Tag: family

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PA Systems

Brent, who is the author of a valuable website I just found online that gives so much good information about everything you ever wanted or needed to know about PA Systems. And if he can’t provide you with what you want you can find even more information by clicking on any of the numerous provided links that he has taken his time and researched to find more. After all more is better, right?

I remember going and picking up one of my sister’s kids from school to take him to an important dentist appointment that she couldn’t take time off of work to take him herself. I had to sign in on a small sized computer at the front desk. It wanted to know my name, the relationship to the student and it took my picture. It was pretty impressive technology for a back country elementary school that has been forced to work even harder on really pinching pennies just like all our schools around the country with the economy still in such bad shape.

I understand the need for tight security around any and all schools these days. It doesn’t seem like a week goes by that there isn’t a reporting of some type of violence, usually a shooting and people being hurt and killed. It’s just madness and schools are struggling keeping their security as tight as possible to keep all students and employees safe from all the crazies roaming the streets that are determined to cause death and destruction in our schools.

What was really weird though was when I had finished with the sign-in procedure on the school’s computer and had my picture taken and took the printed name tag that it spit out for me to have on my body, the receptionist had to use the school’s very out-dated PA system to contact my nephews teacher to announce my arrival and to send him on up to the office for me to sign both of us out and leave the school hours before the last bell would ring. Their PA system sounded just like the PA system did in that same school (the same school that I attended back in the day). Her voice sounded rough and broken up, with a lot of popping and crackling along with other irritating noises they used to bug me back then and come to find out, still does.

I remember I asked my nephew about the PA system, of course he is oblivious to the whole entire subject. When I asked him what the normal morning announcements were all about in his school each morning, he couldn’t provide me with anything at all. Guess his ADHD makes it hard for him to concentrate and listen so early in the morning. I remember getting a lot of good information each day from the morning announcements, but that was me and my nephew doesn’t seem to be interested. To each his own I reckon.
 

 

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It’s All On Who and What You Know

The number of people that are taking classes to further their education and knowledge in fields that are sure to be going strong well after this economy crisis is over and done with. The medical field and the computer industry are two sure bets for people to turn to. More and more classes are be offered and they are filling up quickly all over the country, such as the Virginia Cisco Course.

There is even a Virginia MCITP Server Administrator course available. I found this information by looking up some sites that are about CCNA training and saw that there is also a Chicago CCNA and a San Diego CCNA class that is coming up real soon but Virginia is a lot closer. I’ve sent the link with this info to my cousin who is seriously looking into this type of course.  So there are a lot of options available out there.

He has always been good with computers and the family certainly could use having a close family member who is a computer whiz. It used to be that a family needed a doctor, a mechanic and/or a plumber, now a days its all about needing a lawyer and a computer geek! Don’t get me wrong, it would be nice to have a doctor, a mechanic and a plumber in the family but things don’t always work out that way now do they?

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Oracle Support Services and Marketing

My brother has asked me to help him with his website, as his busy is in a slow cycle and he needs more customers. It is hard to be ready and willing to work to support your family but the phone does not ring. It is hard running a business in the first place – so many things to do and so much on your mind. But I think I can help a little but kick-starting his small business marketing with some changes to his web site and then showing him how to use the internet to bring in new customers.

He is a plumber – and a darn good one. But when I was trying to talk to him at Christmas about local search marketing and something like Oracle support services, all I got was a blank stare and a mumble about not having time to deal with it. I totally understand how you can be kept busy with everything else it takes to run your business, but even in busy times you need to continue working at bringing in new customers. Marketing and Oracle support services are a year long effort. I know a lot of people do not take the time to write out a detailed business plan or a marketing plan. They try to “wing it” and just work that into their daily list of everything that needs to be done. But having something on paper – or in the computer – really helps keep you on track.

I am going to show him how to spiff up his website and then Elevate local listings so that when people type in the search word “plumber” that they can find his business listing on the front page of the search results. If you think about it, most people do not click past the first page when they are looking for a business or a service provider. So getting his web site and contact information on the first page is vital to getting the eyes on his site and the phone ringing again with new business.

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Small Businesses

A small business is sounds like it would be easy to handle on your own, but with all my experience I have learned help is sometimes needed. My niece whom I helped raise when she was still in diapers, opened up her own small business in the Raleigh, N.C area after she had finally  earned her degree last year.

She seemed to have everything in order until she had visited last week and had told me that she learned she was expecting a baby in a few months, and she needed help handling some things with her small business. I had asked her if there was anything I could do to help without having to up and leave my farm, to move closer to help. She replied back saying she needed professional help but she didn’t know where to start, so I came up with an idea that might just help her.

We took an evening during her visit here, to search the net for any advice or help. It didn’t take long to find the perfect way to help her out for such a great deal by having local accountant help her with her bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial statements. My niece was ecstatic to see that they were offering what she felt she needed help with for her small business.

She is now working with a great accountant and has been updating me on her stress levels, and it has dissipated tremendously since she had gotten back with the help she needed. I’m so glad I could help her without taking drastic measures to up and move from my home, and help her reduce her stress, since she is now pregnant and expecting.

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Obesity Statistics, Eating Us Alive

The Obesity Statistics are a major concern right now. We have become a population of over eaters and the cost of the related medical care is eating us alive. I realize that most of the people I know are dealing with weight issues.  Being overweight and suffering from those complications are weighing heavily on their mind as well as their bodies. I’m so glad that the “fat gene” isn’t abundant in my family. To be honest, there are a few family members who could stand to lose a few pounds, nothing major though, ten to twenty pounds, tops.

family's fat gene
Don’t Accept Your Family’s Fat Gene
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Reader’s Digest

I have always enjoyed the monthly Reader’s Digest that manages to find it’s way to my mailbox each month. With not a lot of extra time on my hands to spend reading any books, it’s nice to be able to pick up a Reader’s Digest and find something interesting and entertaining to read that doesn’t take up a lot of my time.

I’m surprised that I haven’t received a bill from them yet telling me that I need to send in more money to renew the subscription that my parents had forever and day. They must have paid way in advance or Reader’s Digest has just forgotten about us, either way I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth at this time.

readers digest
Readers Digest Mag
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Burlap For The Dining Room Table

One of the many touches that my mother had around the old homestead was the amount and usage of burlap. In just about any of the rooms in this house had something burlap in it. Some people collect unicorns, but my mother collected many things. One of them being burlap.

I came across a fitted faux washable burlap tablecloth on line this morning and it took everything that I had not to immediately order one. I mean the price was right and I do believe that it would great on the dining room table, but I have bigger things and items that are waiting for me to get around to.

I have bookmarked the site for further reference. Who knows maybe if I put it on my Christmas wish list, I just might find it under the Christmas tree this year. It might help if I tell people that is one of the items that I would love to receive. Lord knows I don’t need any cookies, candies, slippers or a new tie! Burlap would be wonderful compared to some of the yearly presents that are purchased and given with out any thought or consideration.

 

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Wall Art

It is a slow process, but I am getting the place turned around and looking better bit by bit. The house hasn’t seen these many changes in so very long, my parents had not done much in the last decade, due to age and illness, so it has a lot that needs repair and changing. It isn’t easy, trying to find the balance between keeping the memories and bringing the much needed modernization into the place, I would hate to cross the line and upset other family members that have a vested interest in the place as well.

I have run across the most marvelous canvas art online and am considering purchasing one of the many pieces that would look good in the old place. Wall art  doesn’t have to be expensive, and I’ve really been impressed with the prices that I’ve run across at Mywhitewalls.com, very reasonable and several have jumped out at me and caught my eye. This piece in particular would go really well with the colors in the front living room and is just over $100, and comes with the offer of Free Shipping as well.

I’m sending my one sister the link for her review and opinion, just to keep her in loop with many ideas and issues that I run across. I value her opinion and her eye for colors and decorating for the place.

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Security Equipment

Once again my oldest sister is sticking her nose in my business. This time around she is concerned with all of the home break ins that are on the increase, due to the economy and people becoming more and more desperate for money. She has been doing a lot of research on the computer and is trying to convince me to purchase one of the new security systems that people are turning to in order to protect their property and their loved ones. I’ve told her that I don’t need a fancy security video camera around here, I have plenty of weapons here that will do the trick just fine.

My Dad left me a large weapons collection, when he passed and I am a very good shot, always have been. I keep all of the guns cleaned and ready for action. I target practice almost on a weekly basis as well, so I’m really not that concerned about it all. And it isn’t like I leave the place very often, plus all of the dogs would scare anyone from getting too close to anything around here.

She sent me the link to ADT Security last night, she particularly wanted me to read about the backup battery and equipment guide so that I would know as much as possible about what they have to offer. They have a good product to offer and I don’t have a problem with them, it’s just that I’m already up to my neck in debt and I don’t need to take on anything else at this time. A lot depends on this year’s harvest. With so little rain this year, it could possibly turn out real bad and I’m not looking forward to that.

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A Free Bankruptcy Consultation

Since my sister’s husband was in a car accident several years ago and the whole mess has left them penniless, since he can’t work, as well as all of the medical bills that have been piling up, she is seriously considering a bankruptcy free consultation to see if that is the route that would be in their best interest.

No one wants to declare bankruptcy, it isn’t a fun experience and it doesn’t come cheap, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Bankruptcy laws have changed since I went through that whole process, but I can honestly say that when it is all over and done with, it is worth all the time, effort and money.

I hope that this free consultation gives her the information and the encouragement she needs to get things over and done with. In the meantime they will keep trudging along and keep screening their house phone calls from all the creditors that are after them right now.