Bird On A Wire

Take My Husband Please

2008-11-20T01:51:46Z

This was the best response I could come up with for her swap. Enjoy. Then take a trip over to momdot.com and enter Tricia’s contest! You can win that beauty of a cell phone. I on the other hand, don’t have a chance.

Free Lunch Anyone?

2008-11-13T17:02:40Z

Nullum Gratuitum Prandium~There is no free lunch!

Seth Godin posted an article today, which is so simply transparent and blatant in its content, I’m amazed he posted it.

Of course he prefaces the article with:

You probably don’t need to read this, but I bet you know people who do.

Truthfully, we all need to read that article. It applies on all levels of doing business on the internet. Not just with the “instant” millionaire schemes. There are all sorts of folks out there, more than willing to take your money in exchange for doing you some favor, showing you some secret and helping you become the next “A” lister in your chosen niche.

If you’re out to make money with your website or blog, it is doable. Make no mistake about it.

However, and this is important, it won’t happen overnight! It is going to take some time, a lot of work, a healthy dose of substanative writing, serious guerilla networking, and some honest, transparent conversation from you.

If you’re confused about how to start, ask questions. I for one am available to answer your questions openly and honestly. Read that again, honestly. Feel free to contact me at any time. I won’t always get back to you immediately, but I will get back to you and we will talk.

God Bless America

2008-11-11T11:49:51Z

To All The Men and Women Who Have Served in our Military

and who are bravely serving now

For your service to our Country, for keeping us free and safe.

Thank YOU!

When You Wish

2008-11-10T14:34:47Z

If Wishes were horses, we all would ride. That’s what my Grandma used to say.

She, unfortunately didn’t have Wishpot to depend on. But she must have had a clue!

Wishpot is a place where you can go and list all your favorite things, build your shopping list for the holidays, set up a wedding or baby registry and so much more! Wishspot is the Ultimate social shopping site that makes it easy to save and share interesting things you find in stores and online. You can collect and discover products you like, recommend your favorite stuff, share and explore gift suggestions or ask for opinions and advice. Personally, I love the idea and I’ve begun building my Christmas lists and since my birthday is coming up, a little list for things I lust after!

Now for the Big News

I, discovered Wishpot a few months ago, and today we’ve joined forces with Wishpot to promote our 2008 Favorite things! As you thumb through the 70+ pages of the catalog you can add any item to your personal shopping or wish list! All you need is your own Wishpot account (its FREE!) and a click on any button like this one:

and you can instantly add the item to your very own wish list! Neat hunh? Get your very own Wishpot account, by clicking here. Again its FREE and start your listing today! You won’t believe how easy it will make your hoiday shopping and wish lists! All of our listings in the 2008 Favorite Things Catalog will have a Wishpot Button by this evening! Happy Shopping and Make a Wish!

Steals and Deals

2008-11-15T18:07:52Z

From now until December 1st I’ll be scouring the web for the best buys for Christmas gifting. Here are some great places to start your shopping.

Our Favorite Things Christmas 2008, highlights moms who are top independent designers and artisans. Over 70 pages deep, Volume 1 is a treasure trove of gifts and treasures, sure to fit the bill for someone on your Christmas gifting list.

First on my list of Steals and Deals for Christmas is The Epson All-in-one NX400

Christmas is right around the corner and just in time Epson has introduced another new printer line, built just for home use. Check the Bird’s Eye View on this nifty home printer and get a $50 rebate brining your final purchase price down under $50. Now that’s what I call a great buy!

Live! From The Bird

2008-11-08T16:56:34Z

Our 2008 Favorite Things Catalog went live last night in the middle of all the election day madness. Take a minute and check it out today. Its over 70 pages deep and showcases some of the top small businesses on the web today. Visit their sites, and take a look around. I’m sure you’ll find some great gifts for the holiday season.

If your shoppe, company, product, didn’t make it to this issue, not to worry. Part 2 will go live next monday. Submit your information to me via email today!

Finding Tony

2008-11-08T16:58:34Z

As parents we've probably all had to search for a child's lost lovey. The favorite blankie, the only passy they'll consider or that much loved teddy bear. I once drove back two states to retrieve my son's lovey from a vacation condo, when he was small. It was a small square of blanket, that had been judiciously trimmed, stitched and restitched as he got older and we were trying to "wean" him from carrying around a full size blanket. As a child myself, I had a blue hound dog. It was a hideous old thing when it finally bit the dust sometime during my senior year of

Cataloging Christmas

2008-11-08T17:07:09Z

Its that time of year, again. This year we’re publishing the biggest Christmas Catalog ever! If you’re a small business owner, indie designer, author or shop owner and want to be listed in the catalog, we’d love to hear from you. Insertion is free and publicity is going to be fabulous for you this year.

Getting into the catalog is simple. Leave a comment here, and be sure when you do to leave a good email address in the required field. That’s all! I’ll get the information out to you! ASAP.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

I Am “That” Woman

2008-11-08T17:07:37Z

Because my family reads me, I have to apologize for the following post. I’m sorry, but it all has to be said. Most of this post rambles. But my mind is rambling now as I struggle with where I am and where I need to be. For those of you who have messaged me directly, thank you for your support. I hold your friendships near to my heart.

An open letter to e-hub

I am a mother, a wife, a daughter. I am a sister, a sister in law, a friend. I matter

I have cried myself to sleep on more than one night, being screamed at for something out of my control. I have been told to hit the road, leave, get out; with only a dollar in my pocket. I’ve been told I’m a mooch, a waste and stupid. I’ve been called a bitch, an idiot and well more than I can say here. I’ve been told the death of my ex was my fault, even though he decided to take his own life after more than 15 years. I’ve been told it was my fault a knife was put to my throat. Had I known then what I face now, I would have taken the knife.

I’ve been treated like a child, allowed out only when it was necessary. I’m only here to do laundry, cook and clean up after you. I’m not allowed to drive your car. My battery was ripped from my own, when I made it known I was leaving some months ago. When I ask to have the car for the day, I’m scoffed at. I haven’t a need for a car. It needs to be parked outside your work.

I’m not allowed to have money for my own needs. (Mind you I left my own employment to insure yours was a success) But you hold the money from your own paycheck, not allowing me to have any cash for even the most basic of needs. You purchase what you want, when you want it. To hell with what I might need or want. You tell me I have a roof over my head, that should be enough.

You rail against me about silliness like a cell phone bill (the simplest of communication needs), yet don’t mind spending the equivelent in one night at a bar. Once stumbling drunk, you set out to make me feel less than human with insults and vile words, not to mention breaking household objects. The only ones in this house that haven’t suffered your wrath are the animals. Are they next?

You talk to me as though I am incapable of understanding the simplest sentences. Nevermind, I hold an advanced degree in Ethics. You do not value me or care that I might make a valuable contribution to the world. You sabotage every effort I make to make a career move for myself. If I had a job interview right now, I could not take it. I have no clothes appropriate for such, I’m in such need of a hair cut and basic upkeep, I’d be ashamed to be seen in anyone’s office.

You want me to support you and take care of your needs, yet are unwilling to do the same for me. You have issues ranging back far beyond my control or understanding, yet you want me to take them in hand and fix them. I cannot. They are things YOU must handle.

You’ve seen to it, that I am no longer confident, and engaging, but rather sad and scared that I will never be able to be what I once was.

The problem with this whole thing is that I do matter. I am intelligent and I am afraid now of your alcoholic rage.

You always apologize the next day. It means nothing now. I will leave. If it means leaving all that I have in this world, except myself and my pets, I will. I will find a way to get the money and way out.

I am “That” woman. The one who will hold you accountable for the damage you have done now and the rest of your life.

Making A Nest

2008-11-08T16:58:08Z

In case you haven’t noticed, the Bird has a new nest! Yes, not only have I physically moved two states over, I’ve given this blog a face lift. I’m still busy tweaking and moving things around, so you’ll get the fun of wondering where your favorite parts of this blog are hiding for a while. Take a little time, look around and let me know what you think!

The Mosaic Of Prayer

2008-10-19T18:24:14Z

Part 3 in the Series A Dot Mom Prays™

Moving from city to city, state to state isn’t always what its cracked up to be. This week, some of my fellow bloggers agreed to take over my blog while I finished the business of moving. Today, Lylah of The Lylah Blog has comandeered the pages. Read on, I think you’ll find a special grace here. I’ll be back on Monday, til then…

From the beginning of time, prayer has always been the mystical conduit for the soul of (wo) man to reach up to her creator in moments of expression, need, desperation and desire.

I am a woman who believes in the power of prayer. I believe that when a woman prays, God leans forward, bends His ear to hear her voice and her heart. It’s women and their innate ability to influence that God often uses to change the world around them.

Examples of Women and Prayer

One can be sure that Jocabed, the mother of Moses prayed a desperate prayer when she could no longer hide her infant son from Pharaoh’s order of death for all newborn Hebrew boys. In time, her son would become the deliverer of his people. (Exodus chapter 2)

Manoah’s wife was a deeply disappointed woman who felt intense sorrow. Her womb was empty and yet, her faith taught her that heaven knew all about her longings for a child. In time, she bore a son who would become known as Israel’s strongest man. (Judges 13)

Hannah’s prayer was nothing short of the deep agonizing longing that poured forth from an empty womb. Scriptures record that after Hannah had eaten the sacrificial meal at Shiloh, she got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord making this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime.” In time, her son would become known as Israel’s first prophet. (1 Samuel 1)

Queen Esther was in quite the predicament when Haman convinced Xerxes (the King) to issue a decree to destroy all the Jews in the land. Esther, unbeknownst to the king, was Jewish. Esther prayed and then summoned all the Jews in Susa to pray. In time, God leaned forward from His throne to save His people.

Oh, the power of prayer when a woman prays!

What is prayer?

Prayer is simply talking and listening to God. It’s communication to the Almighty who is my Audience of One. Prayer is the expression of my voice talking to my God and it’s the place of quietness in my soul where I wait on His presence to hear His voice – His voice to me about the things that concern Him.

The attitude of prayer . . .

When I read God’s instruction book, I see three important principles that are necessary when talking to God. The first is to give thanks, next is to come before the throne of the Almighty with confidence and then third is to have a humble heart. God surely ignores the proud heart.

All kinds of prayer… .

The Bible is the instruction book for life. It’s full of principles that teach us how to “do relationship with God” and how to “do relationship with others.” Included within these principles are examples and instruction on prayer as well as the reasons women prayed.

I love the examples of Esther, Hannah and Manoah’s wife who had enough faith in the Almighty to pray some “big” prayers. But, it’s not just about praying “big prayers” it’s about partnering with God for His eternal purposes in this world. It’s about learning to understand His ways and His heart for people and it’s about having confidence that He wants to use us to accomplish those eternal purposes.

I’ve prayed all kinds of prayers that I know have had eternal purposes: prayers for broken marriages, wayward children, those who are sick, and those who have struggled financially. I’ve seen God answer many of my prayers often not in the way I’d have liked, but looking back it was because He wanted His character developed in me.

No prayer – no conversation is too small or too big for God. He wants to hear us talk. He wants to hear our fears, our joys, and our concerns. I’d say that sometimes that He wants to ‘move’ on our behalf, but because we don’t ask, He just waits. Prayer is all about relationship – me relating to the Almighty – because He loves me and has purpose for my life. He wants me to partnership with Him in the big scheme of things.

God’s partners …

God designed and intended that we - His Image Bearers would be in intimate relationship with Him – for all eternity. He put eternity in our hearts and His plan from the beginning was and still is that all would come to know Him intimately and choose to love Him. And, it’s through His Son Jesus that we have that privilege and that access to His throne. Prayer – communication – communion – conversation is the vehicle He uses for us to partner with Him for the sake of His love being made known to this crazy world.

We do live in crazy and uncertain times and in this hour of eternity, I have this sense that women are being called to take up the charge to pray. Will you join me? Will you become a woman in prayer - together we’ll see just what will happen when a woman prays!

The Lylah Blog: Simple Home Living is devoted to help women become better wives and mothers by providing tools and tips on how to do life with purpose, create sanctuary and restore dignity to the home. Lylah ( a wife, mother and nana to six) sprinkles The Lylah Blog with a variety of subjects from marriage to mothering, hospitality to the understanding the simple home, making cupcakes with her grandkids and gardening with her husband. She writes with experience on issues women struggle with such as: singleness, anger and how to understand men. As a novice photographer, you’ll enjoy the stories and pictures of Lylah’s frequent Traveling Tales through Europe.

For more information about Lylah Ledner or The Lylah Blog, please visit her at LylahLedner.Blogspot.com ~ and don’t forget to bring your coffee!

Feed Me-Blog Action Day 2008

2008-11-07T15:51:58Z

Please click the picture to find out how to help.

Dads In The Balance

2008-11-06T20:30:00Z

Dads have recently joined the parent blogging genre. I asked them what their biggest problems were, how they balanced work, life, and online presence. Here Donny aka Daddy Claxton, gives us the low down in Part 2: Finding The Balance

Recently I read a USA Today article from Aug. 2000 that talked about how much time dads spend with their kids each week. The study, done by the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, said, that “American children spend an average of 2.5 hours a day with their fathers on weekdays and 6.2 hours on weekends.” It also said that for every $10K the father makes, the time spent with the kids drops by five minutes on the weekends.

As a father of seven kids, I know I’m an anomaly. Just having seven kids in the equation satisfies that, but if you browse the Internet, you can find a handful of dads Web sites, but let’s face it, there aren’t as many of them as there are mom Web sites. So just having a dads’ Web site furthers that anomaly.

So the question that comes to mind is how do I balance between work, home responsibilities and blogging all at the same time? The answer: It’s not easy and quite honestly, I’m not sure that I ever do.

I’ve been in the PR business for more than 20 years. By age 29 I was the press secretary to the second governor I’d served under. At 30 I also got married and my perspectives on how much time to devote to staying at the office really changed. At 31 my first child was born. At 33, I got a two for one deal and my twins were born. That marriage ended at 38 and at 40 I began a new life with my wife and her four kids.

Most guys my age are sending kids out of the house, and I seem to still be getting them.But how do I attempt to find balance between work, home and my time on the Net?

Well, that’s about as easy as raising seven kids. Sure, we go from seven one week, to four the next and back, so there are opportunities for a “breather,” but even with four we’re constantly on the move.

My bride and I have struggled with the issues surrounding school mornings in our house. For her, it’s noticeably more tolerable with the seven when I remain at home in the morning when all seven are present. The arguing, fooling around, etc. seem to be lessoned by my presence. My struggle comes from the fact that I’m a morning person. My best writing/thinking is done from 7-11 a.m. If I’m distracted or late getting into that mode because I’ve been around seven kids, my productivity levels for the remainder of the day just aren’t the same. But at the same time, leaving them all to my wife early causes me to pay for it later because she’s a wreck the rest of the day.

The times when I have to travel for my job add to the challenge. I don’t travel all the time, but as fate would have it, many times when I travel it’s during a week when we have all seven kids. That leaves a 7:1 ratio at home and the kids, who already think they own our house, really get into that way of thinking. Last year at this time I was the communications director for Oklahoma City’s public schools, and I was in Oklahoma during the work weeks and at home on the weekends. You want to talk about being way out of balance? That really put a damper on our marriage and life as a family.

So what have I learned from being back home this year?

I still know I have to find time to take care of myself. And any alone time for thinking is a valuable blessing.

There also has to be alone time with my wife and time to assume the reigns and let her get out on her own or with a friend, too. This coming weekend we’re hiring a sitter to stay with four of the kids and we’re taking a mini-sojourn. It might just be on the other side of DFW, but it’s still time away and as importantly, time for us to be with each other.

And for the kids, I’m trying to carve out special times with each of them. That’s not easy because a lot of times the boys would prefer to be in their rooms on the computer. Our Aspie son, if you demand that he get out of his room to help you on a wood project or in the yard or whatever, makes you pay for it in the way of arguments, complaints, you name it. Yesterday, my eldest daughter and I sat down on this computer and worked in PhotoShop Elements for a while. We doctored up one of the studio shots we’d taken of her in our living room recently and it was a good 30-minutes to 45 minutes of one-on-one time.

I was able to teach her new tricks and tools because I, too, am taking the time in the schedule to go to our local Apple Store once a week to learn more about movie making, graphic design, etc.

And so how do I find time to mix in the Internet with all of that? Whew.

Because I am fortunate to sport an iPhone, I get to do a lot of Twitter work via Twitterific. But I’ve also been blessed to have my MacBook Pro that goes with me almost everywhere I go. So as there are questions I get asked, comments I hear, etc. I’m able to simply type them into a Twitter message or a blog post on www.dadscenter.org and try to keep on going.

Admittedly, there are times when my bride has told me I’m on the computer too much. I disagree, but that has been her perception from time-to-time. And so I’ve tried to make adjustments. (I told her this morning that I was writing this piece and she asked if she got a chance to comment on it!)

Do I wish I had more time to spend with my wife and kids? Of course. Even on my blog I’ve said a time or two I wish there were more copies of me to go around, and more hours in a day. So what’s the answer?

At this writing, I’m not sure. It’s something I struggle with each and every day. I’m finding that at age 42, I have lots of ideas about what I would like to do with my life. Lots of ideas that would benefit my kids, such as creating the Web site GrowingUpMac for my kids. The premise is to get each of them a Mac computer through a sponsorship—we could never afford one for each kid on our income—and get the kids into the proper training for Adobe, Autodesk Maya, and Apple software like Final Cut, Aperture, etc, and then get my kids to do podcasts, blogs, etc. on their own portion of the site. Their target audiences would be their peers, but also parents as a way of showing, hey, these kids can do this, don’t you want to provide this same opportunity for your kids?

I’ve had this idea for a couple of months now. It’s time to get busy with it, but at the same time, there is work and home life that has to be incorporated; let alone finding sponsors, setting up the site, and a host of other things to do.

So through Twitter and Alltop.com, I’ve been asking for other dads to help me do writing on www.dadscenter.org. I’m open to help in finding sponsors and setting up the Web site for GrowingUpMac as well. I’ve realized I can’t do it all by myself.

And therein lies the answer to finding balance. I don’t have all the answers for how to work in the PR business and have a family. I don’t have all the answers for how to be a good dad for one, let alone for seven. I don’t have all the answers for how to operate my Web site(s) and do social media. But I’m wise enough to say, I need some help. And I think that’s how best to get things done.

Do dad’s have more trouble with balancing it all or is it easier? Tell Daddy Claxton what you think here then drop by his site and give him a prop.

Sticks And Stones

2008-11-07T04:13:02Z

Finding the balance in our lives is probably the toughest thing, that moms have to tackle. How do you balance work, blogging, children, husbands, and every thing else that pops up during the day? I’ve heard so many women say that they’re “overwhelmed” and many have forgone at least one part of the ginormous equation that faces multi-tasking moms every day. So how do the “super moms” do it? For answers, I went directly to the sources. Here in part one of Finding The Balance, Dr. Mommy tells us how she does it. Dr. Daisy (aka Dr. Mommy) is a Christian, Doctor of Chiropractic by profession, wife to a loving and supporting husband and home school mom to 5 beautiful children. She is a speaker, problogger, freelance and content writer that devotes her time to educating the public on the importance of health, nutrition and wellness.She has several sites you can visit:http://drmommychronicles.com (mommy blog),http://drmommywrites.com (writing site),http://drmommyhealthtips.com (health site).

My name is Dr. Daisy (aka Dr. Mommy), I am a Christian, Doctor of Chiropractic, wife to loving and supportive husband, home school mommy to 5 beautiful children, freelance and content writer, speaker, problogger and Health/Wellness Advocate.

Many have asked me how I balance my busy life. First off it is not difficult it does however require dedication and organization. I have been homeschooling my children for over 10 years and the last 5 years I have been helping my husband (also a Chiropractor) manage our family practice. Besides doing that I also manage our home and have an online business and several blogs. Again, I tell you that it is all possible with scheduling. The most important thing to remember is that your home is also a business and if you look at managing your home as a business it will run much more smoothly.

Many times I hear women say that they are exhausted when they come home and don’t have the time to devote to their home much less an online business. I determined long ago that I wanted to be successful in my home as well as in my business so I had to change my way of thinking. I developed a schedule where there is time to manage my home, manage our private practice, manage my homeschooling and manage my online businesses. I have also learned to delegate and that has been a true blessing. The schedule works so well that I actually have down time and can relax an enjoy a good book or movie.

From the time my children were young (age 2) I trained them to clean up after themselves. It is not an easy task but with time they understand that it must be picked up and put in its designated basket or box. As they grew older chores were assigned and they had to check them off as they were accomplished. To this day, they must complete their morning chores before beginning their schooling and continue the upkeep throughout the day. As far as homeschooling, it is an all day venture. In the beginning we had set hours to do homeschooling but life always seem to get in the way, so that quickly changed. My children are learning every minute of the day and are also learning to do independent studies which will help them in the future. They learn to cook by the time they can reach the counters and understand the rules of the kitchen. They also help with the laundry and grocery shopping—all lessons that will be applied to their lives when they move on.

As for my online work, it is a pleasure to do. I love to write and enjoy doing it on a daily basis. Once again I have designated times that I can go online to work and times that I can play. Yes, I allow myself downtime so as not to overwhelm myself. I have a planner with all my projects and client work and assign different tasks for different days. My children are aware of those times and are sure to ask me if I am working before they come into my office. They respect my time online and that is something that has been taught as well.

I do not consider myself a wonder woman or super mom, because none of this is possible without my faith in the Lord. I am thankful and extremely blessed to have the opportunity to do what I do. There was a time that I was not happy. I made a decision to give up my profession to stay home with the children and dedicate my life to them. As they grew, and I was able to manage doing more, the Lord blessed me with online opportunities where I could share the knowledge I worked for many years to attain. I now am able to help people online and offline and feel very blessed that I am able to do this.

I want to thank Debbie for inviting me to write my story for her beautiful site. I hope I was able to inspire some of the many wonderful women that sometimes feel that they can’t do it…I am proof that it can be done. With a little help from above and determination on your part, anything is possible!

Stacking those stones so that they don’t come crashing down around us can be difficult. What’s the biggest stone keeping you from balance? How do you achieve the balance in your life? Everyone has a different stone, everyone has a different way to deal with balancing home, work, and online presence. Let’s talk about Finding The Balance. Leave your thoughts or questions for Dr. Mommy or me here. We promise we’ll talk back!

Boo! Tiful Kids

2008-10-19T17:38:58Z

Chosen by a panel of 5 Distinguished Independent Judges, we’re proud to present, the winner of the Boo!tiful Kids photo contest.

And now for the winner…

This is the “Little Bean”, son of Bejewell of The Bean. Leave her a note here and drop by her site and tell her congratulations!

The Little Bean and Bejewell have won a pair of Monkey Toes Shoes called Glow Bugs. They have styles for boys and girls and became “famous” when Tom and Katy Cruise’s daughter Suri, wore a pair on the Oprah show. To find out more visit Monkey Toes at Monkey Toes.com.