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Saturday, February 28, 2009

Eagle Cam

Happy Saturday,

A friend sent me this link to Norfolk Botanical Garden's Eagle Cam. The bald eagle mom is currently sitting on 3 eggs. There are archives from the days the eggs were laid and more, as well as the live feed.

Hope you enjoy. (I've added the link in my list of other great links on the right, as well, so it will always be easy to find.)

Peace, Judi

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Day 171 - 02/22/2009 Happy Birthday, George

Yes, I'm blogging twice on the same day!

Although Presidents' Day was celebrated last Monday, today is the actual date on which The Father Of Our Country (USA) was born. This is in his memory.

Peace, Judi

Day 170 - 02/21/2009 Ginger's Quinoa Pudding

Quinoa Pudding made using Ginger's recipe which can be found here: whatwouldgingerdo.blogspot.com/2009/02/quinoa-puddingthat...
I made if for dessert and ate leftovers for breakfast the next day - Yum!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Entrepreneurial Class







I will try to be more explanatory today, for those that don't know. In June, 2006, I accepted a voluntary severance offer from the IT company I then worked for. I promptly did all the things one does when one finds oneself unemployed - signed up for unemployment, got my resume in order, posted it on Monster and numerous other places.

While I was working I had often thought that I would like to start my own business once I retired. I realized that this was my time to be "temporarily retired", as no jobs were on the horizon.

One of the things the unemployment office offers, at least sometimes, is retraining. As luck would have it, all programs were unavailable except for an entrepreneurial training program which at the time was offered in at least 4 locations. My career center advisor, the person I worked with while unemployed, suggested the program at Northern Essex Community College. I attended an info session, applied, had an interview with the instructor for the program, and then waited. After what seemed an eternity, I found out I had been accepted.

The program ran for 20 weeks total, with the first 8 weeks being devoted to classroom with "homework", then 3 weeks geared towards creating a business plan. Then there was one week of presenting business plans to business people who critiqued the plan and presentation from their point of view, being banking, legal, etc. And finally, a few weeks for working the plan, with optional 1 hour per week meetings during this time period with the instructor.

When I finished my thought was "wow, this is like getting an MBA in 8 weeks, only better". I was exhausted but had learned so much - something no business school could have taught me (believe me, I went through a BA program nights, and except for some accounting this was almost all new to me!)

So, the reason for my post is this. This program is not only open to those on unemployment, but to anyone in the local area. I had such a good experience at NECC, that I highly recommend it to anyone in business or thinking of starting a business. A new program is about to begin, here are the details sent to me from the program's instructor:

"Entrepreneurial Training Program
The ETP is an exciting program that helps students think through their business and create a solid business plan plus provides the skills and knowledge to successfully implement that plan.
This 20 week daytime program consists of classroom training, presentations by subject matter experts, business plan presentations, and one-on-one consulting and is instructed by an experienced instructor and business consultant, Paul Jermain of Jermain & Company.
Spring session is scheduled to begin March 10, 2009. This program is MA Section 30/ITA approved; some dislocated workers and others may qualify for tuition assistance. Program is approved for Federal Education Benefits for eligible veterans, selected reservists and eligible dependents.
For information regarding the procedure for applying to this program or to reserve a seat at an information session, please call: Diane Zold-Gross at 978-659-1221 or e-mail at dzoldgross@necc.mass.edu "

I hope you find it of use to you, I sure did!

Peace, Judi

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Tagged!


I've been tagged by my very talented friend Michelle: the tag is to take part in the 6 by 6 game. Rules: choose the sixth image out of your sixth picture folder from your computer and blog it. Then tag six more people to do the same.
This photo is from the kitchen in my Louisville, KY, relocation rental apartment I lived in for 9 weeks in spring, 2008. It was given a fake tilt-shift treatment, thus making the thing look like a model (not my best work). There are other examples of this treatment in my Etsy shop that are much better - like Toy Boats, Toy Boats, Toy Boats for example!
I am going to drop the ball here and not tag anyone else. If you feel so inclined to play the game, please post in my comments that you did it so we can all go check it out - but the choice is yours!
Peace, Judi

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

One More Thing Before I Go...

Just found this post on the Crochet Dude's blog. Hope all the greenies out there will find it of some use.

Peace, Judi

Trouble With Technology

I am updating this blog using Windows in SafeMode because Windows XP will not start all the way. The sadest part of this is, not only does this affect my blogging and word processing, but since my camera is digital, it affects my ability to download and edit images. ;-(

The laptop is going in for repair later today, and I hope to be back "online" very soon. Meanwhile, I hope you all have a peaceful and happy week!

Peace, Judi

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

It's National Carrot Day!

I missed posting yesterday, the halfway point of winter. Known as Groundhog Day, Imbolc, Candlemas Day - the sun was up over 1 hour longer than on the first day of winter!


Today we celebrate a delicious vegetable - the carrot. They now come in several colors, including the traditionally known orange. Hope you will help your health by eating carrots often!

Peace, Judi