New Year, New Post

As you may have noticed, I have been away from my blog and writing for way too long. I was on a very long hiatus, some of it by choice, some of it not by choice and most of it just by circumstances. Most of it was due to personal things going on in my life and not knowing wether it was appropriate or not to write about it, the other part of it was worrying wether it would be used against me for telling my story and the other part was just life keeping me away with kids, school and working, that pretty much filled up my days, as you can imagine. Then all the personal bits of going through a long divorce, helping my kids through it, repairing and rebuilding my life.

I have decided that with the New Year here, this is my opportunity to jump back into something that is positive, is good for me and something that I enjoy doing. I know that I am supposed to be doing this and have made it a priority because there have been too many times where I happen to have free time and just sitting down and wondering what to do or on the computer thinking I should be writing about that particular topic. I didn't because I thought it was too late to jump back in. I also want to get back into writing for freelance jobs.

That's the thing about our mindsets. Once it is made up, there is no changing it. Until the next wave of circumstances happen to wash over us. Then we rise above it and are renewed with different thoughts than what we once had. This is me, all the time.

I know that I have a lot to share and offer. I have my opinions and thoughts about stuff and I have ideas and resources to share. It is my hope that you will help support me in my endeavor by being engaged with me on here by adding your comments, sharing things you find worthy and suggest other things, as well. I know you get the point, so I will stop right there.

It is my goal to post something every day but we know that is not always realistic and possible, so at a minimum of once a week.

It is my intention to post from my heart and mind, my own speaking. I hope that I will have the ability and sense to know just how much to write or post is enough and not too much.

I also want to post and share other links and articles that I feel are worthy of sharing on here.

I know that everything may not be of interest to you and that is okay, it is here to help me, too. This is a daily work in progress.

I am ready and I am doing this, right now!

Currently, while on school break, I am in the process of cleaning out the paper clutter in my office and also making a Vision Board to help me make a good running start to a successful new year. I will be posting my Vision Board, as it comes along. I will be posting tips, tricks and ideas that I am doing to help the process with the paper clutter. I am also trying to grow my photography business in between going to school for a dual degree in Photography and also Graphic Design, which should go nicely with my current degree in Computer Information Technology.

I have not decided how much personal things I want to be writing about. I have been thinking about this for a long, long time now. We all know there are people on Social Media who do not know the boundaries of posting personal information, however at the same time, it could help someone. So what do you suggest? Do you have rules or recommendations on how much is too much? Does a blog have different rules than on Social Media?

Happy New Year! Let's make it a successful, positive and prosperous one!

Lowes holds free kids Build and Grow clinics once a month on Saturday at 10 am until 11 am. They just wrapped up the last two clinics for 2015. November was a Pullback Racecar and December was a Holiday Train. 

The Lowe's Build and Grow calendar will show you the next two clinics and allow you to register your child for them.

If you'd like to see the clinics coming up after the next two, you'll need to visit the Lowe's Build and Grow calendar after the first one on the list is over.

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic Schedule

We have not been able to get our family to one yet but this year is the year to do exactly that. I went to their website and currently, they are in the process of performing some maintenance, as the site informs.

“In the next few weeks, we will be launching an all new Build and Grow website! Check back soon to see the new look and features! Please note that once the site goes live you will need to create a new account to register for the upcoming projects." SamiCone.com's website says. 

I was unable to find that information and instead, encountered a friendly image telling me that they are performing some maintenance and will be back soon.


Lowes Build and Grow Clinic

Personalized Letter from Santa

Personalize your child's Christmas and send them a personalized letter from Santa and an autographed photo.

This reminds me of a time when I was younger, somewhere around 8 to 10 years old and my parents had called me into the room to tell me that I had a phone call. I was surprised because I never got phone calls. When I took the call, it was Santa on the other end of the phone. It was just a recording but at that age, it really was magical for me.

This really is a nice way to personalize a child's Christmas and I am sure that they will remember it years from now.

Turley Publications is sending this personalized gift for $9.95. Just cut out the coupon, fill in your information and enclose your payment. They do warn that quantities are limited.

Merry Christmas and Enjoy!

Colossal Groove - Mistress @ The Webster, Hartford, CT

A short video of Colossal Groove playing in the Battle of the Bands at The Webster in Hartford, CT on Saturday, March 15. I was taking this video for the band and was not able to record the full song or anymore after that because I was unaware that they did not want anyone recording. After one of the security guards came over tell me that, I had to turn it off. Plans are in the works to get more videos for Colossal Groove. In the meantime, enjoy this video.

Mistress - Colossal Groove - 3/15/2014 - The Webster - Hartford,... http://t.co/A6IshcuT2H
— Jeanne T. (@tooheymomster) March 18, 2014

Personality is half the battle

I had an interview for an entry level C# programmer position and had to fill out some sort of personality sheet, also called a PI. The Predictive Index or PI is a scientifically validated behavioral assessment that accurately predicts workplace behaviors.

The PI offers a clear understanding of the unique behavioral needs and drives that make people work. The Predictive Index/PI assessment is administered in the form of an adjective checklist and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The results provide managers with detailed information into the behavioral drives of people.

Predictive Index is a a proven management tool used to improve performance and productivity of people at all levels of the organizations. PI gives you the power and knowledge to better motivate, lead and utilize your people to achieve your company's goals. Predictive Index or PI is a scientifically validated assessment that accurately predicts workplace behaviors and tendencies. It is a companion instrument that allows managers to identify the behavioral requirements of any position. 

These are my results:

Click to enlarge Personality Index

Click to enlarge Personality Index

After feeling uncomfortable and out of my element for some time because I kept doubting myself, this is a good way to end the interview. This was a very special way for me because not only did I know these things about myself, but this test reaffirmed to me what I already knew about myself. I also loved how beautifully it was written and put these in such a good light because sometimes, when people say these things to me or about me, I take interpret it in a more negative light.I am taking this information to heart because these are things my parents always said about me. They are passed away now and as I was reading the PI, I could hear my parents voices saying it. It was like they were right there with me.

I absolutely love the idea. It can be used to motivate employees or gain insight about a potential employee. The way that it was written did motivate me.
What do you think about Predictive Indexes?

Technological Terrorism?

It seems that the more that I try to "get with it" technologically speaking, the further away from it I really get. I have a Kodak Office Hero 6.1 wireless all in one printer, Motorola Droid Bionic cell phone, Canon Rebel T3i Digital SLR camera and Verizon DSL internet. Just to top that off, a degree in Computer Information Technology. You may be asking what is the big deal then?

Verizon High Speed DSL Internet

The big deal is that if it is not the internet randomly losing connection, causing me to spend many days, weeks and months on the phone with Verizon and many technicians coming out to my place, then it is the cell phone rebooting on its own randomly, lagging significantly, making it great as a paperweight only or losing battery like crazy.

There have been times in the past where my phone rings but it does not show the answer button on the screen. Other times, I have not received my emails or it randomly sent an email later on. Not a good scenario when you are communicating with your ex about the kids through email. There have been times when I went to make a phone call and it just lags and you have to try several times to make the phone call. You would think that the most basic thing a "smart" cell phone should be able to do is make and receive phone calls because in the end, no matter what the other things it can do, in the end, it is still a phone.
My printer has already been replaced through the warranty once already and now it does this thing where when it "prints" it sucks the stack of paper in the bottom tray through the printer and gets jammed.

I love my camera. It takes beautiful pictures and is the one technological thing that I own that has never caused me grief. It takes such beautiful, perfect pictures that I can't even edit the pictures.

On the flip side of that, my SD card finally "bit the dust." I had an 8gb SanDisk Ultra SD card that I was using with my camera and I don't know if it was from taking it in and out of the camera to transfer the pictures to my laptop or what, but it finally cracked on the top where the gold, metal chips are. I was surprised by this because to my knowledge, SanDisk has a great reputation for their products. I was worried about my card but it still was able to read the information and took pictures...until today, that is.
Even Charith mentioned having the same problem on Yahoo! Answers and this has me wondering if this is becoming an pandemic.

Last night, I took the most beautiful pictures of the sunset and the moon. The sky was pink and orange with the clouds all around and the moon was half full. It was so beautiful that I had to take pictures to share with everyone. I remember last night looking through the pictures on my camera and didn't feel like transferring the pictures off my SD card to put on my computer because I was too busy and tired. So I went to do that today to show my family. When I put the card in my laptop, the Camera Wizard never came up. I thought that was a little weird but thought I had too much going on my computer at the time. Finally, I rebooted my computer and put the card back in my laptop, again. Same thing, the Wizard never came up. I took the SD card out and went to put it back in my camera and the camera could not read the card. Now I was really getting concerned and confused.

Thinking that I now had lost all my pictures, I started to think outside the box and think about how else could I get these pictures. So I put the card in my printer. My printer can see the pictures. So I was thinking everything is okay, as long as I can get the pictures off the card. My printer is wireless and I thought that I could just transfer the pictures to my laptop using the built in menu on the printer, but this was not the case. Apparently, it only allows you to transfer the pictures using a USB cable. So, back to the drawing board. I went into the Kodak All In One Software that is installed in my computer and put my log in information to Facebook, Flickr, Photobucket, Picasa and Google Docs, thinking that I could just send my pictures to one or any of these accounts and everything would be alright. But that did not happen, either. After reading the documentation on Kodak's website, you have to have the pictures selected from the camera to send there. Again, this is not any help for me and my situation.

The only thing that I can do now is find my USB 2.0 Printer Cable A to B (Google Affiliate Ad) anto my printer and hook it up to my laptop to transfer the pictures. But, I have no idea where it is because I have never had the USB cord hooked up because I had always used the "wireless feature."

I guess my main point is that I went to school and got my degree in computers so I can help others fix their technological problems and I can't even fix my own. I guess the other thing is that it really isn't that I can't fix my own technological problems, it is that the hardware can't completely do what I thought it could do and apparently, my imagination is bigger than what they actually put out on the market. Right now, because of the current situation, I feel terrorized by technology.

Do you know a way that I can get my pictures off of my SD card? I would love to hear what else you can do.

OMG: 33 Years Old!

I am wondering why google hasn’t changed its logo as it is my birthday today...  :) lol :)

For my birthday, I would love it if my friends shared a memory of me or of us. I know that this is asking for it, but this should be fun.

Which Kardashian Are You?

Facebook wants to know: Which Kardashian are you?

I don't care what people think or have to say about my divorce (mainly my ex's family). I will tell you which one I am not. I am not the girl that spent a ridiculous amount of money on a lavished televised wedding only months after meeting and then calls it quits two and a half months later. I am the girl that stuck it out and tried to make it work for 13 years so unless you lived my daily life and endured what I had to, don't judge me.

Which Kardashian Are You?

"Kim" , "Khloe" , or "Kourtney". Which sister are you?

Like · 361 people like this.

Fell into Telemarketer phone trap.

It was later on in the evening around when the bill collectors stop calling. I answered the phone just because I was happy that they weren't reminding us of another overdue bill and asking for money. Somebody who needed me to be interested in what they were saying and had to offer. Such a pleasantly fake conversation. It distracted me and got a little inaudible when she would begin to speak in monotone and sound like she was reading from a script.
I fell into the telemarketer phone trap. It was pretty easy, I guess.
But in the meantime, I am getting emails like crazy from them. And I am mad at myself for allowing this to happen to me. Here I am trying to get rid of online clutter and I made the biggest number one mistake in online history. But, I am able to chalk this up to experience and consider it a lesson in life learned. And hey, Living is learning; You're not living unless you're learning.

Happy New Year! - New Years Day Video by U2

Happy New Years Everyone!

New Years Day Video by U2

2010 Laws Target Texting, Smoking, Cooking

2010 Laws Target Texting, Smoking, Cooking
Cash-Strapped States Clamp Down on Texting while Driving, Smoking in Public and Cooking with Trans Fats

(AP) Texting while driving, smoking in public and cooking with artery-clogging trans fats will be that much harder under a bevy of state laws set to take effect around the country on Friday.

Faced with huge budget shortfalls and little extra money to throw around, state lawmakers exercised their (inexpensive) power to clamp down on impolite, unhealthy and sometimes dangerous behaviors in 2009.

Even toy guns were targeted.

Among the most surprising new laws set to take effect in 2010 is a smoking ban for bars and restaurants in North Carolina, the country's largest tobacco producer that has a history steeped in tradition around the golden leaf.

Starting Saturday - stragglers get a one-day reprieve to puff away after their New Year's Day meals - smokers will no longer be allowed to light up in North Carolina bars and restaurants. There are exceptions for country clubs, Elks lodges and the like, but the change is a dramatic one for North Carolina, whose tax coffers long depended on Big Tobacco.

Virginia approved a similar law that took effect Dec. 1, but it's more accommodating to smokers because it allows establishments to offer areas in which to light up as long as they have separate ventilating systems.

Not including Virginia and its partial ban, smoking will be banned in restaurants in 29 states and in bars in 25, according to the American Lung Association.

And 12 more states - including Florida, Michigan and Arkansas - have passed laws requiring manufacturers to make their cigarettes less likely to start fires, leaving Wyoming as the only state without such laws, according to the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes.

America's roads should be safer in 2010, as bans on texting while driving go into effect in New Hampshire, Oregon and Illinois. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, that will make 19 states that have outlawed the practice, not including six states that prohibit using hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel.

"This legislation is important and will make our roads safer. No driver has any business text messaging while they are driving," said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, whose office regulates drivers.

Tina Derby, 42, of Warner, N.H., said she has no intention to stop texting while driving, despite the possible $100 fine she could receive.

"I'd better start saving my money," Derby said.

A new Arkansas law prohibits retailers from selling toy guns that look like they real thing. But it may not have that big of an effect.

Imitation guns used for theater productions and other events are exempted, as are replicas of firearms produced before 1898, BB guns, paintball or pellet guns.

Major retailers in the state also say they don't expect any major changes from the new ban. Bentonville-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it already follows similar federal restrictions prohibiting the sale of realistic-looking toy guns.

California will be the first state to partially ban the use of artificial trans fats in restaurants in 2010, following several major cities and fast-food chains that have erased the notorious artery-clogger from menus.

Starting Friday, the state's restaurants, bakeries and other retail food establishments will no longer be allowed to use products with trans fats in spreads or for frying. Restaurants will still be allowed to use trans fats to deep-fry yeast dough and in cake batter until Jan. 1, 2011.

And a new anti-paparazzi law is set to take effect Friday in the state with the movie star governor that will make it easier for celebrities to sue media outlets claiming invasion of privacy.

Fans of dog races will have to find another form of entertainment in Massachusetts, as the 75-year-old tradition has been outlawed starting Friday.

In New Hampshire, a new gay marriage law will replace a law that allows civil unions, which already provided gay couples with all the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

Starting Friday, a gay couple in a civil union can get a marriage license and have a new ceremony, if they choose. They also can convert their civil union into marriage without going through another ceremony. Couples who do nothing will have their civil unions automatically converted to marriages in 2011. Conservatives are seeking to repeal the law.

In Wisconsin, both same-sex and unwed opposite-sex domestic partners who work for the state and University of Wisconsin can sign up to receive health insurance benefits. A law that allowed same-sex partners to sign a registry to receive other benefits similar to what married couples get took effect in August.

Some other laws set to take effect:

• Teenagers going to a tanning bed in Texas will have to be accompanied by an adult.

• Oregon employers are prohibited from restricting employees from wearing religious clothing on the job, taking time off for holy days or participating in a religious observance or practice.

• The sale of "novelty" lighters - devices designed to look like cartoon characters, toys or guns or that play musical notes or have flashing lights - are banned in Nevada and Louisiana.

"They're cute, they're little, but they can be deadly," said the Nevada bill's co-sponsor, Assembly Majority Floor Leader John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas.

Reuse Your Christmas Tree as a Garden Insulator

Reuse Your Christmas Tree as a Garden Insulator
If you haven't already recycled or curbed your holiday tree, This Old House has some crafty ideas on getting some use out of its broken-down parts. If your winter involves snow, for instance, its parts make great garden boosters.

There are a few non-garden uses suggested among the 10 uses, arranged in a lightly aggravating gallery format. Assuming you don't think of a tree trunk slice as an ideal coaster, you'll be mostly interested in how any tree can be broken down into pieces that arrange and protect an outdoor garden:

Insulate Perennials: Cut off boughs and lay them over perennial beds to protect them from snow and reduce frost heaving.
Edge Your Borders: Cut the trunk into 2-inch discs and set them into the soil to edge flower beds or walkways.
How have you put a spruce, fir, or other holiday tree to good use after its intended time is done? Share the recycling tips in the comments.

10 Uses for Your Christmas Tree [This Old House]

I had to restore my Facebook account?!

I was on my facebook account earlier and there was no signs of anything strange. A few hours later, I go to log on to my facebook and it is asking me to verify and reset my account password. I don't know if any of my friends have been affected by any "strange" activity from me, but I think they think everything I do is strange, so how would they be able to tell? lol
Anyways, this is what I needed to do, if anyone is curious:

Keep me logged in Forgot your password?


Step 1
Security Check
Step 2
Verify Account
Step 3
Change Password
Step 4
Additional Contact Info
Step 5
Restore Account

Thanks TooheyMomster - you've successfully restored your account

Account Safety Tips

Use a different password for each of your online accounts
If you click a link to get to Facebook, check the website address when you arrive to make sure it's www.facebook.com (not www.facebook.othersite.com, for example)
Always upgrade to the most current version of your web browser and keep your anti-virus software up-to-date
Check out the Help Center for more tips to help you keep your account safe in the future.

Become a fan of the Facebook Security page to stay on top of the latest information related to account safety.


Facebook © 2009 English (US)

Back To School: The Right Way To Help With Homework

Back To School: The Right Way To Help With Homework

Can you help too much?

Increasing competitiveness and assignement overload are causing some parents to do their children's homework for them. Here's advice from expers about what parental input truly helps kids...and what doesn't.

• DO provide your child with a space in the house that is clean, well lit and set aside especially for doing homework.
  

• DON'T let your kid watch TV, take phone calls or make pit stops at the refrigerator during homework time.
  

• DO help your child get started on tasks and brainstorm ideas for projects. Ask what topics are of interest to him/her.
  

• DON'T tell your child the answers. This sends the message that soemone will bail him/her out when faced with a challenge.
  

• DO praise your child. Educators say that effort is more important than success. Be sure to applaud small milestones.
  

• DON'T nag or bully your child into getting homework done. Pestering most often breeds resentment, not motivation.
  

• DO acknowledge homework that is well done. But instead of gifts, let him/her pick and activity, such as a trip to the zoo.
  

• DON'T bribe your child to do homework by offering money or gifts. This teaches kids to work only for compensation.
  

Where to get School Uniforms, Locally!

Magic Wings Butterly Conservatory & Gardens

A place I have still not visited...

Warm Your Body and Soul

Our 8,000-square foot conservatory is home to nearly
4,000 free-flying butterflies from all over the world!

http://www.magicwings.com/

Shared via AddThis

13 Things You Can Do When Twitter is Down

How to Cope when 'Something is Technically Wrong'...It's an anxiety-provoking moment.

You have your tweet ready to go, your all-important thought to share with the world at large, and Twitter informs you that it's not accepting Tweets. When you're not enthused about seeing the giant Fail Whale sharing the bad news, and feel your excitement waning from the 'Something is technically wrong' message, here are thirteen other things you can do as you wait for the team at Twitter to fix the problem:

1. Write a quick blog post. Your blog, that other online publishing outlet you used to use before Twitter invaded the blogosphere. Elaborate on that 140-character thought and really share your ideas with the world.

2. Do some facial yoga. Bust out some yoga moves that will give those facial muscles a quick workout.

3. Place your order for a Fail Whale t-shirt. Consider it a justified purchase as you continue to play in Twitterville.

4. Check in with WhenTwitterIsDown.com. Helpful advice from this site (push 'refresh' for more insights) include: 'When Twitter is down, yell 'favorite' at attractive strangers,' and the ever so wise strategy, 'When Twitter is down, move on to the next thing.'

5. Clean up your desktop. Delete those extra images, files and other desktop clutter you no longer need and empty out the recycling bin. A quick desktop vacuuming can be very refreshing.

6. Find a new screensaver. Why are you still using that default screensaver? Find a cool and trendy screensaver to keep yourself occupied with some visual acrobats. At least for a few minutes.

7. Browse the Twitter Down Art Collection. This talented graphic designer has created an attractive set of pictures and messages to replace our joyful whale friend.

8. Get some fresh air. If you're in Twitter mode and rearing to go on that tweet, some fresh air could be all you need to keep those creative juices flowing. Step outside, take a quick walk around the block and return to Twitter in a few minutes for an update.

9. Join FriendFeed. If your compulsion to Tweet is getting the best of you, join this growing social community where you can comment, find friends and post your thoughts in real-time just like the good ol' days.

10. Consider sharing your immediate thoughts via video. Seesmic is leading the way in video conversations, encouraging people to show, not tell the world, what they're doing.

11. Give Pownce a whirl. Pownce is another application that makes it easy to share links, files and thoughts with a quick blast from your web browser. There's no character limit with this one, so you're free to micro-blog or write an anthology as you please . Go on, share because you care.

12. Take a power nap. Set the alarm on your phone and enjoy a quick snooze. Right at your desk, if you have to.

13. Call Mom. You know you haven't called her for a while now, so send her a quick message via Skype or communicate the old-fashioned way. Pick up the phone, and enjoy the freedom of no word limits.

So there you have it, thirteen things you can do when there's a Twitter outage. When your Tweet really can't wait, there are plenty of ways to cast that thought into the blogosphere...until Twitter returns.

Tuesdays are Grocery Days...

Tuesdays are great days to find deals. Traditionally, Tuesdays have been grocery days in newpapers across the country and a good day to head to the grocery store after the shelves have been replenished and store traffic is low. Look for advertisement in your local newspaper or circulars and match your free grocery coupons with deals that are going on mid-week, when grocers want to drum up business. Many grocers use the mid-week period to let you get double your grocery coupons savings. You will find that the aisles are easier to navigate and you can also maximize your savings by taking advantage of a slow grocery day along with your free grocery coupons. Happy Shopping!

Back To School: Choosing The Best Backpack

Back To School: Choosing the BEST Backpack

Can you identify a well-made backpack?

What do four textbooks, plust three notebooks and a host of electronic devices in a backpack equal? Risk of back pain, or worse, if kids aren't careful. Experts say kids should never carry more than 15% of their body weight. Consider these features when shopping for the right bag:

• Two Padded Shoulder Straps reduce pressure. Contoured (as opposed to straight) straps permit free arm movement and avoid prssure under the arms.
  

• A Hip Belt transfers some weight from the back and shoulders downward, resulting in a more even distribution of the load.
  

• Reflective Material makes kids more visible at dawn, dusk or on dark, foggy days.
  

• Multiple Compartments spread weight around while keeping items secure and accessible.
  

• Bags with Air Pads can provide extra support to the lower back if your kid chooses to carry it or opt for a wheeled backpack to really take the load off.
  

Protect Against Sun Glare

Protect Against Sun Glare

Sunglasses may be a popular fashion accessory, but they are also essential for safer driving in dazzling conditions. Motorists who drive directly into the sunlight may experience temporary blindness, risking their own safety and the safety of others.

Sun glare exposure is especially hazardous in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is on the horizon. Wearing protective eyewear helps reduce glare and potentially avoid a collision.

Sunglasses should feature polarized lenses to reduce glare and lenses with UV protection to protect your eyes from the sun's damaging rays.

The Vision Council of America offers additional tips for motorists to help reduce the dangers of sun glare:

Drive cautiously and leave a proper distance to ensure ample reaction time. Make it a habit to lower visors, to help block some of the reflected light. When possible, take an alternate route lined with trees or tall buildings in lieu of one with extreme glare.

Avoid using high-gloss vinyl cleansers on dashboards. Keep the vehicle windshield clean and the windshield washer fluid reservoir full. Turn on headlights to reduce the possible poor visibility of oncoming drivers.