Category: blogging

Your Journey as a Writer

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Writing a novel is a lot more complicated than it seems, or for me it is.  Of course, I am one of those people that love to just go with the story, never really been great at planning when it comes to putting a story line together.  Billy on the other hand is great at that though.  In a way though, I do find it very therapeutic, when upset about something.

I started my writing journey six years ago, mostly I did a lot of freelance work but I have also been working on a novel as well during my free time.  Publishing an e-book has become the new trend.  It is so much easier to go through Amazon or Barnes and Noble to publish a book than it is going through an actual publisher.

If interested in starting a writing career I have dedicated Pinterest boards to help give you a starting point that will help you establish a solid foundation to lean on.  Writing has become a new working point for Stay at Home moms.  It is something that is flexible and easy to get into also.  There are so many opportunities out there for moms that want to work from home, I have devoted a lot of my free time to researching ways to help other moms find what they are looking for so that they too can be able to stay at home with their kids.  Here are links to some of my boards that will help:

List of Boards

Freelancing Board/ Work from Home

Stay at Home Mom Board

Book Writing Board

I hope this helps and if you do find yourself interested in starting a Novel that’s great!  It really is a fun way to express yourself through your writing and surely is bound to bring out your creativity as well.  🙂  Feel free to check out my Pinterest account, it is filled with so much fun and useful boards meant for the whole family.  Hope everyone is enjoying their summer, can’t believe we are so close to Fall already! Yikes, time is flying.

 

 

Publishing a Book

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Today I am really working hard to publish one of my ebooks that I have been working on. I’ve got a lot to do but I am feeling confident that I will finish by the end of the day. Publishing a book is not as simple as I thought. To be honest I love writing, hate editing, and well yeah I am sure you get it. Billy, my husband, thinks it’s funny because it has taken me this long to even get a book out.

Right now I am just spending time with the kids while an AT&T technician works on our internet. It has not been user friendly at all for over a month which has also caused me a lot of time as well. Hoping it will be back up soon!

To be honest it has been nice to take a break from the digital world. I can’t say my kids agree but it definitely has encouraged them to be more adventurous! It has forced them to use their imagination and has pushed me to get tons done around the house. There is a lesson to come from this too! It is so easy to get caught up with our digital devices that we forget what’s truly important in life. Hope everyone is having an amazing Wednesday! Feel free to comment below as well 🙂

Date Night with the Spouse

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The other night I posted a blog relating to spending time with your little ones by having  a movie night!  Well now I am going to touch base on making time for your spouse.  It is important to focus on your spouse even when you have kids.  Trust me I know it can be difficult especially if you aren’t used to multi-tasking and don’t have any time management skills.  What I do is normally send the kids to bed at their normal bedtime which is between 8-8:30.  Once they are in bed me and my husband talk about movie options, we make sure we have snacks available to enjoy as we watch the movie also.  Normally we pick a movie we both like but there are times we also take turns of who gets to pick the movie next.

This is a great way to bond with your spouse.  I call it our date night and it works, at least for us.  Sometimes we will even play board games, write together, even just sit down and talk and eat together.  It is important to make time with your spouse and the evenings are a great chance to do that.  For our schedule it definitely works but I understand that everyone is different and may have unusual work schedules.

It is healthy in a marriage to make sure you are connecting with your spouse.  I am sad to say I have witnessed so many divorces over the last eleven years that me and my husband have been married.  Most of them only lasting between two to four years.  It has been a mission that I have been trying to pursue since I have noticed the drastic incline of divorce rates since we got married.  Another factor I would encourage to help with growing a healthy marriage is communication.   Make sure you and your spouse are talking to each other, it helps build a much stronger bond between the two of you and you start to understand your partner much better than before.  Hope these little tid-bits help.grass-2601662__480

Sensory Play

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Sensory play is important to a child’s development.  When I was teaching preschool a few years back I really enjoyed doing sensory play with my kids.  It helped them engage more with their senses and children that have sensory disorders really do well when doing projects that involve lots of sensory play.  Sensory therapy is something I do with Joseph my third child, A LOT!

Ever since he was itty bitty he struggled with water, the sensation of water.  Baths were a disaster, he would literally scream at the top of his lungs and panic when it came to bath time.  It was very sad actually.  Me and Billy really hated to see him so distressed when it came to taking a bath.  It took us until he was four to actually get him comfortable to sit in a bathtub.

Sensory play with water was his best bet, we had a lot of help through the Pre-K program at our local Elementary School also.  Showers are still an issue sadly but at least baths are okay now.  Right now I add color tablets into the bath water and bubbles and he absolutely loves it, especially when the water changes color. I strongly encourage other moms to try water play with their little ones, most kids find it awesome and really get into it.  Sensory play can also include play dough, moon sand, or anything with texture.  Feel free to message me below and I would be happy to send you some fun recipes to try with your little ones.

Having Fun in the Sun

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The last two weeks have been quite funny, especially because it seems like everywhere you look kids are so caught up with their electronics.  The first week of July our internet went out and I have got to say hands down my kids’ reaction was priceless.  They didn’t know how to react.  It was a shock, it’s like they couldn’t figure out what to do next.  Every minute they would ask “when will it be back on?” or “is it fixed yet?”, it was quite funny.  We sent them outside to play while the At&t worker did his magic.

It really had me thinking of when I was as a child and how I was always outside running around getting into mischief.  My kids need time to use their imagination which had me thinking I really need to cut back their time with their electronics including the television.  Recently they have been thriving from the time away from all the media and have bonded more with each other.  They interacted more with each other which is great overall for their social development.

In the long run I will be setting up a schedule that will allow so much time for them to choose if they want to watch television or play a video game.  Choices are good but should be limited when giving options.  You don’t want to overwhelm your children which will end up in disaster.  That is also why I posted about movie night with the kids, that is a great way to encourage the kids to enjoy family time while watching one of their favorite movies or shows.

For instance, when I was a child we would go out and play hide and go seek, tag, freeze tag, football, and jump rope.  There are endless games that can be played it is just that our children have been born in an era where it has been overshadowed by media and electronic devices.  When I went to the store the other day I made sure to buy them a soccer ball.  In my younger years I loved kicking around a soccer ball so my first thought was ‘I am going to get my kids one’.  They absolutely love it.

Exercise is so important for children, getting them outside to play, it’s crucial for their physical development and also their mental status.  On another note I have decided to work out with my kids, for instance, like taking daily walks or playing games outside with them.  This helps me and the kids bond and get our blood pumping.  When outside though, especially in the summer, it is good to make sure you have access to water, so you can stay hydrated.  The heat index can be a lot hotter than usually predicted and that can be a problem for you and your children.  During the summer months I always make sure my kids have access to a Little Tikes kiddy pool so that they can also have water play even with water guns when we are outside.  This helps them stay cool and have fun at the same time.

Attention…Attention…Please.

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You know as a parent privacy is hard to come by.  It is so true.  To be honest in my opinion I feel like when I make a phone call that is the time you will see my children show their true crazy nature.  It brings the maniac out of my kids!  Getting on the phone especially if it is an important phone call my kids go bananas.  It’s “Mommy I need this.”  “Mommy I want to talk.”  and so on.  Then I will have some of them even try to climb me as I am on the phone.  Yep my kids are definitely the attention speaking type.

Getting on another point I have noticed that the same behavior comes out when we have visitors.  They can’t just sit quietly or play calmly, nope, that would be too easy.  It’s like they have this initial embedded beacon that goes off when mommy is doing something or visiting with someone.  It is quite humorous in a way.

Parenthood is definitely funny, there are days that I feel like I am in a comedy show.  Kids do funny things especially when they have an audience.  There are times I wish that I could catch some of the stuff they do on camera, I would be famous.  Just kidding.  But it is true, kids are funny.  When I get overwhelmed I just have to think of the funny crazy moments and remember they are just being kids.  As an adult I feel like I have forgotten the true nature of being a kid.  When I sit down and spend time with my kiddos I get a taste of how I felt in my childhood and it helps me relate to them better.  So spend time with your kids.  Laugh together.  Make unforgettable memories.  Live life to the fullest.

A Little Funny for the Restless

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Today I ran across one of the funniest life hacks hat had me on the floor laughing. The image it gave me of when I was a teenager was priceless! To be honest an image of teenagers today going through phone withdrawals is just overbearingly hilarious. The life hack quotes this:

“When punishing your kids, don’t take away their electronics.  Just take their charger and watch the fear in their eyes as they use it less and less while the battery slowly dies.”

It was just to pass up to now share!!! As a parent I have learned it is best to have an open mind and a great sense of humor!!!!

My Summer 2018

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This summer is going by so quickly!!! It is blowing my mind. I was able to actually find time to finish my website today. I still need to produce more content on it but I was able to get it fully up and running! http://www.embracingtheimpossible.com

Also this week I have truly fallen in love with Pinterest! It is the ultimate guide to anything….literally lol! Here are tons of pictures for you to enjoy of our summer so far!

Where to Start off as a Newly Established Freelance Writer?

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There are many different opportunities here on the sites listed below, many freelancing jobs that are available range from writing, translation, data entry, blogging, web design…etc.  On some of these sights after you sign up you will first place bids on the jobs you are qualified and interested in.  You will then wait to see if you get selected for the job you put in for or if another freelancer was selected.  Some writers do really well and others not so much, it really depends on what you want to do with your freelancing career and the skill set you have to offer.  The more you do it the easier it becomes, practice makes perfect.  These three sites are very popular among many freelancers and are highly recommended by lots of successful people that freelance on the side.
www.freelancer.com

www.upwork.com

www.guru.com

www.iwriter.com
For Iwriter you will have to make an account by signing up on their homepage.  It is a very easy process and FREE! Once you have made an account you are given a rating that normally will start with a one star.  That will limit your job opportunities at first but as you advance by taking on the smaller jobs you will soon be promoted to the more higher paying jobs that are offered.

www.blogmutt.com
Blogmutt is a site you get paid to take on blogging assignments from different clients.  It is very easy you just have to sign-up and take a grammar test and sometimes a small writing test.  Different sites have their own requirements because they are trying to see if this is the writing niche for you.

www.scripted.com
Scripted is a lot harder to get into but pays really well!  First you have to sign-up and take a grammar quiz.  If you pass the quiz you are automatically taken to a screen where you can choose between three topics to write a small blog post about.  MAKE SURE YOU READ THE DIRECTIONS!  that is key to being successful on this site. Once you have completed the first blog assignment then you will have to do a small descriptive writing assignment on an item of their choice.  If you manage to get through all those hoops you will hear back from them by email letting you know that you have been accepted as a qualified writer for Scripted!!!

www.writersaccess.com
Writeraccess is another great website that pays really well if you become accepted to be a writer for them.  You can choose from four different categories which include: Writing, Editing, Translation, and Content Strategy.  Choose the job that fits your freelancing style and they will email you back if you fit their needs in that area of expertise.

www.writerbay.com
Writersbay is very similar to Writeraccess.  You have to apply but it is more for general freelancing so you don’t have to really choose a niche.  They will also email you if you match what they are looking for in a writer.

www.articledocument.com
Article Document is a wonderful website if you want to get some sample articles and experience behind you.  You start off with creating an account with them and writing three articles of your choice (they have a list you can choose from and it is very extensive).  Once you are done with the articles you are rated.  If you are rated an “8” or above  as a total from your three unpaid articles then you are able to take on paid assignments.  You also get royalties for all articles you write for them including the three you wrote prior to the paid assignments.

www.fiverr.com
Fiverr is a more relaxed writing environment and is very popular among a lot of people who need a freelancer because the pricing is extremely reasonable for clients.  The base charge that you start your services at is $5.  You can have add-on bonuses for extra money but the base usually starts at the five dollar mark.   All you have to do is sign-up  on their homepage and get started.  It is a good way to get you and your services out in the lime-light in the world of freelance writing.

www.freelancewriting.com
This is one of my favorite websites.  It offers a lot of freelancing positions by promoting them from other sites that are looking for writers, editors, and other popular niches of the world of freelancing.  There are jobs for web design, editing, proofreading, writing, etc.   You can go there for extra information about applying for gigs and contests as well.

Managing the Chaos

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Managing stress can be a difficult task, especially if you have a lot of factors contributing it!  Finding ways to help alleviate the anxiety and overwhelming feeling of stress can be a great way of overcoming it.   Recently baking has been my stress outlet, I have been making a lot of different kinds of muffins.  It seems like they are a hit considering when I do bake them they vanish.  Baking cookies also has been a delight to try.  It’s fun to experiment in the kitchen, I just love making new creations.  It is also a good way to connect with your little ones as well.

There are so many ways to bring on stress and so many ways to counteract it also.  Sitting down and playing games, coloring pictures, and silly songs with your little ones can really help you zone into a more calming attitude.  Find a hobby, go out and see friends, take chances, and embrace life to the fullest.  No matter how much stress is on your plate your situation is only temporary.