Virtual Views - The View From Here : November 2007

My free monthly newsletter is making it's maiden voyage today.  It's full of fun and interesting articles.  You'll find Mamie's Sugar Cookie recipe, White House Tree, Real Estate Corner, Maintenance Checklist and Toy Safety Shopping Tips.

I would love to take credit for the articles but have to admit that this is a service provided through The Wise Agent.  (It's a service we provide.)  Just let me know if you want to learn more.

Enjoy!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Blog.  Who in the world came up with that term?  Were all the good words taken?  It reminds me of Blah.  As a matter of fact, if you look at my website, you'll find a button called Blog Blog Blog because it reminds me of Blah, Blah, Blah.

Now I'm not saying Blogs are boring - well there are a few.  They do serve a purpose, though.  Like getting something off your chest - Aunt Matilda complaining about your dry turkey on Thanksgiving.  I tried hard.  I really did.  If that turkey had taken better care of itself, I'd be getting rave reviews.  But I digress.

Search engines love Blogs.  With the search engine optimization I did on my new website, I was able to get a Google page ranking of 3 within a few months. Even surprised myself!

Blogs are great for social networking - the buzz word of the day.  There's a lot of great and knowledgeable people out there willing to talk to you without even being paid.

Blogs are great for sharing information.  Wish I could have found a good "How to Make a Succulent Turkey That Even Aunt Matilda Will Love" before Thanksgiving!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

I don't cook.  It's not my thing.  My son's girlfriend, however, L-O-V-E loves to cook.  She's good at it, too.  So you can imagine the horror in her eyes when I told her that my cranberry sauce comes from a can, my rolls are bought prepackaged, my dressing comes in a box and I let Saralee worry about making the perfect pumpkin pie.  I thought she was going to faint when I told her how excited I was to find prepared mashed potatoes in a 32 oz. tub!

This year we've been invited to her house for Thanksgiving!  I've been asked not to bring anything. I guess I won't have to dust out  the ol' oven afterall.  I can't wait to see her reaction when I tell her how I prepare my Christmas meal!

In all seriousness, though, may you count your many blessings and make your many blessings count!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.  Thank you for being such a blessing to me.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

When I started Second Self Virtual Assistance many years ago, I didn't set the alarm and I didn't worry a lot about what I should wear to work.  It was a short  commute from the bedroom to my home office.  Just go through the livingroom, into the hallway, take a left and walk about 8' and there I was. Days would go by without having be "presentable" for clients.

Move the clock forward and today it's quite a different story.  However, I now find that even though the alarm goes off at 6:00am and I'm settled in and working no later than 8:00am Monday - Friday, my wardrobe has taken some serious hits. This became quite apparent when I was going through my closet looking for appropriate clothes to wear on an upcoming cruise.

Okay, I have one dress, a few formals, 3 pairs of business casual pants, a few nice blouses and some pretty shoes.  Hmmm.  What are all these other clothes that are taking up the other 3/4s of my closet?  They're jeans, sweaters, tank tops, sandals.  Sandals?  I don't even wear shoes to work!

Then I remember why I started working for myself.  Why I left the rat race.  I'll go shopping the next time I take a cruise.  But, for now, I LOVE working in my home office.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

When I get asked what I do for a living, my answer almost always gets the same response - a blank stare.  Then the inevitable question, "What's that?".  So, I've decided to start telling people I'm a cricket rancher.  I may still get the same blank stare and asked the same question; but at least a cricket rancher is something that can be imagined.

What do you think of when you hear "Virtual Assistant"?  Do you think of the Wizard of Oz hiding behind his curtain?  Or, do you think of someone who hangs out somewhere in the universe?  Or, someone's that's not quite real? 

I prefer to think of us as your invisible friend.  We all had them as children and it seems to me as adults we could use our invisible friend more than ever.  What is it that you just don't have time for?  Or, even more importantly, what do you least like doing? 

I'd really like to hear what you think.  What thoughts do the words "Virtual Assistant" conjure up in your mind?  And, what would you have your Virtual Assistant do for you; something you don't have time for or would prefer not to do at all.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas