The Silver Bot

With the streets of Briton teeming with rash drivers, it is in
your best interest to get a car insurance. In certain states you
are actually required by the law to get a car insurance. So,
even if you think of it as an excess baggage to your financial
budget, you don’t have a choice but to get it. However, there
are certain steps that you can take to save money on your car
insurance. This piece aims to give you a scoop on how to spend
less on your car insurance. First and foremost element that
affects your car insurance rate is your driving record. If you
have been driving for a long time and have a relatively clean
driving record, then you can get a cheap car insurance. Safety
measures like air bags, automatic seat belts, car alarms and
brakes can do you good in saving those precious pounds.
Approaching the same insurance company that has your other
insurance accounts also helps you in getting discounts.
Moreover, sticking to the same insurer beyond one year can also
make you eligible for discounts. Your premium rate can come down
considerably if you offer high deductibles, which is nothing but
the money that you pay prior to making a claim on an accident.
Since new and flashy cars have high maintenance values,
therefore insurances of such cars is also very high. Mileage
also plays an important role in determining the premium rate on
your car insurance. Less is your mileage count; lower will be
your insurance premium. Another way of saving on your car
insurance is by avoiding double health coverage. If you already
have enough health coverage, then you can avoid clubbing it with
your auto policy. You can also get great discounts by availing
group insurance policies. Find out about such policies wherein
you can become eligible for good discounts if you join the
policy as a group. The safest and the most trusted way of
availing cheap car insurance is by making comparisons of several
car insurance offers. Compare the offers from a couple of
companies before you decide on your car insurance policy.

Internet marketing is a wonderful business, but if you are like
me, there are days when you get really down and just can’t seem
to get going. This is compounded for some people with the Winter
Blues. Sometimes sitting in your lonely corner of the bedroom or
living room, it seems like you are the only person on earth. You
sometimes feel like you are in a cage and there is no way out!
This can also be compounded by a slump in your business sales or
successes.

When you feel like this, it is hard to get any work done and can
be very counterproductive for you. You must step back, take a
break and clear your head.

I have found a few things that can help alleviate these problems
and would like to share them with you.

1. Get up and get away from the computer for awhile. Even if it
is only for 10-15 minutes. Walk around the house, stretch your
muscles, do a few neck and back stretches. These can do wonders!

2. Take a walk. Get dressed, go outside, breathe in the fresh,
cool air of winter and take a 30 minute walk. This is one of the
most invigorating things you can do to clear your head and get
the cobwebs out. Walking is the one activity I would recommend
most.

3. Call a friend or family member and talk for awhile. This can
also be a great way to lift your spirits and confirm your
suspicions that there are other people on this planet! Chat
for awhile and laugh a little. Laughter is a great medicine!

4. Have some fun! Put on some of your favorite music and dance
around the house for awhile. Let loose and have some fun. Act
goofy, crazy or waltz yourself to China. This helps get out some
of the frustrations and pent up emotions that can cause the
blues.

5. Just relax! Turn everything off, make yourself a cup of
coffee, cocoa, or just plain water. Just sit in complete silence
and watch the birds outside or put a cool cloth over your eyes.
Let your mind go blank for awhile. Forget everything and just
relax!

6. Exercise your mind! Show your mind that there is more than
just the computer. Do a crossword puzzle, play a few games of
solitaire, or read a book. These are all great ways of getting
your mind of business and clearing out all the old to make way
for the new.

7. Do some housework! This might not be the most fun thing to
do, but it helps take your mind of business for awhile and
believe me, after about an hour of housework, you will be more
than ready to get back to business!

8. Take a TV break! Watch a program that allows you to escape to
another world. After you are finished you just might be glad to
get back to your world!

If you would like to find out more about beating the blues, you
can visit these sites:
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/FacStaff/Ergonomics/stretch.html
http://www.divorcekit.com/blues.htm
http://www.smile-publishing.com ips.html
http://www.lifetimetv.com/shows/strongmedicine/chatroom/1210/1210
.html

I hope some of these pointers will help you relax and get back
to business. I know that they have been a great help to me more
than once. Sometimes when you are feeling unproductive or just
plain tired, the idea is not to work harder, but to stop working
and give your mind and/or body a well-deserved break!

We have all been hearing the hype about online
business–proponents declare that it’s the way of the future;
detractors claim that it will never replace brick-and-mortar
business…which is reality?

The truth falls somewhere in the middle: Online business will
never replace brick-and-mortar, but an online presence will be
integral to the business model of any successful business.
Already, e-commerce revenues are in the billions, and
experiencing exponential growth. Any business that wishes to be
competitive in this new marketplace–including your
business–cannot ignore the power of e-commerce.

Many of you have taken that first step in putting your business
online: You have done your research, identified your brand, and
chosen and registered a domain name that speaks to your brand.
That was the easy part. If you haven’t yet registered your
domain name, don’t fret! You can easily do it at:

http://www.virtualis.com/vr/lschmeck/domain.html

After domain registration, what follows next may be one of the
most important decisions you make for your e-business…finding
the right hosting company. This is as important to the quality
of your business as finding the right partner, and many
people–even experienced webmasters– find the experience
daunting. I would like to share my hosting experience with
you-perhaps it will make your decision-making process a little
easier.

RELIABILITY

Reliability. Hosting isn’t glamorous, but as you know, it is the
backbone of your web-based business. That is why I refer to it
as the “silent partner.” A good hosting company is dependable,
with a steady “up-time” track record. After all, what good is a
web site if it’s down? A good hosting company should operate
like the electric company–every day you wake up, it’s there,
working. However, even the most reliable companies need to
periodically take the system down for maintenance. Your hosting
company should inform its customers in advance, and perform that
maintenance at off-peak hours–so as not to unduly burden your
web business.

The next things to look for I call the “Four S’s:” Service,
Software, Support, and Space.

SERVICE

An extremely important (and often overlooked) factor is Service.
Unfortunately, many hosting companies end their relationship
with you the moment the server sale is made. This leaves
unanswered the crucial question, “Okay, I’ve got a server–now
what?” This is critical when you consider that some companies
are so controlling that web masters are discouraged from
customizing and/or managing sites for their clients! Other
hosting companies give you space on a server, but nothing
more–you have to configure the server and set up all the
back-end functionality manually!

As you have probably done this before, I don’t need to tell you
what a time-consuming and laborious task this is. My best
service experience has been with Virtualis. So much so that I’ve
spent the last 2 years with them! If you have questions, they
are on-call 24/7 to answer them–they even have discussion
boards where fellow customers can offer advice and helpful tips.
Good service means providing a community of resources throughout
the life of your e-business.

SOFTWARE

In addition to Service, the ideal hosting solution also provides
easy-to-use web management tools. This is the third “S:”
Software. Although many companies offer some of these features,
my choice for the hosting company with the best overall tool
suite is Virtualis. They offer tools that are easy enough for a
novice to quickly understand, and customizable enough for a web
master to optimize. In my experience, one of the incredibly
useful tools is the Virtualis Email Manager.

The email manager has saved me a lot of time from manual
configuration. You can quickly and easily set up email accounts,
set up and remove POPs, create auto-responders, create aliases,
and more. Virtualis has 21 tools in all–certainly more than I
can cover in this article! One of the best features of the
Virtualis hosting software suite is that it is totally
web-based. This allows for instant accessibility, no matter
where you are–certainly helpful if you travel frequently or
have customers covering a wide geographical area.

SUPPORT

Even for experienced web developers, a primary consideration is
Support. Questions always arise as you develop sites and add
features and/or functionality. The ideal hosting company will be
there to assist you along the way, as well as talk you through
any rough spots. Since support issues are rarely constrained to
regular business hours, make sure that your chosen hosting
company offers support 24/7 (just in case), and offers a variety
of means to contact support, such as telephone, email, and
web-based access.

SPACE

Finally, “Space,” refers to how much server room you will need
to store/manage your digital data. How much space you need can
be determined by how much content you will post, how much data
you will store, and how much traffic you are expecting. Ideally,
you should find a company like Virtualis that offers both shared
and dedicated servers–that way, you can start small, and expand
as your online business grows.

Shared servers are simply servers that are shared with other
businesses. Most small to medium-sized businesses prefer shared
hosting because it is cost-effective and can be scaled to the
amount of space that your business needs. Virtualis offers
shared “Virtual” servers that range from the VS Mini, at 30 MB
of space, all the way up to the VS Meta, which has 300MB of disk
space. Of course, if you require more space, a dedicated server
option is likely best for you. Virtualis offers five different
dedicated servers that range in size from 4.2 gigs (the DEDA1)
to the huge DEDA5, which has 18 gigs of space.

I hope my experiences will aid you in your hosting selection

process. You need to look at reliability, service, software,
support, and space. That way, you can wisely choose the “silent
partner,” who will deliver steady uptime, sophisticated
time-saving tools, and supreme customer support. After much
personal research, and after consulting my good friend, Jim
Daniels, I chose Virtualis. From getting my domain name to
finding the right hosting package for my needs, my silent
partner-Virtualis-made getting my business online impossibly
easy.

For more information on how Virtualis can be your silent
partner, go to…..

http://www.virtualis.com/vr/lschmeck/orderform.html

Here are 10 important guidelines for your kitchen design project.

For efficiency, the work triangle (the space between the sink,
refrigerator, and stove) should measure 26′ or less with no
single side longer than 9′, or less than 4′.

In kitchens smaller than 150 sq. ft., opt for at least 13′ of
base cabinets, 12′ of wall cabinets, and 11′ of countertop. In
kitchens which are larger, go with at least 16′ of base
cabinets, 15 1/2′ of wall cabinets, and 16 1/2′ of countertop.

For convenience, plan work aisles to be at least 42″ wide for
one cook, and at least 48″ wide in multi-cook kitchens.

Specify a minimum of 24″ of counter space on one side of the
sink and at least 18″ on the other.

To create the most accessible landing for unloading groceries,
allow at least 15″ of counter space on the handle side of a
standard refrigerator; on both sides if it’s a side-by-side
model. Or include a landing area directly across from the
refrigerator, but no more than 48″ away.

For cleanup ease, install the dishwasher within 36″ of one edge
of the sink and allow for at least 21″ of standing room next to
it.

For microwaves and ovens, provide at least 15 ” of counter space
nearby, at least 16″ deep.

For optimum clearance, no entry, appliance, or cabinet doors
should interfere with another.

For comfort and to help avoid repetitive-motion injury, plan for
work counters of different heights; between 28 and 36″ off the
floor (easier for chopping and seated-use access), and between
36 and 46″ for general tasks (higher counters accommodate taller
cooks).

To install a cabinet unit above the cook top, make sure the
clearance is at least 24″ for a fireproof surface, 30″ for an
unprotected surface.

Designing a kitchen is as much a science as it is an art.
Knowing the recommended measurements to use when planning the
project can make all the difference in the final outcome.

You’ve got a lot to store in that brain of yours.
Sometimes you need to remind yourself to remember
something. The most effective way to remember is to
choose your triggers wisely.

Post-its work great, but I’m all for simplifying things
even further. By choosing to make a certain behavior a
trigger for a particular thought, we can skip the paper
and adhesive and get right to the important stuff.

The trick is to be intentional about it. We tend to hop
in the shower and let our minds wander to all the stuff
we’re supposed to do. We go about the process of
soaping, shaving, and shampooing without paying much
attention to what we’re doing. We jump into our cars
each morning, absorbed by our thoughts. We wash the
dishes, sort the laundry, wait in line at the gas station,
stand at the grocery counter, and vegetate during
commercials without noticing what we’re thinking. By
incorporating some simple mindfulness techniques into
our daily routine, we can focus on our intentions and
create lasting changes in our brains.

We’ve already learned that in order to get our brains to
work for us instead of against us, we must come up
with present-tense statements that we would like to be
true, and we have to repeat them to ourselves daily.
Spend some time coming up with two or three
one-sentence statements about how you want to feel.

No fair using numbers. This isn’t about setting sales
goals or salary amounts or even the number of pounds
you want to lose. Make a statement that simply
describes how you want to feel about your life right
now.

Here’s a list of possible statements:

“I am filled with joy and excitement each day.”

“I feel confident, relaxed, and open to whatever the
day may bring.”

“I have plenty of time to accomplish whatever I need
to do.”

“I have plenty of energy to enjoy my free time.”

“I attract plenty of money for all my needs.”

“I am surrounded by loving people who want only the
best for me.”

“I am fit, healthy and active.”

“I am calm and mindful of all that arises in and around me.”

Your brain needs to hear these positive statements,
even if you think YOU don’t need to. Humor your brain,
okay? Give it some happy food to chew on. Allow your
mind to mull things over subconsciously.

Brain research tells us that we need to see it, say it
and hear it. If at all possible, say your statements out
loud if only in a whisper. Watch yourself in a mirror
while you do it. Hear your voice saying the words.
Visualize what it looks and feels like when each
statement is true. The more senses you engage, the
more quickly your brain will absorb your statement.

Remember that your mind doesn’t sort thoughts into
neat piles marked “real” or “imagined”. Everything goes
in and is processed in the same way. You must feed
your brain what you want to believe. We all do a great
job of spooning in the negative thoughts, so why is it
too much to ask to dish out a few positive ones?

Once you’ve got your statements, then what? How do
you remember to repeat them in a consistent way?

Choose your triggers. Select a certain habit or activity
that you engage in every single day. It can be
something as simple as brushing your teeth. Any
activity that gives you about 30 seconds of time to
focus will work. It helps to choose an activity that is
somehow related to your intention statement.

For example, let’s say that you want to feel less
rushed. Think of a trigger related to time. Hitting the
snooze button? Looking at your watch? Waiting for
your bus or train? Don’t choose ALL of these-you
won’t remember them all. Instead, choose one single
action to be your trigger for repeating that statement.
Think “time” whenever you engage in that activity, and
repeat your statement: “I have plenty of time to
accomplish everything I need to do.” Or, you could
use that trigger to think “relaxed” and repeat “I am
relaxed and unhurried.”

Use the language that works best for you, but make
sure it is present tense and positive–say “I am relaxed”
instead of “I’m not stressed.” Neuroscientific studies
indicate that if we say the word “stressed” our brains
will zero in on that and skip the “not” part!

Once you’ve selected it, start creating the habit of
repeating your statement to yourself whenever you
engage in that behavior.

Want to work on your attitude about money? Every
time you open your checkbook or use your credit card,
remember “plenty” and repeat your intention statement
about it. “I attract plenty of money for all of my
needs.” Maybe you want to spend less money. In that
case, think “save” and say “I save money wisely” or “I
am thrifty and frugal.”

Looking to improve your approach to your wellness?
Repeat your intention statement each time you take
the first bite of a meal or lace up your exercising
shoes. Think “healthy” and repeat “I am fit, healthy
and active.”

Longing to find a loving relationship? Each time you see
an affectionate couple or someone you find attractive,
remember “love” and state your intention: “I am loved
deeply and treated lovingly.”

It’s easy to get caught up in the negative thought
cycles we’ve all developed during our lives. Our brains
already know the “I’m never going to get ahead
financially” story and the “No matter what I do, I can’t
lose this weight” story. Our minds are getting way too
many repeats of the “Other people fulfill their dreams,
but not me” fairy tale.

Ack. Turn the page. New story!

Dish up some positive intention statements, and make
sure they become a regular part of your routine by
attaching them to the triggers you feel will work best
for you. Make it easy for your brain to remember to
remember.

And okay, use Post-its if that helps.

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches fun and effective eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com

The beauty and history of turquoise is hard to surpass! Seeped with history and mystery it is truly a captivating stone. Turquoise history dates back over 6000 years. Archeological and literary references to the stone predate the Christian era by five millennia.

It has been unearthed in tombs from ancient Egypt - specifically the 4 bracelets of Queen Zar, found on her mummified arm. These date back to the second ruler of the Egypt’s First Dynasty, approximately 5500 B.C. Aristotle and Pliny both refer to turquoise. Marco Polo even wrote about it. Turquoise has always been considered a stone of life.

It also has a long standing history of over a 1000 years with Native Americans who have used it extensively for protection and healing. The stone was also used in religion, art, trade, treaty negotiations, and jewelry. Turquoise’s use as a healing stone reaches far - it has been used for headaches, eye problems, fever and insect bites to name just a few. It was ground to a powder then it was drank to cure stomach ailments. Turquoise also has significant metaphysical properties.

It is a harmonizing stone that is said to alleviate nervousness, help with problem solving, relieve stress from a hectic life, and promote friendship. It is also well known for its protective qualities and many cultures carry a turquoise stone with them at all times.

Turquoise is often strung on beads, carved into animal fetishes, or combined with other stones such as onyx, amethyst, or coral. Its color ranges from brilliant sky blue to green and it usually has black or brown veins running through it. In jewelry it is very popular set in sterling silver. Silver enhances the natural colors of the turquoise much better than gold.

Turquoise is found in North American in the dry areas of Arizona and New Mexico. It is also found in China, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and Persia.
Wax Treated: Much of the turquoise from China is wax impregnated. The paraffin treatment deepens and stabilizes the color but only affects the surface.Turquoise can be rather porous and chalky and is often not suitable for jewelry until it is treated. There are various processes that are used on turquoise.

Stabilization is a treatment which uses a resinous substance. The process uses pressure and heat to fill the microscopic gaps in the stone with plastic resin. When cured the product is a treated stone hard enough to cut and polish. Stabilization allows genuine but lower grade turquoise to be used in jewelry. Stabilization helps to keep the stone from chipping and prevents changes in color from contact with skin oils.

Wax treatment is very common with turquoise from China. Paraffin wax is impregnated into the turquoise to deepen and stabilizes the color but it only affects the surface.

Some jewelry may be made with reconstituted turquoise which is ground turquoise from inferior stones that is molded together with epoxy resin, dyed and pressed into stone like forms - they look good but don’t have the value of a real stone.

Another process is referred to as “Block” where a mixture of plastic resin and dyes are produced in blocks the size of a loaf. There is no actual turquoise in this mix, it is entirely man mad and should be labeled simulated. It is made in many colors, and it is used extensively for inlay work.
So when in the market for turquoise jewelry be aware of what you are purchasing. Simulated turquoise, and a natural piece of turquoise jewelry is terrific. What ever your needs are just be certain the product you are purchasing is priced according to its composition. Enjoy this truly captivating stone!!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

The stress of going to a casino makes it advisable not to go unless you absolutely must go. Because all that traffic, the stress, and to-do lists this entails simply aren’t worth the distress for the opportunity of taking your chances at casino, in spite of this, in case you’re the sort of person who is fanatic about casinos and gambling then choosing online gaming establishments is likely the solution. You’re not required to leave your familiar environment to go for online video poker or other preferred games for the reason that it’s easy to access from your home office provided you have a functional personal computer and, obviously, a broadband internet connection. This said, do yourself a favor and read on because there’s quite a few details which you should realize regarding online video poker or other preferred games, especially should you be a greenhorn regarding this field.

The topmost thing which any shrewd internet player is certain to target is an online video poker or other preferred games webpage of the type guaranteeing high winnings. Make sure that the online video poker or other preferred games webpage is tied up with a respectable accounting company so as to audit their specific casino games pay-outs in a documented manner. You should ascertain that the virtual gaming webpage is licensed verifiably, for instance by checking out the licensing information as manifested on the casino site webpage. If you fail to locate any licensing information on a given virtual gaming webpage, don’t try to place your wager at that place. Play like the pros! Practice your casinos casino strategy online.

Beyond that, another material advice is obviously to place your wager for starters in smallish amounts rather than lose more than does you good off the cuff. To begin with, check the security measures of this virtual gaming outfit before triggering any undue risk– especially in regards to money… And here’s another tip regarding online casino gambling. It can only be to never forget that bets is all about amusing yourself and not about becoming rich. Wagering in an online casino is certainly no trade, but a pastime which should make you glad and your overall life delightful. Once you have observed the guidelines described, you can go ahead give yourself up to the invitation of virtual gaming…

As a homeowner, you should be familiar with the location of your circuit breaker panel. In most homes, the circuit breaker box is located in the laundry area or basement. Sometimes the circuit breaker box is located on the outside of the home. In larger homes, there may be multiple circuit breaker panels, including the main panel and additional sub-panels. The circuit breaker panel box is usually gray in color and is mounted on a wall. If you open the panel doors, you will see several different circuit breakers. Each of these breakers controls the power input and output of each appliance in your home. The main breaker controls power to the entire home, and will shut off power to the entire home.

A circuit breaker box houses the main and individual circuits for appliances in your home. Circuits serve to protect the home in the case of current overload. If an overload of power occurs, because of faulty electrical wiring or a multitude of other reasons, the breaker will trip causing power to be shut off, either to individual appliances or to the entire house.

Most homeowners have experienced a tripped circuit breaker at one time or another. If you are unable to get power to a particular appliance, chances are the breaker was tripped. Because this is common, especially in older homes, it is important to label each circuit in the circuit breaker panel. To label the circuits, you can check by switching off each circuit to determine what power source each is linked to. Labeling each circuit in the circuit breaker box can make it much easier and less frustrating in the future.
Circuit Breakers Info provides detailed information about circuit breaker panels, circuit breaker manufacturers, plus advice on how to replace and install circuit breakers and where to buy used and surplus circuit breakers. Circuit Breakers Info is the sister site of Electricians Web.

There was a time when it was relatively easy to get a book published. You took a great idea to an agent, the agent sold the idea to a publisher, and soon you could call yourself an author. Unfortunately the market has shifted. Unless you are a celebrity or come to the table with an eager audience of book buyers, most publishers won’t even blink your way no matter how great your idea.

Because of this shift in the industry, more and more writers are turning to self-publishing. Some big success stories have emerged from the trenches of previously unknown authors who took control of their publishing destinies. “What Color is Your Parachute?” by Richard Nelson Bolles, “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield, and “The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard and Spenser Johnson, all started out as independents. Even the infamous Amy Fisher turned to print-on-demand for her recent memoir, reportedly so that she could retain control over the content and promotion while retaining a bigger percentage of the profits.

Self Publishing Options

If you are considering publishing a book yourself, you have two primary options: self-publishing and print on demand (POD). Basic self-publishing involves establishing your own publishing company, contracting a cover designer, laying out the interior of the book and purchasing an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). Once all the setup is complete, you can then have the book printed by a book binding company–usually in very large quantities (3000+) at a cost per book ranging from $1.00-$5.00. Once the book is published, you need to get the book listed with the online book sellers and with the large distributors if you want your title to have a chance of making it into the big bookstores.

POD companies charge a set-up fee ranging from $350-$1000 and most will layout the book, assign an ISBN number, print books on an as-needed basis (no major quantity purchases are required), and get them into the inventories of the major distributors and online booksellers.

Depending on your goals, POD or traditional self-publishing can allow you to transform your manuscript into a hardcover or trade paperback in a matter of weeks. It can take a year or more for a big-name publisher to transform a manuscript into a book, and author royalties are surprisingly low. Publishing yourself gives you control over the time to market and can also lead to hefty profits. Here are some additional considerations:

Self-Publishing Pros

-You keep control over all rights.

-Individual book cost is low, resulting in a higher profit margin.

-Once you set up your publishing company, it’s a bit easier to print subsequent books.

Self-Publishing Cons

-You have to do all the work: establish a publishing company, purchase an ISBN, get the cover created, layout the text, get listed with distributors, etc.

-Startup costs can be high since you typically have to purchase a large quantity of books.

-Revisions can be expensive if you haven’t yet sold the bulk of your initial inventory.

Print-On-Demand Pros

-Startup costs are lower since you only pay a set up fee and for the copies you need.

-Updating the book is simpler since you won’t have hundreds of overstock copies in your store room.

-Most POD companies will get your title listed with distributors and book sellers.

Print-On-Demand Cons

-Profit margin is lower since the POD companies take a percentage of sales.

-Some contracts can be restrictive with rights and terms (contracts should be carefully reviewed).

-Reputation: The big bookstores don’t yet regard POD books as having much credibility.

Lessons Learned from the Publishing Industry

You may still want to investigate selling your idea to a big publisher, and you should. The process of pitching a book idea to agents and editors can teach you a lot about the publishing industry. The first question you will be asked is; “What is your platform?” Agents and publishers want authors with a ready-made audience of book buyers and if you don’t have a national presence with speaking engagements or other notoriety, your chances of being published the traditional way are slim.

But don’t let the pitching process kill your dreams. The lesson to be learned from the publishing pros is that you need to have a way to market and sell your book. Before you even consider publishing yourself, develop a marketing plan. Determine who will buy your book and how you will reach your audience. If you know how to market your ideas, and use the resources at your disposal (how-to books and publishing websites), you can create your own self publishing success story.

For more information on self-publishing, visit Dan Poynter’s website: http://www.ParaPublishing.com. Poynter is the author of “The Self-Publishing Manual” and his newsletter is loaded with resources and advice.

For a good comparison of the leading POD companies, check out:
http://www.PublishonDemand.net.

For ideas on marketing your book, check out the book by Marilyn Ross and Tom Ross: “Jump Start Your Book Sales.”

Find a host of publishing resources at http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com/publishing.htm.

Stephanie Chandler is the author of “The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!” and the founder of http://www.BusinessInfoGuide.com, a directory of free resources for entrepreneurs. Sign up for the BusinessInfoGuide newsletter to receive hot resources and tips every month.

Joel Jehovah is God

Joel 2.28: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will
pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions.”

My son, Joel Lamar Rozier, was born June 20, 1977 in Augsburg,
West Germany. We were so happy to have a new addition to our
home. Joy (Joel’s sister) was kind of jealous. He took away some
of the attention that she had all to herself. One day, after
Joel had been crying, Joy said, “I don’t like him, take him back
to the hospital.”

Joel was almost six months old when we flew back to the United
States. Germany was okay but it was not the United States.

Joel had the blondest hair, the bluest eyes, and the cutest
dimples! He sure was a pretty baby boy! His mom doted on him. I
did too. As a young child, Joel didn’t begin to talk as soon as
Joy. He babbled and when he talked, his mom and I could
understand him. He also had a hard time of distinguishing colors
(slight color blindness).

He celebrated his fifth birthday at the airport in Los Angeles,
California. We had driven cross country, with a brief stop in
Roswell, New Mexico, where my mother-in-law lived. We also
stopped and spent two days near Phoenix, Arizona where my first
cousin, Master Sergeant Lee Johnson (retired, U.S. Air Force)
was stationed.

I got a kick out of Lee. he took me around town and showed me
some of the South Georgia style barns he had built. Lee could
build and fix anything. Often, he made more money doing this
than what the Air Force paid him. we had a very good visit with
lee, Charlotte, and the boys. We were stationed in Germany at
the same time and visited each other there.

Joel started kindergarten, and his speech impediment was such
that other kids made fun of him. He wouldn’t talk in school. He
went through speech therapy for several years which helped much.

Joel was eight when I became a single parent. He missed his mom
but he went on and whatever he tried he did it with all his
might. Joel is a whiz on computers and also has a wonderful
business head.

When Texas Instrument put out their home computer, we got one. I
built a computer desk and began to learn how to program. My
typing skills are more or less hunt and peck, so I had to go
slow on all those “$Q/?” symbols (on a program).

One morning, I went downstairs, and there dressed in one of my
old Army T-shirts was Joel. He was sitting at the computer
console with the instruction book nearby. He would look at the
book, type a few symbols, and grin. He was hooked and only seven
years old. He became a whiz, and with his mathematical
abilities, soon knew a lot more than I did about computers.

He was also developing his business instincts. i would find my
granola bars missing—he would take them to school and sell
them for a quarter. Joel collected, bought, sold, and traded
many items over the years…comic books, baseball cards, video
games. He’s always had two nickels to rub together.

Joel was also very diligent about his school work. He would get
up in the morning, get himself dressed, make his breakfast, and
go catch the school bus, “the cheese wagon” we called it. From
the 7th through the 12th grades, he only missed two days of
school (that was in his senior year when he had an awful virus).
During this time, we were going through some rough times.

One day, i was down and out. I was severely depressed; I was
broke, and it seemed like troubles came one after another. Joel
came to me and said, “Dad, I’ve got $25. You take it and go out
to eat and buy something for yourself.” That gesture blessed me
more than any words could tell.

I was teaching the children about interest. Eva had $10, and I
told her if she would let me borrow it, I would repay her $11.
Joy had $20 and I told her I would repay her $22. Joel had a
least $30, and I told him I would repay him $33. He thought for
a minute and said, “How much interest would you give me for
loaning you $37.53″—all that he had.

The Lord has blessed my son with many talents including musical.
He is very good at all the wonderful electronic musical
instruments he has. He is always buying, trading, selling and
upgrading his equipment. I wrote a song, “When Will the Answer
Come”, about prayer and he put the music to it. When it is
played, you can feel the presence of the Lord.

When Joel graduated from high school in 1995, his day was made
when his mom came. Her presence made him very happy. Like many
young people, he was lost after high school and didn’t know what
direction to take. I prayed earnestly for him, that God would
lead him in the right path. Shortly thereafter, he worked at a
retail store where he made a solid reputation for himself. He
was hard working, dependable, courteous and honest.

One day, he found almost $300 in the store. he turned it in. He
also found a very valuable watch and turned that in as well.
After working there for awhile, he tried some other things, but
he wasn’t satisfied.

I remember taking him down to the cemetery where my dad and
other relatives are buried. I said, “Son, Daddy was 40 when he
died, my Grandpa was 43.” I pointed out some of my other
relatives and then said, “Son, I want to tell you something
about our family. First of all, we believe in God, secondly we
believe in our family, and thirdly, we love our country. If you
stick with these three things in life, you will never go astray.”

Shortly thereafter, Joel entered Waycross Junior College and
graduated concentrating his studies in math, computers, and
business. After this, he went to Valdosta State University and
graduated in December 2004 with a degree in Business
Administration with a major of Marketing.

As a teenager, Joel was born again. He has compassion in his
heart for others. He knows how to pray, and God has given him
wisdom.

I can’t live my son’s life. I have told him I’ve lived mine, and
he has to find his way. I also told Joel despite all the hurts
in his life, Jesus can wipe away all the tears.

When I was his age, I had no earthly father. I’ve told Joel and
my daughters, that as long as I’m alive I would be there for
them. I also prayed like my Daddy did and said, “Lord, I’ve only
got one son. I dedicate him to you. Use him as you see fit.” I’m
proud of Joel—a fine young man!

Proverbs 5.1 “My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear
to my understanding.”

Update….Joel helped me with my book, My Walk with the Lord.
This story appears in it…He and his sisters were raised by me
in a single parent home..Despite being deprived of a mother’s
presence, my children were taught about Jesus and his love. Pray
Joel gets the right job.

Copyright 2005 Irvin L. Rozier, Captain (Ret) US Army