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Posted November 19th, 2008
by Angel
Until recently, this wasn’t something I considered a problem. I always just responded to comments by editing the comment with my response or by leaving a comment filled with responses to each person individually.
No big deal until I realized how messy it can seem. Worse yet, many of those people never get my response because they don’t check back.
That has left me considering a response-by-email system. However, would that come across too spammy? Not every commenter wants an email response about what they said.
However, I could just go to their blog and leave the comment on one of their posts. A comment that has absolutely nothing about what their post said?! No. Unless I have no choice, I try to avoid leaving comments that have nothing to do with the post it is left on.
That brings me back to leaving responses in the comments or by email. That brings me back to the same old arguments.
I am seeking your opinions. How do you respond to comments that people leave on your blog? I am really curious about which approach you prefer, and why.
Photo Credit: Mzelle Biscotte
Posted in Topic-Specific
Posted November 11th, 2008
by Angel
I don’t normally get business-y, but I have a point to make. Since I wasn’t sure what I wanted to blog about today, and it’s a pretty good point, I figured I’d blog it.
You need to keep track of your niche!
I didn’t say I was a guru, so stop snickering for a moment. I just know. You need to keep track of what’s being said and done if you’re going to follow a niche. It doesn’t matter if you blog or it is your business. If you do not know what is going on, then you’re going to be left in the dark. Believe me, you don’t want to be in the dark on anything if it will impact what you do.
Keeping track of what is going on isn’t nearly as hard as it might seem. Set up a few keyword feeds through Google Blog Search, regular ‘net search, and news. As new websites, posts, and news pop up, you’ll get to see it from the comfort of your feed reader.
The screenshot shown above is of my feed for “mompreneur”. I know I am doing well in that niche when around 1/3 to 1/4 of what shows up was posted by me. It was noticing the gap in this category which lead me to try my hand in this area, and it has helped.
Now, what is your niche?
Posted in Topic-Specific
Posted November 9th, 2008
by Angel
Off and on I’ve mentioned how I could use a vacation, so I figured it was time to compile a short-stack of ideas for why you need a vacation:
- … you can’t remember the last vacation you had because you were still a toddler at the time.
- … the little elves that live under your bed have packed up and moved out because you are too weird.
- … your friends and/or coworkers start to make comments about you sleeping at work and showering in the water cooler.
- … you run a one-man business, and you’re the wo/man running it.
- … people start asking you for tips on how to sleep less and work more.
- … you read this list and don’t find anything to be out of the ordinary.
I couldn’t pass up the chance to write out a few thoughts on the topic, especially after my recent post on Today’s Mompreneur. I seriously hope you don’t think little elves live under your bed. Also, please don’t shower in the water cooler at your job. Just remember that there is nothing wrong with taking a break, especially if that is what you need to regain your sanity.
Would you like to add to this list? Please feel free to comment with your own “You Know You Need A Vacation When” ideas!
Posted in Topic-Specific
Posted November 7th, 2008
by Angel
If you stopped by, you’d think a tornado had hit our living room. It is a disaster area. I need to get out the caution tape and wrap it around the living room area.
It’s that bad.
So the real question is: When do kids start picking up their things? I get after Monkey all the time to pick stuff up, she just won’t. No time out will get them picked up. Picking them up myself creates a meltdown. I have done everything short of tossing them out of the house. Nothing works. I suppose, if she’s anything like me, the answer is never.
Do you have a secret to clean up success? Please tell me I don’t have to pay $99.95 to find out what it is. ☺
Photo Credit: Southernpixel
Posted in Parenthood, Personal Posts, Topic-Specific
Posted October 15th, 2008
by Angel
A few nudges had me considering a Netflix account. It was Amy Derby that pushed me over the edge by dangling the hope of Alf in front of me.
With my two week free trial I have added all 3 seasons of Alf to my queue. Unfortunately, although I signed up for three at a time, I’m only getting one. So I received Alf Season 1, Disk 1 (out of 4) today. I watched it. My need for Alf has only just started to be quenched. Only a total of 11 left to go! 
I think it’ll take me a while…
However, it was wonderful getting to watch those first 7 episodes of Alf. It started in 1986, the year after I was born, so I don’t remember them beyond any reruns I might have seen when I was a little older. The instant I saw the beginning to an episode, it definitely triggered some fond Alf “I remember that…” moments.
Putting Alf on my list has Netflix recommending to me a whole bunch of old 80’s shows that have moved to DVD, some of which I’ve never heard of.
Do you have a your own favorite 80’s series? What is the name of it? Why do you like it? I might end up renting the series, if it’s available, based on your recommendation.
Posted in Personal Posts, Topic-Specific
Posted October 11th, 2008
by Angel
When Monkey started school, I knew I wanted to be involved. My parents were involved in the things I did, and that was cool. I just knew that it was something I wanted to do. Especially since she is my only child and I have the flexibility of working from home, something my mom did not have.
However, I did not expect ‘getting involved’ to include running for a position within the parent involvement meetings. And winning.
It definitely made of an interesting day coming off the fact we’d just found out that Monkey also needs glasses.
I will be representing all the other parents of the school Monkey is in on different policies that they’d like to see implemented. It’ll be fun to get involved. There is even free dinner for all of us, that’s fun too. 
In light of the political season, I find it interesting that I won an office somewhere. Maybe I will become the next PTA mom turned Vice President Hopeful?
Naw…
Posted in Parenthood, Personal Posts, Topic-Specific
Posted September 28th, 2008
by Angel
That unfortunate thing that happens to everyone: stress. How long does it take to work day after day before you finally feel the effects of stress?
There is, “Oh I’m stressed out and need a break.” Then there is total break down where you worked in overdrive for far too long and you go through complete burn out.
Thankfully I’m just the first one. I’ve been feeling the effects of stress and recognize that I could use a break. Unfortunately breaks aren’t so easy to come by. I have work that needs my attention, my websites need my attention, I have things I need to write and most of all; there is just not enough time in my day for all of that plus free time and time with my daughter.
Unfortunately there is no vacation in my future, but I did get to enjoy a slight break yesterday and although the person who had the loud music and louder bass drove me up the wall last night - I am feeling much better.
When I am feeling stressed out I like to sit and watch a good movie. Especially one I hadn’t seen in a while. I did that yesterday, and although I can’t relax today because I have too much to do, hopefully my little break will pull me through until next weekend.
I posted this question at the Mom’s United in Business community, but I’d like to ask it here:
What do you do when you feel like stress has grabbed a hold of you?
Posted in Personal Posts, Topic-Specific, Work, Writing
Posted September 26th, 2008
by Angel
I try to avoid stopping work just to post, but when I came across an article based on the economy of Michigan, I stopped and decided it was time to speak up for myself.
I am not political. If you know me, then you know that I don’t really delve into politics beyond word-of-mouth discussion from the radio or chatter on Twitter. That was until it became apparent to me how bad things really are for the citizens of Michigan.
We can watch the government run to the rescue of large companies that made bad decisions, yet we see nothing for the poor folk who only want to work to make a decent living.
What about us?!
No matter how hard I tried to find a job after I graduated, nothing was available. What was hiring was very low pay and very high when it came to employee turn-over. They were also those jobs that scared me. Those fast food jobs that meant I would have to catch on and work fast, then try not to strangle evil customers when they came through. They weren’t me. I’m terrible at sales and, to be honest, working with the public freaks me out a little.
I did manage to find my own niche in the working world and it’s from home. It’s much easier to get along with me online than in the real world, just take my word for it.
I also found out that I can write for a living, that was a dream come true. So what about the thousands of men and women in this state still in need of some form of employment?
Lack of employment for the every day men and women within this state has it’s own effect on the rest of the world, as Political Affairs Magazine states:
“Literally dozens of schools in Detroit have closed, while program cut backs across the state have seen Michigan children go without art, music, and some foreign language classes as well as other special programs. Teachers in the Grand Rapids Public Schools system are in their second year without a contract, while the system was forced to cut $2 million from its budget last year alone.”*
Unemployment, less taxes coming in, less money to put back into our communities - we’re slowly eating away at ourselves and our future!
If we need taxes and we need jobs to help keep things running around here, then so be it. I pay taxes, my daughter attends public school, and I would like to see things get better for everyone!
It’s time to close tax loopholes and keep our jobs in this country.
Source:
* Political Affairs Magazine - Battleground Michigan: “It’s Time for a Change” - Full Article can be found here
Posted in Personal Posts, Topic-Specific
Posted September 24th, 2008
by Angel
Boy, the instant this one passed through Twitter, I grabbed it up and entered. You have no idea. I am a purse fanatic. I could collect those things like it’s nothing, strange considering I am not that girlie.
I would like to see some other people enter for a chance too. If you’d like a chance to win a purse (as of right now there is 20 days left on the clock), check out handbagplanet.
I must admit, giving away one purse an hour is definitely the way to catch my attention! Well done.
Posted in Personal Posts, Topic-Specific
Posted September 24th, 2008
by Angel
It’s not a migraine but it’s worse than a headache, it’s an eyegraine. The loving pain you have to deal with if you strain your eyes. In my case, I need my eyes rechecked so I can buy new glasses. I also suspect that my prescription has gotten worse. The glasses shown above are the ones I would like to purchase. Although they don’t have a (straight) black option, I am pretty fond of purple. If I can afford it, I might buy 2 pairs. The other would be blue. The black shown is actually supposed to be black outside, blue inside.
I do not enjoy going through the eye exam crud. I hate waiting for new glasses even more. Unfortunately the frames of the pair I am wearing right now has been glued together for almost a year, since Monkey broke them right before Christmas of last year.
I have absolutely no experience in purchasing glasses from the internet. Before now I always paid the arm and leg for a pair of cheapos. This will be the first time I go through it without insurance. Buying online seems to be the best price option, especially considering the basic lens is included in the price of the frame! Then I only have to pay additional costs for extra strong lenses ($9) and anti-reflection coating (just under $5). Putting that all together, I would pay $22 for a pair of glasses, approximately? Not too shabby. Then add whatever they charge for shipping. Going by the other prices, doesn’t seem like it’d be too crazy.
The part that really sucks is that an eye exam costs way too much to get done. I think it’s $60 or $65 at Walmart? In the end it still winds up costing more than I’d like it to. Over $100 at the least. Yeah, cheaper than a local eye doctor. Yeah, more than I can reasonably afford. No, I do not have an option on whether it needs to be done or not.
Posted in Personal Posts, Topic-Specific
