How To Start A Wordpress Blog Now: Be A WAHM

Blog Week Special

BLOG TIPS

I’m in many forums hearing how those on Blogger would like to move to Wordpress, but are unsure of how to transfer over.

Perhaps you read many blogs and would like to start your own, and become a WAHM.

Here’s an opportunity that I’d like to pass along to you.  It’s a special,  for a limited time only.

You’ll be able to get the following:

• A Domain Name ($12.00 Value)

• Three Months of Mom Webs Hosting ($15.00 Value)

• Wordpress Blog Installation ($10.00 Value)

• Wordpress Theme Installation

Plus Much More!

I use Mom Webs, so I really can vouch for their absolutely fantastic, reliable service – and can tell you that they’ve been there for me 24/7 when I need help!

Find out more information about the offers only during Blog Week now! It only lasts until March 19, 2010 – but I’ll let you know about future offers!

Visit: Blog Week!

photo credit: Search Engine People Blog

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Thanks for visiting! Comments are always appreciated! This blog is Do-Follow Links!

Census 2010: Snapshot of America – Make Your Voice Heard

As a U.S. citizen, I’ve dutifully filled out Census forms every 10 years.

Why is it important you may ask?  Your state receives funding from the Federal Government based upon the population living in your state.  The number of U.S. Representatives sent to Washington from your state to speak on your behalf is determined by the population of your state.

Winter will soon be a memory and family thoughts will turn to spring break and anticipation of summer  vacations. The fact of the matter is fewer Americans than ever before will not be able to take a vacation this year. The number of people finding  themselves taking staycations at home, or not being able to visit with out-of-state family during vacation times and holidays has been trending upward for years now.

House prices continue to fall, fuel and food prices continue to increase and home foreclosures are soaring. The dollar is in a free-fall – Americans lose jobs to overseas markets.

When your rent and utilities are past due and you, your children or your aging parents are hungry and you feel helpless thinking there’s little you can do about it -  you are in a depression. The dirty little secret that no one wants to address is – when some are in a  recession – many are of necessity in a depression

The elderly among us have had to choose between medicine and food; having to pay a portion of their utilities one month while paying their rent the following month.  Children must eat two meals a day at school or go hungry.

A  recession by any definition remains untoward struggle and pain.

Make your voice heard.  Fill out, complete and return the Census Form.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Building A Deck: Keep Railing Safety Ideas and Designs In Mind

Deck-orative Ideas

Spring For A New Deck

Now that the income tax refunds have arrived, many homeowners are making plans to tackle those improvements that have been on the wish list or back burner.  My oldest daughter has plans to add a deck to her home.

I always wanted to add a deck to my home, but we opted instead for a gazebo.

Decks can be your own homeowner oasis while  providing the perfect outdoor space for an individual getaway or an evening party with friends. The fun part of building a deck, to me is choosing the design.

If you have young children though, there’s certain things to you must keep in mind.  My grandkids are now 1 and 3, and I worry that they’ll be able to open the sliding door out to the deck on their own. If you have a raised ranch, the locking mechanism on the door handles is very important to take into consideration, as is what type of railings you’ll have in place.

There are several deck railing design ideas for creating your perfect home deck.

As a parent, deciding on the type of deck railing, though, is perhaps one of the most important decisions in finishing your deck. Railings have the biggest effect on the deck because not only are they the most high profile part of the structure, but a safety feature as well. They can be seen anywhere your deck can be seen. You must, however, plan the railing system before you build the deck, because sometimes they require tying into the post system of your deck.

Once your deck is built, use decorative ornaments with your deck railing. Flower Shows and exhibitions are very popular during the spring.  Flower boxes create a nature paradise on your deck.  If you’re a work-at-home mom, take your laptop outside along with the kids, and enjoy a beautiful day!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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St. Patrick’s Day Shamrocks: Wordless Wednesday

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!  Will be enjoying corned beef and cabbage for dinner with the family at night, along with my homemade famous Irish Soda Bread!

There’s a dear little plant that grows in our isle,

‘Twas St. Patrick himself, sure, that sets it;

And the sun of his labor with pleasure did smile,

And with dew from his eye often wet it.

It grows through the bog, through the brake, through the mireland,

And they call it the dear little Shamrock of Ireland.

Don’t forget to sign the Linky!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

4 Wordpress Plugins to Make Your Blog a Fast Mean Machine

Blogging Tips For the Fastest Blog on the Racecourse

Wordpress Plugins and FireFox Add-Ons

This blog is always a work-in-progress.  Since I switched to Wordpress, I’ve become plug-in happy – there are so many Wordpress plugins that can enhance a site’s performance.

If you’re thinking of starting a blog (or perhaps are already an established blogger) and may be wondering whether you should be using Blogger or Wordpress – Trisha and Kim from Top Mom Blogger offer a great explanation of the differences.

Should you make the decision to switch to Wordpress – be sure to sign up for the Wordpress Orientation Classes offered by Kelly McCausey.

I’d like to share a few plug-ins that I’ve recently added, that make my blog a smooth-running machine (usually.)

1) WordPress Gzip – This is a plugin that essentially compresses and zips the text on your pages.  If you’re familiar with Microsoft Word, I make use of the “shrink to fit” button quite often when I’m preparing documents.  It allows me to fit that last sentence or two onto one page.

Find at: GZIP

From the site:

I’ve found that letting WordPress gzip pages significantly improves performance, typically slashing the size of the text to a fourth. For my home page, that’s a 30% reduction of total page size—including images, ads, etc. A 30% reduction in bandwidth is nothing to sniff at.

2)  WP Super Cache saves your recently viewed pages, allowing them to be accessed more quickly by readers.  There’s also the ability for you to manually clear the cache, or to set functions as to when it should be cleared.

WP Super Cache is a static caching plugin for WordPress. It generates html files that are served directly by Apache without processing comparatively heavy PHP scripts. By using this plugin you will speed up your WordPress blog significantly.

Find at: WP Super Cache

3)  Link Cloaker – If you monetize your blog and have affiliate links of any type that aren’t cloaked, you may be losing out on affiliate commissions.  It’s happened to me in the past.   If you don’t cloak your links, they’ll show up in the URL whenever someone clicks over to your hop page.

This Wordpress plugin is an excellent add-on that not only cloaks your links, but tracks the click-throughs to see how each affiliate link is performing.

Find at: Link Cloaker

4) TTFTitles WordPress plugin enables me to have my own font listed on my post titles.  Right now, I’m using the Miama font, which matches the font on the header of Moomette’s Magnificents.

This plugin lets you use images to replace the titles of your posts, thus circumventing the problem of guessing what fonts your end-users might have installed.

Eve, from Designing With Eve clued me into this wp plug-in.  Eve, a fellow WAHM, has been designing websites since 1998 and has a degree in computer programming and design.   She recently opened up her new design services company and will be redesigning my recipe blog for me – Moomettesgram’s Favorite Recipes – so watch for my announcement when it’s up and running!  Be sure to check out Eve’s design porfolio!

Find at: TTFTitles

5)  WiseStamp – Lastly, this isn’t a Wordpress plugin tip – but be sure to check out the new Fire Fox browser addon that enables you to customize your email signature by adding your social networking buttons, such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN and Friendfeed to it!

Hat Tip to: Blogging Basics 101

If you found these tips helpful, please let me know!  Happy Blogging!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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@Moomettes

Chili’s Grill and Bar: Shout Out to Eat Contest

Family Friendly Dining

$9.99 Fresh Pairings

I’ve been cooking for the family for well over 35 years.  Although my husband is talented in many areas, preparing food is not one of them.

Now that my daughter is married, we alternate Sunday dinners at her home or mine.  Usually on Friday nights, the family likes to get together and dine out.

Chili’s Grill and Bar Restaurant has always been one of our favorite places to go, even before the grandkids came along.  While my youngest daughter was in college, she worked as a server at Chili’s.

I recently had the opportunity to try Chili’s new line of freshly prepared recipe items.

Since I’m on a mission to lose at least 10, 15, 25 pounds so I can fit in my new dress for an upcoming wedding in Boston this summer, I tried their new Asian Salad.

The Asian Salad is prepared with Napa cabbage, crispy wontons, edamame, green onions, cilantro, sesame seeds, Asian vinaigrette and a creamy peanut drizzle, along with your choice of grilled chicken, salmon or steak.  I chose the chicken in my salad, and found the salad very tasty. I especially enjoyed the peanut drizzle, which gave it a subtle, yet unique taste.

The portion was generous, and I took what was leftover home in a container for the next day’s lunch.

Chili’s has a call-ahead policy which worked out great, as we brought the grandkids along, ages 2 and 3.   Since we try to dine out before the dinner rush crowd comes in, we were seated right away.  Chili’s provides a family atmosphere, and the kids were given crayons to draw with.  Everyone’s favorite are the nachos and sauce, which were promptly brought to the table along with our beverages.  Our server was attentive, and everything we ordered arrived as requested.

Stay tuned for the Chili’s “Shout Out to Eat” Contest, where contestants will be able to upload a 10-30 second video telling why they don’t want to cook tonight.  A daily winner will be randomly selected and entered to win a gift card to Chili’s everyday.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Green Mountains and Flowers: Wordless Wednesday

Path to Vermont

Isn’t it amazing how everything is greener in Vermont?  No wonder they call it the Green Mountain State!  Although it’s beautiful in winter, I can’t wait for spring to get here!

If you ever get a chance to vacation in Vermont and drive north up Interstate 91, make sure you stop at the Vermont Visitor’s Center – there are beautiful displays of all the artisan crafts – Bennington Pottery, woodworking, handwoven yarns and more!  You can walk the dog, or picnic on the lawn or tables that are provided.

This photo is from one of Vermont’s lovely rest area stops along Interstate 89.

Don’t forget to sign the Linky!

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Choose Your First Home: 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits Available

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Coldwell Banker. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you’re ready to move out of your apartment or your parent’s home, there isn’t any time better than the present. Right now, first-time homebuyers, or those who haven’t owned in the last three years, can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit.

Beginning to search for your first home is an important step to having the ability to build better finances and to live in a place that’s comfortable. If you’re considering a new home for your family, there are specific things that you’ll want to know before diving in.

Before you even begin to look at homes, make sure that you conduct your own investigation. This will mean that you should find the going rates, how much other owners are paying every month, and what you can or aren’t able to afford. Current homeowners who have lived in a current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit when purchasing a home.

You will also want to see what types of houses are going and what they are going for. If you know the basics of what’s available, it’ll be easier for you to get exactly what you want. You should also consider things such as your credit rating and your paycheck. You don’t want to walk into something that is over your head or start to look for something, only to find out that you won’t be able to move in.

Making connections with the right people is important. One of the most important decisions that you can make is to find a real estate agent that you feel comfortable talking to. This will make a difference in the type of deal that you get as well as what type of home and mortgage you end up with. Real estate agents have the ability to do investigations for you and find something that is best for you. You’ll also want to make sure that there are connections with home inspectors and the right lenders. Without the right people set in place, you might encounter problems getting the best deal on your new home.

After you begin to look around with your real estate agent, be sure that you begin to understand the terms that are being given to you. Loan terms, terms about the market, and other real estate ‘jargon’ will oftentimes be mentioned. If you don’t know what something is, ask, research it, or check with someone who’s been through the process before. Getting into a first home is a tremendous step up from an apartment, making it important that you understand excactly what it is that you’re getting involved in.

Keep the following in mind to not miss out on 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits.

Future extensions may not be availabe, so all qualified homebuyers are urged to act and have a written, binding contract by April 30, 2010, and must have a closing by June 30, 2010.

The income limits for singles is now $125,000, while for married couples it is $225,000 with a $20,000 phase-out of the credit for both.

While searching for a new home can be fun, it’s also a challenge.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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Checklist: Prepare Your Home For an Elderly Parent

Sandwich Generation

It’s a fact, as we get older so do our parents, and along with our aging parents can come some problems. I recently did a book review on siblings and caring for aging parents. More and more Baby Boomers are facing tough choices with our aging parents regarding their living arrangements.  Some adult children choose to send our parent(s) to a nursing home or assisted living facility where they’ll get around the clock care; others decide to hire help that can come to the parents’ home; while still others may decide to bring the parent to live with them.

My independent grandmother lived alone in senior citizen housing until she was 95.  As her conservator, I arranged for her to have certain medical alert systems in place.  For example, a service checked in on her every day by phone.  My grandmother also  had a medical alert button that she wore around her neck in the event she fell.

Alternatively, my late mother-in-law lived for many years with my husband’s sister.  As mom grew older, adaptations were made in the house so that she could remain ambulatory.

If you’re considering tucking your parent under your own roof, and that parent is disabled, there’s many things you need to do to prepare your home for their safety.  This isn’t an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point in helping you figure out just what you need to do in order to make your home ready.

With a clipboard in hand, take a tour of your house from the front entrance to all interior spaces and take notes.

Entrance -
Check to see if the walkway is even for ease of walking, that the steps are not too steep, and that the handrail is adequate.  Does the door open easily and is the whole area well lit?  If your parent is in a wheelchair, the walkway needs to be wide enough to accommodate it and you may need to install a ramp.

Kitchen -
Take a look at the electrical outlets and make sure there are several within easy reach.  Keep dishes and utensils within easy reach too.  Pull-out shelves in the bottom cabinetry make for easier access.  Buy small appliances that are made for people with arthritis as they are easier to use.  Are all the bigger appliances accessible?  Can your parent reach the microwave and the controls on the oven?  A fire extinguisher is a must for the kitchen, whether your parent is living with you or not.

Bath -
Make sure your water heater is not set too high as this could cause potential scalding. A single lever faucet may be a better choice to allow them control over the water temperature.  You should install grab bars around the toilet area and shower/tub.  Consider adding a seat in the shower as well.  Put a non-stick surface in the shower/tub and make sure the bathroom flooring won’t get slick and slippery when wet.  Everything they need should be within easy reach.  If your parent is in a wheelchair, create knee space under the sink and insulate the hot water pipe to prevent burns.  Have a nightlight that turns on automatically at night.

Bedroom -
You can install grab bars wherever they are needed.  Consider getting a hospital-type bed if they need some help getting to a sitting position.  Make sure there is adequate lighting and no exposed cords or drapery to trip on. Are the bedroom and closet doors easy to open?  Keep the path to the bathroom well lit and clear of stuff at night.

The decision to have your parent move into your house isn’t an easy one.  Take the time to make your home as accommodating by researching medical alert products and as safe as you can before you lay out the welcome mat.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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How Home Staging Can Help Sell Your Home Quicker

Getting Ready to Move

Spring is here and that’s when you’ll start to see all the “For Sale” signs going up around the neighborhood.  Everybody wants to get the kids settled into a new home before the start of the next school year.  My daughter and charming son-in-law had their house on the market for 7 months last year, but decided to take it off, stay where they are and do some home remodeling, and are considering adding vinyl siding and a new deck.

In today’s buyer’s market, Home Staging is often done when you sell your home. Staging a home can command a much higher selling price. A home staging professional can be hired to tour your home and direct you to make the changes that will increase your home’s marketability. Make sure the stager you hire is accredited.

Staging a home is not redecorating it, or improving it by adding replacement windows. Redecorating a home focuses on the seller and their personality. Staging focuses on the buyer. It provides the current home owner with the knowledge to rearrange the furnishings, pictures, accessories, etc. in the best possible manner to enhance the rooms function, appearance and balance.

The seller of a home has a strong emotional attachment and often times lacks the objectivity to know what’s best to enhance their homes looks.

In the high-end market, real estate agents will often hire a stager as part of the selling package because they may be uncomfortable disclosing to the seller that their home needs work and avoid upsetting them.

The main purpose of the staging professional is to help the buyer see themselves and their belongings fit into the home they are viewing. They do this by rearranging the home to appeal to a broad base of purchasers. Stagers can be expensive, so if you want to go it alone please follow the tips below.

The first and most important consideration to prepare your home for sale is to unclutter. Clutter shouldn’t be present anywhere in your home. Go through each room and remove any clutter you see.  Hold a family swap yard sale! Organize toys in decorative boxes that are hidden away in a storage room.  You can always take them out again when you don’t have any booked showings (or send them to grandmom’s house temporarily). Bookcases should be tidy and attractively interspersed with a few decorative curios. Closets should be cleaned out so that only clothes are visible. Remove storage at top and bottom of closets. Out-of-season clothing can be placed in storage.You have to move anyway and you’ll have less to pack when you do move!

Usually the foyer will provide the buyer with the first impression. It should be clean, uncluttered, bright and inviting. If any rooms are dull brighten them up with higher wattage bulbs in lamps. Remove any personal photos from all rooms if possible and replace with prints. The buyer will want to envision the home as “theirs.”

A fresh coat of paint is mandatory. Paint your home in a neutral color (white or beige is recommended).  You can add a splash of color by using pillows,  accessories, pillows, candles or throw rugs.

Bathrooms should be sparkling! Counters should be clear with no personal items visible. Tub tile grout should be clean and shower curtains or glass shower doors should be free of mildew. Hang fluffy, colorful towels on the towel rods.

Kitchens must be spotless. Remove all precious kiddie drawings, notes, magnets, etc. off the front of the refrigerator. Keep counter space clean and clear of all items. Clean out under sinks and organize your pantry. Paint outdated cupboards with a neutral color and put new inexpensive modern knobs on doors for a fresh look. Dishes on the floor for pet food should be eliminated during a showing.

Highlight your most attractive piece of furniture by placing on the wall you see when you enter a room if possible. Tuck away Cd’s, videos, etc. Hang pictures at eye level. Group accessories in odd numbers.  Place a flower arrangement or mantle clock above the fireplace.

Clean those garages, front and backyards.  Placing a potted flower pot on the doorstep or planting flowers in bloom or shrubs in the yard for a welcoming effect will improve curb appeal.  Prune any shrubs you may already have. Don’t leave bikes or toys around the yard. If you have a pool, clean it. The lawn should be cut and watered to give the home a well cared for look. A coat of paint on the outside of the house may also be in order.

If you can afford a stager it is well worth the money. If not, just make sure you clean and unclutter! A spring cleaning will definitely pay off.

Copyright 2010 Moomette’s Magnificents – All Rights Reserved

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