One Girl Ideas

Playing with Color

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

As you might remember I mentioned that I have stared another project-this time to improve my photography skills. This week I started playing with Black & White and adding small color burts. I thought I would share. If you are courious about all the other pictrues I have taken or want to join the challenge you can find my photo blog here One Girl Ideas Project 52 . If you want the details on Project 52 you can visit My Four Hens Photography.

Different Decisions

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

Different Decisions

Guest post from: Kent Lara

It is funny how little things make you look at something differently. For instance, my husband and I have been married for five years. We have lived in our house for four years. We have always been happy with our neighborhood and the surrounding areas of our town. We have had our car for three years. We always loved having a small, compact car that was very economical on the gas. Then, we found out I was pregnant about six months ago. Since then, we have reevaluated some of our major decisions and decided we may need to change some of them, in order to fit a baby into our lives a little easier. Luckily, all the changes could be made pretty easy. We did a quick search of home security family on our computer and found a company that we liked to install a home security system to make our house feel a little safer and give us peace of mind. After that was installed, we put our car for sell. We are going to need something a little bigger to fit a carseat. Since we go to a big church, as soon as word got out that we were looking to sell our car, a family with a teen driver approached us about buying it. Then, it was back to the computer to research a car for us before deciding and making our purchase. But here we are today, a week away from my due date with all the adjustments to our life made so that we are ready to welcome our son into the world.

Wordless Wednesday...Can we go in now, I'm cold.

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday....Cold Sunrise

2012-01-18T08:09:00.002-06:00

Featured over at Living Life with Purpose

2012-01-17T13:58:00.000-06:00

Howdy!!!

Today I'm the featured "Game Changer" over at Livin Life with Purpose Stop over Angela's blog and check out my interview!

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

Spend a fun evening at the Hutchinson Center for the Arts and enjoy an Italian dinner with live, comedic entertainment Saturday night. Cutura Cucina is a fund raiser for the arts center.

Many of you will probably go out to dinner this weekend anyways – why not stay close to home – save money on gas – and help the arts center, a non profit organization, instead of a private business in the cities?

Tickets are only $25 per person. Reservations must be made in advance. Call 587-7278 or email Kathy@HutchinsonArts.org for tickets.

Inappropriate interview questions.

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

As many of you know, my current state of employment is officially set as a Freelancer. I would like to make this my permeant career path but the Hubs thinks that I should work a full-time more then 40 hour week job at a real company that actually pays me by the hour and provides benefits. Its kind of a soar subject around our house and until I can either 1) Have enough steady clients of my own to provide a stable income or 2) Get someone to see all the potential in me and hire me on a full-time basis in the Social Media/Online Marketing field... then I will keep looking for that Golden Job Opportunity.

So back to the subject, I have been on lots of interviews and got called back for 2nd and even 3rd interviews, but nothing seems to pan out. In this quest I have heard it all. From "Are you Married?" to "How many Children do you have?" But the all time question that tops the cake is "How does your husband feel about you having a full-time job in such demand and in upper level managerial level? " This questions leads to my topic.....

How exactly do you respond to this? Do you act casually and answer the question or tell the jerk that its none of his business and has nothing to do with the way I would perform this job?

Me, I have no filter and don't want to cause any more tension and I just shrug my shoulders and answer the question like its no big deal and the answer the question like I was talking to a long lost friend, when in my mind I'm thinking "Man your a jerk!~You can't ask me questions like that, it's totally illegal, and you have just lost all my respect and I there is no way in HEDOUBLEHOCKELYSTICKS that I will ever come work for you!!!" So I just smile and keep talking and say "My husband is a very supportive man and wants me to be successful and supports everything I do" when I should have told him that not only is the question that he just asked illegal and personal but none of his business and will not effect how I perform the job in anyway!

Why must I do this to myself, I'm just an open book and tell everyone everything! I have no filter! Maybe its just that I'm such an honest person and don't hide behind anything. I am who I am and let everyone know it, and if you don't like who I am thats fine, but with me you get what you see. There is no filters or walls in-between.

In the mean time look out for those Herb Tarlek, Sleazy, Tan Type Bosses!

Project 52

2012-01-13T22:46:00.000-06:00

So I Started another project...ya I know like I need something else to do :) just like I need a hole in my head. But since I bought this fancy new camera I though that I should learn how to use it and take some awesome pictures in the process.

Its called "Project 52" and its a one picture a week for a year. My Four Hens Photography is the host and she annoyance the subject on Sundays and you have a week to shoot a picture of what that topic means to you. I'm a week behind so I just started at week 2. I stated another blog to post all the pictures and for everyone to follow along. Its called Project 52: One Girl Ideas . Join me in all the fun.

Sons and Girlfriends

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

A while back I posted about my Son and his newfound freedom Teenagers...letthe worrying begin! and said that I would write at a later date abouthis new girlfriend.

Ihad planned on writing about how in some ways I'm just like Bobby Boucher's (pronounced"Boo-SHAY") Mama from the waterboy. Becauseat this point I think that any girl is the "Devil" and I can totally see my son and I having this conversation:

Mama Boucher: You gonna lose all your fancy "fools' balls" games! And your gonna fail your big exam! Because school is?

Bobby Boucher: The devil? [Mama gasps]

Bobby Boucher: Everything is the devil to you, Mama! Well, I like school, and I like football! And I'm gonna keep doin' them both because they make me feel good!

Bobby Boucher: [Bobby runs out, slamming the door, then comes back in] And by the way, Mama. "Alligators" are ornery 'cause of their "Medula Oblongata"!

Bobby Boucher: [Bobby runs back out, then back in again] And I like Vicki, and she like me back! And she showed me her boobies and I like them too! [slams door on Mama]

and of course: My son Loves his Mama!

The minute I found out that my son was in a relationship I saw Tweeder from Varsity Blues walking around caring that Baseball Bat singing "She broke my heart, so I broke her Jaw" but the quote that runs through my head is "She Broke his Heart, So I Broke Her Jaw!" and believe me I so would do it! Nobody hurts my baby and gets away with it!!!

In another previous blog post, I wrote about my Future Daughter-in-Law worries.... and how I have the most perfect son and how I was totally worried that some day I would no longer be #1. Well I no longer worry about that. My son reads my blog and jokes with me on occasion how everyone in the world knows now much I love him, and he's right- well at least everyone that reads my blog knows now much I love him and I shouldn't be worried about being replaced because he will never replace me. I am his mom and only his mom. I'm not the girlfriend or future wife and I will always have a place in his life. I joked with him telling him that "Girls would come and go, but his mama would always be in his life, no matter what!" Not that he wanted to here that but on the other hand he needed to here it. I know now that there is no need to worry about being replaced. I will always have a place in his life.

Not that I don't worry about him having a girlfriend, or finding "Mrs. Right" or if I will like her or not. Tyler is a great young man and has his head on straight for the most part and will pick the girl that is right for him-not the one that is right for mom. That girl will be the luckiest woman in the world and I will love her with all my heart because he loves her with all of his. "BUTT" girlfriends beware~if you Break my Babies Heart...you'd better DUCK because when I swing I won't miss!

Wordless Wednesday...Cuddle Time with Diesel

2012-01-11T09:14:00.002-06:00

What's the most irksome Facebook request?

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-06:00

35% Quizzes. "Which literary heroine/classic movie/pizza toppings are you?"

32% A friend request from a stranger.

23% Invitations to join random groups. "Share memories of camp Slippery Elm!"

10% A friend request from a near stranger-that is,someone from the distant past-with no message.

*statics came from January issue of Real Simple magazine

3 thing to ask yourself before your next status update!

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

1) Am I trying to make up for something I'm not getting in real life? Posting or tweeting to 500 "friends" just isn't the same as venting to your nearest and dearest. Online isn't easier to interpret things as we wish them to be and avoid. In tough times, yu need a supportive friend who can offer real advice, even advice that you might not want to hear.

2) Am I really sharing? Pretend that you are writing a letter to a friend. Don't they deserve more then a "TPS report. And would you berate her for not being brave enough to sharing her bra size for breast cancer research. (if you truly care about an issue "like" an organization that supports it on Facebook)

3) Would I tell Matt Lauer on Today? No? Well then reconsider. Wait a little bit before you push the post button. Write it and then leave it for five minutes. Then come back to it re-read it and if it still makes since and you feel strongly about sharing it then hit the post button! Just remember the note rent is not wrote in pencil...it's written in ink!

What's the most annoying kind of Facebook update?

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

How many of you are guilty of these? I know I have over violated most of them at times.

24% Intentionally vague posts meant to generate concern and attention, a.k.a vaugebooking. "Jennifer wonders whether it's all been worth it."

20% Chronic complaining. "Ugh, who ordered this RAIN? It's making my carpal tunnel act up again?"

19% Meaningless calls to action. "If you want to fight world hunger, put the color of your socks as your status update for the next hand hour. I want to see who is brave enough to take a stand?"

14% Oversharing. "Note to self: Next time, wear a thing with a wrap dress."13% Miscellaneous posts-including polarizing religious or political statements, indecipherable txt spk, and game updates.

10% Posting too frequently. "12:03: Chicken salad or Tuna? 12:12: Chicken! Thanks for the responses."If your friends are guilty of these, you can elimate them by moving your mouse to the right of the post, from the drop down menu you can limit the types of post you see from that friend or unsubscribe from their status updates, without removing them as a friend.

*statics came from January issue of Real Simple magazine

Wordless Wednesday...Lazy Day

2012-01-04T10:42:00.002-06:00

All in 1 fitness Open House 1/9/12-1-14/12

2012-01-03T13:00:00.000-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All In 1 Fitness Grand Opening Offers Plenty ofGreat Deals and Giveaways

Mound, Minnesota – December 16, 2011 – All in 1Fitness is celebrating its grand opening with its new location and plethora ofdeals and giveaways. This event runs from January 9th through January 14th andgives patrons and new customers a chance to win one month of personal training,one month of unlimited classes and itemslike an autographed Vikings jersey and football, and Gander MountainFootwear. Anyone who registers for aclass can enter the drawing and possibly win these prizes.

This grand opening event also offers greatsavings: New All In 1 Fitness clients can try two 1 on 1 personal trainingsessions or two weeks of group class FREE! Plus 1 on 1 personal training is just $29 persession, and unlimited instructor-led group training CTX30 Extreme Circuittraining is just $79 per month. The fitness center's cardio center now has anew feature as well: keyless access that allows 1 on 1 clients to do cardiowork form 5am -10pm 7 days a week.

An open house with a Free Smoothie Bar and Food with be held Thursday January 12 from 4-8pm. Come and join them.
All In 1 Fitness is at 2191 Commerce Blvd. inMound, Minnesota and serves the Lake Minnetonka area. It specializes in grouptraining CTX30 Extreme Circuit training, 30 minute 1 on 1 personal training,and 30 minute boot camp classes. Its exclusive 30-minute workout burns fat,increases strength, and improves endurance through a unique blend of Spinning,Body Pump, boot camp, step, and core exercises.

Personal training is available by appointmentfrom Monday to Saturday every week. Group training is held Monday throughFriday at 6:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM, and 6:00 PM. On Saturday, a group trainingclass is available at 9:00 AM.

Contact:

All in1 fitness
2191 Commerce Blvd.
Mound, Minnesota 55364
Phone: (952) 472-6282

Email: info@allin1fitness.com

Web: http://allin1fitness.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Allin1Fitness

ENDS

Diesel trying to get her toys out of a Laundry Basket!

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

Here's to a great year!

2012-01-02T11:52:00.002-06:00

May the worries of 2011 be washed away and 2012 bring New Adventure, Happiness, Love, Family and more then you can imagine!

Here's to 2012!!!

Teenagers...let the worrying begin!

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

I knew it wouldn't belong before my son would start to experiment with his new found 16 year old freedom and quite frankly am happy that he waited as long as he has before he put his no curfew limit to the test.

Last night I woke up at Midnight and realized that my son was not yet home. For the last few months he has been pretty good at getting in by midnight. I went to my cell phone to check to see if he had sent me a text but there was nothing there, so the panic started to set in. Was he ok, was he still at a girls house, was he in the ditch somewhere, was he out in a field at a party, had he been in an accident? These are the thoughts that run through my head and I was immediately awake. So what do I do? Do I text him to see if he is ok, or do I just wait because I don't want him to think that I'm checking up on him or don't trust him? UGG! a Mother Dilemma! On one hand I wanted to know that he was ok and on the other hand I had to trust that he was ok. I forced myself to go back to bed and I went without my cell phone and trusted that he was ok. I thought, well he is just having fun and lost track of time and then my mind started to wonder again, oh my he is at a girls house, with a girl that he likes and what are they doing, I know what I was doing at age 16 and then the panic set in! AUGH!!! My hair turned completely grey!!!

I tossed and turned and listened for the garage door to open. I must have fallen asleep and then was awakened by the light in the basement! I saw him walk by the living-room-he didn't see me but my heart started to beat regularly now. My baby boy was home, safe and sound and alright. All was well and everyone was safe and sound!

The next morning I woke up and went to my computer as normal, looked at my email and went to Facebook to see what went on while I was asleep to find this on my son's profile

in my news feeds !!!! We'll save the new Girlfriend for another post!

Toxic Friend

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Do you have friends in your life that constantly bring you down? No matter what you do for them or what you don't do for them it is never good enough.

I'm sure everyone has one of these friends. I know I do and I have been told that I should just exclude them from my life, but I can't. No matter how much they hurt me its just not in

my nature to hurt someone in that way. Yes, I'm a sucker and wear my heart on my sleeve and emotions on my shoulders. I usually get hurt and people take advantage of my caring and forgiving nature. I guess I would rather it be me that gets hurt then even letting that person know how much they have hurt me.

I need to learn to be tuff and not let my friend put me down or think they are better then I am. The more I hear it the more I start to believe it and then I get stuck into this route, where I think I totally suck and can't do anything right. When I reach this low my Evil Twin usually pulls me back out of this pit by telling me how awesome I am and how I can do anything and points out all the great things I have accomplished. I'm very blessed to have my Evil Twin in my life without her I could not get through most every day.

But back to the "Toxic Friend" I truly don't think the friend knows what they are doing to hurt me and are just selfish, self-centered and don't know any-better and unlike me they can't put themselves first and not care who they hurt in the process of building themselves their own empire. Or maybe I just expect to much from my friends. I would think that whatever I would do for my friend they would do for me in return. Is that to much to ask? Is that not what a friend is for?

This summer I was not a good friend to a toxic friend and deiced that they could handle the situation that they were in without me. In doing so it made them closer to their family and in turn turned them away from me. I did this for a reason and the reason was to save my friends marriage. Hoping that they would turn to one another and find comfort in each other. This friend has always counted on me and this time it was just not possible for me to be there for them and they were forced to turn to each other for comfort. I'm happy that they are still together but sad that I hurt my friend, for it was not my intention.

As I look back on this situation I'm not mad at myself for how I handled the situation only sad that my friend did not see what I was doing to help them.

I still try and help as much as I can and I try and communicate and reach out to my friend as much as I can. I love my friend very, very much and hope that they understand why I did what I did and can find it in their heart to not be so cold hearted and selfish and realize everything I have done for them and let me back into their life.

*photo credit fooyoh.com

Wordless Wednesday...Christmas through my lens.

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

{EAV:2639eb70a742ff20}

Merry Christmas...from My Family to yours!

2011-12-27T13:20:00.003-06:00

Family Christmas 2011

Wilderness Resort Villas Pequot Lakes, MN

Welcome to the 62nd edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

2011-12-19T17:38:00.000-06:00

Questions:

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags?
-I hate to wrap, so if it will fit into a bag thats what I do. If I must wrap it looks like a kindergartner did it!
2.Real or artificial tree?
-Real, if we have one. Having a Christmas tree is usually a fight at our house. Our new tradition is to go somewhere for Christmas and our point of view is if were not going to be home to enjoy it why go threw the hassle of putting it up. BTW-if there is one that goes up I am totally in-charge of it from start to finish. So another reason why not to have a tree. Plus if the place that we are going to does not have a tree, we bring my grandparents tree with and decorate it.
3.When do you put your tree up?
-If I put one up, its usually the day after Thanksgiving, or if we put up my grandparents then its the first night of vacation.
4.When do you take your tree down?
-The week after Christmas.
5.Do you like eggnog?
-NO!
6.Do you have a nativity scene?
-Yes, I have 2 of them. One is from my Great Grandmother. I used to play with it when I was a child and she gave it to me before she passed away. The other my mother made for me.
7.Favorite Christmas Movie?
-Oh thats a toss up between "How the Grinch stole Christmas" and "A Christmas Carol" (the original one, not in color)
8.Favorite Christmas cookie?
-Spritz
9.Where will you eat Christmas dinner?
-With my parents on Christmas eve.
10.Angel, bow or star on top of your tree?
-We currently have a Star. Its my sons and when he moves out he will take it with him and I will get to pick something new. When I was born, my Dad picked this really weird orb thing and it was on top of our tree until my son picked out his star.
11.Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
-Stress, the constant reminder that you need to buy presents, and candy and cards and all that other stuff that goes with it. I wish Christmas would go back to the way things used to be. The true meaning of Christmas is getting to spend time with the family.
12.Do you like Fruitcake?
-HeDoubleHockeySticks NO!!!
13.What are you most excited about the holidays?
-Getting to spend time with my family, and the week after spending as much time as I can with my son.
14.Do you open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
-Christmas Eve with my parents and Christmas day with my Family.
15.Will you still be wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
-Hopefully not!

Wordless Wednesday...Years gone by!

2011-12-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

2001

2011

What this glass means to me....

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

When I look at this glass it brings tears to my eyes. Tears of sorrow, tearsof joy and tears of years of remembering. Some of you may look at this glass and wonder why in theHEdoublehockeysticks is she so emotional over a stupid 1982 Limited Edition PizzaHut ET Glass. Well let me explain.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was 9 and I was out garage sailing with mygrandma (mom-mom) like I would do every Thursday from about June-September,when we found this glass that I just had to have. I asked my grandma if I couldbuy it and I she told me “ Carrey, why do you want this glass, its just junk?”I continued to tell my grandma that it was awesome and that it was the coolestglass ever and I apparently convinced her that I had to have it and for 25cents it was clearly a steal. I reallydidn’t have to convince her all to hard, she would always, pretty much just buyme whatever I wanted if it was under $2.00. Nickel, Dime and Quarter items were pretty much a given.

When we returned home that afternoon we dumpedout our bags on the living room floor and went through our purchases. While my grandma made dinner I sorted mytreasures into two piles, one to take home and the other to leave at mygrandparents. When I got to my ET glassI got up and walked into the kitchen where my grandma was and asked her if shecould wash my glass so I could use it for dinner. She gladly washed it for me and thought forsure that I would use it once and it would go home with me. Boy was she wrong. That glass remained in my grandparent’scupboard for the last 28 years, it moved three times with them over the yearsand never did they ask me to take it home with me or try and give it back tome. This glass became a staple in my life. Every time I went to my grandparent’s house I used my ET glass. From elementary school to high school, frommarriage to having a son of my own that glass was mine weather I wanted todrink from it or not. There was not achoice in the matter. It graced thetable at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Sunday Dinners, and it marked the spotwhere I was to sit and nobody ever even asked if they could use the glass ever,not even my son. This glass was mine and mine only!

Yesterday I brought that glass to a newhome. It’s been over a year now that mygrandpa passed away and slowly my son; mom and I are going through my grandparent’sthings. Yesterday I went to my son’s manfort (where we have been storing their items) to look for my grandparentsChristmas Tree to bring with for our Christmas vacation, and I found myglass. It was sitting on their end tablefrom the last time we went through their things. I cried so hard that last time that Icouldn’t bring myself to bring in all the items that were given to me. Yesterday feeling pretty nostalgic andsentimental I bought the glass in the house with me along with 2 snow globesthat had frozen water in them to thaw. Tonight as I was going to sit down and play some “Words with Friends” Ipassed by the glass and thought, I should write its story.

So here it is, the story of the 1982 Limited Edition Pizza Hut ET Glass that got saved from the landfill about 29 years ago.It went from that garage sale to my grandparents home in Bloomington, to theirCondo in Richfield, and to my grandpa’s assisted living apartment in Waconia toits current location in Hutchinson, I would say this glass has had quit alife. One that any other typical 1982Limited Edition Pizza Hut ET glass probably never has had.

Welcome to the 61st edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

2011-12-12T19:06:00.000-06:00

1. Tomorrow I'mgoing to _________?

-work. I will start my day in Maple Grove at Monkey Pickles. Then I will meet my co-worker in Bloomington and we will Travel to Inver Grove Heights to teach some State Farm agent's how to use HootSuite to schedule thier facebook page updates!

2. Pudding or Jello?

-Neither, I'm not a big fan of either.

3. What book are you currentlyreading?

-Social Media Metrics Secrets

4. What is the first concert you wentto see?

-I'm pretty positive that it was New Kids on the Block.

5. What is your current weather?

-about 40 degrees and no snow, not typical for Minnesota. Really praying for a white Christmas!

Stationery card

2011-12-08T16:14:00.003-06:00

Very Merry Moments Christmas Card

Shop Shutterfly for beautiful photo Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Stationery card

2011-12-08T16:14:00.001-06:00

Very Merry Moments Christmas Card

Shutterfly Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Wordless Wednesday...Playing around with the new Camera

2011-12-07T09:55:00.001-06:00

A little nap....My Bulldog Diesel Snoring on her couch!

2011-12-02T08:43:00.000-06:00

My Bulldog Diesel has the life, every day she gets tucked in on her couch and takes a nap all day long! Somedays I wish I could just change places with her!

Holiday Home Tour

2011-12-01T10:44:00.001-06:00

Holiday Home Tour sponsored by the Hutchinson Center for the Arts and the McLeod County History Museum is this Saturday from 1-4 p.m.

Wordless Wednesday...Football Accomplishments

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

Tyler Getting his Football Letter

Tyler's Letter

Tyler's Football and Jazz Band Pins

The Football Team eating together for the last time this Season.

Welcome to the 59th edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

2011-11-28T12:39:00.001-06:00

Questions:

1. I really need to clean my _________?

-My House! Football Season gets the best of it, and now that it is officially over I need to tend to it.

2. What food makes you think of Christmas?

-Beer Cheese Soup, my mom always made it for our family Christmas Party.

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

humm....well I guess I would have stayed 35. At 35 I was old enough to know more then I did when I was 21.

4. What was your first paying job?

-Babysitting my two cousins when I was about 12.

5. Have you read the Twilight series?

-Nope!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T09:30:00.001-06:00

Have a Charlie Brown Kind of Thanksgiving!

Welcome to the 58th edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

2011-11-21T08:22:00.001-06:00

Questions:

1. I wish I had more time to _________?

Read....I really wish I would have more time. In fact I put it on my Schedule to Read everyday, thinking that if I got a pop up reminder to read that I actually would. I have read more but hope to get back to it soon.

2. What is your favorite kind of soup?
Loaded Baked Potato!
3. Where will you eat Thanksgiving dinner?
Thanksgiving is my holiday. So my parents come here.
4. What is your favorite time of day?
When my entire family is home! Usually sometime after 6pm.
5. Did you start Christmas shopping yet?
Nope, but I have been thinking about it. Time to look threw those sunday ads to see what kind-of deals I can find for Black Friday!!!

Thirsty Thursday....Drink Recipe #10 Baileys and DQ Moo Latte

2011-11-17T15:14:00.001-06:00

Baileys and DQ Moo Latte

Thirsty Thursday
Drink Recipe #2

Todays recipe is dedicated to my Best Friend Carrie! If it wernt for her, there would have been no way I wouldn't have gotten through the crazy busy Prom season at my Tanning Salon.

1 Large Mocha Moo Latte from Dairy Queen

Baileys Irish Cream

Go to you local Dairy Queen and order 2 Large Mocha Moo Latte's

Take to your Best Friends House and Pour Baileys Irish Cream into the cup and Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday...My brush with Fame and the Green Bay Packer Super Bowl Trophy!!!

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

Being a Minnesotan its out in your blood to be a Vikings Fan,

but when Jon Hoese got drafted by our boarder rival the Green Bay Packers,

I became a fan! Who wouldn't be a fan of any NFL team if you saw

your last name on the back of a Football Jersey!

Above you will see me with Sharon and Jon Hoese and our relative from California!!! Oh yeah and those things behind us,

ya they are the Super Bowl Trophies, All FOUR of them!!!

We all got to see Jon play in the last preseason Green Bay Packer game on the 50 yard line, gain access to a secret door that lead to the locker room where there was a chef that would make us whatever we wanted and this is where we found the trophies and of course Jon !

Thank you Sharon and Jon Hoese for my once in a lifetime opportunity! I had the time of my life and am truly honored that you let me be part of it!

Happy Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T08:13:00.001-06:00

HappyVeterans Day, to those who are serving and those

who have served and havefought for our freedom!

Thank You so much for all you do!

Hutchinson Center for the Arts is our first Gingerbread House Competition.

2011-11-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

If you would like a copy of the entry for send me your email address and I will forward you a copy.

Thirsty Thursday....Drink Recipe # 9 Playoff Punch

2011-11-10T06:30:00.000-06:00

This recipe is for a Playoff Punch that was originally created to celebrate the New York Yankees successful bid to make it into the 2009 playoffs. Now I saw this is for all of us Football Mom's and Dad's who's kids teams made it to the playoff's. Its time for us to celebrate too!!!!

It brings together two of Tommy Bahama's rums, a white and a gold, mixes it with a few tropical juices. The Playoff Punch is very similar to the newer, pineapple version of the Mai Tai. For baseball fans this drink can bring the tropics into the post season to cool things down when the games start heating up.

Ingredients:

2/3 parts Tommy Bahama Golden Sun Rum
1 Part Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum
1/3 part premium orange liqueur
1 3/4 parts pineapple juice
1/2 lime
1 3/4 parts orange juice
2 dashes grenadine

Preparation:

Pour all ingredients except Tommy Bahama Golden Sun rum into a shaker with ice.
Shake sharply.
Pour into a glass filled with ice.
Carefully float the dark rum on top.

Wordless Wednesday...Crazy Hoese Deer Camp 2011

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-06:00

Ty's Doe

The Family Hanging the Deer

Diesel was Board

Diesel Rocking Deer Camp in her Camo/Blaze Orange Vest

Social Media Breakfast #40

2011-11-08T07:00:00.001-06:00

Last Friday I finally made it to Social Media Breakfast! I have been following those folks for years but sense I live over an hour away from most of the events I usually just listen to them from the comfort of my desk at home via twitter. Last week the topic was Community Management and because that is really what I do I really wanted to join in all the fun.

The two panel experts were:

Lisa Grimm (@lulugrimm) Digital Brand Manager at Mall of America. You can check out her blog here COMMUNICATIONS PASSIONISTA there she share all the in's and out of Communication Management.

Meg Knodl (@DotMeg)Senior Librarian at Hennepin County Library Communications and Community Engagement. Here blog Work with Meg must be somewhat of a work in progress. I didn't find much there but she a "Follow the Rules" girl so maybe she just doesn't share much. I found her to be very interesting and very nice, it seems like she is most active on twitter, so I suggest you converse with her there.

Talk about Community Managers from two very different ends of the spectrum, maybe thats what really attracted me to the event in the first place, either way it was AWESOME! Even though it almost turned into a Jerry Springer show there for a minute!!!

Anyways, they both gave away great ideas, tips and mentioned awesome tools that they use everyday on. I have yet had time to check any of them out but I have downloaded boxcar for my iPhone, just like all the other Social Media attendants did that day. Once I open it up and set it all up and figure it out I will report back my findings.

Well thats all for now, hopefully I will be attending more SMBMSP in the future!

Section 4a Champs!!! Congratulations LP/HT Bulldogs on your win!!

2011-11-07T14:03:00.000-06:00

2011 Gopher Valley Football SectionChampions!!!!

Ty and LaLa were looking for their Fans!

The boy's soaking up the Victory! Coach Scoblic told the boys that if they laid down on the field after they won they would soak up the feeling. So the boys have been making this a Bulldog tradition sense the first Playoff Game!!!

Ty and his grandparents after the Victory!

Me and the Elmer Fudd hat with Ty and Jay after the Victory.

The hat has become somewhat of a lucky charm.

I have worn it sense the first playoff game

and it has brought us luck ever sense.

Thirsty Thursday!...Drink Recipe #8 Snake Nuts

2011-11-03T22:30:00.000-05:00

Todays recipe is Snake Nuts. I had this drink a long time ago in a little bar in Bessemer Michigan. It was made in a pitcher and it went down like Kool-Aid. After that night I had a name for my Snowmobile.

Ingredients

2 oz. Vodka (more Vodka drinks)
2 oz. Amaretto (more Amaretto drinks)
1 oz. Triple Sec (more Triple Sec drinks)
1 oz. Lime Juice (more Lime Juice drinks)

Instructions

Shake with ice and strain into a lowball glass. Alternatively can be served in shot glasses.

Wordless Wednesday...20 Years Later!!!

2011-11-03T20:11:00.002-05:00

The picture on the left is of me and my husband 20 years ago when we got engaged. The picture on the right is of me and the Hubs 20 years later!

Ever wonder what keyboard control are for © or ® or ™?

2011-10-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

Geek Tip of the day:

Ever wonder what keyboard controls or how to get the © or ® or ™ in a document? Well wonder no more. I the great One Girl Ideas have solved that mystery for you.

On a Mac use the following: Hold down the option key and G for © , option R for ® and option 2 for ™.

On a PC use the following: Hold down the alt key and use the number pad of your keyboard. copyright - 0169 - © ,registered - 0174 - ®, trademark - 0153 - ™!

Your Welcome!!!

Wordless Wednesday...World Wind Two Weeks

2011-10-12T18:46:00.000-05:00

Last week my Son turned 16 and the Hubs Turned 38!

We also got a new Baby Kitty! Not sure on the name yet.

Night-Train, Night-Rider or Derpy McFuckles?

Then this week,Tyler got his first touchdown of the season

along with the 2 extra points!

Ya that would be his dad answering his phone and missing the touchdown.

Heres the extra point!

Tyler also represented the Sophomore Class at Homecoming

Words that I live by...All from Steve Jobs!

2011-10-06T09:05:00.001-05:00

Being such a geek I knew who Steve Jobs was long before the popular iPhone. I was a fan back in the 80's when the first Apple came out. As it seems Steve and I had similar thought processes. Below are word to Live by from Steve Jobs. R.I.P Steve, you will continue to inspire me to do greater things then I can imagine!

"Your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

“Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.”

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying
we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

“Recruiting is hard. It’s just finding the needles in the haystack. You can’t know enough in a one-hour interview.

So, in the end, it’s ultimately based on your gut. How do I feel about this person? What are they like when they’re challenged? I ask everybody that: ‘Why are you here?’ The answers themselves are not what you’re looking for. It’s the meta-data.”

“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.”

Life is brief, and then you die, you know?

And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.”

“In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains of the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.”

“I’m as proud of what we don’t do as I am of what we do.”

“Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”

“I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.”

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”

‎"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it."

"That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end, because once you get there, you can move mountains."

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."

"When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

This says it all......

2011-09-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday...Football, Football, Football!

2011-09-28T21:58:00.000-05:00

From Astroturf to Grass just mowed by the Chief of Police,

I bring you my 2 full days of Football!

My Family

Back Row: Grandpa Hoese, Grandpa Elzea, Auntie Debbie, Uncle Steve

Middle Row: Grandma Elzea, Grandma Hoese, Me, The Hubs

Front and Center: Tyler

#47 is my Son, ready to receive or hit someone!

MN Vikings vs Detroit Lions

Me and My Boys

Me and Ty

Me and The Hubs

Me and My Boys haven some Fun!

The Big Ship

One of the TouchDowns we did get!

Wordless Wednesday...The Mascot's Favorite Player!

2011-09-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Promotional Material for Napkin Dispenser

2011-09-20T16:44:00.000-05:00

Here are some Awesome promotional material I designed for my Client, Gert and Ermas Coffee Shop! I think they turned out Pretty Good, even if I do say so myself!

So I wanna know...Where or When do you get your ideas from?

2011-09-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

Some of my best ideas, solutions come from my shower and while driving home or late at night when I am trying to sleep. I don't know if its because I'm by myself or because I am talking to myself in my head. All I know is thats when my creative thinking flows the best.

So I wanna know...Where or When do you get your ideas from?

View this question on Skinnyscoop

Thoughts for the day...‏

2011-09-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be toimmediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argumentwhen you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to napwhen I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5.I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they toldyou how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind oftired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work whenyou know that you just arn't going to do anything productive for the rest ofthe day!

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after BlueRay? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word andit asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page SocialMedia report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so Iknow not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any givenFriday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite thanKay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto"routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line betweenboredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?"before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand aword they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line ofcars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Staystrong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pantsnever get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive timesand still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locatingtheir car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail onthe Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. Thefirst testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and thefirst helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men torealize that their brain is also important.

New Hair Brained Idea....

2011-09-15T06:30:00.000-05:00

Ok so I have gone and done it again. This time I have challenged myself and any other blog reader to a reading challenge! To be specific its a Social Media and Blogging Challenge.

I created a new blog Social Media Blogging Challenge go over and check it out and join me. You can get all the detail there too, but feel free to ask me any questions that you might have.

I will make a button soon so all that are doing the challenge with me can be a proud member of the challenge and display it on their very own blog!

Good Luck! I know I'm gonna need it!

Wordless Wednesday...Back to school!

2011-09-14T10:22:00.000-05:00

It seems like only yesterday when I saw him off to Kindergarden...

11 Years I have a Sophomore...

Teenage Attitude...Taken away the Laptop!

2011-09-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

I can't say that I blame the the Hubs for taken it away. On more then one occasion I have told our son to turn down his ChainSaw or Canadian snowplow driver YouTube videos. But my tolerance level and the husbands are different. As long as I can listen to the TV and ~~play~~ work on my iPad I tolerate it, but the Hubs just watches TV when he watches TV and when someone interrupts it you better watch out.

Awhile ago the Hubs decided to take the kids laptop away. Why? Well one of several reasons. The biggest reason was because he could not lay on the couch and watch TV without having our son's YouTube video blaring and interfering with his TRU TV soaps and when you interrupt the Hubs TV you better be ready for some smack-down

Anyways, Ty went about 24 hours without this computer, but he was using his iPhone as a back up so it didn't really bother him until the Hubs had a Fire-meeting and Tyler and I get to have our sit in front of our computers with no complaining or interfering night. That he asked what I had done with his computer.

I told him that I did nothing with it but I have the power to return it if he agrees to the stipulations placed on its return. He gave me this look like "Ok she means business but WTF did I do to get into this" kinda look. So I tell him that he can have it back but can no longer have it in the living-room. He imedetaly asks if he can just have it back while dad is at fire-I calmly look at him and say no. You can have your laptop back if you clean the mess by your chair and your laptop will now have a new home because you have failed to listen when we tell you to turn down the volume.

So I proceed to tell him that there are 3 approved areas. The first being a built in desk in the kitchen that I have overtaken with a huge mess and that would require me to help him clean. The second our old table that is in front of a window in the kitchen filled with plants that get brought in in the winter or the third his toy-drum-office-second bedroom. He didn't like any of the options and proceeds to say well why don't I just take my chair and bring it to the downstairs living room and then I will be out of everyones way and the upstairs living-room will be much nicer. I tell Mr. No-It-ALL that is not one of the three options and that this is my house and when he has his own house that he can decorate it however he wants, but until then the chair stays where it is.

So he's pissed and starts to clean up his garbage around his chair. He's up and downstairs and in the kitchen. I ask him if he has made a decision on where he will be keeping his laptop and he replies with a "Thats for me to know" remark. Which iI follow with a "Well, until you tell me where it will be kept; you won't get it back!" which has no effect. He goes back downstairs. So I think that he is cleaning his extra room. Only to be totally wrong. He comes up and says I'm ready for my computer. I said "you cleaned your entire room?" which is followed by a "No, I cleaned off the table in the downstairs living room, so I can watch TV and have my laptop!" I calmly tell him "Ty, this was not an option, and in return I get a well I don't want my computer in the other places and I say "well you don't have an option in this and you need to choose one of the three I gave you and not come up with your own solution"

WOW did that piss him off!!!!

So how do you deal with your Teenager's attitude!

Buttons that Rock!

2011-09-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm compiling a list of Awesome Buttons along with their Kick Butt blogs. Go and Check them out!

  Jackie over at With Just a Bit of Magic is my Long Time BBB-Best Blog Buddy. We connected  over the SITS 31 day Blog Challenge last summer, and have been BBB since.

  I connected with Social Nicole first via Twitter then we met in real life at OMS-Online Marketing Summit last summer. Let me tell you she is a wealth of knowable when it come to Social Media and Non-Profit.

Daria over at Mom in Management is a blast. She sent me an email and we hit if off from there. She lives in Colorado-and that makes me a bit jealous.

Kim over at Ramblings of a Not-So-Perfect Mom has the best button! She tells ya up front the way its gonna be.

Liz...over at A Belle A Bean and a Chicago Dog she is a super social Thirty-something. Temporarily-retired marketer.Head of an internet-shopping, SUV-driving, organic-eating, HFCS-avoiding, house-remodeling family ,Stay-at-home mom and Co-founder of Eli | Rose Social Media.

Jill over at Single Mom on a Budget is my Blogging/Twitter Buddy that Rocks! Jill and I connected by way of our mutual friend Jackie aka  With Just a Bit of Magic.

Morgan over at The Little Hen House just plan rocks! Go and check her out!

How could I forget Maureen over at Tatter Scoops! She is Indonesian by birth, westernized by heart, single mom - blogger - full time worker - lifetime learner - photography lover - travel junkie - writer wanna be - living in Jakarta, Indonesia.

6 Tools to help Monitor your Social Media Presence in a snap!

2011-09-08T10:41:00.001-05:00

You dont need to spend countless hours monitoring your Social Media Presence. Below are 5 tools that you can use while drinking your morning coffee and work into your daily online marketing routine.

But if you don't have time to digest and monitor all this data, you can always hire me to do it for you!!!

1)Nutshell Mail- from Constant Contact. Lets you track your brand or brands social media activity and will deliver it to your inbox when you want it. It also let you respond to a comment, follow or unfollow connection on Twitter

2)Google Alerts- Check for your company name, products, executives or brand terms. To set this up, enter your search terms in a Google Alert and select to receive updates as they happen or once daily. Now, when people blog about your products, an alert will be sent to your inbox. You can read the articles, respond or forward to a client or college right away!

3) Facebook Status-Visit your Fan Page's Facebook Insights. This can be found under the page's main photo if you are an admin for your page. Scan your active users and interaction stats. Check out your wall posts or new discussions if you have them enabled for your page.

4) Twitter-Check Twitter for chatter about your company : Use tools like Hoot Suite, TweetDeck orTwitter Search to monitor conversations about your company. Make sure to check your mentions and follow back any new followers. For an added bonus you could also do a shout out to your new followers and participate in #FF (Follow Friday) to build your following

5) LinkedIn- Search for questions and answers on LinkedIn that you or members of your company can answer. Participating in conversation of groups generates awareness that will help you become a noticed leader or expert in your field.

6) Google Reader: Use Google Reader to check Flickr, Digg and others. You can also set up a RSS Feed to search for company name, industry terms, competitors and anything else that might be relevant to your brand.

Wordless Wednesday...Packer PreSeason Game!

2011-09-07T16:12:00.000-05:00

My once in a Lifetime opportunity to be part of the NFL!

Wordless Wednesday...Are you ready for some Football!!!!

2011-08-31T07:03:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday...Natures Beauty.

2011-08-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

OUTSOURCED....its not as scary as I thought it would be!

2011-08-18T07:00:00.002-05:00

You know a few months ago that was a word that scared the crap out of me. Not only did it scare me but it outright pissed me off.

Times are tuff and I understand small business having to cut back and lay off employees, its a tuff call and one that business owners don't like to do, but in these times it seems to be ~~what is~~ the norm. It seemed like everyone I knew was getting laid off and then it happend to me! Not that I didn't see it coming, because I did. I knew that I was the first to go if times got tuff and I was working on the budget and my boss wanted to cut $20,0000 and when I joked about me working for free I knew by how ~~the jerk~~ reacted ~~with a "Thats a great idea"~~ that my days were numbered!

For about a year before that dreadful day, I had been trying to break into the Social Media Scene. I had been sucked into social media with the start of Facebook and when the SITS Girls started the 30 day blog challenge it skyrocketed from there. My background in website design and small business helped me pull from what I like to do and created a new career path for myself.

I'm now a Freelance Marketing Contractor. I currently have 4 clients. Two of which are Marketing Agencies, one is a Art Studio and the other is a Coffee Shop. My responsibility's range from Social Media, Updating, Reporting and Training on the different Social Media Platforms, to Full Blown Marketing Plans, Small Graphic Ads and Logos. Let me tell you I have never been so happy. I know have the freedom to work the hours that I wish (as long as I get my projects done) and spend time with my family ~~when they are home~~. Most of my time is spent in my home office ~~but I do spend some time at the different clients offices.~~

Did I mention that I LOVE my new gig!!! Because I have never been happier! Not only does it allow me to work around my son and husband, it gives me variety and constantly uses my creative side! A side that has been hidden for the last 10 years. I hated numbers but was really good at balancing budgets and bookkeeping, so I did what paid the bills, though unhappy, now I get to do what I love!!!

So I guess I want to tell all of you that have been OUT SOURCED that there is hope and not all is lost. Be creative in your job search, pull from the things you love and have faith. For when one door closes, another opens.

Wordless Wednesday...Family!

2011-08-17T07:00:00.001-05:00

Baseline Impact testing.....a mom's football worries.

2011-08-16T07:00:00.002-05:00

I try not to worry about the "What-If's" because if I did I would never, ever sleep let alone let my son out of my line of sight.

I here mom's all the time talk about how scary it is to watch their child play football. And yes I agree it is scary but so is letting your child ride their bike for the first time, or letting them sleep over at a friends house for the first time. I guess the more you watch them play football the easier it gets. Now don't get me wrong I worry about my son getting hurt. The first time I saw him get smashed by a kid bigger then him, I held my breathe, I think my heart stopped beating and I didn't breathe again until he popped back up and went back into play. Being a mom is hard, especially when you have to sit in the bleacher and watch your son get hit. I do a good job of ignoring that fact that he could get hit or hurt and try to focus on him getting 5 yards or making a touch down!!!!

But there are times when it gets put in your face the exactly what could happen.

My husbands cousins son got hit hard last year on a late out of bonds play. He got up and walked to the side lines. A few plays later his father ran past us and later his mom went down on the field. He got hit pretty hard and could not remember allot of thing. You can read all about it here http://www.herald-journal.com/health/pages/2011/concussions.html. Anyways it really hit home and made our entire family a little more aware of what can happen.

This year on of my fellow Football Mom's (Jen) was telling us about a Baseline Impact test. Gillette Children Hospital offers an online test so if your son ever gets a concussion you will have something to compair it to instead of just guessing. Basically its my new piece of mind and insurance plan that only cost $4.00! Its not going to save your child but it will give you something to compair your child's brain injury to if anything every would happen.

So my suggestion to you would be to go and spend the $4.00. For me its the most well spent money I will ever spend on football. Its my piece of mind and security that if my baby gets hurt I will have something to compair his injury too.

Hoese in the NFL!!!!

2011-08-15T20:17:00.001-05:00

I have been scoring the internet to find a picture of Local Favorite Jon Hoese drafted by the Green Bay Packers. Well I finally found one! Its the coolest thing to see your last name on a NFL jersey!

We are so very proud of Jon!

Wordless Wednesday...Marit Anual Family Renion!

2011-08-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

This is my extended Family. I married my Friend Megan in Civic's Class in High School and ever sense we have been George and Martha Marit!

You Decide....a note from my son's facebook page.

2011-08-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

My son wrote a great note today on his Facebook page. I would like to share it with you. Please do not comment on his bad spelling, read between and over the words, deep down you know you feel the same, and if a 15 year old feels like this and wants to change the world, why can't it inspire the older much wiser politicians?

Tyler Hoese for President!!!!!!

i pledge that when i and Blake Klaustermeier and Matt Alberts become president and higher ranks my first duty will be to provided Cash For Rice Burners ware i will pursnly pay you to bring your Honda Toyota Nissan and any thing else that is not a ford/chevy or dodge and i will take them to a ship load them up and dump them back in china my next movement as high ranks i will supply every single person behind township lines with a caterpillar diesel generator that is big enough for there needs i will then make Sara palin do i charity car wash for Jared alans home for wounded warriors i will then cut the salary of governors and and presidents and every one else buy 50,000 and with i combined total will some how make solders serving over seas get what they deserve pleasurably i will then make it easer for small buisneses to survive buy makeing compitition harder to come buy i will then make it easer for farmers buy protecting there investments buy creating a hole new world for crop insurance i will then do a program caled cash for spark plug running cars ware i will eather get you a new car ruining on diesel or re-power your car with a Cummings 4bt or a smaller caterpillar c4.4-2.2 any ways the reason for this is because if all we produse is diesel fule frome are refiners will will esentuly make more fule because it takes very little energy to make 1 gallon of diesel ware it takes a whole shit load of energy to make 1 gallon of gas and it elminates the mistake of greenhorns puting gas in a diesel of diesel in a gas it will make the world a better place i will then eliminate any middle men out there because no one wants to pay more then they should i will then launch Americana reclamation witch is a program to deport all citisins that are not of wite in color and will make people go to a dmv sora thing to even be able to look at a food stamp ware every one will go threw a series of piss tests financial tests and will only be avalable to people that have worked a real job in there life and are just falling on hard times so people fresh from behind boarder lines there going to have to live in fox holes if they wana stay because we will have our borders locked up tighter then socks on a rooster i will then make every person in big cittys (Minneapolis st pall Detroit what ever)drive a bike to work it will be ilegal to have any sort of car besides delivery trucks because really your just going around the block its not necessarily and the people that are in the citys now have to stay there we dont want you in the country then i will pass i bill to lower taxes because whats more disipounting then working 8 hour days then to see your pay stub and that the goverment has took almost a hole days of work from you i will then make horses pay to use state trales yes you will have to put a tag on your horses ass if i have to pay to drive my snomobile on it they should have to pay to let there horses shit on itthen i will bring all amaricn companys back to the us to get the reall made tn amarica quility i will then continue seeing problomes and fix them because i will pay in full and you keep the change

Wordless Wednesday...Bad Ass Bikers!

2011-08-03T07:10:00.000-05:00

Saturday, the Hubs and I became

Bad Ass Bikers!

Its a 2008 Victory Vegas Jackpot!

Do you know who has CHECKED IN or is the Mayor of your Business?

2011-08-02T07:00:00.021-05:00

I can't help myself these days when I go to a business to ask them if they are taking advantage of 4Square. Most times my question is responded to with a blank look on their face, with a what's that?

Well let me tell you it is the most overlooked "FREE" marketing tool. I usually get their attention when I say the word "FREE".

Just because your business is in a small town doesn't mean that you should not include yourself in the craze. 9 chances out of 10 at least one of your customers has tried to or has checked into your business on one or more platform. Rather than loose customers or sales opportunities, get ahead of the game and claim your business.

In my opinion there are 3 major app's out there where you should claim your business. (and yes you do need a smart phone to use these applications)

*Foursquare is a location-based mobile platform that makes cities easier to use and more interesting to explore. By “checking in” via a smartphone app or SMS, users share their location with friends while collecting points and virtual badges. Foursquare guides real-world experiences by allowing users to bookmark information about venues that they want to visit and surfacing relevant suggestions about nearby venues. Merchants and brands leverage the foursquare platform by utilizing a wide set of tools to obtain, engage, and retain customers and audiences.
Facebook Places- *Places is a Facebook feature that lets you share where you are and find friends nearby. You can check in to places you visit from your mobile phone, tag friends who are with you, and view comments your friends have made about places you visit.
Google Places-*A free business listing service offered by Google where business owners can submit or claim ownership of their business information. Formerly known as the Google Local Business Center until April 2010, “Places” is intended to represent a broader range of geographic points of interest–such as parks or historic sites–in addition to local businesses.

All these Mobile Marketing apps encourage more interaction then just a check-in. For instance, they also allow you to tag friends, add a photo or comment. Some customers even review the business while they check in. FourSquare also lets you reward your customers with specials. Newbies, Frequent Visitors and The Mayor can each receive a different special.

So I suggest to "Jump on the Band Wagon" and set up your business. What do you have to loose? With no upfront or monthly coast its a "No-Brainer"!

Wordless Wednesday... Water-skiing

2011-07-28T15:41:00.000-05:00

Tyler's second attempt to water ski! I think he did a great job!

Not converting your Business Facebook profile to a Fan Page will cost you in the long run.

2011-07-27T10:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know when it comes to setting up a Facebook account everyone thinks its a no-brainer. But when you set up a Profile for your Business and not a Fan Page it can cost you business in the long run.

Not only are there are many benefits for a Business to have a Fan Page instead of a Profile, but is a a violation of Facebooks  Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. If you do not convert your business profile to a fan page you could permanently loose access to your profile an all the content you spent so much time uploading.

Fan pages offer more options that are better suit for business's. Facebook does a great job of explaining the benefits  here.

So now your thinking, now that I set it up completely wrong how do I go about setting it up the right way. Well......At long last, there is finally a tool provided by Facebook to easily migrate from having a profile to a fan page. So if you have been holding off on going "legit" with your business as a fan page, now is your time. Follow this link https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php?migrate to convert your Business Profile to a Fan Page.

Before you go off and convert your profile make sure you save any important content before beginning your migration. When you convert your profile to a page you will loose some content from your profile such as photo albums, profile information, etc. I recommend downloading your profile information from Facebook before you attempt your conversion. Facebook offers information on how to download your profile  here.

After you have converted your Business Profile to a Fan Page, make sure you
make yourself and any others that need access to the page "ADMINS".

Also take some time and fill out all your information, so people know where to find you and can start "checking in" when they visit your business. (I will explain that in another post) After your done you will be able to sit back and not have to worry about reaching a max number of friends and can start taking advantage of all the advertising and marketing you can do with Facebook.

Wordless Wednesday...It takes a BIG trailer to haul a Doggie Pool!

2011-07-20T14:50:00.000-05:00

Open Mic Night Coffeehouse at Hutchinson Center for the Arts Friday July 22

2011-07-18T12:48:00.000-05:00

Bonnie Mohr WholeSale Email Blast

2011-07-14T16:30:00.000-05:00

Check out the awesome email blast I created for Bonnie Mohr Studio!

Wordless Wednesday...Anniversary Celerbration

2011-07-14T13:26:00.001-05:00

I know I'm a day late...Story of my life. Anyways today for your viewing pleasure, a couple of pictures of me and the Hubs Celebrating our 17 year Wedding Anniversary.

Then we stopped off at "The Outdoor Wedding Chapel" in Long Lake to remember our wedding day and say "I Do" again!

Wordless Wednesday....More Birthday Celebrating!

2011-07-06T10:02:00.000-05:00

I like to drag out celebrating my birthday as long as I can and with it being so close to the 4th of July I usually get away with it. Check out my Birthday Celebration at Texas Roadhouse in St. Cloud.

99 Prints for 99 Penny's from Snapfish

2011-07-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

We're making it even easier to share this summer's adventures with our Penny Prints Sale. Now, you can print 99 4" x 6" prints for just 99 cents. Weddings, vacations, family reunions, even Saturday trips to the pool – just use coupon code JULYPENNY99 by July 8 to print all your favorite stories for less.*

*Offer is copied from an email sent directly to me.

Birthday

2011-06-30T10:57:00.000-05:00

Birthdays are great, but even better when you have great friends and Family that love you so very much.

As some of you know, Monday was my Birthday and I was very spoiled. My first Birthday Present came in the form of Camping. We went to Crow Wing State Park for the weekend and the present I gave to myself was to unplug from everything and relax. No iPhone, No Mac, No Facebook or Twitter! I left everything at home!

My Husband and Son took me out to Dinner at my favorite restaurant "Bucca" !

And By Best Friend Carrie took me out to dinner and gave me two wonderful gifts!

Word that will inspire me to do great things knowing that she will always be there for me.

And this AWESOME Custom made Necklace. The "C" is for Carrie and Carrey and the Pink and Orange crystal represents both our favorite colors. The BFF is cuz she is my Bestie and I am her's!

I am truly Blessed to have such wonderful people in my life!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Wordless Wednesday....Storm as seen thru my Son's Eyes.

2011-06-22T17:36:00.000-05:00

Ty caught this view of yesterdays storm right outside of our house.

Wordless Wednesday....Typical Saturday afternoon at the Hoese Diesel Ranch!

2011-06-15T08:07:00.001-05:00

This weeks wordless Wednesday is brought to you courtesy of my Husband and Son and is in video form.

Is your Saturday afternoon filled with testosterone like mine is?

Something Fishy is going on at the Hutchinson Arts Center......

2011-06-14T19:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the 48th edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

2011-06-13T20:31:00.002-05:00

Questions:

1. What is your favorite yogurt flavor?
-Vanilla, I know I'm boring like that.
2. Ankle or knee socks? and on the same theme, white socks or coloured??

-Depends on the Weather. Deep into the Minnesota Winters- well really starting in fall, I wear Knee High Socks. You know the ones that Holly Madison wears. In the summer, if I must put on socks to wear my sneaker, I wear ankle socks.
3. How is the weather right now?
-Flippen Cold! Minnesota weather is turing into winter for 11 months and 20 days. The way things are going, we are only going to have 10 warm says this year. YUCK!
4. Are you a fast typer?

-Depends. If it comes from my head then YES, If I have to read it and type it then I am VERY SLOW!
5. Red or White Wine?
-I'm not a wine drinker, so neither.

Are you a Penny Picker Upper?

2011-06-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

When you see a Penny do you stop and pick it up?

When I see a Penny this plays in my head:

Then imeditally afterwords I think, Ok God what is it that you are telling me I am missing out on? I read an email once that said Penny's are a sign from heaven telling you to wake up and smell the coffee and that you are missing something very important and this is God's way of telling you to open your eyes before you miss out on whatever he is trying to tell you.

I saw a Penny today, Jan from Grease ran through my head and then I thought "Ok, what am I missing" I'm not sure what it is today but believe me my eyes will be wide open, especially now that I got my Mocha!

Wordless Wednesday.....1991 to 2011, Twenty Year Dating Anniversary.

2011-06-08T06:52:00.000-05:00

June 8th 1991 On the hood of his mamas car, 20 years ago today my Husband asked me to be his girlfriend again, and promised that this time it would last forever!

Here's to forever together. Happy Anniversary honey, I love you! :)

So Social.....

2011-06-08T06:45:00.000-05:00

I have spent the last two days at the Westin in Edina at the Online Marketing Summit Conference. Let me tell you it was AWESOME. I had such a great time and meet some great people.

Last year when I attended the conference I was just like many others that wanted to learn all about Online Marketing. I was so excited to learn about the in's and out's of online marketing.

This year I was very fortunate and got to switch rolls and be on the other side of the room. The marketing agency that I freelance for plays a big roll in #OMSMIN (Online Marketing Summit Minnesota for all you non-tweeps). 2 of the partners are veteran speakers for OMS and one is a Teacher for OMA. (Online Marketing Academy).

What an opportunity this was. Last night when I got home I realized that I have moved up in the food chain and am now someone that people look to for Online Marketing and Social Media advice, and people really listen to the things I have to say. Not to make my head get any bigger but I'm kinda a big deal here in my little town.

So look for me to be doing some awesome new things in the coming months. I'm not just One Girl, I'm One Girl with Some Big Ideas!

One Girl Ideas

Playing with Color

Different Decisions

Wordless Wednesday...Can we go in now, I'm cold.

Wordless Wednesday....Cold Sunrise

Featured over at Living Life with Purpose

Inappropriate interview questions.

Project 52

Sons and Girlfriends

Wordless Wednesday...Cuddle Time with Diesel

What's the most irksome Facebook request?

3 thing to ask yourself before your next status update!

What's the most annoying kind of Facebook update?

Wordless Wednesday...Lazy Day

All in 1 fitness Open House 1/9/12-1-14/12

Diesel trying to get her toys out of a Laundry Basket!

Here's to a great year!

Teenagers...let the worrying begin!

Toxic Friend

Wordless Wednesday...Christmas through my lens.

Merry Christmas...from My Family to yours!

Welcome to the 62nd edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

Wordless Wednesday...Years gone by!

What this glass means to me....

Welcome to the 61st edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

Stationery card

Stationery card

Wordless Wednesday...Playing around with the new Camera

A little nap....My Bulldog Diesel Snoring on her couch!

Holiday Home Tour

Wordless Wednesday...Football Accomplishments

Welcome to the 59th edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to the 58th edition of "Meet Me On Monday!"

Thirsty Thursday....Drink Recipe #10 Baileys and DQ Moo Latte

Thirsty Thursday Drink Recipe #2

Wordless Wednesday...My brush with Fame and the Green Bay Packer Super Bowl Trophy!!!

Happy Veterans Day!

Hutchinson Center for the Arts is our first Gingerbread House Competition.

Thirsty Thursday....Drink Recipe # 9 Playoff Punch

Ingredients:

Preparation:

Wordless Wednesday...Crazy Hoese Deer Camp 2011

Social Media Breakfast #40

Section 4a Champs!!! Congratulations LP/HT Bulldogs on your win!!

Thirsty Thursday!...Drink Recipe #8 Snake Nuts

Todays recipe is Snake Nuts. I had this drink a long time ago in a little bar in Bessemer Michigan. It was made in a pitcher and it went down like Kool-Aid. After that night I had a name for my Snowmobile.

Ingredients

Instructions

Wordless Wednesday...20 Years Later!!!

Ever wonder what keyboard control are for © or ® or ™?

Wordless Wednesday...World Wind Two Weeks

Words that I live by...All from Steve Jobs!

This says it all......

Wordless Wednesday...Football, Football, Football!

Wordless Wednesday...The Mascot's Favorite Player!

Promotional Material for Napkin Dispenser

So I wanna know...Where or When do you get your ideas from?

Thoughts for the day...‏

New Hair Brained Idea....

Wordless Wednesday...Back to school!

Teenage Attitude...Taken away the Laptop!

Buttons that Rock!

6 Tools to help Monitor your Social Media Presence in a snap!

Wordless Wednesday...Packer PreSeason Game!

Wordless Wednesday...Are you ready for some Football!!!!

Wordless Wednesday...Natures Beauty.

OUTSOURCED....its not as scary as I thought it would be!

Wordless Wednesday...Family!

Baseline Impact testing.....a mom's football worries.

Hoese in the NFL!!!!

Wordless Wednesday...Marit Anual Family Renion!

You Decide....a note from my son's facebook page.

Wordless Wednesday...Bad Ass Bikers!

Do you know who has CHECKED IN or is the Mayor of your Business?

Wordless Wednesday... Water-skiing

Not converting your Business Facebook profile to a Fan Page will cost you in the long run.

Wordless Wednesday...It takes a BIG trailer to haul a Doggie Pool!

Open Mic Night Coffeehouse at Hutchinson Center for the Arts Friday July 22

Bonnie Mohr WholeSale Email Blast

Thirsty Thursday
Drink Recipe #2