I'm Lovin' It!

     I'll bet you've been anxious to know about my new CSN toy, haven't you?  Well, I'm gonna' tell you all about it, right now.  Its about THIS tall and T-H-I-I-I-I-S wide and there are lotsa' colors.  Oh, yeah; and wheels.  I've been getting it ready to show you, so if you wanna' know more about it, be sure to come back when I'm ready.

     ::Tinkering... fine-tuning... perfecting... ::

     For the record, I'm havin' lotsa' fun with the preparations.  As a writer, I'm finding that this is the perfect tool.  Oh, yeah; I know I said it was a new toy.  Well, toys can be tools, too, ya' know... just summa' the more FUN tools.  Suffice it to say that when you get yours, you're gonna' know 'xactly what I'm talkin' about.  This new toy is one of the handiest little jewels I've ever had.

     Lemme' give you an example.  Okay, I write for a couple of different newspapers and some magazines and I'm an editor with an online site.  Naturally, I have my own fun writing projects in various stages of completion.  The only trouble is, every single thing I'm working on seems to wanna' be properly filed, lest I lose track of what I'm doin'.

     One of the most annoying things I can think of is having to file papers.  "File Papers" is just another word for "Am I Organized?"  That is a trick question on accounta' there are a couple of ways I could answer.  I could say flat-out, yes, but I don't write that kinda' fiction very well.

     Also, I decided long ago that organization is waaaaaay over-rated.  Have you ever stopped to think how much work it takes to get organized?  Why, a person could be havin' an awfully lot of fun with other things, if organization wouldn't get in the way alla' time.  'Course, there is that whole thing of being in control when you're organized.

     That's what makes my new toy such a great addition in my life.  Its all set up, just begging to contribute to the cause.  I'm gonna' label it and when I'm working on any of my writing, I'll just roll that little jewel to a handy spot nearby and whoot!  whoot!  Control is just a matter of 1-2-3... Ta-Da!

     So, come on back here soon and see what fun I've been havin'.  I think you're gonna' want one of these little tool/toys for your very own... 'specially, if filing and paperwork have been a thorn in your side, the way they have in mine.

     Until the next time, keep a hug on.

 ~ Yaya

Paper Should Not Be Work

I promised I would share a trick I learned about how to stay on top of paperwork.  I only recently learned about this, but I was so impressed by the way it was explained that I had to try it out for myself.  And you know what?  It works.  I am not always so lucky.

Here's how it goes: first, make a file for whatever you are doing. No, not a whole filing cabinet full of folders. Just one simple folder for, say, your blog. In that folder, you will put anything relating to your blog, but it doesn't stop there. Let's say you post one comment per week and while you are thinking about what you want to post next, you have several thoughts on the subject. There's a way to stay on top of that, but it will come in a future post.

Okay, so your file is simply labeled Blog. Now, lets suppose your blog is about writing. So far, you have posted an average of once a week on your blog, for an average of four times per month for three years. Cool.

If you had made paper copies of each of your posts, you would now have a file full of papers containing copies of all of your posts.  That's awesome. Would you be able to go to your file and pull out a post that you wanted to refer back to? Possibly. But what happens if you are still posting on your blog fifteen years from now? Would you still be able to access the paper you want without spending a lot of time, shuffling?  Maybe not.

Here's what I've found helps: inside the hanging file marked Blog, slip another, smaller file marked 2006. In that file, place the copies of all of your posts from 2006.

Did you have several topics you discussed on your blog? Okay. Then all you have to do is put still another file in the hanging file and mark this new file Writing, if that is something you have posted about several times and if you plan to write more about it. Make copies of those posts which discuss writing and put those copies into the file marked Writing. Don't worry if you have several folders within your hanging folder. There's a way to take care of that and we'll be discussing that at a later date. I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me in gaining some degree of control over my many and varied types of paperwork.

Welcome To My World

I've been very blessed of late to see several new people visit my blog and some of you have even become followers.  Thank you.  Although this thrills me more than I can say, I would like to ask a favor.  When I try to find some of your homes on the web, I can't seem to figure out how toget to your house.  I'm sure this is one of my own technical flaws, but I was wondering if you would mind making sure that there is some way for me to find your blog?
I've found that the best way to make sure others can find me is by adding my web address whenever I comment on someone's blog.  That way, even when I can't figure out how to make it a hotlink (is that the right term?), anyone reading can at least copy/paste my address into a search engine and find me.
Now, I know that some people have an automatic link on their picture when you hold your mouse over the picture, but I haven't really figured out how to do this.  Sometimes, my picture shows up when I click to follow and other times, it shows me all dressed in gray.   I don't seem to have any choice in the matter, most of the time.
Also, on occasion my picture will allow you to click and fly right on over here to visit.  While this is not always the case, I have chosen to write my address on every comment.
I would so love to visit with each of you.  If I have not visited your home in 'Blog World' and you have commented on one of my posts or have become a follower, please forgive me.  I just can't seem to find my way to your house.  I would just be thrilled if you would invite me by giving me your address.
Thank you all for the wonderful comments and support you have shown.  I am really beginning to love this whole 'Home On The Web' thing and I think I'm gonna' settle in for the long haul.  Please come in, sit down, make yourself at home and let's chat.  I look forward to getting to know you better and hope that you find ever visit worthwhile and enjoyable.
Tomorrow, I have some exciting news about how to make paperwork easier to control.  This has already helped me tremendously and I've only recently begun using it.
Would you like some hot cocoa and cookies while you visit?