Musings from Me on Kids, Preteens, and Teens » Uncategorized

My Ancestors

Jill — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:08:18 +0000

I applied to be one of the bloggers who would get the chance to tour Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty on the Thursday of BlogHer (August 5) as part of the Liberty Mutual Responsibility Project. I don’t think I was chosen. I haven’t heard anything.

I desperately want to go on the tour. Why?

My stepgrandfather came through Ellis Island as a young man. He led a herd of cattle from England, across the Channel, to Ellis Island. From Ellis Island, he made his way to California where he sold the cattle. Legend has it that he lost all his money by the time he reached New York City.

I made my way to New York City from England, too. I arrived at JFK not Ellis Island. Twice. I emigrated to the U.S. twice: as a 4-year-old and as an 18-year-old college student. I became a U.S. citizen in 1992. I am proudly raising my 3 children in the United States of America!

When I Am Not Here, Where Am I?

Jill — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:25:32 +0000

I often use the phrase in “my spare time.” This phrase makes me laugh. Spare time? With my writing and social media work, I tend to spend large chunks of time on the computer. Is this work time? A hobby? Spare time? Since some of the work I do is unpaid and some paid, the line between work, family, and “spare” time gets blurred.

If I am checking e-mail, tweeting about a giveaway, registering a child for a summer camp, and writing a post for one of my sites — how do I log in my time? Work time or Spare time? Blurry, to be sure.

When off the computer I spend time with my family — I try to unplug as much as possible. You’ll notice I rarely tweet from family outings and gatherings.

So, what do I do in my spare…uh…work time?

When not blogging here, I manage 4 twitter accounts and 3 Facebook pages — me, my blog, and my blog’s fan page.

I use @MusingsfromMe and @KidPreteenTeen to promote my online persona, reviews, giveaways, and writing (TypeAMom, theDCLadies, Oyster Locals Blog, and Savvy Source DC).

I use @DCCityMommy as a tool for increasing the membership to DC.CityMommy.com — a mom message board/forum I lead. Are you a DC – MD – VA Mommy? Come join me at DC CityMommy!

@BaltimoreTweens is the handle I use for promoting my Baltimore writings. I write for the Baltimore Examiner on parenting tweens. Are you subscribed to my Examiner page?

I am one of the moderators for the MomSpark Forum. I tweet links to interesting topics on the MomSpark Forum. I engage commenters in conversations within the Forum. heading to #BlogHer? MomSpark has an informative Forum devoted to All Things BlogHer All the Time.

As a review blogger, I keep track of a large number of reviews and giveaways at any given time. I write for my blog and 5 other sites. Several of the sites require weekly posting, others biweekly, and others monthly. I keep track of all my deadlines on my Cozi.com calendar.

Off line? I volunteer at my children’s schools and church on a regular basis. I have worked check-in desks. For two years, I compiled and managed a program listing auction items for a church fundraiser. I was responsible for contacting all advertisers about ad placement.

I manage a group for one of the school PTAs, where I collect, collate, and notify children who have completed a summer workbook for an in-school reading program. I compile my data in Excel.

In my social media consulting business, I work with clients to raise their social media profile. Are you a brand? I would love to work with you before, during, and after #BlogHer. Let’s connect! Jill Anne Berry @ msn . com

Why Mom 2.0?

Jill — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:17:42 +0000

I responded to a friend on a forum. My friend asked “Why go to Mom 2.0?” And well, my resp0nse was long so I am adding it as a post. Enjoy!

I heart Mom 2.0. It was my second away from home conference. I loved everything about it.

First, the location was Houston. Now you might think well aren’t you stuck in the hotel for the entire conference and what does the city location matter? In order to make the city an integral part of the conference, the organizers incorporated the arty side of Houston in to the conference. The organizers scheduled an off-site event at a local very trendy art gallery. All attendees were taken to the reception by bus (no taxi $$ or money worries). There was a taco truck outside for food. Great event showcasing bloggers’ words transformed in to art. Plus I got to see a little bit of Houston on the way there and back. The Four Seasons was a high-end hotel at lower end prices.

Second, the talent was impressive. Keynote speakers on day 1 Heloise (Hints from Heloise) and Gretchen Rubin (Happiness Project). Keynote speaker on day 2 — dooce! Michael ?? (from Young and the Restless) spoke with his wife about their new movie, Flicka 2. Two of the minions from Despicable Me appeared on stage during the conference.

Third, the extras were impressive. The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile gave short tours of the city. A bus was set up to take attendees to a screening of Despicable Me. The food was excellent…the best food I have ever eaten at a conference. One lunch was catered by Barilla with chefs cooking the food at the buffet tables.

Fourth, the conference ran so smoothly. There was a live twitter stream projected on screens so that we could all see our tweets plus read the tweets of other speakers and attendees in other breakout rooms. I was not handed all the swag at once. As at the DC Brand/Blogger, at Mom 2.0 I walked from vendor to vendor talking about and picking up swag.

The only downside for me was that I had to leave mid afternoon on Saturday to catch a plane back home as I couldn’t afford to stay for a 3rd night. Southwest flights on Saturday out of Houston stop around 4 p.m. I missed a Barilla dinner and the CheeseburgHer party. A great conference!

Mom 2.0 will be in New Orleans — April 14-16, 2011.

Relaxation Redux + I Need a Sponsor for #BlogHer

Jill — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:24:20 +0000

I DESPERATELY need a timeout. I last had a relaxed neck and back in 2005. My husband gave me a gift certificate for a massage and pedicure. My relaxation level was high until I returned to my home. I was met by hungry, needy, and clingy kids. Bye by relaxation. Hello stress. My neck is a hot bed of tension. My back is always one step away from twingey-ness. I’m a hot mess in the relaxation department.

I wrote the above as a response to a #BlogHer contest to win among other things an Elizabeth Arden facial, plus stone massage, manicure, pedicure, a meal at the Russian Tea Room and of course moula ($1,000).

The $1,000 would certainly help me out as I am currently sponsorless. I assured my husband I would get a sponsor. Starting to wonder if I will get one. Panic is setting in a little.

—

Brands? I would love to represent you at BlogHer ‘10 in NYC. BlogHer is the biggest gathering on moms who blog, women who blog, and even men who blog. Your brand would be front and center as I represent you at BlogHer. I am a person who plans to meet as many people as I can at BlgHer. While I cannot hand out swag or coupons I will tell everyone I meet about your brand.

I would be willing to:

write two posts in July, August, and September about your product or service.
wear a t-shirt for one of the conference days.
I will tweet before and after the conference on new products, discounts, deals.
I will recommend your Facebook page to my followers in my tweets.
I will recommend your brand as one of my #followfriday picks for the Fridays leading up to BlogHer and the Fridays in August.
I will place a badge or button on my blog for July and August.

Interested in sponsoring me? Contact Jill at JillAnneBerry @ msn . com.

My Two Cent’s Worth on Brands and Bloggers

Jill — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:36:08 +0000

I am a Brand Ambassador for GH Moms and The View. I am a Fishful Thinking Ambassador.

I’m not a daytime TV watcher, so I had to remind myself to turn on the TV. I watch most shows late at night, which means I watched most of the shows I was supposed to watch on DVR. If you followed me on twitter I was the one tweeting about last night’s General Hospital the next night. So confusing, but it worked for me.

I got to watch both shows and tweet about them at a time convenient for me. I tweeted and wrote a few posts over the course of the Ambassadorship. I knew many of the #ghmoms and #theviewmoms, but met others during the programs. Love finding new people to follow.

Here’s my two-cent’s worth on brands and bloggers and ambassadors…

A brand ambassador program should be fair to the blogger.
Let the blogger know all the urls links, facebook, and twitter.
Bloggers need to be armed with enough information to be the best brand ambassadors.
Provide a dedicated website with information, press releases, images.
Images! It is SO much easier to have an image bank to choose images from. I am not a photographer so my photos are more of the snap shot variety. Good images are helpful.
Provide access code for bloggers to give to their readers.
Send e-mail reminders. Many bloggers are over extended and could use a reminder.
Brands should be clear in their requirements for bloggers.
Providing money to bloggers for ambassadorships is a good idea!
Signed contract is a good idea for anything involving money.
Time spent while an ambassador is considerable. If on twitter, I tweeted multiple times were day. If blogging, I spent 30 minutes per post writing and promoting. If reviewing, I took time to review each product.
Number one point I want to make: Pay bloggers to be brand ambassador.

Bloggers will do so much for free, but we need to be paid. As you know we have no union as our industry is still so new. No brand is paying $0 for advertising on TV. Now, if the project was philanthropic in nature I would not expect to be paid. But, for a long-term project some for of payment to bloggers is helpful.

The Tween Test Drives #Yoursphere

Jill — Sun, 16 May 2010 13:55:44 +0000

For those that read my blog, you know that I have promoted Yoursphere online and offline for over a year. I am continuing my work with Yoursphere by participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program.

My kids are 7, 11, and 14. We have frequent discussions about online safety. I have hammered in to the kids the idea that not everyone they meet online is a nice or safe person to befriend. Because I am supercautious, I have only recently allowed by 14-year-old to have a Facebook page. The younger ones can play online at approved sites: pbskids, Webkinz, etc.

Last year I heard about a safe, social network for kids and tweens. I was skeptical, but let my oldest sign up. She was clamoring to start a Facebook account — I wasn’t ready for her to get on Facebook. Yoursphere.com was a good experience for her. She met kids her age.

Most importantly, my daughter was playing in an online space with kids not adults. Yoursphere has an online vetting process through NetID me to keep out the creepers and predators. She earned points through posting her stories and playing games. My tween is now loving Yoursphere.com.

I was featured on Yoursphere’s website as one of the “Moms and Dads Who Inspire” the founder of Yoursphere — Mary Kay Hoal. I was proud to be a part of this illustrious list of men and women who care deeply about online safety of kids, tweens, and teens.

Yoursphere is now a FREE site for all kids and tweens. The ID verification process is still as strong as ever. If you want to sign up your kids, go to Yoursphere.com and use code YSMC-0051 to activate the free membership. For everyone who uses this code, I have the chance to win an American Express card.

I wrote this review while participating in the Yoursphere Test Drive program by Mom Central on behalf of Yoursphere. I received a free lifetime Gold membership on Yoursphere.com, Yoursphere t-shirts, and a $50 American Express gift card to facilitate my review.

Technorati Claim

Jill — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:08:17 +0000

KFSE4YVG4RZE

Yogurt It’s What’s for…and a Giveaway

Jill — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:16:15 +0000

Yogurt is a staple in our home. Breakfast…lunch…dinner…afterschool snack…late night snack. You name a meal and we might be eating yogurt at that meal.

My oldest does not like sandwiches…making lunch for her is challenging. One plus is that she loves yogurt. I pack a yogurt in an insulated cooler with an ice pack. The yogurt coupled with a juice bag, fruit, cheesestick, and cookies make for a healthy lunch for her. Yes, I know I could eliminate the cookies for a complete healthy lunch, but she’s a kid. The fight over whether or not I should pack a cookie in her lunch is not a battle I am going to fight!

The struggle to prepare balanced meals with an on-the-go lifestyle is one that many moms and dads can relate to. Yoplait has made it even easier to be proactive about your nutrition with the help of newly reformulated Yoplait YoPlus yogurt.

YoPlus now provides three important health benefits in each four-oz. cup:

Antioxidant vitamins A and E (now with 20% of your recommended daily value)
A blend of probiotic cultures & fiber (three grams of fiber per 4-ounce serving) for digestive health
Calcium and vitamin D for bone health

YoPlus is available in six delicious flavors including Strawberry, Vanilla, Cherry, Peach, Blackberry Pomegranate, and Blueberry Acai.

Looking for all the great health benefits of YoPlus with even fewer calories? YoPlus Light is the perfect solution, with one third fewer calories than the original. YoPlus Light is available in three delicious flavors – Honey Vanilla, Strawberry Banana, and Key Lime – all with just 70 calories per cup.

Need a coupon to save $1.00 on one package of Yoplait YoPlus yogurt? Go here for a coupon.

Want to try Yoplait YoPlus yogurt? I have a gift pack for one lucky Musings from Me reader. The YoPlus “better for you” gift pack contains a VIP coupon* for a 4-pack of Yoplait YoPlus yogurt, and an on-the-go lunch container with utensils, an insulated lunch bag, and a pedometer.

What is your favorite flavor of yogurt? Leave a comment.
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*The VIP coupon offer for a free 4-pack of Yoplait YoPlus yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Tennessee.

I was provided with the product, prize pack, information, and giveaway by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends April 29 at noon.

Getting “It” Off My Chest

Jill — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:35:19 +0000

I won’t go in to what “it” is, but I have found a way to deal with “it.” The issues — and really, it is more like issues — are not resolved…far from it. But, I have devised a way to deal with the issues. Not a solution. I have a temporary fix, if you will.

I so wish I could blog about this…but I know that blogging every single detail would not help the situation. I know the details all too well. I don’t need to rehash them.

While I know from experience that a temporary fix is not a forever fix. I have postponed an unpleasant situation for a perhaps indefinite period.

Don’t you wish that we could all live in a harmonious way with our fellow man? Why do people have to cause problems for other people? Why is it necessary to impose your values on other people? I should stop now before I actually blog about this situation.

Guess Where I Am?

Jill — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:12:45 +0000

If it is Sunday it must be volleyball. Coach Dad and the tween are in Chestertown, MD. The teen and I are in Sterling VA. The kid has the best deal. He is at his grandparents.

Teen and I set out as if we were on an expedition….minus the walking of cpurse.

The van was a stand in for a sturdy pair of hiking boots. The back pack or hatchback of the van was overflowing with all that we needed for the day. Two folding chairs…cooler filled with water bottled….kneepads…..spare shirts….annd work for me to do. Notte; 1xcuse typos as I am reduced to blpgging from my phone.