Own a computer? Then you know what computer stress is! Here’s 5 Mellow Monday tips to help keep computer stress from blowing your day!

There is no way to eliminate the headaches and problems that owning a computer brings it’s simply a fact of life (even Apple owners will admit they experience them). But with proper planning, you can minimize issues that cause you to pull your hair out, toss a mouse across a room or worse!

1. Learn your operating system and most frequently used programs. Sounds simple but most people never take a class or open a book to learn what makes their system tick.
   1. Even costly software programs rarely have a complete manual so invest in a “For Dummies” or other how-to book. Select a book that is suitable for your skill level.
   2. Local community colleges, extension programs and even Senior centers offer free or low-cost classes.
2. Find or buy tech support services BEFORE something goes wrong. Try a few non-critical issues to see how well the person, company or service delivers what you need.
   1. I’ve bought multiple Dell computers for years with their extended Gold Business service just because I know I can speak to someone in Texas at 3 a.m. who can help me solve a hard drive crisis. It’s not that Dell makes the best computer but they do offer excellent paid support.
   2. Apple is known for their excellent technical support just be certain that if it is fee-based that you know how it works.
   3. Select retailers such as Costco and Office Depot offer technical support beyond the manufacturers’. Some are even free!
3. Backup – Backup – Backup! If something can go wrong with a computer – it will! Hard drives fail, Windows gets corrupted, files are damaged.
   1. You can backup your documents and programs to an external hard drive. Many of which include automated backup routines. Drives are a very quick and inexpensive way to have a onsite backup. However, these drives are also subject to failure. I actually lost 2 external backup drives in the same week! The other issue is should a catastrophe hit your home or office your data may not be safe.
   2. Off-site backups via the Internet provide convenience and security. Many run automatically in the background or at night. You have 24/7 access to the current version of a document and often even older versions. I’m currently using Mozy; however there are other reputable web companies that offer this service. Check PC Magazine or other reputable computer magazine for current reviews. Don’t bank on a “no name” company – stick with the big guys.
4. Research and set up backup methods used by different programs. Some programs offer functions that periodically remind you to backup. However, if you’re simply saving a backup version to the same hard drive, you are still at great risk. Check each program for how and where it saves your backups.
   1. Email programs often don’t backup everything you think they would. Some won’t backup attachments, others don’t backup email account settings and others simply archive emails and never make it easy to find what you thought you had “saved.”
   2. Check your software manual regarding files that are part of backups and make certain everything is being saved. There are also 3rd party software solutions to provide you with specialized backup functions.
   3. I have all my backups saved to a file folder called critical and then I make certain that Mozy always backs this up throughout the day.
5. Check  your backups regularly. Open and view or install a backup version to make certain that your backup files are in good shape. Nothing is worse than loading a disk only to discover the file is blank!

My last tip is to relax with a glass of wine before calling technical support! Your natural frustration will only make it more difficult for you and your trusty tech support guy or gal to diagnosis your issue!

Good Luck and Happy Computing!

Thought I’d share this great video with Jack Black and America Ferrera dealing with the misinformation being spread about the Health Care Reform Act. While “ObamaCare” may not be perfect, we have to start somewhere.

Learn more at Stop Spewman and Health Care for America Now.

TOMS Shoes feel great – you’ll also feel great when a needy child receives a pair because of your purchase. Their One for One® program has given away over a million shoes.

A big thanks to American Blake Mycoskie who launched a shoe company and a movement. Instead of obscene CEO pay, Blake uses the company as an instrument for good.

Look Great While You Help

TOMS has lots of great looking shoes for women, men and kids at reasonable prices.

I love these cranberry colored wedgies (right).

Or if you want a bit more sparkle in your step, check out the Glitter series. (below)

TOMS carries sizes from toddler to a medium 14 and wide 11.

You can become a TOMS fan and share your picture of how you wear your TOMS. You can also throw a Style your Sole party to promote the charity activities or participate in One Day Without Shoes (next event April 5, 2011 to raise global awareness of the children’s needs.

Everyone needs shoes so why not make your purchase count – twice!

I’d love to have you share a picture of your TOMS and your thoughts on this great corporation.

Self-improvement is a billion dollar business. With so much information   flying around, I thought I’d share 5 great books to help transform your life. Just remember no book can solve a problem, it’s just a tool to get your head, heart and body in sync.

When You’ll Never Lose those Last Few Pounds

This book has plenty of pictures and great tips on how to dress so you look like you’ve banished those last stubborn pounds – How To Never Look Fat Again. A little fashion magic can make  you feel so much better.

Have a Few Habits You’d Like to Banish?

This great book/workbook was written by my former life coach, Lynn Cutts. I had the privilege of working with Lynn while she was writing this valuable practical guide – Change One Habit, Change Your Life.

Add Yoga to Your Health Routine

This great DVD features Trudie Styler (musician Sting’s talented yogi master/wife) and is a perfect start for someone with no prior yoga experience. I saw her on Martha Stewart’s TV show and was impressed with this “warrior” yoga and how it could be used by anyone. Okay so this isn’t a book but a DVD is so much easier to learn from – Warrior Yoga.

Eat Like an Italian and Be Healthy

There as been much discussion and several studies on the Mediterranean Diet. Many medical experts believe this is not only a delicious way to eat but it also prevents heart disease, lowers cholesterol and helps you lose weight. It’s a way of life and a great choice for a foodie (like me). Arden and I have been moving our daily diet towards the recommendations in this updated classic and loving every meal from The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook.

Tired of Being a Housework Slave?

I love a clean house but housework is always very low on the To Do List. I found the tips and tricks in How to Cheat at Cleaning are worth the cost of the book. It beats throwing a sheet over all the furniture when your Mother-in-Law pops over! Now I remember why I’m so glad I don’t have a Mother-in-Law.

I’d love to hear your recommendations on books that made a difference in your life!

Quick – can you explain a personal or career goal to me right now? Here’s 5 tips to help you achieve your goals and explore new ones.

Goals are more than dreams. They are guideposts along life’s journey. If your goal is to win the lottery or become a NBA Superstar – perhaps you aren’t grasping the actual purpose of having a goal. Sure you could spend all your money on quick picks or shoot hoops until dark every night – but winning the lottery is still an uncontrollable long-shot and unless you’re an athletic teen with scouting potential – well you are just fooling yourself!

Step #1 – Start with your biggest dream and define it. Create a dream journal where you explore all the aspects of how it would feel to reach this ultimate goal, why you want it and what are the requirements needed to achieve it. This will help you learn your goal’s potential and is how you’ll recognize the success steps along the way. As the cliché goes, it’s the journey not the destination.

Step #2 – Feel it, taste it, smell it, visualize it – this is your passion. Passion is what will keep you on the path when it seems lonely and long. Without passion, why bother? If you don’t have passion in your heart and gut – rethink your goal and redirect your efforts.

Step #3 -  Why do you want it – what does it give you? Wealth, fame, satisfaction, happiness, spiritual peace, personal challenges? The WHY is actually a reality check. Sometimes it’s the emotions surrounding the goal that are what we are seeking and not the perceived goal itself. Not all dreams are realistic and attainable but the emotions associated with the dream can be. Look for the “feeling” reasons to assess your goal’s viability.

Step #4 -  Review and create a priority list of the requirements necessary to reach your goal. Break these down into small tasks (think under 30 minutes).

Rank the tasks by Must Do, Helpful and Long-term.  You should plan on completing 10 Must Do’s to every 4 Helpful and 1 Long-term. Keep an eye on the ratio so you don’t get bogged down in non-critical tasks. It’s easy to get lost in the “well-at-least-I’m-doing-something” non-critical tasks instead of taking real action. Don’t let FEAR sidetrack you!

If you need to get a Master’s Degree, don’t write down Master’s Degree! Break it down into tasks such as obtaining your college transcripts, scheduling a meeting with a college advisor, researching loan programs, applying for a grant or visiting a campus.

Step # 5 – Set firm deadlines for your Must Do tasks. Be realistic about how much time you’ll have to hike towards the pinnacle (goal). Missing a deadline isn’t the end of the world but as with any investment it’s small regular actions that are the foundation of great rewards. Deadlines are a promise to yourself and you deserve to feel the sense of accomplishment (success) that reaching each deadline gives you.

I’d love to have you share your goals with us here. A public announcement (just like a pledge of love through marriage) is a powerful step in being successful.

Well I have been busy blogging away at the Rose of Sharon Jewelry Blog and never seem to get time to write here. You have my pledge that will change as I’m going to follow a 3 times a week schedule starting next week.

I’ve always got something to say (or shout about) so it isn’t a lack of ideas; simply a lack of organization and time.

I spent the past 3 weeks making 45+ beaded watches for the A.F.F. Jewelry line and had sis-in-law Sandra here for 10 days. Took some time away from electronics to clear the brain and in my clarity realized I am a “bad” blogger at Writes a Lot.

You’ll find some interesting posts on everything from TOMS Shoes for needy children to caring for birds in the winter at Rose of Sharon Jewelry blog. Stop by and enjoy the conversations.

Don’t forget I’ll be posting on Monday again here!

Having trouble falling asleep? I wrote a short and informative guide on 101 Ways to Fall Asleep and Stay Asleep. Just recently discovered that you can purchase this from Amazon as an e-book for your Kindle for $2.00. Such a deal!

This is a fact packed guide that covers general sleep issues with additional specific info on helping pregnant women, children and people will medical issues.

As flat fee writing project I don’t even get a few pennies from this purchase but I still feel it has some valuable info for all you insomniacs!

Tantrum Tuesday fans – my rants have found a new home at my newly launched Writes a Lot blog. TT was a regularly feature of the Rose of Sharon Jewelry blog in 2010 but I decided to fine-tune the daily posts there. I love the rants and raves every Tuesday and this is the perfect place for them.

To get the ball rolling and introduce you to Tantrum Tuesday with my top 10 rants (at least for this week). You’ll get a flavor for the theme and hopefully will join in and share some foot-stomping. People who disagree are welcome – however, your rebuttal/input/ideas must be well thought out and of value to the discussion. No brainless comments, please!

Sharon’s Top 10 Rants (in no particular order)

1. People who forget to replace the toilet paper really piss me off!. One tiny square is never enough so be courteous and put a new roll on.
2. Businesses with dirty public restrooms are at the bottom of my list for customer service. If you aren’t checking the public restrooms hourly SHAME ON YOU! Customers are happier if you offer them a clean, well-stocked restroom. This is especially critical for restaurants and fast food joints where I can only assume your kitchen isn’t any cleaner than your restroom.
3. Women and children being the victim of violence at home and in their communities. Millions around the globe suffer at the hands of husbands/boyfriends, rapists, terrorists and religious zealots!
4. Radio stations that don’t tell you the name of the song or artist. Okay, so I’m 56 years old and not living a totally hip life – but I do many current musical artists and my few minutes in the car going to the grocery store is usually my only exposure to a talented new artist or a catchy tune. Without the name – how can I find it on iTunes! Guess I’ll just have to pull over, whip out the iPhone and open up the Shazam app to tag it.
5. Unlimited corporate cash to influence elections is the dumbest Supreme Court decision EVER! The potential for abuse is unprecedented in politics. For example, Target has just spent $150,000 to back a far-right candidate for Minnesota governor. Even if they were supporting a more favorable candidate, they should NOT be able to.
6. Schooling via the Internet is not a great education. There is so much more to learning than memorizing facts and figures and passing a test. No Child Left Behind has proven that to be true! So why are colleges, universities, high schools and even grade schools (!) pushing learning from a distance. Whatever happened to rousing discussions, experiencing different points of view, time spent in a lab, enjoying the social aspects of school, learning to work together. . . I could go on forever. I think this deserves a full Tantrum Tuesday post so watch for it!
7. Insurance companies who try to micromanage my health care by mandating drugs and services. They don’t know me, they don’t care about me and they aren’t always the sharpest knives in the drawer! I have chosen a doctor I trust to help me with my medical issues – I don’t need a clerk reading from a company manual to tell us what is best for my health. Sure they are trying to save money – I am too but not at my physical and emotional expense.
8. Losing my memory! For the gal who always triumphed at Trivial Pursuit – having age-related memory lapses is driving me nuts! The doc says it isn’t Alzheimer’s just Old-Timers disease. So I’ve added extra vitamins and Fish Oil tablets to my daily diet and I must get to the gym more than once every year.
9. 14 different passwords just for Google sites and services! Even with Roboform to remember them all, it’s a mess. How about a way to consolidate or manage them all in 1 place?
10. Congress – enough said!

Hope you enjoyed my mini-rants today! Be sure to sign up for the RSS feed or email notification of the Writes-a-Lot blog.

I loved listening to Michael Moore’s story of how he got started and what happened after winning the Oscar for Bowling for Columbine.

Not only is he funny, he is a true champion for the “little people.”

This is almost an hour so grab a beer and be prepared to learn and laugh.

Today I’m 56. I’m actually really loving my 50s. I am getting to do creative work every day. I’m regularly told I’m loved by my wonderful hubby, Arden. My grandsons make me run around and act silly (although I’ve never actually needed a kid around to do that).

Today will be a restful one and we’ll celebrate with a BBQ and an ice cream cake tomorrow.

I thought I’d share my motto and my favorite quote today.

“Destined to be an old woman with now regrets.”

“Fuck ‘em if they cannot take a joke.” – Bette Midler -

Looking forward to another 56 years of fun!