Sue Edwards

Happy Blogging about Whatever . . .

Why Married Women Should Avoid “Girl’s Night Out”

Posted by Sue in jokes

I get some of the funniest jokes from my youngest sister, Alex!  This one absolutely tickled my funny-bone so I decided to share it with you!  If you don’t laugh out loud you have lost your sense of humor!!

“The other night I was invited out for a night with the ‘girls.’  I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, ‘I promise!’   Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down way too easily.

Around 3 a.m., a bit loaded, I headed for home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock in the hallway started up and cuckooed three times.

Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another nine times.  I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution, in order to escape a possible conflict  with him.  (Even when totally smashed… three cuckoos plus nine cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos–MIDNIGHT!)

The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in and I told him ‘MIDNIGHT.’  He didn’t seem upset in the least.  Whew, I thought, I got away with that one!

Then he said ‘We need a new cuckoo clock.’

When I asked him why, he said, ‘Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said, ‘oh, sh*t,’ cuckooed four more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another three times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted.”

TeeHee!!!

The MOM Song

Posted by Sue in Remarkable Women, Videos

A friend of mine from United First Financial sent me this video today and I felt a burning need to share it!  Anyone who IS, HAS or IS PLANNING ON BEING a mom absolutely has to watch this!!

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!  Please click on the link (sorry - couldn’t upload the actual box).

themomsong

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.

From Mommy to Mother to Mom

Posted by Sue in Remarkable Women

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don’t eat quiche; they don’t have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens, and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn’t come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don’t want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask ‘Why me?’ and get their answer when a little voice says, ‘Because I love you.’

Real Mothers know that a child’s growth is not measured by height or years or grade…It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mother to Mom…

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn’t really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn’t know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She’s hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She’s way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Thanks to my sister, Jeannette, for sending me this!  I particularly like (and need to read often!) the last paragraph.

My sister has a 17 1/2 year old daughter (my beautiful niece Josie) and I have an almost-14 year old son, Ryan.  They both fit perfectly in their age category above!!

Where do you and your wonderful children fit in this spectrum?  Please let me know by leaving a comment!

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!

Holiday Eating Tips (”Tongue-In-Cheek” of course)

Posted by Sue in General, Inspirational thoughts

I received these tips from my good friend (who of course has the perfect body so she can get away with all of this), “T” Neighoff.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It’s rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!

3. if something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’ re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”

Have a great holiday season !

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.

“Our Deepest Fear…”

Posted by Sue in Inspirational thoughts

I was reminded today of this very powerful quote from Marianne Williamson:

“Our Deepest Fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of god.

Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is within us.  It is not just in some of us:  It is in everyone.

When we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Nelson Mandela

Today, and every day, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!

An “Aesop’s Fable” for Business (& Life!)

Posted by Sue in General, Inspirational thoughts

A few years ago, there was story going around about a farmer who won a particular category in the Nebraska State Fair four years in a row, which is apparently unheard of there. The local newspaper sent a reporter to interview the farmer to find out what he did to achieve such a feat.

The reporter asked, “What’s your secret? Do you have any special corn seed?”
The farmer replied, “Absolutely, I develop my very own corn seed.”
The reporter said, “Okay, so that’s your secret - you developed your very own corn seed.”
And the farmer said, “No, not particularly.”
The reporter exclaimed, “I don’t understand. What’s your secret, then?”
The farmer said, “Well, I’ll tell you. I develop my own seed, and then I give it to my neighbors.”
The reporter said, “Huh? You develop your own seed and then give it to your neighbors? Why would you do that?” The reporter was incredulous - why would anyone in his right mind develop his own award-winning seed and then just give it away??
The farmer said, “You don’t understand how corn is pollinated. It’s pollinated from neighboring fields, and if you have fields around you that don’t have top-quality corn, then your own fields are not going to grow top-quality corn. But if my neighbors’ fields have strong corn, then I’ll have awesome corn! That’s how I won the Nebraska State Fair four times in a row.”

(Adapted from “Success From Home” magazine, Vol.4, Issue 10, Oct 2008, p109, Plus Publishing)

Are we in for a harsh winter? New weather predictors

Posted by Sue in General

The weather here in Maryland has been blessedly mild for the past several years.

This past summer was the best I can remember - only one week in May where the heat and humidity took your breath away when you went outside.  The rest of the summer was wonderful - not too hot during the day and then it cooled off enough at night so you could sleep.

We haven’t had a bad winter (defined by me as lots of cold and snow) in at least the last 5 years.  So, the pessimists keep saying “We’re due for a doozy.”  And the way they tell is by the woolley caterpillars (very scientific, don’t you think?).

I learned of two other “predictors” that, in my opinion, may be more accurate.

One of the UFirst agents I work with has several horses.  She told me that this year their winter coats started coming in way earlier than usual and are much thicker than they have been in prior years.

Another gentleman I met at an insurance Continuing Education class told me that, on his farm, he has had a “bumper crop” of walnuts.

Both people told me that nature prepares her creatures ahead of time so that they can “weather the storm”.  So Betsy’s horses will be warm enough and Fred’s squirrels will have enough to eat.  I think these are much more accurate predictors than whether caterpillars are black or brown.

What are you doing to prepare for the weather ahead?  (I wish that nature would motivate my husband to finish weather-proofing the windows and doors!)