Bridging the Communication Gap between the Manager and the Employee
Constructive criticism is also known as constructive feedback. It is not used to hurt or put an employee down. It is used to help him. For example if an employee is new on the job and he is learning skills that he has not learned before, this type of feedback will help him to master the skills more effectively.

Constructive criticism gives your employee a chance to understand what mistakes he makes and will help in prevent making the same mistakes in future. This type of feedback also allows your employee to improve on current skills he may already have. For example, somebody takes karate and he learns the techniques to earn his orange belt, he can still improve on the movements. In other words, constructive criticism basically gives the opportunity for an individual to learn and grow.

While constructive criticism is effective in helping your employee to grow and learn, it is not useful if you tell an employee that you do not like something that he does and do not tell him why or offer tips for improvement. This is almost as bad a destructive criticism, which is intended to put an employee down and make him look bad. Constructive criticism is intended for you to give ways, ideas, hints and tips to help the employee improve so he develop his skills in a better way.

As a manager, you must give constructive criticism at the appropriate time. You also must deliver this feedback in the proper tone of voice. In other words, you must not give the employee the impression that you are talking down to him. You also have to be aware of how the employee is emotionally at the time when you want to give him the feedback. If he is having a bad day or is in a bad mood, he may see the constructive criticism as something negative, even though the feedback is given to the employee for his own good. It is also best to give the feedback alone, not in front of his peers so he is not embarrassed. The best place to deliver the constructive criticism would be in an office with the door closed.
Constructive criticism gives both the employees and the manager to communicate with each other. It first shows the employee that the manager, or whoever is giving the feedback, is willing to help him. It also gives the chance for either of them to share knowledge. Remember that even though you are a manager, you are not perfect yourself. After you give the employee your feedback, always ask him for any ideas of how you can improve. For example, if there is a work issue, ask him for ideas of how you can solve it.

Finally, always follow up. Check with the employee occasionally and see if he is using your suggestions. This allows him to know that you are interested in his success and growth.

By taking these steps, you will be helping you employees grow.

Reference:

Former Military Experience

 

So you have started college, and you are in your second week of classes, and you are finding that a twenty-four hour day is not long enough. You feel that you do not have the time to study, write papers, go to class, sleep, eat and socialize. So what do you do? You must learn time management skills. These are essential for you to be successful in college.

First you have to work out a plan. This is a schedule of your daily activities. It has to be realistic, because you have to get enough sleep. The plan includes your college classes, times you study, times you eat and sleep. As stated before, the plan must be realistic. For example, you can not plan to study to three in the morning and then just get three hours of sleep.

Be sure you make the schedule for what is the highest priority. For example, use the weekdays to schedule school-related activities and the weekends for socializing, relaxing and having fun. Also, include a certain time several days a week for exercise, because you need a healthy mind and body to be successful.

Always write down what you plan to do each week. Do not just think it through your mind and think that you will remember everything. Take note of any dues dates and write them down. The most effective thing to use when you are making a schedule is a planner. These are organized into weekly and daily pages. You can plan on the dates to make sure you get the assignments turned in on time. When you complete a goal, you can check it off as being finished. Only remember time management schedules are not perfect. Things can happen, such as a family emergency, which can disrupt you from your schedule. Leave enough time in your weekly schedule to cover from these interruptions.

Set a time for when you go to bed and when you wake up. This must be set at a regular time so you body gets used to going to sleep at a certain time. Make sure the sleep is uninterrupted. Also include times when you eat and exercise. Schedule your meal and snack times before your study times. This way you will not get the munchies when you are trying to prepare yourself for that exam.
On every Sunday set goals for the week of what you want to accomplish during the week. Divide them into Primary and Secondary goals. The Primary goals will relate to studying, class work, papers and other assignments. Secondary goals are things that go on in your college life such as laundry, exercising, parties and having fun.

Once you have listed all your primary and secondary goals, spread them out equally throughout the week. This might be something like doing laundry and studying for a test on Monday. Whatever you schedule for that week, make sure that follow through with your scheduled tasks. If your schedule seems to be overwhelming, break them down where you do an easy task first before doing a difficult one. When you do it this way, you do not do all the easy ones first and then save the harder ones for later on in the week. This prevents you from being overwhelmed when you have just the difficult ones to face.

The best way to manage you time is to combine two things together. For example, if you are washing clothes, you can study for a test.

At the end of each week, go over your weekly schedule and evaluate it. See if you had too much time on your hands after you met each goal or if you were overwhelmed by trying to meet all the objectives. If you find out that you did too little, revise your schedule and add some more objectives to your schedule. For example, you can schedule the extra time to go back over notes for a class. If you are overwhelmed, see how you can make your schedule more workable. For example, you may be taking too many classes. You may have to rework the schedule so you concentrate on a few goals over the weekend.

If you are the type of person who likes to go out on weekends, then use an reward system. If you meet all your primary goals that you set by Friday, treat yourself by going out on Friday and Saturday night. If you do not meet all the primary goals by Friday, then work on the on Saturday morning. Then go out that night.

As a college student, it is important that you learn time management skills. This not only will prepare you to be a successful college student, it will also carry over in your adult world. When you have graduated from college and are in the job of your dreams, time management skills are a must.

 

Book Review: Holman Old Testament Commentary, Genesis by Kenneth O. Gangel and Stephen J. Bramer. Edited by Max Anders.

Hardback: pages 384

Target Readers: Adults 18 years of age and older

Publisher: Holman Reference Nashville, TN

Published: 2002

ISBN: 0-8054-9461-8

Available: Local Christian Book Stores,
http://amazon.com,
http://www.christianbook.com,

Price: $14.99-19.99.

The Holman Old Testament Commentary Series is a set of twenty books discussing the individual books of the Old Testament. The series not only is suitable for church bible study groups, it is a must have for any Christian who wants to get a better understanding of the Bible and are hungry for God's word.

This book is broken down into twenty-five chapters, each focusing on biblical events during the beginning of time. For example, one chapter gives a full analysis of the creation while another discusses Noah and the Flood.

Each chapter opens with a quotation that draws the individual to read both this book and the Bible further. The authors provide an in depth commentary that helps individuals answer questions that arise when they are reading the Bible.

The authors further discuss how to use the Bible principles and apply them towards present life. For example, there were people in the Bible, such as Abraham and Joseph, who went through hard times. They learned to trust God and call upon him during their times of need. A modern day illustration shows how a man, suffering from cancer, used the Book of Psalms for comfort.

Each chapter closes with a prayer. This gives the reader the motivation and commitment to what he or she learns through this book and applies these in today's society.

Finally, anybody who is a leader in a Bible study group will find this book a must have. Each chapter includes a teaching outline and discussion questions.

I had the pleasure of purchasing this book at a local Christian Bookstore-Arrowhead Christian Bookstore, located in Johnson City, New York. The $19.99 I spent is the best investment I have ever made in my life.

Book Review: Bad Bad Bunny Trouble by Hans Wilhelm

Paperback: pages 27

Target Readers: Children ages 4-8

Publisher: Scholastic Incorporated

Published: 1994

ISBN: 0-590-47916-4

Available:http://www.amazon.com

Price: $.01-12.00 depending on condition (new and used)

Ralph is a bunny who likes to play soccer. He gets mad because he does not want to stop playing when his mother asks him to get ready for a birthday party.

He gets in trouble by throwing a temper tantrum when the mother does not allow him to have a piece of coffee cake, which is made for the adults. The last straw, when he is sent to the attic for punishment, is when he spits on the coffee cake.

Ralph may seem to be the bunny that nobody wants. However, he turns out to be the hero of the day. Just shortly after he is punished, three foxes show up to make rabbit stew. From an excerpt from the book, they love to quote:

"Tasty bunnies, hop, hop, hop,
Are delicious in the pot.
Simmered, boiled, or as a stew!
Watch out! Here we come for you!"

Through a series of hilarious events, Ralph foils the foxes' scheme by throwing eggs and paint on them In the end, it is his great soccer skills that save the day.

The moral of this book is that Ralph was a misunderstood bunny. Nobody understood why he loved to play soccer. The bunny family included Ralph in the birthday party by playing soccer.

This book shows us that kids are kids. They are bound to get into some sort of trouble. As parents, we must accept the children for who they are. We must focus on the good they do, not just the naughty things.

 

While your resume lists your skills and qualifications, how you conduct yourself in the interview is the deciding factor whether you get the job or not. Like an individual in the sales profession, you are selling yourself to people you have just met. To make the interview as effective as possible, you must prepare yourself by using the following tips.

Prepare.

Learn as much as you can about the company. Understand the job description and skills and qualifications needed for the job. By knowing these you can compare the skills of your current job with this new position and demonstrate how they tie in together.

Practice

Think of possible questions your interviewer may ask. Write down answers to each question. Talk in front of a mirror and watch your facial expressions. This way you can watch for signs of doubt and adjust your actions.

Evaluate Past Interviews.

If you recently had an interview for another job, this can help you get this position. First of all, list what went good during that interview. Then evaluate what could have been better. Maybe there were some questions that were hard to answer. Think about those questions and practice answering them.

Dress Appropriately.

Pretend that you have the job already and know what the dress code is. Wear similar attire to the interview. For example, if the job requires a suit and tie, wear these and not jeans and a T-shirt.

Be On Time.

When you find out where the interview is going to take place, see how long it will take you to get there. Add an additional fifteen minutes to the commute. It is better to be early. Your future employer will see that as a commitment to you career.

Show Confidence.

By practicing and planning ahead of time for the interview, you will feel more comfortable during the interview. However, it is natural to feel nervous. Practice little tricks to help you stay calm. One trick is taking deep breaths to help you relax. Another trick is to visualize kicking yourself when you feel nervous. Always remember to keep eye contact with the interviewer.

If Unsure, Ask.
If the interviewer asks a complicated question, do not be afraid to ask for clarification. By trying to second guess what the interviewer is asking, you may waste time giving him unnecessary information. By having him restate a question, shows the interviewer that you are a careful listener.

Keep Things Positive.

It is best not to show any negative feelings about past job experiences. For example, if you are looking for a job because of personality conflicts in your current place of employment, do not express this. The interviewer may see this as a negative attitude. It is better to state that you are looking for a change.

Show Interest of the Company

Ask questions and have the interviewer share information about the company. Ask about long-term objectives, problems and issues the company is facing, and changes the organization may face in the future. The interviewer, as long as the information is not confidential, will be willing to share this.

For further consideration, go to: http://jobsearch.about.com/ad/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interview.quest.html

This website lists the most popular questions asked during interviews and appropriate responses to each questions.

Good luck during your interview.

 

Who inspired you most and why?"

In my 43 years on this earth, many people influenced me. But I think the ones who influenced me the most were the bullies I had to deal with in Catholic School. They picked on me and teased me. I remember one girl telling me that I would never get married, never go to college and be either a waitress or a nun. Well a few years ago I found out that she had been married, but got a divorce, never went to college and is a waitress. And here I am with a Masters Degree, served in the ARMY, work for a Fortune 500 company, married with two girls. Well because of her influence and others I grew up with, I am a stronger person today.
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Prompt: YOU are creating a writing contest. WHAT IS YOUR THEME?

I have no idea. I like the idea of contests because they help get people exposure for their ports. But I am not sure what type of theme I would set. I like many styles of writing.

Well, I think I might know what to do. I would set up one for non-fiction items. It seems that the writers who do fiction and poetry get more exposure that those who write essays and other non-fiction items. I would set no word limit at first, but if it is hard to go through all the items, then I might change it. Plus, I would set up a poll where the contestants can vote on the submissions.
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We do need a major overhaul with this country. Even though I am a regristered republican, and normally vote that way, I voted for Obama this election. This country needs a change and I think this new president will do this. We need to see changes in the economic crisis we are facing in the country plus changes in health care, retirement and social security.
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Prompt: Enumerate your top 5 excuses for work.

Reasons why I work:

1. I have to work to pay the bills

2. I need something to do so I don't get bored

3. I have a couple good friends at work

4. I want to get a promotion

5. I am one day closer to retirement

Top 5 for when I call off work

1. I am sick

2. My husband/child is sick

3. My car broke down

4. The roads are bad because of snow

5. State of Emergency
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When life gets out of hand, what do you do to relax and regain your composure?

I usually take a step away from what I am doing and do something else. For example, if I spend too much time on the computer, I step away and read a book, go for a walk or some other activity. Sometimes I feel that I am being crushed on all sides and I am not motivated to do anything at all. Sometimes taking a nap helps or talking with somebody.

 

Christmas is around the corner and I could not be more prepared. A week to go and my shopping is done and I only have three presents left to wrap. I am sure I will have some more to wrap if I have to get a last minute gift or something, but I can sit back and relax. Well, I have to work nights up to Christmas morning, so I cannot relax too much.
K-mart is probably the own store that still has a lay-away. I started doing my shopping in August, putting an item or two at a time on it. Some of the presents were for the Wii and I knew if I put everything all at once on it, the amount I would be paying would be larger.
The good thing about the lay-away is that this store does not have a rule where you must have everything paid for by a certain date. The only thing is that anything that had a Christmas theme, such as tree decorations, must be paid for before the beginning of December. Lay away does not close down a week before Christmas. You can keep putting items on before the new year begins. This is good because one item I got my husband will not be paid for until after Christmas. He will just get an empty box with a little card, telling him to expect something during January.
I did cheat too. Some of the presents I bought are expensive. For example, I got Guitar Hero for the Wii. I am giving it to my husband and two daughters for Christmas. A couple of the games, I split it up between the three. That way they still get presents and be happy with what they get.

 

I learned more on my voice recorder. I first found out that each time I start reecording and need to stop to gather my thoughts, I have to hit the pause button. If I hit stop and then start recording again, it starts out as a new message. This is great if I want to record in small bursts, it will be easier to listen to each recording.

While I can purchase the Dragon Naturally Speaking software that converts oral words into text, I can not afford it yet because of Christmas. I have a bid on one on EBay. However, it is so low and the auction has several days left, I expect that I will be outbid. I did type one of my messages last night. I felt I did okay. I had to keep hitting the pause button, until I finished typing. I am not a fast typer, maybe thirty words a minute.

I did find out that this recorder can be played back in several different speeds. I can play it back in the slower speed and it can stretch out the words. However, I played it back in the faster speed and had no problems.

This voice recorder also camee with Digital Voice Editor Software. It is installed to my computer and I have already transferred all of my recordings, 10 so far, to my hard drive. It also has instructions on how to use the voice recorder to the Dragon software. It does sound easy enough.
 

"Should a person interpret a work of art or attempt to appreciate it for what it is?"

Personally I think that we should appreciate things for what they are. I remember days in school when we had to read a poem and then explain what the poem was actually saying. Oh how much I hated doing this. Plus our interpretations were probably far off on what the poet was actually trying to say. I look at a painting at a museum and I say "Cool. That is a nice painting"
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1. Jesus Christ-died on the cross for our sins our only hope for salvation

2. This happened years ago and don't remember the name. A woman had fallen on the tracks at a subway station in New York. A boy about 13 jumped in and pushed her out of the way. He was hit by the train and was killed. Anybody who sacrifices their lives that way is one of the best people.

3. The people who served in the Armed Forces

4. Ronald Reagan-in my life he was the best president (in my opinion)

5. John F Kennedy

6. Barak Obama-I have confidence in him to lead our country

7. Policemen who sacrifice themselves to make out cities safe

8. My brother-in-law who is a NYC fire fighter and all firemen

9. Billy Graham

10. Norman Vincent Peale-Christian Writer "The Power of Positive Thinking" and all Christian writers who touch somebody.
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10 most hated

Satan-destroyer of good, hater of God, Lover of evil

Bin Laden-planned and carried out the 9/1/1 attacks

Adolf Hitler-German dictator-caused the murder of millions of Jewish people

Saddam Hussein-Iraqi dictator with multiple war crimes. Possible WMD-Weapons of Mass Destruction

Jim Jones-religious cult leader caused a mass suicide-almost a thousand people died

Charles Manson-Cult leader conspired to commit the Tate/LaBianca murders-which his "Family" carried out. Helter Skelter

Benito Mussolini-Italion Dictator

Lee Harvey Oswald-killed President John F Kennedy

Pretty Boy Floyd-Bank Robber

Bonnie and Clyde-murdering bank robbing team
******************
What does freedom mean to you? How do you express your freedom? Do you consider yourself 'free'?

Freedom means being able to do anything you feel that you should be able to do as long as you are not breaking the law?

Living in the United States I feel I am free, I have a job-in some countries females are forbidden to work, I can express my religion without fear of persecution, I have the freedom to speak my mind and the freedom to pick who I want for president and to wear what I like and to live where I want as long as my income allows it.

I do feel that I am free. However, I am still not free from debt. My husband and I are slowing climbing out of that hole. But we are not always free to do what we want. It would be nice to go on a vacation somewhere. But we have to get bills paid first. Sometimes we are not free to make a decision. We may be faced with two difficult choices and may not know if the decision is always the right one. For example, if somebody is on life support, it is not an easy decision to take the person off life support.

 

I needed to get a handy gadget that would make my writing quicker. There are two things that I normally do when I write. The first thing, I will write in a notebook. Then I will sit at the computer and type what I write into my Microsoft Word program. The other thing I do is sit in front of the computer and type what comes to my mind. Then I go back and edit what I wrote and make sure I have a good flow from start to end.

I drive an hour and a half each way to work and sometimes things come to my mind. Sometimes it may be a story idea for a short story and other times, it is something that I am working on. It could be a description or a dialogue. Then when I get home, I try to write it down before I forget about it. Sometimes, I forget some things that have come to my mind and it does not seem, after I get it written, what was going through my mind. So this new gadget will come in handy.

It is a voice recorder made by Sony. IC Recorder ICD-P32. I won this on EBay Auctions and it is brand new.

Here are some of the features:

I can record up to 32 hours

I can transfer what I speak into my computer-this came with software so I can link to the computer

I can use three different speeds when I am recording. That way I can play it in a slow mode so I can type while I listen-I do not type fast.

Even though it did not come with the software, this is compatible with Dragon Software. This transfers what I speak into a text document. Imagine how much I can do once I get this software. However, I might have to wait until after Christmas.

So today, I am learning about the basic functions of this recorder. It is basically simple because it is like a tape recorder, but much smaller.

One of the things this has four message folders. If I am doing a lot of recordings, I can move my messages into one of the folders. This way, if I am working on several different plots and stories, I can assign each recording to a specific folder. I can also have up to 99 recording in one folder. However, since this handy device holds up to 32 hours of recordings, my folders probably will not hold that many.

This is also handy if I am recording a communications meeting at work.
I can also divide my messages. If I have a long recording, I can split it in half so I can find where I left off more easily.

Now imagine if I do get the Dragon Software. We speak a lot faster than when we write. I think the average rate is 200 words a minute. Just talking nonstop for an hour will be 12000 words. It may take some understanding of the software to convert to text. However, this makes the job quicker, especially if you are working on several novels. I wonder if it would be cheating to do this on my next Nano.

 

There are so many resolutions I can make for the 2010 New Year. With my husband's and my financial situation, I believe that building up a savings is the most important. While working two jobs, we have not been able to save money. One of the reasons why this is the case is because of our debt-we are paying a monthly mortgage, car payments, utillity bills, medical bills and other debt. Another reason is because of the rises in living costs. For example, when the gas prices rose to over $4.00 a gallon, this put a hole in our pockets. A third reason is due to unwise spending. For example, when I get gas, I tend to buy other things such as scratch-off lottery tickets. My goal for 2009 is to take $50 a week out of my paycheck and put it into my savings. I have listed five methods help me keep this goal throughout the year.

Tip # 1 Canceling Club Memberships.

The first method, I have already started. I was paying $59 a month for a family YMCA membership. My younger daughter and I were using this membership. However, we stopped going because my work schedule became hectic and I was not motivated to lift weights after getting homw from work. Since my husband and my older daughter were not going, I was not getting my money's worth with the membership. I decided to cancel my membership. We have enough exercise equipment at home that my younger daughter and I can use to work out at home.

Tip #2 Brown Bag It

For the convenience, I tend to use the vending machines at work to buy my lunch. However, a sub can cost up to $3.00 and a 20 ounce bottle of Diet Pepsi costs $1.50. I can save money by making my own lunch and bringing it to work. While I may not have the time to make my lunch every day, I can plan ahead. For example, I can get a family sized macaroni and cheese for less than $10.00. I can cook it up and divide it into small containers and freeze them. This can last me for the entire work week. In addition, I can save money buy buying a six pack of soda at the grocery store and also purchase snacks to keep me going.
Tip #3 Take advantage of lowering gas prices.
I have a long commute every day. With gas prices lower than $2.00 a gallon, I am paying less in gas each week. My method is to take the money I would have spent in gas when it was over $4.00 a gallon and put that money in the savings.

Tip #4 Look for bargains whenever possible.

If there is something I absoluletly must have, I can save money by comparison shopping. If I am patient, I can find something at the lowest cost possible. I usually save money by looking for a product on www.ebay.com?>http://www.ebay.com. The only thing I have to remember is to take into consideration are the shipping costs.

Tip #5 Make more money

By being a content producer for Associated Content, I have the potential to make more money. By doing several calls a week, I can make enough money to keep my savings going.

Why do I want to save $50 a week? It will come in handy if I need to get something fixed on the car, for example. However, the real goal is to build up the savings so I have enough money to cover three months living expenses. This way if something happens, such as my husband or I losing a job, we have an emergency savings to see us through.

 

Today, I started reading a book called Major League Dad: The Moving Story of an All-Star Pitcher Who Gave up Baseball for His Family, (1994) written by Tim and Christine Burke. The story is about Tim Burke, a major league pitcher, who gave up baseball after almost eight years of playing
to be a dedicated husband and father.

I learned that Tim Burke played in the Major League from 1985 to 1992. He pitched 498 Major League games with 49 wins, 53 losses, 102 saves, 444 strikeouts and an Earned Run Average of 2.72.

I also found out that he played six-and-a-half years for the Montreal Expos, two years for the New York Mets and part of the 1992 season for the New York Yankees. He had signed as a free agent for the Cincinnati Reds. Then a few months later, he announced his retirement from baseball.

I am a New York Mets fan and Tim Burke's name sounds very familiar. However, I cannot recall seeing him play. My memory is not the greatest.

This decision he made was probably the hardest one in his life. Baseball was his dream. However, he felt that family togetherness meant more. In a way I feel that way too. I work on swing shift at my job, as I mentioned in an earlier entry. This is a hard strain on the family. I am constantly looking for positions at my job that would place me on a steady shift. However, such positions are few and far between. Therefore, I am constantly praying to God in either helping me find a position that would benefit my family better or find a new job.

Whatever happens, God will see me through. Maybe it is his will that I work at my job for the time being.

 

"What do your friends mean to you?"

Everything. I am the type of person who is not easy to be friends with or someone who can easily make friends. I am an inner person, more withdrawn. But there are a few people that I consider to be true friends and who also think of that about me. These are the ones I can trust and tell them something and not having to worry about the whole world knows. I am also like that, I am trust worthy.
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"Muses, are you a believer? Some people have them, and some don't. There are some who give theirs names, characteristics and life, while others sit in the shadows and quietly inspire. Do you believe in the muse? And if so, what's yours like?"

Ok I have never heard of, or at least known, what a muse is. I guess if I have a muse it would be more in the shadows and have no name. What gets me interested in writing is something that sparks an idea. It could be something that happens in real life, and I can think of a story that ties in. Or it could be something from a story I read.

I do have a solid writing partner who helps me with my writing. His name is Jesus. But I don't think he would appreciate it if I called him a muse.

************************************
"What walls do you want to knock down?"

The wall that I want to knock down are the ones that are preventing me from doing what I want to accomplish. For example, I fell that I can do more for writing.com. But I sometimes feel that it is a chore to come here and make an entry. I also have so many ideas running around in my head and these never make it to paper. Plus I have projects at home, such as sewing some quilts that never seem to get done. So the walls. that are blocking my creative side I want to knock down.
**********************
I have know people who have hurt themselves in the past such as trying to commit suicide. For me I have no first hand experience, but in a way I am harming my body. Here's why:

I smoke-but I am trying to quit--this is very harmful because I can get lung cancer, high blood pressure or heart disease

I don't eat the way I should. I sometimes put off eating when I get involved in too many projects. Or I just eat junk food. I have to concentrate on eating three balanced meals a day-well at least a good breakfast and dinner

Working swing shift-I don't get as much sleep as I should-I sometimes get four hours of sleep then I am awake

I put of going to the dentist unless if I have to go.

These are some examples of what I am doing to harm myself.
*********************
Monsanto's GMO's

Monsanto is an agricultural company that uses innovation and technology to help farmers around the world produce more crops while conserving more. produce healthier foods, better animal feeds and more fiber, while also reducing agriculture's impact on our environment.

Some of the claims this company makes is that it develops improved seeds,produces healthier food and animal feed, conserving resources and helps improve the lives of all farmers.


There is many controversies in using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Monsanto's seeds. Some people see it as meddling with biological states or processes that have naturally evolved over long periods of time.

The safety of GMOs in the foodchain has been questioned, with concerns such as the possibilities that GMOs could introduce new allergens into foods.

There is a concern for antibiotic resistance.


 

My husband had been in the hospital recovering from an appendectomy. Even though the operation went smoothly, around 45 minutes, he did have some swelling and an infection where the operation was done.

When my husband was first admitted to the emergency room, he was hooked up to an intravenous unit to pump antibiotics, pain medicine and nutrients into him. Since my husband is diabetic, the doctor decided to have him stay a few extra days in the hospital.

Rather than continuing with the IV unit, the doctor decided to use a PICC Line instead.

Two things I learned are what a PICC Line is and that it is not spelled the way it is pronounced-Pick Line.

PICC is actually an acronym for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. The doctor believes that my husband may be on antibiotics for a while, even after he is discharged from the hospital. The PICC Line is geared for individuals who are going to receive nutrients and medicines intravenously over an extended period of time.

The PICC Line was inserted into my husband arm, through his largest vein, near the bend of his elbow. This PICC Line is called a Double Lumen. This way he can receive medications while at the same time have his blood drawn. This device also is helpful because, sometimes, my husband's veins are small and are hard to find. The PICC Line makes it a lot easier for the nurses to draw blood.

If somebody is going to get a PICC Line inserted, he must know of some possible risks. There can be infection where the PICC Line is inserted into the vein. This normally is treated with antibiotics.

Blood clots are another risk. Prior to getting this procedure done, my husband was given a blood thinner.

Finally, my husband had to be careful when he was walking around. If the PICC Line gets cut, he had to tell the nurse so it can be fixed or replaced.

When situations like this arise, we learn a new way to manage our time. While, I did take off the day he had the surgery, I had to go back to work the next day. Even though I would be eligible to take a medical leave, thanks to the Family Medical Leave Act, I would not get paid for the days I take off. This is something I can not afford to do with the bills that are coming due. However, after the first couple of days, I learned how to manage my time well. I did what is necessary such as going to work. However, I had to turn down overtime, at least until the situation stabilizes. I was able to set aside an hour a day to work on my writing . If there was something that was not pressing, I set it aside until I had the extra time to address it, as long as I did not create a large pile in my in box.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PICC_line

 

Favorite Authors
Well there are too many to list.

Jesus-The Bible
Tim LeHaye and Jerry Jenkins-The Left Behind Series
Stephen King
Mark Twain
Charles Dickens-A tale of Two Cities (Currently Reading)

To name a few
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Birthdays
To me birthdays are a hassle. My husband is hard to buy for and my list grows shorter each year.

My older girl's birthday is in the beginning of January. Just after Christmas. So recovering from Christmas shopping, it is hard to get what she wants. She is fifteen and her wish list does not fit in the budget-ipod, new cell phone, new tv. Well she can keep wishing

My younger girl's birthday is in July. She wants the same type of things each year, a new dvd or a computer game. Well at least she makes out a list and most of what she wants is in the budget
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7 Wonders in My Opinion
1. The Bible-God's word

2. My two girls even though they make me want to scream at times

3. A meteor shower I witness. First I thought I saw a shooting star, then thought I was seeing things. Then the sky was lit up in small explosions

4. A rainbow reminds me of God's promise

5. A red sunrise or sunset-so beautiful

6. The ocean-so vast

7. The Internet-I wouldn't on writing.com today if it wasn't for advances in technology*
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Prompt: Tell what you can about gardening. Will you boycott out-of-state produce or grow your own -- if you can?

Oh please I don't have a green thumb. Well I am glad that my husband does. Each year he plants a garden in our back yard. The money he puts into it and what he produces, we get our money back. Tomatoes and cucumbers are the most successful thing that grows. He has tried lettuce and corn-not so good. We even get pumpkins. Maybe we might try fruit and I have to go out and give him a hand with it this year.
I did have a bit of luck last summer, since my husband gave me flowers to plant for my birthday. I think they were pansies. They were beautiful but I wonder if these are the ones that grow back. Hope so, because it took me a week to did all the dirt from my fingernails.
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The New Me
It is not cloning but total new creation of myself

What would be my characteristics and qualities?

A couple of inches taller-I am 4' 10

Have a totally fit body-Muscles

Be better an expressing my emotions-I am one of the ones who tends to hide my emotions

More confident-I am not shy like I was when I was a kid, but sometimes I am not sure about what I do. Or I know what I am doing but have a hard time explaining to somebody how something works

Wiser with my money-I am working on this

Be able to say no more often

Be better at writing-let the words come to me

Be a singer-I am tone deaf

Be able to leap tall buildings with one bound-well let's forget that I am not Supergirl

 

When I got home from work I pulled out the encyclopedia. I read about how to use an abacus-a Chinese adding machine. I knew about it a few years ago, but I forgot.

The abacus normally has wooden beads that are moved up and down wires. There is a horizontal crosspiece across the wires.

Starting at the furthest right wire each piece below the crosspiece would be one, each bead above would be five. One the second wire each piece below would be ten, each piece above would be 50. On the third wire each bead below is 100, each piece above is 500. On the fourth wire each
piece below is 1000, each piece above is 5,000. And so on.

I continued reading and found that the Chinese used the abacus to add, multiply, subtract and divide. It was even shown that the abacus was more accurate than a calculator.

I am just looking at a picture of the abacus. I can see how it is used in counting. However, I still have to figure out how to use it for adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing. I might have to find an abacus to work with.

I got this information from the 2004 issue of World Book. I have the complete encyclopedia set and it is interesting how I got it.

My public library has book sales throughout the year. These are usually books that the library discards and from what people donate. Paperback books sell for ten cents, the hardcovers sell for twenty-five cents. Whenever I know there is going to be a sale, I am there browsing what is available. It is great when I am looking for books for myself and my daughters. Usually, it is hard to find what I am looking for because the tables are cluttered with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes I might find a cookbook tucked in with a bunch of romance books.

Well, one day, last summer I found a great buy. There was a boxed set of these encyclopedias for $5.00. The only problem, Volume 11 (J/K) was missing. Still this was a great buy. I handed over the $5.00 and was on may way home to clear out a space on my bookshelf. I knew I could find the missing volume either through World Book Corporation or on an on line auction.

For several weeks, I browsed Ebay auctions, hoping I could find the missing volume. However, most of the people were selling the books as a complete encyclopedia set. Then one day I noticed somebody selling a different volume on Ebay. It was the same year. I emailed her asking if she was selling the J/K volume. She replied back saying that she did not have that volume. However, she also told me that this volume was being sold on http://www.amazon.com. To make a long story short, I finally got the missing volume for $15.00. While this was more than what I paid for the rest of the set, I was happy. A $20 investment gives me a wealth of knowledge.

The World Book Encyclopedia. Volume 1 (A). 2004. World Book, Incorporated.

 

College is a new learning experience; it is totally different from high school. You need to be independent in your studies since you do not have a parent or an older sibling asking if you have done your homework. If you are not careful, when you are just thinking about the weekend
socializing that is around the corner, you may find that you are either falling behind in your classes or failing them. This is especially true if you are a new college student. The thing to do, when you get that first disastrous grade, is not to ignore the problem. It will not go away unless you bring your grades up. There are several things you can do to prevent getting that "F" at the end of the semester. The most important thing is not to let the situation happen in the first place. As stated, you have to be self-motivated in college. Nobody is going to twist your arm to make you study and prepare yourself for the exams you face.

Purchase the required reading materials your instructor wants you to get. While buying used textbooks is the most economical way to go, if your instructor wants you to buy the newest edition, it is better to spend the extra money. The older edition, even though it was used last semester, is now outdated. When your instructor gives reading assignments, take notes of what pages he wants you to read. Then do it before the next class. This will help you understand what the professor talks about in the next lecture and will help you to participate in class discussions with confidence.

If you are taking more than one college class, you most likely will have reading assignments in most of them. You may have more than one hundred pages to read before the end of the week. It is best to spread your reading out over several days. For example, if today was Monday and you need to read one hundred pages by Friday, it is best to set time to read twenty pages a day. So you do not get burned out, schedule an hour to do your reading. If you still have reading to do, set aside time later on in the day. Since you purchased your textbooks, you can write in them. When you come to something that confuses you, make notes. Also, use a highlighter to mark important information.
Go to class every day. Some teachers expect you to show up for each lecture; they may lower your grade if you have too many unexcused absences. However, some do not care if you show up, as long as you take the exams and hand in assignments on time. Still, you are going to college to
learn. Each lecture you miss, you are missing notes that you could be studying.
Sit in the front of the class. You will find that you are paying better attention to the professor than when you are sitting in the back of the class. Anything he says is important, so write down as much as possible of what you hear.

Taking notes is very important during the lecture. If you are not good at taking notes, have someone take them for you. It could be a friend who is taking the class with you or someone you can pay. Another small investment is a voice recorder where you can record the lectures. There are even some that have software that converts oral words into text. However, before you start recording you lectures, ask you instructor if that will be fine. Some professors do not want their classes recorded.

You need to study everyday. Do not try to study everything at once. You must break it down into small sections. For every class you take, you should study at least three hours a week. If you are taking five classes this semester, break your study time like this: On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, set aside three hours a day for three classes. Then on Tuesday and Thursday set aside three hours for the remaining two classes. Find several students in your class who want to form a study group. If there is somebody in the group who is more knowledgeable than the others, he and she can help clarify on topics that are confusing.

When you are studying turn off the television and the radio. When you are trying to study while watching your favorite movie, you are not paying attention to what you are trying to understand. You may miss key vital information that may be on your exam. It is best to do most of your studying in the library. It is quiet and free from distractions. It also provides extra resources, such as computer and Science labs that will help you enhance your learning even further.

Make sure that you turn all your assignments in on time. If you are late, you may get a lower grade.

If you know you have a major term paper due at the end of the semester, do not wain until the last minute to start it. Dedicate writing a specific amount of words once you know about the assignment. Writing just one hundred words a day throughout the smester gives you time to have it edited before the paper is due.
Make sure that you get enough rest. You should get at least seven hours of sleep a night. When you try to pull an all-nighter studying for a test, you mind will be exhausted and will not retain information. Not only that, make sure that you are getting thirty minutes a day for exercise and are eating a healthy diet of carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and grain. Your brain works more effectively when it is properly nourished.

Finally, time management is essential in college. You may find that you can do two activities at the same time. For example, you can be at the gym running on the treadmill and reading from your test book or listening to class lectures. Purchase a daily planner and make a schedule of when you are going to study, exercise, eat, sleep and play. Stick to it!

 

Losing Things

I am always losing things because I am not organized.. It might be something that falls into the cushions of the couch or just putting something somewhere and forgetting where.

One time I had to go to work and I lost my keys. I ended up turning up the living room looking for them. Then I finally found them in a pair of shoes. Must be the day before when I got home from work I was rushing upstairs to use the bathrom and I must have tossed the keys as I was running up. My other spare was missing too. I keep the keys I use in my coat pocket. As long as I don't lose my coat, I will be good.

Another time, I had to find my birth certificate to go on a cruise. I couldn't find it, so I had to pay for a duplicate. Then after I got it I found the old one. I also misplaced my license and had to order a new one. Then I had to get a government id, just in case I didn't get my new license in time.
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Unrequited love.

The only type of love I can think is when Jesus died on the cross for my sins. He loved me that much, he sacrificed himself. He loved me my entire life, even though at first I didn't love him back. I am even planning my next novel to be along this line.
Closing the pages of an unfinished book

I have done that a lot.
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Closing an Unfinished Book

Sometimes I do not finish reading a book because it does not turn me on. It starts out boring and I can not see spending the time to finish it.

Other times I start a book, and even if it is great, I end up not finishing it. There are so many good books in this world, that sometimes I can't decide on which ones to read. I don't know how many books I have unfinished, maybe I should pick one up and finish it.
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My Earliest Memory

My earliest memory is when I turned 5. It was the summer before I started Kindergarten. It was like one minute I was not there and the next I was. I knew who I was and who my family was. So I remember just standing there in the kitchen and looking around. But I wasn't surprised or anything. That is when I felt that my life began. I even remember kicking my Kindergarten teacher in the shin.
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"Life is like riding a bike. It is impossible to maintain your balance while standing still."

That's true

While I would like to be on this site all day, I possibly can't. I have other things I have to do during a 24 hour period. This includes:

Work
eat
sleep
clean house
play
shop
party

While I am temped to put off something less desirable such as the doing dishes, it is better if I don't. So I have to make a plan on what I am going to do during the day.

 

Today in an old issue of Positive Living, I read "Our Family Forum," written by Leo Buscaglia. The main topic of this article is making conversation at the dinner table. Mr. Buscaglia tells of his life as a young boy and how his father had his children learn one new thing a day and had them discuss it at the table.

I am a mother myself. My oldest girl, Mary, is fifteen years old. My other daughter, Marissa, is almost fourteen. I believe that this method of Mr. Buscaglia's father used is very good. My girls are constantly learning. They both go to school. Mary is learning new songs on the violin. Marissa is the computer genius.

We can use this same method. We can sit at the dinner table and have conversations similar to the ones that Mr. Buscaglia's father had with his children. However, I also must participate. I have to learn at least one new thing daily so my children do not think of me as a hypocrite. That is what I plan to do. I am going to keep a journal of my progress.

There are many ways I can expand my knowledge. I might learn a new skill at work or I might learn something about my children. I might learn something I had forgotten. I might learn something new on my computer. I might try a new recipe or craft pattern. I might learn something new about myself. I might learn something from the Bible. If I can not automatically discover something during the day, then I will pull out an encyclopedia and read up on a topic. The possibilities are unlimited.

I am going to keep a journal so I can remind myself to keep on learning. Also in the journal I am going to write about current happenings, books and magazine articles I have read, movies and television shows I have watched, God, and everything else I think of. I most likely will not talk about all of these topics every day since I do not go to the movies often it takes me several days to read a book and the television shows are ofter limited to channels my girls watch.

Wish me luck in my quest for knowledge.

Later on in the day:

As I am writing this, it is actually 12:30 in the morning on day two. However, my days differ in one way. I work swing shift on my job. One week I work seven in the morning until three in the afternoon. The next week I work from three in the afternoon until eleven that night. Then the following week, I work from eleven at night until seven in the morning.

This week I am working the three to eleven shift. I got home from work a little while ago. Therefore, I am still considering this to be day one until I go to bed.

I spent the entire day trying to learn something new. I would rather have knowledge come to me than to look for it. Then if that does not happen, I will refer to the books and encyclopedias for the answers. I would do that before I go to bed.

I have been driving the same drive to work for sixteen years. Today I looked for something different, but everything looked the same.

I work for a manufacturing company. Toward the end of the shift I learned a new operating process that I didn't know before. It hit me. I learned something new!

A final note before I go to bed: As I was driving home from work I remembered a book I had read years ago when I was a teenager. It was called "Pandora's Jewelry Box." (OR something like that). I do not remember who wrote it. It is a story about a girl, Pandora, who wants a jewelry box filled with gems for her birthday. Her parents do not have much money, but they do give her a jewelry box. It is a Bible. Pandora is disappointed until her parents explain that the Bible is filled with gems. Pandora is told to think of a gem, for example, sapphires. Then she has to find verses in the Bible that begin with the letter "S." Then Pandora actually thinks of her Bible as a jewelry box.

I have to find that book again.

 

Britt looked at a statue that was carved in black rock. It was a human standing five feet tall. His arms were outstretched and seemed to be pointing with his hands. “It seems to be telling us to go in one direction or another,” said Britt.

George looked into the depths of the pool. “Something fell into it,” he said, pointing. At the bottom were crossbows.
“Those look like the one that the orc had on the upper level.” Bits of leather were floating one the surface. Bard grabbed a piece and looked at it. “This is orcish made,” he said looking around. “We better be careful in case we run into any more.”
“They looked like they have been ehre for a while,” George said, looking at the mold that was covering it. “Maybe this orc is gone.”
“I wonder if this was the pool that Johanna almost fell into,” Bard said, remembering the trap she had stumbled across on the upper level.


“What is that smell?” George asked as they approached the next cavern. Even before they came within ten feet of the entrance, a musky smell reached their nostrils.
“Troglodytes,” Britt answered. The smell was overpowering where they had to breathe through their mouths.
“It smells so bad, I can taste it,” the thief gasped.
When he first saw them huddled around a large stone, Bard thought they were at firsl Kobolds. However, instead of having a doglike head and a tail that resembled a rat’s, these creatures were reptilian. While there were only two of them, they both held heavy clubs.
“It is best to take these out from a distance,” Britt said. “These creatures will hit again and again with those clubs. Even after somebody is dead, the troglodyte will keep beating him until all that is left of his is a bloody mess. Those two are both warriors; at least I do not see any impalers.”
“What are those?” Bard asked.
“They use spears and javelins,” the dwarf answered. “They throw them at intruders.”
“What are they doing?” asked Johanna. “They were gathered around the rock, hammering it with their clubs, trying to break pieces off.”
“It looks like they are looking for food.” Several broken eggs shells lay around the rock. “I think they have eaten their young. When they cannot find food they usually attack humans and raid homes. If we attack these, we must make sure that we kill them. They do not take prisoners. I would not want to be taken as a prisoner, because I may be on the menu for their next meal.”
The troglodytes were too busy pounding at the rock and growling at each other, they did not notice the intruders.
“Maybe they will eat each other,” George suggested.
Massacharamar said, “I can use my arrows. Balon and Johanna back me up with your magic ones.
“Good shooting!” Bard said when the elf shot the two troglodytes dead. Johanna’s and Balon’s balls of fire did not even form into arrows when the second creature fell to the ground.
George approached the rock that the troglodytes had been hitting with their clubs. It was a green stone that was glowing.

 

Here are some ideas for next year’s Nano.
The first is to write the sequel to The Caverns of Kildun Aalda.
In the beginning of the story, we will see Britt Stonewall the dwarf reevaluating his life. Even though the mission went well, he is not satisfied. He wants to get recognition for what he does, not just a “Good Job” Britt. He wants to be considered a hero. He realizes that by going on these missions, he is only helping the elders rebuild villages. He wants to be able to save people from a potential threat.
Bard the fighter also has the same feelings.
Balon the magic user has his own battle going. He blames himself for his wife’s death. Plus he is afraid that he is going to only bring destruction to his friends is he remains with them. She comes to him as a ghost. She assures him that everything will work out in the end. She is only able to tell him a little. However, she promises that when it is his turn to leave that world, he will be lawful. Only the lawful people will go to where she is at.
George, knows what Britt is feeling. When he brings the report and the share of the money to the elders, they give him another mission to the one that they were just on. However, George being the thief that he is, switches missions when the elders are not looking. They are to go an a campaign. This may be the chance for Britt and the others to be finally called heroes.
I have already designated that Balon will die in order to protect his friends. However, he will visit Johanna and the others so that they are not sad.
Bard and Johanna will finally confess their love for each other.
At the end of the book, George and Shyla will get married.
Britt will make a sacrifice. He considers George to be a son and a friend and wants him to live a long and safe life. He and the others leave George and his new wife in the town. Britt writes a long and lengthy letter, hoping that he will forgive him.
George will be sad but understanding.
Another idea is to write a story about working in a factory. However, this may get me fired since I can use things that happen at a factory I work at.
I also want to write something along the Christian lines. I want to use notes I took in bible study classes and incorporate them into a book. This might make things more interesting.
I can not think of many other ideas. But who know something may pop up. Just my mind is fried from Nano. At least I survived and I even got the editing done. It wasn’t bad, I just dedicated to writing 2,000 words a day and even though I got just over 50,000 words, I don’t think I could have added much more.