Blast Off! A Book For Achievers
Date: Jan 21, 2010 Category: Writing Nook
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Allison Maslan, author of “Blast Off!”. All opinions are 100% mine.
I have had tragedy in my life but I do not focus on the negative. I have had the chance to enjoy tremendous success in a competitive industry. I am no longer involved with my old business, but I will always be self-employed. I am reaching success as a freelance writer. Every day brings a new challenge and I get close to my ultimate goal.
To me, success brings a lot of pride. I struggle, work hard but eventually come to a comfortable place. My career choices benefit my family. Their happiness is what I seek every day. Why am I telling you this? Because you should be successful as well.
I was reading about Allison Maslan’s book Blast Off! Allison Maslan is a life coach. She helps people become who they always wanted to be. Blast Off! will launch January 19th, 2010 on Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble websites. You will be able to find this self-help book in other major bookstores as well. The price of the book is only $24.00, and even less on Amazon.com. The advice you get out of Blast Off! is priceless.
I was reading about Allison Maslan and the new book available on Amazon. I am very interested in picking up a copy. I’d like to think that I am a motivated goal getter. I can benefit from Blast Off! because I have everything invested in being a successful entrepreneur.
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Catching Up On Sleep
Date: Jan 21, 2010 Category: General
I miss sleeping. I function better after 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I blame Conan O’Brien, because I’ve been staying up late to watch the NBC debacle. We have a DVR, but I’d hate to wake up in the morning and feel out of loop. Catching zings as they happen is far more entertaining. I’m with COCO!
I haven’t been sleeping well for several reasons. I cannot blame Conan for everything. Life is good but always busy. Taxes are right around the corner. I have a few more deductions to go through and all my 1099s to collect. Freelancing and self-employment cracks me up around tax time. My poor accountant has to sift through several 1099s and schedules. I should have at least 7 different forms to file. So glad my accountant does not charge per form!
Freelancers freak out around tax time. Remember to breathe and go through your write-offs meticulously. You have the right to a lot of deductions, including the use of your home for business purposes.
My husband went back to work. He’s responded well to physical therapy. Standing all day causes some swelling and pain, but it is slowly getting better. I’m looking forward to February. It should be an exciting month for us. Financially we are well on our way and meeting goals. We have a few things happening in our personal life (no babies), so it should be a good month. So much to live and hope for, so much more to achieve together. I’m loving life, even on a bad day.
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Come To Me
Date: Jan 16, 2010 Category: General
I cannot tell you how amazing this month has been. I have accomplished a lot after months and months of hard work. I will be posting updates soon with some amazing news. I am still trying to wrap my thoughts around everything.
I also need to update my progress bar. Unfortunately, I may fall short of my 300-article goal. That is fine for January, but I will make sure to accomplish it in February. I have covered interesting topics and learned a lot in the past few weeks. I love my job. The ability to learn something new every day is what attracts me the most to freelance writing.
January 2010 is my biggest month at Demand Studios. I love writing for DS, especially in the technology/computer categories. I write about what I know and love every minute of it.
I have several projects planned for Associated Content. I’ll leave you with an intimate piece about a very difficult time in my life. This article needed to be written. I am glad my friends encouraged me to publish it. I am proud that my work contributed to the relief efforts in Haiti.
Associated Content: Why I Feel Compassion for the Children of Haiti
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Silly Wiener
Date: Jan 14, 2010 Category: General
Abby, my mother-in-law’s Daschund. She’s an old gal. Abby loves wrapping paper and opening up gifts. Abby was busy opening up her Christmas present, which contained animal crackers.
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Heineken Breathalyzer iPhone App
Date: Jan 12, 2010 Category: Writing Nook
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Heineken. All opinions are 100% mine.
I love an ice cold Heineken. I was born in Europe, which explains why I’m so fond of the beer. I am a mom, so drinking and driving is out of the question for me. I’ve been around drunk drivers many times in my younger years. It is not a safe activity and it is just borderline stupid. People have a lot to lose. Driving drunk just makes it easier for people to lose jobs, loved ones and even their lives.
Technology makes our lives safer every day. I’m glad to see companies taking initiative in protecting consumers. Heineken does produce and sell beer, but they like their customers and do not want to see someone get hurt. The Heineken Know The Signs website is a good read. Use it to learn about impairment signs and protect your friends.
Besides the website, Heineken has an innovative way to tell people if they have had too much to drink. Smart phones have come a long way, with the iPhone being the most popular. There is an application for everything, including a breathalyzer. Heineken has developer a real-time alcohol test. It basically turns your iPhone into a working breathalyzer. The app is completely free. Download the Heineken Breathalyzer iPhone app and give it a try. Protect yourself and friends around you. Do not drive drunk!
My husband and I love out son dearly. We would never do something to hurt him or ourselves. My husband has CDL license, which is another reason why we drink responsibly. An incident with drunk driving would lead to him losing his job. It is just not worth it. When we do go out, one person drinks and the sober one drives. We alternate, keep it fair and most of the time I choose not to drink. I like feeling good in the morning and spending time with my son. I’ll blame that on my old age as well. Drinking Heinekens all night long at my age is not that easy. Old age is tough to accept and there is no app for that!
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Let’s Try This Again
Date: Jan 6, 2010 Category: General
The New Year is slowly improving for us. My husband’s health is better and he’s started physical therapy sessions. Hopefully he will be on light duty in a month. His employer wants him back, even if it’s just to stand around and do nothing. I know he’s bored to death and would love to go do something, just to get out of the house. We have several follow up appointments scheduled with his specialist, to keep an eye on ligament damage in his leg and also see the progress he’s made during recovery. So far so good.
My work is going well. It is actually excellent. I’m sticking to my 2010 goals and working hard to publish 300 new articles every month. I’ve installed a Progress Bar plugin (on the right sidebar) to keep track. I have to manually change the current articles value, so you may not see it in real-time. Actually, I promise you won’t see real-time progress tracking because I’m keeping my behind busy.
I’m also trying to be optimistic. I know things will be better and everything always has a way of working out for the best. I just have to stay focused and do what needs to be done. So 300 new articles… here I come!
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Personalized Blackberry & Apple Cases
Date: Jan 5, 2010 Category: Writing Nook
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Pexagon Technology. All opinions are 100% mine.
I remember my first BlackBerry. I was a proud CrackBerry owner years ago, when it was only available in black and white screens and no camera capabilities. It seems like ages ago now, but I needed a smartphone really bad for business purposes. My BlackBerry was bulky and often came with terrible signal. It cost a pretty penny as well. My biggest problem with it was that it was just so boring, with no personalization or fancy applications that would make it a customized gadget. Reminiscing about my first BlackBerry makes me want to go buy a newer version.
BlackBerries have come a long way. They are sleek, shiny and so much prettier now. Smartphones are so personal now, with personalized Apple & BlackBerry cases available. I also like the new plastic or sillicone casing. My BlackBerry was never protected and it scratched easily, but that was before such things ever existed. I did have an option of a leather case, but I’d have to pull my BlackBerry out of the leather package before being able to use it. Yes, it was that many moons ago!
Personalized BlackBerries can even be engraved with text and logos. This would be a great idea for business owners, to fully customize their CrackBerries with their business identity. If I still had my business, I’d get the logo engraved as well as an inspirational quote. The quote would remind me to keep on conquering the world. The personalized engraving service can also make a perfect gift for a loved one. Apple’s iPhone 3G/3Gs and iPod touch 2nd Generation casings can also be personalized. IPhones are especially popular, if you do not have a Blackberry you most likely have an iPhone. So there is something for every smartphone gadget lover!
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Goodbye 2009!
Date: Jan 1, 2010 Category: General
What a crappy year. It started getting better for a while (2008 was a total disaster) but now it’s back to the same old. My husband’s severe ankle sprain will cause him to be off work for at least two months. He’s looking at aggressive physical therapy, three times a week, with the hopes that gets him walking in three weeks. His work may or may not give him paid short term disability. While at least his job is safe, he may not receive anything financially. Even if that is the case, it would be better than losing all of our health insurance benefits. So many ifs and not knowing, for at least another week until the HR department hashes it all out.
I should be more optimistic, but right now I just wish we had a better start on 2010. Everything was going so well. We had so much to look forward. I’m slightly disappointed but more worried about my husband’s long-term health. His ankle may never be the same, considering the severe damage done to ligaments and nerves.
2010 New Year Resolutions
I have the usual resolutions for 2010 – health and happiness of my family. They are my main priority and taking care of them is what matters most.
Having a little more optimism. Less complaining and more taking care of business. Financially things may be rough the first few months but we will get through it. So to help, I plan on working as much as possible every single day.
I have made a goal of writing 300 new articles every single month. I’ll concentrate on Associated Content, Bukisa and Demand Studios for now. Other projects I can consider as they come along. I’m in a good place where I can say no anytime I want, but I’ll never let a good opportunity pass me by.
Three hundred new articles every single month may sound outrageous but it is completely doable. Just a lot of focus and time management.
So 2010, feel free to bring it. I’m ready for whatever you have to throw our way.
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Life Happens
Date: Dec 22, 2009 Category: General
The past few days have been insane. I woke up this morning feeling as if a fleet of buses ran over me. With my husband’s sprain ankle to deal with, I’ve had to pick up all household and parenting duties. He can do a few things off the couch, like change the TV channels. Other than that, he’s constantly miserable and in pain. At his doctor’s appointment today, more fractures (or chips) were found. The emergency room scan found only one, but the techs never bothered to scan his entire foot. They only scanned the ankle part, and he has at least two additional fractures below what we thought was the only one. So now he has to have an MRI done this week before any definite prognosis can be made. It does not help that it’s right around Christmas and every doctor’s office is short on staff.
He’s obviously unable to work and has no sick or paid vacation days. So now we are stuck with one income for several weeks or at least until his vacation kicks in. At least we are the type of people who manage money carefully and save up. We’ll be okay and I’m not hitting the panic button just yet. Maybe I have my finger on it but I’m not ready to scream. Life happens at the strangest moments and when you least want something terrible to occur. The timing could not be worse. I feel bad for him but I still feel like kicking him for being a dumbass. And I certainly do not need more work. I have 10 articles, 6 blog posts and a website to finish up. All in a matter of days, and I also have to research light oak furniture. So no play time or days off for me, there are bills to be paid.
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Experience Christmas In Branson
Date: Dec 20, 2009 Category: Writing Nook
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.
I am looking out the window again and only seeing plowed mounds of snow. The East Coast is still under a weather advisory and we have been told that more snow is on the way. I will need to dig a tunnel tomorrow morning just to find my car and perhaps I’ll cry when I see it looking like a tray of frozen lasagna. Traveling has never looked better, especially around the holiday season where there is nothing but more snow coming our way. Maybe changing scenery would help, even if we end up in another snowy location. At least we would be on vacation and no snow shoveling would be required.
The Hiltons of Branson are offering good travel packages for families, including It’s a Wonderful Life package at $329/night. Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing is close to shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment centers. Right now is not the weather for golf, but you and your sweetheart can always get away to a relaxing spa appointment. The kids can have a special treat of hanging out with Mrs. Claus and even the man himself – Santa Claus.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be spending time with the little ones until December 23rd. There is even a story time in the hotel lobby. A special deal, Santa’s Coming to Town Package ($189/night), is available for anyone who wishes to have milk and cookies delivered to their hotel room by Santa.
Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the other Hilton hotel are both participating in these special holiday packages. Both hotels are family-friendly and come with every amenity a family needs, including pack-and-plays. If you are up for traveling and meeting Santa, be sure to check out Hiltons of Branson in Branson, Missouri.
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