I’m thinking about a contest, but apparently that’s as far as I get because I simply don’t know how to get started or what I want to give away. Of course I have lots of ec’s, but I want to figure out something special that people would actually want. I’m not very artsy or crafty so making something wonderful is a bad idea. I have lots of “stuff” that I’ve collected over the years that I could sort through and decide on something that I value. I could donate my time for a beauty session perm, cut, facial, manicure and yes I do have a current Cosmetology licence.

Nope the last one wouldn’t be a good idea because I’m certainly not going to pay for air travel any where any time soon nor could I fly anyone to my home nor would I want to. You might say I’m not a very trusting person when it comes to strangers although Bill does have guns and wouldn’t hesitate to use them. Personally I have met many online friends and I must have been one very lucky and incredibly stupid person to risk going out of state to do so or I just didn’t care if I lived or not or I was too trusting at the time.

What would be a good idea for a contest? I would appreciate any and all input, I have lots of e-books and how to do books that I’ve gotten online many with resell rights, but I don’t know if any of the guest that stop by here would be interested in those. I would prefer ec credits and some of my treasures or so they are to me. Maybe I’ll take some pictures of the things I have in mind and you can let me know what would be appealing.

Of course I would need sponsors and figure out how to get lots of people involved for a chance of winning. Dang that sounds like an awful lot of work maybe I should just keep thinking about it a while longer. At any rate the weekend is almost here again and today is bean day for Bill and my Brother, they do love those pinto beans and cornbread. It’s also hair cutting day for my Brother and Bill so I better get a move on.

Many people that work at home and sit at their computer for any length of time usually complain of neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. I am forever feeling strain on one place or the other and I know my posture is partly to blame. The best way to sleep which I always have is on your side in a fetal position with a pillow between your knees. I of course use my man pillow as Bill calls it. I have a horrid time sleeping in a bed with anyone so it helps me to have my space, weird I know. My body pillow is long so one part goes between my knees and I hug the top, I can’t stand to be touched when I sleep or to touch anyone.

Below are some things you can do if you work at home some might be awkward if you have a job outside your home, but any one can do the following: While sitting or standing you may find relief by resting your foot on a stool, when sitting down for extended periods of time use some kind of lumbar support behind your lower back, start walking more because the more you walk, the stronger your back muscles get, increase your level of calcium, eat foods rich in vitamin B-12, look for foods rich in magnesium, drink plenty of water, dehydration can cause many health problems and aches and pains, avoid carbonated drinks and sugar.

Also try to remember whether sitting or standing sit with your back pushing toward your stomach and your shoulders backward. If you’re standing for long periods of time make sure that your chest is elevated, your shoulders back, and your body straight and perpendicular to the ground. When I worked in the shop I always stood with my feet spread about a foot apart it always took pressure off my lower back. When sitting down for a long period of time, lean to the left and then to the right and keep adjusting yourself. When you have to sit at a desk for long periods of time, put your monitor on a higher platform so you don’t have to look down at it. Keep your head level.

Also you can take a minute to bend down and touch your toes. Moving your head around should be easy enough to do and be sure to take the time to give yourself a bear hug who cares if someone thinks your in love with yourself just do it you’ll feel much better. The ones below you can try in your home office when you start stiffening up. Of course if you have serious pain from an injury sustained you might want to check with your doctor about the best exercises for you. These are just suggestions for those of us that stiffen up from bad posture and sitting too long at the computer. Try standing up and place your hands on your lower back and push your hips forward and your shoulders back.

Lay down on the ground facing up. Pull one of your knees up to your chest and then do the same with the other.  While still lying face up, bend your knees and have your feet flat on the floor. Push your hip area up forming a bridge with your body.  Then while you’re still down there keep your knees together and then twist your bottom torso to the left, pointing your knees around to the 10 o’clock position and then point them to the right to the 2 o’clock position. Each direction you turn, remember to hold it. Laying face down lift your legs and your upper torso so that you are forming a bowl. Hold this for a couple seconds.

There are many small exercises that you can find online and will benefit lower back pain from sitting too long and using bad posture and if you’re still down there on the floor go ahead and get on all fours, extend one arm completely and the opposite leg completely and then switch. You can also lean over at a 90 degree angle and using 5-10 pound weights (or whatever you feel comfortable with) raise your arms straight out. Also sit ups will strengthen the ab muscles, but will also help take pressure off the back muscles. If you have an exercise ball handy go ahead and drape yourself over facing it. While draped across it, move your shoulders slightly forward.

I’ve been trying to remember to do some of these when I start getting those aches and pains and pay attention to how long I’m at the computer and it has been of some help. I’ve been limiting my sit downs because it’s also bad for my blood circulation in my legs I have to get up and move. So do yourself a favor and start practicing all the easy stuff and don’t sit there till your legs go to sleep from the pressure of the seat get up and refresh yourself and take a good stretch even if you have to walk back a mile. My Uncle bless his heart always loved to say Man I’d stretch a mile if I didn’t have to walk the whole way back. Well that’s it for today.

If your an entrepreneur looking to start a business I’d say the biggest concern would be the funding. You can apply for an unsecured business start up loan or apply for grants which wouldn’t have to be paid back, but they can be very difficult to get. I guess it comes down to how badly you want to start a business and how hard your willing to work for it and compete for those grants. There’s lots of agencies and even private companies that can potentially provide you with financial assistance. However you’ll have to compete because for every available grant there’s usually dozens of other hopefuls waiting to be the next recipient.

There are many sources for a start up business grant, but usually the requirements are very strict and you might want to think about getting a professional grant writer to help with the application. Also you will need to show that your business has a strong potential for succeeding. I’ve heard that state start up grants are by far the easiest to apply for and then the federal government gets harder, also local government departments have  business start up grants for special needs for women, minority groups and people with physical disabilities.

I know a lot of people dream of having their own business and being able to do whatever they please. Some make it happen and others simply just think and dream. I’m not a mover and shaker but I’ve been thinking about it and I keep my eye on the commercial real estate in my area because I like to see what’s available out there. Sometimes I think about opening up a beauty shop and I’ve even made a list of all the equipment I need. There’s no way I could arrange to have it in my home because of all the code requirements, but it certainly would be convenient to have a set up like my ex brother-in-law’s shop.

I don’t want to work in a salon for someone else again because I have to do all the services and there are some I prefer not doing like perms. If I had my own shop it would be more like a barber shop because I like cutting and even color, I also love giving facials. So I could choose the services I want to provide. Of course there are so many other things to be considered like liability insurance, getting a shop license, getting everything inspected and depending on the type of business any one is thinking about I’m sure there would be lots of other considerations to contend with.

If you’re thinking about starting a business from your home though you absolutely need to keep it legitimate meaning make sure you follow all guidelines for the type of business you are thinking about to avoid any penalties because you didn’t pay attention to all of the legal requirements for your business. You also need to keep meticulous books and record every single transaction because the IRS tends to be more strict with home and online businesses. You need to make sure all licenses are up to date and to avoid penalties you should always file your income tax returns on time and don’t forget all that self employment tax.

There is so much to think about and find out about before you even start that for someone like me it makes my head spin, but if you’re going to do it you need to do it right. Our economy being what it is right now though kind of puts me off of the idea because I see so many companies shutting down around us and the money just doesn’t flow as much especially for start up businesses. If I was a crafty type of person that would be different. I know my exes Mother made good money with her arts and crafts and even did work at home for some big companies, but there have even been some big changes with that so her extra income is way down.

For me I guess I’ll wait and see what is going to happen with Bill’s job and when he is actually going to retire and what our finances will look like at that time before I make up my mind. At any rate I can still add to my list everything that would be required to make it work and don’t forget the advertising end because if people don’t know about you then you wont get the market you’re aiming for. I guess that’s why so many people try to earn a living online because of start up costs and everything involved, but even that has huge drawbacks and whatever you do or are doing I wish you all the best.