I always love to find new science and technology websites that are fun to read and chock full of cool information, especially now that I’m working with an online tech show. And this site that’s just been introduced to me today, all about science daily news, is definitely awesome like that! Now this site is not new, not at all, it’s just new-to-me. They have been publishing online since 1998.

And recently, they decided to start adding coupons to the site, because really? Who doesn’t love coupons? And with all of the travel that people in science and technology do, an Orbitz promotion code or an Expedia.com coupon or two (or seven!) might just come in really handy!

I know that the people on the show that I work for are traveling all. the. time. Honestly, I don’t know how they can stand it! But there are conferences and happenings just one after another and it’s important to stay on top of things and also to get out and meet people and companies!

Me, I’m cozy at home, thankfully. (Though I do hope to make it home to Dallas this summer – especially since we missed going last year!) But I am definitely bookmarking this site – I am sure it will help me out whenever I need to find good stories!

My children are 15, 17, and 18. Hell, my dog is even over 10. (And he’s a giant dog, so that’s even more than that “7 dog years = 1 people year” thing, you know?)

And I am no longer physically capable of carrying a child. Nope, couldn’t do it. That time in my life is past, over, finito.

And now my nest is soon going to start emptying – in less than six months, actually. My sweet, oldest child will leave for college. I think he may be going in July. He has to go early for band camp. (They are awesomely wonderful and talented musicians – all of my children.)

But you, Universe, you seek to rub salt in my already-festering wound. Every time I go to the mailbox lately, I get shot in the heart.

I don’t do well with big milestone changes in my children’s lives, you see. When the oldest started kindergarten, I was so freaked out that the night before I had to go out to the patio by myself and journal – multiple pages.

I’m a wimp. Yes, it’s true. And really, his starting school was very exciting in a big way, as early childhood education is one of my passions. I still had trouble handling it, though. And now he’s leaving….five hours away he’ll be.

So to help me out, you decide to send me mail I should have gotten twenty effing years ago! That’s right. I’m 42 years old, de-uterus’d and this is what you send me:

1. Formula Coupons!

and then a little while later:

2. BabyTalk Magazine!

and then a little while later:

3. Banking Cord Blood Brochure!

Jumpin’ Jiminy! What’s next? Registration for the bloody, effin’ maternity ward of the local hospital?!!

You know what? I think you’re just TRYING to push me over the edge. You think it’d be funny to see the men in white coats show up. You think my spending my days in the ‘day room’ is just hysterical. You think ‘lining up’ to get my meds and then being watched to make sure I swallowed them is a laugh a minute.

You know what I have to say about that?

Never, Ever Give Up.

If you have a blog and you’d really like to start earning some money from it, then you owe it to yourself to take a look at Nicole Dean’s BlogCPR.com.

If you know Nicole, then you know she’s a blogging machine and don’t tell her I said so
but sometimes….well, sometimes, she’s downright crazy about it. I remember one summer
when she committed to a 15 week blog tour and wrote over 75 blog posts while she was on vacation.

C.R.A.Z.Y.

Yep, crazy like a fox because she increased her reach and her income as well as cemented
her status as an expert in her field.

Did I mention that she did it while she was on vacation? And even while we were at a conference together – did she put that blog tour on hold? No way! She kept right on going! Amazing!

I said all that to say this – Nicole Dean knows what she’s talking about! So, if she says
she can teach you how to blog without going bonkers~ I believe her and you should, too.

When Nicole talks, believe me, I listen! And today Nicole is sharing an awesomely helpful plug-in that she found. If you do any series type posts, you are definitely going to want to check this out!

Nicole Dean is one of THE main people from whom I learn about working online. If you tune into her and start listening, you can start learning gobs from her, too!

Click here to check out Blog CPR!

Groovy blogging!

The whole ‘our owning a horse’ thing didn’t wind up working out. But maybe someday. Anyway, this is the story of one of my mother-in-law’s (MIL) horses having a baby.

April 8, 2006

The beautiful mare staring back at you from my page* just gave birth Sunday night (4/2/06) to a beautiful baby boy!

Grandma (MIL) had been worried about her, this was her first time to be ‘great with child’ and had been keeping a close eye on her….checking on her every two hours, even through the nights! Then Saturday evening, MIL’s legs were hurting and she took a pain pill and went to bed and slept through the night.

She went out to check on Sugar (mare) at 7:30am and found that she’d taken care of things all on her own! From the looks of things, the baby was born around 3am.
Mom and babe are doing fine now! The baby is black with white markings and one of the markings is in the shape of the good ‘ol US of A!! So Grandma has asked everyone to think of a name that has to do with the USA for the baby.

I said “Merigo” for Amerigo Vespucci, who America was named after – I think he was a mapmaker. Hubby didn’t like that. Said it doesn’t sound like a ‘horse’s name’. Well, maybe that’s one of the reasons I like it. I mean, how many dogs are named ‘Spot’, ya know? I don’t think he even relayed the message to MIL, I’ll have to ask her!

Oh, and to top off the happy baby news – we are going to buy her barnmate, Buddy. He’s not the father, btw. And not much will change — because he will still live there, as we will be living in town. But — I HAVE A HORSE!! Yippeee! I’ve wanted a horse ALL MY LIFE!!! Yeeeeeehaaaawww!!!

I am reading: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Growing Your Business with Google by Dave Taylor. It is rocking my socks off!!

* I suppose that was in reference to my MySpace profile. Oooh, I think that was the really cool pic we had of her that looked like she was looking in a window at you. I’ll have to dig around and try to find that sucker! I had it as my computer’s desktop and it looked really cool.

I am completely addicted to PLR content, I fully admit it. And so are most of my friends that work online. We really love it and sometimes can’t stop ourselves from buying too much of it! LOL!

PLR can really help you get a good start on an article, though. They can be a nice framework from which to construct your blog post or article or anything that you need to write. Just getting started is sometimes hard and with the help of a good PLR article, you can jump right in and get going!

You have got to buy it from good, reputable sources, though! Nicole Dean’s PLR site is one that has been around for years and years and her articles are great every. single. time. I never have to worry about getting crummy content – because, crummy content simply does NOT exist at EasyPLR!!

She is having a sale right now that will knock your socks off! Read her awesome explanations on the truth about PLR and then I’ll tell you how to partake of the sale.

4 Common Misconceptions About PLR Content
by: Nicole Dean

Recently, in an interview, I was asked this question:

“Can you explode any misconceptions that stop people from using PLR content?”

Here is my answer.

There are four main myths that I run into regularly.

1. The biggest misconception that people have is that all PLR is crap.
2. The second biggest misconception is that ghostwriters are not good writers. We can even take that a step further and add that people assume they are stupid, taken advantage of, and/or they don’t speak English as their native language.
3. The third misconception is that using PLR takes away from your expert status.
4. The fourth misconception is that PLR and ghostwriting are somehow dishonest.

Let’s run through those one by one.

Myth #1: All PLR is Crap.

If you go back to about 2003, then I’d say that you are absolutely correct. Nearly all PLR at that time was junk. There may have been a few exceptions, but I wouldn’t touch most of that PLR content with a 10-foot pole.

We’ve made great strides in the last few years to raise the standards for what is acceptable and what is not in the PLR world. I’d like to think that I was one of the leaders in that movement.

Myth #2: Ghostwriters are Stupid.

I’ve got to tell you that I’ve worked with some ghostwriters who are brilliant in many ways. Oftentimes, they’re fabulous communicators, smart marketers, and hard working entrepreneurs. And, yes, they’re qualified to write quality information on many topics on the internet.

For instance, for a long time, I had a nurse writing my health PLR articles. I’ve also got a writer who graduated from Stanford University, who writes for several popular print magazines, and is a published author. Yes, she has her own book. And, another who had a career as a Political Speech Writer (before having children). That’s just three of my writers. They’re all amazing people, each with a variety of skills and life experience.

To assume they aren’t capable of writing quality content would be just silly.

I don’t just go to eLance.com and take the lowest bidder. To think that’s how all PLR sites work would certainly be a misconception.

Myth #3: You’re Not a “Real” Expert if you Use PLR.

The other misconception is that using PLR articles takes away your own value as the expert. That you are somehow cheating, plagiarizing, or that you’re a phony if you use PLR.

If ONLY you could see my customer list. It reads like the “Who’s who of Successful Online Business Owners”.

Business is all about cutting costs while increasing the bottom line. What better example is there than PLR content?

If you use PLR articles as drafts, they are delivered to you, ready for you, as the expert, to add your unique thoughts to them.

If you look at PLR like that – you can still keep your personality in your brand – and your sanity at the same time.

Myth #4: Using Ghostwriters or PLR is Cheating.

Most biographies in the bookstores are written by ghostwriters.

Most of the famous orations from our history were written by someone other than the public figure who gave the speech.

It’s not cheating to get help. It’s smart business.

Nicole Dean is the owner of www.EasyPLR.com – where you’ll find high-quality PLR articles sold in very limited quantities. The PLR articles at EasyPLR are professionally written and professionally edited — top quality at an affordable price.

THE AWESOME SALE at EasyPLR: Nicole is running a half off sale, for a very limited time. To get the half off price, enter the coupon code: LIFEISGOOD when you order! But, hurry – this sale won’t last long! I think she said until/through the 12th.

Okay, so this one is actually from an email I received in 2004. That’s too funny – can you say “digital packrat”?

January 21, 2006

I was cleaning out my emails, and found this GEM from 2 years ago! I love it!!!!

*********************************************************************

A woman named Emily renewing her driver’s license at the Clerk’s office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

“What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job, or are you justa …..?”

“Of course I have a job,” snapped Emily. “I’m a mother.”

“We don’t list `mother` as an occupation… `housewife` covers it,” said therecorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”

“What is your occupation?” she probed. What made me say it, I do not
know…

The words simply popped out.

“I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human
Relations.”

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?”

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I’m working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in thehumanities, (any mother care to disagree.?.) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a
satisfaction. Rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greetedby my lab assistants – ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experiment, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another mother.”

Motherhood…..What a glorious career!

Especially when there’s a title on the door.Does this make :

Grandmothers: “Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Developmentand Human Relations”?

Great grandmothers: “Executive Senior Research Associates”? I think so!!!

Aunts: “Associate Research Assistants”.

From your friendly, neighborhood Research Associate!

Usually, the unusual thing I’m doing is to repost my Myspace blog posts here, not on the dates they occurred, but, keeping them in their proper order. Today I’m veering off from that usual-unusualness. This post is totally out of the proper order with the other MSBP’s and it is on the same date, five years later. Well, one day after the same date. Yeah, that. So that’s why it’s number ’001′.

I’m confusing you, I know, as I’m confusing myself. Not that that’s hard to do, really. Suffice it to say that this post and the one that precedes have a lot of meaning to me – and as today is the anniversary of the deaths of my two wonderful aunts, this is where these posts belong.

Would help if I could, perhaps, stop crying long enough to get the damn thing posted.

Five years ago today was a very sad and confusing day.

February 24, 2007

*UPDATE AT BOTTOM*

That is the day I had yesterday. (referring to post title) Alexander and I will be very close friends now, as we can totally understand each other.

It starts like this – my mom has two brothers, these two brothers married two ladies – they are my aunts, sure – not blood, but, have been my aunts for a very long, very long time. Which I think makes them blood.

I knew that one was sick and not too long for this world. Well, I got the call yesterday afternoon from my mother, she made her transition.

Then I began to ponder the last seven months, and the massive change that has occurred in my life since moving away from home. And I began to ponder the massive change my sweet cousins will now experience, with their mother gone. And the fact that their father (only the BEST. UNCLE. EVER.) – for whom my first born-son is named – made his transition when they were all still kids living at home. Now they are both in Heaven.

And that is when I blogged yesterday’s macabre, morose, depressing blog.

Was that to be all for my day? Oh no.

Later on in the evening, I received a call from my other cousin, of a different family unit – one of the two mentioned above. As it turned out, her momma passed on yesterday, too.

What?!

A few months ago she had brain surgery, but, was much better and was actually ready to go back to work. Last Saturday night she babysat all of her precious grandkids.

She was babysitting.

Babysitting.

Not for the weak of heart, right?

I was in the frozen food section of the grocery store when I got the call…and I was truly confused. Why was this cousin calling to tell me about our aunt dying – and using the words, ‘my mom’.

“Lisa, my mom died today.”

Those words will echo forever in my head.

I thought she thought I didn’t know about our aunt, but, then why was she saying ‘my mom’. When I finally realized the horrible truth, my legs got so weak, I nearly sank to the cold floor of the grocery store.

So at this point, I understood – but, I am not sure she understood about our aunt – so I am trying to get it across to her, we are both sobbing – and she becomes confused. Poor thing thought that I thought she was calling to tell me that my own mom had died.
God bless her sweet heart.

We finally both got un-confused – which left us completely baffled at the ludicrousnes of it all and in hysterics.

I had practically run out of the grocery store – but, my legs were so weak, that I hadn’t made it to the privacy of my car, yet.

I was leaning on a pillar out front, and there were girlscouts and old ladies just feet behind me selling cookies. And I’m there on the phone, sobbing with my cousin.

Last night, when I’d finally calmed down – I worried that I’d startled the poor, sweet girls.

This morning, I wondered, why didn’t one of those old ladies check if I was alright? This is a small town – stuff like that is common – approaching strangers as if they’re friends…oh well, I guess I just startled them all. Well, I assure you that my cousin and I were both feeling startled and then some!

Ok, so now this brings me to today – and my desperation to get home to Dallas and be there for my precious, sweet, motherless cousins.

I’ve found a ticket for, what I think will be, around $300.

But I don’t have $300.

If you can help in any way, I would appreciate it more than you will ever know. I have set up a PayPal donate button on my main blog:

Hippie Spelunker

The button is up on the top right corner of my sidebar, and says, ‘Get Lisa to the church on time! God bless you!’

Thank you so very much!

*UPDATE* – I GOT THE MONEY
I BOUGHT THE TICKET!!!

I have some amazing online friends who so totally and completely rock!! And they helped me buy that ticket and get to the freakin’ church on time!!

Thank you, guys – you know who you are!

I love you!!!

And thank you, everyone – for your prayers – my family sincerely appreciates that!

I had a group of rockin’ awesome friends online that actually paid my way home so I could make it to those two funerals. I’m so grateful for them and their being so generous with me.

Thank you Marisa, Colleen, Amy, Cass, Alli, DonnaLeigh, Deb, Terri, Marcus, and Nellie!!!!! You guys seriously ROCK!!!!!

Aunt Dale and Aunt Charlene – I love you so much and I miss you and I can’t believe you’re even gone, much less gone five years. It actually hasn’t quite set in yet.

February 23, 2007

It’s a strange, new world we live in. Things change. People change. Circumstances change.

And we are catapulted into a new realm of being. A new reality. A different reality.

It’s just so bizarre – and discombobulating…when your world, your life – is one way….and then it becomes something totally different.

You’re suddenly living on a strange, new planet – not sure why you’re there or if you have the skills and capabilities to survive in the new environment.

An altogether, entirely different, new planet.

Change in life is hard. Really hard.

You move. You get divorced. Your parents get divorced. People move on. Stuff just fucking changes. That’s just how it fucking is.

A series of cataclysmic events – and we call it life.

But you’re supposed to keep on going. Keep on truckin’. Keep on chuggin’ along. Keep on keepin’ on.

With a whole new set of circumstances.

Sometimes life’s changes feel like being shoved through a doorway that’s too small – but, it’s made of rubber – kinda squishy, but, definitely too small – and you are squeeeeeeeezed through it, until you

POP!

Out you go! Into your new existence. But where’s my old existence? Sorry – it’s gone. Gone.

That door only goes one way. You turn around to look at the door and the damn door is gone. Gone.

It’s new existence or nothing.

So if you can pick yourself up and dust yourself off, you’ve got to get back into the fray.

If you can’t – I suppose you can sit there and fall apart for a while. But not too long. Because we all know what happens to stagnant water.

*************************************************************

This was one of Big Sammie’s sayings that she used to say to me all the time. I needed it the other morning and could not remember it and that made me soooooooo freaking sad.

Big Sammie was my best friend, I named my daughter after her, and she passed away 15 years ago. And some days I miss her like she died yesterday. It hurts so freaking badly.

And especially in those moments when I forget a Sammie-ism. Then I guess it feels like she died again. Like we’re connected between Earth and Heaven with a bunch of strings between the two of us. Or maybe just a handful of them or something. I don’t know. But when I forget something – it’s like someone cutting one of those strings – and I lose that much more of her.

The same thing happens with my Grandmamom, who died six months before Sammie did. She would tell me all kinds of stories – like from her childhood and young adulthood. And sometimes I’ll forget some of those details. And it makes me so damn sad.

Anyway, the other day, the only thing I could think of was, ‘We’re out for number one.’ And I knew that wasn’t it, but, that it was close. I finally gave up thinking about it, because, I know sometimes that just makes trying to remember something more difficult. And I hoped that maybe soon Sammie would whisper it in my ear – or my brain would open the vault door behind which it lay.

Well, a few minutes ago, I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth and it just came to me. It was soft like a whisper in the gentle way it came to me. It could’ve been Sammie …or it could’ve been my silly brain being nice. Or maybe both. Either way – there it is now. And in that moment in the bathroom, I lost it a little bit. Standing there, toothbrush softly knocking around in my mouth as I was overcome …I leaned against the wall and cried.

And now I am at least not going to lose this one phrase – I’m putting it here. If my brain won’t keep it, my blog will. Thank God for blogs, eh?

Man, I miss her. I know ya’ll would have just loved her. She was really cool and really funny and so much fun to be around and filled with so much love that she freely shared with even the most undeserving among us.

Four words that just made my day – We’re out for survival.