--=Ana's Cyber Retreat=-

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

Mom and dad recently bought a lake house for the whole family to use. It was pretty much the best idea they ever had if you ask me and I’m just really happy they’ve gone ahead and done it since they’ve been talking about it for years and years. My kids can’t wait for the weather to warm up so we can go up there and get out on the boat but I for one know the place needs a little work before it’s ready to be lived in for a season. I’ve been helping mom and dad with things like wild blue internet and getting a painter in there and even looking for furniture for the patio but there are some things they’re just going to have to do themselves. Dad’s been talking about putting a fire pit in and mom would love to have a porch swing so I guess we’ll see what kind of extras the place has by the time summer rolls around! I know they can’t wait to start using the place like they intended.

Spring came early for us here, and ah, what a treat! The weather is perfect. I'll have to get out soon and start cleaning our yard. I have to plant some flowers again, and maybe vegetables too. Anyway, I hope everybody's having a wonderful time going out and about. As for us, we're doing just that. Okay, happy spring! Aw, the sun is up and shining...yay!

Spring Season Pictures - Quotes - Photobucket

Guest post written by my buddy Aldo Mays

I was helping my co-worker research SIP trunking providers for the office. Some of our workers ended up moving to different areas of the state recently. It is too far for them to drive into work, so my boss decided it was best to let them telecommute. They are really essential parts of our work team so I do not think we could afford to lose them completely. Before, we were not really using very much video or calling using the Internet. Now, it will really help to have some service that provides a mixture of that to accommodate the new work setting. I think it is nice our boss is going to do that. It is partially for our business’ benefit, but I know they will really benefit from it as well since they will not have to suffer a long commute or searching for a new position elsewhere. The job market is pretty difficult right now. It makes me really glad I am a part of such a nice small company and it is good to know we will have the software and capabilities to work from more places if needed.

I am taking a break from school to get a few things done. First off, I need to learn how to drive, so I am finally mobile. I really dread relying on other people for a ride...even if it's my husband in particular. I especially didn't care for it when I started going to school here. It's awful not having your own vehicle and be able to come and go anytime you please. Anyway, I am looking forward to being on the road, and oh, it's another form of freedom for me as if I have wings. LOL! But for a new driver, I must take it slow though, since it's quite dangerous to be driving in the big city with heavy traffic. Okay, this is all for now. Happy Valentine's Day!

Contribution by Stevie Kirby

I’ve been looking into Business Internet solutions for my little company because I knew we needed to get on top of the technology needs we just weren’t living up to. I try really hard not to get too caught up in what the “important” thing to do is for your small business but even I could admit that we needed to do a little updating on the tech front. It’s just me and my assistant Shirlene and two interns and things just don’t get done as fast when you don’t have what you need to be efficient, you know? I try as hard as I can not to buy anything superfluous for the business but this is something even I can admit we’ve been needing for a while so I can handle some criticism that it took me so long. Now that we’ve got faster internet at the office I expect the productivity there to really go through the roof and I’ve told all my girls that – they’re being monitored for productivity now!

Welcome to the year 2012! Let's hope that this year and the years to come will only bring us more good things, and not bad things. And let's not the "End of The World" hearsay instill fear in us. I for one, just don't believe in it, or that the world will end in December 21, 2012...LOL! That is just a myth. So let's continue to live, laugh, and love. Take care peeps! Happy New Year!!!

New Year 2012 Images & Pictures - Photobucket

Thanks to Erasmo Cortez

I am already looking forward to the next season of American Idol. Each year I think about what I would sing if I were to audition for the show. I am by no means a good singer, but I like to practice singing when I am in the shower. I am glad we got satellite TV from expertsatellite.com so we can record the show and watch the parts we want to watch. I enjoy watching all of the auditions at the beginning of the season because I like to see the ones that perform really well as well as the ones who get made fun of and think they are really good singers. I feel sorry for the way the judges make fun of some of the singers, but it is hard to believe that they actually think they are good enough to be the American Idol. I do not enjoy watching the Hollywood rounds when the contestants have to compete in group competitions. I usually resume watching the season when the top 12 are chosen. I rarely vote on the contestants unless I feel strongly about one. It is hard to believe that show has been on so long.

It's exciting to think that I only have a week to go and school is over. Ah, who doesn't like to sit around and do nothing...LOL! So ok, I am just kidding aside there, but seriously who doesn't like having some time to relax? Anyway, as for how I am doing with school, I must admit that it has helped me in terms of polishing my English skill a bit. Indeed, although my classes were mainly about essay writing. And hey, I am proud to say that I did very well in almost all of my writing assignments. I hardly had any problems. I am glad that taking an English class is behind me now though, because I was getting kinda frantic about what I'd write about next...LOL! My academic progress is so far so good! The only thing that holds me back is my tendency to take for granted the things that I should do firsthand. I did have a lot of play time, etc. doing everything else but study. I felt ashamed of myself for being careless, but at the same time happy to think that even though I didn't put in enough effort to see my full potential I still managed to maintain good grades or attain my desired GPA. I'll consider myself lucky for now...LOL!

When it comes to musical instruments, anytime is a good time to surprise somebody with one. What I mean is that a musical instrument can be a such a special gift to somebody you care about. You can give it at any time of the year or on so many occasions. It is always welcome, especially if you are giving it to a musician or somebody who enjoys playing different instruments. I actually have a friend whose son is a band leader, and perhaps he could use Crystal Singing Bowls for his instruments. I'll have to tell my friend about where to get them cheaper. I would also consider making a purchase of one of those types of instruments for my personal use. It would be a treat for me to get one since I find them to be quite unique-I'm fascinated by them.

Since the weather is warm, my husband talks about renovating our kitchen. We recently discovered that the pipes under our kitchen sink leaked, so we will probably have to make major repairs. We would have to replace very much everything. Replacing our kitchen sink would be our top priority, and I already found the right stainless steel Topmount Sink for us. It's a good thing that we have a computer at home because then we're able to surf the web for the particular items we need. Sometimes we even find special items that we couldn't often find at the local stores. And I learned that buying online is also a good thing because there are websites with better selections of products and better prices because they are discounted just like these Topmount Sinks I've just looked at. I am glad I found a website with great deals. It helps with saving money.