Category Archives: Inspiration

46 Ways to be a Better Person

Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Here’s a quick list that will get your started on having a nicer day now. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

1. Take a deep breath now, hold it as long as you can. Count to 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, release, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and now another.

2. OK, two more deep breaths. Relax.

3. Concentrate on this word <<oooaahhhhmmm>> and close your eyes and take another two deep breaths, in through your nose out through your mouth.

4. Meditate. Concentrate on your third eye and just be peaceful. You can stop reading this! It’s okay!

5. Slow down. Try moving slowly.

6. Start each day as Gandhi did: Be the change you want to see.

7. Look for ways to help others.

It almost always seems impossible until it's done. ♡

It almost always seems impossible until it’s done.x♡o

8. Treat yourself great.

9. Be your own friend.

10. Go to the mirror and make funny faces.

11. Make yourself and/or a friend a nice cup of tea or coffee.

12. Take a long walk without music or distractions.

13. Clean. Go left to right, it works.

14. Be young in your heart.

15. Hug a tree.

16. Jump on one leg. Now the other. Do this in your mind’s eye. Or for real.

17. Spin like a child with your eyes closed. Do this in your mind’s eye. Or for real.

18. Hug someone. Even yourself.

19. Next time you see someone on facebook that’s down, get involved. Try sending links, messages.  Or, how about a phone call?

20. Believe in miracles. :) I do.

21. Be inspirational.

22. Forgive yourself.

6 Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy. Listen to the next sound you hear.

23. Push yourself to be a little bit better.

24. Count to ten before reacting. {or better yet, just let it slide.}

25. Pet an animal.

26. Turn off the tv.

27. Sell something on ebay.

28. Give something away to charity.

29. Treat yourself to a day spa.

30. Take a nice long relaxing bath or shower.

31. Bake.

32. Organize your files.

33. Make a list of three things you don’t want to do and then do them.

34. Eat well. How’s a salad sound for your next meal? A big one!

35. Exercise.

36. Take a risk with love.

37. Write a message on someone’s facebook wall saying thank you for being there.

38. Enjoy this moment.

39. You can reprogram your mind to believe anything you want it to. Triy listening to affirmations. There are tons on you tube.

40. Shine the light that God has given you.

40. Shine On!

40. Shine the light that God has given you.

41. Tell someone you love them.

42. No matter what your age, dream — even big if you’d like.

43. Remember a moment when you were blissful. Hold on to it.

44. Accept yourself for exactly who you are.

45. Send a REAL letter in the mail.

46. Give yourself a little break.

Thanks for reading and have a great day. I believe in you. I do.

In the comment section, I’d like to know what you can hear, smell and feel in this exact moment. What is around you? I can hear  boys playing, the washing machine spinning and a distant car passing.

Lessons from my Yia Yia — the most beautiful woman ever.

My sister Lisa and I made these glasses from wires we found in the garage. We had talcom powder in our hair to look old. My mom painted all the paintings behind us.

I find my life is truly blessed. I live in a spirit of thanks. When my husband walks home from work and asks me how my day was, he always likes to add how lucky I am. I think he’s right.

My road to where I am has been filled with bumps and jumps — beautiful, sometimes heart wrenching, highs and lows. Today, I look at the highs.

My grandmother, called YiaYia (Yiy yah), the most beautiful woman in the world, told me to find the good, find the positive.

When we were little, we’d spend a week, a weekend or a day at Yia Yia’s house. She had rosy cheeks, her hair done and she smelled like baby powder.

My beautiful Yia Yia. She's so beautiful.

Isn’t she just breath taking?

As we drove up to her curb in south Pasadena, we had troubles parking the car every time because the curb was too high to open the car door. My father would drive forward, us three kids would climb out, then we’d wait on the sidewalk while dad would park.

We’d walk up the sloped driveway to the front screen door. The five steps infront of the house were painted green. The dogs would jump and bark, the screen door would crack. Maxie. Maxie. I noticed the funniest long shoot drop mailbox, a chiming door bell and then there she was, Yia Yia, in all her smiling, sweet, come on it, glad you made it loving glory.

Is there anything more wonderful in this world than a grandmother for a child?

I remember if we would visit and she was ill, she’d stay in bed. She’d invite us kids on top of the comforter and she’d hug us. I remember looking at her arms. Her skin was smooth as silk with nice brown and pink spots on it. I’d ask what they were and she’d laugh and cover them. She said they were age spots.

Georgianna (Jane) Angelos, my mom and us three kids.

Her voice was always soothing. When my dad talked to her she used to look at him with listening ears and a smile. She’d say Ah, come on, Nicky, when she knew someone was teasing her, and then she’d laugh her lovely laugh.

She liked to apologize for her house disorder that I never saw and she loved girly things. I remember she had two alarm clocks and two big lamps with curious chain pulls to turn them on and off.

Her husband, Jack, my grandfather had passed away for at least 10 years but his clock was still on his night table. On the walls were framed pictures of ballerinas. On the pink and white cotton bedspread, she had her L.A. Times and her glasses. At the foot of her bed on her dresser, she had the TV turned on low. She liked to watch 60 Minutes.

She liked to write too. She liked Los Angeles. She’d write long detailed letters to her mom who was still back in Pennsylvania about the people she would meet at the Hollywood parties in the 50s, 60s, 70s.

She was lovely because she was. It was her essence.

Mike, Lisa and Julie circa 1968

When she passed, I was ready for it. I am sure I cried but it was through subtle acceptance and love that I knew she was ready to go.

If I had to sum up how beautiful the world is, I would say, it was when I laid my head on my Yia Yia’s chest and she would just hold me and caress my hair. It was as natural as birth, life and death.

If I had to sum up what she taught me in life, she’d say Julie, find the positive, find the good.

Facebook ► the good, the bad and the unexpected.

I like to see you on facebook.

I like to see you on facebook.

With nine hundred fifty five million active users and 10 billion private pictures, it’s no wonder that facebook is touching many of our lives in ways that are good and bad and unexpected. What do you think? Like it, love it or leave it?

Like

Sharing pictures of my life with friends and family.

Don’t Like
Choosing a profile picture.

Like
Reading and seeing pictures of your lives.

Don’t Like
Political threads.

Like
Unexpected laughter from funny stories.

Continue reading

My love affair with Apple, Mac and highest regards for Steve Jobs. ♥ ❒ Check ✔

♥ Why is it called Apple? Mouse over this picture to see.

It just works.

It started when I was working in the 80s at ComputerLand. I was hired by my mom’s friend the year after I had graduated high school. She hired me to be her assistant.

We sold IBM PCs to banks. There were no hard drives or memory on computers in those days. We saved our data on something called a 5 1/4 inch floppy disc.

One beautiful day a cute square box with an apple on it arrived that changed our lives. I got to open it. That was truly an exciting memory.

This is the first Mac that came out around 1984 I believe.

My very first computer purchase ~ the Mac Classic. I walked out of the SJSU Spartan Student Store with this in a box in 1986. It seems like yesterday.

It was the 1984 Macintosh also called the Mac Classic. We opened it up and I saw my first mouse. I couldn’t believe it. It was like a dream come true, someone, thank you Steve Jobs, had revolutionized the computer.

We had three programs to play with: a version of Word called MacWrite, a graphics program called MacPaint and solitaire.

Do any of you guys remember Wordstar? It was pre-word and used on IBM computers. Basically, you had to type a command-U before underlining and a command-U after the words to stop underlining. If you forgot the second command, your entire page would be underscored.

Bwah Ha ha ha.
That’s nerd humor for you.

Here kitty kitty kitty.  That's me talking again to my cat. : )

Here kitty kitty kitty. Click here to see my S.J. picks.

I hung out with the technicians. We got to open backs of computers and change mother boards and printer adapters. Fun stuff yet thoroughly educational and enjoyable. One day my friend Keary programmed a tiny musical symphony.

Why I love Apple and Mac Computers.

In 1986, after working at IBM, I bought my first Mac Classic at the student store at San Jose State University. The price was US$999. It was a bit of a novelty among my friends but me and my roommate got all of our reports done and WE COULD EDIT THEM.

Does anyone remember using white out on paper on a typewriter?

After university, I got my first job at big company in Los Angeles. There again, it was Mac all the way. To date, I have had and worked on

For my younger readers: This is what a computer screen looked like before there was a MOUSE!

For my younger readers: This is what a computer screen looked like before there was a MOUSE! See the Alt? Hold that with the U to start underlining! bwah ha ha ha, nerd humor again!

Macintosh ~ 1984
Apple IIgs ~ 1986
Macintosh LC 1990
Power Macintosh ~ 1994
Powerbook ~ 1996
iMac ~ 1998
Macbook ~ 2007
iphone – 2010

Talk about brand loyalty. The most difficult time in my life is when I moved to Europe in 1995 and couldn’t get support for my Powerbook to get my email going. I survived through it though. Europe has only embraced Apple in the last few years.

What I love about Macs?

Design. Intelligence. Font choice. The smile when you boot. User friendliness. The cool factor. That I have another mac or Apple and plan on getting more.

Thank you Steve Jobs and God bless.

How about you? Just how much do you love your Apple products? Are you loyal to any ONE brand?

Plug this into your cockpit.

ipad will replace books, in my humble opinion.

Also, I’ve never agreed with people who say Mac is just used for designers. I think ANYONE would love a mac product. Also I JUST had a long conversation how the ipad will revolutionize reading. I believe it will. I see kids with backpacks weighing 20 pounds and I get it big time.

Thank you for reading and commenting. please feel free to visit our gift store by clicking here.

Is your blog bloggalicious?

~ ~ ~

The wind longs to blow in your hair.

If someone is meant to be in your life, they will make sure they are. It is really that simple.

I saw a friend the other day. She asked me how I was. As a joke I said,

Haven’t you read my status update? Ba da bum.

We know we are in lives our changing and being enriched when every real conversation we have ends with I’ll send you a link.

Are bloggers the new journalists?

Now that I’m a blogger, I approach life a little bit differently. When I go out and about I notice more details. I started to talk to people and I’ve started to listen to them as well. I’m thinking I’m just basically scouting for stories so I don’t run out of things to write about.

Lord knows it’s hard to get me to be quiet so I don’t know why I would run out of ideas. The point is it’s time for me to zip the gab smacker known as my mouth and start listening.

I’m learning this from a blogger friend of mine. The way it works is this. You offer your story and then you ask to hear their story. So, letting caution to the wind, I say, hey, why not? I’ll give it a shot. Is your blog bloggalicious? Is your life life-alicous? Is your booty bootilicous?

Do you start every real conversation lately with I read your blog post or I saw your video on line?

Here’s a good one. When someone says they read your blog, do you sort of smile inwardly and think yeah, but did you leave a comment?

What do you think? People are reacting to me as if I were a writer. Now because I’m publishing a blog all of the sudden I’m a writer?

I’ll whip out some stories in the garage that I’ve kept for the last twenty years if you want to know that every day I’m a writer. The difference is that I’m now ready to share.

Did she just write what I think she just wrote?

Where’d I put the darn answer?

Joy. us.

Let your heart sing. Smile with your eyes.

I’m thinking Oscar buzz peeps.

I’m thinking Oprah’s on the phone spectacular.

I’m thinking out of control spectacular.

Did any of this make sense? Beuller? Beuller? Am I writing to myself again? Where’s my editor? Where’s my teacher? Anyone checking this for factual information?

Can I let this go? Will I let this go? When? Now. .•*¨`*•♫

Can I let this go? Will I let this go? When? Now. .•*¨`*•♫

If any of you are returning visitors here to my site I’ve been working hard updating it. If you are new here, well then *welcome*.

I’ve learnt a ton doing this blog about peer to peer marketing and overcoming fears. It’s actually increased my confidence as a writer. What do you think? Leave me a comment.

My friends have texted me that they find my blog and what I’m doing over here inspiring. If I had a dollar for every time.. ha ha ha.  That’s a good one.

I keep thinking about my blogger friend in Singapore who told me in a comment she thinks I’m technically gifted. It just makes me laugh.

I don’t know what happens but sometimes I am blogging and I get in a total programming zone where I have to get from point A to Z and until it’s there I don’t stop.

I’m super satisfied that I linked to five awesome charities in my right column. The one I hold dearest to me is for my high school friend Kelli, Living in Grace.

As always hope this post finds you lovely, lucky and in love.

Julie

#jbuliesblog supports #oohlabra w/@ideavillage at #NOEW2013 @silverlinecrm 18 Mar Wonderful job! Congrats @OohLaBra on #Leader $10k @salesforce @silverlineCRM Challenge!

How can you show your support? By sharing on pinterest, facebook or twitter. Thank you.

How can you show your support? By sharing on pinterest, facebook or twitter. Thank you.

Congratulations Lisa!

jbulie’s blog would like to extend a huge well earned mega congratulations to hardworking real life sister, Lisa, at OohLaBra.com. Lisa McKenzie is supported by family and friends when awarded the first prize for the sales challenge presented by multinational player Silverline.

In March of this year there was a conference for entrepreneurs called NOEW that stands for New Orleans Entrepeneur Week. I was thrilled when my sister called me a few months ago to tell me that her company, Ooh La Bra was selected as a finalist for more than three contests as the most innovate product. That call put her into the top five contestants as an entrepreneur.

In the following months, I watched my sister practice her pitch down to the last detail, including hair, makeup, market share and future projections.

Lisa McKenzie with her partner Susan Bopp, and members of the Salesforce and Silverline teams at yesterday's "Salesforce Challenge". Ooh La Bra was awarded the top prize of a customized software application, valued at $10k. Thank you Salesforce and Silverline!

Lisa McKenzie with her partner Susan Bopp, and members of the Salesforce and Silverline teams at “Salesforce Challenge”. Ooh La Bra was awarded the top prize of a customized software application, valued at $10k. Thank you Salesforce and Silverline. #NOEW2013

She’s truly amazing to watch as her friends can attest.

To read more about the contest, follow my twitter feed by clicking here.

Right after winning she was contacted by ABC to be interviewed. You can read and see the interview by clicking here.

http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=91064&sitesection=wgno_newswithatwist&VID=24656069

Here’s the official press release.
Global Corporations, Investors, Startups to Convene in New Orleans for 5th New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

PR Newswire | February 25, 2013 | 12:52 AM EST

National business executives, entrepreneurs, MBAs, and globally renowned venture capitalists will meet for the 5th Annual. New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, NOEW, on March 16-22, 2013 to share best practices and celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship.

Event headliners include Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of Aspen Institute,  Hamdi Ulukaya, President, Founder and CEO of Chobani Yogurt and Dana Mauriello, Director of New Business Opportunities for Etsy.

Additionally, representatives from Fortune 500 companies, the most prominent venture capitalists, and notable entrepreneurs will be participating, including:

  • Lisa McKenzie: Founder, President of Ooh La Bra
  • Jim Coulter: Founding Partner, TPG Capital, L.P.
  • Donna Fenn: author; contributing editor, Inc. Magazine
  • Nick Friedman: Co-Founder, College Hunks Hauling Junk, College Hunks Moving
  • Patti Greene: Professor Babson College; National Academic Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
  • David Hall: Revolution Ventures
  • New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu
  • Mary Matalin: Political Consultant
  • Kathryn Minshew: Founder, The Muse
  • Wendell Pierce: star of HBO’s hit show Treme
  • Bridgette Sexton: Google for Entrepreneurs
  • Margaret Spellings: Former U.S. Secretary of Education; Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Advisory Council
  • Alan Weinkrantz: Global PR Expert
  • Tina Wells: Founder, Buzz Marketing; Huffington Post blogger; Black Enterprise columnist
Lisa McKenzie, Founder and President of Ooh La Bra an amazing person. We support her as she is a finalist at NOEW2013.

Lisa McKenzie, Founder and President of Ooh La Bra an amazing person. We support her as she is a finalist at NOEW2013.

New Orleans has one of the most dynamic and engaged entrepreneurial ecosystems in the world and NOEW is its premier showcase event. NOEW is hosted each year by The Idea Village, a 12 year old nonprofit that identifies, supports, and retains entrepreneurial talent in New Orleans. The week-long event is the culmination of The Idea Village’s nine-month Entrepreneur Season, attracting thousands of attendees.

This year, NOEW is expected to gather 3,000 of the nation’s most innovative business leaders, financiers, entrepreneurs, and students to support New Orleans entrepreneurs through over 55 events.

Highlights include Capital Pitch Competitions, which will award prizes ranging from $100,000 to a personalized, guided tour of Silicon Valley’s investment community, and an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Summit that will engage global partners to discuss best practices for sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystems.

All seminars, workshops, and keynotes are free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

These events range from one-on-one counseling sessions to specialized workshops on legal and marketing practices. Registration is open at http://www.ideavillage.org

SOURCE The Idea Village

How to increase blog traffic — 10 tips and tricks from jbulie’s blog.

If you want your blog or website to succeed, just love doing it.

Easy.
Even the what you can't imagine is possible. ♡ ㄥ❀∨モ

Even what you can’t imagine is possible. ♡ ㄥ❀∨モ

I’m sharing with you what I’ve been doing over here to attract visitors and increase blog traffic.

Don’t believe the guys who say they get a million visitors a day. They are like kids in a candy shop, typing in numbers. Learn from doing first hand, and ask a blogger friend.

Here are the steps you can take to make your site grow.

1. Get to know your readers. Share.

Spend a lot of time looking at your stats feature and try to understand where your readers are coming from. A lot of my readers have become friends. Thanks guys. A lot are new, welcome. I’ve also found having a stats counter installed helps.

I’ve learned that they come from all over the world and different backgrounds and ages.

ㄥ❀∨モ

From Pauline to Helen Gurley Brown: She is an unsung, deliciously sybaritic, and downright cheeky feminist heroine. She will be sorely and dearly missed.

2. Participate in comments and conversations.

One of the best ways of inviting visitors to your site participate in conversations in the comment sections of blogs you like reading. Ever since I started my blog, I’ve learned a great deal in the comments section of articles.

3. Write good content.My highest ranked day was when I wrote a piece about motivation and being a better person.

4. Write from the heart.

Talk as if you were speaking to a few good friends. Write about what you care about people are going to be supportive.

5. Make it a goal.

I have also made it a goal of mine to have a lot of visitors so in my free time, I read as many articles I can on the subject.

6. Use your real voice.

When I write, I like to picture I’m either standing infront of my peers and explaining things simply. Or, I try to imagine I’m writing my sister or mom and telling them how simple it is to make a blog grow.

Wishing you flowers today.

Wishing you flowers today.

7. Enjoy

You guys might have noticed how much I love to play around with my readers. I enjoy writing. I write to share, to learn and to enrich life and the people around me.

8. Add extra value, then go the extra mile.

The more you give, the more you receive. It’s so easy to get great feedback ~ just give of yourself.

You are one person writing, right? Well, there are lots of people reading so the ratio is just immense. Give of yourself and you get back so much from some many people. I strive to constantly go the extra mile and provide excellent quality in all my endeavors.

9. Be inspiring

You can be inspiring, funny wonderful, full of life. If you don’t believe in yourself, well then I do! You can do it.

We all have the ability to push ourselves to learn and make our lives better. You can do it. I believe in you.

10. Pay it forward.

Without my visitors, I’d just be here talking to my cat. She’s a good listener, however. To pay it forward it’s super simple. Just hit the tweet button if you have twitter, or share on facebook by clicking the link below.

Thanks for visiting. I appreciate your comments.

How and Why I Self Published a Book

I remember one day sitting at a trade show booth in Las Vegas with my awesomely successful and lovely sister. Clients would come up to us and ask if we had any number of objects from Velco to copies, to faxes to signs.

We’d look at each other with a knowing smile, pretend to bend down and change hats.

One hat said Designer, one said Electrician, on said Copy Girl. Today my hat says Blog Writer.

i shall be calm in this moment. ♡

i shall be calm in this moment. ♡

I think that flexibility in skills in today’s marketplace is absolutely key to being successful.

One day I decided to write a book. It was so easy. I was sitting next to my fire while my family was either watching TV or playing cards and I was surfing the internet for interesting things to read.

Then I thought to myself, hey, if that person can write a blog or publish a book, then what is stopping me. So I did. I opened a blank document up and started to type. Before I knew it I was looking at my guide book called Zero to Blog.

Basically, it explains why I started a blog and how easy it is for you to do the same.

The steps I took to get my book available to the public were so easy. After you type up your book, you just need to design a cover. I had read about lulu.com where you can upload a book and name your price. I think I make half of book sales. I can’t remember exactly.

I designed the cover according to their requirements. They needed the cover to be a certain exact size, so I did that following their directions.

Then, all I had to do was upload it and there you go. I linked it to my blog so anyone who is interested can download it.

You don’t know actually need any authorization or approval from anyone in particular in order to write or sell a book.

You just do it.  Simple, right?

I also like to go the extra mile so I’m sharing some adjectives here you can use to spice up your writing. Have fun and let me know how your projects come along.

Here are 9 rockstar blog words for dummies smart people.

1) Barbra Streisand She’s amazing. She’s everywhere. If you don’t quite get it, neither do I. I am almost sure it’s just playing around. I love people just like to say it. If you know why they do, please tell me. :)

2) Life Hacks I’ve noticed a lot of the seriously smart blogging blogs are using Life Hacks in a positive way. Life Hacks offer simple solutions to every day problems.

3) Wicked As old as this seems I’m still coming across Wicked in in well written headlines. It’s still works. At least on East Coast it was big when I was a wee tot. On the west coast we used a little bit more surf slang. You tell me, do people still use this? I try to use words that I say. I’d never say killer buzz words. It sure looks good in a title though, doesn’t it?

So I heard you been jammin’ down some gnarly tunes on your guitar?

That is just so wrong on so many levels. This gem was offered up last summer at a barbeque.

Be a free thinker.

4) Zen Whether it’s Zen Motorcycles or Zen Journey or Zen Habits people love anything that will make their lives more zen like. It’s an art. It conjurs up images of peace. Oaahhhhhmmmmmmm.

5) Simplicity I like any website that promises a simpler better life. I remember reading one day less is more. Or was it every day one thing less? My goal in my life is to get everything put away before I die. One thing less. Simple Life, Simple Pleasures, Simple simpleness. Simplify your life. It’s simple.

6) Social Media I don’t truly love this term. I bought a book at a garage sale in Pacific Palisades, California from a nice lady. I wanted to keep in touch with her so I asked her if she was on facebook. She said, no I don’t like social media. It was the first time I heard the word. Now it seems to be everywhere and growing. I still can’t use it in a sentence though.

Take the road less travelled.

7) Non Conformity If we are living parallel lives as avatars in another planet, I think we’d all be driving Prius’s and living in solar powered houses. The idea of non conformity offers you the possibility of changing your life for the better by choosing to do what you love.

Be a non conformist. Be a free thinker. Turn off the news. Get informed. Read. Stay informed. Make up your own mind.

~8)  Trending It seems like people say Trending and then whatever new thing is out. I don’t know because I’m not trending anything!

*9) Boomz Thanks to one of my super cool blog writer friends like Tiny Island who shares with us some Singaporean coolness from their beauty girl Ris Low. I love they they just have fun and play with language. I used to do this when I was a little girl. I wonder why I no longer do. That’s just Boomz {hands out}.

It’s time for reader input ~ what are your thoughts?

What do you think? I think these words are on their way out: Dude, Alternative, Rad, Stoked, Factoid, Gnarly, Social Media and SEO. Those are lame in my opinion.

I think these words are up and coming: Blog, Boomz, Fluffy, My Bad, Hiney, Smile and Nod, Shiny, happiness, writing and Talk to the Hand.

13 things I wish I knew before I started a blog.

1. That I would be so visible in all of the world wherever there is internet. For some reason I thought I was still speaking to my immediate friends.

Six Simple Rules to live by: Be happy, be nice, be a leader, be organized, be a lifelong learner and be healthy.

Have a blessed day.

2. That people could laugh at me if they wanted. Sometimes they do but I mostly get compliments, thank goodness.

3. That everyone uses their blogs however they want in different ways to represent their own style. Some blogs have comments, some have books, some have lists, some have videos. Each person can make their blog completely personalized.

4. That the blogger community is extremely supportive. If you need help with anything there are endless forums to help you answer your questions. Or, you can post a new one. I did and got tons of quick answers.

5. That words are important. And can save lives. Take for example:

Let’s eat Grandma! versus Let’s eat, Grandma!

Believe it or not, a lot of people find my blog by typing those words into google.

6. That some people make money with their blogs,

Hi Mom!

Smile. You’re beautiful.

7. That it takes more time and dedication than I thought. But like most projects the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

8. That I ♥ blogging.

9. That 97 percent of people want to write a book.

10. What’s a widget. I thought a widget was that wooden triangle piece you slip under a door to hold it open. Boy was a surprised. I have since discovered that widgets are the spice of life. You can see all my widgets on my right column. They are things like being able to see your categories, most popular posts and facebook links.

Bike today. Yes please.

11. What’s a theme? Believe it or not, you get FREE themes. Themes are the overall looks of your site and you can choose whichever one suits you, just like a jacket.

You can even change as often as you want. I like mine for now but you never know. People love new looks. And it’s free.

12. That blogging would bring me increased confidence just like overcoming a fear.

14. That you would be reading this.

and just for fun, I’ll add another one. What would you add? What’s your number 14?

14. I wish I knew what social media was and how incredibly far reaching it is. I had seriously only heard the term social media at a garage sale buying a book.  Things you should look into are twitter, facebook and now pinterest.

I’m seriously in awe of the amount of times I see people in real life who have read my latest posts.

What about you? What are your favorite widgets? Why do you blog? Why don’t you blog? What are your favorite blogs and why?

As always, thanks for visiting and commenting. Nice to see you.

  1. Write down my goal in very specific terms.
  2. Practise visualisations daily.
  3. Stay positive and have an attitude of gratitude.
  4. Tell people about my goal repeatedly and publicly.
  5. Act as if I had already achieved it.
  6. Take massive action to make it happen.

What am I reading?
My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House

Life is participation.

Vision Boarding

Vision Boarding

I don’t know about you but I keep coming across one crazier story than the next. Humanity always seems to surprise me. For example, I’m reading stories about real stalkers, robbers, ATM blow ups, unfortunate home violence, earthquakes, and flying machines. Yeah right.

I started this blog four months ago and either I think I’m Crazy News Central or my readers do. Welcome. You might be new here, so please make sure to add a bookmark above, follow me on facebook or follow me on twitter.

♥Take me out to the ballgame♥

I KEEP getting some fairly random messages and emails, one more surprising than the last. It must be me. I attract the nutters? Not you, obviously, them. Let’s try to get it on the page and make some sense of it all.

How are you? How are you doing these days? You look great. Really. Strong and Lovely.

So wonderful to see you. Thank you for dropping in for some blog copycoffee. Happy? Well fed? Smiling? Living, loving? Being a good person? Aiming at being a better person?

♥Without my readers I’d only be writing to my cat.♥

I had a talk yesterday with one of my best friends about having over 300 friends on facebook. She said I think you should just stick to a core group of friends.

Hmmm. Made me think.

When I started this blog I had 200 friends, now I have over 300. I’m still the same person sitting at my macbook type typing away. When I started this blog I was writing to my cat. I now have 6,000+ visitors.

After I thought about it I got back to her and told her, Yes, you’re right, you must know who your true friends are. However, I do believe that with internet our lives have become more global. We have to now think in new shiny ways. We are no longer limited to our direct surroundings.

The world is getting smaller. Heck, you can book your own travel. Now THAT’S what I call progress.

What really amazes me is how these names and profile pictures are ACTUALLY real truly wonderful people who have taken a minute out of their day to read my blog. I thank you for that.

You meet them, you share part of your life with them, and believe it or not, you both influence each other and the lives of people around you. Are our comments just random thoughts in each other’s lives? Or, do you think about them, mull them over in your head during the day or before going to sleep?

Making any sense?

As my mom friend put it, Julie, you really are busy. :)

Well, I meet wonderful people in my circle of friends.

Team Update ~ ♥l i t t l e p u n e y♥ ideas ~ BIG results.

By the way, we are doing really well on promoting our little event in our little town. So far we have organized a little stand with coffee, water, drinks, ice cream, and a little bbq with hamburgers and hotdogs. That’s it. That’s the big plan.

The parents have offered to man the booth if I can figure out how to set up the gazebo thing~a~ma~jig. One sweet grandpa in particular is bringing an air popper for popcorn.

Another has offered to donate a coffee machine. My friend and I are painting park benches the worst color or rust I have ever seen.* The mayor of our little town is going to throw the first pitch of the season. He’s hot a handsome gentleman by the way, in case you haven’t noticed.

We’ve organized the event for May 1st, 4:00 p.m. Come!

Now that it’s all organized and going well, I can’t help but think, was it worth all of the trouble? Many words, hours, meetings, fun, ideas, new jackets, pictures and press are all flying about. But seriously, folks, haven’t we got better things to do? Apparently not.

Now it’s your turn. What do you think?

Do you agree with me that life is participation and it is better to be involved and make things a little bit better? Or, do you think life is strictly a spectators sport? Should we just go, grab a drink, have a laugh, watch and cheer as the others run about? Or maybe it’s better to come up with a good idea and try to implement it? Hmmm.

Let me know. Leave a comment.

I hope this message finds you happy and well where ever you are. Be a leader. Change by doing. Smile. Enjoy life. Laugh a little, for goodness sakes. Muah.

You’re gorgeous.

Julie

* It was in my garage for three years. Wrong choice of colors. Don’t ask.