I am really not one who blogs “professionally”.  I did originally start my blog to go in that direction, but my Graphic Design Business has taken off so much that I just don’t have the time that I used to to devote to writing.  Now I blog more for fun and I also blog when I am researching a topic.  I love gathering info and bringing it all together in a post so that it may be a benefit to my readers as well.  I also only blog about once a week, so I know that my stats and new subscribers will not grow as other bloggers who are blogging more regularly.  But that is totally ok with me.  I would rather my blog be something fun.  I started to dread doing “reviews” and “giveaways” after a while.  I did enjoy the products, but, after a while,  it became too much to keep up with.

Anyway, I definitely did not expect that my visitor numbers would grow so much.  My most visited post is my post on the Tom and Jerry Cartoon.  You have to check it out.  I think it is actually one of my shortest posts.  The whole post has only 214 words.
I just shared how my kids adore the cartoon and recalled how I also enjoyed watching it as a child.

I am always looking for ways to capitalize on my websites and blogs.  A few months ago I added a section at the bottom of my most popular post for Tom & Jerry related products from Amazon.com.    I make a certain percentage from things that people purchase so that is definitely pretty cool.  I also have ads from Google Adsense on my sites and I make a certain amount of money per click (those who click on the ads on my sites).  I usually make about $150 per month from that which really helps with the costs of running my sites and blogs.

But I want to try and do more for this one blog post that is getting so many hits.  I am wondering if you (my readers) have any additional ideas.  I would love to hear from you!  Please comment!  And enjoy the funny blogging for money cartoons I found!

Tweet This Post

It wasn’t until about 6 months ago that I finally got on the ball with utilizing Facebook more.  I had a profile, but I hardly ever posted and never checked the status of any of my followers.  I was focused on other things and I only had a few friends.  But my friends list is growing.  I am up to 469 who range from old high school friends, church friends, family, business connections and so many more.

Facebook has allowed me the opportunity to re-connect with people who I never thought I would find again.  For instance there was one woman who I had lost touch with who had been a big help to me when I was going through a hard time (before marriage & kids).  Her and her husband had taken me in until I could get on my feet again.  I tried to find them online a few years ago, but didn’t have any luck.  And just recently her name popped up in the Facebook sidebar of people who were suggested that I become friends with.  I was floored and it still makes me wonder how that would happen.

And that is not the only blessing, but Facebook also allows me to post pictures, share about my life, post recent projects, and even share prayer requests.  I always get an immediate response.  And I am able to keep in touch with friends and family who are in other states or even countries.

I have to admit that I have been finding myself getting very distracted going back and forth between my online work, Twitter, and Facebook.  But who can resist finding out the latest happenings going on in the people’s lives that you are following?  And how about (my favorite) when people take the time to respond and comment back.  Yeah the whole “Like” thing is great, but there is just something about that more personal connection.

How about you?  Are you a fan of Facebook?  Do you have a hidden love affair going on?  Have you met up with any interesting people from your past?  Tell me!  Tell me!

Tweet This Post

Once I got my own place, I did not have the luxury of having a dishwasher.  I had to wash the dishes by hand and continued to do this for several years.

My husband is actually the official “dish washer” in our house.  He took on that responsibility once we started having children and it has been a HUGE blessing.  We have a nightly routine where he cleans up and does the dishes following dinner.  And the sink is usually filled to the brim from not only dinner dishes, but also breakfast and lunch as well.  He never complains either.  But I am not writing to talk about what a great husband I have….  LOL

In our old apartment, there was a dishwasher, but it was broken so we used it as storage.  We pretty much forgot about it and were pretty content washing the dishes by hand.  But when we moved into our current new home, I was so excited to see that there was a dishwasher that actually worked.

Even before we moved in I imagined how we would probably use it on a daily basis and how it would make life so much easier.   I filled it a few times, but my husband refuses to use it.  He is happy just doing the dishes the good ol’ fashioned way.  I guess this is good because I imagine that we are saving energy by NOT using it and therefore saving on our electric bill.

But there are still days when the dishes are piled so high in the sink with all the sippy cups, cereal bowls, and baby bottles – I wind up taking everything and piling it into the dishwasher because I just can’t stand looking at the mess anymore.  But the other day, when I went to unload the dishwasher, I noticed that everything was all over the place and that things were filled with soapy water.  So, I decided to Google “How to fill a dishwasher”.  LOL  I mean who looks this stuff up?  LOL…   ME OF COURSE!

Here are some DISHWASHER MISTAKES that might be helpful.

1. Dishwasher Detergent – adding extra detergent to the dishwasher will not make the dishes get cleaner.  It will most often leave a soapy film on the dishes.

2. Overfilling – Overfilling the dishwasher can prevent the dishes from getting clean and can also damage the dishes if they wind up bumping into each other.

3. Too Much Food Dishwashers today can handle food that is left on dishes, but it is important to scrape off the big stuff first.  You may not need to pre-rinse the dishes, but scraping them off first will help your dishwasher to run smoothly.

4. Non-Dishwasher Safe Items – Make sure the items you are putting into the dishwasher are dishwasher safe.  Avoid putting wood, copper, cast-iron, delicate glassware, and other non-dishwasher safe items in the dishwasher. Wood can split and crack.  Delicate glassware can break in a dishwasher causing a big mess to clean up.

5. Top Rack vs. Bottom Rack -  Put glasses, bowls, cups, and oversized serving utensils on the top. Plates, pots, pans, and utensils should be on the bottom. Some items can melt, warp, or break if they are put in the wrong places.

6. Blocking the Sprayer -  It is important to know how the sprayer works in your dishwasher. The sprayer should be able to reach every corner of the dishwasher, and clean every dish without any obstruction. If there is a large bowl or pan that blocks the path of the sprayer, then the rest of the dishes will may not be cleaned properly. Double-check that your sprayer has full range of motion and isn’t being blocked.

7. Nesting Utensils -  Forks are notorious for holding onto residue in the dishwasher. Spoons that nest together can also remain encrusted with food.  You should try to alternate the utensils so they point both up and down to prevent nesting. Knives should always point downward for safety.

8. Partially Filled – Even though you may think it is better to just partially fill a dishwasher, this is actually a waste of resources.  This can also cause dishes to bang and bump into eachother increasing the risk of being broken.

9. Dishwasher Maintenance – Cleaning your dishwasher is essential in keeping it running properly.  To clean the inside, you can run it empty with a cup of baking soda and 1 1/2 cups of vinegar. This not only cleans the inside of the dishwasher, but also freshens it as well.

10. Unloading – Unload the bottom rack  first.  The top rack often has cups that can have dirty water in them and you don’t want them to accidentally spill over the clean dishes on the bottom.

____________________________________________________________

I also came up with several great Youtube videos and I thought I would share this one with you.  I am sure you already know how to fill a dishwasher properly, but for people like me, this was extremely helpful.

How about you?  Do you own a dishwasher?  Do you think it saves energy to wash dishes in a dishwasher or by hand?  Do you have any dishwasher tips that you would like to share?  Please comment below!

But first, enjoy these fun cartoons that I found on the subject.

Tweet This Post

This picture says it all.  Everyone in the family is using some kind of electronic device (all except the baby in the highchair).  In this day and age our lives are so wrapped up with being “plugged in” that I think we lose focus on what is really important.  How can you get to know your kids if your eyes are glued to the computer?  How can your kids get to know you and their siblings if they are focused on watching tv, playing their Nintendo DS or listening to their iPod?

Lack of communication is a huge problem today in the 21st century family.  Both parents work.  Kids are involved in lots of different activities like sports, dance classes, swimming, karate… Our lives are wrapped up in the internet through email, social sites, and work.

So, when do we have the time to sit down and just enjoy eachother’s company?  How important is it to unplug for a few hours and get to know those who are closest to you?  How can we create a balance?

We obviously cannot force our children to stay away from television and video games.  And, as parents, we cannot get rid of the computer in our homes.  Many of us work from home (like me) and the internet is essential.  But you CAN set limits and create a family “plugged in” plan that works for you.

I read somewhere that in one year the average child spends over 1,500 hours watching TV and or playing video games.  That winds up being about 4 hours per day.  And some actually spend more time than that.  Craziness, right?

I do have to admit that I do allow my kids to watch a few hours of TV each day (some in the morning and some at night).   And now that we are in the summer months, it has become a nice diversion so that I can get my client work done while they are quiet.  But I have to watch myself that I don’t get to involved in what I am doing that I just let them sit in front of it for hours on end.  I mean, what ever happened to good ol’ going outside to play?  That is what we did when we were kids right?

Well, I have come up with a list of 5 ways that we can set limits on the use of electronics in our homes.  Some of them may be harder than others, but I think it very important to at least come up with a plan that will work for you.

1.  “Unplugged” Mealtimes – Remember the picture of the family above eating while working on the computer, talking on the phone, and listening to the ipod?  This should be a no no.  Even I have been finding myself having the TV on the background during breakfast and I am going to work on remembering to shut it off so that my children can interact with eachother instead of being focused on the TV.  Dinner is the most important meal where it may not be possible to sit down together every single day.   I know that parents have different work schedules and things like that.  But if you are able to work in a meal or 2 together as a family each week – then definitely do it.

I will never forget growing up and how important it was to my mom and dad that we all sat down each day at the same time to share dinner together.  This created a wonderful family bond between us.  And we used that time to discuss the day’s events.  This taught me the importance of family communication and I want to carry that into my own family.

2.  “Unplugged” Child’s Bedroom – This is one thing my husband and I actually AGREE on.  Now if I can only get him to AGREE not to watch Sci-Fi in front of our small children…ugh.  LOL

In this day and age, children now own their own TV’s, computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.  It is getting easier for a child to isolate themselves while using these things.  As I said before, you cannot stop them from using them, but how about stopping them from WHERE they use them.  For instance, keep the television and computer in an open area such as a living room or family room.  This will not only help you to monitor how much time they are spending, but also WHAT they are watching.  As we all know, it is way too easy to flip the channel to something that is questionable.  This is a huge open door for the enemy to sneak garbage into the minds of our children.  And if we can help protect them just a little bit now – then I think that is huge.  Allowing a child to have access to their own TV and computer can be very dangerous.  And we may not realize it until its too late.

3.  “Unplugged” in the Car – With all the things that we are involved in, taking our children in the car a few times each day is inevitable.   My children are not yet at that age where they have phones or iPods, but as I think more about these things – I feel like I would want to set limits with the use of electronics in the car.  First of all, why does a child need to live with earphones on every waking moment?  Can you say “isolation”?  Why not listen to music together in the car?  And how about the DVD players that are now equipped in many of the newer vehicles?  I had to put my foot down with that a long time ago.  My rule is that we only watch when we are going on a long ride or if mommy has to go food shopping and daddy and the kids have to wait in the car.  Otherwise, it stays off and my kids know now not to ask.

And this goes for parents too!  I don’t yet have a cellphone that is connected to the internet.  Yes, I am still in the dark ages.  LOL  I think if I had one, it would be WAY too tempting to be on it every waking moment.  But if your kids see YOU being distracted by your phone, texting, tweeting, checking email – then what kind of example is that?

4.  “Unplugged” Outings -  This is huge for our family.  Because I work from home, I absolutely HAVE to get away from my computer and the internet.  As a family we usually take weekends off.  I try NOT to work on Saturdays and Sundays.  I do check email here and there or shoot out a tweet or 2, but that is pretty much it.  Sometimes we plan out family outings and we go to different parks or we just all get in the car and drive to wherever the car leads us.  And electronics are banned.  This is a great way to refresh your mind and take the focus away from work, tv, and other distractions.  My kids look forward to these times and it really promotes family togetherness.

5.  “Unplugged” DAY – Why not take a whole day each month and stay completely unplugged.  Teach your kids that you can still have fun without watching tv, playing video games, and surfing the net.  They need to learn how to entertain themselves without all the outward stimulation of the electronic world.

Writing this post has actually helped me to put things in perspective.  We will not always be perfect of course.  Balance is never an easy task no matter area of life.  But I cannot stress enough the importance of setting limits while your children are still young.  We live in a world where being “plugged in” is the norm, but why not use that to set a standard for your family that will promote communication instead of tear it apart.

How about you?  Are you a Plugged In Parent?  Do you struggle with keeping balance in the midst of this electronic age?  What do you do to set limits in your home?  I would love to hear from you!

Tweet This Post

Well, yesterday around lunchtime my doorbell rang.  The funny thing is that I was still in my pajamas and had no make-up on.  I had a baby on one hip and my other 3 children following behind me.  It must have been pretty chaotic for the person who was outside going through a whole shpeal about how they were opening up a carpet cleaning business in my area.  They apparently had a business about an hour away and were looking to expand so they were going door to door offering a free carpet cleaning.

I was hesitant at first and asked several times what the catch was.  The woman assured me that there was no catch and that they just asked for me to share my experience with friends and family.  It seemed fair enough and being a small business owner myself I even mentioned what a great strategy this was to get new clients.  The woman left and said the carpet cleaning crew would come by in a few minutes.

I ran around the living room straightening things up and moving the smaller pieces of furniture vactually getting a little excited that the carpet would be cleaned.  The woman even mentioned that they could clean the upholstery in my furniture as well.  I declined and said that I would prefer just the carpet to be done, after all I was busy as can be trying to give lunch ready for my 4 kids.

About 30 minutes went by and an unmarked minivan pulled up in my driveway.  I thought it was very odd because I was expecting at least a van with the carpet cleaning business info on the side or something like that.  Then I saw the woman who had offered me the cleaning – she was driving and 2 men came out of the van and they were definitely not dressed as if they would be doing any cleaning.  I was immediately concerned and made up my mind NOT to let them in even before they got to my door, after all, my husband was not home.  It was just me and the kids.

When I opened the door to let them know that I had changed my mind, I saw that one of the men was carrying a box with”Kirby” marked on it.  All of a sudden I was flooded with memories of an experience I had with a Kirby representative a few years ago.  They had promised the same thing – a free carpet cleaning.  But that was definitely NOT what they had come for.  I was totally suckered into letting them into my home.  And they did this whole presentation about the Kirby vacuum being the best in the world.  It had an engine built from the same material as a jet engine.  They scared the heck out of me by telling me that my home was infested with dust mites.  They even had this whole write up with close up pictures of dust mites.   It was like they were SCARING me into buying this vacuum.

They went around vacuuming different surfaces in my home with these dust catcher things where you could actually see the dust.  The guy must’ve laid 25 different dust filled pads all around and he didn’t even clean them up before he left.

The Kirby salesman was SUPER nice to me when he first came in, but once I said “No” to buying the vacuum – he made me feel like a piece of crap.  It was horrible.  I even cried after he left because I felt terrible that I could not afford a $1500 vacuum.

From then on, I was TOTALLY turned off to their company.  I really felt betrayed that they were not up front with what their intentions were.  The woman that came to my door saw that I was frazzled dealing with my children and she still set the whole carpet cleaning thing up knowing that this was going to be a presentation to sell me a vacuum.  Not cool!

Have you ever been suckered into this whole thing by Kirby?  Did you sit through their 2 hour presentation?  Did they make you feel bad when you declined their vacuum offer?  I am sure their product is great, but I am not talking about the quality of the vacuum itself.  I am talking about their deceptive sales approach.  I just feel like it is totally inappropriate to sucker someone into coming into their home and offering a free carpet cleaning just to sell your product.  Maybe it worked back in the day, but in this day and age – I think they should find some other way to sell to people and get new clients.  What do you think?

I want to close by saying that this was not a review of the actual Kirby vacuum.  From the presentation, I did see that the vacuum really was amazing and would’ve loved to buy it if I could.  It sucked up dust 100 times better than my Eureka.  I don’t want to talk negatively about the company or the product itself.  I am just sharing my own personal experience and opinion of their sales approach.

Tweet This Post