Star Wars The Force Awakens Activity Sheets

So you want to be a blogger? I’ve only been blogging for three years, two if you count the year I didn’t focus on it so much because I was being a miserable pregnant woman & then taking care of a newborn. However taking the time off didn’t affect my passion for what I do. I love bringing you my readers, my thoughts. I get asked so often “how do I start blogging?” ..It’s not just a simple..start a blog answer although some might tell you it is. Today I’m going to tell you how to start your own blog and join in all the fun.
1. Why do you want to blog? To share your life? Because your really into fashion & beauty and you want to share it with the world? To share your craft ideas? Whatever the reason…have a reason! Without a reason to blog you will get burnt out and run out of ideas.
2. Choose a witty name related to the topic you want to blog: you need to stand out from the crowd. Your name needs to tell who you are with just a title..I started my blog to talk about my life as a mom of 3 boys, the products and places we like to go..it has since grown from there.
3. Pick a platform & start a blog: Blogger or WordPress..that is the question..well for me, I started (and still use) blogger..its simple to create a blog and start blogging…easy to add a background and image header…however, if you look at the more professional blogs, they are all on WordPress…why you ask, because wordpress is a more professional platform. Now there are two different wordpresses, this has recently been brought to my attention when looking to switch. Wordpress.com & WordPress.org..here is a breakdown I found to explain the difference..you can also click here to read more about the differences.
4. When you create your blog you will need to select your design..look at other blogs and see what they are doing.. By no means copy them, but take notes and make your blog reflect you..who you are. I’ve been through so many title designs over the years, and I think I finally might be happy with this one..maybe..There are many designers out there who are willing to help for a fee of course. You don’t want a lot of clutter, a clean professional design will draw in readers, and help your page to load faster.
5. Ok, you have a purpose, a name & a blog & design..now what? Start writing your heart out..put your heart onto paper, or in this case the keyboard. Write about what your passion is, who you are..introduce the world to you!
6. Join blog communities…there are many out there now days, your sure to find one you fit in..ask questions, comment, and make new friends. You will find a lot of support out there, you just have to look. Here are a few to get you started:
Mom Bloggers Club
Bloggy Moms
Mom Dot
Pitch It To Me
That should get you started making friends and learning more about blogging.
What next? If your just blogging to share your life, your pretty much done..if not you have more work to do!
7. Set up blog social accounts…Facebook Page, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram, and if your brave enough, YouTube..I’m not a person who likes to be on camera, so I’m struggling with this one! Make sure you try to “brand yourself”. If your blog is “Socialite in the Country” than so should your social media..facebook.com/socialiteinthecountry, twitter.com/socialiteinthecountry, etc. If it’s already taken try to find something similar like twitter.com/socialitecountry, but keep it uniform across your platforms. Make sense?
8. If your wanting to connect with brands doing reviews, giveaways, sponsored post etc…you will need to create a media kit. What is a media kit you ask? A media kit tell the brand who you are, what your blog is, how many followers you have, your rates for sponsored posts, ads etc. You can view an example here.
9. After your make your media kit & create all your social media accounts start following the brands you want to work with, retweet tweets, share posts..mention them in a tweet etc..but don’t be overwhelming…just gently let them know you are there.
10. You will now need to come up with the perfect pitch letter. Whats that? Well if your going to work with companies, you will need to pitch them in an email. How? I start by going to their site and looking for a contact page, or news page…You can always fill out the form on the site with your pitch, this is called cold pitching. I usually try to find a news page with press contacts or search google for press releases (which have press contacts) before I will cold pitch. Now it’s time to craft your email…tell them who you are, your blog name & purpose for contacting them. DO NOT DWELL ON AND ON! Make it short and to the point, they get hundreds a day and don’t want to read a story with each one. Make sure to include your stats (followers, page rank, etc.)
11. Now that you’ve done everything above and have products & clients, be professional, timely and write a stellar well written post for your client!
Happy Blogging! Have a blog? Leave your link in the comment so others can check you out!
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Parents magazine today revealed the Top 10 Best Hotel Chains For Families, perfect for family road trips, holiday travels or weekend getaways. Parents’ magazine editors and travel experts evaluated 60-plus hotel brands across the country to identify chains offering families great space and comfort, high satisfaction ratings, affordable rates, and entertaining kids’ programs. The full article is available in the November 2015 issue of the magazine and on Parents.com.
According to Parents, the year’s best hotel chains for families include:
Best Budget Chains
Residence Inn – With 650+ U.S. locations, the hotel offers extensive in-room amenities and a seasonal “Residence Inn Mix” program, featuring food-truck fare, restaurant pop-in tastings, and a backyard BBQ, depending on the night and location. (Fall rates for a Studio Suite start at $84 per night; residenceinn.marriott.com).
Hyatt Place – Perfect for keeping kids healthy on vacation, these properties offer a free breakfast buffet which has expanded in most locations to include more nutritious options, many packed with fruit, veggies, and protein. (Fall rates for a room with two queen beds start at $134 per night; hyattplace.com).
SpringHill Suites – Known for its roomy living areas and creative breakfast options, the chain’s special touch lies in a showcase of more than 2,000 pieces of artwork displayed throughout its lobbies. (Fall rates for a suite with two double beds start at $79 per night; marriott.com/springhillsuites).
Hilton Garden Inn – The hotel’s redesigned rooms are more family-friendly than ever, providing more counter space, clothes storage, charging stations, and seating. Hate waiting in line? Use the HHonors app to check-in and choose your room from your smartphone – you may decide on a room near the indoor pool, for instance – then swing by the front desk for the key. (Fall rates for a room with two queen beds start at $129 per night;hiltongardeninn.com).
Wingate by Wyndham – With starting rates of less than $100 per night (and free breakfast!) in many areas, you can’t beat the price of a standard room here. The brand also has a unique loyalty program that allows you to redeem some of your points for discounts on your stay. (Fall rates for a room with two double beds start at $129 per night;wingateatlanta.com).
Best Mid-Priced Chains
Embassy Suites Hotel by Hilton – Every room is a suite here, so forget about splurging on an upgrade for more space and privacy. Additional perks include a free nightly snack and drink reception, training for all staff on interacting with kids, and a new program offering baby care essentials at some locations. (Fall rates for a suite with two double beds start at $189 per night; embassysuites.com).
Loews Hotels & Resorts – From receiving early admission to Orlando theme parks so they can beat the crowds to attending “Farm School” at an organic farm to care for local animals and vegetables in San Diego, families take advantage of the coolest partnerships to keep the kids happy. (Fall rates for a room with two double beds start at $249 per night; loewshotels.com).
Omni Hotels & Resorts – Omni has a knack for taking old, historic resorts and restoring them into family meccas with plenty of adventure. Kids will have tons of fun with the free photo book and game-filled backpack they receive at check in. (Fall rates for rooms with two double beds start at $229 per night; omnihotels.com).
Hyatt House – Many locations offer two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites for what you’d pay for a single room at a higher-end chain. Plus, all room types come with a full kitchen and all the tools you need to cook and eat a great meal. (Fall rates for a one-bedroom suite start at $159 per night; hyatthouse.com).
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts – Sheraton offers the same features as its pricier Starwood cousins, Westin and Aloft, like “sweet sleeper” beds and cribs, pools, and an all-inclusive dining program for kids 12 and under. (Fall rates for suites start at $249 per night and a room with two double beds at $189 per night; starwoodhotels.com/sheraton).

Remember that just because you care about each other, doesn’t mean that you need to spend every waking moment together. There is nothing wrong with you pursuing your own interests and hobbies. After all, this will keep your relationship fresh and it will also give you the chance to grow as individuals. If you feel as though you are emotionally reliant on the other person then it could be worth learning how to break the cycle of codependency.
You Fight
Disagreements are normal. If you never have even minor arguments, then there is a chance that you are holding back. You have to remember that not all fights are bad, in fact, sometimes they can be a productive way of expressing your emotions, especially if you are trying to understand your partner, or have them understand you. If you spend all of your time trying to point-score then this will really harm your relationship and it could lead to miscommunication in the future.
You Like your Partner as they Are
Healthy relationships are always based on reality. Your relationship won’t get better if you have a baby, win the lottery or even purchase your dream home. For this reason, you have to love your partner for who they are. If you base your affection on what you see in the future then you could be setting yourself up for false hope, while also putting an unhealthy spin on your relationship.
Joint Decisions
If you call all of the shots, or if your partner does then this could indicate that your relationship is unhealthy. You need to learn how to make decisions together and you also need to know each other’s concerns and desires too.
You Laugh
Healthy relationships usually consist of fun and laughter. This doesn’t mean that you have to be giddy every day. Sure, your partner may drive you up the wall sometimes, but as long as you enjoy your time with each other then that’s all that matters. You may enjoy making dinner together, laugh at the same things or even finish one another’s sentences. It’s little things like this that show that you have a healthy relationship and it is also a great way for you to connect with your partner on a much deeper level.
Balance
Relationships are often about balance. Sometimes your partner will need to work long hours while you cook or clean, and sometimes it will be vice versa. Behind every healthy relationship is a healthy level of balance between two people.

Something that everyone needs is a good pair of shoes, or kicks as my boys say. For as long as I can remember I tend to buy the same brand over and over, Skechers. They have come out with so many innovative styles over the years…and colors that will please anyone. I was recently able to work with Skechers to try out their line of Women’s Equalizers! Skechers Equalizer are a Skech-Knit Mesh one piece upper in a lace up sporty athletic training sneaker with Gel Infused Memory Foam insoles. It’s like a cloud for your feet! I have worn them for a while now, and I love the Skech-Knit Mesh, it really allows your feet to breath in this south Texas heat, whether I’m running errands, or just running. The Gel Infused Memory Foam insoles keep my feet comfy all day. As I mentioned earlier, they have an array of colors with this shoe as well, I choose the Oasis, which I love, but is not like me at all, I usually choose a pink…they have a pink/navy & pink/black, but for some reason the blue/purple called my name! While they have kept me great company this summer, I think they would make a great Back to School shoe as well, there is a color for every outfit, and it will keep you or your grown kiddos going all day at school..I remember how much walking I did around campus my freshman year..it was killer on my feet, I would have loved to have these Skechers back then (lets just say it was a few years ago). The Equalizers are not the only memory foam shoe they have, you should check out their full line and see for yourself! Plus check out their full line for the kiddos, like twinkle toes, skech-air, & z-strap…you know they need new “kicks” too! Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links with fund the Mom of 4 Boys blog. All opinions seen in this publication are those of the writer and may differ from your own. Momof-3boys.com received compensation as a condition of this publication. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. For questions or to have your product featured on Mom of 4 Boys, email Becky at [email protected]..

In anticipation of American Odyssey’s premiere this Sunday, April 5 at 10/9c, I wanted to share some fun news with you! NBC and Google have teamed up to create an extended world for the show with an online companion site “Explore American Odyssey,” powered by Google Maps, that will focus on key cities and destinations from the show and allows fans to uncover hidden secrets, make new connections and view exclusive content. Fans can check back after new episodes have aired on NBC to view new content and discover the latest leaks and interceptions.
From writer-director Peter Horton (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and writers Adam Armus and Kay Foster (“The Following”) comes “American Odyssey,” a complex journey through global politics, corporate espionage and military secrets involving three strangers who only have one thing in common… the truth. In this “Traffic”-like action drama, an international cover-up explodes when the lives of a female Special Forces soldier, a disillusioned corporate lawyer and a political activist from a privileged family unexpectedly collide.
After a team of American soldiers battles jihadists in North Africa, they’re shocked to learn that they’ve stumbled upon and killed Al Qaeda’s top commander. Sergeant Odelle Ballard (Anna Friel, “Pushing Daisies”), a soldier, mother, wife and the unit’s only female member, discovers computer files that prove a major U.S. corporation is funding the jihadists. But before she can tell anyone, her team is attacked and killed. The world is told that the unit was wiped out by enemy militants, but the truth is that Odelle survived and is the only witness to her unit’s true assassins: private military contractors – Osela (think “Blackwater”).
The Fight of Her Life (Preview)
American Odyssey premieres Sunday, April 5 at 10/9c on NBC.
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