However there are down sides too and one of those is isolation. Particularly if you are running a one-woman show from home. It’s extremely important that you don’t lose contact with people and that you do make the effort to network and socialize outside of your work.

Online too there are ways to connect and build relationships with people. I know many people now that I would call friends that I’ve never actually met ! We’ve gotten to know each other over the last few years through business, using media such as message forums, instant messaging and skype. It takes time to build the relationship and most are never going to be the same as those you have with someone you physically see and talk to all the time but that doesn’t mean it can’t be as rewarding.

Today I’ve just finished connecting and chatting with people using another method. We’ve just finished our first live chat session with iamawahm.com and it was great ! I have to confess I was a bit nervous before it started, I was worried in case no-one turned up and then I was worried in case people did turn up but no-one participated or everyone left very quickly !

My fears were unfounded on all counts and those of you who were there I hope you’ll agree that while maybe a little haphazzard ! (it was the first one after all!)it went very well and the feedback I received was good.

We had a mixture of people who were already working from home and those who wanted to and I got some great ideas for future topics which I’ll share in a little while ! as soon as I organize a few things. One comment from one Mum who is still looking for the ideal opportunity was that it was great to meet people who thought the same way has her. Sometimes you really can feel on your own, but don’t believe it !! because there are many more just like you out there.. But you do need to make a bigger effort to connect with them.

So join me in the next iamawahm live chat session. If you register now you’ll be kept upto date with any new sessions that are coming, and while general chat will be once a month on the first tuesday of the month, we will be doing topic specific sessions more frequently than that. Both for wannabe WAHMs ! and those looking to grow their business.

Here’s the link to find out how to register http://www.iamawahm.com/chat.html

and I look forward to talking with you

Darina

Just a quick post.

We’re delighted that Mumcentric has not only been nominated in the best podcaster category of the Irish Web Awards but we’ve made it to the shortlist and the final 5 !!

Unfortunately you can’t vote, there’s a judging panel working away in the background somewhere but hopefully they’ll make a good choice

The awards take place on Sat 11th of October if anyone would like to go you can register online at the awards site for tickets

www.awards.ie/webawards

Well I came across a site that can help you to earn by capitalizing on your experience. - No matter what it’s in ! (Thanks to Lynette over at momsgadgets for directing me to this one !)

Built on the philosophy that we all have something to share mindbites is kind of pay per view video teaching site.

Basically you create a video - you upload it onto mindbites and people pay to watch it. That’s the very basics of it, obviously there is a bit more to it. For example you don’t even need a camera if you want to create a screencast lesson or an audio lesson.

So what could I create a video on I hear you cry ! Well have a look at mindbites you will see there is everything from the straightforward to the complicated to the bizarre ! I’ve seen videos on crafts, on food, on technical issues even things like how to trim a childs hair, or how to treat basic first aid (great to see in action)

We all know how to do something ! so why not share your knowledge and earn at the same time. It works on a credit system viewers buy credits starting starting at around €1 and then they can use the credits to watch the videos. One thing which is quite good to entice people is that they show a 60 second preview for free. So if you can make a good impact with the beginning of your video then people will want to continue watching the rest !

Lets face it you are not going to retire on the proceeds of something like this ! but hey every little bit helps and why not earn a little while helping others and having fun at the same time

(or use it as a school or charity fundraiser)

www.mindbites.com

Then I sat down and opened my email and things were put into perspective. I received an email from a girl I know who is working in Haiti. She’s Irish, working with Digicel and loves it over there. But her email was thought provoking and as I thought about my moans over a little rain (& lets face it a new rain jacket would sort it for me !) I felt a bit embarrassed and humbled. I’m going to paste her email here, have a read of it, on this wet and windy Irish day.

My experience here has been very positive and one I will surely never
forget. The people in Haiti are very warm and welcoming, which amazes
me given that they have so little themselves. The country is beautiful
but is completely deforested as the people burn down the trees for
fuel or to make space for them to grow food to sell.

I am sure you have seen in the news over the last week the increased
devestation that has now hit Haiti due to the rains from the storms in
the Caribbean.

So, this email is a plea email…Although there are many countries
with their own devestation and help that is needed, it has shocked me
how many people don’t even know of the existence of Haiti and how bad
a situation it is in.

Following the appearance of Hurricane Gustav (Category 1) and Tropical
Storm Hanna we were all very nervous about the potential impact of
Hurricane Ike. It didn’t hit directly, but it did result in a lot more
rain hitting the regions outside of Port au Prince and adding on to
the already dire situation. The death toll is well over 500, with over
half a million people displaced from their homes.

And once the storms passed, the people have just started demonstration
and rioting as they have no food or homes for that matter. The
Government only got re-appointed last week after a 5 month gap, as the
Prime Minister was ousted out in April due to the bad situation of the
country. Inflation is so high (as I know you are all aware as it is
affecting everyone worldwide) but the people really cannot afford to
keep going the way they are. Although there are just under 3 million
people here who have phones, most of whom are working in low paying
jobs, there are over another 7 million who are living in abject
poverty.

Where I am is very shelted by mountains around Port au Prince so
thankfully I and the staff here are safe, although many staff outside
of Petionville (where I work and live) experienced lots of problems
with flooding and roads blocked due to fallen trees. Everything in
Port au Prince seems to be back to normal, thank God.

To me and the other European/Irish/British folk it is like a regular
shitty day back home, but to the people here the continuous rains are
causing mud slides, widespread flooding and severe damage to homes.

As you are all involved with various business groups, I am asking if
you could please get together and organise some kind of appeal to your
members or have a fundraiser to help the people of Haiti.

Some options are:

1. You can make donations to Concern (partner NGO of Digicel
Foundation) on their website and specify the donation is to go to
Haiti (http://www.concern.net/what-you-can-do/fundraising/donate-
now.php).

2. Send a cheque directly (in US Dollar please made out to the Digicel
Fondation) to me at the following address :

Jennifer McConnell
Directrice des Ressource Humaine
c/o Digicel Fondation
Siege Social
Immeuble Hexagone
Angles des rues Clerveaux & Darguin
Petion-Ville
Port au Prince
Haiti HT6142
Tel: +50937007100

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