I almost fainted today! It’s been a while since I visited My (main) Stats page, it’s just not something I freak about anymore – I say anymore because it used to be the place on my Dashboard that I haunted obsessively. Gotta tell you there are more things in life than stressing over stats. Anywho, I’m trying to make a point here.

Clicked on My Stats today (tab in the main Dashboard) and almost fainted to see 17 people had signed up with me on Squidoo since early November. The ‘fainty thing’ happened because that is like wild, I’d only had 10 people (before this 17) for all 2 1/2 years I’ve been a lensmaster  on Squidoo. Oh man, still trying to make my point =D

Got busy visiting all my new chums and noticed three major things on 15 outta the 17 new lensmaster profiles. So short story to really long – please, please as a new Squidoo member you’ve gotta take these four steps once you’ve signed up. Three of these are accomplished by clicking on My Profile from your Squidoo Dashboard, the fourth is a must-have guide for all newbies and even us oldies but goldies.

1. Update your default bio…if all you have is short and sweet that’s fine.
2. Add your photo or online avatar to your profile.
3. Scroll down to Account Settings make sure you have your Allow contact turned on.
4. Grab a FREE copy of Squidoo Step-by-Step – I venture to say this is the go-to guide for ALL that enter into making lenses on Squidoo.

Now, since my near fainting spell, checking My (main) Stats page on a weekly basis is added to my list of  to-do’s. Phew!

“Put on your hiking boots and lets learn about animal tracks…” Wintertime when snow covers the ground is a wonderful time to discover and learn about animal tracks.

Evelyn (Evelyn_Saenz) fills her reader’s with excitement whenever she pulls together a unit study. I once told her that when I browse through her lenses I imagine her sitting on the floor, gently clapping her hands together and calling the children to the learning circle. With that vision in my head, this delightful lens all about Animal Tracks did not let me down, neither will it you.

Before the ball drops on The Square bringing  in the 2010 New Year I’ve been busy making a random list of random thoughts! Read and weep – ugh! not another list OR read and tada – yep gotcha’ g/f!

Either way I’m sharin’ it here on Squid Report – it’s my tangible list to come back to throughout the year and perhaps it will spark something in you – get you started on making a list too.

1. Breathe!
2. Be real!
3. Find peace!
4. Share good things!
5. Promote others!
6. Love!
7. Laugh lots!
   
8. Forgive!
9. Be thankful!
10. Let go of shoulda, coulda!
    
11. Be a good citizen!
12. Smile more!
13. Give hugs!
14. Take more photos!
15. Meet friends for lunch!
16. Take care of my relationship!
17. Walk more!
18. Keep it simple!
19. Take action!
20. Breathe!

The other day I happened upon these really cool and absolutely inspiring posters as I was trying to add some content to a blog. Tucked an  idea back in my head and went on with my day. Next day, bright and early I got to work pulling together a lens about Rodney White – An Artist With Vision.

Of course I’d love it if you visited the lens, however my main reason for writing this is to let you know I did something out of the ordinary for me. Beyond pulling together the lens I also contacted Rodney about doing an interview – told him I’d send over some questions. Within 72 hours I’ve created, twittered,  interviewed, updated AND made a friend. Already imagining my next adventure!

Steppin’  outta the box feels so damn good! I’d like to ask you – what are you going to do?

Watch the video (hover on the link above), promise you’ll be inspired!

It had me:
Feeling inspired by others that overcame huge obstacles!
Thinkin’ YES, anything is possible – put my mind to it!
Heart pumped because of the song!

Possibilities are endless when you choose to Finish Strong – even if during life challenges you stumble, fall, feel ripped-off, slighted, hurt!

Eye of the Tiger Lyrics:

POWERFUL

Risin’ up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times, it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive

[Chorus:]
It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s
the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger

Face to face, out in the heat
Hangin’ tough, stayin’ hungry
They stack the odds, still we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive

[Chorus]

Risin’ up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive

[Chorus]

The eye of the tiger

A year of unemployment has the man at our door knockin’ hard! Should we answer yet again? The phones ringin’ all day long why pick up? Seriously how can ya give another reason when there is no other…they aren’t giving any answers, offering any resolution either! Swirl, twirl…eventually we’ve ended up the f word with an ed at the end!

Tonight we watched stunned as our cars got hauled off by the Repo Man…surreal, unreal, effed up! Gut instinct stab the guy and bury the truck – reality all our friggen’ knives are dull, plus it takes way too much diggin’ to bury a truck!

Tomorrow’s another day…thank God!

Awesome – fantastic read! All About Bottle Trees – no wonder this lens won a purple star and is featured as a Best Crafty nominee for the 2009 Giant Squid Awards.

As I read through this lens it had me thinking about the time we lived in Mississippi. Mark was a Navy Seabee, I was the Navy wife. Many days, weeks, even months went by that he was not around because of his service obligations. Craziness ensued to sit ’round the house and pine away so oft times I’d just drive around Gulfport and the surrounding towns to investigate.

Who knows where I was when I discovered this eye catching, tiny place that sat on the corner of a rather disheveled neighborhood. What caught my eye was the ribbons tied in the trees. Scraps of fabric torn and tied all over the tree branches. Colorful, beautiful scraps of fabric! And dangling on the bigger branches were the most lovely colored blue bottles. Some drooped from the weight, others stood proudly upside down. Ribbons and bottles on a tree? I’d never seen that before. Now after all these years I understand the significance of that ribbon and bottle tree…awesome-tastic!

In retrospect wish I’d had a camera AND know that ‘my find’ would not be on a tourist map or be a hotel concierge recommended go to place.  Make sure to discover things off the beaten path, cherish those memories, and bring that damn camera