Welcome back! Coffee's always on around here. Pull up your favorite chair and a grab a cup. Enjoy your visit today! And don't forget to stop back by again soon.

I don’t know how many posts I’ve started over the past several days and then not finished for one reason or another. Something happens, I get side-tracked, I lose my train of thought and then they end up getting saved to my drafts.

Today there is a lot to talk about so with any luck, this one will make it to the blog!

Earlier this evening, a car went sliding down the hill after hitting a patch of slick ice/snow just shortly after dark (and shortly after freezing began!) and after doing a 180 turn around, managed to land *just* outside our pasture fence. (Not the first time it’s happened . . .)

I think the only reason she didn’t actually go all the way over the fence, is that she hit one of the taller posts. Had it been a shorter post or a spot with no post, she’d have gone into the pasture for sure.

Fortunately the driver and her daughter are fine. Shaken, but fine. The car is mostly fine, just a dent in the front where she hit the post and also some damage to the cowling under the front end where it hit an old post in the ditch. Depending on when they come for it tomorrow, I may get a picture or two of the car.

Here’s a picture from last years big snow so you can see what I’m talking about. The car went into the pasture just beyond the mailbox (on the right side of the frame). There’s a drop-off there and a pretty deep gully before the pasture begins. Fortunately she missed the gully too or it would have been much, much worse.

<--Warning! Short rant ahead -->

I hope she realizes how lucky she is. And I hope next time, she reconsiders the need to go out after it’s gotten dark in this kind of weather. Especially down this hill.

Oh and this accident? Only happened in about an inch, maybe two inches of snow . . .

It really amazes me how many people who don’t know how to drive in bad weather, actually go out and drive in it! Or at least, TRY to drive in it. That’s why I don’t. It’s not me I worry about – it’s everyone else! I can drive in snow just fine. I just choose not to. And especially not after dark when the temps are freezing and it’s turned icy.

Anyway, that’s all of my lecture/rant/soapbox for now. LOL

<--End of rant ;-) -->

This afternoon I was looking for a site to kind of be a central location for all of m social networking and online stuff. Like an online business card, of sorts. I searched for quite some time and was about to give up and just design something myself when I found a site called chi.mp. The cool thing is, it also acts as an openID. So, I set it up! And so far, I really like it.

You can find me at helloannie.mp. Check it out and if you sign up, let me know.

And yesterday, I found a cool thing called blogrollr. Basically, it keeps track of the sites you visit automatically (kinda like google web history – only so far, I think it’s better). I can see where I’ve been, how many times I’ve visited there and can even rearrange things or “blacklist” things so they’re not in my public feed.

And lastly, a really simple and totally cool To-Do list I found yesterday as well. It’s called TeuxDeux.com and though it’s kind of an odd way to spell it, it’s very useful. I’ve tried A LOT (a really lot!!) of to-do lists and this one is cool. Just trust me. Simple. Effective. And just what I wanted.

Hope you had a great weekend! Here’s to a good week! Can’t believe it’s the last week of school before Christmas break. That is just totally unreal.

In the arena,

Oh – one more thing – a toolbar thingy for your website called Wibiya. I have no idea what it means or even how to say it really, but it’s pretty useful. I just installed it on my website today so if you’re reading in a reader, go check out the site and see how it works. Then you can go to wibiya.com and get one of your own. And a little disclaimer – NONE of these links are affiliate links. They’re just stuff I use and enjoy enough to share.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

It seems like it’s been a long time since I posted an around the web post, so here we go!

These are a few sites I’ve had the pleasure of reading recently that I think are top notch and share excellent information. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Copyblogger by Brian Clark. There is always great content at Copyblogger. One of the recent posts I bookmarked was The Inigo Montoya Guide to 27 Commonly Misused Words. Also check out Do You Make These Mistakes When You Write?

A Year of Crockpotting. Stephanie made a resolution to use the crockpot every day in 2008 and has some delicious recipes. We’ve tried a few of them and here is another one that sounds fabulous! Crockpot Roasted Winter Root Vegetables. Be sure to check out some of the other recipes while you’re there.

Do It Myself Blog. Glenda Watson Hyatt is a blogger who has cerebral palsy and writes about all kinds of things on her blog. One of the recent posts that got my attention was Together, Let’s Feed 100 People Christmas Dinner. Oh – and Glenda blogs and does all of her writing with only her left thumb. She’ll inspire you to do your best and give from your heart.

Those should keep you busy for a while! Enjoy!

And let me know if you’ve read anything really cool this week. I love checking new things. Just leave a comment below.

I hope you’re having a great Tuesday!

In the arena,

Looking to work with an award winning writer in 2009? Now is your chance! Get on my calendar before I’m booked. Check out the Hire Me tab at the top of the page.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

About this awesome blog I’ve been reading for a couple of weeks now. It’s written by an incredible lady who is 80 something years old who has written a lot of thought-provoking content. Check it out! Her stories are spectacular! She’ll make you think and perhaps even give you some perspective you hadn’t thought of before.

Octogenarians Blog

In the arena,

Did you know I design blog headers and ebook cover graphics, too? Yes, I do. And you can get one now for the introductory price of $55 for a limited time. Just send a payment of $55 to me via PayPal along with a description of what you want. You’ll have a design within 48 hours.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

I’ve been promising you an around the web post for a while now and started this way back on the 4th of this month! So, be sure to not only check out the posts I’ve highlighted at each blog, but be sure to check out their newest posts as well. I’ll post more of my favorite blogs again soon.

I have had a hard time deciding whom to pick for my around the web spot this week. There are so many good sites out there. So, I finally decided that I will showcase some of my most favorite blogs. These are the ones I will read above all else, no matter what. Some because they give practical advice, some because they’re just plain funny and others because there’s just a great sense of connection on some level, whether it be personal or more business-related.

In no particular order – (and by no means a complete list!)

Catherine Lawson at Cath Lawson Bold Advice for Business Success. Cath’s latest post is “10 Interviews With Successful People”

Barbara Swafford at Blogging Without a Blog. I enjoy Barbara’s blog because she’s involved in building her community and always has thought provoking information. Her latest post is “Removing the Blinders and Growing”

Tim Ferriss at The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss. His blog has a wide variety of info on his popular book and lifestyle system The Four Hour Work Week. Tim’s latest post is “Stop Rationalizing and Make Hard Decisions: Learning From Dr. King”

Writer Dad at Writer Dad. I love this blog because Writer Dad has a great perspective on being a dad and blogging about it. I read quite a few “mommy blogger” blogs and there’s just not many dad bloggers. He writes about all those little things we observe as parents but never really articulate or share with others and it’s fun to watch his words unfold and have one of those “hey, I know you mean” moments. His latest addition to the blog is “I Heart DVD’s”

Shannon from Rocks in My Dryer. Life with kids and all kinds of stuff like that. This weeks most current post is a guest post called “What I’d Like for You to Know: Living With a Chronic Illness”

In the arena,

Did you know I design blog headers and ebook cover graphics, too? Yes, I do. And you can get one now for the introductory price of $55 for a limited time. Just send a payment of $55 to me via PayPal along with a description of what you want. You’ll have a design within 48 hours.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

This was supposed to post yesterday but for some reason, it didn’t . . . so here it is! Better late than never, as they say, right?

On my travels around the web, I often come across blogs and websites with information I find valuable. When I do, I like to share. So, on my list this week are -

Save Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – You may have heard that PBS is planning to drop most reruns of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood beginning in September. Currently, they plan to only air one episode weekly on Saturday. This website is aimed at voicing concern over PBS’ plan and asks visitors to email or write PBS, both the national office as well as local stations, and ask them to reconsider. I think it’s a great idea and I have already sent my thoughts to PBS. I hope you will consider doing so too.

The Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Blog Content Fresh – a post over at Copyblogger from Liz Fulghum.

Why Women Need More Money Than Men — and What Can Be Done to Make It Happen – A post from Millionaire Mommy Next Door with good, practical information for women.

21 Must-Read Tips to Write Better Web Content – Posted over at Dumb Little Man

Natural Remedies for ADD & ADHD Part 4:Herbs and Supplements – Is posted at Simple Home Remedies. Being a parent of an ADD and autistic son myself, this is especially helpful for me. We don’t believe in the commercial, “big pharma” society in our household and try to ensure everything we do is natural and as chemical-free as possible.

Alright! That’s it for today. I’ll be back soon with more stuff I hope you enjoy. And I hope you’re enjoying your weekend so far, too!

Hey – have you seen something around the web this week that caught your eye? Why not tell us what it is in the comments? I love learning about new and interesting blogs.

In the arena,

Did you know I design blog headers and ebook cover graphics, too? Yes, I do. And you can get one now for the introductory price of $55 for a limited time. Just send a payment of $55 to me via PayPal along with a description of what you want. You’ll have a design within 48 hours.

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

A couple of days ago, I promised a list of some cool articles . . . so here are a few links to articles around the web which I’ve found particularly useful or fun or just liked. I thought perhaps you’d enjoy them as well.

Chris Brogan – Do What Works for You

Blogging Without a Blog – Interview with Lorelle Van Fossen Part 7 (Check out the rest of the series with Lorelle also.)

A Year of Crockpotting – Vegetarian No Noodle Lasagna (This looks so good! I’m going to be making it one night this week.)

Catherine Lawson – Are You Falling into the TFT?

Freelance Folder – Becoming a Freelancer: 7 Things To Do When (Or Before) You Take the Plunge

Joel Falconer – How to Double Your Income With the Art of Delegation

If you’ve found something this week you really liked, why not share it with us? Feel free to post it in the comments. I love finding new blogs with great content so don’t be shy. I read everything from tech blogs to fun blogs to design blogs and news blogs, so don’t censor something you enjoy by thinking nobody else will. Just put it out there!

In the arena,

Make $10k in a weekend – “Too good to be true.” That’s the first thing I said when
I heard of http://tinyurl.com/5lq2g4. You can’t REALLY make $10K in a weekend. But I quickly bit my tongue once I saw the content. . .

Annie Anderson is a freelance copywriter and graphic designer specializing in the small business and real estate markets. Her tagline “Making your business, my business” means that she’ll take the utmost care when creating words and images for your business – just as if it were her own.

I haven’t had too much opportunity to surf the web and find new and interesting sites recently, but I did happen upon a rather cool website in the past few days. Generally, I like to share a variety of pages or articles that I’ve come across because there is so much great stuff out there. It can be daunting sometimes, finding useful info and I think a lot of valuable content goes unnoticed.

On my incredibly short list this week (if you can even call it a list), is the Reader Appreciation Project. It’s a website dedicated to blog readers, basically, and according to their “About” page, their purpose is to show readers “that they are one of the most important assets a blogger can have.” And they give bloggers tips and advice on how to “implement and spread the concept of reader appreciation.” So go check it out. There’s lots of good stuff over there to peruse.