Can’t Believe it is Almost Fall

Fall is literally around the corner. Yikes! It seems like just yesterday we were just abandoning winter for Spring and summer. Time is truly flying like it normally does. Kids are back in school, normalcy is starting to arrive once again. Too funny on my part though, I am absolutely not used to the quiet that is going on in my house. Usually I have five and now only two at home because the rest are back in school. It is funny, there are days where I even feel out of place because I am so used to the madness.

Looks like I am going to be getting back into my freelancing and novel writing again. During the summer it seems like my groove just gets thrown off. So looking forward to the holiday season too. This is literally my favorite time of the year. The decorations, emotions, and all together awesomeness of Fall is absolutely epic in my book!

Here are some pics to brighten your day!

Publishing a Book

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 🙂

Affiliate Marketing

When I started blogging I never really thought about affiliate marketing or anything of that nature in general.  But recently I decided what the heck its worth a shot.  Well now that I have been looking into it I seem to have figured out how hectic it can be to really start blogging full-time and the stress that it brings when you don’t really know what you are doing.  That is why I have now turned to YouTube and Pintrest.  Both sites have been amazing at explaining the ins and outs of affiliate marketing and so much more.

Never did I think I would be trying to blog full-time anyway.  I kind of started it as a hobby years back and really didn’t take it serious until recently.  Ever since I got back into writing I have become more involved with my Pintrest account.  It has been a blast going through Pintrest anyway.  It truly is addicting and there is everything and anything you could possibly imagine on that site.  I don’t see how you could run out of ideas when searching that site.  If you are interested in getting started on a blog and need help with affiliate marketing feel free to contact me, check out my pintrest board, or check out my website also.

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

 

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.

Time


Parenting can be a live comedy!  Daily I find humor in the little things that arise during our day!  Kids have a way about bringing laughter and joy when everything else seems complicated and overwhelming.  It is true, when you become a parent you really don’t have a dull moment in your life no more. Always expect the unexpected, especially if you have a toddler at home.  They will definitely bring the best out of us parents when they decide to get into mischief.   It is a priveledge and joy to watch my kids grow, try things, experience life, and embrace the difficult trials because memories are being made.  Enjoy your little ones, take time to notice and compliment the good.  Time is not a luxury it is a gift that should be taken with care!  

Blog post overdue!!!!

Sometimes life catches up with us and our busy lives get a little out of sorts.  For me it’s been a long summer!!! I am so glad we are approaching the lovely season of Fall.  It has always been my favorite time of the year!  

With school now in session and everyone finally getting back on a routine everything is finally starting to calm down a bit. 🙂 

I have recently discovered snapchat.  It has become one of my favorite things to play on when the kids want to take pictures.  

I will be starting up my blog posting again and plan to also post lots of pictures too!  Hope everyone has a Fabulous Day!

Overdue 

These last few weeks have been a challenge for me and as a result my blogging got put on the back burner for a bit.  Life surely has its twists and turns, most you don’t even expect or see until you are faced with the dilemma.  

I have learned though with all the stress, pain, and endurance we feel there will always beat sense of self worth and achievement that follows.  I recently had to learn the hard way that stressing is not the answer to any problem, all it did was make me very sick.

As change enters my family again I try to remind myself that no matter how difficult or stressful a situation may seem there is always a way to make the transition more enjoyable. 

Ways to Cope with Stress…

  1. Take a Break: walk away from the problem or project.  Give yourself a break to re-evaluate your game plan.
  2. Eat and Drink lots of Water!  Make sure you are taking care of YOU!  That always helps when faced with a stressful dilemma.
  3. Take a Warm Bath or Shower 😌
  4. Take notes or jot down what your goals are!  This is a great way to see where your head is at.
  5. Prayer is a top priority when stress is involved, there is Ning too great for God!

I hope these coping mechanisms help you all that do deal with stress on a day to day basis.

Crazy Thursday

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Well considering I slept half the day due to the lack of energy I have been feeling lately, it has definitely been troubling.  It seems like my crazy sleep schedule is catching up with me. Once I got up, my kids decided to clean their room!  Wow….don’t hear that often.  Usually there is a major battle that goes on to get that job done.  Yep, they did…well most of it at least.  Better than anytime I have ever fought them to do it lol.  Well after that it was lunch time so we decided to have left over soup.  Well beyond my knowledge they weren’t too hungry.  They had snacked on ALL the goodies in the kitchen when me and Daddy weren’t looking.  Yep that happened, so they weren’t too eager to sit down to eat.

Now came the battle of the television lol.  Everyone wanted to do something different!  Games, movies, television in general….well…I fixed that! I decided to put on Jaws (it just happened to be on and everyone loves a good classic of course).  My kids were so in tune with that movie it was hilarious.  I should of taken pictures but sadly got distracted by baby Gene, he wanted to join in all the fun!

While the kids were content I decided to call Apple today to fix my Apple ID lol, the one that my kids  disabled while trying to download games… Yeah that was not the plan and totally not expected.  Well once I finally got someone on the line the kids decided to fight, yell, and make as much noise as possible- have you ever noticed when you get off the phone how quite they get- yeah that’s how it went once I did get off the phone.  Well once I fixed my ID…What do you think I finally decided to give in and do…YEP…Download #PokemonGo.  I did and it is the most entertaining app I have seen in a long time.  It has brought my inner nerd out!  Yes that’s right everyone I am a nerd and proud of it.  I love POKEMON!!! I grew up with the gameboy color and used to walk around playing all the different games that were Pokemon related.  Boy do I miss those days!

Well today while playing the game I finally realized how people get so attached and so careless all at the same time.  It is the most intriguing game yet and it takes all your focus as well.  I will say this though, it is definitely bringing people closer together and is causing a great revival in exercising and movement lol.  Yes fitness is something that most of us talk about but tend to neglect.  Well folks the people that own Pokemon did it lol.  They built an app that pleased the public and encouraged exercising all in one.  I think it was definitely a great way to get people in shape and on the move without making it feel like a chore.  I have to say as I continue to check out the app I am learning that as we play we really do need to take safety into account though.  Be Safe, Keep an eye on your surroundings, Watch where you step, and have fun…one note I would like to add though, I would travel in a group or at least with more than one person just to be safe!  Now go catch em all!

 

Blogging

Today I have been working on my other site which is somewhat connected to this blog as well.  The website is called ‘Embracing the Impossible‘.  The rain we are having here in Kansas has been such a help with getting me motivated to write again.  It has been such a productive day today too.

Blogging is such a great way to be open and express yourself.  I have been really enjoying it because it gives me a sense of control and freedom to be me.  Life is all about building blocks in my opinion and with my blogging it seems to be the same.  I build on my writing by expressing myself and sharing information that could be helpful to others.  All bloggers are different and have their own writing styles as well.  As a mom my writing style is more free spirited and open when expressing something.

If you ever decide to blog it is really easy to get started too!  All you have to do is create a site from either Word Press or Weebly.  I use both sites and they are great!  They are easy to join and all you have to do is sign up, then pick a style, and begin blogging. 🙂

me and shirley