Adventures in the Land of Squid

Not My Typical Post

Holley — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:00:33 +0000

Some days I think my creativity has divorced me. It is usually so easy to find something that inspires me to say something. Just being a blogger here at Crabbysbeach is usually enough to find something that lights a fire in my keyboard.

For the past week, I have meandered around the web, chatting and learning, but missing something so integral to my consciousness. The feeling of being alive, free, and seeing the wonder in all things was lost to me.

I have been worried. My father, who will be 71 on February 28^th, will have surgery in mid-April. Though the surgery itself is minor, it is to remove a cancerous growth. It is hard to express, even as a writer, the deep-seated fear that has dug it claws in and refuses to let go.

I hear people saying, “think positive thoughts”, and I do. Nevertheless, telling yourself things will be “fine” is a far cry from believing it in your heart. It is also easier to say it to someone else than believe it when it is your own family member and personal hero.

I refuse to give in to the fear and believe the worst will happen, but I still worry.

For the past ten years, I have been an only child. I lost my brother 10 years ago after an auto accident. I have tried to be both son and daughter to my parents since then. I try to protect my parents in every possible way, yet they continually take off and roam the highways of the United States from ocean to ocean and border to border. (Yes, I can hear you laughing at me.) While this is the privilege they have worked nearly their entire lives to be rewarded with, sometimes I feel like a mother hen. I want to restrict them to their room, but I know that is unfair and unrealistic.

Sometimes I want to scream, “What if something happens to you?” “What if you have a wreck?” “What IF?!!!!?”

I think that my fear stems from wondering not just “What if” but “What then? How will I live without you? How can I possibly go on without your daily communications and knowing you are there? How can I make it on my own without your stabilizing hand and unwavering, never ending love?” These are selfish fears, but they are mine and I acknowledge them as such.

I can only hope and pray to be as a good a parent to my son as my parents have been to me.

No tags for this post.

Happy Valentines Day!

Holley — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:22:34 +0000

Yes, I love Valentines Day! I don't care that some think of it as just another Hallmark card day. It is a special day for people to be free to be as silly as they like in love and if needed, have an excuse for their fun!

Whether you are the true romantic or the shy introvert this day is for you and your loved one(s).

As children we handed out Valentines to each of our classmates, male and female. They usually had some sweet attached to them. Do you remember that one Valentine you always sweated over? The one you really wanted to give but were afraid, so you swapped it out for a generic one that basically said nothing. Yes, you remember don't you? Admit it or not, for most of us there was that one Valentine we hoped would read and understand the hidden message in that tiny little envelope. Secretly we hoped they would look at us and declare their undying forever love. Sorry kid...

As adults we do the same thing, we want desperately to say something to that one, the one, the only one and yet we hold back for fear of rejection. Fear of losing ourselves to someone else. Losing control of our own lives we have worked so hard to build for ourselves.

Today is the day to put those fears aside and say what you feel. You have permission from the Hallmark lord to be silly, loving, romantic, or sexy. Just do it! Say it! Tell them you love them. Don't let another moment slip past, you may never get another chance. Tomorrow may never come.

To my true love, who is out there somewhere, I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tags: love, valentine, valentine's day

Those Romantic RocketMoms

Holley — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:35:28 +0000

Last week Squidoo released a new Valentine’s Day theme. This lovely theme has hearts pounding and temperatures rising and the RocketMoms are no exception. Romance is in the air and this amazing group of lensmasters just keep cranking out the sweets.

Among these lenses you will find Valentine’s Day wish lists, tributes to lovers, husbands and wives, and even the occasional hot stuff lens.

Every Squid is invited to join in the romantic sharing by adding their Valentine’s Day themed lens to this list of Valentine's Day lenses. Yours just may be chosen as one of the Superstar lenses that RocketMoms leader Bonnie chooses to promote. This comes with a nice badge to add to your lens.

So if you have or plan to create a new lens with this theme, don’t forget to add it to the list! We’ll be looking for your Romantic work of art! I know there is someone out there that you would love to tell how much you love them.

In the words of Teddy Pendergrass, "Turn Off The Lights" and enjoy!

Tags: love, RocketMoms, squ, Squidoo, valentine, valentine's day

Show Us Your Niches!

Holley — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:00:16 +0000

RocketMoms Session 5 has started and today we received our first assignment; creating a “Niche Hobby” lens. These lenses are some of the best performing on Squidoo. Typically, that equals cash for the lensmaster and / or their chosen charity.

A lens is another word for a webpage and they are very easy to make with all the tools at your disposal. A niche is a very tight focus in any area. For instance, instead of creating a lens about music of the 1980s try focusing on a particular band that was / is popular. Offer your readers the Amazon or iTunes option to order those songs.

Maybe your interest or hobby is books, coffee, vintage t-shirts or video games. Narrow it down to just a few options, tell your readers why you love something and then offer them a way to try your suggestions. It really is that simple.

If you are passionate about your interest and can convey that in a convincing way to your readers, you will have a great niche lens.

Squidoo is a large community of lenmasters that write about their interests and passions. Spam is not acceptable. If you throw a lens together just to sell something and are not passionate about it, the lens typically will fall the bottom of the ranks and will rarely be seen. Sounds like you might be wasting your time trying to spam at Squidoo, doesn’t it?

Even if you are not a RocketMom or even a Squidoo member yet, you can sign up, create a lens, and get started making some money.

Be sure to check out the RocketMoms FaceBook page and become a fan!

So, what's your niche?

Tags: hobby, lens, niche, RocketMoms, Squidoo

RocketMoms: A New Decade

Holley — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:00:01 +0000

The first RocketMoms session of 2010 begins on January 11th. A new decade will bring a new set of challenges. Can you make just 1 lens a week? Come on! It’s easy and a lot of fun!

What is a RocketMom? RocketMoms are an amazing group of talented lensmasters that share their knowledge and resources to help each other meet goals and aspirations of Squidoo greatness.

If you are a mom and are interested in joining the RocketMoms for Session 5, send an e-mail to bonnie (at) squidoo.com or leave me a comment here.

No tags for this post.

A Personal Look Back at 2009

Holley — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:00:52 +0000

My son said something this morning that surprised me and made me think. “2009 was the worst year I’ve ever had, Mom. I can’t wait for the new year.” At my age, I can think of many years that were much harder and much worse, not in the pocketbook, but on the heart. We tend to concentrate on the bad and forget the good things with which we are blessed.

My blessings were many in 2009, though they may not have seemed that way at the onset. Just a few, but some of the most important:

Losing my job in February allowed me to go back to school, refresh my mind and concentrate on my writing. During that time, I made new acquaintances that spurred me on to greater achievements and eventually allowed me to open my heart and have renewed faith in humankind.
Even in the darkest times, I met some of the most amazing people this year, people who would have a great impact on my perceptions and beliefs.
I traveled the world on the lands and oceans of Squidoo. I found knowledgeable lensmasters and leaders who go to untold lengths to assist others.
My heart was opened, washed of anger, repaired and replaced to allow me to become human again. I learned to forgive others and myself for perceived hurts and imperfections and to let the past remain where it is.
I learned that I alone have the strength to make the changes necessary to live and breathe. I can and will stand on my own. Happiness can only come from within, not from other people.

Each New Years Eve millions of people make resolutions that they will never keep. Lose weight, stop smoking, make more money are among the top 10, but I see very few resolutions dealing with the inner soul or reaching for true happiness from within.

2010 I want to make resolutions that I can work toward that will make me a better person and bring about a more peaceful inner harmony.

I wish each one of you the best in 2010. May your blessings be abundant.

Tags: 2009, blessings, new years resolutions

To Good Friends and Fireplaces

Holley — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:01:58 +0000

Life has a way of working out for most of us. After months of hiding from a former spouse, dodging emails, phone calls at 2am, FaceBook friend requests, and finally just plain ignoring him, the craziness is over. The relief is unbelievable. I hadn’t realized how stressed and uptight it had made me over the past months. I had become a different person and it also affected my online activities. I quit visiting groups and took my picture off most publicly accessible areas. I tried to keep my information as private as I could and not quit the internet totally. I’m sure many of you have dealt with this type of insanity at some point. To those of you who asked... See? I told you it wasn't you.

I am happy to be out from under the shadow of fear. If it were only myself I had to worry about it wouldn’t have been so hard to do, but having a child that doesn’t know what is happening (and never having really explained that there was a man before his father), he knew no fear.

Now I can relax, spend time with my family and friends, shop, go to restaurants, bookstores and (my favorite) go to The Home Depot without fear of being spotted (or worse).

I’m sitting in front of a blazing fireplace as I write this post and it reminds me of a song I used to play over and over. Good Friends and Fireplaces is from the vinyl album Stop and Smell the Roses (1974) by Mac Davis. Dedicated to my friends here at CrabbysBeach, Squidoo, and Twitter, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Mac Davis - Good Friends And Fireplaces

For those of you with a twisted sense of humor who would like to know how to overcome social shyness (and for Alex's enjoyment):

Overcoming Shyness

Tags: friends

What I Meant To Say

Holley — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:40:17 +0000

A few years ago, I received an email that documented in detail what women really mean when they use certain words and phrases. I remember laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe. As I read back over the list I suddenly realized it was all too true in my case.

Please understand this is just for fun but I couldn't resist after hearing some of these words while on Christmas holiday at my parents house.

Ladies, for your entertainment and gentlemen, for your notes and future reference I give you the 9 things women say and what they mean.

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with ‘nothing’ usually end in ‘fine’.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don’t Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually not a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of ‘nothing’.)

(6) That’s Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. ‘That’s okay’ means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say “you are welcome”. (If she says ‘Thanks a lot’ – this is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say ‘you’re welcome’. That will bring on a ‘whatever’).

(8) Whatever: Is a woman’s way of saying F– YOU! (This also includes variants such as “Whatevah”…Oooops, sorry!!)

(9) Don’t worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking ‘What’s wrong?’ For the woman’s response refer to # 3.

I know there is a list out there that explains what men say and what they really mean, and they are extremely funny too but I’ll let one of the real manly men here handle that post.

No tags for this post.

A Christmas Message

Holley — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:06:35 +0000

Many of us have faced a tough year. The loss of loved ones and financial security has hit a lot of us extremely hard. We have learned a lot and are trying to muddle through with better attitudes than before.

As you each make your way through the Christmas and New Years holidays, whether you are visiting or being visited, I hope everyone remains safe and keeps the blessings you have had bestowed upon you this year in your hearts.

Here at CrabbysBeach blogs many of us have become much like a family. Brothers and sisters who don’t always see things the same but who strive to serve the community to the best of our ability.

I want to make sure I include EVERYONE when I say Merry Christmas, whether we see eye to eye or not, I will keep you in my prayers this holiday season.

For you all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg81vGuZx7k

For those special angels, thank you for the encouragement and love you gave so freely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICstHyaDXsY&NR=1

Bless You!

No tags for this post.

I’ll Love You Forever

Holley — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:05:14 +0000

Joan’s post on The Velveteen Rabbit reminded my son of one of his Christmas gifts at this time last year. I bought this book for Chris to let him how much I loved him. Even though it may seem like a child's book to many, he and I were both moved by it.

Chris, some of you may know him as lensmaster SquidChris, is now 17 years old and too big to be rocked, but the words “I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be” strike a chord so deeply within the heart of this mother and son duo that I had to share it.

As a parent, I have felt the anger and frustration of raising a child by myself. Throughout out his teenage years we have battled by word many times, but unlike other relationships, the love and friendship were never lost. Family is the only thing in my life I have ever been able to count on to be there for me through thick and thin.

As the mother to my precious bundle of joy, I’ll love him forever, I’ll like him for always and as long as I’m living, my baby he’ll be. A deeper love than the one between this mother and son would be hard to find.

I know that for some this will be too hard to listen to. My mother will not listen either.

I'll Love You Forever

Tags: family, love, mother, son

Adventures in the Land of Squid

Not My Typical Post

Related posts

Happy Valentines Day!

Related posts

Those Romantic RocketMoms

Related posts

Show Us Your Niches!

Related posts

RocketMoms: A New Decade

Related posts

A Personal Look Back at 2009

Related posts

To Good Friends and Fireplaces

Related posts

What I Meant To Say

Related posts

A Christmas Message

Related posts

I’ll Love You Forever

Related posts