Welcome! I know your time is valuable & hope you find something worthwhile here. I journal about life, things that inspire me, things that tick me off, things I'm proud of & things that make me laugh. I'm attending school to become a Massage Therapist so that may be a frequent topic. I hope you'll comment on my posts & that you'll become a subscriber. Make it a great day & may you be blessed in all you do!
Updating
Posted by Sue in About Ryan, About me, Family
It’s been quite awhile since I’ve posted on this (or any) blog, so I decided to write today about what’s been going on in our world.
Ryan started 9th grade at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in August. His major is the cello and he’s the only cello player in all 4 grades, which makes his life a bit challenging. He’s made new friends and is doing fabulously in all of his subjects. The first report card already came home and he received all A’s! He’s taking piano classes every day in school so now he’s studying the guitar with his private teacher on Friday nights. We’re very proud of him.
We’ve been attending a wonderful church every Sunday - Lifehouse Church East. Ryan actually started us going because it’s a “rock n’ roll” service. The people are very open and welcoming, the church does a lot of outreach into the community of Hagerstown, and the sermons totally speak to my heart and soul. It has really helped me to solidify my relationship with God and my spiritual path.
I made a major, life-changing decision about a month ago and as a result, last week I began attending the Synergy Healing Arts Center and Massage School! It’s a year-long program and at the end I will be eligible to take the National Boards to become an RMT - Registered Massage Therapist and work in a spa, open a private practice or work on a cruise ship. If I go on further and get an AA degree I wil become a CMT - Certified Massage Therapist, which will allow me to practice in medical facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, clinics or doctor’s offices.
My growing desire to live a more meaningful life, guided by God’s will for me, was what brought me to this decision. I believe that if I can help just one person touch the divine that lives within them, help them to heal themselves and feel better, so that they leave after a therapeutic massage session a happier and more grounded person, then I can contribute to positively changing the world we all live in.
The other change in our family is that I’m now officially working with Jim in his business, D & E Remodeling and Repair Services. My duties include marketing (please check out our new website!), bookkeeping (I’m doing my best but it is a huge challenge for me!) and providing an extra set of hands and unskilled labor on the jobs. So far, we’ve been working pretty well together, and now I have his permission to nag him!
That’s about all the time I have for now as i have homeowrk to do! I’ll try to post further updates at least once a week. Have a fabulous day!
What Drives Me Crazy About the Internet
Posted by Sue in About me
I am still what I would consider a bit of a novice (I can’t stand the term “newbie”) at internet marketing. I have designed a website for my UFirst business, www.GPsforFinances.com, and have two blogs up and running (somewhat), www.MrsMoneyMerge.com and this one. I’ve also joined several social networking groups (you can follow me on Twitter here). I accomplished this as result of investing a lot of time, energy and studying, as well as by taking an internet marketing course offered by a senior manager in my business organization.
Prior to starting the course last August, I had no idea what a “blog” was. I thought it was something (like texting) that my teenage niece does. I was amazed and excited to find out what it really is and the power it offers.
Now we come to the title tie-in - I’ve been researching and reading many blogs, online articles and websites and I am appalled at how many so-called “professional internet marketers” obviously don’t proofread their work (or, not to be rude, maybe never graduated from middle school?)! Simple spelling and grammatical errors abound all over the internet.
Having been (in my mind, at least) a business professional for many years, I was taught that you only get one chance to make a first impression, whether it’s in person, on the telephone or via the written word (a letter, an ad, a brochure, an email, a website or a blog). My mother, who was a bit of a “social-snob,” taught me that people make any number of judgments about you based on the first impression you make.
If I’m attempting to persuade someone to trust me enough to purchase something from me, I would like them to believe first that I am a professional in my chosen field. I would also like them to believe that I care enough about my business and my customers to take care of the details. Proofreading blog posts, website content, ebooks and marketing materials is one of those details!
As a result of my strong feelings about this subject and my natural apptitude for finding the errors (most menus drive me nuts!), I’ve decided to start my own proofreading service. The personal development “gurus” say to do what you love and are passionate about and the money will follow. As you’ve figured out by now, I am passionate about error-free copy and I love to read.
If you would like to post professional error-free content on the web and would like to engage a second set of eyes, please send me an email at ProofreadingDiva (at) gmail (dot) com. I would be happy to provide you with a quote for my proofreading services.
A Pleasant New Year Surprise!
Posted by Sue in About me
Greetings to my readers, and please accept my apologies for neglecting you and my blog!
The first excuse I offer you will no doubt understand, because we all have very hectic schedules over the holidays. What little “on-line time” I had was spent checking on delivery dates for the gifts I ordered (thankfully, they all arrived in time!).
My second excuse for not updating my blogs (this and www.MrsMoneyMerge.com) is that my computer got majorly infected with nasty viruses and worms! The best I can figure out is that my son was trying to download free music and we got infected from one of those sites. So, I took my laptop to a new member of my BNI group and he wiped it clean. What a hassle it has been, trying to remember all of my passwords and favorite website addresses, etc.! But, the good news is, IT’S FIXED!
And, much to my suprise, there’s more good news! What with a hectic schedule, meals on-the-fly, holiday parties and dinners, I basically “fell off the wagon” with my weight loss plan. I stopped taking my MaxWLX pills and wasn’t particularly careful about what, or how much, I ate. So, I was expecting the worst today when I got on the scale and got out the measuring tape (my absolute worst enemies in the world!). But I was very pleasantly surprised with the results!
Since starting my weight loss program on October 22, 2008, my net loss is 13 pounds! And, since I started taking my measurements on November 13, I have lost 6 1/2 inches from the areas that count - bust, waist, abdomen and hips! Not bad at all!
So now it’s a new year. Time to get back on track and really accelerate my results. What will you be focusing on changing or improving in 2009? Please share your plans and goals with us!
A Great Place for a Party
Posted by Sue in About me, General
One of the most fun and demanding jobs I ever had was as a yacht charter broker. In Annapolis and Baltimore (Maryland) entertaining on a yacht is one of the most prestigious ways to throw a great party. I’m not talking fishing boats here - I’m talking classic wooden yachts that are reminiscent of the Great Gatsby era.
Map of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is a perfect locale for yacht parties. It is the largest estuary in the US and covers about 65,000 square miles, with more than 150 rivers and streams draining into the 200+ miles of the Bay. Many of the rivers feeding into the Bay are extraordinarily beautiful and have enough deep-water for larger yachts to cruise.
Imagine… you’ve been invited to a dinner cruise aboard a yacht by the owner of a company with whom you do business. You arrive in plenty of time to board (remember, when going to a soiree on a yacht you don’t want to be late and “miss the boat”!). You’re greeted at the gangway by the uniformed Captain (ladies - don’t you just love a man in a uniform?). You’re all decked out and looking gorgeous (and you even found a beautiful pair of flat shoes so you’ll be comfortable, safe from tottering if and when the boat rocks a little and fashionable all at the same time) - and you remembered to bring your lovely wrap because you know it can get chilly on the water at night.
Upon boarding you’re offered a glass of fine champagne or the beverage of your choice by a professional server. You’re made to feel very welcome and at home by the crew of the yacht. You mix and mingle with the other guests, while sampling the fabulous hot and cold hors d’oeuvres being passed on silver trays by the friendly and knowledgeable servers.
Before leaving the dock, the Captain welcomes everyone on board and reviews safety procedures (this is a good thing and required by the Coast Guard). Before you know it, you’re underway. There’s beautiful music playing in the background. The food and beverages continue to flow. The yacht has all of the comforts of home and you are invited to explore the below-decks, where the staterooms are located. The Captain even lets you take the wheel and steer the yacht (a great Kodak moment!).
You cruise up a scenic river and ooh and ahh at the incredible waterfront mansions. You cruise under the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge at sunset and past the US Naval Academy. At this point you’re invited into the salon to enjoy the scrumptious dinner buffet that has been prepared by the fine crew or caterer. The menu has been thoughtfully planned to be easy to eat without requiring the use of a knife (as you’ll be able to take your meal to your favorite spot on the yacht to enjoy).
Would you like more of the hand-carved tenderloin or another famous Maryland crabcake? The server will be happy to bring you a second serving. Would you care for another glass of champagne? Your wish is their command.
But wait, there’s dessert - the most delectable assortment of miniature French pastries you’ve ever seen, which will be brought to you on a silver tray. And, coffee or cognac to accompany your dessert.
As the sun sets, you relax on the bow (that’s the pointy end, in the front) of the yacht and truly (maybe for the first time ever?) relax and unwind. The cool night breeze and the utter stillness of the waters of the Chesapeake work their magic on your soul. You never want this night to end.
But, alas, all things must come to an end and the yacht gracefully returns to her dock. As you disembark the Captain hands each woman a long-stemmed white rose as a memento of their marvelous evening.
Make sure you get the business card of the charter agent (that was me - surreptitiously running around making sure everything was perfect) so you can plan your next party aboard a beautiful yacht like this!
The Classic Motor Yacht, "High Spirits"
Yes, that was the life I led before my son came along. And, yes, I just might consider going back to that fabulous life (and the huge amount of work it was) when I move back to Baltimore in 2013.
Important Lessons & Tough Parenting Decisions
Posted by Sue in About Ryan, About me
You know what they say when you “ass u me”. Well, I recently made an assumption that unfortunately my son Ryan has had to pay the price for, but I was also able to re-enforce a life-long value that I have worked very hard to instill in him.
Last weekend we went to a free timeshare vacation at Massanutten in Virgina. When they called several weeks ago to schedule it, I made an assumption, based on previous experience, that the Washington County, MD public schools were closed for Columbus Day Monday. After all, schools were always closed for Columbus Day when I was growing up, they’ve been closed in other areas we’ve lived where Ryan went to school, and I remembered that he always had days off in October in prior years - so, of course, in my mind that meant it had to be on Columbus Day. So I scheduled our vacation for the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Columbus Day weekend.
As you’ve probably guessed by now, schools WERE NOT closed this past Monday - they’re closed tomorrow (Friday)! Go figure! But, Ryan got his report card last Friday and got ALL A’s - he made Distinguished Honor Roll! This is no small feat since he’s in all 8th grade merit/honors classes - Geometry, Physics, Social Studies and English Language Arts. So, we went on vacation and had a blast.
Fast forward to Tuesday when Ryan has to go back to school. I have a choice to make - I can lie and say he was sick on Monday so he gets an excused absence or I can tell the truth and hope he gets an excused absence. He’s never had an unexcused absence so I didn’t even know what that means. Well, I told the truth in the note (that we were out of town - I didn’t go so far as to say we were on vacation) and, you guessed it, he gets an unexcused absence. I emailed the principal and took responsibility for making a wrong asssumption (basically ate some crow) and he was very pleasant in his reply but “rules is rules”. Thank god Ryan didn’t miss any tests or I might not be so proud of my integrity.
The lesson I have always tried to consistently instill is that honesty is ALWAYS the right choice. It’s rarely the easiest choice to make, but if I expect Ryan to be honest I believe that I need to always set the example and make the same choices I expect him to make. Boy - will I be glad when he’s off and on his own and I don’t have to set such a good example!
John Tesh
Posted by Sue in About me, General
I had an unexpected opportunity Saturday night (thanks to my fellow UFirst agent, Earl) to see John Tesh in concert at the beautiful, historic Maryland Theatre (check it out - it’s 93 years old! with lots of naked cherubs hanging around - but then please come back) in Hagerstown, MD. What a great concert! He interacted a lot with the audience and had some very funny Read the rest of this entry »