Hockey Groom Cake Topper
Hi my peeps. The big news is that Debbie (Flying Change Webs Design) and I are building a new business blog for me over at Blogger. It’s going to take a while to complete but I really need it to promote my two sites: Joyful Party Favors and Joyful Invitations (coming soon) in a more professional manner and I like what Blogger has to offer. They have tons of cool gadgets/widgets so I’ll have a lot more control over what you see and what I get to do with the blog! It’s all about the business, my friends.
My intention with the new blog is to keep it strictly professional with tips and lots of content related to weddings, showers, babies, parties and invitations and much, much, more. What a cool gig! I can’t wait for you to see what great ideas I have and, of course, I’ll be asking for suggestions as I go. I do love those comments, so keep them coming.
As for the favors site, we’re still tweaking it a bit. You should be able to see the last few changes early next week. Of course I’ll be adding a newsletter in the future so you’ll be seeing an opt in box appearing soon. So much to do, so little time.
Thanks to all of you who have traveled this path with me. I was glad to have you all there with me. (You know who you are!!!) I’ll let you all know when the new blog is up and we’ll have a little “Joyful Celebration”!
Warm wishes,
Katie
Joyful Celebrations LLC is proud to announce the launch of our wedding favors and accessories store, Joyful Party Favors. It seems like it’s been a long time coming and my blog has become a personal rant more than anything, but I kind of like that. I’ve decided to keep this as my personal blog and startup a new blog for the company. That way, I can let my friends know what’s up with me without them having to read all about weddings and favors.
Debbie (Flying Change Webs and Design) did a phenomenal job with the site. She has even given me my first lesson with Expression Web 2.0. My intent is to learn more about web design so I can play around making sites in my spare time for fun! What spare time, you say? It’s all logistics my friends. Remember, time is relevant.
I’d love for you all to see my first press release ever. Click here for a look http://www.prlog.org/10129669.html. One down, thousands to go. I guess we can now let the games begin. I’m spending time trying to get back links, but so far they’re all reciprocal. Nextly, I’ll be writing ezine articles and blogging more and more. This is a full time job, damn it!!! You know what….I wouldn’t have it any other way! No more working for “the man”.
Ok…now let’s talk about twitter. You can tweet me at Weddingspace. And, of course I’m on facebook and so is my company, so come check us out and become a fan. I know, I know…enough already. Hey, what can I say? I’m excited and nervous and expectant all in the same breath. It’s so rewarding working for myself. I’ve always hated the office scene and I feel so much better being out of it. This is my chance to move on, try something different, take a chance in myself. Scarey as it is at times, it’s one of my biggest dreams come true!!!
How do you know what you want to be when you grow up? That’s the question we all have to face, isn’t it? What if you’re still asking that question at 56? Oh sure, I had a job for the last 38 years but it wasn’t something I loved. I did it because I needed a paycheck and, honestly, it’s what I thought I was supposed to do. Growing up I really wasn’t guided or pushed to spread my wings and find “something I love”. So, I settled for a job. Was I miserable? Not always, but part of the time I definitely was. Now that I’m not working it’s a whole new ballgame. For the last two months I’ve been open to possiblities and many wonderful people and opportunities have come my way. It’s been quite eye opening. As you all know I’m starting up two websites, one for party favors and one for invitations. Because of it I’ve discovered an old passion from childhood that I forgot I had. Which brings me to my title….”paper freak”. That’s right! I’ve remembered that, as a child, I had a thing for paper. Crisp white paper, with or without lines. I know it sounds kind of funky but it’s just the way it was. So now that I’m doing this invitation site I’ve rekindled that love for all things paper again. Oh joy!
This lost love is pushing me to expand my horizons and dream big. Isn’t that what it’s all about? I don’t want to die wishing I’d done more. No…I want to do it all and there is no place like the present to start. Here’s my plan: As soon as my two sites are making money my intention is to start a stationery ecommerce store. I’ve decided to name it after my grandmother (I’ve already bought the domain) www.abigailspaperie.com. I’ve even talked to Debbie Hastings from Flying Change Webs Designs to see if she’s game, and of course she is!
So, now you know what my brains been up to. Can’t wait to see what I dream up next!!!
Dream Big!!!
Wow! I can’t believe I haven’t been blogging since the 18th of September. Just so you’re not worried, nothing is wrong. I just got caught up in the detox and lost my way. I was nauseous for a few days and that threw me for a loop. But, I’m much better now and working my butt off. Marcus, my trainer, takes no prisoners. I literally couldn’t sit down for two days without crying out in pain. He had me doing squats and my inner thighs had a major meltdown. All better now. Looking forward to the new and improved me! Yippee!!!
As for the web sites….all I can say is GLORIOUS!!! The homepage is almost done for the favors site and the shell is done for the invitations site. Both are gorgeous, in my opinion! Debbie is definitely doing a great job! Very happy! So, we’re definitely cooking. I’m a little concerned about driving traffic to my sites, though. I suppose there will be a BIG learning curve involved. Of course I’ve been researching, and signing up for SEO newletters, and reading SEO books and all that good stuff. But, is it enough? My education is taking me higher and higher. Don’t you just love a good challenge? This should be an interesting ride.
Can you believe it’s October already? Ian’s Mum and Dad will be here in eight weeks, staying for four. Wow! I can’t believe it’s almost here. He is so excited to have them, and actually….so am I! They’re very self-sufficient so it’s no bother having them here at all. For the first time, I’ll be off while they’re here so that should prove interesting! Here’s to Mum and Dad!
Well, I’m looking at heading to bed now so I can read and relax before lights out. Hopefully, I’m back with my tales and looking forward to telling all of you what’s up with me! Never lost, just waylaid a bit!
That’s right, I’m in detox. I know what you’re thinking…”I didn’t even know she had a drug/drinking problem! Well, maybe a drinking problem.” Well, you’re wrong, so there! I am on a healthy detoxification program. I say healthy though I feel anything but. Day three of a headache, day one of burning eyes and a bone weary tiredness that wants to consume me. You’re lucky I’m even able to sit up and write this. After all, it’s quarter after nine at night! The good news is that it’s only for ten days and “they say” the worst bit is the first few days. It’s all good, except for the fact that I can’t find anything to eat on the list that I like, except for the rice and beans. Let’s just say that three days of beans can be very intersting! You know what,though? I’m doing it and I’m happy to be on the road to a wonderful heathy “recovery”. So, stay tuned for my tune up!!!
As for my web sites, well, they’re rolling along. The process seems slow but I’m sure that’s because I have so much ahead of me to do. I am working diligently and I’m sure once I get rolling it will go quickly. Tomorrow I plan on getting all my web pages written for my favors site. If I can accomplish that I’ll be in seventh heaven. If I can’t, there’s always the weekend. So, I guess my goal will be Monday, for sure, to have all the text to Debbie. We’ve firmed up the colors and that’s very exciting. Now I can order my sites from the vendors. Whohoo! Ready or not world, here I come!!!
So much change lately. For a girl that used to like to be safe and secure I’m taking chances and throwing caution to the wind. Three months ago I never dreamed I’d be setting up two major web sites and making a six month commitment to my health in a program that I didn’t even know existed. Wow! You can never second guess the future because it can change your present in a heartbeat. What a great ride!
So, I’ve gotten a bead on what I’m doing with my websites. I made some final decisions today with regard to content and I’m happy with my decisions. Now, I can concentrate on moving forward with the layout, text and pictures. Exciting!
I’ve finally recovered from my trip to Vistaland. It’s taken me several days to get my music downloaded from my Datasafe online storage. I had to do it in little dribs and dabs because the file was so immense. So, I’m finally sitting here listening to Cindy Lauper sing “All through the night”. That girl was never fully appreciated! It’s nice to have my computer back to normal. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Well, my friends, wish me well for my venture into my TLC program starting tomorrow. I’m excited but realize it’s going to be tough. I’m up for it. I’m ready. Bring it on!
Well, my friends this is my new logo!!! I absolutely love it. When it goes on the websites it will have favors in pink script slanted on the botton right, and same for invitations. Debbie (webmaster extradinaire) not only came up with my logo, but also came up with an incredible background for my invitation site today! WOW! That’s all I can say!!! WOW!
Ok….now for the bit about saving my life! Well, it’s a long story and for those of you that know me I’ve stuggled with my weight for almost my whole life, and right now it’s UP. I’m on blood pressure meds and as of two days ago I’m on cholesterol meds. Enough is enough!!! Now…get this! My Doctor is so tired of prescribing meds for middle agers that’s she’s started a TLC program that you can join. Insurance pays part but you have to pay the rest and it’s pricey. Guess what? I’m worth it. Here’s what I get (starting Monday) for the next six months:
Three days a week with a trainer!
Two days a week with a nutritionist, advisor, whip cracker, whatever!
B12 & B complex shots once a month!
High colonic! Yikes!
Tony Robbins cd’s for body image!
Food replacement shakes and whatnot.
10 day detox program to start.
Cooking classes, group workouts at Okeeheelee park, motivational classes, etc!
There’s probably more but I can’t remember them if there are. So, this is it. A safe, healthy way to get done what needs to be done. Talk about being accountable! This ain’t your mother’s Trim Club, that’s for sure! And, I’m doing it with a friend so that makes it even better. I’m scared and excited at the same time. Wish me luck, my friends! Wish me luck!
You’ll never believe where I’ve been the last two days!!! I’ve been to the incredible land of Vistaland, affectionately known as “Computer Hell”. That’s right, you heard me. My beautiful new (purchased in February) Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop decided that it didn’t get along with Vista, and vice versa. The battle was bloody, with lots of freezing and hard shutdowns. It was brutal, I tell you! Brutal! I know what you’re waiting for, don’t I? Who won! Well, in Vistaland there is only one champion. He goes by the name of Vista the destroyer. Yup…I spent all day yesterday backing up and preparing for the unbearable….reloading Vista and starting over. Thank God for online backups! Actually, it went pretty smoothly. It’s the little things that get you. The little settings in Security and Outlook that you’re used to and all of a sudden are missing. So, here I am 24 hours later and I’m almost back to normal. Two more programs to load, and restore pictures and music and I’m done! Praise the computer Gods!
Speaking of which, I know you’re all wondering what’s going on with my website, right? Let’s just say that things keep multiplying and multiplying. The final word is in and I’m going to have three (that’s right, three) sites up and running by the end of October! Whohoo!!! This was Debbie’s sage advice to me and I have to say I’m breathing much better for it. You know the old saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in the same basket”? My friend Sherrie said that to me recently and it makes sense. So when Debbie recommended we set up separate sites instead of glomming everything on one, I jumped on it. I’m doing all sorts of favors, from weddings to bridal showers to graduations to baby shower on www.joyfulpartyfavors.com. I’ll be doing all sorts of invitations, including wedding stationary, birthdays, holidays, babys on www.joyfulinvitations.com. The third site is www.joyfulcelebrations.com and that is coming up as a three pager for the company with about and contact and whatever else I can figure out just so it gets it’s start on google until I can figure out what to do with it. Sweet, huh? I know I’m excited!
Just a reminder….no matter how big Vista thinks it is, it’s still not Skynet! I made it out alive and life is good!
Ok, you got me. I’m seeing pink tonight. That means I’ve taken something pink to help me sleep and it’s definitely starting to take effect! It’s not your ambien or your lunestra. Oh no! It’s something a little different and, I might add, works wonders when you’re trying to sleep through a real hurricane. So, here I am, eyes at half mast and in a very happy mellow place! No, it’s legal. Yes, given to me by my Doctor. No worries my friends. It’s like drinking a bottle of wine without the hangover.
So, another day and I still can’t make a decision about my web site. I’m looking at what I want to carry which is favors and invitations and trying to figure out the best way to go. I’m not going into the gruesome details tonight because I did just send Debbie (webmaster extradinare) my list of questions and queries. Hopefully we’ll figure out something tomorrow. She is the expert, after all. For me it’s semantics/logistics and not the products. I love them all and want to carry them all it’s just in what venue. Sounds simple, right? Ha….glad you think so.
Whoops….definitely time to get off here. I’m fading fast. What do you think? Am I pretty in pink???
