Tag Archives: blog

9 killer blog buzz words that add extra value to your writing. It’s chill.

Posted on March 11, 2012 | 16 Comments

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

If you are wondering what any of that story has to do with the nine blogging buzz words is that I think using cool words can add value to whatever you are writing.

That is why I’m giving you nine FREE words that you can use with certainty to spice up your blog titles or just have some fun. Can you think of any?

By the way, the above example is ONLY a story. We didn’t actually change our hats.

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.

→ 16 Comments

Posted in happiness, Inspiration, lists, writing

Tagged barbra streisand, blog, blogger, blogs, East Coast of the United States, facebook, Factoid, google, happiness, Internet marketing, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Nevada, learning, motivation, Paris, ris low, Search engine optimization, Simplicity, Social media, Stoked, top blogs, Toyota Prius, twitter, Uniform Resource Locator, Wicked (musical), wordpress, writing, Zen, zero to blog

A #Blogger #Blogging about her #Blog {and such.}

Posted on February 24, 2012 | 12 Comments

Hello friends. Good to see you. New visitors welcome.

It’s another beautiful day. There is a smell of fresh brewed coffee. The kids are playing and the sun is shining. I live out in the country surrounded by fields of vegetables and orchards.

Because of what is called the lowlands, in the morning there is a nice white fog that extends the distance. It looks as if God painted a huge moving glorious postcard.

Sometimes while I’m driving to work, I see this white fog after a snow fall. It’s quite magical actually. It reminds me of the scene in Narnia when Lucy enters into the magical forrest.

I’d have to say it’s my favorite time of the day when you are between two places, home and work, just looking at the countryside, watching the birds take off. I see the same man jogging rain or shine.

Figure it out, figure it out, if you don't know how to do it, figure it out.

I notice the colors of the old withering farmhouses. I try to think of words that describe the soft colors of Italy.

The best words that I can come up with are soft butter, avocado and peach. Most of the old buildings are crumbling. I dream that I rebuild the home into a villa. Then I think, no, why would I do that? It’s so beautiful just the way it is.

The anticipation for spring is so strong, your hearts and minds start to see flowers. It’s a thrilling moment when the same snow covered field one day blooms. As we drive past fields of flowers, our family likes to say the colors, pink, pink, yellow, red, white, look, there’s purple.

Foggy mornings turning into sunshine days. Yeah!

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. Emmerson

It is nice to have you here with me. When I was just a little girl hum Doris Day, I wanted to be a published writer. I bought the beautiful empty diaries with angel covers. The first entry on the first page was always exciting with the anticipation of what I would write.

Life presents us with the solutions we are looking for.

As I write, I think of the people who have come across my words. Is writing crazy? Is it the same as talking to yourself in the mirror? If so, or, if not, even if people comment, the actual ACT of writing is me talking to me, right? Or is is you? See the confusion? I do. It’s ok though.

Be awesome. Be authentic. Be inspirational.

Zero to Blog ~~the film, the movie~~, the ebook

My ebook, Zero to Blog has been a journey of it’s own. I feel like the book wrote itself because it is information presented in a clear way to help people get their blogs on line.

I painted these for my sister. I see them when we Skype.

As a blog writer you have to figure it all out. I like that though. As my Uncle says, Figure it out, figure it out, if you don’t know how to do it, figure it out.

I suppose I watched too much TV and thought there was an actual book launch party. Maybe there are. In my real life, it didn’t quite go that way. The book launch party idea was to have a giveaway and a book signing. Well, it’s a digital book.

No bookstore. No signing. Or, digital bookstore online books signing party!

Beautiful just the way it is.

Now it’s your turn. I would like to know what you are working on. What is your favorite time of day? What images make you happy? What are ways can you describe color? What does your commute to work look like?

How do you sell your work. What has worked for you?

Thanks for stopping by, your comments are welcome.

→ 12 Comments

Posted in art gallery - if you're new start here, Italy, journal, motivation, relationships, teaching, travel, writing

Tagged Arts, blog, blogger, blogs, Book, Book signing, Doris Day, E-book, facebook, God, Italy, julie angelos, shopping, Skype, teaching, top blogs, Writers Resources, writing, zero to blog

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

Posted on January 14, 2012 | 19 Comments

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.

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,

Smile. You're beautiful.

7. That it takes more time and dedication that 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.

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

→ 19 Comments

Posted in Inspiration, lists, writing

Tagged blo, blog, blogger, blogging, blogs, Cascading Style Sheets, Classroom, Directories, EC number, facebook, FAQs Help and Tutorials, google, Leisure, money, Pareto principle, Plug-in (computing), positive thinking, Promote Your Blog, Social media, Tools, top blogs, twitter, Web widget, wordpress, writing, zero to blog

Andy Rooney on turning 50

Posted on December 4, 2011 | 11 Comments

Andy Rooney on Women Over 50

From Andy Rooney on CBS’s 60 Minutes:

Sometimes we discover gems of wisdom that have been right on our doorstep for, well… for a long time! CBS correspondent Andy Rooney shares his insight on what makes women over 50 so smart, sexy, and fun! Here you go:

As I grow in age, I value women over 50 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 50 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, ‘What are you thinking?’ She doesn’t care what you think.

If a woman over 50 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it’s usually more interesting.

Women over 50 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age.

You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 50. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 50 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest.. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 50 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 50, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?Here’s an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage.Why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

_____________

♥ Hi. Hey friends, thanks for visiting. New visitors welcome. ♥

Writing you with an update from life in Italy. Be sure to check out my e~store. I just updated it with a bunch of paintings I love.

When I started this blog I truly had no idea what it would turn into. Every couple of days or so, I’d come up with another idea and then try to implement it. So far, I have to admit, so good ~ can’t complain.

Sorry to keep going back to it, but my stats and visitors are doing great. In the last months, I have written my downloadable ebook, Zero to Blog, posted two videos, hosted a give away for one of my paintings.

I have also managed to get up my e~store, my jbulie’s clothing line, my schools clothes, and a couple of other things I’m sure I’m overlooking.

Does it matter? Why do you do it?

I like to talk about what gets people motivated.

I had another opportunity to teach recently. We talked about US, I talked about Italy, I talked about the world.

Nulla si crea, nulla si distruge.

When you become a blog writer and you write to a number of people, you have to be careful what you say. I mean that in the nicest way. I just don’t want to go out and publicize the lives of people who are near and dear to me without their permission.

I try to choose safe subjects, like the weather, like being in the classroom and travel. It’s not enough though. I think we owe it to our selves to push the envelope and go a little bit further to figure out how to make this world a little bit better by our example, by our work.

Lead by doing.

In class, I opened my blog to see on an overhead projector. By the end of the lesson, the students clapped. To me, it is not uncommon to walk into a classroom and find a big message on the blackboard, Prof Angelos is the Best. Thanks guys, I love that. Or, I get a lot of little cards that have been designed with hearts and stars. These usually stop me in my tracks, especially if I’m lecturing. I’ll stop, read the card slowly, smile and usually change the tone of my voice very quickly.

Big scoop going down in the classroom.

We talked about the world, technology and airplanes, and how not having an airplane can change your life drastically. I decided to take a group of kids into the art room and make pictures that say We are sorry that you are far away from your home.

Everyone contributed, even three other teachers. I showed six girls how to make the flower pictures. They came out great. I’ll get a pictures up as soon as the paint dries. They are currently in the art room. When I finished my flower pictures, the girls and a couple of teachers were sitting around watching, learning and helping. When I finished, again, they clapped, incredibly so.

Now THAT floors me.

When one of my best friends in the world writes to me why don’t you come back home?, which in my case, is Los Angeles, I crumble. I think that might be the sweetest thing I could possibly hear. My home is where my family is, my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother, and all of the friends I grew up with. Right? Now my home is in Italy.

In the last fifteen years, I’ve slowly built a new home, career and family that is echos with laughter. I don’t think I could ever beat that by going backwards.

Those are my musings for a lovely day in Italy that has included sun, wind, clouds and now cold. Kids are still playing out in my garden. As always I thank my readers who email me because a friend has recommended my book and thinks I can help.

That’s why I do it.

As always, please leave your comments. I apologize if this post is a little bit non linear, but perhaps that’s how I’m feeling today.

Much love to you all.

Julie

Your turn. If you are a blog writer, how do you feel about writing about your friend’s lives? Do you think they mind? What is the last book you have read?

→ 11 Comments

Posted in happiness, Inspiration, motivation

Tagged andy rooney, blog, blogger, blogging, Italy, turning 50, volcano, zero to blog

i ♡ u

Posted on November 30, 2011 | 2 Comments

Image via Wikipedia

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. ♡ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Sent from where I’m at.

I’m thinking back to a few months ago before I used facebook and before I had a blog. How simple was life then? I see how the internet is changing our lives. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Like my dad once told me, You can’t stop progress.

I’ve always been big on computers and technology. Couple that with me being a bit of a book worm and not too bad in school and that I like to read everything I can get my hands on. It only makes sense to start a blog and work on social networking.

While I was on vacation I had the pleasure of getting away from the computer. I think that was necessary. Necessary to see what I didn’t want to become: someone who spends his or her life infront of a computer screen. I want to live.

I’ve made some decisions and I’ve made some changes.

I’m spending way less time on the computer and much more time outdoors with my family. I just sometimes look outside and listen. That doesn’t exclude the fact that I love to write, to share and to connect. I like to watch my kids play.

♡ A house is a home with a soul. ♡

Blogging is a strange new place for me, lovely, yet newish. Let’s say I was a purist. I would write just for writing’s sake. Because I love to write. I also love to connect. I love that feeling when I am relating to people who read this and I hear back from them.

I like the comments. I love your comments. I think about them. I can’t believe how wonderful it is to communicate so fast and free. If you were far from home before email, you’d know what I mean.

Do we define ourselves by what we write? Or by what people say to us about our work?

I thank God for my teacher who told me on my first essay I wrote when I was a little girl that it was excellent. I wrote it in my journal and I’ve kept it. I’ll look it up for you if you’d like.

"excelent."

Is it just me or is there a lot going on? Did someone say popcorn?

How do you organize or categorize life? I just do what comes naturally to me and that is to write it down to try to make sense of it all. Then I can come back to it later and say, yes, that is exactly what is going on, what I have to do.

On my list.

Two big things right off the top. One is back to school on Tuesday. It will be the first time in six years that my two sons will be at the same school. {Wipes sweat off of brow.} That should make my mornings a little bit simpler.

New website in the works.

My husband is a cook and a masseur. He liked my blog so much he asked me if I could make one for his business. Sure.

Here it is:

So I did. It’s super cool and I love it. I have it in the fine tuning stages, but soon all of you can see exactly where we have our little shop. I’ll get information in there for how to get there, store hours, pictures of the four little rooms. It’s a Day Spa he runs with his mom and their assistant. It’s cute. You guys will love it.

The house

Our house is a blessing all the way around. I don’t think one day goes by where I don’t thank God for having a house.

The Italians are much different then Americans when it comes to staying close to home. That’s just my opinion.

Our house needs attention ♡

It’s a 100 year old house that we have restored. If we leave the house for a week, it seems unrecognizable. I can’t get over how something like a house that seems like it is just walls, a roof and floors seems to be a living creature. Houses have their own souls. If you leave them alone, they’ll mesh with their surroundings.

The reason I’m telling you this is because I find our house needs constant love and affection. Just like my husband, myself, my family, my friends and my work. You have to give of yourself if you want your life to thrive.

Again, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong in the past.

I have been working on changing light bulbs, retouching here and there, adding some plaster if needed, buying things that get old and need replaced, refurbishing what I can and constant sorting of things. Everything has a place. Little hands seem to like to move them. Or perhaps there are night time sock and shoe parties where I’m not invited?

Hope this post finds you happy, lovely and in love.

Julie

Grandparent’s Day: A Tribute to the Memories (blogher.com)
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Getting Back to Abnormal (beliefnet.com)
Taking You Back To Where I Was 9/11/2001 (theplussizemommy.com)
Good Parenting – What Children Want and How to Give It to Them (lifescript.com)

→ 2 Comments

Posted in happiness, Inspiration, Italy, journal, learning, motivation, teaching

Tagged blog, blogger, blogging, blogs, Child, family, God, Home, Italian language, Italy, John F. Kennedy, Parenting

On why I stopped writing.

Posted on November 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

I was reading through my archives this morning and getting a bit nostalgic. I was looking over the people who I have met through blogging and how blogging has changed my life.

I was thinking how thankful I made that decision to blog a couple of years ago. I mean, through my blog not only did I get a little creative outlet, I set up my little shop. I’m not sure how it is going to go. Sometimes, I feel as if it is a little self defeating. Other days I feel like it’s going great.

I don’t know where this post is going to go. That’s okay. I’m going with it. I’m going to let the thoughts just flow here now and I’m in the mood to share. I have so many thoughts. Is it possible I can just stop them? Organize them? Make sense of them?

Write them?

I’m trying. I’m trying to make sense of the world we live in. The world the includes social media. I am trying to understand how the 500+ people who I have on my fb friends’ list have entered into my life, if I know them at all.

Of course, some of them yes. But when I started sharing on facebook it was really just to show my sister and mom who live half way around the world, pictures.

Then I had problems with privacy. I don’t mind sharing photos sometimes but not all of the time. The ones that are up are up. But, lately, I just don’t know.

It’s all about being public. And private.

Maybe that’s why I sometimes just recycle old posts or put favorite posts on my front page. I just take an old post that’s good and change the date. That’s fair, right? It is my blog after all, right? Can I just write on one date and publish it on another date? Is that lying if the post says one date and I wrote it on another? Like my about page says, my goal in life is to be honest.

Not always easy. Good goal though.

Prayed last night with my family about my work situation.

It’s dramatic and depressing. I lost my job in May and I’m not at all okay with that. All of my posts, all of my life has been dedicated toward teaching. Yes, I found a small teaching job at four hours per week, but that’s not enough to live on, to get by on and frankly my savings is dwindling.

Crying. Laughing. Such an emotional git I am. So darn human and vulnerable.

I look at my pretty paintings and they cheer me up and they tell me a story. I think of your comments that just play in my head over and over much like a song you can’t get out of your head. I think about the girl who says look at her, look at her, she’s got it, the art, the house, the husband the kids.

I try to live in a state of blessings a state of grace.

I try.

I’m no where near there. I call on my parents. I call on my family. I call on my best friend. I call but no one seems to have the answers for me. Only me of course. And God.

What makes me happy is my children. I wish and I’m saying it here loud and clear, I wish someone told me that motherhood would be what it is! They try, don’t they? What it means to make Christmas happen. What it means to add the sunshine into the day, to be a a guide when you don’t know how, to give of yourself completely to try to find words for something you cannot possibly explain with words, but only with glances.

My readership.

My readership has grown and changed and slowly evolved into something I can’t understand or make heads or tails of. It’s a strange thing, it is. There are the people who I started blogging with who have stopped reading and stopped commenting and stopped blogging. Then there are the lovely ones who I’ve met along the way who have entered into my heart.

Then there are the people who I care most about who send me love and encouragement. Then there are lately the non commentors who quite frankly just I don’t know how to say it, I don’t want to say freak me out, I just want to say, I wish they would just say hello. Maybe they are shy. Maybe they are just reading. Maybe they are just observing. Who knows.

Maybe that’s why I stopped writing. Because I see person after person stop in read what I say and then move on. Why? Why read? Why even visit?

I know, I like to read and visit too. I’ll give you a concrete example. One of my favorite bloggers, actually two of them, don’t have facebook accounts. When they write a post, it’s not unusual for them to receive up to ten comments on the same day.

I’m not saying I’m comment deprived, I’m just saying, I don’t post regularly, I have way too many friends on facebook, and I can’t make sense of this social networking, so I’m not writing. Just recycling.

Does it really matter if someone comments here or on facebook?

That should keep away any visitors, huh? Also, like I’ve said before, I cannot stand email. I just don’t like it. So now that people get my posts by email, it really bothers me. It’s as if I’m writing straight to you. I’m not trying to do that! I’m just trying to get my thoughts on my journal and make them public. I didn’t mean to send you an email. I know you opted for it, but it’s just not my thing. I delete upwards of 30 emails a day. I can’t stand it!

So there you have it. My view on why I stopped writing. At least for now. You never know though. People are strange. They can change their minds at a whim.

On a happy note, my shops are doing well. I appreciate that. You are welcome to visit my stores and see my art work here and here.

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Posted in journal

Tagged Arts, blog, facebook, http://cafepress.com/jbulie?aid=49372963, Online Communities, Social media, Social network, twitter, writing, www.zazzle.com/jbulie

‘Let’s eat Grandma!’ or ‘Let’s eat, Grandma!’ Punctuation saves lives.

Posted on November 25, 2011 | 13 Comments

Hi guys and welcome back to my blog. Thanks for dropping in.

Do you often check your stats?

I was humbled when doing my internet research and came across blogs that have a reported reader base of 300,000. I was so excited about my first 1,800. I went into the kitchen and told my husband. He was lovely and supportive. He said Julie, give it a chance, you have only just started.

Time to reflect.

He’s absolutely right.

I am reminded to thank God for my many blessings.

I spend a lot of time figuring out the basics, how to choose a picture, how to get my categories and my archives visible.

There’s a lot of behind the scenes work going on that I don’t know if my reader is aware of.

Here’s a little award going to the behind the scenes workers at this blog. Someone needs a little love and appreciation today. Smattering of applause.

Some people added me to their lists of blogs they like to read. This brought new visitors. Thank you. It is a nice friendly surprise ~ sort of like a present you didn’t expect.

More Readers Comments.

Be young. Go ahead do something impossible. Could anything be more sweet?

Most comments are super supportive and positive. Thank you! A guy left a comment saying anyone who writes their biography in the third person is a dork. I deleted it. I reserve that name for me from people I truly love like my sister, my husband and my best friend – who by the way also call me Mutt, Monkey, Jules, Julie Bulie and JB.

Each Word You Say Represents Who You Are

Often when my younger students use questionable language, I sometimes give them a tiny note, a wink and a smile.

Give.

They told me in person It’s not our fault.

I told my sweet and smart students I’m going to buy you a shirt and write It’s not my fault on it for the amount of times I’ve heard that. I love that they have added me to their facebook accounts and include me in their lives. Hi guys!

They gave me a couple of toys to play with at school: a spinner top, a stand up Winx as big as my index finger and a poofy top Cars pen.

Smiles. Silliness. Wonder.

Just how cute this is? Wouldn't this make a great gift?

Everything is going to be okay. Really!

Life is Participation.

I walked into class and some of my students noticed I got a new hair cut. They gave me compliments. I think were sincere. Although at the moment my hair is getting really long.

I’ve learned so many things from people and living lately. I would say the number one thing I have learned is how to be a nicer person. I mean it. I surround myself by lovely people and I thank you for being here right now in this minute reading these words. Hi! Welcome.

I’m Still Smiling.

I received a ton of stuff from my loved ones. Thank you so much. They continue to spoil me. I don’t know what I have done to deserve such wonderful treatment but I try to be humble and thankful.

My kids got a lot of clothes, toys and candy. I get love.

We talk about health, not smoking and going the extra mile – and flossing. how knowledge will make you a better people. We talk about how making decisions now effect the rest of our lives.

Miro. Ha!

I feel privileged to be a writer and a teacher, to talk to them and to you too. I’m also enjoying every beautiful minute of this glorious day. Thank you.

I know I got through to my class because they got real quiet and started listening, eyes transfixed. We talked about health we talked at length about existentialism, fatalism and Christianity and dreams. They get it. Kids are smart. They are our future.

As always, I hope this finds you well, happy, lucky and in love. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read and visit. Have a great day.

Julie

Be inspirational. Be inspired. Note to self: Try harder. And smile. Everything is going to be alright.

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Posted in family, happiness, Inspiration, Italy, journal, learning, motivation, teaching, writing

Tagged Academy Award, blog, blogger, blogging, blogs, Christianity, education, facebook, God, Grandparent, Henri Matisse, Index finger, James Brown, Josh Wink, journal, julie angelos, let's eat grandma, Matisse, Mother, motivation, Mutt (e-mail client), Online Communities, positive thinking, Professor, Social network, Student, Thanksgiving, the new york times, twitter, World War II, writing, zero to blog

#6 My Amazing Friends also known as MAFSS guest M. Risser

Posted on November 22, 2011 | 15 Comments

You might be new here, so please make sure to add a bookmark, follow me on facebook or follow me on twitter at jbuliesblog.

Running side by side friend.

Run the Hill by guest blogger Michele Risser

Run the hill is a phrase I use when things get hard. Run the hill is focus. Run the hill is determination. Run the hill is tenacity, strength and endurance. Running the hill is the thing you have to do to become a better runner.

On a long stretch of highway you can see the hill, ahead in the distance waiting for your arrival. There are certain things you must do as you approach it. You must unclench your fists and relax your shoulders. You must straighten your back and expand your chest. You must raise your head. Most importantly, you must turn up your music.

Stay focused.

As you begin the ascent, you must find a point just ahead of you to become your mini goal. It may be a crack in the road, a sign or a post, a tree or a flower. All you aim for is that next little goal. It is very important not to look, glance at, or focus on the top of the hill, it is overwhelming.

You must stay focused on your mini goal until you pass it and then hone in on the next crack, tree, post or flower until again you must select a new one.

As your music keeps your pace, as your eyes look forward, as your chest expands to receive oxygen and your head is held up to supply that oxygen, you begin to realize you are running the hill. Little by little, breath by breath, one leg and then the other stepping up, up, up. You are running the hill.

Jumping over obstacles.

Those things in life which are the hardest to do are the things we must do. They make us stronger, more patient, compassionate, they improve us.

They give us the experiences in life which require focus, determination, tenacity and perseverance.

Doing hard things helps us to grow. At times those hard things may seem overwhelming and so you set a mini-goal.

Perhaps solving one problem at a time, improving a fault little by little, mending a relationship, gaining knowledge, overcoming pain, hurt, anger, depression or addiction. One hour at a time, one day at a time, one lesson at a time, one achievement at a time.

Triumph

When you reach the crest of a hill and you know within a minute you are will be at the top, you must push with that one last burst of energy that is hidden deep inside of you, but is always there.

For a brief second, just an instant, you are able to see the view from the top of the hill. The view is glorious, spectacular, breath taking and not because of what you may see, but because of what you feel ~ your moment of triumph.

You will feel your strength, your determination, tenacity and endurance, all of the those characteristics that helped get you to the top of the hill.

You can do it. I believe in you.

Then, you begin to run, down, down. No longer is a mini goal needed. Your breath begins to relax, no need to concentrate on the song to keep pace.

For a moment you have a repose, a rest from the intensity of pushing yourself, from doing something physically and mentally challenging.

Even though you know that there will always be another hill, you immerse yourself in the glory of running without effort. You feel light, you are floating, you are free from the burden of climbing the hill and all you can do is look in wonder and gratitude at what is around you.

You feel like you can fly.

Becoming a stronger you.

We cannot avoid running the hill, we must run it when it is there before us. We must not be discouraged if it not our best run, or our strongest, or fastest or our most successful. Running the hill will be different every time, because all hills are different. The constant lies in us and the tools we use from experience, to make the run bearable, to finish. Remember that each time you run the hill, you become a stronger you.

Run the hill, run the hill, run the hill. It is what I repeat over and over in my mind as I make the climb, both in running and in life.

If you’d like more information about Michele and running you can leave a message here below, contact her on twitter, or contact her on facebook.

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Posted in happiness, motivation, relationships

Tagged Autos, blog, blogger, blogging, Christmas, Energy, guest post, Health, Hill, holidays, Long run, Long run and short run, Makes and Models, Michele Risser, Mile, New Year, Oxygen, Recreation, Road, Road running, run, runner, running, self help, shopping, Sports, United Nations, United States, Vocal folds

Zazzle Affiliate → jbulie added ♫.•¨`•♫.•some #Zazzle

Posted on November 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

Two Cats in a Window Postage Stamp approved by US Government.❒✔

 Art is c❀❀l.

This post is dedicated to you Mika, Mom, Michelle and Janie→.

Hi friends.

I’m going to share with you today whay I have learned about selling artwork online and affiliate sales. I feel like a bit embrarrassed because I am so late to the game.

I put it some of my art for sale on ebay and sold quite a few, okay, 12 paintings so I thought, you should figure out how to sell your artwork online.

I did as any of you would have done. I googled sell artwork online. Then I started reading everything I could on the subject.

Art is c❀❀l

You get your own decent artwork up for sale. I’m not saying I’m a pro at this at all because I’m just learning by doing. It is exciting to see that someone buys your work on a mousepad.

I opened two stores here and here. You should do the same. Then you save your artwork as a high quality image and upload it to the website.

If you need any help selling your artwork online, let me know and I’ll help you through it. Also, if any of you pros out there have any tips you feel like throwing over to a newbie like myself, I’d sincerely appreciate that.

Since posting this particular post, I’ve had three real life friends ask me how I am doing it and my husband too. I am figuring it out. I want to give you exact instructions, so please bear with me.

Clicking here will take you to my zazzle recommendation.

L❀❀king g❀❀d on G❀❀gle

Part II - How do I become an affiliate and earn 15% on things I like in links around my blog?

Refer a friend program. Get $10 for you immediately!

Use this code:

Get $10 off your next order from Zazzle! Zazzle is the best place to get unique, custom gifts for everyone on your list this year! They have everything you could want from holiday cards and custom postage, to t-shirts, mugs, and smartphone cases to gallery-wrapped canvas and so much more.

more!http://zazzle.extole.com/a/clk/2MFJG

1. Bookmark this page by adding a bookmark above, click here and register, taking note of your id, then come back here. You’ll need your id code. It’s 16 digits.

 Art is c❀❀l.

2. Choose products you’d like to like to sell. You’ll add the code to your store name after a ?rf= If you refer someone to buy something from your site you get a referral fee of 15%. This used to be 7%. You get a code and you type it into the product you like. Then you get referral credit. I’ll give you an example.

Say you want to buy this cute little daisy coffee mug. The URL is:

http://www.zazzle.com/fun_daisies_mug-168474009784388469

All you have to do is type ?rf=238662101328135626 after the url when you link it. I used my personal code as an example. You’d insert your code instead. Click here to see. The Url that will earn you 15 percent is ready to link.

key: This works on ANY product you like. You can choose.

3. Pay it forward by copying this little flower and linking it somewhere on your blog and linking it to my store, zazzle.com/jbulie*.

You can do that two ways. One is to add a text link, the other is add an image link. Here, I’m giving you some code you could just copy and paste right into your site, if you’d like.

Copy and paste this code to link to my zazzle shop

{and} copying and pasting this code will link you to my blog:

Thank you.

As always, I hope this finds you lovely, lucky and in love. Let me know how your projects are coming along.