Safe Blogging? Well as safe as can be....

Sources:
http://ilookbothways.com/learn-safety/blogging/
http://www.microsoft.com/security/family-safety/blogging.aspx
http://www.netsafe.org.nz/keeping_safe.php?pageID=142&sectionID=adults&menuID=106

Let's talk about how to blog safely. Well as safe as possible. There are some common sense rules about blogging that lots of adults don't think about and certainly things that kids would even comprehend about the dangers of blogging. It is so easy to share too much, risking identity, pride and embarassment.
Here's what I found.
The first site listed about gives 8 great tips on keeping safe when you blog. All great advise. In fact, this blog has tons of other good suggestions as well.
2nd link: I love that I found a blog from Microsoft about blogging and Internet safety. They are a very trusted source and a very popular brand, kids will follow their "expert" advise.
The last link is to a blog post about adult safety, which is good because we tend to think that we are indestructible and untouchable, but we are just a vulnerable as children when it comes to the Internet. It address copyrighted material, which is great and can get a person in trouble.

Happy bloggin.

TTFN
Juli

Blog-topia about learning, who've known...

Blogging about e-learning, learning and education isn't something I have ever thought about. In fact, I'm a big blogger. They seem to take too much time, and if you aren't updating them regularly, they get outdated faster than milk in the fridge. They certainly have their purpose and can bring people together over spans of land and sea, but still, for me, keeping a blog is just blah.
For my class, I had to search out blogs about learning and holy cow there are a ton. I looked at several examples of how they were used in classrooms in K-12. The blogs were fun if they had pictures and I also saw a great way to let kids learn technology, by letting them become the blogger/ authors. Another great use for blogs is to connect and share with a sister school in another country. The kids must really dig that.
I also a plethora of blogs about e-learning and higher education learning. Several were fascinating, some were blah (kinda like my blog). 
I'll post more on that later.

TTFN

Juli

On the blog again.....

So I am starting a Master's program at USU. It is called Instructional Technology and Design degree. I am excited to be learning and part of my first class is to set up and use a blog. So, I will probably being blogging a bit more. Ha ha, since the last time I posted something was like a year ago or more! So crazy. Click here to learn more!

Family

I have wonderful neices and nephews. Here are some pictures of some of my favorites.

Amy (all valley b-ball player of the year), Paige (dressed as a Princess) and a video of Peyton laughing at his sister.

The Last Few Months...

Life has been pretty boring the last few months, yet very different. I am adjusting to life as a stay at home mom. I still search daily for a job and have interviews almost every week, but nothing seems to materialize. The kids are normal, with school and friends and piano, we are all wishing for warmer weather.

Mike is enjoying his new job at work and his new schedule. He leaves the house sometime in the AM, between 3 & 4 and gets home between noon and 1. It is really great to have some one-on-one time in the afternoon together. Different but great. We haven't had alone time like this since the kids were born. The good thing is that he doesn't go to bed any earlier and he doesn't smell like cheese anymore.

The kids spent spring break with Jennette & Janell- and they had a blast! They are wonderful sisters to take them for 4 days to give me a break. It was great for us to have a little vacation at home....

For the Easter weekend, we had Bob and Dani and Addie stay with us! It was so fun and conference was wonderful. I am grateful for family and the joy they bring into my life. I love having company- it is a great excuse to clean the house.

Last Friday night- I hosted a leadership training overnighter for the YW leaders and class officers. It was so much fun! The girls were so sweet and fun. Olea came and gave a wonderful talk about service and how each YW are superheros in these latter days. She explained how to keep their "super suits" strong. They are each "incredi-girl". It was awesome to have the spirit here. The girls laughed and talked for hours. Erin, Ruth and I, found ourselves upstairs with some yearbooks and laughed as much as the girls. What a great night, what a great calling, what wonderful sisters I serve with!

Enough for now-

Juli

Will and the pants

Today was the Valentine's Tea at school for Will. Everyone dresses up and they have a lesson on manners and escort a girl for punch and cookies. After the tea and lunch, Will packed regular clothes to change into. This morning, I told him his clean pants were in a pile and to grab clean pants to wear, which he did. About 30 minutes ago a got a call from him, he was whining and I was annoyed- what could be wrong??? Well, he grabbed my pants instead of his. He was laughing so hard. I ran up to the school with a pair for him. I am so thankful that he found the humor in the situation as he held up my pants with one hand as he headed to the bathroom to change. I am great that his personality was such that he didn't cry or be embarrassed. His whole class new what was going on and he laughed his way through the situation. I love that kid!

Life Without a Job

My life has been flipped upside down since I lost my job last September. That week was full of ups and downs. After I returned from my week in Las Vegas for work and turning in my last assignment to complete my Master's degree and I got the call. If nothing else this time has allowed me to put my faith in my Heavenly Father. Mike and I both were comforted by the spirit and we knew that we would be OK. I have been blessed in so many ways over the past few months, I can't begin to count. Unspoken prayers have been answered and the simple desires of my heart have been granted.

I don't have a job yet, but I have been able to strengthen my interviewing skills and meet some new people. I am preparing to take the PHR exam (a test for HR professionals) and I have had some wonderful time with my family. I was so busy before that the Lord knew I needed a break from it all. Thanks to all who have supported and blessed my life.

My life, I must admit has become a little lazy and too full of TV. I have cleaned out almost all the closets, cleaned almost everywhere and painted a wall in the front room, dark brown. December was full of homemade crafts and that meant a lot of trips to Hobby Lobby. It was fun to be creative. I have taken up beading, just a little and even homemade valentines. See the picture....

I really think the worst part of it all is the hours it takes the kids to get their homework done everyday! ugh! I do love them! They are wonderful kids and so very smart. Mike has been so supportive and understanding, since I feel so displaced and sometimes the self esteem got low. He loves me- no matter what and I love him in return. Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

-Juli