Family * Travel * Food

Are people really who you THINK they are?

The husband and I were having an intense conversation this morning about our online circle of friends. Every day we log into our Facebook accounts and read the good, the bad and the ugly that goes on day-to-day of our "friends". Dwayne was saying how people assume so much off of posts that they fail to realize what is really real. For example he was saying how you might have a person living a certain lifestyle through social media and in reality this person might be going through a domestic violence situation. This is very true. We don't necessarily reveal the whole truth about ourselves online. Dwayne and I constantly go back and fourth about online interaction and how real-life interaction is dwindling. Then on the other hand, if you are not involved in social media you will get left behind. For me, I get so much from my online friends. I have learned so much that has helped me in my life and I love to share my views with others. If I can encourage just one person in some way then I feel I am using social media for good. I have made some amazing connections as well as some creepy ones. I do learn from both sides in different ways every day. It's funny that I do have local, personal people in my life that it seems to be a greater struggle to get together more than my online contacts. Interesting....

Shelly, Mom Files
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Are you "in" Google+ ?

Seriously, don't we have enough to keep up with and now there is Google+? I am "in" and honestly I don't see what all the hoopla is about. I don't even know how to use the darn thing and it seems like it's way over the top. I like simplicity. Some people have said it is like Facebook and Twitter in one place. I think I am more partial to Facebook by itself as well as Twitter by itself. Maybe I'm just too old school to appreciate all this social networking technology. I am trying to figure how the heck you delete it!

What about you? Are you a part of Google+? Do you like it? Am I missing something? Please share..

Shelly, Mom Files
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Info on the new Verizon Wireless data plans

I have been a long time Verizon Wireless customer, even before they were called Verizon. I have been very pleased over the years and was really shocked when I heard about the new data package requirements being implemented as well as the end of "unlimited" data. This scared us since Dwayne and I are dedicated smartphone users. We do it all~ social networking, blogging, Google, Pandora, email.... you name we do it. I read some of the awful customer comments on Facebook and Twitter and thought to myself, "How can such a big and great company do this to their customers?" Of course I had to find out for myself and not go with all of the ignorant comments you see all over the internet.

I called Verizon's customer service center to inquire how this new change will affect my family. It turns out that the new data package pricing only affects new customers getting smartphones and also current customers upgrading to a smartphone from a regular phone. As long as you were an unlimited data customer prior to the new changes you will not be affected. Even if we upgrade to newer smartphones, we will still be able to keep our current unlimited package with the same price. I was so happy to hear that because I was starting to think I was going to have to go back to a normal phone since I am a heavy smartphone user. I am glad I did my homework and did not just assume the worst. I am also happy that I won't have to switch from a company I love.
Shelly, Mom Files
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Delete Delete DELETE!

I have been in a serious cleaning mood lately. This includes my online life. Both Dwayne and I came to the realization of just how much time social networking takes up in our lives. So many important things would get pushed aside so we could be more 'social'. Well enough is enough. We both deleted our Facebook and Twitter apps from our phones. Dwayne got rid of his Facebook account and I was about to get rid of mine. The only reason I did not was due to some groups I am a part of that are pretty important to me. I am getting ready to close off my wall and disable comments. I thought I was going to miss it and although it has just been less than a week, our lives have improved so much. I have lost interest in so much of the crap that people put out there for the world to see as well as all the complaining and whining. We really think Facebook is a bad thing when it is not used in the right way. Dwayne and I are planning get-togethers with REAL people more often. Now that is what I call being social! I will continue to post on my Momfiles page. I am enjoying living in real life :)
Shelly, Mom Files
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Lately...

I have not been writing much. I have not had a whole lot to say. I have felt like savoring moments with my kids who are growing up way too fast. I am realizing more and more each day that my kids will need me less. I was on the computer several weeks back and William was nagging me to do something (I can't remember what it was exactly). I told him to give me a moment that I was working. A week later he sees me on the computer while I was on Facebook. He asked in that sweet baby voice "Hey Bawbi, you working?" It was that moment that I realized I was spending too much time on the daggone computer. And not just the computer, the smart phone too. Facebook, Twitter, email and text at my fingertips. I felt so much guilt and have vowed to do a whole lot less of that nonsense. After all, why do I need to know who "checked in" where and how many people hate the weather, the world, is in a relationship but it's complicated, etc... All of that does nothing for me and yet I got sucked into it. I have not been posting much on the blog because I have been living life physically. Some days I wonder if I even want to keep the blog. I have noticed so many other bloggers feeling the same way lately. Oh well, I guess I'll just go with the flow and see what happens from here....
Shelly, Mom Files
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Living life

There are days that I really don't want to be on the computer or on my phone but I still end up there. Our lives seem to be lived by documenting short sentences telling the world our whereabouts and saying what's on our mind. Don't forget your # in front of your words. It seems to be what makes the world go around. Social media. I am really not feeling it some days. It is information overload and it gets to be too much. I am keeping things simple and focusing on my sweet family. I want to do less online stuff and more personal and important things. I have had one of the best days today and realized that the computer was not a part of it. Wow, I went the bulk of the day with minimal online correspondence and lived. Truly I lived. I like this sort of living. It is exhilarating and fulfilling. We need to sometimes stop and truly live. Sorry for rambling. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Shelly, Mom Files
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Some great guidelines for Facebook

For a lot of us who are frequent "Facebookers" I have taken the time to compile a list of no-no's for Facebook.

* It is not nice to go through other people’s friends list and add them without knowing them. If you are just trying to have a lot of friends, this is not a good way.
* If you invite someone to join your network, site, mafias, farms, etc. or any other interest and they have not responded, this is a good sign they are NOT interested. Frequent invites are annoying and need to stop.
* If you send too many virtual gifts to others, you might get blocked from their stream.
* It is not cool to use a fake name or picture. It can hinder you from people you actually know from adding you.If you go as Mike "Keepin'itPimpin" Johnson and you have a profile pic of Lil Wayne, chances are you will NOT get added.
* Cursing on your status or on someone’s wall. In my book that is almost instant deletion. Keep it clean, you never know who can see it. I have a teenager on FB so I respect her.
* If someone removes you as a friends leave it alone. They had their reasons so don’t be childish sending daily requests and messages asking why you deleted them.
* If you keep your wall closed and do not allow comments on any of your photos, status or notes then why are you on FB is the first place??
* Do not friend strangers just to pitch your business to them. Collecting email addresses from your “friends” is just wrong. I do not want to buy your organic juice, host a party or purchase panties that will make me melt away my fat. Thanks, but no thanks!!
* If you have an issue with someone or have something personal to discuss DO NOT post it on their public wall. Inbox them. There are some things that should never be publicized.
* It might be a good idea to not tag someone in a photo that could cause humiliation or problems for them. I have seen people in provocative photos posted by others. While on the subject of photos, you might want to be careful what you post. Jobs are looking at FB and a lot of people have been terminated over FB. It’s not that important people!


Please, if you have anything to add by all means we want to hear it!!

Shelly, Mom Files
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My inbox is immaculate

I am a frequent Facebook/Twitter user and I have noticed almost daily the status updates of friends talking about their email inbox. It is astonishing to me that so many have over a thousand email. Some even in the upwards of 5,000. I get into a panic if mine even goes to 20. I have a tendency to keep an immaculate inbox. I have folders that keep email in particular categories and I do a folder cleaning every few months just to not let them build up with a bunch of useless trash. I also keep my Smart phone on my 24/7 so that my new mail never builds to more than about 10-15 unread messages. I can say that I have a very well organized email system. Now if only my office and house can be that way....

Shelly, Mom Files
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Nonsense

  • How come so many people that are in the medical field smoke? The smoker's corner is always full. I thought they were supposed to be promoting better health.
  • I always seem to be the initiator of keeping in touch with people. Last I checked email, text and phone calls go both ways. People tell you to keep in touch all the time but apparently it does not include them doing their part.
  • A great way to ward off hunger is to drink a huge glass of water and then brush your teeth. It really works and you suddenly lose your appetite.
  • What's up with all the people online telling you how you can make tons of extra income by selling organic juice, underwear that makes you lose weight and online secrets? They still have to keep a day job so where's all the money you made??
  • Underwear that makes you lose weight in 2 days????? No comment.
  • If I see someone spell the word some like "sum" I am going to lose it.
Okay, I'm done with my nonsense ;-)
Shelly, Mom Files
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You are a freakin adult!!!

If you have a Facebook account you might notice a trend in grown folks behavior. Some ppl Lyke 2 tYPe liKe dis nd SpElL LykE dis. If you are a teenager then I will give you a little bit of a pass. Now when you are a parent of teenagers then you just have a problem. If you take so much time to purposely misspell words and think you are cool, you thought WRONG. I have asked my teenagers what they think about adults doing it and they thought it was tacky and very uncool. They even think it's stupid for their own friends to do it. The older one told me if I ever did that on Facebook she would delete me from her friends list! Let me not get started on some of the very risque photos that are being posted. I see this with people that have their own kids on their friend's list. Hmm, don't go into politics ;)

My point to this post is that your children watch you and tend to follow in your foot steps (bad or good). Don't you find it your responsibility to be a good role model? There comes a time that we all have to grow up already! Not saying you need to break out the walking cane and Geritol just act your age.
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Getting things together

This is going to be one of those very random posts so here I go... First of all I have made a decision to deactivate my Facebook account for at least a week. Most people are in shock and wonder why. It's simply for me to take a little more time to focus on everyday tasks as well as work on some things that I have neglected. I am assisting Dwayne with his business and I need to get a good sense of organization and planning. My office is in shambles so obviously I need to get cracking on that ASAP.

My toddler son is curious and very fast. I can't take my eye off of him for even a minute. He found a glass that way left out that contained a little bit of leftover adult beverage and thankfully it spilled before he could take a sip. That was a bit of an eye opener that once again organization is needed.

With Christmas on it's way I have all these lavish plans to bake bake bake. I plan to do just that. I had to come up with a good teacher gift idea for over 12 teachers that would not break the bank account. I decided on making some mini lemon pound cakes and presenting them nicely wrapped in cellophane and fancy tissue paper. I might even go the extra step of printing out homemade gift tags with the recipe attached. I will post photos once I complete them so you can see how they turned out. I might just post the recipe as well.

The biggest thing I want to do is take time daily to stop and smell the roses. Life is not as complicated as we make it. Simple is good :)
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Social Networking and teens

It's everywhere...so many of us are on these networks. I am on so many I have lost count. Social Networking is a growing trend and even kids and teenagers are a part of it. Dwayne and I let our daughters each get a FaceBook account to keep in touch with friends and family. It's been really good especially for our older daughter since she started high school and most of her friends attend different schools. I wish we had these types of services in my school days! Now all of this comes with a list of rules. We approve all photos before they are uploaded. I have seen some photos that teens post and it is appalling! Friends can only tag photos we approve of. No IMing. You must ask permission to go on and you have a set time. They have ONE time to mess up and poof! It's deleted. Not on hold or you can't use it for 2 weeks. DE-LETED.


So far they have been following the rules and have had no problems. Some people may think we are a bit overboard and really we don't care. We want our children to be a part of all the technology we have but it comes with limits and we care about their safety.



How about you...do you allow your kids to partake in any social networking? Do you have any special rules or guidelines you want to share?
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