Mindy Long

The Joy of Working from Home

mindylong_web — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:39:03 +0000

We’re having some work done in our house today and I needed a quiet place where I could conduct a phone interview for a story. I sought out some solitude on our back deck and got to sit in the sun for a full 30 minutes while running down my list of questions and learning all about a great new product that will be hitting stores this summer. It’s days like today that make me so grateful I work from home! I should make it a point to utilize my backyard office more often.

When It Isn’t the Right Fit

mindylong_web — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:46:05 +0000

Every so often, a potential project comes along that just isn’t the right fit. As a freelancer, it is always hard to turn down work. But I’ve found that it is even worse to take on a project that I can’t commit to 100 percent or that doesn’t tap into the expertise I can bring to the table.

For the past few weeks I’ve been talking with a company about some opportunities they have available. I’ve enjoyed the people I talked to and think they would be great to work for, yet the project isn’t right for me at this time. As hard as it was to say no, it was great to walk away from a negotiation knowing that I’ve been completely honest and feeling like the other party was completely honest as well. It was the perfect example of how negotiations should go and how one can turn down a project while still leaving the door open for future opportunities. You never know when they might have the project that will align perfectly with my skills.

For a Good Laugh

mindylong_web — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:10:58 +0000

Have you ever had one of those days when you just need a pick me up? The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotations can get me laughing every time. It is hilarious. The concept is simple…the author posts pictures and funny commentary of signs with misplaced quotation marks. Whenever I look at it I end up with tears in my eyes because I’m laughing so hard. My hubby laughs about how funny I think it is, but I can’t help it. I think you’ll like it, too.

Send Some Love to the Journalist in Your Life

mindylong_web — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:34:01 +0000

If you’re going to be sending a Valentine to a journalist this year, check out the great options at 10,000 Words–Part I from 2009 and Part II from this year.

Book Club: Pick a Picoult Novel

mindylong_web — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:23:30 +0000

In anticipation of Jodi Picoult’s next book, House Rules, that will hit book stores on March 2, I thought we could ‘Pick a Picoult Book’ for the next virtual book club.

There are 18 to choose from, so pick one that sounds good and let’s circle back and share our thoughts on March 9. Who knows, maybe I will have even finished the new one by then! You can read about all of the books at http://www.jodipicoult.com/.

Book Club: Half Broke Horses

mindylong_web — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:01:07 +0000

What can I say? I loved this book. I hadn’t read it before selecting it for book club, which can sometimes be a risky maneuver. Luckily, it worked out.

Walls calls the book a true-life novel that tells the story of her grandmother. It recounts Lily’s experiences growing up on a cattle ranch where she is tasked with breaking horses. Then it follows Lily as she goes away to boarding school, takes a teaching job and then moves to the big city of Chicago. She moves around a few more times before starting her family and each segment of her life is filled with adventure and challenges Lily overcomes.

I love reading about innovative women and Lily was one of a kind. She was a hard worker and pretty crafty. She bootlegged liquor to help keep the family’s garage afloat during rough times and she ran a taxi service while teaching school—where she also worked as the bus driver and janitor. One of my friends in my real-life reading group (i.e. a group that meets face-to-face and not via the internet) commented that reading about Lily made her feel lazy. I agree. Sometimes packing up my son for a trip to Target wears me out. Lily took two small kids on a multi-day expedition via horseback just to survey the property lines of the ranch she and her husband were managing. I can’t imagine how you pack for that.

The dust jacket of the book calls it Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults, which may explain why I liked it so much. It also made me think of my own grandmother who oversaw the family ranch (although, I don’t think my grandma ever broke any horses). She sure looked good on one though, didn’t she? Forgive the large picture–I’ve been trying to reduce the size, but it has taken up too much time and now I’ve decided I will just have to live with it.

I’m sure she had to learn how to manage her fair share of cowboys and ranch hands. Here she is whistling to try and keep someone in line, I’m sure.

I haven’t read Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, but after reading this one, I definitely plan to pick it up. And, I want to know, if you’ve read Half Broke Horses, what were your favorite parts? Can you relate to Lily?

Snow, Snow and More Snow

mindylong_web — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:07:02 +0000

I have to hand it to the meteorologists here in the D.C. area. They’re accurate. It started snowing at 9:30 a.m. on Friday and didn’t stop until 6:00 Saturday evening, leaving us with the predicted 25+ inches of snow. The sun on Sunday lured us out to do some shoveling, play a little and snap a few photos. Even though the snow creates a lot of extra work and hassle, it is pretty.

Photo Sharing – Video Sharing – Photo Printing

Getting around in over two feet of snow, whether on foot or in the car, creates a few challenges. We’re learning to overcome them.

The local weather is predicting another 8-10 inches of snow on Tuesday. I’m eager and afraid to see if they’re right.

Trying to Stay Warm

mindylong_web — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:43:10 +0000

With one snow storm behind us and another one on the way, I’m thinking warm thoughts to try and stay toasty.

The latest weather report predicted 18-20 inches of snow for us over the weekend. Today I’ll join the masses buying up extra milk and bread in case we’re stuck in the house for the next three months. I’m also in search of a sled so we can make the most of the white stuff.

Back from Sunny California

mindylong_web — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 10:08:25 +0000

I was lucky enough to spend the past week basking in the California sunshine. The flowers, palm trees and sun were all gorgeous. I even enjoyed a few guilty pleasures while I was there. I think my favorites were dining out every day (and not ordering off the low-cal portion of the menu) and sipping a pina colada (virgin–of course) by the pool. I’m paying the price for both of those this week. I think the warm weather has made me a little less tolerant of the snow that was blanketing the ground when we landed. At least I have lots of pictures to remind me that warm weather will be right around the corner–even if the groundhog predicted otherwise.

Shaping 2010

mindylong_web — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:01:59 +0000

One of the most amazing women I blog stalk is Rachel Coleman, the co-creator of the Signing Time series and a mom of two girls. This week on her blog she had an inspiring post on Creating The Year 2010. For the past few years, she and her family have declared each year The Year of ___________. They’ve had The Year of No More Somedays, The Year of Fun & Adventure and The Year of Health & Fitness.

I love the idea and started thinking about creating my own 2010. I’ve decided it is going to be The Year of If Not Now, Then When? No more procrastinating on those projects floating around in my mind or the adventures I want to plan with my family. This year I will take the time to pursue all those story ideas I’ve come up with and make time for more of my personal writing. It is too late to make it to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day this year, but I’m going to start researching hotels and book a trip for 2011.

I’m going to print my new little mantra out and pin it above my desk, so each day I’m reminded to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way. And for those opportunities that I just can’t pursue right now, I’m going to answer the question of ‘when?’ I hope to come up with more concrete answers than ‘someday’ or ‘when things slow down.’

Thanks, Rachel, for the great idea and for offering up so much inspiration on your blog!

And, I’m curious, what is your year 2010 going to be?