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Monday, June 23, 2014

Ways to Go

Uh. This post is all over the place, but if you can just get through it, there's a fun song included to start your Monday off right and a suggestion for a new app.  Ready, set, go! 

June! Where you goin', June?

Gah!

Imma be real cliche' right now and say, "This month has flown by."

Some highlights include:

-A trip to The Zoo with Tim's family

-Helping with Pre-K Vacation Bible School (totally my jam)

-I planted my garden (tomatoes for days, yo).

- SWIMMING!!!

     Did I forget anything? I'm pretty sure I did.  I'll have to tell you more about some of those things later.  Like. The garden needs more than just an "honorable mention," am I right?

     Anyway.  Tim built these really AMAZING- looking speakers, and we listened to this song on them last night.  I loved the video and just had to share.  I giggled through the entire thing.  I need to add this song to my running playlist, for sure.



     I also love it because, looking at this band, I know my parents would be like, "Who are these people?' and it makes me feel young!  Like I'm 29 again! ;)

     Also, have you tried the new Amazon Prime Music app?  We LOVE Amazon prime.  For $99 dollars a year, you get FREE two day shipping, videos and now this free music.  Grouplove has lots of free songs on this app.  This is not a commercial, I pinky promise!

 Love and a skeleton onesie,

Monday, June 9, 2014

Twitter Made Easy: A Beginner's Guide



   

     I am so excited to participate in my first "Make a Difference Monday" link-up.  I've heard great things about this link-up, and I SO admire the ladies who are heading it up.  

Huzzah! 



     So. Guess what! This is a post about twitter!  I don't have a huge amount of followers and I honestly don't tweet everyday.  However, for the longest time, I didn't really "get" twitter.  After a few quick tips from a friend, it quickly became one of my favorite social media sites.

     I'd love to "pay it forward" and help someone else get started.  It can be a really overwhelming world to navigate alone.

     Here are a few things I've learned along the way.  If you want to "up your game" when it comes to twitter, these suggestions may help you get started!


 Participate in conversations. Sometimes, if it's obvious the conversation is just between two or three people,  don't jump in. However, if someone's asking for book suggestions, sharing a coupon, favorite app, or trading pinterest pins- get in on that action! It's a fun, casual way to be more present and get involved.

Keeping that in mind...

 Be Confident.  Remember- you're adorable. You need to act like you're the most popular girl in the High School Cafeteria. When it comes to "tweeting" at people and joining conversations, just go for it & be confident. People want to hear from you. It feels good when someone new follows you or favorites your tweets. (Even though I'm totally aware, our worth doesn't depend on the number of followers we have, etc. it's still fun to invest in something like a twitter account, and watch it grow). With that being said, help a sista' out. If you GENUINELY liked a post...retweet/favorite away!

Be a good neighbor. Reach out. If you read a blog post that really resonated with you, find the author on twitter, and let them know. Again, be genuine. Don't ask for anything in return. Just say hello, and express your appreciation. I truly believe that with twitter (like most things in life), if you put out “good things,” then “good things” will come back to you.

Trust your readers. Abbreviating my tweets was is really challenging for me. When you run out of room (and you will), it's okay to use “t/g” for “together” or “fin” for “finished.” Give your followers some intellectual credit. They'll get it.

The ampersand is your friend. ;) 




Break old habits. I often use “...” and filler words like “actually” and “oh.” Stop doing that. 140 characters go fast...especially if you're tweeting at someone or want to include a hashtag.

It's ok to sound a little abrupt. You may not get to end every tweet with a cute smiley face, question mark or re-assuring “ok?” and THAT'S ok! People are used to a certain element of abruptness with twitter given the character limit. You can always lighten the mood with your second reply.

Divide your tweets.  If you want to tweet something, but run out of room, use numbers or “...” to indicate that there are more posts coming.

For example, sometimes I might use (½) and write my tweet, then use (2/2) to finish my thought in a separate tweet. You can also use the hashtag #seeprevioustweet

     I've read that some people find this annoying, but I'm (obviously) not one of them- ha.  I find it helpful and I like having the option of tweeting (and reading) more than 140 characters.  

Schedule your tweets. I use buffer app to schedule my tweets, and I find it really helpful! 

In closing, here are four of my favorite accounts to follow! 

Jim Gaffigan  (Just for fun)! 

> Jeff Goins  (Excellent resource for better writing/productivity)

> Lauren Dubinsky  (Funny, pure of heart, CATS!) 

> Nadine  (Sweet, Pure of heart) 

You can find me on twitter here! >>> @HollyCartwheels

Are you on twitter? I'd love to read what you have to say! 

Was this helpful?  Friends, what other suggestions do you have?  Let me know if you have questions! I'm no expert, but I'd love to help! 

Love and clever hashtags! 




Saturday, June 7, 2014

Where are The Girls? (non-urgent reflections on dog ownership)


Here's a disclaimer for you. Happy Saturday. ;) 

     We often call our dogs "The Girls."  I added the phrase "non-urgent" because I didn't want you to think they were missing.  Is there someone out there I can hire to write my post titles for me?  Is that job a real thing?  Ha. 

     I assure you...they're right here on the couch as we speak.  They are awake for about 15 minutes before they are scheduled to take their first nap of the day, and they wouldn't miss the opportunity to nap for the world.  Ha. 

     Last weekend, Tim was out of town, so I spent the night at my parents' house.  Noel spent most of the car ride in my lap with the window down.  We loved it. 

     She just...you know... had her head out the window.  No big deal. I was driving East...so the sun was setting behind me  and sky was doing that thing where it's all dusk on the dashboard and orange in the mirror. I kept watching Noel in the mirror. Eyes closed.  Ears flapping. Nose up.  I didn't get a picture because of all the driving, but trust me... it was gorgeous, and I want to remember Noel that way forever. 


     You know, you hear stories about older people who lose track of time and start asking questions about things that happened a long time ago. 

     I hope I have such strong memories of these dogs that when I'm 95, I'm still asking, "Where are The Girls?"  

If that makes any sense at all. 

Love and two mighty fine dogs, 

Friday, June 6, 2014

Proof of Life #322

Hi! Did you know I'm still alive?

I totally am.  How exciting is that? ;)

     Right now, to be quite honest- I'm a little more focused on my health and wellness (read: weight loss) as opposed to blogging/social media right now.  That's such a hard balance.

So.  I'm trying not to worry if this hallway is quiet...as long as I'm getting some other thangs' done. :)

     With that being said, I've been spending a lot of time outside.  We have an old bird's nest in one of our "eaves."  << Is that what you call it?  And there's a busy, little robin that keeps popping in and out of it.  I don't know if it is too late in the season for eggs, but I've got my fingers crossed for some baby birds this year.

More proof of life.

     This guy was just hanging out on the sidewalk the other day.  So confident...like..."I ain't afraid of gettin' stepped on!!!"  Just as I was starting to think he might be dead, he flew away.  << There's a sermon in there somewhere.  ;)




     I took Scarlett for a walk, and when her beard is wet, it makes her shadow look like a monster.  Doesn't she look like the scariest, snarliest creature ever? I don't know if you can see it, but Tim cut her tail fur so it looks like a lion.  Oh, Good Grief.



And a fresh strawberry to carry us out!



What have you been up to?  Tell me everything! What's good in your life? 
Love and a new zinnias!