In case you're wondering why this blog has been silent for a week...it's because I am yet again experiencing technological difficulties.  Yippee.  This time it's not the computer's fault (well, sorta).  This time it's a) the ISP's fault.  So I went with another ISP, the fancy-schmancy Verizon wireless broadband thingymabobber.

However, my card slot doesn't work.  So my antenna doesn't work.

So I've been commandeering the Husband's computer when possible to work.  And since I don't get paid to write this blog, it doesn't get written unless I happen to have time.

Which I am making because I just realized it's been a week since I stopped in here.

Ooops.

Have a great week and visit me on the other blogs.  ;-P

Woohoo!  The premier post on my new blog, Stop the World, I Want to Get Off!, is up!

I'm so thrilled to have been chosen as a MomBlogger over at ClubMom.com.  Well, go read the first post.  You can sense my excitement, I'm sure! 

In case you're wondering, here are all of the places you can find me blogging:

• SmallBizMentor.com: about all things small- and home-based business
• Workerette.com: about women in business and issues affecting women
• Going Green: about "green" living and suburban homesteading
• Stop the World, I Want to Get Off!: about homeschooling, single (for now) parenting, and working from home
• TheHomeCast.com: about "all things home" (particularly organizing and green living)
• Raven Writes: well, that'd be HERE! 

Stay tuned...there's more writing (and blogging) in the works. 

Woohoo!  Late last week I got some great news: I've been selected to join another network of bloggers (or perhaps I should say blog-hers)!  The contracts and paperwork have been going back and forth this week, and I should have a link to the new blog very soon.  I'll be covering my preferred beats: homeschooling, single parenting, and working from home.  I'll be joining a wonderful group of ladies that are already offering up fantastic content - I can't wait to rub elbows with them more!

Along those lines...watch for another new blog from me soon.  I've got an idea in the works that I hope will provide useful information and support to another group of folks.  I should have that URL for you early next week.  That one's a solo venture, so wish me luck!

Freelancing is hard work, but so worth it -- I finally love my job again!

The Summer 2006 issue of SEEN Magazine is now up on their website, including my latest article, "Homeschools + technology = success"! 

I'm honored to have once again been selected to contribute to this publication, as they have made great strides over the past two years.  They cover the gamut, with everything from information about preschools and private schools to homeschooling and college options. 

Want a sneak peek at my article?  Download a .pdf copy of the Summer 2006 issue of SEEN Magazine and scroll down to page 82.  There I am, along with mentions of a bunch of home educators and homeschool-focused companies (complete with links).  Many thanks to all who offered insight and suggested resources...especially to Staley over at HomeschooleStore for a very generous offer just for SEEN readers!

(Be sure to leave me a comment here about your favorite uses of technology in the homeschool too!)

Was checking out my Sitemeter stats today and stumbled across someone's search for Tom Cruise homeschooling...who stumbled across my blog (presumably since I recently mentioned that I've never been a fan of Tom Cruise and I have a homeschooling blog).  In the process of checking out what sort of search results led my anonymous visitor this way, I stumbled across Doug TenNapel's blog.

Okay, so the floating lizard kinda creeps me out, but the jury duty post is hilarious.  Doug's got some interesting things to say (not just about Tom Cruise, who creeps me out more than said floating lizard, frankly).  Y'all might wanna head over there and visit him.  I got a good laugh at several things, plus he made me think.  Oh, and he writes.  Three cheers for a total stranger who made my day.  (Oh and the unknown blog visitor who didn't bother *sniffle* to leave me a comment.)

Back to your regular programming, folks.  (Wonder if I can get called up on jury duty soon?  Seems like an inspiring place to be for a writer.  If nothing else, the people watching is as good as at the mall.  I remember my last stint at the local courthouse...fun stuff, since there was a snowstorm that morning and then a fire in the building right before I got there.  How's that for inspiration?)

I just "met" a new friend, a HomeschoolBlogger whose blog name was listed on my friends list when I went in to edit it just now.  I took a moment to read some of her entries and I must say, she has a lovely pen.

Take a moment to visit Susan Friesen over in the Valley of Laughter.  Tell her I said hi while you're there!

I had the privilege of IMing with Jess over at TheHomeCast.com this morning and it sounds like things are a-buzz over there! 

Seems her first podcast featured folks everyone wants to hear from...Ramona Creel from OnlineOrganizing.com and beloved homeschool author/speaker Cindy Rushton.  I should mention special guest Nancy Baetz and several of the Crew of TheHomeCast popped by for a round table discussion about organization as well...not only Jess, Anissa and Kristina but yours truly also.  *big grin*

Am I not the luckiest woman on earth to have friends and colleagues like these?  CHUH!

Want to hear the podcast?  Pop on by and get the skinny and instructions from Jess.  Despite what you may think, you don't have to have some fancy, expensive iPod...you can download the podcast to your computer, burn it to a CD...all sorts of good stuff.

Go see Jess, she'll get you squared away!

"And I just can't hide it...."

 Okay, now that you've got the Pointer Sisters dancing around in your head...muahaha!

I've got an exciting announcement to make!  Remember that New Year's Resolutions post from a few weeks ago?  Admittedly I've slacked on resolution #2 (I've thought about working out...does that count?) but #1 is under control. 

That's not the exciting part though.  The big announcement has to do with resolution #3: building my freelance writing career!  In addition to being the author of Know More Media's SmallBizMentor blog, I am now the proud author of their Workerette blog!  *doing the happy dance*

In addition to the coverage of all things small- and home-business related over at SmallBizMentor, I now get to offer insight and tips for women in business at Workerette.com.  If you are a female business owner/operator, pop on by both blogs to say hello, ask questions, and leave comments about the resources you use.  Can't wait to see ya there!

Okay, I know some of you are writers like myself, and I just posted some fun info over at SmallBizMentor.com that might be of interest.  I just recently made the decision to build a website myself, so there will be quite the string of posts about this ultimately.  Please take a moment to check out this post and be sure to stop by for the other answers over the next day or so. 

Let me know, while you're there, if any other questions or concepts come to mind that you'd like me to cover over at SmallBizMentor.  You can leave me a comment there and I'll address it as soon as possible.  I'm already having so much fun over there!  Now if only I could type four blog entries at a time.  Too many ideas.  *grin*

Pop over and visit me soon!