* - Free yahoogroup support
* - Fast and Friendly customer service
Advertise any way you like - hold online parties, home shows,
Friends/family, etc!
C'mon, Ya Know Ya Wanna Join Us!
http://www.creativescentsations.net/store/affiliate.asp?aff=214
FREE TO JOIN - NO QUOTAS OR MONTHLY MINIMUMS!
JOIN TODAY AND START EARNING!! BE SURE TO TELL THEM Rachel Rodrigues #214
(put in fax line) SENT YOU!
Mother's Day Sale!
Get 20% Off Any Order Til May 3rd
Use Voucher Code 20mom
Creative ScentSations offers unique country candles and so much more!
All products are handmade to order with the finest ingredients - no
Two are exactly alike! All creations are highly scented because the
Maximum amount of fragrance oils allowed are used.
Some of the products include gourmet bakery candles, wax dipped
Critters, tarts, tealights, electric grubby candles, tart warmers,
Candle accessories & so much more! The bakery style candles look and
Smell good enough to eat!
Creative ScentSations also specializes in alternatives to burning
Candles such as smelly jellies, electric & battery tealight candles,
Potpourri, and more! These products are a great way to scent any
Room in your home, dorm, office, etc. Without having to worry about
A flame!
New products are constantly being added!
The Rep Program is FREE to join and an easy way to make money or
Earn FREE products! Creative ScentSations offers so many fun and
Unique products that they basically sell themselves!
Here's what you get:
* - NO Quotas or Montly Minimums!
* - FREE Rep referral link
* - 25% Commissions on sales from your Rep Link or 40% in store
Credit for free merchandise
* - 5% Downline
* - 40% Personal Discount - (limited time! Join now to become a
Founding Rep and retain this discount!)
* - Banners & buttons for advertising
* - Free yahoogroup support
* - Fast and Friendly customer service
Advertise any way you like - hold online parties, home shows,
Friends/family, etc!
C'mon, Ya Know Ya Wanna Join Us!
Simply Tempted
Quite simply the best…Imagine leaving your well decorated condo in the early morning hours...dressed in only the latest haute couture and climbing into your brand new convertible. First stop...a little shopping at your favorite chic bath and body boutique that has become your secret haven. Here you find the very best little treasures the world has to offer… You briskly walk thru the salamander pink door as the tinker of a little bell softly rings behind you, and you stop and just stand in awe surrounded by vibrant colors and mouth watering scents of naturally made products that are laid out before you like gifts of the Gods…Natural ingredients await you by the plenty… Rich butters such as shea and mango, the finest oils, fresh goat’s milk, and Dead Sea salts all work together in unison to gently soften your skin back to the days before tanning beds, crazy ex boyfriends, and the monthly shock of your American Express bill.Close your eyes and deeply inhale as the mix of scents from the highest quality fragrance and essential oils whisk you quickly away to your happy place. You move inward and make your way to the home area and marvel at the large selection of high quality, long lasting and luxuriously scented melts, candles, and room sprays. You glance slowly around the shop taking in all the luxurious scents that surround you as you try to decide where to begin. You are engulfed in an air of mystery and intrigue surrounded by products so scrumptious and inviting...they are simply nourishing, simply invigorating...and you my dear are just quite Simply Tempted….
Monday, April 28
Blogging Dad's
Planning For Your Blog
Blogging has taken the online world by storm. More and more fathers are creating blogs to share their feelings about being a dad, to advocate for fathers rights, or just to chronicle their life and the life of their family online.
If you are interested in becoming one of the many "daddy bloggers" online today, and you have never blogged before, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to get started and how much fun you can have in the world of weblogs.
A blog (weblog) is a unique type of website where the blogger enters posts that appear on the blog in reverse chronological order. Posts can include text, pictures, links to other websites and, most often a method for visitors to the site to add their own comments.
For many posters, blogs are their online journals. They can also serve as advocacy sites, places to post personal opinion, or simply Internet scrapbooks.
Blogs can cover a wide variety of topics or interests including hobbies, professions, politics, civic discourse, or any or all aspects of your life.
Setting up a blog can be relatively easy and free, or it can be more complex and expensive. How you choose to enter the world of blogging is largely up to you. I'll share some thoughts here about how to set up a blog, how to make it of value to you and others, and what some other dads do in popular "daddy blogs" around the World Wide Web.
Planning Your Blog
Before you dive into blogging, it's important to define what it is you want to share and who you think will be reading and commenting on your blog posts.
Figuring out for whom you are writing--your audience--is an important early step. Will your blog be focused primarily on family and friends? Or are you looking for a broader audience? Or do you have a business interest you'd like to promote? Or, if you are like many dads who blog about your family, maybe your interest is being part of a community of committed fathers. In any case, defining your audience is critical to the success of your blog.
It is also important to define your message. Again, for a focus on fathering, you should define what you want to share. Is it just an online family journal sharing events, stories and more about you, your partner and your children? Or are you hoping to be an advocate for issues like fathers' rights, responsible parenting, or home-schooling? Or do you want to participate in a community of fathers like stay-at-home dads, stepfathers, dads with shared custody or fathers of special needs children?
Here are a few questions you might want to consider as you define the niche you hope to fill with your blog?
What aspect of fathering do you feel most passionate about?
What part of being a dad do you enjoy the most?
What experiences have you had in your life as a parent that might be of worth to others?
When you are talking to friends about your family life, in what topics do they find the most interest?
Is there an issue about which you feel you have a unique voice?
Once you can articulate your audience and your unique message, you need to ask one more important question: Can you see yourself writing about this message to this audience over an extended period of time? If so, then you are ready to move on and create your blog. If not, you may want to refine your message and audience until you can make a long-term commitment to them?
The next important aspect of planning your blog is to pick a name. It should be unique to you, but also easy to spell and remember. Some of the father's blogs I read have names like daddytypes, rebeldad, dadgonemad, and metrodad. Find a name that reflects your message and your interests. Or you may want to just name it after yourself (like waynesblog) or after your kids (ellensdad). If you are using a hosted blog service, your blog name will be a subdomain at that service's site. Or, if you want your own domain name, you can register it with a domain name service and then point it to your hosted site.
Blogging has taken the online world by storm. More and more fathers are creating blogs to share their feelings about being a dad, to advocate for fathers rights, or just to chronicle their life and the life of their family online.
If you are interested in becoming one of the many "daddy bloggers" online today, and you have never blogged before, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to get started and how much fun you can have in the world of weblogs.
A blog (weblog) is a unique type of website where the blogger enters posts that appear on the blog in reverse chronological order. Posts can include text, pictures, links to other websites and, most often a method for visitors to the site to add their own comments.
For many posters, blogs are their online journals. They can also serve as advocacy sites, places to post personal opinion, or simply Internet scrapbooks.
Blogs can cover a wide variety of topics or interests including hobbies, professions, politics, civic discourse, or any or all aspects of your life.
Setting up a blog can be relatively easy and free, or it can be more complex and expensive. How you choose to enter the world of blogging is largely up to you. I'll share some thoughts here about how to set up a blog, how to make it of value to you and others, and what some other dads do in popular "daddy blogs" around the World Wide Web.
Planning Your Blog
Before you dive into blogging, it's important to define what it is you want to share and who you think will be reading and commenting on your blog posts.
Figuring out for whom you are writing--your audience--is an important early step. Will your blog be focused primarily on family and friends? Or are you looking for a broader audience? Or do you have a business interest you'd like to promote? Or, if you are like many dads who blog about your family, maybe your interest is being part of a community of committed fathers. In any case, defining your audience is critical to the success of your blog.
It is also important to define your message. Again, for a focus on fathering, you should define what you want to share. Is it just an online family journal sharing events, stories and more about you, your partner and your children? Or are you hoping to be an advocate for issues like fathers' rights, responsible parenting, or home-schooling? Or do you want to participate in a community of fathers like stay-at-home dads, stepfathers, dads with shared custody or fathers of special needs children?
Here are a few questions you might want to consider as you define the niche you hope to fill with your blog?
What aspect of fathering do you feel most passionate about?
What part of being a dad do you enjoy the most?
What experiences have you had in your life as a parent that might be of worth to others?
When you are talking to friends about your family life, in what topics do they find the most interest?
Is there an issue about which you feel you have a unique voice?
Once you can articulate your audience and your unique message, you need to ask one more important question: Can you see yourself writing about this message to this audience over an extended period of time? If so, then you are ready to move on and create your blog. If not, you may want to refine your message and audience until you can make a long-term commitment to them?
The next important aspect of planning your blog is to pick a name. It should be unique to you, but also easy to spell and remember. Some of the father's blogs I read have names like daddytypes, rebeldad, dadgonemad, and metrodad. Find a name that reflects your message and your interests. Or you may want to just name it after yourself (like waynesblog) or after your kids (ellensdad). If you are using a hosted blog service, your blog name will be a subdomain at that service's site. Or, if you want your own domain name, you can register it with a domain name service and then point it to your hosted site.
Finally, A Blonde Joke To End All Blonde Jokes!
A blonde woman was speeding down the road in her little red sport car and
was pulled over by a woman police officer who was also a blonde.
The blonde cop asked to see the blonde driver's license. She dug through her
purse and was getting progressively more agitated.
"What does it look like?" she finally asked.
The policewoman replied, "It's square and it has your picture on it."
The driver finally found a square mirror, looked at it and handed it to the
policewoman.
"Here it is," she said.
The blonde officer looked at the mirror, then handed it back saying, "Okay,
you can go. I didn't realize you were a cop."
was pulled over by a woman police officer who was also a blonde.
The blonde cop asked to see the blonde driver's license. She dug through her
purse and was getting progressively more agitated.
"What does it look like?" she finally asked.
The policewoman replied, "It's square and it has your picture on it."
The driver finally found a square mirror, looked at it and handed it to the
policewoman.
"Here it is," she said.
The blonde officer looked at the mirror, then handed it back saying, "Okay,
you can go. I didn't realize you were a cop."
Sunday, April 27
Sex Scope For April ~ Taurus ~
~ Sex Scope for April: Taurus ~
Unlike their namesake in the wild, bulls are usually somewhat shy and sweet. This only makes sense since they're ruled by Venus, Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Peace. Taurus also loves to buy beautiful things. If you think this is their only failing, though, think again. In a word, bulls can give new meaning to the word boredom. They like life in the slow lane surrounded by all the stuff they've accumulated during their lifetime. If you're a sign who joneses for security like Virgo or Cancer, this can be an extremely attractive trait, but if you're a talkative, wild sign like Sagittarius or Gemini, the only thing you'll enjoy about bonding with a bull is helping to spend their usual overabundance of cash. Do you like to party into the wee hours of the morning? Have you harbored secret fantasies of threesomes with your future mate? Does talking dirty between the sheets turn you on? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, Taurus probably isn't your type. This doesn't mean that bulls are boring in bed, though - in fact, sensual Taurus can go at it for hours and if anyone can hold off on the big O until you've hit yours, it's the oh-so benevolent bull.
Taurus is stubborn as hell and notorious for holding lifelong grudges. Screw a bull and you might find paradise, but if you screw over a bull you've just made an enemy for life. Used to getting their way, bulls rarely change their mind-set - even when the facts disagree with their view of the world. Arguments can become explosive if Taurus feels his or her beloved security is being threatened or feels in danger of being exploited in love. Unlike a combative Scorpio, though, Taurus usually fights fair when it comes to arguing. While a scorpion will want to discuss that affair you had seven years ago ad infinitum, Taurus will bring up a sore subject once before relegating it to "never to be discussed again" terrain. Does this mean your mating magnet has forgotten your past indiscretion? Hell no! Every positive and negative thing you do is instantly filed into a Taurean's mental database. When your fact sheet starts to get to soiled you'll be tossed out like yesterday's garbage, so keep your nose clean if you feel like buddying up with a bull.
Some words of caution on bumping and grinding behind the bull's back: She or he will never view you in the same light again, so either don't do it or make damn sure you never get caught. Not only will Taurus find a sexual trespass unforgivable, she or he will get revenge sooner than you think.
~ From "Sex Scopes ~ How to Seduce, Stimulate, and Satisfy Any Sign" by Stuart Hazleton ~
Unlike their namesake in the wild, bulls are usually somewhat shy and sweet. This only makes sense since they're ruled by Venus, Goddess of Love, Beauty, and Peace. Taurus also loves to buy beautiful things. If you think this is their only failing, though, think again. In a word, bulls can give new meaning to the word boredom. They like life in the slow lane surrounded by all the stuff they've accumulated during their lifetime. If you're a sign who joneses for security like Virgo or Cancer, this can be an extremely attractive trait, but if you're a talkative, wild sign like Sagittarius or Gemini, the only thing you'll enjoy about bonding with a bull is helping to spend their usual overabundance of cash. Do you like to party into the wee hours of the morning? Have you harbored secret fantasies of threesomes with your future mate? Does talking dirty between the sheets turn you on? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, Taurus probably isn't your type. This doesn't mean that bulls are boring in bed, though - in fact, sensual Taurus can go at it for hours and if anyone can hold off on the big O until you've hit yours, it's the oh-so benevolent bull.
Taurus is stubborn as hell and notorious for holding lifelong grudges. Screw a bull and you might find paradise, but if you screw over a bull you've just made an enemy for life. Used to getting their way, bulls rarely change their mind-set - even when the facts disagree with their view of the world. Arguments can become explosive if Taurus feels his or her beloved security is being threatened or feels in danger of being exploited in love. Unlike a combative Scorpio, though, Taurus usually fights fair when it comes to arguing. While a scorpion will want to discuss that affair you had seven years ago ad infinitum, Taurus will bring up a sore subject once before relegating it to "never to be discussed again" terrain. Does this mean your mating magnet has forgotten your past indiscretion? Hell no! Every positive and negative thing you do is instantly filed into a Taurean's mental database. When your fact sheet starts to get to soiled you'll be tossed out like yesterday's garbage, so keep your nose clean if you feel like buddying up with a bull.
Some words of caution on bumping and grinding behind the bull's back: She or he will never view you in the same light again, so either don't do it or make damn sure you never get caught. Not only will Taurus find a sexual trespass unforgivable, she or he will get revenge sooner than you think.
~ From "Sex Scopes ~ How to Seduce, Stimulate, and Satisfy Any Sign" by Stuart Hazleton ~
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Perfect Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup peanut butter1 cup white sugar1 eggChocolate chips (I added this)
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).Combine ingredients and drop by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Let cool. Recipe doesn't make very many, so you could double recipe as you desire.My tip: Be sure you press the cookie batter down with a fork on your baking sheet before you put them in the oven.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie… Oh My!
There's nothing like a good chocolate chip cookie… unless of course, if it's super-sized and more than an inch thick. So when I found this recipe from my aunt's Nestle Classic Recipes Cookbook a while back, I knew it was a must-make. Serve it warm, with ice cream, with syrup… and with caution… because you'll definitely want another slice.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell*2 large eggs1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup packed brown sugar3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels1 cup chopped pecansServe with ice cream (optional)
Preheat oven 325 degrees F.
Beat eggs in large mixer bowl on high until foamy.
Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter.
Stir in morsels and nuts and spoon into pie shell.
Bake for 55-60 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm.Recipe from Nestle Classic Recipes, 2003* If using frozen pie shell, use deep dish style and thaw completely. Bake on baking sheet and increase baking time slightly.
A Sad Birthday
Had A Really Sad Birthday Yesterday, The Worst I Have Ever Had. No Cards, No Presents, No Nothing. A Kiss On The Cheek And Happy Birthday From Hubby And The Kids But That Was It. Then I Thought That Maybe They Had Some Kind Of Suprise Waiting For Me And The Day Came And Went With Nothing. I Ended Up Going To Bed And Crying Myself To Sleep. I Have Always Gone All Out For My Family When Thier Birthdays Roll Around With Parties And Presents And Streamers And I Invite All Thier Friends And Our Family, So I Can't Understand Why They Didn't Do Anything For Me. I Know That My Life Could Be A Lot Worse And That I Should Be Grateful That I Am Alive To Celebrate My Birthday But This Really Took The Cake So To Speak And I'm Beyond Sad Now, I'm Really Reaaly Hurt To The Core. Do I Not Deserve It After All That I Have Done As A Wife And Mother? I Have Never Had A Birthday Party, Not Even As A Kid. My Mother Was A Single Mom And All She Could Ever Do Was Buy Us A Card And A Little Dollar Store Toy. Really Really Sad. Guess I Expected Too Much Huh?
Tuesday, April 22
A Good Day Today
Geesh! It's 10:08p.m And I'm Tired.. But Not Near As Tired As I Should Be And That's Kinda Suprised Me Today. I Woke Up This Morning At About 3:30a.m, Rolled Over, Kissed Hubby And Got Up To Get Me Some Coffee And I Was Off To Start My Day. It Was Too Early To Wake The Kids And I Felt Like I Had To Do Something. I Didn't Want To Sleep But I Didn't Feel Like Walking The China Wall Either...lol I Started A Few Loads Of Laundry, Swept And Mopped The Kitchen Floor And Started Breakfast For The Family. After I Got Hubby Off To Work And The Kids Off To School, I Vaccumed And Washed Windows. By That Time My 4 Year Old Was Up And Boy He Was In A Mood! He Did However Have A Few Tantrums About What He Wanted For Breakfast (Brownies) And Calmed Down Enough That All Was Well A Little While Later. I Then Started Him On Practicing His Numbers And Alphabet And All The While I Was Doing This I Was Thinking About What I Could Tackle Next Instead Of Thinking About Napping. Yea, I Know....Shocking! Especially For Me...lol Sooooo Not Me Because Normally I Would Have Hit The Couch By Now Exhausted And So Tired That I Could Almost Cry. Today Was A Very Good Day Though Considering That My Husband Had A Flat, Put The Spare On And It Went Flat, My 14 Year Old Daughter Was Having A Day And It Just Seemed Like Today Might Be A Total Loss But It Wasn't. I Shampooed The Carpets, Gave The Dog A Bath, Cooked A Very Nice Dinner, Gave The Kids A Bath, Gone Through, Read And Replied To About 100 E-mails And Cleaned Just About Everything I Could Get My Hands On To Clean And Now, Here I Am, Tired, But A Very Good, Productive Day. I May Not Be Around Tommorow, But Today Was A Good Day. If You Don't Hear From Me In A Few Days, Call Out The Search Party, It May Be That I Decided To Scale The China Wall After All.....lol
My Best Friend
My Best Friend Is My Sister Renee. I Talk To Her Everyday And Love Her Very, Very Much! She Is The One Person That I Can Count On To Be There For Me No Matter What And Her Love Is Unconditional. I Don't Know What I Would Do Without Her In My Life. Love Ya Sis! :)
Green Is The New Black
No, really, it is. We wouldn’t lie. Look anywhere these days and everyone is going green. So in the spirit of Earth Day and the fact that green is the new black (read: fashion meets helping the environment), we bring you word of Horny Toad.
Horny Toad is an awesome clothing company that makes fantastic active wear. Think a much less expensive version of Patagonia. And Horny Toad was an early adapter to this whole green thing, long before Al Gore and Laurie David made it cool.
From day one more than a decade ago, they’ve designed their own fabrics using sustainable fibers, organic cotton, bamboo, beach wood, and merino. They use recycled metal zippers in their Vodoo Collection and, in 2006, became proud parents of Renewable Energy Certificates.
So yes, retail therapy, in this case, is actually doing the world some good. Last year, Horny Toad and other organizations gave away over $700,000 through the Conservation Alliance, an organization that awards grants to grassroots organizations that protect wild and natural areas.
Knowing that, go ahead and grab two of their Zola tank tops ($40).
But Earth Day is a whole day so make sure to check out their full array of fleeces, skirts, dresses, and shirts. Might we suggest, though, their Lexi Capris for being just that versatile that you could wear them hiking or out at night.
Going green has never looked this good.
Horny Toad is an awesome clothing company that makes fantastic active wear. Think a much less expensive version of Patagonia. And Horny Toad was an early adapter to this whole green thing, long before Al Gore and Laurie David made it cool.
From day one more than a decade ago, they’ve designed their own fabrics using sustainable fibers, organic cotton, bamboo, beach wood, and merino. They use recycled metal zippers in their Vodoo Collection and, in 2006, became proud parents of Renewable Energy Certificates.
So yes, retail therapy, in this case, is actually doing the world some good. Last year, Horny Toad and other organizations gave away over $700,000 through the Conservation Alliance, an organization that awards grants to grassroots organizations that protect wild and natural areas.
Knowing that, go ahead and grab two of their Zola tank tops ($40).
But Earth Day is a whole day so make sure to check out their full array of fleeces, skirts, dresses, and shirts. Might we suggest, though, their Lexi Capris for being just that versatile that you could wear them hiking or out at night.
Going green has never looked this good.
This Day In History -- April 22nd
1970 : The first Earth Day, an event to increase public awareness of the world's environmental problems, is celebrated in the United States for the first time. Millions of Americans, including students from thousands of colleges and universities, participated in rallies, marches, and educational programs.Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, astaunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grass roots environmental movement and increase ecological awareness. "The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishmentout of its lethargy," Senator Nelson said, "and, finally, force this issue permanently onto the national political agenda." Earth Dayindeed increased environmental awareness in America, and in July ofthat year the Environmental Protection Agency was established byspecial executive order to regulate and enforce national pollution legislation.On April 22, 1990, the 20th anniversary of Earth Day, more than 200 million people in 141 countries participated in Earth Day celebrations.Earth Day has been celebrated on different days by different groups internationally. The United Nations officially celebrates it on thevernal equinox, which usually occurs about March 21.
~Planting Magic~
Today is Earth Day, a day to raise consciousness about humanity’s impact on the planet. More specifically, this day addresses how our day-to-day practices affect our long-term changes for survival. The single most appropriate action anyone can do on Earth Day is to plant a tree. Every freshly planted tree helps refresh the oxygen supply in the atmosphere, filters pollution, and undoes a portion of the damage that industrial toxins cause. Since not everyone can plant a tree, particularly those who live in apartments, the next best thing someone can do to honor this day and to honor the magical life is to start a small indoor garden. A small box and a plant light can help grow small herbs such as peppermint that you can use in tea and in regular practice—and the small plants still filter the air within your apartment, making your own space healthier. ....
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Sunday, April 20
Flip Flop Fun!
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Saturday, April 19
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Monday, April 14
This Day In History -- April 14th
April 14, 1912
RMS Titanic hits iceberg
Just before midnight in the North Atlantic, the RMS Titanic fails to divert its course from an iceberg, ruptures its hull, and begins to sink.
Four days earlier, the Titanic, one of the largest and most luxurious ocean liners ever built, departed Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. While leaving port, the massive ship came within a couple of feet of the steamer New York but passed safely by, causing a general sigh of relief from the passengers massed on the ship's decks.
The Titanic was designed by the Irish shipbuilder William Pirrie and spanned 883 feet from stern to bow. Its hull was divided into 16 compartments that were presumed to be watertight. Because four of these compartments could be flooded without causing a critical loss of buoyancy, the Titanic was considered unsinkable. On its first journey across the highly competitive Atlantic ferry route, the ship carried some 2,200 passengers and crew.
After stopping at Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown, Ireland, to pick up some final passengers, the massive vessel set out at full speed for New York City. However, just before midnight on April 14, the ship hit an iceberg, and five of the Titanic's compartments were ruptured along its starboard side. At about 2:20 a.m. On the morning of April 15, the massive vessel sank into the North Atlantic.
Because of a shortage of lifeboats and the lack of satisfactory emergency procedures, more than 1,500 people went down in the sinking ship or froze to death in the icy North Atlantic waters. Most of the approximately 700 survivors were women and children. A number of notable American and British citizens died in the tragedy, including the noted British journalist William Thomas Stead and heirs to the Straus, Astor, and Guggenheim fortunes. The announcement of details of the disaster led to outrage on both sides of the Atlantic. The sinking of the Titanic did have some positive effects, however, as more stringent safety regulations were adopted on public ships, and regular patrols were initiated to trace the locations of deadly Atlantic icebergs.
RMS Titanic hits iceberg
Just before midnight in the North Atlantic, the RMS Titanic fails to divert its course from an iceberg, ruptures its hull, and begins to sink.
Four days earlier, the Titanic, one of the largest and most luxurious ocean liners ever built, departed Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. While leaving port, the massive ship came within a couple of feet of the steamer New York but passed safely by, causing a general sigh of relief from the passengers massed on the ship's decks.
The Titanic was designed by the Irish shipbuilder William Pirrie and spanned 883 feet from stern to bow. Its hull was divided into 16 compartments that were presumed to be watertight. Because four of these compartments could be flooded without causing a critical loss of buoyancy, the Titanic was considered unsinkable. On its first journey across the highly competitive Atlantic ferry route, the ship carried some 2,200 passengers and crew.
After stopping at Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown, Ireland, to pick up some final passengers, the massive vessel set out at full speed for New York City. However, just before midnight on April 14, the ship hit an iceberg, and five of the Titanic's compartments were ruptured along its starboard side. At about 2:20 a.m. On the morning of April 15, the massive vessel sank into the North Atlantic.
Because of a shortage of lifeboats and the lack of satisfactory emergency procedures, more than 1,500 people went down in the sinking ship or froze to death in the icy North Atlantic waters. Most of the approximately 700 survivors were women and children. A number of notable American and British citizens died in the tragedy, including the noted British journalist William Thomas Stead and heirs to the Straus, Astor, and Guggenheim fortunes. The announcement of details of the disaster led to outrage on both sides of the Atlantic. The sinking of the Titanic did have some positive effects, however, as more stringent safety regulations were adopted on public ships, and regular patrols were initiated to trace the locations of deadly Atlantic icebergs.
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Sunday, April 13
Less Than Traditional Moms
Our Website --www.lttm.webs.com
Our Yahoo Group -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LTTM/
We are Moms.
We Like to talk about things that aren't always considered "appropriate".
We Love to chat and share experiences, ideas, and advice.
We Never Judge you.
We love that Moms are Unique!
We Support you in All you Do!
We know what it's Like To be Less than traditional when it comes to being
accepted as a Mom. Here you are safe.. Say what you want ask what you want.
Be you. Let us know what you like your interests and what makes you Tick.
Here we go with the flow... We are all laid back and willing to help at the
drop of a hat when things go sour and here to laugh with you when you need
your spirits lifted. Know that as a mother you are appreciated!
Not many RulesWe only ask this.
- no bashing
No demoralizing
And no harassing.
We are NOT a business Group. We only have one ad day per month.
Our Website -- www.lttm.webs.com
Our Yahoo Grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/LTTM/
* Won't ya join us? *
Our Yahoo Group -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LTTM/
We are Moms.
We Like to talk about things that aren't always considered "appropriate".
We Love to chat and share experiences, ideas, and advice.
We Never Judge you.
We love that Moms are Unique!
We Support you in All you Do!
We know what it's Like To be Less than traditional when it comes to being
accepted as a Mom. Here you are safe.. Say what you want ask what you want.
Be you. Let us know what you like your interests and what makes you Tick.
Here we go with the flow... We are all laid back and willing to help at the
drop of a hat when things go sour and here to laugh with you when you need
your spirits lifted. Know that as a mother you are appreciated!
Not many RulesWe only ask this.
- no bashing
No demoralizing
And no harassing.
We are NOT a business Group. We only have one ad day per month.
Our Website -- www.lttm.webs.com
Our Yahoo Grouphttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/LTTM/
* Won't ya join us? *
"Dress A Day" Giveaway
DivaVillage.com Giving Away Thousands of Dollars Worth of Prom Dresses during "Dress-A-Day" Giveaway Beginning April 1st.
Online fashion and lifestyle resource DivaVillage.com is pleased to announce a "Dress-A-Day" Giveaway beginning April 1, 2008. Each day for the entire month of April, teens will get the chance to win stylish designer dresses from DivaVillage.com to make this year's prom a night to remember.
DivaVillage.com is known for giving readers the scoop on all the latest fashion, beauty, hair, and lifestyle articles. The popular site makes the phrase "fashion at your fingertips" a reality, with links to shopping, giveaways, and daily sweepstakes (Enter to win today's item here: http://www.divavillage.com/sweepstakes.php). For this season's "Dress-A-Day" giveaway, DivaVillage.com has teamed up with the popular prom superstore, Promgirl.com, to offer ladies a chance to win the latest in designer and celebrity-inspired dresses. The stylish cocktail dresses and long eveningwear pieces featured in the giveaway range in price, with some reaching as high as $318 (See some of the featured dresses: http://www.divavillage.com/article.php?id=37255).
In addition to giving away thousands of dollars worth of dresses during the "Dress-A-Day" Giveaway, DivaVillage.com is also offering prom-goers a "how-to" Prom Guide for their special night, complete with dozens of tips for prom night makeup, prom hairstyles, prom dresses, red carpet tips, and more (Visit the Prom Guide: http://www.divavillage.com/article.php?id=37256).
Prom resource and superstore PromGirl.com is known for outfitting teens in the most fashion-forward prom designs. Naturally, PromGirl.com and DivaVillage.com share the same common goal during prom season: to make every teen look and feel fabulous for her big night. In partnership with DivaVillage.com for the "Dress-A-Day" Giveaway, PromGirl.com will be helping to make dreams come true for teenagers (and parents) everywhere by offering free dresses to those that win in the daily sweepstakes.
"We love to make people look and feel fabulous every day. Prom is a wonderful occasion in which teens can really let their hair loose and awaken their inner diva! We want to assist gals in each step of the way to make that special night possible." - Anita Dhaliwal, Founder of DivaVillage.com.
Check out all the amazing Promgirl.com dresses that will be given away on DivaVillage.com throughout the month of April by visiting their Sweepstakes Calendar (http://www.divavillage.com/sweepstakes.php).
ABOUT DIVAVILLAGE.COM DivaVillage is an online fashion magazine that features the latest news on lifestyle tips, fashion trends, celebrity style, and beauty. DivaVillage.com offers women of all ages a chance to become inspired, empowered, and to discover both their inner and outer beauty. The site features blogs, discussion forums, articles, and a marketplace to shop for the latest products. Women can explore hundreds of topics on lifestyle, fitness, health, and beauty all in one place.
Online fashion and lifestyle resource DivaVillage.com is pleased to announce a "Dress-A-Day" Giveaway beginning April 1, 2008. Each day for the entire month of April, teens will get the chance to win stylish designer dresses from DivaVillage.com to make this year's prom a night to remember.
DivaVillage.com is known for giving readers the scoop on all the latest fashion, beauty, hair, and lifestyle articles. The popular site makes the phrase "fashion at your fingertips" a reality, with links to shopping, giveaways, and daily sweepstakes (Enter to win today's item here: http://www.divavillage.com/sweepstakes.php). For this season's "Dress-A-Day" giveaway, DivaVillage.com has teamed up with the popular prom superstore, Promgirl.com, to offer ladies a chance to win the latest in designer and celebrity-inspired dresses. The stylish cocktail dresses and long eveningwear pieces featured in the giveaway range in price, with some reaching as high as $318 (See some of the featured dresses: http://www.divavillage.com/article.php?id=37255).
In addition to giving away thousands of dollars worth of dresses during the "Dress-A-Day" Giveaway, DivaVillage.com is also offering prom-goers a "how-to" Prom Guide for their special night, complete with dozens of tips for prom night makeup, prom hairstyles, prom dresses, red carpet tips, and more (Visit the Prom Guide: http://www.divavillage.com/article.php?id=37256).
Prom resource and superstore PromGirl.com is known for outfitting teens in the most fashion-forward prom designs. Naturally, PromGirl.com and DivaVillage.com share the same common goal during prom season: to make every teen look and feel fabulous for her big night. In partnership with DivaVillage.com for the "Dress-A-Day" Giveaway, PromGirl.com will be helping to make dreams come true for teenagers (and parents) everywhere by offering free dresses to those that win in the daily sweepstakes.
"We love to make people look and feel fabulous every day. Prom is a wonderful occasion in which teens can really let their hair loose and awaken their inner diva! We want to assist gals in each step of the way to make that special night possible." - Anita Dhaliwal, Founder of DivaVillage.com.
Check out all the amazing Promgirl.com dresses that will be given away on DivaVillage.com throughout the month of April by visiting their Sweepstakes Calendar (http://www.divavillage.com/sweepstakes.php).
ABOUT DIVAVILLAGE.COM DivaVillage is an online fashion magazine that features the latest news on lifestyle tips, fashion trends, celebrity style, and beauty. DivaVillage.com offers women of all ages a chance to become inspired, empowered, and to discover both their inner and outer beauty. The site features blogs, discussion forums, articles, and a marketplace to shop for the latest products. Women can explore hundreds of topics on lifestyle, fitness, health, and beauty all in one place.
Quote Of The Week
"A man may fall many times but he won't be a failure until he says someone pushed him."
- Elmer G. Letterman -
Saturday, April 12
We Have Soapcicles!
The Confetti Cupcake Soapsicle is a birthday party on a stick! Its bright pink color, rainbow sprinkles, and polka dot ribbon makes it a perfect soapy treat. Plus the strawberry fragrance makes this one truly irresistible! With a cute bow to match!Soapsicles are 2.5 ounces (the same size as a real popsicle!)of lathery glycerin soap, with a real wood handle - which comes in handy for slippery hands!Ingredients Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Castor Oil, Safflower Oil, Glycerin, Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide (saponifying agent), Sorbital (moisturizer), Sorbitan oleate (emulsifier), Soy bean protein, fragrance oil, mica or oxide pigment.
Our Price: $8.00
Our Price: $8.00
Great Gift For Mother's Day!
These Bears are in Baby Powder Scent.This would make a great Baby Shower gift or Just a wonderful gift for the new mother to freshen the Baby Nursery Up!You choice in Pink or Blue Accented Bears.Waxed dipped stuffed animals are all the rage now! They are dipped into scented, colored soy wax and the fur is brushed out and they are posed into position. The wax hardens making this a unique home decor item. They do not have wicks and are not intended to be lit. They are to be used as an air freshener. If your waxed dipped character starts to lose its scent, all you have to do is lightly blow dry it to revive the scent! Please don't put the animal directly on your furniture, as the wax will cause damage. It is best to put a plastic, glass, ceramic or metal plate under your new "pet". Can dip these teddy bears with any scent. Perfect gift for the hard to buy person in your life! Finished Product weight is 17.6 oz for the 6 inch.Finished Product weight is 22.4 oz for 7.5 inch bear.
$20.99 For The 6 Inch And Add $5 For The 7.5 Inch Bear.
~~Country Girl Delights~~
$20.99 For The 6 Inch And Add $5 For The 7.5 Inch Bear.
~~Country Girl Delights~~
http://www.countrygirldelights.com/store/affiliate.asp?aff=101
Scavenger Hunt
| We are currently accepting Donations and Sponsors For the LTTM Scavenger Hunt. If you would like to donate, Please Email LTTMManagement@ CUT OFF DATE is on May 4th. I have to announce the prizes to our participants by the 5th at least, so this will give me a few days to get the packages together. SPONSORS: You may sponsor the Hunt, by adding our Link from our LINK US page, and promoting us! Also, To actually benefit from our hunt, you will need to Mail your Business Cards, or Flyers, to Mis upon Sponsorship approval. They will be put in the Prizes given out for the Scavenger Hunt. DONATIONS: If you donate any item, or service for our Gift Packages, you will get a FREE Ad space on LTTM TOPSITES ( Coming soon ) page for one year and a Spot on our " Worth Your Time" Link Roll on the LTTM Blog. Also, For any TANGIBLE Donations, You will Receive the previous listed, and a 1 Year Ad on www.APlaceNextDoor. THE HUNT The "Hunt" will take place on May 10th and 11th . Winners will be announced as they come in. You will receive a list of HINTS for certain things to find on the World Wide Web. When you have completed your list of Links to the items, it will be reviewed, and placed if it is correct, or given back with the incorrect ones marked. We will play Saturday and Sunday Only. Contest Ends at 8:00 PM CST Saturday, May 11th. You must be a member of LTTM to participate. There will be a database you must fill out before you can start Searching. Please post to group, or contact one of your moderators if you are having trouble signing up, or have questions. Oh, and EVERYONE will get Something .... Prize List will be announced when all donations and sponsorships are received.
Be Unique... Be You, Mis | ||
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This Day In History -- April 12th
| 1861 : The Civil War begins The bloodiest four years in American history begin when Confederate Shore batteries under General P.G.T. Beauregard open fire on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina's Charleston Bay. During the Next 34 hours, 50 Confederate guns and mortars launched more than 4,000 rounds at the poorly supplied fort. On April 13, U.S. Major Robert Anderson surrendered the fort. Two days later, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteer Soldiers to quell the Southern "insurrection." As early as 1858, the ongoing conflict between North and South over The issue of slavery had led Southern leadership to discuss a unified Separation from the United States. By 1860, the majority of the slave States were publicly threatening secession if the Republicans, the Anti-slavery party, won the presidency. Following Republican Abraham Lincoln's victory over the divided Democratic Party in November 1860, South Carolina immediately initiated secession proceedings. On December 20, the South Carolina legislature passed the "Ordinance of Secession," which declared that "the Union now subsisting between South Carolina and other states, under the name of the United States Of America, is hereby dissolved." After the declaration, South Carolina set about seizing forts, arsenals, and other strategic Locations within the state. Within six weeks, five more Southern States--Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana--had Followed South Carolina's lead. In February 1861, delegates from those states convened to establish a Unified government. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was subsequently Elected the first president of the Confederate States of America. When Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861, a total of seven States (Texas had joined the pack) had seceded from the Union, and Federal troops held only Fort Sumter in South Carolina, Fort Pickens Off the Florida coast, and a handful of minor outposts in the South. Four years after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, the Confederacy was defeated at the total cost of 620,000 Union and Confederate soldiers dead.
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Friday, April 11
3 New Contests!
I've added THREE new contests at Mommy Loves Freebies!
You could win the following:
* Enter and Win an Angel's Purse
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com/game-043.php
ENTER DAILY! Open to US and Canada!
* Enter and Win a Set of Personalized Note Cards
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com/game-041.php
ENTER DAILY! Open to US and Canada!
* Enter and Win the Slinglings Baby Sling
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com/game-042.php
ENTER WEEKLY! Open to the US Only.
But don't forget all of the other great prizes being offered on the site! We have 15 active contests running right now... make sure you enter as many as you can and as often as you can!
Visit us today!
http://www.MommyLovesFreebies.com
Best Wishes!
Mommy Loves Freebies
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com
You could win the following:
* Enter and Win an Angel's Purse
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com/game-043.php
ENTER DAILY! Open to US and Canada!
* Enter and Win a Set of Personalized Note Cards
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com/game-041.php
ENTER DAILY! Open to US and Canada!
* Enter and Win the Slinglings Baby Sling
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com/game-042.php
ENTER WEEKLY! Open to the US Only.
But don't forget all of the other great prizes being offered on the site! We have 15 active contests running right now... make sure you enter as many as you can and as often as you can!
Visit us today!
http://www.MommyLovesFreebies.com
Best Wishes!
Mommy Loves Freebies
http://www.mommylovesfreebies.com
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