Help Out One of Our Own
December 11, 2008
Well. despite my study-induced near coma, I did catch a few Tweets yesterday with a cup of coffee. (NaNa-Na-NaNaNa to Sean, who has killed THREE coffee pots this week!)
One of those tweets was about Remarkablogger, Michael Martine. You can read about Michael’s predicament here, but I’ll provide a summary for you.
Michael had a brush with death on an icy road and totaled his Jeep. He walked away without a scratch, but without a drivable vehicle. He was brutally honest about recovering form a bankruptcy several years ago, and not making millions from his website, only enough to keep his head above water, and asked for his reader’s help.
I think his honesty is commendable, and since I believe God controls the events in each of our lives, (regardless of whether or not we acknowledge His presence and sovereignty) I am passing on his story here.
I know things are tight right now for everyone, we’re feeling the pinch here, too. But the Christmas Spirit inspires generosity and ministering, and one of our own is in need.
Michael is an amazing blogger and online business entrepreneur. He has asked for donations through PayPal, in any amount. In exchange, he is offering access to a special Webinar that will cover:
* Choosing a blog niche and doing keyword research
* Choosing post topics and SEO
* Getting comments
* Increasing traffic
* Social media
* Sneak peek at SEO-Nomicon
Since many of you are participating in OBS, this would be a wonderful companion seminar. If you can spare $2, $10, or even $100, please consider donating to help Michael get back on his feet. You’ll fell all warm and Christams-y for your good deed, and plus you’ll get a great Webinar to boot!
https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=UWr_Texg587hOZnbCcmw-l3Ah4zIn1QTEAmpGHxF7EjXuJLbdo5DzZETFUO&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f9fecf49521b3f5af727cc8f9db6c1fecf4abf56207eb6b8e
Santa’s Surprise
December 10, 2008
Here’s a tear jerker for ya. Grab the tissues, you’re gonna need ‘em. This three year old girl asked Santa for a blue truck and her daddy.
Still Wonky
December 9, 2008
Well, this final paper has consumed my life. My house is a natural disaster, my kids have had mostly free reign since Saturday, and I haven’t seen my bed since Tuesday. Oh wait, today is Tuesday, make that Sunday then.
At this point, I would pay someone hordes of money to entertain my kids (duct tape is optional), get my coffee, cook, and find the floor in my living room. Except no one in their right mind would drive out here to spend time in my cold shack with my heathens. (Did I mention that Steph is off this week, too?) Amidst all the chaos, I am trying to finish a large batch of website copy, write my final paper which summarizes each book of the Bible, and study for two comprehensive exams- all due by Friday.
So in lieu of actual content, here’s another round of newspaper ads to entertain you while I try to find my sanity. Smile, it’s Tuesday.
Go Granny!
December 8, 2008
OK, Because this is finals week for me, This week will most likely be wonky. Just to jump start things, here’s a hilarious video I got in an email this weekend. There’s an annoying ad thingy in the beginning. Just wait it out, it’s worth it.
There will probably a normal post sometime later today, so check your reader when you get a minute. 
Say What?
December 6, 2008
My feed reader is full, thanks to a lovely case of Pink Eye. So, in place of Blog Nirvana this week, I thought we’d go for a little humor. No worries though, I’ll post a double dose of quotes in the next Blog Nirvana.
hmmm.. which is less?
Well, no comment.
Do I still qualify as a teenager, then?
Wow, someone paid them for that.
Ouch, newspaper reporter gets slugged for insulting one armed man.
Hey! That happens here, too. Where’s the number for the Sheriff’s Department?
Wow, state quarters seem suspicious to me, too.
Dude, someone steals my mail, too because I never got a million dollar check from Publisher’s Clearing House like they promised!
Huh, go figure.
Here’s your sign.
Failure to stop for a train = prostitution?
Pen and Ink: the Perfect Gift for Under Your Tree
December 5, 2008
Warning: this post is a shameless promotion for a collaborative effort of two of my favorite bloggers. Writer Dad and Blogger Dad have teamed up to offer a holiday gift that takes advantage of their combined super-hero-like talents. Standing alone, either of these talented bloggers can write (and sometimes draw) the pants off any ordinary website. Combined, they are a force to be reckoned with. (Are you excited yet, or is this corny drivel putting you to sleep?)
Pen and Ink
Now for the obligatory sales pitch:
The Spectacular Christmas Gift is officially termed Pen and Ink. It’s a custom created art project, perfect for that hard to buy for person on you holiday list. It’s also a heart warming gift for that special someone in your life. Heck, it would even be a great gift for yourself this year.
How It Works
Sean asks a few questions about what type of gift it will be, and pens a unique and beautiful snippet of prose, as only Writer Dad can. He then sends the cadenced creation off to Blogger Dad for a bit of custom artwork to accompany the prose. The result is a stunning one-of-a kind masterpiece.
I’ve already ordered mine. The poem is complete, and truly amazing. Sean worked in my boys’ names and more than a few references to all the things I love about Christmas on the farm. Dave is working on the artwork now and I’m all a-tingle with anticipation to see what he creates.
The Details
You can get your own Pen and Ink creation by contacting Sean or Dave directly, but the easiest way is to fill out the adorable contact form for Pen and Ink here.
The custom creation will cost you $50 for a digital file, and a little more if you want a print copy mailed to your home. For fun, you can also pay Sean an extra $10 and he’ll tell Dave repeatedly that the artwork is the wrong color, or the wrong size, or the wrong theme, and you can laugh with Sean as Dave pounds his head against the monitor and fixes it over and over and over. 
For me, this is one of those special gifts that becomes an instant family heirloom.
I know money is tight for most of us this year, and $50 may as well be $500. If you love the idea, but can’t part with the cash right now, send Sean or Dave an email and tell them how much you like the idea anyways. I think it’s a great gift and if they get enough of a positive response, they may offer it again next year. Plus, they put a lot of brain power into this concept and would love to hear your praises for the idea. Everyone needs a little encouragement, even super heroes of the Blogopolis. 
