Living Well Minute – talking about feelings are fickle. Take a listen!
Blogging Resources I’m Loving
Blogging is a funny thing. So much goes into it. More than the average reader who is a non-blogger would even think. It’s important for me to have tools to make it easier. That’s what Blogging Resources I’m Loving is about.
My first overall pick of blogging resources would have to be The SITS Girls website. It is filled with amazing content. You can click on the Learn tab and literally read for hours.
Second, I have discovered the usefulness of an editorial calendar, thanks to Adrienne at the Mommy Mess. I read her post about Content Brew and I ordered the course and one of the first things we were taught was why (and how) to have an editorial calendar. I have a Google Docs. calendar now that is pretty much always open on my computer so I can add projects or ideas as they come.
Thirdly, I love Pic Monkey for editing photos and making graphics when I need one. I actually upgraded from the free one, but even before I did there was still so many things for using Pic Monkey. It’s definitely a resource I’m loving!
The fourth thing that is a resource I’m loving is a book I purchased called Everything but the Post by Becca Ludlum who blogs over at My Crazy Good Life. This book is a practical, step by step, how-to book. Kudos to Becca. Loved the book!
The fifth and last resource I’m loving is Youtube. This is another great tool for those who like to add video or are giving vlogging a go. There are even tutorials there that are actually great resources. One of my favorite vloggers is Kat at Mama Kat’s Losin It. She is everywhere but especially on Youtube. Hear that Ellen DeGeneres? Check her out!
Okay so I found it really difficult to stop with just these five resources I’m loving because there are truly so many things I use. Where would any of us be without Google? I know, right?
Twitter is great for getting in touch with people, businesses or even celebs. Did you read Why I Love Twitter and see my conversation with Bruce Boxleitner? Ok, conversation is a bit of a stretch but check it out!
Facebook is another resource that is great as long as you look past the junk and goofy stuff you could really care less about. Social media of any kind can be a very useful resource.
I could go on, no really, but I will stop now. Tell me your what resource you are loving.
Living Well Minute Four Ms – Martyrdom
Today I am talking about why martyrdom is a bad thing. Don’t be a martyr, k?
Living Well Minute Four Ms – Managing
Today on Living Well Minute I am talking about the four Ms – Managing. It’s a good thing, right? Or is it?
Living Well Minute The Four Ms – Mothering
Today on Living Well Minute I am talking about the Four Ms – Mothering.
Route 66 St. Louis to Chicago
We left pretty early Monday morning from our overnight stay in Springfield, Illinois, to finish our Route 66 St. Louis to Chicago trek. In fact, we weren’t even sure we had enough time to see it all before the end of the day.
These signs give me goose bumps. Okay, not really, but I find it fascinating to be riding on the Mother Road. The interesting thing to me is that Route 66 runs parallel (for the most part) to the interstate, no matter what state you are in. I don’t truly understand a few things about this infamous highway. Since it does follow the interstate, why was it so devastating to local businesses? And why replace the road at all? Just between you and me, I was doing 65 on that infamous highway, keeping up with the interstate traffic for the most part. But the biggest question I have is why let a part of this nation’s history go by the wayside?
There are lots of murals along the way on Route 66. A thing of the past. I loved this one in Atlanta, Illinois.
This museum in Williamsville, Illinois was closed but an interesting sight to see on Route 66.
I loved this café in Atlanta. The owner and waitress were so friendly and helpful, and the pie was pretty good too, at the Palms Grill Cafe, although I’m truly not sure why it was called this. Not a palm in sight in Illinois!
I love the signage that lined the downtown areas along the way.
How cool is that? Driving on Old Route 66.
This is an old strip of Route 66, complete with Burma Shave signs (find more Burma Shave signs here), that was turned into a walking path. We stopped briefly on the road even though there was a No Cars Allowed sign. Hey, I had to turn around!
I have a video sharing the Burma Shave signs.
And speaking of video, we toured Famous Dead Man’s Curve shortly thereafter. It called for another video.
Not sure what all the hype was about…Dead Man’s Curve, really? And you’re welcome for letting you tag along for the ride. Just between you and me, I don’t think this was the Dead Man’s Curve of the Jan and Dean tune.
We had arrived in a very picturesque town that played the Route 66 thing for all it is worth, including museums and the infamous Bob Waldmire’s (a well-known Route 66 artist) van and bus.
This is how they do it in a small town when the railroad crossing goes awry. We found another way around…just saying.
The murals were incredible here.
Bob’s van. He lived here until he moved on up to this:
The military museum was amazing.
The whole floor was dedicated to all branches of the military. There were uniforms with names, dates and wars of the fallen. It was somber and humbling experience; a place to pay respect to those who have served and the families they left behind to do so.
It became quite apparent that we weren’t going to finish our trek to Chicago today. Tomorrow we were heading home. The question remained; do we get up early, finish the sights and end in Chicago as planned or head home first thing in the morning.
Blogging Tips 5 Elements of a Great Vlog
More blogging tips; 5 Elements of a Great Vlog was written for The SITS Girls by me and appeared there this week. Just wanted to add it to my repertoire of tips.
Have you taken the vlogging plunge yet? Are you still a little intimidated to put yourself in front of a camera? Here are 5 elements of a great vlog that will help you create fun, professional and entertaining videos to add to your blogging bag of tricks.
You can read the rest here: 5 Elements of a Great Vlog.
Grab that camera and get videoing!
Cook Family Singers Gravy
One of the best know stories of The Cook Family Singers has to do with gravy. That is correct…gravy.
My uncle Larry loved to tell this story more than anyone, and loved to tease me about it. I’m sure he’s smiling down from heaven as he watches this video.
Cook Family Singers-Still My Little Brother
Another tale of my life growing up as the daughter of southern gospel music singers, The Cook Family Singers. Today I’m talking about my little brother.
My Boy Made a Banjo!
My youngest son made a banjo in physics class. He did! My boy made a banjo! And I’m one proud mama.
He wanted to throw it away! Here is why we’re keeping the banjo.
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