The beat goes on, the beat goes on

 Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain 

La de da de dee, la de da de da

Sonny and Cher

You know, being a Baby Boomer has its advantages.  I’m so happy the Internet evolved.  It’s the perfect platform for Boomers to continue to protest and grandstand.  As I came of age in the early ’70s, I was in college during the Peace Rallies, Love-Ins and Protest Demonstrations.  So hang on to your Jimmy Choo’s, now that I have a Blog, I can fulfill my inner New England Curmudgeon, feminist, bra-burning, march-to-the-tune-of-a-different-drummer beat.  “And the Beat Goes On…”

So goes the continuing saga of my experiences as an Affiliate Rep.  I’m beginning to question whether this is something I really want to be associated with.  The products are great, but the methods and tactics some of you WAHMs use to promote and peddle your wares are definitely questionable.

Come’ on ladies, if you’re a WAHM signed up to be an Affiliate Marketer, you a) either have young kids or b) have grown kids.  Don’t you read the news, Blogs, whatever?  - there’s a whole generation of kids being raised  with a bad case of the “gimmies”  who think they should be living a life of entitlement and instant self-gratification.   I posted about this awhile ago during the holiday shopping season here.

This is an actual portion of a post from a WAHM (I’m led to believe) that appeared within the last day or so  on a Yahoo Group Affiliate Membership forum that I belong to:

….I don’t have any teen girls, How is the best way to find them with out seeming like the creeping lady on the corner outside of school? Most of my friends have small kids, (under 10) Thanks for any help.

This person was trying to infiltrate the ‘tween set to peddle products that might be of interest to ‘tweens.

And here was my posted response:

Hi ~

There are many charitable organizations out and around that are really looking for volunteers to help with teen mentoring  programs or the disadvantaged.

I would suggest checking with your local social services agencies, church groups, school PTA’s, after school programs, YWCAs and the like.  I’m sure they’d be more than happy to assign you to work with and get to know some teens!

Sarcasm intended.  Get real.  Now I’m a mom of 2 grown daughters.  One’s a college grad ~ the other’s finishing her Junior year in college.  Ever hear about the credit card offers that come in daily targeting these kids?  Ever wonder why they’re graduating with a mountain of credit card debt (mine did Not and are Not) and student loans before they even get a chance to cash their first post-college paycheck?

Are you WAHMs that desperate that you have to go after the middle school set to push your products?  Shame on you.

While I believe in many of the products I offer, I’d like to think I’m not desperate.  If you click on my banners and like the products enough to make a purchase, fine.  But you won’t find me trying to be a pusher and sell to kids who should instead be learning about money-management.  They get enough of that in ‘tween magazines, radio, TV and peer pressure.

Anyone out there have a conscience?

Earth Day is April 22, 2008 this year.

The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. That was the year I was a Senior in high school, the Vietnam War was raging, and it was a very tumultuous period. We all wanted to be Flower Children. My DH recalls Earth Day specifically as he flew out and back that same day from Connecticut to visit Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI where he ended up going to college.

The photo pictured above is one of my favorites that I took this past summer while on a camping trip to the Connecticut shoreline (come visit us!) I can’t imagine living anywhere that isn’t close to some type of water or anything nautical ~ specifically the ocean, but I’ll take a lake. Summer and Fall are my favorite seasons. I love the smell of the salt water, marshes, (my family disagrees with me here,) the scrub pine needles. I love the four seasons; scents of beach Rose Begosa; and sand between my toes. Nothing is more peaceful than falling asleep to the sound of lapping waves. Cape Cod, Massachusetts has got to be one of my favorite places on the planet. I prefer to think of it in the past tense ~ think “Summer of ‘42” ~ when it wasn’t so crowded, and “discovered”. You can’t beat Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard for tranquility. Ask Bill. I’m looking forward to perhaps some day camping there again with my family, charming Son-in-Law, ‘lil Moomette, and her soon-to-be born brother.

So much has changed since 1970. I’m a Boomer now, on the verge of retirement. Not only do I not look the same, but I know the earth isn’t the same as I remember, either. As an Analyst, my current FT profession is focused on Energy Conservation and heavily promotes Green Clean Products, Energy Efficiency, Fire Prevention, Environmental Protection, Recycling, Water Conservation and more. I am responsible for researching trends on a daily basis and keeping up with current events. What I’m seeing isn’t pretty.

Do something special this year in honor of the day. Save the Earth, for your children and grandchildren.

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to try to encourage anyone who has put off finishing their College Education to seriously consider signing up and doing it this year

When I was thinking of going back when I was in my 40s, I said to my DH, that it was going to take me 5 years to finish part-time. He said, well~~ how old will you be in 5 years? Yes, I’d be 5 years older. He then said,”well, you’re going to be 5 years older anyway, so you could be 5 years older either with, or without the degree.” That convinced me.

I’d like to share a few articles that support the benefit of taking online computer courses in order to finish your college education and obtain a Degree.

Whether you’re a WAHM, SAHM, Baby Boomer Senior, or just simply interested in exploring a new subject, online courses are pefect for keeping one’s mind active.

Stephanie @ Home with the Kids has tagged me. This meme is a wonderful way to “get to know you” and discover other great blogs. It does come with some basic rules:

1) Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2) Share 7 facts about yourself.
3) Tag 7 random people and include links to their blogs.
4) Let each person know they have been tagged and comment on their blog.

I can’t believe someone wants to know more about me! I consider myself your pretty average gram. Ok, I’ll give it a try.

1) My favorite foods: Anything sinfully Chocolate; really good well-prepared Pasta; and ~ Seafood (especially Fried Clams - a New England favorite, and even more so when being consumed down at the shore, with the smell of salt water waifing in the air.

2) Things I Miss: The smell of burning leaves that signaled Fall when I was a kid. Most towns don’t allow it anymore.

3) Some Places I’ve Never Been to: Well, most places about cover it ~ The West Coast, Europe (except England, I’ve been there) & I have to include Hawaii. Someday, maybe.

4) Some of my Favorite Places I’ve Been to: Cape Cod, Massachusetts ~ I never tire of it. Sometimes it can be so nostalgiac. Block Island, RI ~ again, nostalgiac & tranquil. Same for Martha’s Vineyard. Oh, and I loved Hilton Head, SC and riding bikes on the Beach.

5) Most Unluckiest Moment: Arriving in Bermuda on a Saturday afternoon, and falling off a scooter on a Sunday morning. Broke my wrist. Got to see Bermuda’s finest orthopaedists in action, put me right under anesthesia. Spent the rest of the week in a cast, and more surgery followed at home. Physical Therapy for 5 months afterwards. I have a souvenir tetanus shot certificate from Bermuda in my scrapbook.

6) Luckiest Moments in my Life: the births of my healthy, 2 daughters; the birth of my healthy, beautiful granddaughter; the marriage of my oldest daughter and her wonderful husband-I couldn’t have asked for a more fantastic Son-In-Law (Karma) ~ and I got a BONUS ~ SIL has a twin brother!

7) And lastly ~ Now that I’m older, my feet don’t hit the ground running in the morning anymore ~ I do most of my best creative thinking at nite!

And now the really hard part… tagging. Who, oh who shall I tag? Need to find some folks who I don’t think have done this one, at least in recent times. Let’s go with…

University Mama

Vintage Goodness

Internet Shop Girl

Work at Home Mom

eBiz Parent

Frugal Franny

Chef Michele’s Adventures

Now that was fun! Happy Reading!