Diane Stafford On Focus

Busy Bee Work at Home Mums

Busy Bee Work at Home Mums...

...and you just keep on getting busier as Christmas approaches.

Gawd, I was feeling neglectful of my blog here one minute and the next moment I had time to think about it, nearly two months had gone by - all in a flash that felt like one week!

It's not that I haven't had lots to write about, I've got several political rants I'd love to get posted, and what about the bankers wanting 'deserved' bonuses or they'll quit!

Are their P45's in the post already?

Anyway, I've been mad busy with all sorts of work related projects and squishing in some art projects. I did a spot of test glass slumping in my kiln, you can watch the video there or here if you're into glass.

Or you can take a free Glass Etching Tutorial with Eric

My friend Katy needed a little bit of help with getting her Cold Porcelain Paste Recipe out there on the world wide web.  She's delighted of course, as her ebook (there's a bonus ebook too) has been flying off her virtual shelves.

There's also been a few days of technical problems with my Chester based membership site after a wordpress update that messed up something with the membership site plugin, but was fixed as quickly as possible (thanks Fel)  - very impressive customer support!!  They got it sorted and me back up and running pretty darned quick.

Well, when I say they got me up and running, I mean the site, because I was far from up and running when I caught swine flu or something which lasted for two weeks and left me without a voice for several days.

Family and friends, the little devils were ringing me up just for a laugh at my squeaking voice!

Took my mum to a hospital appointment on Monday and came away with a parking fine! 

It was a hospital we'd never been to before, she has a disabled badge, but I forgot to put the blasted thing on the dashboard and with heads down under a brolly in driving rain - how on earth could I see those pay and display even if you're disabled signs! grrrr

And now...

... it's almost Christmas!

May get around to updating my blog before Christmas, yet there's a lot of work to be done before I get a couple of weeks total rest and relaxation off with the family, which we are really looking forward to.

Before then, a WAHM business partner and I are putting some finishing touches to our secret project that I can't tell you about right now, because it's a secret, but she might let me spill the beans before New Year!

Are you getting ready for some Christmas rest and relaxation?

How To Keep Fit Without Taking a Work Break

Yes, Now You Can Keep Fit WITHOUT taking a break from work. 

Surely this is the answer to the prayers of every work at home mum, entrepreneur or e-marketer out there who's working on the internet.

Can you imagine how many individuals are busily working on their computer at home as they work on their business.  How many of them, or even you, are avoiding daily exercise routines.

If you don't have enough time to squash at least a short walk into your daily life to help you keep fit, then you will already be seeing the unhealthy spread when you look in your mirror.

If you've been struggling with the how to keep fit without taking a work break question...

Is this really the answer?

Well, it looks good, interesting and may be a time saver.  You don't have to actually leave the house at all to get your daily walk in! 

You can walk AND work at the same time!

But is it really a healthy alternative? 

Probably yes:

if you have a healthy bank balance and it could make you more inclined to actually take some keep fit action during your working day, and you have sufficient space in your home office, or should that be home gym?

If it came with an oxygen cylinder and mask to replicate the fresh air you'd inhale on a walk with nature, then maybe, just maybe, it could have an edge over taking a real live walk outside in the fresh air?

If you could carry on working whilst the kids walk beside you, they could take turns.  Quality time given new meaning.  And anyway it's better than them slouching on the sofa watching telly, isn't it?

Probably no:

if you want it because it looks good (it does look good) and will add to your extensive 'gadget' collection, but you wouldn't actually use it! Your imac or macbook pro would look good on there though wouldn't it!

Now I've got visions of every supermarket check out person or every bank teller ambling along as they go about their 'usually seated' duties.

I have no idea whether this good looking 'walking workstation' idea will take off in the future, but there's something very appealing about it.  I like it!

What do you think? 

Will it catch on?

Would YOU Have one?

Image sources & walking workstation info:

Pink Marketing : Do You Have To Like PINK Because You're a Woman?

Pink Marketing!

Well?

Do You Have To Like PINK Because You're a Woman?

Of course I like pink, if it's a nice shade or hue, but I can't say I 'love' pink or indeed that it's even anywhere near to being a favourite colour. 

And just because I'm a women, it doesn't mean I 'HAVE' to like pink surely!

How PINK are you?

Pink has been very successfully used to market all sorts of goods, from ipods and lap tops to phones and lots of other gadgets and consumables, that you might care to mention.

All this pink marketing is especially popular with younger girls and women.

Perhaps it's my age? 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE colour!  I even like bright colours, if they're the right 'bright'.

But, I've never actually been a pink kinda girl/woman.

What's The Problem With Pink?

If you like pink, then you probably wonder why it's come to mind or why it's even the topic of the day.

It's curious.....

Working and networking with creative people, who are most often artists and work at home mums, there is the 'general' tendency, as colour lovers, for them to choose really bright colours for their marketing, whether that's on their blog, website or their arty shop front.

Pink isn't just used by arty mums, you'll find a few pink websites for women focused groups or networking sites and..... this trend seems to be spreading.

Does Pink Attract Your Attention?

Is there something appealing about pink that gets YOUR attention, as a woman?

Bright pink or bright any colour gets my attention with me reaching for my sunglasses if I haven't hit the 'back' button within .01 of a second!  Is it just me?

So what does pink do to you?

(thought I'd try you with a different pink there)

• Do you like pink?

• Do you think a pink blog or pink web design is more appealing to you as a woman?

• Are you more inclined to read a pink blog/website or buy pink products?

• Do you have any other comments to make about bright pinks or bright colours?

• What's your favourite colour, if it's NOT pink? (mine's blue)
  

Enlighten me... Add your pink marketing views below: (views from men are welcome too)

thanks

Diane