I remember when my dad first told me that we had email. It was a Prodigy account that he had signed up for and when he sat down my brother and I to show us how to use it he stated, “We have 30 emails per month. After that they cost 25 cents each. Split them and no fighting and don’t go over your 15 each.”
I was careful not to send emails unless I had to. It was not normally a problem because I didn’t know many people who had email at that time and I made good use of the bulletin boards.
But, think about this. How much would your email cost you today if the 25 cents an email rule was still in effect. (I’m talking, sending, not receiving.)
I looked at the amount of emails that I sent yesterday… I sent over 600 emails! (Of course I didn’t have a mailing to my list in there, but still.. that’s an email!) 600 emails at 25 cents each is $150…
I’m glad times are changing and I’m glad that I’ve got Aweber! $20 a month is much better than $150 per mailing!
How much would you have to pay per day if the old rules were still in effect?
Until next time…
Heather
Permalink 4 CommentsI actually took time off this holiday season. It’s rare for me. While I did visit my parents a few days before Christmas, I also worked some as well. Nothing major, bust checking in to make sure that everything was running smoothly.
However, today I embark on a 5 day journey with 20 other people (13 of them teenagers) as we head to SetApart07 in Orlando, Fl.
And I? Am not working.
In fact, I’m really not writing this today. I wrote it weeks ago and then handed it off to my VA to set up and post.
Because I’m ringing in the new year relaxed and rested.
Ok, I take that back. I’m with 13 teenagers amongst hundreds and thousand of other teenagers.
I’m ringing in the new year with a break…because I worked hard in 2007 and I’m going to hit the ground running on Tuesday when I return.
How about you? Did you celebrate your 2007 successes?
Until next time…
Heather
Permalink 2 CommentsTwas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurting — even the mouse.
The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.
Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor, while
Upstairs the family continued to snore.
And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
Went into the kitchen and started to clean.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.
The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;
The patch on his jacket said “U.S. POSTMAN.”
With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.
Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.
Whistling and shouting he called them by name:
“Now Dillard’s, now Broadway’s, now Penny’s and Sears
Here’s Levitz’s and Target’s and Mervyn’s–all here!!
To the tip or your limit, every store, every mall,
Now chargeaway-chargeaway-chargeaway all!”
He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.
He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster with just half a load.
Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
“ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT … YOU’LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!”
Author Unknown
Until next time…
Heather
Permalink CommentsIt’s Christmas Eve. Get off the computer and enjoy your family.
Better yet?
Spend the day tracking Santa!
We spend all day tracking Santa and then call my mom and update her. The kids love it and yes, I do use it to get them in bed in the evening. As soon as Santa hits Greenland, they know that they have to be in bed or they risk him flying right over our house!
Have a very Merry Christmas…
Heather
Permalink 7 CommentsI’m home for the holidays. Although, it’s not really home. You see, my parents moved from my “childhood home” 4 years ago and bought their dream home on top of a mountain in Tennessee. It’s gorgeous. It’s bigger than any home they’ve ever owned and I’ve always wondered why that is… why do people get bigger homes when their slave labor leaves the nest? But even more thought will tell you that if there are no kids, it probably doesn’t get that messy.
It’s been nice to get away from our home back in SW Virginia for a few days and spend time with family. My children can’t get enough of the spoiling they receive from Nana, Papaw, and Mamaw and they love to torment the cats, JJ and Major.
And presents? Oh goodness there are presents!
My parents swore they would never “spoil” my kids and would always ask me before purchasing them certain items or buying them things. That lasted until my oldest was about three months old.
I’m grateful that my parents can spoil them, but they can only do that because of what they did to achieve their goals. Other wise, they wouldn’t have their dream home and they wouldn’t be able to do all the things that they do.
Growing up, my dad was frugal. No, I take that back. He was downright cheap. We didn’t get a lot of the bells and whistles, but we had what we needed. It was a great childhood and I wasn’t spoiled, but I was well loved.
What I didn’t know then, was that my dad had goals. He had plans. He was insistent on making them happen.
One of his goals was to retire early. He did that when he was 45. (Although he can’t be retired, he now does freelance consulting and mom works just to get out of the house). My point is… they don’t have to work another day in their lives if they don’t want to.
Another goal was to be debt free. He did that when he was 45 as well.
They wanted to travel. They do so every year… a spring tour that takes them to warmer climates and a summer tour in which they take my kids and go for six weeks… and my kids have seen a lot of the country.
None of this would’ve happened had my dad not had goals or if he didn’t work hard at achieving those goals.
2008 is just over a week away. Have you started looking at your goals for the new year? What about 5 years from now?
Where do you want to be and how are you going to get there?
Until next time…
Heather
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