Mariannes Motifs

Bush and I have something in common

My friend Phyllis sent me this political cartoon.  She told me she hoped I still have my sense of humor.

MIKE THOMPSON, Detroit Free Press: Condolences

Hosting Options for cheesyromance.com

I bought a new domain from GoDaddy with the intention of setting up a web community for Romance readers.  I call it cheesyromance.com and it will be based around me writing reviews of  the romance novels I read.  The name is a tongue in cheeck reference to the sort of brain candy reputation the genre has in intellectual circles.

I want the site to have a phpbb forum as well as a wordpress blog.  I am envisioning a place where people can chit chat about their favorite authors and books and even a place for budding romance authors to share tips on the business. 

My other blogs are set up with Typepad, which is so easy to use.  I love that ease of use.  However they just do blogs and only blogs and I need something more for the other features I need.

I signed up with nearlyfreespeech.net for the new domain but to tell you the truth, its nearly free for a reason - it's a bit hard to use!   If you like doing everything yourself its great.  But if you were looking for any shortcuts, forget it.  I installed

So I am shopping for a more full service hosting company, but one that won't cost me an arm and a leg.  My brother recommended DreamHost. Looking over the web hosting reviews on WebHostingGeeks.com I see that BlueHost looks like it might be a good fit for me as well. The Blue Host reviews were pretty good.

Hanukkah Gifts

Here is a nice list of Top 10 Judaic Hanukkah Gifts from Blogher.

This year for Hanukkah most of my family is getting home made knitted gifts from me.  Even before I lost my job this was the plan, and in fact I already gave out the gifts for my family in New York when we were up there visiting for Thanksgiving.  I usually give out the gifties then because we stay home in Georgia in December so that's the time we see my parents, brother, sister in law, neices, etc. 

For the girls, I made knitted kitty cats, my mom got a scraflette, my dad got a felted bowl, and my brother got a loom knit shopping bag.

For the immediate family we have some purchased gifts.  The Hanukkah gifts for the boys are Bakugan stuff, Pixos,  and an Alien Maker set.  I bought hubby a AeroGarden.  Heh heh.  I think he knows but hope he doesn't read this here.  Strangely, I don't think he reads my blog all the time.  Melissa is getting a knitted kitty done up like an Auburn Tiger.

Calling In Sick

I have decided that I am calling in sick tomorrow.  That's a joke, folks.  I have a pretty wretched cold and feel crummy.  But the resume honing must go on.  In fact, I have a nice job lead and promised them my resume in the morning.  

I just finished a Double Woven stitch dishcloth.  I think next I am going to make another Grandmother's favorite as it is such a fast knit.  Jeff and James invited us over for Chrismukkah dinner so I want to give them a stack of home made knitted dishcloths as a gift.

In my own version of a small business franchise I am going to scope out used book sales in the area and see what I can sell on half.com.  That will help supplement the old income until I am full time again.

Today we went to Cori's birthday party, and I gave the birthday girl some of the buy one get one free Webkins I got Black Friday shopping.  That was a good snag.  I've given them to a bunch of kids (3 so far plus my own 2) and I still have 2 left for the Toys For Tots collection my neighborhood is doing next week.

3 Items of Business to Consider If You are Laid Off

Like every other major life event, being laid off has associated financial and business tasks that arise.  Since its a very emotionally draining experience as well, it really pays to treat these tasks as just another piece of business in your life.  By trying to minimize the emotional connection, I think you can better focus on what needs to be done in a positive manner without going into the depression head under the pillow mode that we are all tempted to slide into.   Here is a short list of some of the items I am working through right now.

1.  Health Insurance.   COBRA is where you can pay the full cost of your current insurance at your companies rate while you are between jobs.  Being laid off or spouse laid off is a "qualifying change of status" so your spouse may be able to change their health insurance and other benefits due to the change.  For example, we are going to enroll in my husband's health insurance plan now.

IMPORTANT TIP:  Make sure not to have any lapse in coverage.  If you have no lapse in coverage your next employers health insurance plan cannot "gotcha" you with any preexisting condition nonsense.

2.  401K rollover.  My mom, the financial maven, along with my broker at Smith Barney both recommend rolling over the 401K to a rollver IRA.  You can find rollover IRAs anywhere from your local bank, to an online broker such as Charles Schwab, to a full service broker such as Smith Barney.  I recommend asking your contacts for a recommendation if you are shopping for a broker.  Mine is Jessica L Anderson at Smith Barney, and she is great.

3.  Life Insurance - if you had your life insurance through your company, you may now need to get your own term life insurance.  You can gather various life quotes for insurance if you have people depending upon you for their support.

Free Tivo Cookie Cutter

This is a cute freebie from Tivo - they are giving away cookie cutters in the shape of the "Tivo Guy"
Get your own Tivo Guy Cookie Cutter.

Fun!

Blogger Wish List - Dragon Coupon Code

My Top 10 Blogger Wish List

To get into the holiday spirit I am going to make a wish list of things that could help me with my blogging.  Now that I am between jobs, I am finding blogging to be not only a wonderful outlet for my creative energy, but also a actual source of income.  Its interesting to see how much money I can make now that I have lots of time to dedicate to the blogs. 

I actually have 3 blogs, about 5 Squidoo web lenses, and a new domain not yet set up.  I am quite excited about the possibilities as I have discovered that there are a number of affiliate programs and blog ads that can help a blogger out.

1.  Upgrade my Typepad account for more custom templates.

2.  Set up Dreamhost account for cheesyromance.com.  (Coming soon to a web browser near you)

3.  Get approved for textbroker.com so I can make some dollars writing.

4.  Logitech Wireless Microphone for use with #5 below.  (Check out the video listed above where the guy blogs from outside with his wireless mic while his computer is INSIDE.)

5.  Dragon Naturally Speaking software so I can type by talking and write faster to make more money.   Tip: here is a $25 Coupon Code DNSMSBG -Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard

6.  Improved page ranking from the big wigs at the big G.

7.  Lots of ideas for writing essays and articles.

8.  Time and energy to re-design mariannesmotifs for a better look and cleaner feel.

9.  Great keyword ideas.

10.  More Amazon orders!  Please use my search box to right to start your holiday shopping.  I get a small commission thanks!

• $50 Coupon Code DNSMSBG -Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred
• $25 Coupon Code DNSMSBG -Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Standard
• $25 Coupon Code- DNSMSBG -MacSpeech Dictate

Jobsearch Friday Update

I went to the unemployment office yesterday and found out that I am not eligible for any benefits until after the time for the severance package is over.  Oh well.  I sure hope I have a new job by February 11th.

My ex-boss was so nice and faxed me a copy of my resume from when I started work there.  Of course it is 10 years old so I have my work cut out for me to write a new one but I needed it for the dates of my previous jobs.

Last night I made use of LinkedIn.com to reach out to people I know in the industry.  I have already received a few responses.  What a great tool for the jobseeker and for networking.

I also checked out Monster.com and found 3 jobs that looked really good and that I am quite qualified for.  So today is going to be blocked out for writing my resume so that I can submit it for these three jobs. 

Wish me luck!

18"x18" gallery wrapped canvas for $74.95

I came across this place called PhotoFiddle  that sells photos printed on canvas, art prints from your photos.  What's neat about it is that you use their software for free to create the great effects such as PopArt, Stitched, Collage, Sepia, etc.  Then their prices for prints on canvas are really decent.

They are currently having a special $20 off on a 18"x18" gallery wrapped canvas for $74.95.  Use promo code 1818.

Check these guys out if you are in the market for canvas prints.  The digital scrapbookers might not take advantage of Photofiddle's software but wouldn't a digi layout look great blown up to 18x18 on your wall and printed on stretched gallery wrapped canvas?  Yep.

Free Books & Starbucks card for writing reviews

Check out this website - its called ReaderSpoils.com.  The idea is that they charge authors of self published books or new books $15 per review.  For readers, the author provides the book (usually downloadable ebook) free of charge and ReaderSpoils gives the reviewer a Starbucks giftcard.

This is a pretty clever business model - I wish them success.  Who knows, I may even try it out.

I signed up for textbroker.com earlier this morning.  They are a website that brokers between people needing copywriting, and writers for hire.  I hope I get accepted for that. 

I also went to the library this afternoon and checked out a bunch of books - Job Hunting for Dummies being one of them.  :-)