Thinking of dating

This is the time of year when I really notice that I'm alone. Sometimes, I'm lonely for companionship. I've been a widow since 2005 and have only dated twice...that was in the past year.

It's hard to meet someone when all I do, it seems, is work. So, I'm thinking about joining a place that offers free dating online. Maybe I can find someone like that. I know to be careful and not just agree to meet someone in some out of the way location. I also know not to give too much personal information out. I don't want some stranger coming up to my door or to my workplace!

Still, with proper screening, this could be a way to meet a new friend who could come to mean much more.

Technorati Tags: dating

Mom's recent problems

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. I traveled about 85 miles north of where I live to spend some time with my Mom, who is now 89 years old. She's not been doing too well lately.

She fell at home then about a week later called my sister for help. Not from the fall itself, but because she was experiencing some very bad bleeding. She was very weak and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital, where she stayed for a few days. It turns out she had a bleeding ulcer. She received 2 units of blood while there, and a few tests. The doctor put her on a new medicine to control the ulcer.

Now, she's still trying to regain her strength and it's been almost a month. She's staying with my sister who is helping her. She's making sure she takes her medicines correctly and she has arranged for a physical therapist and a visiting nurse to come by a few times a week.

The PT is helping. Mom is now able to walk some with the aid of a walker. Her earnest desire is to go back home and be with her cat again, so that's been a real incentive for her. Still, it will be a few weeks at least before any of us will feel comfortable with her staying alone.

Technorati Tags: physical therapy,hospital

Store startup

I have often thought I'd like to have my own little store. A small operation where I could serve some coffee in the morning and sell grocery items, clothing items, and house wares.

To do that means using the resources at a store supplies seller. This particular one guarantees their products 100%. They also don't mind smaller orders and do offer good prices on everything from mannequins to shelving to displays.

For a person to begin a small store business means choosing your supplier carefully. You don't want to be ripped off price-wise, but you do want quality fixtures that will stand the test of time. After all, they are going to take a lot of wear and tear from customers and their children. It also means using borrowed or saved money to get started. The less you have to pay up front, the greater your chances for turning a profit sooner.

Technorati Tags: business

More about homestead income

Son and I were just this morning discussing more ways to generate some income with farm or homestead based business. For instance, we can make chicken feeders at a very low cost and in turn, sell them for a low price. They aren't difficult to make at all and anyone can really do it, but the thing is -- will they?

Most folks would just as soon buy an item than spend the time to make it, especially if the item is priced reasonably. I found that to be true back when I made and sold crafts.

Now, some folks will still buy some crafts but not as many as it used to be since we have a down-turned economy. Most people now will be shopping for items they can really use, even on a homestead-like spot in town. The larger town nearby is fortunate in that the citizens can still raise small gardens, have a few chickens or a goat, and still be within the law. The town began as a rural based community and has not forgotten its roots, even though now it surpasses 50,000 in population.

Attractive and functional chicken feeders might just sell well in that town. The bucket portion is white but the feeder portion can be just about any decorator color. The one I use for my own chickens is hot pink!

There are other things we can create here that could be of use to urban homesteaders -- small cages, small chicken runs, small rabbit hutches, and even watering systems for small animals.

Technorati Tags: entrepreneurism

Business helping through social media

I know you've seen those ads in the sidebars of Facebook. I have. Some of them are pretty interesting. Some of them are even from local companies, since the social networking site knows where we are located and can let advertisers gear ads toward us.

But I bet you didn't know that many companies use Facebook advertising as a way to help put the word out concerning the ways they are actually helping others. Some of them are going more green. Others are donating a part of their income to special needs and humanitarian efforts.

So, the next time you observe those ads, take a closer look. Not every big corporation is completely greedy. Some are actually trying to help.

 

Technorati Tags: business

Set up for power failure

I have been waiting all day for a storm to arrive. It's not that I like storms, but I'm ready for this one! All the animals have been cared for early. Their homes are pretty well weather proofed so they won't be getting wet and chilled.

I have the generator grounded, filled with gas and oil, and ready to fire off should the power go out. I have a heavy duty cord in place that I can plug into a power strip to keep my laptop, wireless modem, a light or two, and my phone charger going.

I'll go out in a bit and check for eggs in the hen house and in the quail cages, so that chore will be out of the way. Other than that, nothing much to do but wait and watch the skies and weather reports.

I have signed up for a weather warning phone call in case it gets real bad. However, the last time it got bad, the storm was fully engaged over my house before I got the call saying it was in the vicinity. I'm not sure how much good that will really do.

Technorati Tags: weather,generator,electricity

Promoting your business

From time to time a small business really hits it big. Sam Walton started with a simple Five-and-Dime store in Bentonville, Arkansas that developed into a global enterprise known as Wal-Mart. He had a dream and he worked hard to make it become a reality.

It's so much easier with today's technology to reach hundreds if not thousands of possible customers for your business. That's where a place like an Advertising Agency comes in. They are strictly an internet advertising company.

They know the ins and outs of online advertising and can help you achieve the reach you desire on the web. The highly trained individuals who work for them can lead you across the bumpy miles of web advertising to achieve even more than you ever thought you could.

They have the software to help you track exactly how successful your advertising program is, and exactly where your advertising dollars are going. This gives you the opportunity as the business owner to see which campaigns are working and which ones aren't. If something isn't working as you'd hoped, you know which way you need to go next to achieve the desired results.

The way they are set up, they have personnel who are experts in their field and who have focus in particular areas. This enables them to streamline and advertising plan for you based on your particular business. They don't use the broad brush to create advertising that is one-size-fits-all. It's tailor made for your online advertising.

Technorati Tags: business

Multiple Streams of Income

"Multiple Streams of Income" What does that really mean? It doesn't mean having a second job, I don't think. What it means to me is maybe having your base job plus developing other ways to generate income.

It can mean having some chickens in the backyard that lay enough eggs so you can sell a few dozen a week. It can mean raising chicks, quails, or rabbits to sell as pets. It can mean developing a craft idea that can be marketed at craft shows or flea markets. It can even mean teaching classes to individuals or small groups of people in a field where you are excellent.

In fact, it can mean doing more than one of the above, or finding your own multiple streams of income. For instance, I can sell enough eggs to cover the chicken feed, though nothing more. However, that's just fine since it saves money that would come out of my regular income. From time to time, I can write paid blog posts. That helps cover my internet and phone expenses. I can even sell items on eBay to add to my income.

What can you do to supplement your income? Perhaps it's only seasonal, as those who create Christmas decorations to sell. Perhaps it's something you can do year 'round to pull in a few extra dollars a month.

Technorati Tags: entrepreneurism,income

Small business

We have all heard about the bailouts for banks and large corporations. I have sat wondering about the little guy. The "mom and pop" business that don't have access to the kind of money they need to grow their business.

I discovered that there actually is stimulusfunding small business loans that are available now. Someone who operates a small manufacturing business or retail business can access this money, with provisions, to add to their business or hire employees.

I like the idea of small businesses being helped. I truly believe they are the backbone of the economy.

Technorati Tags: business

Resolved pay issues

Good news. The pay issue will be resolved. I'm going back to a regular paper check instead of direct deposit. I am very happy about that. The company I work for has had all manner of problems with the large banking corporation they are doing business with. It's been glitch after glitch until they are sick of messing with it.

They gave me a nice advance on my pay, which I'll return when it finally does hit the bank. In the meantime, I can put gas in my vehicle, at least, and minutes on my phone.

Still, this makes me even more determined to further reduce my expenses and find more ways to generate income that don't involve working for someone else.

Technorati Tags: job,work,paycheck

Still upset about pay

This whole paycheck/direct deposit thing has me really upset. Somebody needs to change the way this is handled. I'm not alone among those affected who are pretty fired up at the delay.

These folks operate a multi-million dollar business and this is the best they can do? If we all headed into their corporate office on Monday, they'd need Bolle Gravity ski goggles to protect them from all the smoke coming off our heads over it.

One person is sort of rolling over on it. I've rolled over on plenty of stuff, but this is one area they should take special care of. You just don't mess with a person's pay!

Technorati Tags: paycheck,direct deposit

Payday delayed till Monday

So, here I sit wishing I got paid today. My company changed from paper checks to debit cards or direct deposit. Well, apparently if you don't use the same bank they use, you don't get paid until this coming Monday. This is a terrible way to do business and a terrible way to treat workers.

Some, crew people, will be getting paper checks today, Managers, on the other hand, who put in a lot of hard work and who don't use The Bank won't see a direct deposit into their accounts until Monday morning.

Sorry, folks. Sucks to be you. Sucks to be me, too. I don't use their bank and the way they set this up is really uncalled for. The technology is in place to pay people at any moment.

Like anyone, I have bills to pay. I desperately need gas in my truck. I used up all my funds over the past couple of weeks when Mom fell, and again when she wound up in the hospital, to go be with her. I wouldn't do anything differently, of course. But I was expecting a payday today so I could continue with everyday life. It's not happening.

I am extremely upset about this.

Technorati Tags: paycheck

Selling some eggs

Looks like I'm venturing into the egg selling business. Not by leaps and bounds, by any means. But I can now sell 4 or 5 dozen eggs a week, which will help to offset some of the feed costs associated with keeping backyard chickens.

I've started by offering them to co-workers via a popular social networking site. I offered three dozen extra large brown eggs, noting that they are organic and free range, and immediately got a response for two of them. I don't think I'll have any problems selling them.

Today, one of the ladies who works with me, who doesn't have computer access, expressed an interest in buying eggs. So, next trip into town, which will also be a work day for me, I'll but eggs into my styrofoam cooler and see who want some.

Besides the extra large ones, I also have some regular size eggs. To me, they look very small but in reality are probably around the same size as store bought medium or large eggs.

I'm offering them for $2 a dozen, which is pretty cheap I think. Eventually I may have to go up on the price if feed prices go up. By the way, the feed I do give them is whole grains and oyster shell. No medications of any kind.

Technorati Tags: egg,chickens,feed

Surveys to build business

As a person who is keenly interested in generating income from home, I am also very interested in testing the market from time to time to see what people are really wanting. I have a few skills in various areas, including but not limited to, teaching, homesteading, and various crafts. Every so often, I run something for sale on eBay or other online sales sites.

Selling is one way I can earn extra income, but it doesn't always work out so well. What people may have eagerly bid on in the past they may skip over now. I'm sure it's a direct result of the state of the economy. When you're trying to begin or improve your business, a survey is in order.

You can get a survey template online from a site that generates them for you or allows you to create your own. In fact, you can find free survey templates there that you can use. For a small monthly fee, you get access to more survey tools. email addresses, more surveys per month, your own brand marketed on the survey, and so much more.

Those of us who are serious about our business will find these enormously useful. In addition, you are able to engage in live chat via a toll free number to get more help and tips. Some of the biggest names in business use this survey service. I'm thinking, why not rub elbows with the best and build a small business using the same tools they do?

Technorati Tags: business,surveys