I have coughed and coughed and coughed…..
I’ve gotten some kind of creepy cootie crud - and it’s not about to leave my body any time soon.

So…I’ve lost an entire week of work. There is no one to take my place after all. No one to “fill” in.
That’s the price of working at home……running your own gig.

And of course….along with running your own gig…..getting no work done because you’re sick etc….
It still doesn’t excuse you from getting dinner on the table, cleaning out the kittybox, taking your sick son
to the doctor because he’s got the same creepy cootie crud, doing laundry, helping with homework, picking kids up, dropping kids off….and picking up everyone’s crap in general.

A fulfilling life for sure.

Now….don’t get me wrong. I still feel blessed. Yes….blessed. Even with all the nose blowing and coughing.
I mean…..it’s a cold….thank goodness that’s all it is.
And I have a warm house to shelter me. Chicken noodle soup. A husband that does his best to help out. And really….so much more.

So back to work today. I think I’m over the hump.

I have my arsenal on my desk. I’ve taken some kind of Tylenol Cold and Cough stuff….and then there  is my bevy of cough drops, vitamin C drops, kleenex….(oh and a partial grocery list and my cellphone). Still gotta get to the grocery store!! I need to have them set up a cot for me there because I’m always having to go and pick up something!

I’m determined to get some work done today.

So if you’re in the same boat this winter - remember, even with no co-worker to step in and help cover the “office” - it’s ok. I took a few days off and nothing earth shattering happened. I didn’t get fired, no clients where super upset and well….my house is not exactly in tip-top shape - but it hasn’t fallen down around me either.

Sometimes it’s hard when you work at home to allow yourself some time off. A vacation is PAINFUL for me.
I swear. It’s not just that you lose income…..it’s that I feel this sense of “ONLY I” can do this - so I MUST.

But this week. I had to. There was no way around it. When you’re sick…..rest is best.

Take it from this work-at-home-workaholic with NO workman’s comp. If you don’t have your health….you have nothing.

Stay well this winter!!

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Veda is adventurous and VuVu is brave. Although VuVu can be a little mean. She’s always pouncing on her sister’s head and biting her. LOL

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I’ve noticed….as I’ve gotten a little older - I don’t LOVE Winter like I used to. I could spend all day out in the snow when I was young…..building snowmen, making snow angels, building igloos and just romping around.

I still love Winter…..just not so much outside IN Winter.

Winter has actually become one of the most productive times for me for working at home. I’m not distracted by yard work…..the kids are back in school…..no summer vacation planning…..and then the regular stuff like laundry, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping etc….piled on top.

Now I have time to actually read the morning paper. Well…..when I say “read” the morning paper….it’s more like glance over it and drink down a cup of coffee. There aren’t really many days of “leisure” for me. I thought there would be since I “work at home” - but it really hasn’t worked out that way. Because you never get to really “walk” away from work….and everything that goes with it…..the people, the clients, the boss, the stress, the assignment….

And because many people that work outside the home work somewhere that has
departments, or owners and managers to deal with bookkeeping, technical, advertising, sales, maintenance and customer service issues for them - they aren’t bogged down with any of that either.
To me….it sounds awesome. Really.

But at least in Winter…..I get more time to deal with EVERY aspect of running my own business. It also allows me to actually rest a little on the weekends. Well….that’s if I get ALL the cleaning and laundry done during the week.

Winter can be a good time to get organized….rearrange your office….start making a daily “to do” list and really focus on getting that work list done before you’re off folding a basket of laundry, walking the dog or picking the kids up from school.

I have a daily “to do” list for work. I write one out at the end of every day. I try very hard to get to each item on the list done, but if I don’t…so be it. I no longer stay up til 3am trying to get it ALL done. It just screws with your head…your health….and even your family because you are like a tired Zombie walking around fried.

So take advantage of the Winter that’s coming. It really is a time to get yourself back on track. Get up…get going….be at your desk, showered and exercised and coffee-ized by 9am…..but in a solid 5-6 hours before it’s time to go get the kids…..or the kids get home on the bus.

If you get up around 6:30am like I do….you’ve had time after the kids leave to fold some clothes, watch some news, drink some coffee, change the kittybox (oh yes….pure joy, eh?!), work in a walk and take a shower.

So at 9am….I’m ready to deal with whatever is thrown at me.

Don’t look at Winter as a time to hibernate and get lazy. It really is a time to build up your stamina…..get organized…..and get BIG work projects done.

Set daily, weekly and monthly goals throughout this Winter. Starting today. Even with Thanksgiving, putting up Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, shopping…..there’s still time to get what YOU need to accomplish done with your home business or work at home job.

You might even accomplish so much…you’ll have time to run outside and make a snow angel with the kids!!

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It’s been two years since we’ve had any cats around our home…..and we miss having them around.
(Well…maybe the word “miss” is a bit strong for my husband. He’s not a HUGE cat lover….but is being a very good sport about me and the kids bringing not just one, but TWO cats into our home.)

Our previous two cats…..Callie and Phoebe…..passed away at 15 and 16 years old. They were wonderful pets and never any trouble.

I kept thinking that since we weren’t planning on staying in this house….that we would just wait to get
kittens once we’ve moved.

Well….after 15 months of trying to sell our house, and the stock market taking a huge nose dive with the latest election - we’re thinking…….fuggedaboutit - we’ll just stay put.

Oh well…..we didn’t really “have” to move - and now…we get KITTENS out of it!!!

What better way to cheer up a home then to add two fluffy, baby kittens?!
I cannot think of anything…..except maybe puppies? But we have a big ole dog. A lab named Graycie.
She’s plenty of puppy dog for us. Wondering how she will react to her new family members.

We’re naming the kittens after two grandmother’s in our families.

Ready for this….
Don’t laugh…

VuVu and Veda.

Yep….
VuVu and Veda will be their names.

So…now I am off to clear out a space in the garage for the kittybox. My husband will put in the pet door tonight…..and we’ll be somewhat ready to take on the babies.

I will be posting a picture of these two cuties tomorrow!

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We live in a time where things are more than scary.

Lets face it….after 9/11, we’ve never been the same as Americans. Thank goodness our government has kept us safe since that tragic day. That’s one thing that cannot be denied whether you like Bush or not. I hope security in a America continues to be a priority…..for all of our children’s sakes.

I am not looking forward to higher taxes. Which will undoubtedly be one of the first things that happens with a Democrat in office. (Again….not judging….just stating a fact. The man said he wants to ’spread the wealth’. Meaning, from what I can tell…..tax those of us working at a higher percentage to help funnel funds to those that aren’t working for whatever reason.) Why shouldn’t I just sit around and wait for money to be funneled to me?? What is my incentive to work for money that will not be mine?

I’ve worked hard to create my own business. I pay extremely high taxes now. How much more can people like me be bled before the desire to succeed is completely diminished?? Broken? Then what?

I don’t have the answer to this.

Today I am at work…..filled with promise…..filled with the wonder and hope of opportunity before me. Thank you America - you were built on this very attitude!

I am ambitious……savvy and ready to continue to build my own path to success. I came from very little….no silver spoon in my mouth……and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far.

Like many entrepreneur spirited folks - I don’t wait for someone to “do it for me”. I wouldn’t want that. It sounds foreign to me. As foreign as socialism. I want to stand on my own two feet. I think most humans are
inherently wired that way.

I am a charitable person. I volunteer, donating money and time and help. As all of us should. I treat all people equal. So to say a successful person that wants to keep the money they earned is selfish-is very wrong!! I am neither selfish…..nor am I a racist. That’s extremely insulting. I am an American and I believe in the Constitution. Period.

As time ticks on…..I will take a “wait and see” attitude. Hoping that with all the help that others will be given and have been given - that the work horse in all this is not forgotten. For it is from the sweat of the work horses back that has made so much possible in this great nation. Has made all of it possible really.

Once the work horse’s back is broken - the very foundation that supports it all - we will be left to stand helpless as the rest of the pieces come tumbling down.

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Think your one vote won’t matter?! IT DOES!!

Think of how many people sit around thinking their vote doesn’t matter - you add it up and I bet it’s tens of thousands. So it DOES matter.

There may be long lines today, yucky weather……and you may be standing in line wedged between voters that are for the opposing side (which sucks if they are all blah blah blah about how the FEEL….and blah blah blah about how great their candidate is….)  BUT ya gotta get out there!

If you don’t - you have no right to bitch about anything that goes on over the next four years. Zip it….and go cry to yourself.

I’m off to go do my civic duty right now after I publish this post. I am excited, honored and feeling pretty blessed that I live in a country where I have some say. I don’t care how long the line is - I don’t care if it starts hailing!!! I will cast a vote today.

You should too!!!!

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I’m 42. A healthy 42. I eat a mostly vegetarian diet, I’m maybe 8-10 pounds over weight…..and working really hard at making that ZERO over weight. (Ask my friend Kim in Indiana….if she has to hear one more meal off my diet menu….she’s going to puke!)

Anyway…
I DON’T…..DO NOT have heart issues. I had a 64 CT Slice Scan done on my heart less than three months ago, two echos and two stress tests. MY blood work is perfect as well.

I’m blessed. Really. But ya know….you have to be an active player in your health. You can’t just “hope” those Pringles don’t clog your arteries. You can’t just “hope” the blubber around your waist won’t cause you to have a coronary. You can’t just “hope” not getting the stress in your life under control won’t cause high blood pressure. You can’t just “hope” sitting in front of your computer and TV all the time won’t cause permanent damage to your spine.

YOU have to be a willing participant in your “good health” game plan.

Which….leads me back to my chest muscles.

I need to practice what I preach. BIG time.

For years….and years…..and years….

(You ladies out there right now that are up late working on your website and/or blog…..you’ve got to go to bed!! You’ve got to get some rest, some exercise and change your nutrition habits!! Especially with all this damn Halloween candy laying around….Jesus….it’s not even Halloween yet and I keep sneaking mini-Heath bars!!)

Anyway….what I was saying….for…years….and years….
I have known that the amount of time spent at my computer was bordering on “psycho-possessed-woman” zone. I KNEW that as my body aged from 34 years old to 42 (this is how long I have worked in front of my computer), that if I wasn’t careful - if I didn’t listen to my body….I would pay dearly.

Well…here I sit. Chest muscle pain so bad it’s making it hard to just sit up straight!! Just sitting up straight is an issue!!! I’m a blogger that from a side view looks like a hunch back with a chicken neck jutting out!! Some kind of weird alien basking in the glow of a monitor. Scary.

All those years of ballet, all those years of eating well, all those years of keeping my weight in check, getting my yearly check-ups, going to the dentist, mainly drinking water….

It’s pointless effort if I continue to sit….all hunched and slouched in my computer chair….with my head and chin jutted out….

What I have I done??
Can it be undone??

Are you in the same boat? Maybe you’re standing on the shore just about to get in this boat of misery??

This is one of the horrible aspects of working at home on a computer (like many of us home based business moms do!) that no one talks about. OH it’s ALL rainbows and butterflies until you can’t move and you’re getting up from the couch like a 139 year old woman with osteoporosis!

I did some research tonight. Yep….sitting here at my computer (again!) - but now in a perfect, straight-backed posture which is about to kill me and feels as unnatural as an enema - but I had to find out. I had to get more info. So researching….

From what I can tell I have what is called…well, WE (yes…I’m dragging you into this with me AGAIN!) have what is called upper cross syndrome. It’s real…look it up.

Upper Cross Syndrome - I found a great site that defines this:
http://www.lifewest.edu/courses/syllabi/uppercrossedsyndrome.pdf

The site states: “Upper Cross Syndrome describes a compromise in the musculoskeletal system
which tightens or facilitates the anterior compartment of the “upper” torso while at the
same time weakening the posterior. While the majority of muscles involved in Upper
Cross Syndrome are anterior to the shoulders there are a few posterior elements to
consider as well. The chest muscles become tight and shortened as well as the neck
muscles (both posterior and anterior compartments).”

Additionally…they go on to say…”Where do you typically see Upper Cross Syndrome? Being that it is
predominantly a postural issue, it is seen in individuals who work at a desk or are
constantly leaning forward. Through postural adaptation, your body adopts the classical
hunching of the upper thoracic spine, internal rotation of the shoulders, and anterior head
carriage.”

I call this…simply….“Hunched-Over Chicken Neck Alien” Syndrome.

Proper posture at your computer is of course, the best way to prevent this. Are you even aware of your posture? Maybe every now and then….but not all the time. Breaks with stretching exercises should be incorporated as well. Something I was not doing. Are you?

I could certainly go on and list tons of preventive measures for this Upper Cross Syndrome - which I am sure….right now….there are MANY women 25 years and older that are thinking as they read this…..”Hmmmm…..am I sitting correctly at my computer?”

No….you are not. You’re all hunched back and slouchy.

My advice….
Find exercises NOW regarding Upper Cross Syndrome and start incorporating them into your daily routine. You youngins’ out there that haven’t hit your mid-30’s just yet might think this is stupid….but your body will only compensate for you for so long….and then…..it will turn on you. Heed my warning….I’m 42 - and I’m suffering.

Here is a good site for some exercise ideas for Upper Cross Syndrome - but I am sure there are many other sites with helpful info as well:
http://www.issaonline.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/10/2/Combating-Upper-Cross-Syndrome

I am going to bed now. I am tired. My hunched over shoulders are aching from sitting up straight for just 20 minutes….I feel like I’ve been in a car wreck just from sitting properly!? I yie yie! MY neck is NOT enjoying being tucked back into it’s proper alignment either…..the “chicken” in me is desperately trying to cluck it’s way out.

I know we’re real close to Halloween being late October and all….
I am sure my tale is quite scary. But scarier would be NOT needing a Halloween costume because your posture is in such bad shape you look pretty creepy already!! So sit up straight like your Momma told you to! You’ll be so glad you did….

This chick(en) is heading for bed!! Tomorrow is a new day in my hen house (home office)! A day filled with stretches and straightening…..if you hear any crackin’ noises….that’s probably me! Cluckin’ noises? Yeah….probably me.

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Working at home is a goal for so many. I can understand this. I really can.

What started out as my own search for work at home, has turned into my work at home career.
Weird.

But….back to being a work at home mom. Those of you already pulling this gig…..you know too well….it’s not for wimps. There can be babies on the premises - but YOU can’t be one. You’ve got to suck it up and be the super hero that cleans, cooks, shops, empties the kittybox, scoops up dog puke, wipes bottoms, shuffles the kids everywhere that they need to go AND works!

Have you seen the show Dirty Jobs?? OH wow….they have no idea.

Working at home means getting used to a lot of things.

Most times, the biggest factors…..a lot less PAY for a lot more work! Those of you thinking you’re going to
land that “work at home data entry” position that pays $40,000 a year, has benefits and only takes you actually working for 2 hours each week - ummmm……I think that exists in the same world that unicorns do. And if I’m wrong…..feel free to smack me upside my head, because I would LOVE to be wrong about this.

I find myself….8 years into this “work at home” dream-life working more hours in a week than I ever did at any other job. I also find myself as an employee that wears ALL hats. Accounting…yep. IT….yep. Marketing and promotion…yep. Writer…..yep. Administrative…..yep. Janitor……yep. You get the idea.

Sometimes…..I open up Google and I forget…literally…..from the time I click on the browser icon….to when Google comes up on the screen…..we’re talking 2 seconds….maybe….I forget where the hell I wanted to go or what the hell I was opening Google for. I just sit there. What am I waiting for?? I kinda look at the papers on my desk…..nothing is ringing a bell. I once forgot that I set an egg salad sandwich in my right hand desk drawer. Just forgot. I was eating it……set it down, paper plate and all - laid some envelopes on top of it….and never thought about it again. Four days later….my nose found it. WHY didn’t I just stick with Oreos for lunch that day???

And speaking of my personal favorite, Oreos……food for the work at home mom is……not a lot of things. It’s not lobster, or steak or even a big ole cheeseburger. It’s not a chef salad with yummy little croutons…..
I’m not saying it CAN’T be. OH it CAN BE. But most of us work at home moms are happy with a PB&J and a refill on coffee.

So….less money, longer hours, more responsibilities, no gourmet chef to be found and kids under foot.

Of course….I’m not complaining. Because in each day…..are priceless gems that no other job could ever come close to providing. Being home for a sick child, being able to attend all school activities and events and the security of “mom” being at home provided to your kids. Mom is “here”. And there is no other greater gift you can give your child.

I think we all make sacrifices.  It’s just part of being human. But working at home allows you to choose WHAT is sacrificed. Maybe you’ll never drive that fancy car, or build your dream home. Maybe you don’t get to wear cute little suits, have client lunches or take business trips to great locations…..

Maybe you get a little lonely working at home. It happens. Sadly.
I see many of you nodding your heads yes. It just comes with the “home job” territory. It’s important to reach out, nurture your friendships and make time to “get out” every now and then.

I am a very social person by nature. It has been an adjustment through the years to not be around other adults most of the day. And after being on the radio for years….I am no longer in the spotlight. That was hard at first too. I get out once a week with friends!! Even if it’s just a walk or morning coffee….I get out!

So before you start dreaming of your work at home job…..think hard about what you’re getting into.
It’s not a Tide commercial……it’s not an episode of the Brady Bunch. It’s the MOTHER of all jobs. It comes with SO many perks…..but none of these perks will make you rich in material things.

There will be big ole kisses, bear hugs, giggles and smiles. There will also be a sink of dirty dishes, laundry that never gets caught up and deadlines that are never met.

And maybe…..for some of us…..smelly surprises in our desk drawers. But it’s worth it.

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Are you really putting the effort into your blog that you should be?
Well…let me put that another way….is your blog a true expression of who you are?
Is it something you hope to morph into a wildly popular monetized career??

Well…take a look at your  blog.
Is it ‘dressed’ nicely? Meaning the layout? The graphics?
Easily navigated?

Or are there broken links? Broken images?
Could someone come to your blog today and think to themselves…..”typos and neglect”?
When was your last post?

Have you gotten sloppy? Lazy?
Maybe your blog isn’t as much “fun” as you thought it would be?
Now the poor thing’s online pants are all sagging and it’s crack is showing for all to see.

If virtual blog butt crack is what your goal was…..then GREAT!
BRAVO!

But….(and I mean BUTT)….if mediocre wasn’t your goal….than maybe you need to catch a second wind and reinvest YOURSELF and YOUR time into your blog. Afterall….it’s an extension of you.

Maybe your blog readers are missing you? Maybe you didn’t give it enough time. If you focus on how you can make money with your blog…and that’s all of your focus - then it’s never going to be fun. It’s just going to be work. There will be no self-fulfilling joy.

Blogs used to be this half-ass idea of sharing your life. Sharing your thoughts, musings, views.
There was no real finessing to do.

Now…there are millions of blogs out there. MILLIONS!! Getting closer to 10 million every day. People are slappin’ up blogs every 10 seconds or less.

To keep your blog and your readers happy….
Here are some tips:

1. Feed your blog….and you will feed your readers. Ya gotta write something. But please put some thought into it. Mindless drivel usually doesn’t evoke return visits. Mindless drivel isn’t nutritious for your blog either. It will soon starve on a diet of that blah blah.

2. Your blog doesn’t need flashy, fancy, bedazzled couture. But it is nice to give it a pleasant appearance that reflects your style. Make your blog easy to read. The choice of color can be a hit, or make it so uncomfortable to read that people will leave and never return. Think about blog styles that you like and why? Is it because the page is completely black with fuzzy hot pink letters that are hard to read because of all the multicolored graphics?? Ummmm…..I think probably NOT. Maybe because it’s easy to read, easy to navigate and most of all…..a pleasant spot to stop and visit on the vast Net.

3. Be real. I harp on this a lot because I feel it’s really important. If you want to connect with, build rapport and establish an audience - they need to feel that you are genuine. Fakey never wins.

Simple and real.

Easy directions.

So grab a belt. Cinch up those baggy blog bloomers and cover up your virtual butt crack if it’s showing.

There’s always room for improvement.

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