Friday 31 January 2014

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY FEATURE: WORTH THE READ JAN 31, 2014



I read cool informative posts and articles about business, social media, marketing, networking, and the like all the time. I'm a bit of a junkie when it comes to this type of thing. So I thought I would share one said post or article every Friday, and maybe send you into your weekend with some food for thought. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Friday Feature: Worth the read.

Thursday 30 January 2014

Grow Your #Vocabulary: This post has been brought to you by the Letter D

Three sets of words commonly misused and confused.
Diffuse: To pour out and cause to spread freely. To spread about or scatter, disseminate. via The Free Dictionary
vs
Defuse: To remove the fuse from (an explosive device). To make less dangerous, tense, or hostile. via The Free Dictionary

Discreet: Marked by, exercising, or showing prudence and wise self-restraint in speech and behavior, circumspect. Free from ostentation or pretension, modest. via The Free Dictionary
vs
Discrete: Constituting a separate thing. Consisting of unconnected distinct parts. via The Free Dictionary

Descendant: A person, animal or plant whose descent can be traced to a particular individual or group. Something derived from a prototype, or earlier form. via The Free Dictionary
vs
Descendent: Moving downward, descending. Proceeding by descent from an ancestor. via The Free Dictionary

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the letter "D".

Wednesday 29 January 2014

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAYS #W2WW This weeks recommendation on what is good to watch! #3

I'm regularly having conversations on social media and in real life with friends and family about what TV shows, or movies are good to watch. So I thought why not share once a week, on Wednesdays (aka #W2WW) the recommendations I have, or one that has been shared with me.  If you have a recommendation please feel free to share them with me in the comments section!
This week Watch Wednesday I am recommending a series I watched on Netflix called:
Ripper Street
(8 episodes) 2013, 4/5 stars, TV-MA
"It has been six months since the last Jack the Ripper killing, and East London is hopeful his reign of terror might have run its course."
(via Netflix Canada)
This is definitely for an adult audience, as there is some nudity, and the subject matter of this series. I found the storylines to be suspenseful and gripping. This is a serious drama, so you will need to give it your full attention. On a side note, having visited the area of London where the Jack the Ripper murders took place, I found it particularly interesting to see what that area might have looked like historically. 
I rated this series 4/5 :-) faces. I hope you like it.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what to watch

Note: I have not been compensated for this post in any way. All opinions are my own, and the purpose of this post is merely share with my readers.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

The Colour Blue in all its beauty. #BellLetsTalk about it!

There has been lots of talk on social media and TV lately about increasing awareness, and initiatives around Mental Illness. I have listened to many stories of courage and strength, and some tragic stories of loss. January 28th is #BellLetsTalk Day. By tweeting with this hashtag today you will help to raise millions of dollars for Mental Health programs and initiatives in Canada. 
Recently I have been thinking a lot about the colour blue. Blue is the colour between green and violet on the colour wheel. Blue is also the colour associated with feeling melancholy, unhappy, and depressed.
I went on a search for beautiful blue things, and started a Pinterest Board called The Colour Blue. Take a minute to look at my collection and enjoy Blue in all its beauty, and here is hoping it leaves you feeling anything but Blue.
Then take a minute to tweet using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk so those feeling Blue get the support and services they need to see the colour Blue in all its beauty again.
Yep, just my Cathy thinking out loud about the colour blue.

Grow Your #Vocabulary: This post has been brought to you by the Letter C

Three sets of similar words commonly misused and confused.

Compliment: An expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation via The Free Dictionary
vs
Complement: Something that completes, makes up a whole. via The Free Dictionary

Council: An assembly of persons called together for consultation, deliberation or discussion. A body of people elected or appointed to serve as administrators, legislators or advisors. via The Free Dictionary
vs
Counsel: The act of exchanging opinions, and ideas; consultation. Advice or guidance, especially as solicited from a knowledgeable person. via The Free Dictionary

Capital: A town or city that is the official seat of government in a political entity, such as a state or nation, via The Free Dictionary
vs
Capitol: A building or complex of buildings in which a state legislature meets. via The Free Dictionary


Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the letter "C"

Easy to Make Kids ID & #EmergencyContact Cards #familytravel #travel

Easy to Make ID and Emergency Contact Information Cards Perfect for When You're Travelling with Children. 



My kids are seasoned travellers with countless flights and road trips under their belts. They've been on dozens of flights to Florida, a trip to Italy, and countless road trips including Washington DC, Boston, Myrtle Beach, and around Canada.

For each of these trips I made my kids Emergency Contact and Information Cards. 


The first type I create is wallet size and for my kids to carry. 
It's especially important if  your child is too young to know or remember the resort or hotel information, emergency contact numbers, or if the destination's spoken language is different than that of your child's. 

The second type I make is for myself and other adults so in an emergency situation important information can be quickly and easily accessed.
I also liked to give these cards to the kids grandparents, or supervising adults during times my kids were travelling without me, especially if destination was unfamiliar to my kids.


TIP: Always grab a handful of extra airline luggage tags. 



Whether you're at a theme park, in a shopping mall, or just out and about on vacation these are perfect to attach resort and emergency contact information to a child's belt loop, or wrist.

TIP: Inexpensive luggage tag laminating kits are perfect to make kids ID cards.



 Using an ink pad, and the same laminating packs I also make information cards that I carry with me with important information that might be difficult to easily access away from home. Lets hope you never need to use these cards, but I like the piece of mind they give me when I'm travelling with kids.


Sharing is caring, so please share your tips or ideas in the comments section. 
I love hearing your feedback. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about travelling with kids.

Monday 27 January 2014

Five Great Uses for Citrus Peels #ItsEasyToBeGreen #greenideas


Five Great Uses for Citrus Peels

We all know that using the zest of citrus fruit can add aroma and flavour to a recipe, 
but they have lots of other uses. 


Here are a few of my favourites:

Make your own citrus scented cleaner: 
  • In a large glass jar: 
  • Add: the peel and pith (no skin or pulp) of 3-4 oranges, OR 4-6 lemons, OR 4-6 limes, OR 3 grapefruits to 1 litre of white vinegar.
  • Leave mixture for minimum of two weeks.
  • Strain the peel from concentrated vinegar mixture. Store in fridge until you are ready to use it.
  • Pour 50% water and 50% concentrated mixture into a spray bottle.
  • Proceed to use your citrus cleaner enjoying the fragrant citrus smell as you clean.
  • IDEA: Put into decorative spray bottle, and add a label  and give as a hostess gift.
  • (thanks @readyowl for this idea!)
Easy microwave cleaner:
  • Place the rinds of 2 oranges in a large microwave safe bowl.
  • Cover the rinds with water to the half way mark on the bowl.
  • Place in centre of microwave.
  • Microwave on high for 5 minutes, or until the water boils and condensation forms on the sides of the microwave.
  • Carefully remove the hot bowl of rinds and water.
  • Wipe the insides of the microwave using the condensation to clean. 
  • Voila! Your microwave should look clean and smell great! 
Easy way to remove stains from the inside of your favourite mug:
  • Place a handful of citrus peel into you mug.
  • Add boiling water to the mug to just below the top.
  • Let mug with mixture sit for an hour or two.
  • Pesto! You should have a stain free mug!
Keep cats away from your garden & the sandbox! 
  • Cats hate the smell of citrus! Toss fresh orange and lemon rinds around the area you want to cats to stay clear of. Repeat regularly.
Dried orange peels make excellent fireplace kindling and fills the room with a fragrant smell.
  • Take peels only (no fresh or pulp) and lie them out flat on a tray to air dry for about 2 days or until completely dried. 
  • That is all there is to it. Use the dried peels with other kindling to start a perfect fire. 
  • IDEA: Package up dried peels in a decorative box, add a beautiful bow, and you have a perfect hostess gift.

If you have other ideas and uses for citrus peels,
please share with me in the comments section. 
I love your feedback!

For more GREEN ideas check out my 
Recycling and Green Ideas Pinterest Board

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about being green.

Saturday 25 January 2014

Blog Conferences: You Should Go! @BConnectedConf coming in April

You know me, I am all about the informing, sharing and linking. So I thought I would take a minute to share with you an upcoming Blogger conference happening April 2014 in Ottawa. Please note that I am in no way connected (LOL connected to BConnected), or being compensated for this post. I simply felt compelled to share my thoughts with those who care to listen. 

I'm a newbie blogger with so much to learn about all aspects of bloggging. If you can relate, and maybe you hesitate to attend a blogger conference because you think you are not big enough, or experienced enough, then you need to understand, that is exactly the reason why you should attend. Conferences give you access to people, resources, and brands, and a forum in which to ask questions, get advice, and connect with those with experience, expertise, and connections. 

I have only attended one conference (Blissdom) and found the speakers inspirational, and the workshops and sessions extremely informative and fun. More importantly I found the connections and friendships I made to be invaluable both in my personal, and my professional (aka: blogging) life. Meeting so many of my favourite bloggers is real life completely changed my online and social media experience. 

Lately I have been seeing tweets about an impressive list of ambassadors for the conference, giving me one more reason to attend the BConnected Conference. I hope I see you there, and please be sure to find me and say Hi if you decide to go.

FYI - early bird tickets on sale now until Feb 16th, 2014. 

For more information about the upcoming BConnected Conference, here is a link. 
BConnected Conference


Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about blogging conferences.

Note: I was was in not way compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Friday 24 January 2014

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY FEATURE: WORTH THE READ JAN 24, 2014

I read cool informative posts and articles about business, social media, marketing, networking, and the like all the time. I'm a bit of a junkie when it comes to this type of thing. So I thought I would share one said post or article every Friday, and maybe send you into your weekend with some food for thought.

Today I am sharing links to two posts since they are both related to Triberr. Happy Reading! 



Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Friday Feature: Worth the Read.

Thursday 23 January 2014

TIPS AND IDEAS FROM THE KITCHEN OF CATHY: MEDITERRANEAN WRAP



Today I am sharing with you my version of the oh so popular Mediterranean Wrap. A quick, easy to make, healthy, and budget conscious meal or snack your family will love!


INGREDIENTS:
  • Large Wraps
  • Hummus
  • Feta Cheese
  • Italian Style Salad Dressing 
  • French's Fried Onions
  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Cubed Cucumber
  • Olives (optional)




This wrap couldn't be any easier!
In a bowl mix together the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and salad dressing (go light on the salad dressing so wrap isn't soggy) Spoon hummus onto the wrap. Add the mixed ingredients. Top with fried onions. 




It's a wrap! Mediterranean Wrap that is. 

This is a favourite evening snack and lunch option for my teens! 
Please let me know how you liked it in the comments section. I would love your feedback.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Mediterranean Wraps.

Note: I have not been compensated in any way for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Grow Your #Vocabulary: This post has been brought to you by the Letter B

Three words commonly misspelled or misused.
Bellwether: One that serves as a leader or as a leading indicator of future trends. via The Free Dictionary

Broach: To bring up (a subject) for discussion or debate. To announce. via The Free Dictionary
vs
Brooch: A relatively large decorative pin or clasp via The Free Dictionary

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the letter "B".

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAYS #W2WW This weeks recommendation on what is good to watch! #2

I'm regularly having conversations on social media and in real life with friends and family about what TV shows, or movies are good to watch. So I thought why not share once a week, on Wednesdays (aka #W2WW) the recommendations I have, or one that has been shared with me.  If you have a recommendation please feel free to share them with me in the comments section!
This week Watch Wednesday I am recommending a series I watched on Netflix called:
Luther
(10 episodes/2seasons) 2010, 4/5 stars, 14A
"A dedicated urban detective tries to keep a grip on his personal life while dealing with the psychological factors underlying the crimes he solves."
(via Netflix Canada)
This series is filled with suspense and gripping drama. I highly recommend this series, and only wish there were more than 10 episodes. Note: it is definitely not a series to watch with the kids due to the subject matter
I rated this series 4.5/5 :-) faces. I hope you like it.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what to watch.

Note: I have not been compensated for this post in any way. All opinions are my own, and the purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers.

Monday 20 January 2014

Grow Your #Vocabulary: This post has been brought to you by the Letter A

Three words commonly misspelled or misused.
Algorithm: A step-by-step problem solving procedure, especially an established, recursive computational procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps. via The Free Dictionary

Averse: Having a feeling of opposition, distaste or aversion, strongly decline. via The Free Dictionary
vs
Adverse: Acting or serving to oppose, antagonistic. Contrary to one's interests or welfare, harmful or unfavorable. via The Free Dictionary

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the Letter "A".

IT'S SO EASY TO BE #GREEN RECYCLING IDEAS FOR STARTING SEEDS INDOORS

I know it is still cool and snowy outside, but before you know it Spring will have sprung, and it will be time to start your seeds indoors for your Summer garden. Just thinking about the summer, and all the delicious veggies from the garden should make you warm up to these ideas about how you can recycle and reuse, while starting seeds indoors.

via Gardening World
via Gardening World 
 via Gardening World  
Hopefully these inspire you to find ways to reuse and recycle while planning this years summer garden. If you have ideas, or stories about being green please share in the comments section. I would love to hear them.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about being green.

Sunday 19 January 2014

Not So #RandomActsofKindness & Giving That Lasts All Year #GivingBack

Extending the Season:
Giving Back All Year Long



In November I wrote a post about easy inexpensive or free ways to give, or pay it forward during the Holiday season. For most of us the holidays are a time of giving, or "Tis the Season" and we are looking for ways to give, and give back. 

Lately I've been thinking a lot about why the season isn't all year round. 
I'm wondering what small not so random acts of kindness can be done on a regular basis throughout the year. It's been my experience that the giver, gets as much if not more in return than the receiver, and wouldn't it be nice to feel the joy of giving all year long. I'm not talking about huge life altering actions, but rather a plan to include and schedule small acts of charity and kindness into our busy everyday lives. Like everything else (eg. exercise, projects, appointments) it is much more likely we will actually do an activity, follow up, and follow through if it is scheduled into our plans, and not left to chance. 

Why not schedule in a few of these ideas into your life, and make the "Season" of giving last all year long. 
  • Donate gently used clothing to a local shelter or mission so it can be distributed to the homeless and those in need. In the colder months jackets, hats, gloves, socks, boots, blankets, sleeping bags,  knapsacks, and dufflebags are so appreciated. 
  • Donate gently used clothes, toys and books to a women's shelter. The coffee and the tea from the hotel room and hotel toiletries are also perfect for someone that is in temporary accommodations.
  • Baby clothes and items can be donated to teen mother organizations and homes. They are always very much appreciated. Remember certain items like car seats have expiry dates and are generally not accepted.
  • Donate gently used children's snowsuits, hats, mitts, and boots to a Snowsuit Fund or Snowsuit collection in your area. Canadian winters are cold, and no child should go without a warm jacket.
  • Collect the small bottles of shampoo, soap and toiletries from hotel stays, and/or the toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss you get from your dentist. Donate them to a shelter or to a food bank. Sort the items into into small ziplock bags for easy distribution.
  • Children's book your kids no longer use can be donated to a school library. School libraries get very little by way of budgets to buy new or to replace books. Your donations can go a long way. Same goes for magazine subscriptions; Chirp, Chickadee, Skateboarding and Snowboarding Magazines, Popular Science and Mechanic and Canadian Geographic are all popular with students even if they are a year or two old. 
  • Adult novels can be donated to nursing homes or shelters. Or if you know someone who can't get out, drop a box of books to them. Reading helps to combat loneliness, as does the act of kindness.
  • If you are donating canned foods to a food drive or food bank, make a list, watch for sales and, use coupons to increase your donation. You can often double the donation by smart purchasing, and who doesn't love a deal! 
  • Give the gift of time. Volunteer in your neighbourhood, a local school, church, seniors home, or charity.  http://volunteer.ca/
  • Offer to put up or take down Christmas lights up for a senior, or if they no longer drive offer to take them grocery shopping, or to an appointment.
  • Bake some cookies or treats and deliver them to someone who has mobility issues and doesn't get out.
  • Shovel the snow for someone! Especially a senior, or a Mom with small kids or baby that can't easily get out.
  • In the Spring, offer to take someone to buy some flowers for their garden, and help them plant them. For someone with mobility problems, making their home special is special!
  • Mentor someone: share your skills, talents, and expertise. Help with a resume. Practice interview skills. Tutor a student. Teach a senior to use the Internet, Email, or Skype. Being connected can make all the difference in ones life.
  • Babysit or Seniorsit and give a tired, overworked caregiver a break. A couple of hours can be so important to managing stress and coping.
There you go! A bunch of ideas for giving that cost so little but mean so much. 
If you have ideas that might be added to the list, or experiences of your small "not so" random acts of kindness, please share them with me in the comment season. I would love to hear about it!

Yep, just Cathy thinking out loud about not so random acts of kindness.

Friday 17 January 2014

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY FEATURE: WORTH THE READ JAN 17, 2014



I read cool informative posts and articles about business, social media, marketing, networking, and the like all the time. I'm a bit of a junkie when it comes to this type of thing. So I thought I would share one said post or article every Friday, and maybe send you into your weekend with some food for thought. 
Dear Social Business and Brand Leaders: Value My Time and I will Value Your Brand via Pam Moore, The Marketing Nut

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud Friday Feature: Worth the read.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Step One: Admit You Have A Problem: I'm addicted to Business & Marketing posts and articles.

Step One: Admit you have a problem.
I admit it. I am addicted to reading and understanding Business, Marketing, Branding, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Industrial Organization, and Social Media posts, articles, and documentaries. I read articles about image, and hiring, promotion, content, and costumer service. I watch TED talks about it, joined You Inc. subscribe to Smartbrief and CB Blog, and participate in all sorts of small business, entrepreneur, and relationship building twitter chats such as #RBChat and #MomBizMondays. as well as UPS, Dell, and Visa Small Business chats.
I know what you are thinking, what is so strange about that? I am just eager to further my career and "brand" myself. I would agree had I not been and continue to be a Stay At Home Mom for more than 18 years with no plans whatsoever of returning to the work force. I have not hired, trained myself or anyone else, served, promoted or marketed myself, a product or service in years.

All that being said I feel I can add some real value in these conversations, and have real insight. I listen, observe, question, research (via all those articles, posts, infographics), all sorts of people, brands, and PR reps about how they hire, market, and train. I plant ideas and prompts into conversations to see where they can lead. I listen to friends and family who are working, watch documentaries, the news, social media, and links shared on LinkedIn. I mull over this stuff for days, link and share that which should be linked or shared. I question that which should be questioned.

I am often a sounding board for ideas, and issues my working friends and family have. I give a different perspective. I am creative both in an artsy way, and the way in which I think. Sometimes I use this knowledge I have acquired to convince a school council if you cook and bake it they (aka parents) will come, and single handedly organized a pot luck for 400 people. I told you if there was food they would come. Oops, my bad it was 2 potlucks, 2 years in a row including giant media boards (10 of them) of school activities and areas of interest ( Just Saying....). Luckily for me in the second year Jazzy6178 aka Elaine was my partner in crime. This collaboration only heightened the flow of creative ideas, making Potluck Part 2 an even bigger success, and calling for a bigger venue. This included the addition of science fair projects, music by the members of the band and guitar club, and an information scavenger hunt (answers to be found on the media boards), for prizes donated by local businesses. 

More recently I started to share and interact on social media and this blog, which as you may have guessed, has done nothing but further my addiction. I am a sharer and linker in real life, I always have been. For this reason I have often played the role of the unofficial source of information; aka the knower of things. It is a recurring theme in all parts of my life both personal and professional. So many of the lessons learned in life apply perfectly to the business world, because in the end it all comes down to people.
Step One: Admit you have a problem.

Some interesting Links:
Smart Brief - SmartBlog on Social Media 
YouInc.com Blog
Jeff Bullas,com
Collective Bias CB Blog
Ted Talks 
If you have some great blogs, websites, or links to feed my addiction please share them with me in the comments section. Thanks for visiting! 

Yep, me Cathy thinking out loud about stuff.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAYS #W2WW This weeks recommendation on what is good to watch! #1

I'm regularly having conversations on social media and in real life with friends and family about what TV shows, or movies are good to watch. So I thought why not share once a week, on Wednesdays (aka #W2WW) the recommendations I have, or one that has been shared with me.  If you have a recommendation please feel free to share them with me in the comments section!
This week Watch Wednesday I am recommending a series I watched on Netflix called:
 Covert Affairs 
(43 episodes/3 seasons) 2010, 4/5 stars, 14A
"When CIA operative Annie Walker is yanked out of training and thrust into duty, she realizes she's being used as bait to lure a villain from her past." 
(via Netflix Canada)

I thoroughly enjoyed this series, humour, action, even some romance, without being too deep and meaningful made this series perfect Saturday viewing and a nice alternative to a movie. 

I rated this 4/5 :-) faces. I hope you like it!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out l0ud about what to watch.

Note: I have not been compensated for this post in any way. All opinions are my own, and the purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers.

Tuesday 14 January 2014

LEARNING: LESSON NUMBER 2: I learned how to add labels & tabs to my blog.

My "LEARNING" for 2014 continues, today I learned how to add labels and tabs to the top of my blog home page. 
BEING GREEN, FOOD & BEVERAGE, MY OPINIONS,
 REVIEWS, TRIPS & TRAVELS 
I would love it if you would check it out. 
I can't wait for to see what is next!

Yep, just Cathy thinking out loud about my blog.

Monday 13 January 2014

Great #GreenIdea - Make Pot Scrubbers From Mesh Produce Bags #ItsSoEasyToBeGreen

Make Dish and Pots Scrubbers From Mesh Produce Bags

The first time I did this was out of necessity. I was camping and had no way to scrub the pots, so I took mesh bags from produce (onions, potatoes, oranges) and tied them into knots to give me a ball that I could easily hold to scrub with. Although not pretty it did the trick. 

The following use the same idea but look much nicer a ball of knotted bags. 
Plus they save you money, and reuse, and recycle something that would otherwise end up in landfills.

via Northern Nest Blog

via Crafting A Green World 

via Mrs. Green Blog

Don't forget to put these to work in the bathroom or on outdoor patio furniture. OR
Why not make some as a hostess gift. Perfect for post party clean up.

You can find more Green Ideas 
under the blog BEING GREEN tab or check out my 
Recycling and Green Ideas Pinterest Board

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about being green.

Friday 10 January 2014

LEARNING: LESSON NUMBER 1: I learned how to create a facebook page for the blog!

Tonight I started my "LEARNING" for 2014, by learning how to create a facebook page for this blog. Thanks to the help of the lovely Kim at Tales of a Ranting Ginger
I would love it if you visited my NEW facebook page say hello and gave it a like! 
It is already turning out to be an exciting year!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about facebook pages.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY FEATURE: WORTH THE READ JAN 10, 2014




I read cool informative posts and articles about business, social media, marketing, networking, and the like all the time. I'm a bit of a junkie when it comes to this type of thing. So 
I thought I would share one said post or article every Friday, and maybe send you into your weekend with some food for thought.



Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Friday Feature: Worth the Read.

TAKE THE #BLOGCHALLENGEDONE CHALLENGE! EASY WAY TO SUPPORT YOUR FAVOURITE BLOGGERS WRITING EFFORTS

#BLOGCHALLENGEDONE....what the heck is that? Before I explain, I would like to give you some of insight into my reasoning for starting this challenge. 

Ask any blogger why they started blogging and I think most will tell you they started a blog to write. It may have started as a journal, or to educate and inform, and for others to share something they are passionate about like travel, or food. The focus might be different, but the motivation is generally the same, they blog to write. 

I think the majority of bloggers will also tell you that writing, and researching, and maintaining a blog takes time, a lot of time. As the saying goes time is money, and if you are spending hours of your day writing, then you are probably not making money from it. So in order to continue to be able to write, and finance this time, many need to "monetise" their blog. It may be by brand ambassadorships, giveaways, product reviews, ads, or hosting twitter parties. This is a compromise of sorts, meaning no matter the way you monetise a blog, it generally means at least some of the focus will move from the writing to the monetising efforts. Sometimes the very necessary process of making an income, and supporting the blog crowds the posts that motivated one to start the blog in the first place. 

Hey, no judgement here, it is a necessary evil, and the events, twitter parties, conferences, and giveaways can be a lot of fun. I'm just saying it would be nice if readers read and commented on the posts that are personal, and meaningful, and reveal to the reader something about the blogger as well. Won't it be great if people commented not because it was a requirement for an entry into a contest, but because they enjoyed the post and they want to acknowledge the time and effort required to write and publish a regular stream of posts. 

So in that spirit I have started something I am calling BlogChallengeDone. The challenge is to read and comment on at least one NON-GIVEAWAY blog post everyday. Ideally from a blog you haven't visited in a while, and then tweet the link of the post, tagging the blogger, using the hashtag 
#BLOGCHALLENGEDONE.
EG: 
"I just read a fantastic post by @cantoncathy about travel  http://cathythinkingoutloud.blogspot.ca/2014/01/travel-tips-tidbits-tuesday-post-1.html?spref=tw #blogchallengedone "

I hope you will join in this daily challenge to support the writing efforts of bloggers, and in return I hope someone else will take the time to read and comment on yours. I ask that if someone shares your post in the #blogchallengedone hashtag, don't just say thanks, return the favour. Pay it forward and read, comment, and share someone else's post. Maybe we can get a movement going.

HAPPY BLOGGING AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about blogging.

Thursday 9 January 2014

MY WORD FOR 2014: LEARNING

Over the last week or so I have seen many posts, discussions and comments about what people's word or theme for the new year is. 
If I understand correctly it seems to be a combination of mantra, goals, hopes, and focus for the year all wrapped up in one word. 
LEARNING
Clearly many people have given this a great deal of thought. Having only recently been introduced to this concept I have not completely defined my goals for 2014, but I think the word learning really does sum up my goals and focus for this year. 

LEARNING: the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something. (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

I believe that 2014 will be a year of learning:
  • Learning about myself, my strengths and areas I can improve on. Learning what I think my limits are and pushing myself to expand those limits, to see what I am truly capable of.
  • Learning not to be afraid, and learning to work through my fears, and use the fear to my advantage to reach my goals, rather than let it control me.
  • Learning about blogging, social media, and all the technology of blogging and social media. Come on people we are talking code to the technically challenged here! There is so very much for me to learn. I feel like I am in an apprenticeship program, and the world of Bloggers and social media are the Masters and teachers.
  • Learning about and improving my writing skills. I agonize over my writing; is it good enough, interesting enough, relevant, did I catch all the typos and grammar mistakes, did I source and site this properly. 
  • Learning about my friends, and their skills, and strengths, and the depth of their kindness, and ability to give, as well as their limitations since they are indeed human after all.

So in this new year of 2014 my word is LEARNING, because indeed this old dog can learn new tricks!

Wishing everyone a year of wonderful connections, growth, and learning!

Yep, just Cathy thinking out loud about 2014.