AAAAGH Web Technology!

Have you ever tried so hard to figure something out but the more you studied and researched it the muddier things got? I consider myself fairly computer literate, but after weeks of compiling notes I suddenly feel like a blundering idiot when it comes to web technology.

You see, the problem is I've been considering building a web site to sell a few technical e-books I've written. Not so much for the money, although any monies generated would be grand, but more for the experience and knowledge of knowing how to accomplish such a task. I've constructed a few web sites and even know a tad about HTML coding but I feel totally lost when it comes to constructing a website for selling.

Of course, I've ran the gamut of web sites and free e-books on the subject and have even purchased a domain name; but being a bit of a cheep skate and low risk taker when it comes to web selling, I think I've confused myself even more than I was when I began my research.

I did get burned a few years back when my husband and I let some one talk us into setting up an online store for his locksmith business ($3500 worth of burnt) and so I guess I've become leery of getting taken again.

Of course, the old saying nothing ventured, nothing gained keeps popping into my head at the oddest times. From what I've gathered you need a paid web hosting site, because most of the free sites don't allow your own domain, you need a PayPal account or equivalent to receive payments online, and you need a shopping chart like E-Junkie.

So you're probably thinking, yeah that's about it, so what's your problem. Well, there are only like a gazillion web hosting sites and shopping cart options out there, and I have looked at tons of them. The more I look the more confused I get.

However, on the positive side, we are only into the 16th day of 2009, and this being one of my goals for the year, I guess I still have plenty of time to accomplish it; so perhaps I should just chill my brain for a while and then take another stab at figuring out just what I need to do and in what order I need to do it to accomplish this challenge.

Although I have heard it said, that when you get to the point where you are ready to give up on something is about the time when you are just before getting it right. So maybe my frustration means I'm close.

We shall see. Thanks for listening to my babbling.

May God bless you today and keep you healthy and safe.
Granny

Fear Breeds Procrastination

~May you soar to heights yet to be discovered
_______________

The are two types of procrastinators. The first type is comprised of those who tend to put off doing task they might consider insignificant in the grand scheme of things, annoying but necessary tasks such as cleaning, or performing other mundane chores, this is not to say they are lazy. It only attest to their inner anxiety that their time could be better spent doing more important things.

The second type includes those who perhaps feel a bit overwhelmed because the task at hand may seem too big to control, or they may fear completion of the task might have a significant impact on their life. They may be experiencing an unconscious fear that they may not be capable or ready to handle the consequences. For example many writers procrastination may, in fact, be due to the challenge and fearfulness of becoming published or from the simple fear of rejection. It becomes almost like a defense mechanism that gives them an excuse for not completing the task at hand.

Many times procrastination is the result of a person who has set unrealistic or uncertain goals brought on by feelings that they lack the ability or focus to successfully complete their work. They tend to find any excuse to put off the task at hand. They may intentionally or unintentionally set enormous plans that aren't realistic due to their life style. Procrastination can lead to increased feelings of guilt and apprehension. This can soon become a cycle of failure and delay, as plans and goals are put off, penciled into the next day or week and often times leads to the person giving up on their goals.

One key to help over come procrastination is not to think about the task in its entirety, because that can often be overwhelming. Focusing on the completion of a task where you can't even clearly envision all the steps necessary for completion, can bring on stress and the task or goal no longer becomes something you want to do but something you feel forced to do; so you wind up delaying the task as long as possible. By allowing this self-doubt to creep in it robs you of your desire to accomplish the task at hand.

The trick to avoiding this dilemma is to break you goals down into small task or achievable goals that are realistic. For example a writer who wishes to write a novel might be totally overwhelmed at completing a 50,000 to 1000,00 word novel, however if he thinks of it in smaller chunks, such as scenes or chapters the goal doesn't seem as daunting. After all a novel is simply a complied story of scenes. Often times we allow our nasty little subconscious to riddle us with doubt concerning our abilities and before we know it we think that in order to complete the task it must be done to perfection. Perfection only comes with practice, knowledge, and training, which takes time and perseverance.

Sometime procrastination can be the result of knowing that in order to complete the task we know we are going to have to make certain sacrifices. For writers it is often a time issue. "I only have 20 or 30 minutes a day to contribute to writing, I can't possible accomplish anything in that amount of time." Well lets do the math, 30 minutes a day adds up to (7x30) 210 minutes a week which adds up to (210x4) 840 minutes a month, (840 x12) which is 10,080 minutes a year, which is approx 168 hours of writing time. If you only typed say 200 words an hour that's 33,600 words a year. Not bad for 30 minutes of work a day. Of you could say that if you typed 200 words a day for 30 days that would be about 6000 words a month which translates to about 72,000 words a year. By breaking it down into small increments the task no longer seems impossible.

As procrastinators we must learn to over come the fears that are holding us back and not focus on the insurmountable whole but make our accomplishments realistic, so as to avoid failure and the urge to just give up.

As a procrastinator myself, if I am honest this indeed makes perfect sense.

Therefore, in order to accomplish our dreams and goals we must overcome the fear that breads our procrastination tendencies and step out of our comfort zone. We must concede to just do what our heart tells us we need to do. Forget about perfection, forget about the outcome and legitimatly concentrate on the immediate task. One step at a time will get you there. You are not running a marathon you are pursuing a dream.

So to my fellow procrastinator writer friends, I say make 2009 the year you tell Mr. or Mrs. procrastination to go find another partner in crime, because you are no longer going to submit to his/her wily ways.

"She may not have anything to say, but she says it anyway because she is a WRITER and who knows where it might lead.

Happy Writing,
Granny

Happy New Year

Life is a journey. This was e-mailed to me by someone who cares. The secrets to living a happy and successful life are enclosed.

I hope the coming year brings you all the blessing life can offer.

Granny

Christmas Prayer

In the spirit of the season as I look around and see those who are struggling I am reminded of my many blessings. I look at those who have more than they really need and hope God will touch their hearts to share with those less fortunate. I see those who have barely enough to eat and my heart goes out to them wishing I had the resources to help them all. There is one thing I can do and that is offer my prayers.

• I thank God for being God, for paying the ultimate price for my sinful soul. I pray that those who do not know him will repent and seek his face.
  

• I thank God for my precious daughter, who is the life and breathe of me. I pray that God will watch over all children who are need of His blessings.
  

• I thank God for my grandson, who has brightened my life and added more love than any one person deserves. I pray God will dwell in our hearts so that we may raise our children to trust and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  

• I thank God for my husband, a person to share my dreams, thoughts, and goals with, a partner in life whose only desire is to see me happy. I pray God will help those who are seeking a companion in their life.
  

• I thank God for my brothers and parents for all they have meant to me and been for me throughout my life. I pray God will touch and heal families who are in need of love and forgiveness.
  

• I thank God for my friends, for those who listen, encourage, but never judge me. I pray God will remind me each day to share his love and teachings and be the best friend I can be to others, that His light might shine through me.
  

• I thank God for my extended friends whom I have never seen, but have had the blessing of knowing through the internet. Especially my writing friends, you know who you are. I pray God will watch over them and protect them from evil and will bless them with whatever their need may be.
  

• I thank God that I wake every morning with food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over my head. I pray God will provide me with opportunities to help those less fortunate than myself and that He will cover them with His love.
  

• I thank God for the world he created with all the animals and wonders of nature that add beauty to my life. I pray God will touch our land with his love and help us to see the wrong of our ways.
  

• I thank God for the existence of faith and miracles, and I thank Him for forgiving me when I take them for granted or fail to recognize them for what they are. I pray that all will find peace and faith through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
  

• I thank God that because of Him I will one day see all my loved ones again in heaven. I pray that God will help those who have lost loved ones and comfort their heart as only He can do.
  

I pray you will take a moment out of your day and thank God for the blessing in your life both big and small. May God bless you this Christmas season and everyday that you have the privilege to live in such an amazing world. Miracles are all around you if you only take the time to look.

May your Christmas be blessed with all that is good ~Granny

Tis The Season

Click Here to read the meaning behind the traditional symbols of Christmas, from wreaths to holly, to gifs, to candles, and more.

May the true meaning of Christmas fill your heart this Holiday season.

May God's blessing surround you all year through.

Granny

In The Spirt of The Season

Early Morning

I listen to the wind rustle the trees,
enjoying the feel of the light morning breeze.
I listen to the birds sing their beautiful songs,
enjoying this moment just before dawn.

I listen to all of nature's sweet sounds,
a more peaceful time cannot be found.

This is the way God meant it to be,
He created it all for you and for me.

I listen as the people begin to awake,
my solitude is gone as a new day breaks.
Tomorrow will be another day,
I'll begin it again in the very same way.

(c) 1991 ~Deborah As. Seko

My Confession

This was shared with me by someone who cares about the state our world is in and so I thought I would return the kindness and share it with all who visit here, especially since he captured my sentiments so nicely.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein