I love my sister-n-law, Hally

I thought long and hard about posting this, but then I realized no one reads my blog anyways, hehe.

It’s been a year since we lost my sister-n-law Hally, and I miss her so much. I think about her every day, and I as much as it hurts, I try to smile. Hally was the closest thing I had to a sister. From the day I met her, she treated me like family.

When I close my eyes, I can still hear her laugh. I can still hear her say “Hey Miss!” or her infamous “yeah yeah yeah”. If there’s anything Hally taught the people around her (and believe me there’s so much more) it was her strength and compassion.

I’ve made changes to my life since we lost her, however nothing too significant. I’ve tried to remember that life is short and I should live each day to its fullest. I’ve learned that it takes more energy and more time to bear negative feelings, so I let those dissolve. I’ve learned that my brother is the strongest person, and my love and admiration for him grows each day. I only wish I wasn’t 3 hours away, because there are so many times when I just want to give him a giant bear hug – and maybe hold on longer than I should.

There are ways we all choose to allow Hally’s legacy to prevail. There are things we can do to help others, while helping ourselves. Everyone who knew Hally took a different path, finding redemption just doesn’t come easy. Her smile will be missed, but her spirit resides in all of us. xoxo

I love The Simpsons!

So when I saw a commercial on FOX to Simpsonize yourself, I have to admit – it hyped me up for the movie. OMG I have always wanted to see what I would look like as a Simpsons character. Admit it, you have too! By the time I got to my computer to run this program, I had already decided which characters to mold the Missy Simpson out of. I couldn’t type the URL fast enough – oh yes, what a beautiful interface. Ok, ok, upload a pic. ERROR. Hmmm, ok, crop and resize a pic – upload. Processing…. Pick a few characteristics. No problem! Processing 500 millisomethings. Processing 400..300…200 ERROR. You get the picture.

Man, what a bummer! I was so dissapointed I couldn’t get it to work. I tried so many times different pictures and combinations of characteristics. Don’t laugh, as I type this message I’m trying again. Analyzing photo…please wait…wait.. ugh!

What’s amazing to me is site retention. I mean, in total I have spent a good 2 hours on this site. Just for a silly game with a tiny Burger King sponsorship on the top. I have to admit the marketing behind this is well thought out (if only my character would work). I’m sitting here, again, anticipating to see the Simpsons Movie and craving a chicken whopper with onion rings. My photo is still analyzing – I’ll let you know how it goes.

I love Affiliate Summit

So I just got back from Affiliate Summit East 2007. As usual, Shawn and Missy did an excellent job assembling the finest speakers the industry has to offer. If I had to pick the most inspiring part (besides the parties, and believe me there were a lot of parties), I would have to say it was the lecture I attended with Andy Rodriguez. He spoke about Affiliate Management best practices – his revolutionary ideas were stimulating. Sometimes we make things harder on ourselves, trying to come up with technological ways we can improve our product. Andy’s personable, yet proactive approach to affiliate marketing inspired me to evaluate my current relationships with clients, affiliates and colleagues. I’m actually glad I got off a 6:30 flight and went directly to his seminar. It was a great way to start off the Summit.

I have to admit, I got a little geeked out after meeting a few of the industry leaders. I have embraced Affiliate Marketing for several years. This means I have been glued to every related blog, forum and community network. It was a little overwhelming to meet bloggers whose posts I read daily. So I may have made a fool of myself but in the end it was worth it. These are people that I have admired, so what if I eluded to the fact that I’m a fan of their work, right? In the end, it’s a great feeling when you are face to face with respected people in this industry.

The parties. Well, let’s just say the Webmaster Radio/Copeac party threw it down. You know, when I go to a trendy club, I usually hear the “un chh, un chh, unchh’s”. The music is generally loud and I can barely hear the person next to me. Well, the party at Mansion seriously rocked. I mean, where else could you hear Madonna and Ride Sally Ride in the same hour – impressed. I just wished I got my lil ole VIP bracelet a little earlier so I could have hung out with some friends more.

As always, it’s always such a pleasure to be face to face with my clients. We live in this world in which one never has to confront those they conduct business with. I know my clients email address, phone number and AIM – but there’s so much more about that person. It was great to take a minute and just really get to know these people. I do my best to provide the utmost courtesy when working with people outside my company, however sometimes it’s just the little things that can really make or break your business relationships. In this case, Affiliate Summit has proven again all that its cracked up to be. I cannot begin to tell you the positive impact it has on the industry as well as individuals.

I received a lot of great advice – and I thank those who took the time to speak with me. I know what I have to do moving forward and I’m ready to roll my sleeves up and put in the time. I’m glad to be home though – I missed my husband and son tremendously. It was good to come home to them as its been a long month of traveling. xo

I love OC, hon

When I first saw Eli walk on the beach, I got that feeling all mothers get.  It’s when you can actually feel how much you love your child – in my heart, in my thoughts, everywhere.  It’s comforating to watch his little feet bury themselves in the sand.  When he was a few months old, Mikey would take him out on the beach at 5 am for some sunrise pics.  Whenever it’s possible, we love to take him on the beach.

Yeah, hon – we’d go down to the oshin.  You’z going to get sum crabs?  I know OC isn’t the most glamorous place.  (Being that I’m on my way home from the beautful Santa Monica).  But you know what?  I still love it.  Why?  Because its a town built for families and children.  Man, I have so many warm and wonderful memories from my childhood and my high school days.  I can only hope that Eli will do the same.  Although I’m pretty sure his memory book has begun.  Eli spent a good week down there with the entire Barnstein clan. 

I LOVE WIDESPREAD PANIC

Who loves Widespread Panic?  I do I do!  While WSP has overcome many obstacles, just as any other band has, I’m happy to say that these guys are bringing the southern heat!  To me, there’s nothing like walking out of a WSP show all sweaty from dancing my tush off.  I can’t remember the first time I saw them, or how many times I have seen them but I can tell you to do yourself a favor and check them out!  (Or at least check out some of their tunes).  I swear, sometimes I get the chills when I hear them play!  There’s nothing like going to see them play, looking around the room and seeing a smile on everyone’s face.  (Except for the hippies who are all whacked out).   For me, its hard to pinpoint one song that stands out, they all do.  Each song is journey > feel good > wanting to dance while your driving > not nearly singing the songs as well as JB but having fun trying.  I swear, sometimes I get the chills when I hear them play.  If you are in market to check out one of their CDs – try “‘Til The Medicine Takes”. xo

I LOVE MY NEW SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

Yes, I’m the one that has to have four different kinds of shampoo and conditioner in the shower.  Am I the only one out there?  Usually, I have some expensive stuff, some stuff I was talked into buying by my hair stylist and them some grocery store brand which I wind up enjoying the most.  So I’m at Target, re-upping my Pantene supply.  I found the conditioner, YES!  Then I started to look for the matching Shampoo – well that was the hard part!  Target placed its “Pantene” brand shampoo next to my Pantene conditioner.  It was like a wild goose chase, where was the freakin Pantene shampoo?  I saw shampoo and conditioner all in one by Pantene.  Listen buddy, I’m not going to be forced into buying Target wanna be Pantene shampoo, and then Pantene conditioner.  Shampoo and conditioner go hand in hand – and I’m certainly not going to split them up, no matter how much you try to make the bottles look alike, its still not the same.  Pretty decent marketing though, so props to Target. 

BUT, I didn’t buy it!  You can’t fool me.  I simply turned around to other side of the isle and decided to try something new, and boy I happy I did!  I love the feeling of finding new hair care products and lovin it.  I tried the Matrix Sleek Look – and quite frankly it left little to be desired.  I felt this icky residue in my hair.  But oh no no, not with the SunSilk – dude, my hair was so shiny and so soft.  All day, I kept running my hands thru my hair and basked in the softness.  When I stepped outside, my hair glistened in the sunlight.  I loved it! 

AND guess what – you can sign up and get FREE SAMPLES!  Check it out, enjoy, and let me know what you think! xo

I LOVE MY FAMILY

Here I am world!  Yeah, that’s exactly the kind of enthusiasm love you’ll get from me each day.  Add a splash of cheesiness and maybe a day or two of seriousness and call it a day.   

I love my family.  I am one of the luckiest girls in the world; I have everything I could ever ask for.  My boys mean everything to me.  Mikey and I have been going strong for ten years.  Eli is a little over 18 months.  People compare little Eli to the Truman Show because my husband takes about 200 – 500 pictures a day of him.  Plus, Mikey YouTube’s his every step.  People across the globe know him as a little baby playing bongos at six month– or just last week how he scored ten baskets in a row with his new basketball net.   

It fascinates me – the power of the internet.  Five minutes after my son does something incredible, we are able to show our family and friends.  It helps others take part in our everyday life.  It’s interesting to think – what will be next? xo

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