Surviving NJ

My Latest Scoop

2009-06-10T02:16:08Z

I had so much fun shopping this weekend. It's funny, but I don't actually go out by myself too often anymore. Sunday, I took the afternoon and browsed a few stores, and just went for a drive with the windows down. It was delightful, and I went at my own pace.

I picked up a couple of business books at Borders, along with a few odds and ends at Kohl's. Unfortunately, the reason I went out by myself was that my husband has been under the weather. He's feeling better now though, so I'm happy about that.

We're hoping to go see the movie UP this week. If we have time and Hangover looks like it could be fun as well. I think my son wants to see Land of the Lost. So we'll squeeze that in also, we tend to do a lot more movies during the warmer months, because that's when all the big releases come out - until the holidays in the winter.

Otherwise, back to work and the daily grind. Until next time...Deb

ID Labels that work as Temp Tattoo

2009-05-26T13:33:23Z

Have allergies? Maybe you're diabetic? Have a child that is prone to seizures? There's a great solution for kids on a class trip, or out at the zoo or amusement park...and maybe you aren't with them. Did they go with a friend's family, or on a youth group trip?

EyedentityLabel.com offers temporary tattoo style identification. You can place not only your child's name and an emergency contact number, but also information like: Allergic to Peanuts or Allergic to Bees, or Seizures or Asthma, or whatever you need to let someone know in an emergency.

This is something worth checking out if you or your child need emergency ID. It's a simple solution that's visible, or easily hidden....but something emergency responders will be able to find. Perfect for daycamps, a day out at the park with friends, a friend's birthday party when you can't be there...

They are waterproof and last for a couple days...currently the pricing is $25 for a pack of 18.

Movies and a Book

2009-05-19T16:16:18Z

It's been a full week for me when it comes to entertainment. We took off last week and headed to the shore. It was part work, mostly play for us. During the week, I was able to catch up on some movies, books and TV. Don't worry....NO spoilers....

Here's what I enjoyed:

Water for Elephants - what a great book! I actually listened to the audio version, and LOVED the narrator.

The Soloist - loved it, and could tell I would. It's been one of the few movie trailers that brought tears to my eyes. Excellent story and character study...sad, based on a true story

Star Trek - It was an entertaining movie. I can't jump up and down and go, wow, that was GREAT...because honestly, it just wasn't my type of movie. It was good, but jumped around too much. It seemed to want to do too much in a short period of time. Either way, I enjoyed it, and my guys said it WAS great.

I'm about to start a new book, with it's sequel...can't wait to get started. I even have a 7 book series on deck for my July trip! I love finally having time to fit these in.

Kite Surfing Video

2009-05-14T17:45:41Z

I found this kite surfing video for you to check out...the music is a little intense, so I'd turn your speaker volume down a little, especially if you're at work! LOL Check out this awesome kite surfing video!

Kite Surfing is So Cool

2009-05-14T17:34:23Z

Have you ever watched kite surfing? It's amazing!!!

We're down the shore for a few days, and today is one of thoes windy, choppy ocean days. Rain and showers will be passing through on and off today. We've had great weather all week, so i really can't complain.

We were sitting at the table doing some work, and we saw the coolest thing. I wasn't exactly sure what it was at first. It was a combination of surfing and parasailing-- really the only way I can explain it.

There were 3 people out on the waves cruising along, jumping, catching air, just gliding...it was so cool to watch! I finally had to look it up because it really held our attention. This was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen...and they looked like they were having a blast! They were going so fast riding the ways up, down, sideways, backwards...just anyway they wanted, then they'd stop and turn on a dime, and start going the other direction.

The use a parasailing type kite and catch the wind, and between the two elements of wind and water, it was an amazing site to see.

My husband and I sat there with our jaws dropping, just amazed at this fun experience we were watching. Today is the perfect day for it with the choppy waves and wind going in all different directions. It was grea tsince they were the only ones in the water, they had tons of space to themselves.

If you haven't seen kite surfing before, check out wikpedia or something, maybe there are youtube clips of it...all i know is it was awesome!

Kelly Rouba and Juvenile Arthritis

2009-05-01T15:29:41Z

May is Arthritis Awareness month. Did you know that Juvenile Arthritis affects over 300,000 children in the United States?

Kelly Rouba was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at the age of 2. Kelly decided to write a book on arthritis that kid would read, and features teens with arthritis. The book includes resources, and gives perspective from multiple individuals who are faced with the disease.

You can visit Kelly’s blog here: http://kellyrouba.blogspot.com/
You can find Kelly’s book here: http://www.amazon.com/Juvenile-Arthritis-Kelly-Rouba/dp/0810860554

Meet Kelly and other people featured in her book:
Arthritis Walk on Sunday May 3rd at the Princeton Forrestal Village.

You can help out be participating in the annual Arthritis Walk across New Jersey:
http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/new-jersey/arthritis-walk.php

There will be walks all through out the garden state during the month of May. Full details for your area can be found on the above website.

Clever Advertising

2009-04-27T12:30:06Z

We went over to Whole Foods yesterday in Quakerbridge. It takes us an hour to get there, so we don't go often...also while they have a neat selection- they do tend to be a little pricey.

Anyway, we're shopping at the store, and I have to use the ladies room. I go into the little stall and close the door. Advertising on the back of the door was pinned up right at my eye level!

Now, on the toilet, rather reading graffiti you'd see at some places, I see a well placed advertisement for an all natural shampoo brand. It's smack in front of my face-- of course I'm reading it.

Now THAT is clever advertising....

I Keep Saying...

2009-04-22T13:55:27Z

...I'm going to stop. I'm like an addict and keep adding more....more what? More work that is! I am inching up close to 80 websites now, and I think I've finally decided I'll cap myself at 100. It's a nice rounded number. I think I've got my fill, but many will be set and forget sites. Once they are built and content is added, they are mostly complete. I only have to then go in and maintain them once every few months.

On the other hand, during this set up phase, I seem to keep taking on more projects. What the heck is wrong with me? Don't I know I'm all ready overflowing with content and ideas? Why do I possibly need to add just a few more? It's like some sickness where I can't stop!

Okay, I have a five year plan working, and I figure if I push harder now, many of these sites will continue to work for me down the road.

I guess time will tell. About once every 6 months, I'll evaluation the group of them, and decide what to keep, what to sell, and where I think it's heading. The thing with many sites is that they really take time. Sure you can create a post and get traffic now, but as they mature, the dance in the search engines isn't as drastic, and you'll see more of a steady stream. When it comes to this stuff, so many people get out when they don't see quick results.....this isn't a quick game...time is on your side, and if you have the patience to wait it out, along with continuing to build, you can win....I plan on winning.

Flashback Friday and Pinball

2009-04-11T12:37:09Z

I went to an arcade with my son last night. There's a place right outside of Flemington that sells arcade machines. Every Friday night they open up and have a play all night for $10 event. My son goes for the arcade machines, and I go for the pinball. Last time I was there, they had 3 pinball machines in the front. I was thrilled to see they'd added 4 more machines in the back. I had 7 different pinball machines to play with.

What was really cool was the age range they were. Hot Line is a 1966 pinball machine, and the bumper points were worth a tiny 10 points. There was even a small bumper worth 1 point! Newer machines went electronic, and the latest machines go microchip. It was really neat to see the transition in things like artwork on the machines, the point values of bumpers and such. On Hot Line and a Bowling pinball machine from 1973, you were lucky to score a few thousand. Heck on Hotline-- I'd get maybe 6,000 points, while on the bowling one I'd see closer to 60,000. On the newer machines like Dracula, I was scoring 10 million point bonuses! See how point ranges keep going up too?

If you're in the area, you need to check out RichieKnucklez.com

I'm going to be adding them to my Hunterdon County site this week, so be sure to check that out too.

Mammory Thursday

2009-04-09T20:14:11Z

My mammogram and ultrasound were today. Crossing my fingers....they can't really say much, but it would seem that my problem from the last few years hasn't changed size, so hopefully this year it's labeled a cyst and I get the come back in 6 months to a year letter.

As I'm walking out the door, my husband says..."have fun"...not even really aware of what he's saying. I think to myself, oh yeah-- we're having a party with the mammogram machine. Wish you could be there...blah

Relaxed and Rested

2009-04-03T13:58:12Z

I just got back from Florida yesterday evening. It's amazing how a few days away can really help clear your head. For me, it's really hard to turn off work. Since, I am self-employed, I can sometimes obsess and easily put 10-12 hours in each day. Even on vacation, a few times my sister had to remind me to "turn it off". I did fit in reading a great marketing book, but otherwise, I said NO to the laptop- no to an internet connection, and no to work in general. No brainstorming, nothing...

What I got in return is a clear, blank mind. Wow, I'm not overwhelmed with what needs to be done, and honestly...it's a reality check to realize that 3 or 4 days will not make or break me. In fact, it was a nice surprise to see my sites were making money while I was kicked back at the pool bar with my feet up. Gotta love that passive income baby!

Either way, I'm recharged and ready to go. I'm looking forward to starting fresh today, rather than starting my day with a list of I should do this or that, and I need to do this....I'll make a list of priorities for the week- and there's no rush. I learned this week, there's no rush! I also learned I have a lot of fun in Florida, ha...okay, I all ready knew that.

Lots of sunshine, lots of laughter, mix in some shopping, some heart to heart talking, some more sunshine, some more shopping, and well....you get the picture. While the dreary weather met me in New Jersey...Monday I spent about 12 hours from 10 to 10 outside under palm trees at a par and then moved to the pool bar....man, it just has me itching for spring here. So, this Jersey girl is rested and relaxed and ready to head back to work. Signing off on this NJ blog for now....be back soon. ;)

Heading to Florida

2009-03-28T15:15:55Z

It's time for a spring fling. My sister and I are booked to fly out to Florida. I'm good and ready to put my feet up and take a break. I'll be honest, during the winter I have been swamped in work, and I am READY to turn it all off...

My feet will be up, my laptop will stay HOME, and I'll be soaking in the sun and leisure.

I'll see you on the flip side. I'm happy that by about May 1st, my workload will be back to normal, and I won't be quite so busy. Don't get me wrong, I took it on myself, and it's work that will absolutely pay for itself...it's just that it was A LOT! PHew....i'm good and ready for that break.

What an Insult!

2009-03-09T01:15:21Z

I had to fill up on gas over in PA earlier this morning. Trust me, if I could have made it to the border I would have waited! Not only was I forced to pump my own gas (ewww...is that what I used to do before I moved here?)...but I was forced to pay 20 cents more per gallon.

Now that's just uncivil.

Flippin' close to 2.00 a gallon in Upper Bucks this evening.

Heh, and we were complaining about close to $4.00 awhile back-- here I am $2.00 lower, and still I found a reason to complain... ;)

Buried in this White Stuff

2009-03-02T15:08:54Z

It's looking to be about 6-8 inches of snow out there right now. I'm so ready for this cold weather to leave! I'm looking at a possible spring fling, but the details aren't hammered out yet. Here's hoping I'm heading to Florida, instead of sitting in cold NJ weather sooner than later!

Snow to me = 3 dogs with wet paws, and in a week or so....3 dogs with muddy paws as it melts.

LBI

2009-02-25T17:01:21Z

My new LBI video! I redid it due to a small problem with the other one, so here's the new version. :)