The unexpected can gift better

Summer 2016 is now coming to a close (Autumn begins Thursday September 22nd this year) so I thought it an excellent time to accomplish my seasonal blogging on Alicia Rose at WordPress. The reason behind my being a seasonal blogger is the amount of time required to do the blogging had to come into consideration. Book manuscripts for future publications and online publishing articles do not write themselves. Writing anything takes time and effort. To all of my readers who have encouraged me to blog more often, a great big thank you for your enthusiasm; very heart-warming.

First, before I get into my usual sharing mode, I want to thank all who have given thumbs up for my videos on my YouTube channel Alicia Rose Shares, followed me on Twitter, befriended me on Facebook, bobbled me on BOBL, became a friend on Wazzub Community, plus my posts on Google+, connected with me on LinkedIn, and continue to support my website Alicia Rose Shares as well as this blog. Your positive feedback gifting support has been very inspirational. The unexpected constructive criticism given has also been an excellent help. Thank you so very much!

To those of you who read the multi-topical articles on my columns KnowABit and HubPages, I heartfelt thank you. Truly wonderful to share my interests and reviews with you. Appreciate you taking the time to read what I have written, truly honored by this.

Quite a stir occurred in my world July 2016. It was most unexpected, did not foresee this event. Examiner.com website was completely transformed into AXS.com a live entertainment venue only site July 15, 2016. My Oklahoma City Health and Happiness Examiner column was on this date unpublished, and my brand of Health and Happiness articles were no longer required by AXS. At first, I was upset by this change for it meant losing something very important to me, but now looking back AXS did me a great favor. This change allowed me to determine what was most important, where my passion truly is, and pursue new goals in my field. It was not the stumble back a step or two kind of change in my writing career.

Foremost, I had become too used to being the Oklahoma City Health and Happiness Examiner. I had been it for so long that the title had become an online identity greater than me being an Author, Columnist and Reviewer. When someone asked me how to find me online, I used to say, “Please search under the Oklahoma City Health and Happiness Examiner, that is my column.” I had a brand other than Alicia Rose. Having multiple brands is not unheard of, but can be confusing to those trying to find your work. It took me 1 3/4 months to sort this out plus update my information on the sites I was active. Learned much along the way in the online world. Fortunately, I made a list preventing any site being overlooked. Now I am easier to “search” and “find.” Just the other day I said, “You can find me through my website Alicia Rose Shares.” A much better method since all I do as an Author, Columnist and Reviewer is listed on my official author site.

That was not the only unexpected change this summer gifted. I also had an upbeat one. How can a work related surprise brighten instead of turn the day glum? Well, this one did when I upgraded my laptop from the unfriendly Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 the minute Microsoft let me know via Microsoft Explorer I could do this. Their free upgrade came with a deadline of August 31, 2016. I did not wait even 5 minutes after reading their invitation to upgrade. This turned out better than expected! Upgrading to Windows 10 did not cost me anything. No Explorer and Google Chrome browser favorites or files were misplaced or lost during the downloading process. Nothing was hard to find after this change. Windows 10 is compatible with earlier versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel (Office packages). Considering I am very attached to my Microsoft Office package, I was ecstatic not to be forced into upgrading. I did have to update the Bluetooth driver for Windows 10 and re-pair my devices, but that went fairly quickly. All in all it was the easiest upgrade of its kind I have ever experienced!

The personal assistant Cortana is amazing! The calendar that works with Cortana has gifted me a better organizational method; very user friendly. If you can upgrade to or get Windows 10 for your PC, my recommendation is do as soon as possible! Windows 10 saves time and is faster than Microsoft Vista, Windows 7, XP and 8.1. My laptop runs a lot smoother now than it did on Windows 8.1. A lot of problems and glitches I was experiencing with 8.1 magically disappeared the minute Windows 10 was up and running!

Microsoft Edge, the browser that comes with Windows 10, is better than Microsoft Explorer. This browser comes with some handy features that Explorer does not have. My favorite is the Web Note. The only thing I miss is no language translator for Microsoft Edge. If I want to translate a web page from a foreign language to English, I have to use Google Chrome, which I kept any way because some sites I publish on are not compatible with Microsoft Edge or Explorer. I do use Edge more than Chrome when I am online, because it is more user friendly. Microsoft Edge is working great for me as I publish this via WordPress. I am very glad WordPress’s website and Edge are compatible!

Nothing like a few summer changes to keep one’s mind sharp and keep life interesting. Can hardly wait for the beautiful orange, yellow and red colors of Autumn as the trees’ leaves change into their new Fall look.

Sunny Afternoon by Milen

 

Have a great rest of summer! Barbecue while you can! Happy Labor Day and Autumn Solstice!

Alicia Rose

Summer changes can increase happiness

This summer has been full of decision making. It was not easy to make the life changing ones, but after considering all the pros and cons, I was able to make them. Looking back now that it is September with autumn around the corner (September 23rd this year), I am delighted with the changes generated by the important decisions made. Changes can increase a person’s happiness, it did me; lessened the stress levels too. This was truly amazing!

The biggest decision was regarding my online only bookstore. It saddened me to make this website unpublished, delete it off of the Internet. I did make sure to redirect its URL to my new website Alicia Rose Shares born the same day (August 31, 2015). This was truly a mixed blessing day as I said farewell to one beloved project, and introduced my official author’s website for better Internet visibility. For more about this check my page titled History of Alicia’s online only bookstore and her official author’s website.

The best thing about these changes means this blog will be more active; less time between blogs. This is my new goal set. I am determined to become more known as Author, Columnist and Freelance Writer. I look forward to this challenge for writing is something I truly love doing.

Another perk is these new challenges include more time working on my book manuscripts which means less time between each book’s publication date. The sequel to Just Alex is so close to being fully edited that I am bouncing with delight in my chair as I type this; can hardly wait to send the manuscript to my publisher! I appreciate the encouragement from my family, friends and readers. This means a lot to me! Thank you very much!

Wonderful to share this new with you. I did update the pages of this blog today September 10, 2015 to reflect the changes mentioned.

Happy Autumn and thank you for visiting,

Alicia Rose

Autumn: A Time for Gratitude, You have mine

Sunny Afternoon, artwork by Milen

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I felt it was the perfect time to show my gratitude to everyone who visits, follows and reads Alicia Rose at WordPress. During summer 2013 this website’s stats soared its highest in traffic! I am ecstatic and extremely grateful for this blessing; makes it worthwhile to continue sharing with each of you.

This autumn, I deleted a few opportunities listed on Alicia’s Tips and Money Making Opportunities for People on a Budget. Often times paying websites or programs that plan to be long-term become short term opportunities on the Internet, because of this it is best not to solely rely on one opportunity to generate pay. If you want to create a sustainable income online, it is best to have multiple sources. Do not be afraid to participate in two to ten money making opportunities. It is the wise thing to do when dealing with money making paradigms on the Internet for there are thousands of start-up opportunities that remain, while others that look great at first can go south later. I have seen this happen several times; count myself lucky that the majority I have decided to stick with have not. No one can predict how a money making model will pan out, why many rely on “word of mouth” from people they know and respect before trying an opportunity.

My recommendation is not to stretch further than ten money making opportunities. I would work no more than ten at a time long-term (or for as long as each lasts). Each model accepted will take time for your participation to make money with it; some ten minutes a day while others could daily take up to an hour or more. If something looks like it will take a huge chunk of your daily or weekly time, make certain you have that amount of time to seriously commit. Treat each opportunity accepted as if it is most important.

This autumn is gorgeous! My dachshund and I are enjoying the sunny days even though it has cooled down into the 60’s and low 70’s. The leaves dancing in the wind displaying the variety of autumn colors (red, oranges, yellows, and browns) makes it worthwhile to be outdoors as nature gifts its own ballet; definitely a sight to see!

As usual, busy editing Undermining Alex as well as keeping my online bookstore updated regularly and seasonally. My bookstore’s busiest time began with All Hallows Eve (Halloween) for this is the beginning of the Holiday Season which will end next year, January 2, 2014.

Hope you like my new autumn header picture and appearance for my official author’s blog; thought a new theme was in order. All feedback is welcome – tells me someone out there online is reading what I write. For all who gift feedback, you have my heartfelt thanks and gratitude!

To all a delightful Thanksgiving and joy filled autumn!

Alicia Rose