Weigh Your Mind

Over the past several years winter in the High Country has been non existent. The season would hold unusually warm temperatures and I would never see a snow shower. Welcome to winter 2010 where records are being set every day and snow pack is adding up and temps barely rising above 30 degrees. The ending result is always staying depressed and constantly having the blues. Do you face this problem during the winter months? Well, I am here to give you a solution.

I have accomplished alot of things since we seem to be stuck in a rut of constant winter storm after another. Below I have compiled a list of things I have done and maybe you can try to.

• Rearranging my room.
• Writing Poetry or a Song
• Become more involved in Social Media
• Organizing the closet
• Doing research on commonly asked questions
• Searching for the perfect destination spot for Spring or Summer

If some of these things are done now then when warmer months fall upon us we can be free.  These are just a few things I have done when I can’t make it out of the house during the winter weather we have.

The key to remember is to always keep yourself busy doing something and the blues will never take over your body. Whether it be finding yourself through thoughts and images or finding a new hobby, you will not be disappointed.

Please tell me what you and your family do in a comment when winter weather has you locked inside your home.

English use to be my worst subject in school. Now that I have returned, I have grown to love what I am taking. It is called English 113 which is a study of poems. At first it was hard for me to get meaning from poems and completely understand them. Now that I have had an in depth look and a chance to dissect them I came up with one of my own. It is as follows.

Endless

My mind wonders through the night

Like stars grazing against the dark sky.

When I wake to morning light

My day begins with such delight.

Hustle and bustle surround my day.

Wishing soon it goes away.

As the clock flies like father time

My life I shall progress unlike a mime.

As my day comes to a close

My mind keeps turning like the ball of a disco.

Night has now finally fell

Will it continue? Please tell.

As I lay my head down in urning

I ask myself will it stop turning?

Maybe not, maybe so

It’s just something I don’t know.

I welcome all comments suggestions and please let me know what u think as I am just starting.

We all have memories whether it be from a vacation, life experience, or birth of a child but there are no greater memories than ones that last from the past into the present.

My Grandmother who is 96 years old is truly an inspiration. It don’t matter if she passes you in a supermarket as a stranger, she will stop and make you have an engaging conversation with her whether it be a simple friendly hello or to ask how much sodium or fat is in this can of beans.

Great memories started forming with my Grandmother when I was child. I remember when she lived way deep in the Mountains in an area called Mill Creek which was surrounded by sounds of the creek behind the old homestead.  This is where most of my memories began such as learning and experiencing what an outhouse was. As I would spend the night there at her house it was a time for heartwarming experiences which always surrounded me. She would always tuck me in and make sure I was all snuggly and tight. As I would awake, I was greeted by the smell of a full course breakfast aroma. The breakfast always consisted of eggs, bacon, and gravy and not just any gravy but chocolate gravy that she would make on occasion which has become my favorite today.

As time progressed over the years, she may have got older but never lost one trait that she possessed since the day I was born. Week after week, month after month, when I would go visit, as soon as I walked through the door, I was sitting down eating something whether I wanted to or not.

Although she had a loving and giving personality to her she had a funny side as well which was always in order to give us a laugh. Her vocabulary was the most unique in the world. She would say things such as, “That is just plum quire” which meant being crazy. Also in her vocabulary was, “Whee” that she would use when greeting us as we came in the door or when she was surprised. For example, my Grandpa would always stick his cane between her legs and she would let out a big “WHEE”. This truly makes me laugh to this day as I remember it.

My Grandma is known for being stubborn, strong willed, and determined. She will not let anything or anyone get her down. She is a firm believer in God and will tell you that you need to get right with him. A memory I have of her is getting her monthly subscription to the Guide Posts and would call in any prayer request that I may have. I admire her being so outspoken and telling you what she thought such as she would tell me about my hair. She would say she liked it better thick and longer instead of the way I wore it short.

Lots of memories surround my mind of my Grandmother. I admire her for her actions and personality she has had since I was a child and always putting others first. I feel like a million bucks to be able to say I can call her my Grandmother.

I ask for your prayers and thoughts for her as she is struggling right now with life. She is strong and I firmly believe she will hold on and bounce back as she has numerous times. The day she does go to be with her maker will be a day of sadness for me and my sister but we will have these lasting memories to look back on to remind us we had the greatest, strongest, and most determined lady God could have ever blessed us with.

LOVE YOU Grandma.

When asked to attend a bloggers convention in another state do you ask for support? When supported do you go to just to be able to say, “I have been to another state” or just to take a vacation?

Well guess what? Both of these answers are incorrect. It has been brought to my attention that bloggers are not attending these conventions for the right reasons. First of all, a blogger when supported by a company should be going to the convention with full intentions to connect with others and learn about others products, a job opportunity, and learning new ideas and approaches. This in return lets others know about what the company is all about that supported them.

Second of all, I know we all like free trips, but in this case I feel many bloggers are robbing these companies when given the chance to attend a convention. This is just not right and when the word gets out, these culprits will be brought down and never be given the chance again.

I agree yes it is fun and exciting to be able to finally meet others that you tweet with but should be done in a professional manner when sponsored. So basically, if you are not going for the right reasons then maybe you should foot the bill for the pleasure and fun.

I feel this kind of behavior has a huge impact on people like me who is new to the blogosphere and trying to make something happen by getting a sponsor. Let me know how you feel about this issue. As always, I welcome all comments, good or bad.

Blogher is a conference where fellow bloggers, (not only women but men as well) and big businesses from all over the globe come together and share ideas, products, and information about each other and companies. This year it is being held in NYC August 5-7 and I am more than excited about the possibility of attending but need your help. You may ask, “What does this do for the company and how would you spread the word about our products or services”? It’s very simple!

• Let’s people know about new products or services by me handing out business cards or samples that you have provided me.
• Your name would be constantly on display by me wearing a hat, button, or T-shirt with your company name and logo attached.
• I would constantly be tweeting about the company on twitter during the conference using a hashtag and doing a daily blog post.

If given the chance to attend Blogher 2010, I would make sure that your company stands out in the spotlight. I would define and give reason to each individual why your product or service needs direct attention and is a vital key to success in the world. If sponsored, the promoting does not end after Blogher 2010 is over but will be carried over by my continuous tweeting about the experience and many blog posts about your company for the rest of 2010. I will also place your company banner or button on my blog as well to direct others to your website. I can guarantee this sponsorship will definitely be a success in helping your company grow as I am very creative in finding ways to make it come out on top.

In closing, we all know television media gives false hope to any product or service. What better way to advertise your’s in a big city where millions of people can have a hands on experience.

I look forward to working with you and can be contacted at the email address below:

Mjhouck@gmail.com

This time last year, I wasn’t very much into Twitter. As time progressed on to 2010 I started to envision what I was missing out on. Not only was it used for me to let the world know what I was doing at the current time, but also showed me that there are people out there who offer support for others in time of need.

I also find Twitter to be a valid tool in trying to reach the right person to answer a question we may have about Social Media, ways to make a business grow, or finding that successful career we have been looking for.

Not only is Twitter used for business reasons, but also lets us connect to others in ways we thought impossible such as Mothers joining together for their kids or getting a review for that toy, cleaner, or restaurant to visit.

Twitter also lets us define who we are, what we stand for and how we express ourselves. This is done by each member advertising their blog to the world and giving us hope for a better tomorrow.

Another reason I have found Twitter to be essential is by being able to follow current events, or breaking news in the area. This is definitely resourceful for those of you who have no TV, or newspaper subscription.

In closing, Twitter is used for many things. How we attack it is how essential it is in our lives or business. I know Twitter has grown by the millions in the past year and I expect it to grow even bigger in 2010. I view Twitter as being a best friend and always there when you need it, no matter if it’s 2am or 2pm. If I was asked to sum Twitter up in one word I would say, “GOD” so watch out spam you will be cast into the fiery furnace known as spam filter.

Let me know in a comment how you view Twitter and how it has revolutionized your life or made your business grow and as always happy blogging.

I wanted to briefly share with each and every one of you an experience I had last night. As many of you know our family has traveled a rough road during the past week. It has been hard to deal with the events but we are starting to overcome them. Last night my sister @onemomsworld fixed a great dinner and brought it over for the family to enjoy. For dessert she also brought each one of us a gingerbread man that her daughters had made us to make us feel better.

Let me tell you that when I seen what the girls had done my heart was instantly mended back together from the pieces that had broken. Never underestimate the love of a child as it is more powerful than any drug. They do and will always sense when something is wrong or when someone is having a bad day.

I invite each and every one of you to share with me an experience you have had with the love of a child and the impact they made in your life.

We all see the advertisements on a billboard while driving down the road or on a local community bulletin board explaining why pets need to be adopted but one question pops into my mind. “Why is all the attention being directed to pets when there are millions of kids out there as well who need to be adopted”?

It is estimated that millions of children go every year without being adopted with more added daily. There are many reasons why a person should definitely look into the adoption process to make a change in America.

Yesterday while at the hospital seeing my Dad, I was in the waiting room feeling stressed over the past couple days of events. As I sit there feeling down and out, I was greeted by two little kids with a smile upon their face. I immediately began to feel a sense of warmness over come my body and realize that the stress was immediately beginning to be erased from my distraught mind.

This example is just one of many countless reasons to adopt a child. It can not only make a child happy but also give a parent or parents a heart warming sense which could be lacking from both parties.

Another reason why a person should adopt a child is if the child is lacking social skills which the child becomes a loner. When the child is adopted the chance is giving to the child to be able to interact with others by the adoptive parents exposing the child to maybe a sibling or neighborhood kids. Not only will the child’s social skills advance but also he or she will feel a sense of belonging and begin to feel important.

Another reason to adopt is if a couple can’t have kids. By the couple adopting, a sense of hope is restored to the couple by being able to replace that empty feeling of never hopefully one day building a family.

I encourage all families to search their souls and look more into the adoption process. I agree, “Yes” that adoption can be a long drawn out process and expensive. But remember that it will be worth while the effort. Remember one thing. If you are not read for a lifelong commitment then adoption is not for you.

Lets bond together and lower America’s non adoption rate. If you do you will be truly blessed and never be sorry you did. I am in no way putting down pet adoption. What better way to add to your new adoption of a child by surrounding him or her with a new playmate of a pet.

I welcome all comments on this post.

I have never been big on New Years resolutions because I thought we just keep them for the first couple weeks into the new year and they disappear like magic. I know am going to start making them as a result of this past Friday nights events.

I have been battling a serious alcohol problem I have. I always told myself I am going to stop and even prayed to God to help me. This past Friday night God finally showed me and spoke to me this has got to be the end of it. I was in a serious car accident where alcohol was involved. I always thought I am never too buzzed to drive but boy was I wrong.

As a result of the accident, I was okay but the vehicle wasn’t as I flipped the car into a creek and was totaled. As I was crawling out of the car into the cold dark woods with snow on the ground, I begin to think that I was all alone. Thoughts raced through my head such as, “Will I see my family again or am I going to freeze to death before help arrives”? Then suddenly I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. It was a friend calling me. After I has told her what happened I dropped it after help was on the way due to my hands being numb from the cold. I personally feel it was God’s will that my phone even had reception as far out as I was in the country.

Basically, I am here to say no matter how serious of a problem you have, please get help and never wait until it is too late. I hope I may make a difference in someone’s life that may be reading this. Just remember that God is never too far away to offer help to any problem or issue you are facing in your life. He is now number one in mine. Is he in yours?

Have you ever sat and pondered and ask yourself I wonder what happened today 100 years ago or 50 years ago? I have done some research and compiled a list from over the years past events.

1808 Andrew Johnson, American vice president who succeeded Lincoln after the April 15, 1865, assassination was born.

1849 Gas lighting is installed in the White House

1851 The first American YMCA opens in Boston, Massachusetts.

1934 Japan renounces the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and London Navy Treaty of 1930

1966 The Beatles start the recording session that would become the hit single Penny Lane at Abbey Road Studio.

1975 A bomb explodes at La Guardia Airport in New York City, killing 11 people and injuring 74.

1982 Bob Marley postage stamp issued in Jamaica

1989 Václav Havel was elected president of Czechoslovakia

1990 Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton weds Shannon Kelley

1997 Hong Kong begins to kill all the nation’s 1.25 million chickens to stop the spread of a potentially deadly influenza strain.

2001 The Government loans America West Airlines $380 billion dollars

2006 Ethiopian troops eject the Islamic forces from Mogadishu, Somalia

I hope this was fun and interesting to read as it has been for me doing the research. I welcome all comments and if you have an interesting fact please share.