March Madness - 2020 - #SoCS Welcome - PSA

Linda's Stream of Consciousness today is "Welcome."  Who knew when I started blogging this month that March Madness would be so apropos?

Since we all seem to be forced to be at home for a while, what about taking an online course?  Can't say you have no time (or you can but we know you'd be fibbing).  I am an affiliate with CreativeLive and they have a lot of different classes to try, some even for free.  It is not all about creating either, some have to do with finances and even health and wellness.

CreativeLive.com


Click the link to see what there is that you might like.  I've taken a few of the classes and they have been helpful for me. 

You're welcome :)

November Novelties - 2019 - Grateful Edition

I sincerely hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday with their families and friends.  Ours was very small and low key since our eldest daughter spent the day with one of her friends and my mom spent it with my sister and her family.  That meant there was only the four of us and to be honest, we didn't even sit at the table, we ate in the living room but at least we were together.  I took only one picture:

I also ate a few more carbs than I usually allow myself but I just can't resist the stuffing and cranberry sauce.  Today it will be pretty much back to my usual eating although I may still have some stuffing, just won't stuff myself - LOL.

I have a whole list of things I am grateful for, as I'm sure everyone does.  I try to remember them even when it is not Thanksgiving.  In addition to those, I am really grateful that I connected with my famous author friend, James J. Cudney, IV.  He has done a great service by featuring me in his latest blog "Tips and Advice" post.  It is wonderful to have people support you in your endeavors and Jay is gracious about doing that.  If you haven't read any of his books, you really should.  You can find them all on Amazon and I believe he has some specials going on.

Also, I am grateful for the partnership I have had for the last 15 or so years with JoAnn Wall of JSTS Transcription Services.  We met at a picnic organized by a mutual friend, Gloria Merino, and we started discussing what our jobs were.  We found that we both did transcription work.  Mine is primarily medical transcription and hers is more general transcription.  She asked if I wanted her to send medically related transcription requests to me and of course I said yes.  Since then we have been working together and recently, as my medical work has been decreasing, she started sending other types of work my way.  It has truly made a difference.  There is a learning curve of course but the topics are interesting and I feel like I can handle the challenge.

Each of these connections came totally by accident.  You never know where a chance meeting will take you.  It's that Universe thing again, you know?

Now it is my turn to share.  I am an affiliate for several different companies and while I may receive some compensation if you use my links, it doesn't affect the prices for you.

The first is Creative Live.




There are so many interesting online courses in a variety of subjects including photography, writing, money, crafting and personal growth.  I have taken a few of them and have found them to be very helpful and informative.  Through today they are offering 70% off but they have specials all the time and even offer some classes for free.

CreativeLive Black Friday Deals: Take 70% Off Sitewide

The second is Let's Roam.  This is a scavenger hunt type adventure that you can take.  We did the one in Reno and it was so much fun.

 https://www.letsroam.com/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=uwdsb5zx 
  
If you are looking for a unique gift for that hard to buy for person, consider these.  They are inexpensive and fun and there are a lot of different places and subjects to choose from. 

Grateful also for all of you who read my little tidbits.  Thanks! 

Observations in October - 2018 - #31Things - Technology

Technology is another one of those things I have a love/hate relationship with.  I consider myself pretty tech savvy although I know there are a lot of things I don't know how to do.  The reason I love my Mac is because it is so user friendly.  I can easily program my iPhone and update my computers but when it comes to helping my husband with his Android and Lenovo laptop I have some problems.   

In my working world, I know that a big portion of the reason my transcription work is declining is that the increased availability of programs like Dragon Dictate make it easier for the doctors to do their own dictation, thereby eliminating the need for people like me.  The younger doctors are easier to adapt to using tablets and laptops and the hospitals and physician networks are installing that equipment in their offices to assist with that.

On the other hand, through technology I am still able to do transcription work from home because I am able to get password protected audio files through email and send the completed reports back to the client, also through password protected email.  With this system I was able to do my work when we were out of town visiting the in-laws in Oregon.  It was very helpful.

In the craft world, people are able to send cards and invitations online so there are less physical cards being sent.  Yet, I am able to sell my handmade cards and things through my online Etsy shop. 

My latest batch of cards

We all know about cellphones and smartphones and texting and the like and I must admit that I have returned home to get my cellphone if I find I have left home without it.  I consider it now more of a safety feature, either for me to use if I am in trouble (flat tire, etc.) or if the hubby or kids need me.  I know that I never had one when I was younger but then again, there were pay phones around so all I needed was a quarter and I could get in touch with my parents if I needed to.  When was the last time you saw a working version of this?

Even education is enhanced now with the multitude of online classes you can take and own to use whenever you have time.  I remember when my kids were going through elementary school I resisted the dreaded "Internet" at all costs.  I was outraged that the school wanted the kids to "look it up online" rather than going to the library to get an encyclopedia.  By the time my youngest was a senior in high school, having her own laptop was practically on the supply list!  

I know I have benefitted from some online classes myself and the CreativeLive courses I have taken were really good.  Some I bought when they were on sale so I could go back and watch them again but a lot of them I have just taken the free version and it has still helped out a lot.  Many of the bloggers that I follow I know are writers and some participate in the NaNoWriMo challenge.  For those of you who are or want to be, CreativeLive is having a free prep week from 10/22 to 10/26/18.  I am an affiliate of CreativeLive so here is a link to those if you are interested.  They have a lot of classes in photography and money/life matters in addition to crafting as well.   

  

Where do you fall on the technology spectrum?  Love?  Hate?  A little of both like me?  Tell!

Creative Live Classes

I've mentioned that I am an affiliate for Creative Live and I promised that I wouldn't bombard with pitches but this one is a good one.  $20 classes on a wide range of topics from photography to self-help.  I'm thinking about a collage one.







20 Classes For $20 Each


Can't hurt to check it out, right?  Even if you can't watch it now, they are downloadable so you can take it whenever you have time.  These are on sale from 4/27 to 4/29/18.

Happy Friday all. 

Fiddlin' February - 2018

Small public service announcement:  I just got a notice about free classes at Creative Live and also some classes for only $29 each.  Thought I'd share the info.


Check Out CreativeLive's Free On-Air Classes








 I've taken several classes and have gotten a lot of good ideas, even from the free ones.  There are many different categories, photography, writing, self-discovery, business and entrepreneurship in addition to the crafty ones like sewing and jewelry design, and of course my favorite scrapbooking.  There are some on how to use YouTube and Instagram to promote your products and on art and watercolors.  You can even watch them on the go on your phones and tablets.  If you wanted to learn something new this year you should really check it out. 

I do get a small stipend if you sign up for a class using one of these links.  :)

December Reflections - 2017

If you are looking for last minute gift ideas, how about a class in photography, designing, crafting, money management, music making or personal development?  Creative Live has lots of choices and once the class is purchased, you have it on your computer to watch at your leisure over and over again.  You can even watch from your smartphone or tablet on the go! 







I've taken a few of the classes and have gotten great benefit from them.

Here's the link

Great stocking stuffer because it doesn't take up much room but really opens up some possibilities!  They are having a sale right now on some of the most popular classes.  Check it out! 

My word of the year for 2018 is "Create" so I may be taking advantage of this as well!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!



Note:  **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 

September Smiles - Creative Live

I had some time yesterday since I had no transcription work and I took a free online class from Creative Live:

This class started at 9 AM and went until about 6 PM and then it started all over and would continue until 9 AM today, Saturday.

It was so interesting and very informative about how to use YouTube as marketing to grow your business.  The instructor gave very good demonstrations of how to make good videos and then how to edit them and upload them to YouTube.  She gave tips on how to optimize for search engines and how to monetize your YouTube channel and where to find your analytics and what they mean.

This is the fourth or fifth free course I have taken.  I took one on using Instagram for marketing, one on optimizing my Etsy site and a couple of how-to's with paper crafting.  The courses can be purchased so that you can view them again as many times as you want and if you buy them, they come with handouts to go along with the course.  I have purchased 3 classes that were on sale for $30 or less.

They have classes on all kinds of different subjects:  photo and video, craft and maker, money and life, art and design, music and audio.  Ever want to learn how to make flower arrangements or take great night photography shots?  Want to be a wedding photographer or learn how to mix music, do some writing and publish an E-book?  It's all there.  There is even one on learning how to use Snapchat and how to build a joyful life!  Those are useful things to know.


  Check Out CreativeLive's Free On-Air Classes


I am an affiliate, so if you click and/or take a class, I will get a small compensation, but it doesn't change the price for you and really, how can you beat free?  If you do take a class I'd love to hear about your experience.  

July in Janetville - Creative Live Classes

In my search for information on crafting I came across Creative Live.




It is an online "classroom" filled with lots of different classes on a wide variety of subjects.  Occasionally they have free classes and I have taken a few of them so far.  One was on making concertina collage books.  Another was on making altered book boxes.  Some were on maximizing my Etsy site and one on email marketing.  I was able to view the whole class and take notes, even ask questions, all for free.  Those were just the ones I was most interested in but they also have a lot of free ones on many other subjects:

Photo and Video
Art and Design
Music and Audio
Craft and Maker
Money and Life

The free classes generally run for 24 hours so, depending on how long the class is, you can sometimes watch it twice.  You can also buy the classes so that you can download them and access them as many times as you want, something I am seriously considering doing since I just looked at the notes I took on one of the classes and I can't read my own writing!  I was taking notes too fast and incompletely.

Right now they are having a sale on some of the classes.




At only $19 it is worth it to me to buy the ones that will help me with my marketing and optimizing my Etsy site.  I may even take one on photography to enhance my concert photo skills!  Or maybe one on writing.  Perhaps I have a novel bursting to come out!

How about you?  Ever want to take an online class?  Learn some new skills or brush up on some rusty ones?  Give it a try!




**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the links; however, it does not raise your prices one bit, just puts a couple dollars in my pocket for more craft supplies :)

In Tune With June - 2017 - Vision Card Update

Every year for the last few years I've been making Vision Cards, as introduced by the wonderful Jamie Ridler.    Half the year is gone so it's time for me to check in and see how I'm doing.  Here are the ones I made for this year:

The first has to do with self-care.  I have done pretty well with my Hungry Girl eating program and have lost about 18 pounds since January (44 total since last year).  Not a huge amount but at the same time I don't feel like I am depriving myself or starving.  We eat out occasionally and I certainly don't kill myself exercising but for the most part, I am happy with the way things are going.  In the last month I have really stepped up my walking, taking a walk around the neighborhood almost every day.  I have set myself some weight loss goals and so for the next six months I am going to make a more focused effort in that regard. 

Next has to do with my creative life.  My goal is to be able to increase my income by either selling the cards and mini-albums I make and/or earn some money through affiliate programs.  I haven't really worked very hard in this area yet, although I am now an affiliate for both Blitsy (an online craft store) and Creative Live, an online education resource.  You can see both of those on the right side of this blog (if you are seeing it on Blogspot - I haven't added them to the WordPress site yet).  I have been taking some of the free courses offered on Creative Live about how to utilize my Etsy site better and be found in search engines.  In the second half of the year I hope to put all the research I've been doing into practice.  I do have one craft fair scheduled in November.   

Travel and Adventure is the next card.  I think we really covered that well with the Big City Hunt that we went on last month in Reno.  We have the voucher for one in San Francisco that I want us to do now that the weather is getting nicer.  I'd still like to hit Carmel and Monterey but I'm not sure that will happen this year.  












Finances is something that is a never ending battle it seems.  Just when I think we are getting ahead, something happens to stall us.  I'm not giving up though and will continue to work toward making our retirement less stressful.

Finally, we have our home.  The makeover it got last year did wonders and I wanted to continue the trend.  We used up our financial resources for the most part so the things we do now need to be at minimal cost.  We have made a great start in the last month in two areas.  The backyard, where I have started to detangle the jungle that has grown there and the garage where my husband has really made huge improvements on cleaning out and organizing.  It is a tricky area because I can only offer my opinion when asked as the things in the garage are mostly his.  I wouldn't want him to come and organize my craft room though, so I totally understand. 

Not too bad for half a year.  I really find making these cards more helpful than just making New Year's resolutions.  I know I am not going to get everything accomplished in every area, but having the cards and checking in with them periodically keeps me focused.  

How about you?  Make any vision cards?  New Year's Resolutions?  Have plans for the next half of the year?  Love to hear about it.