Decorating The Home Office

Is your home office in the basement? Do you have a throw rug covering the floor? I have devoted November's topics to writing about creating a good home office. One thing that most people overlook is the flooring, especially if they are in a basement office.

The floor will either be concrete, or chipped old tile. This increases the dust and mold problems, resulting in breathing problems and stress for the writer. We recently covered our basement floor, garage floor, and even the outside walk, with a new speckled type of 'marbling paint.'

We treated the floors with a garage floor epoxy that is easy to clean. Our floor is older and cracked. We treated it a bit before we could cover it with the epoxy. Some floors should just be covered with tile.

This epoxy can be used on garage floors as well. We tried it, mainly because we do not park cars in our garage, and wanted the space to look nice.

Note: This is my post, but www.carguygarage.com generously chose to sponsor it.

Hunting Season - Fall - Two Weeks of Freedom

I've noticed that I've only blogged about work for a long time. I usually start blogging about Christmas by now. Most of my friends are offline because of the USA Thanksgiving holiday. I usually know when hunting season comes around because my inbox is full of ads for dear hunting, or outdoor and tactical equipment, camo clothing, and guns, bows, and firearm equipment. Everything from sniper rifles to Galco holsters.

I don't mind the hunt. Even with a hunt, too many people are killed by deer on the road each year. Although, I love watching deer in the fields. It is a lovey time of the year, red leaves, warm fires, and the house (and television) all to myself because the men head outside for two weeks.



This post generously sponsored by www.511tacticaloutdoors.com

Home Office Decor

I've been talking a lot about creating the perfect work at home office. I've been looking at a lot of different sites. When I had the office, there was a fountain in the corner. When I moved to my first home based office, I bought a small wall fountain.

There is no special plumbing or electrical hookups needed. Wall fountains are perfect for any indoor environment, in an office, patio, foyer, living room, deck, garden, or sun room. Simply hang them on the wall like a picture, add water, plug in, and enjoy the softness and sound. They are will humidify a dry room! An online site like Garden-Fountains.com has a large selection to choose from.

I am going to ask for one of their Wall Fountains for Christmas to go with my new office.

I thank www.garden-fountains.com for choosing this post to sponsor.

The Right Way to Start an Online Business

I just finished writing a tutorial on starting an instrument consignment business. Even as I wrote the 1500 words needed, I had to pause and realize that most people who started this business would not succeed. Not because the idea is not a good one, but because most people will try to start a shoe-string business that will never compete.

The Internet is the same as the real world. If you want to succeed in the real world you rent a storefront, you hire staff, and you buy stock. The Internet world is similar. The business needs good Shopping Cart Software with back up and support.

Ecommerce Software is not all created the same. You need the basics:

Professional storefront designs
Powerful shopping cart checkout
Real-time credit card processing
Flexible inventory & shipping options
24/7 FREE customer support
NO transaction fees
Industry-leading reliability & security
Easy Shopping Cart Interface

Most important is that you need a service with integrated merchant account features. It is far to expensive set up a merchant account, and then pay transaction fees.



My ideas. My Views. Sponsored by:

Take AdSense to The Next Level

A blogger recently asked me how I manage my blogs and how I have received such high PR on some of them. I was surprised to learn that people thought I did this all myself. I don't. I use SEO and PayPerClick. I also use submission services. There are several services such as AdGooroo Express that give SEO help.

The important thing is to create a blog, forum, or website that can be promoted. This is the important factor. If the site isn't well constructed, and there is nothing to keep people on the site.

The important thing to remember is that SEO is far more than content and code. It takes more to drive traffic to a blog or website - and traffic is the 'holy grail.'







I want to thank AdGooroo Express for sponsoring this blog post

Best New Blogger Tool

Every once in a while a sponsor comes along who created something that will really help bloggers - Free blogger cards. One of the hardest aspects of promoting a blog is the fact that you cannot make the transition from Internet to the Real world. A blogger can make a full time living from their blog but when they step onto the real world, no one understands their achievement.

I want to order 100 business cards. The yellow ones from line #1. Ooprint.com offers 100 blogger cards. You only pay for shipping. I will post an image when the cards arrive.




This is my post, and my thoughts. I appreciate ooprint for sponsoring this post.

Scotland

One of the places I want to visit, both as a tourist and as a writer, is Scotland. I've written books about Scotland, but never been there. It does seem a little weird, but the Internet has given me a taste for the culture. I do not think I want to live there, but I could. My job would make it easy to move anywhere in the world I want.

I would not need to pursue the Edinburgh jobs listings. All I need is a computer and Internet access, and I can work anywhere in the world I want. My hubby would need to hunt for jobs in Edinburgh, poor guy. But, in some way, it would be interesting working in another country. Having jobs in Edinburgh would help us experience more of the culture.

It will be at least a year before we make our voyage to the UK, but that time will pass quickly. We'll need to do a lot of planning, especially if we want to stay for a few months.

Save Money

We all love to save money. There are some real ways to save, and some not so good ways. One way to save $10 - $20 on every grocery bill is using coupons. Unfortunatly, we rarely have access to 1/100th of the coupons available. That makes it difficult to use them wisely.

There are several coupon companies, KeepCash is one online company that offers coupons. We use coupons for Apple Store, for our music loving teen son.

This company offers great deals for electronic and clothing shopping. There are some food company coupons, but they are for specific stores. But Dell will give you almost $500 off a C computer, Payless is offering $10 of a $30 purchase, cannon is offering a $500 lazer printer for $150, and the list continues. There are more deals, on more products, than you'll find on the first trip through the store.

There is an investment saying that to save a penny is the same as earning a penny. This is so true. Many people have amassed a nice fortune just by saving a few pennies here and there.

Capella University - New Coaching Method

WEB RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY FACULY MEMBER CO-AUTHORS NEW BOOK ON APPRECIATIVE COACHING
Sara Orem, faculty member in the online university’s School of Business and Technology, co-authors book titled ‘Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change’

Sara Orem, PhD, an adjunct faculty member at Capella University (capella.edu), an accredited, fully online university, has co-authored a new book titled Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change. Recent developments in psychology and organizational development suggest that people and organizations flourish when they focus on human ideals, achievements, and best practices.

“Rather than focusing on individuals in limited or problem-oriented ways, Appreciative Coaching guides the reader through four stages – Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny – that inspire them to an appreciative and empowering view of themselves and their future,” Orem says. “What we have presented is really a new application of appreciative inquiry.”

Orem adds that the book is written for individual coaches of managers, executives, and “those who do one-on-one work with people who can influence and create change in their organizations.”

In addition to serving as a faculty member and coach in Capella University’s School of Business and Technology, Orem is the principal of her own coaching firm.

Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), ncahlc.org.
Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), capella.edu.
Media Contact:
Irene Silber
Capella University
612-977-4132
irene.silber@capella.edu

Vacation in Florida

I would like to take my kids to Disney land one day. Maybe I'll pay for the whole family to go, grandchildren included. If I do, I will rent a home in Orlando as a home base, maybe for two weeks. That way, I could lounge in the sun, enjoying the cool breeze, and warm sun. The 'kids' could head off to Disney land.

Have you ever travelled? I hate the fact that we are always dirty and tired. Even a hotel doesn't offer the amenities needed to be truely comfortable - like a washing machine, or a microwave. A vacation home Orlando Florida can offer all of that, for less than the cost of staying in a hotel - and I can put my favorite foods in the fridge.

Home Decorating

I've often mentioned that I write for several home decorating website. I love it when I come across something different, unique, that I can pass on to my readers. This one is great, Mailboxes. This site has over 1500 types of mailboxes. I made a mailbox once, just because I wanted something different.

My parents loved it so much that they wanted it. Instead of making another, I went hunting for a mailbox that was truly different - and wasn't silly, like a pig mad3 out of tubes. I think I am going to pick the Dahlhaus 1528A Column Mailbox that looks like a Victorian antique.

Planning a Vacation

Vacationing has come a long way from the days when you were expected to plan a $5000 vacation based on glossy pictures in a brochure. Today people can arrange a vacation that will suit their needs from online vacation planning companies.

Most of these vacation planning companies offer the same date and departure features used by national airlines. They also have an 'in' with the cruise companies, offering lower priced vacations. The main reason they can do this is because their broker fees are lower. They do not hire hundreds of agents who want 'their cut.'

However, not all sites are created equal. Most sites are just affiliate companies. Instead, you want to trust companies who work full time in the vacation industry.

Investing in Gold

I've discussed this sponsor several times in my blogs. I have rejected some posts from some sponsors, but I am behind this one. Gold really is a recession proof investment.

In the great depression countless millionaires stood on the street corners in New York trading priceless treasures for a few dollars. There is even one story that mentions a man who had three priceless antique Swiss mantel clocks. Each one worth more than $10 000 at the time. He said, 'what good is the clock if I starve.' So he traded each one for a 'good' meal.

If he had gold, at home (not in a bank) he would have been able to trade gold for food. That is because, even in a recession as bleak as the Great Depression, gold can be traded because it retains its wealth. Any local jeweler will take gold or silver.

Buying gold has been recognized for centuries as the best ways to preserve wealth and purchasing power. Gold bullion is a unique investment. From the time of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans man has valued gold bullion. Today, the beauty of a gold bar lies in its ability to diversify investments, protect wealth and preserve one’s purchasing power.

Monex Precious Metals is the largest hard asset company serving the precious metals investment needs in America.

How to Succeed - Book Review

Sara Orem, PhD, an adjunct faculty member at Capella University, an accredited, fully online university, recently co-authored a book - Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change.

It is a great read for anyone who is considering an mba to improve their freelance writing skills, mainly because it helps you understand how you create and think.

Recent developments in psychology suggest that people flourish when they focus on human ideals, achievements, and best practices. Appreciative Coaching, uses positive questions, mindfulness, and other tools to bring out the strengths of individuals and effect change.

“Rather than focusing on individuals in limited or problem-oriented ways, Appreciative Coaching guides the reader through four stages – Discovery, Dream, Design and Destiny – that inspire them to an appreciative and empowering view of themselves and their future,” Orem says. “What we have presented is really a new application of appreciative inquiry.”

Orem adds that the book is written for individual coaches of managers, executives, and “those who do one-on-one work with people who can influence and create change in their organizations.”

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Universal Studio

Orlandofuntickets.com is the best place to find discount tickets for Disney World and Orlando theme parks, dinner shows and attractions. They guarantee the lowest prices.

“Disney Magic Your Way” is a new package that lets people buy an affordable Disney holiday. Walt Disney World includes four theme parks, two water parks and including Disneyquest, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks.

Two other attractions are Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure plus several dinner shows including Arabian Nights, Medieval Times, and Pirates Dinner Adventure discount tickets.

Orlando Studios Tickets offer the wildest ride in the safest environment.

Recession Proof Investing

Monex has been America’s silver and precious metals investment leader for 30 years.

Silver is available in coin or ingot form making it a perfect investment product.

There may never be a better time for buying silver bullion than right now. Theworld demand for silver has exceeded production for 15 years. Stockpiles of silver bullion are shrinking rapidly

Monex Precious Metals is staffed by professionals committed to serving the precious metals market's needs and helping people build a recession proof investment portfolio

Recessions and Depressions devalue art, currency, vehicles - only bullion that can be traded internationally retain its value.

Niche Magazines

We often have people ask us why we release Novel Writer magazine. Most people don't understand that there is a magazine for every niche. In fact, most magazines never hit the newsstand.

Dream homes magazine is the leading resource for million dollar luxury homes. Very few people will be interested in buying a stone castle in the US and Europe or a condo on the beach in Hawaii. The rich use this magazine to locate a luxury home with all the amenities they 'need' via the real estate listings at dream homes magazine.

Magazines are also creating websites . . . dreamhomes.US . . . to help them keep 'up to date' with products and listings.

It doesn't matter what you need, your hobby, passion, or secret - there is a magazine out there to fill your niche.