I will be giving a copy of Brain Tales Volume One away to one lucky follower and commenter on my site. As soon as I receive 100 followers and 200 relevant* comments I will randomly select someone to receive a copy of this book.
You can comment more than once as long as each comment is relevant to the blog.
*By relevant I mean actually pertains to what was written (yes, you’ll have to read the post).
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller
If a smile sets everything straight then a compliment or validation sets everything right. When you wake up in the morning late and realize it’s Monday, you have to go to the dentist after a meeting with your boss all it takes is a breath, a smile, a compliment or a funny moment to change your way.
Hearing someone tell you that you’re beautiful, smart, hilarious or all of the above is like setting foot on solid ground after being on a turbulent airplane ride for hours. It doesn’t matter if the sun is shining or rain is pouring, being validated for something you did or for someone you are is brilliant.
You might want to disagree with me but it’s never a bad day; it’s a wrong decision. If you change your thought process, realize what you have to be thankful for and smile you’ll immediately make a difference in your day. When there’s a line up at your favourite coffee shop and you go to order and find out the person in front of you paid for your coffee don’t you feel a lot better? Why not pass it on and do the same for the person behind you?
Next time you’re stuck in traffic sing the song that’s playing on the radio, put down your windows and sing out loud. I bet you you’ll make someone’s day and in turn yours will be made/
No matter what you have planned for the rest of the day, how busy you think you are, take the time to watch this video and pass it on. The world will be happier for it.
Thanks for reading and watching,
Sarah Butland
PS: Smile! You never know who it’s cheering up.
Australian Internet Marketer, Sean Rasmussen, has done so much for his followers in the past seven weeks that it’s easy to see why he’s a top Internet Marketer and plans to get to and stay in the top spot for a long, long time. He’s been giving away so much for free and will be awarding a fortunate soul $3000 plus many more cash and prizes in the coming weeks.
This winner could still be you – if you have time, patience, passion and the desire to become an Internet Marketer. I’ve been learning so much from him and am envious as to what Sean Rasmussen has been doing for his fans while reaping a lot of SEO benefits for himself.
Although I am still working at becoming a full time stay at home mom through Internet Marketing I felt his lessons may be over my head and was daunted by the experienced people joining the competition early on. I didn’t need to be as everyone there is there for you. Of course we are all there for ourselves, too but if you have a question or need an opinion you can get it on Sean’s site.
Internet Marketer Sean Rasmussen
His lessons were easy to understand and, through the competition, I’ve learned of many individuals who didn’t even have a Twitter account before joining in and now use Twitter on a regular basis.
Sean Rasmussen is so nice that in all fairness and worldwide interest he made recordings of his webinars available for us “sleepyheads” in Canada (webinar’s would take place between 2 and 3 in the morning and although Don White woke up, I had no plans to). Sean’s webinars covered everything from creating your own blog, making money with a blog, setting up a website with no outlay, how to become an affiliate marketer and so much more.
With my active son I’ve been cramming in as much as possible while he napped and have been able to absorb and put almost everything into effect. Although my personal site, where you’re reading, is used primarily for information and an avenue for me to rant and rave, I have many other sites that I’m using for Internet Marketing.
I’ve learned so much and know that you can/ will too by visiting Sean’s site. I’m pretty sure you’ll always remember his name and will very soon be able to simply Google it or Internet Marketing for your way to Learning and Earning.
I’m not the only one with different priorities so the amount of time, effort and thought Sean and his wife have put into his websites and his followers is outstanding. I’m envious that he is doing so much for us while still doing amazing things for his two son’s and wife.
I’m in awe at the dedication he has to be where he is and where he wants to be and know that I’ll get there some day. I, too, have the passion to make things happen and that’s a main reason I took such a big part in earning points for his competition.
If you visit Sean Rasmussen’s YouTube channel you’ll see how amazing his son’s are and how happy they are to have such a dedicated and passionate father. Make sure you search for Tim Rasmussen Ring Dance – Instrumental so you can see how Sean’s efforts are paying off when it comes to his son’s.
I know I’m thankful I stumbled upon the opportunity to participate in Sean Rasmussen’s site and will forever be a fan. Will you?
Just go to any of these sites to start learning today:
Thank you for reading,
Sarah Butland
$20 000 AUD in Cash and Prizes is being given away in a Learn and Earn Competition hosted by the ever giving Sean Rasmussen. A true example of giving to receive, Sean Rasmussen continues to grow his own empire by giving it to anyone wanting to participate. This could easily be you and to learn more all you have to do is sign up for his forum or read more.
Sean Rasmussen fired his boss.Tired of living paycheck to paycheck and not having much time with his family, nervous about living for someone else and dying for someone else he decided he had enough. Knowing the internet was a fountain of information and resources he focused his efforts on working for himself doing something he loves.
He set his goal to reach by December 8th, 2005 and reached it 6 weeks prior to it. This is the law of attraction in action and he wants everyone to know of his success.
Sean has many blogs making him money. Enough money that just gave a lucky commenter $1000 and has recently up the ante to $20 000 AUD in Cash and Prizes, promising to raise this again to $50 000 AUD if he has enough interest. Of course, if this doesn’t interest you, he’s also offering many lessons in affiliate marketing, blogging for money, selling ebooks, proper blogging and commenting etiquette and so much more.
This is all provided to you free of charge and it’s worth just as much or more than a university degree would provide and you don’t have the text books to buy and drag around – it’s all online!
If working from home is something you have always dreamed of, being your own boss sounds reassuring in this tough economy where job security seems but a myth or you just want some extra spending money this is a spectacular way to figure out how.
It’s not a miracle method, it won’t give you thousand’s of dollars for sitting still or clicking on links but it will inspire, motivate, direct and guide you to much more than $20 000 AUD in Cash and Prizes. It’ll be whatever you want it to be for you.
When you click on THIS LINK you will be asked for your personal information but that’s all it costs to access a wealth of information and resources and you’re chance to win up to $50 000 AUD in Cash and Prizes.
This is only available for a limited time so visit now!
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
These days when anyone mentions possibly building their house out of straw most everyone’s first reaction is to think of the horror which happened to the straw house in the three little pigs. In this day and age the population has been following the second pig’s advice and building out of wood but they fail to remember that this house faced the same demise as the one of straw. It is time to look to the future and unconventional ways of construction to help not only the current builder but their possible children as well.
The average house owner looking to build their next house is most likely uneducated of all possible construction options. With the house market as hot as it currently is, people are looking to end up with the perfect house and money left in their pockets. Straw is currently the least popular building material yet it is the most economical – both initially and in the long run.
Depending on where you plan to build the price of a straw bale ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 versus the average cost of wood which can range from $4.50 to $5.50. A basic two thousand square foot house requires about three hundred three-wire (standard) bales of straw, average cost of which would be $1000. Straw bales are not only more inexpensive than wood but offer many other positive features including energy efficiency and simplicity to build any type of structure.
Straw bales offer an insulation value of R-50 which is comparable to a wood frame and fiber glass insulation which offers R-12 to R-20. What does this mean to someone just beginning to consider building? R value means a great deal to anyone especially Martimers who never know what kind of weather to expect. R-value, put as simply as possible, is the ability of a material to resist heat flow and the greater the value the warmer or cooler you are. To the money wise: the higher the R value the lower your heating bill is. The consideration of your R value will certainly benefit your pocket books but what about costs before you move in?
Cost for labour decreases depending on the amount of people you know that are willing to help. Building with straw bales is as simple to an adult as building a lego house is to a child. It is basically a matter of stacking bales on top of one another in the shape of the structure you want to create.
There are plenty of resources to look to while constructing your new home, unfortunately they may not be local but with the progression of technology this as not as difficult as it once was. All over the world enthusiasts are researching the benefits of straw building and most are willing to answer any questions you may have. The great thing is that if the researcher does not know the answer he/she will be interested to find out for you.
Researchers have already discovered the sound benefits of building with straw as they absorb sound much more effectively than dry wall. The thick walls also allow for an unordinary benefit of a thick casing around every window which would allow plant enthusiast to fill their approximately twelve inch wide windowsill with beautiful plants. For those without a green thumb imagination can fill the shelves with whatever the owner can think of.
The downfalls of building with straw include the absence of knowledge and popularity of it in the Maritimes. Unfortunately local banks, which are serious money sources for any builder, may have heard very little about the new method of building so tend to be quite skeptical when lending money to unheard of projects. When approaching any financial institution, as in all situations, make sure you are prepared with research, presentation of the research, resources and confidence.
Banks tend to appreciate knowing the public views of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation towards building with straw. Make sure you approach the bank prepared to beg, in a professional and civilized manner of course, to have them back you up financially so that you can in turn support your local farmers. Your plea, if given any difficulty, should include your helping the environment as well as worldwide research. Questions you’ll surely be asked include risks of fire when building with straw. You can smartly advise them that the only real danger is during construction where common sense precautions have to be taken when working with straw and wood. Once built a straw bale house is commonly sealed with stucco and becomes an example of an almost fire proof building.
Building a house of any kind is definitely a time and money consuming task and shouldn’t be thought of lightly. Planning and researching should be the very first step into building your dream home or any other structure. No option should be overlooked especially when money is concerned. No matter which pig you follow in the footsteps of, your fairytale is up to you and, in the Maritimes, a big bad wolf should not be a character in the story you write.
To help the world we first need to help ourselves. Pepsi Canada has allowed us the opportunity to receive a $100 000 grant to get this project started. Sounds like a lot after I said how inexpensive building with straw is? Well, it’s not only for us but to teach others.
With this money we’ll be able to document our progress to teach Habitat For Humanity a different way of offering more. With their funding and donations they can buy a lot more strawbales from local farmers (helping the local economy), easily and quickly put up more houses and be of renewed interest for more volunteers. They can start their own strawbale building revolution and you can help.
Simply go to Pepsi Refresh Everything and cast your vote today and everyday until August 31st to get us a win!
Thanks for doing your part!
Sarah Butland
I just got back to Moncton from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island where I saw Live! With Regis and Kelly live! with my husband. It was amazing. The weather promised rain and it poured on Sunday, keeping us inside and under cover all night. We took a drive down to the set, saw that the place for the audience was uncovered and wondered how soaked we were going to be.
I didn’t wonder long.
We went to a store that sold poncho’s for $3 but decided if we were going to be wet we may as well be soaked. My inlaws came with us, to look after our son while we were at the show, and they continued to warn us of torrential downpours and advised us to bring a raincoat. I told them not to worry.
I told them it would be overcast, warm and perfect. That not a raindrop would fall. I planned to even leave my jacket at the cottage I was so convinced the weather would hold off. There was a tiny bit of doubt, hearing so much negativity from my inlaws and the constant worry from them that we would be so uncomfortable and wet. I contradicted them every thought of the way.
I did grab my jacket on the way out as black clouds were rolling in and I didn’t want to be caught without it on tv.
I shouldn’t have. Even though the crowd kept talking of rain, the clouds continued to roll in and threaten it, my husband and I continued to believe we’d be fine and make it through dry.
Suffice it to say not a drop fell. Our feet got wet and muddy and we loved it. Everyone else sat and whined, bickered and continued to predict rain but we held strong. Our spirits weren’t dampened at all and we enjoyed the experience to its fullest.
Returning to the cottage, my son and my inlaws we were thrilled to point out that not a drop of rain fell and it was great to see my mother inlaw taking my son out for a walk even though she “knew” it would pour.
Next time I see Regis and Kelly so close I’ll be on the stage telling them about my determination to make my books bestsellers.
Look out Twilight and Harry Potter – there’s a new girl in town that can stay up all day and night and knows the magic of believing.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
No, it’s not one of those emails everyone receives congratulating you on being selected to receive a large sum of money if you’ll only send along your account number. Nor is it something you will regret signing up for. You don’t have to put your family up for adoption, run across the country or be naked for anything – it’s just straightforward awesome marketing.
If you have a website you’re selling something – yourself, a commodity, novelty items, something. You want traffic, you want business, you are striving for success. Wouldn’t $20 000 help you with this?
Call him crazy but Sean Rasmussen is giving away cash to someone who uses his marketing methods and joins his Facebook group. Sound too easy? Tell me about it. Just visit Sean’s site to learn everything you need to know. Then join his Facebook group, let him know why you joined and who sent you.
Let’s Learn and Earn together 
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
Eileen Schuh tagged me in a cyber chain game of 7 Best Things… whereas the “tagger” tells the 4 people he/she tags the topic of what they list their 7 things about. Eileen chose the best things about being a writer – easy!
1) The ability to grab a pen and paper and craft something that no one else can. To be individual while releasing something that your whole being needs you to and not have to worry about your story being done before.
2) A talent you can do anywhere in the world. To be a landscaper you need a landscape, a swimmer you need water, a pilot an airplane and so on and so forth. To be a writer, to construct a story from beginning to end all I need is me – not something expensive, time consuming or space consuming but something life consuming and something I will always have with me.
3) The amazing feeling of reaching people on a level no one else can. Language and words are something each and every one of us know but to appreciate them on the level of a writer is a whole other experience. The knowledge of writing something someone else will enjoy is energizing.
4) The fourth best thing for me is to be able to start over so easily. When a story or character doesn’t feel quite right and I struggle to give them new life it doesn’t hurt a thing to throw it away or delete it and start over.
5) Escaping the humdrum and establishing a world no one else has heard of yet. To imagine a world just the way you want it and be able to share it with the world.
6) Fans. That’s right, when you finally find a fan of your writing it’s the most amazing thing you can find. Yes, painters, sculpters, musicians, technicians, etc can establish a fan base just as easily or more so than a writer but it’s something I find wondrously magnificent in being able to spin a tale of my own.
And finally…
7) Everyone is a writer but the best thing about being one, truly knowing you’re a writer, is connecting with people like Eileen Schuh, Kelly Moran, Anita Stewart, Karen Mason, Lynn McEachern and so many more. Fellow writers who know the 7 best things about being a writer and the fact that for each person the 7 things are completely different.
Now it’s your turn:
Kelly Moran @ http://authorkellymoran.blogspot.com/
Lynn McEachern @ http://www.myspace.com/authorlynnmceachern
Anita Stewart @ http://afstewartblog.blogspot.com/
Rowena Cherry @ http://rowenacherry.blogspot.com/
Brian Cormier @ http://briancormier.blogspot.com/
Luanne Rice @ http://www.randomhouse.com/features/luannerice/blog/
Deborah Carr @ http://deborahcarr.blogspot.com/
If you are a writer and want to do this, go ahead. The rules are as follows:
7-things is a cyberspace game of tag that promotes networking. When a friend notifies you that you are “it”, you should post on your blog or website a list of 7 things as per your friend’s instructions and then tag 4 new people and ask them to post a list of 7 different things. To promote networking, be sure you link your website/blog to the friend who tagged you and to those you tag.
Your task:
Name 7 different things you need in place to write the best to your ability. Whether it’s the right setting, the right mood, the right occasion – what gets you writing?
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
I’m so excited right now; it’s been such an amazing day and just got better! Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are coming to PEI, New Brunswick’s “neighbouring” island in July 2010! My goal is to be on their show to discuss my children’s book – Sending You Sammy.
Sending You Sammy, as you know, is the first of a future series and I have the second and third installment written but need more publicity for Sammy before being able to get them published. Readers of Sending You Sammy have been asking about the next book and what BananaBoy’s task will be for years and I haven’t been able to tell them. When it’s confirmed that I’ll be on this show I’ll finally be able to answer this burning question.
I’ve emailed Live with Regis and Kelly, will be mailing them a copy of Sending You Sammy along with a letter and will also be requesting tickets to be in their studio audience. I’d love to have your support in this so you can email them directly on their site at http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/special/askregiskelly/.
I can’t wait!
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
It’s hard news to read but not necessarily surprising. Always clean cut, hilarious, inspirational, brilliant and kind it’s hard to imagine Robert Munsch, famous children’s book author, sad but he is human after all.
With over 42 beloved children’s books published and a vast number of them on the bestsellers list Robert Munsch is to be greatly respected and admired as an author. As a person, the revealing confession made public May 15, 2010 via his own website (www.RobertMunsch.com), he’s made mistakes but should these mistakes reflect poorly on his ability to make our children laugh, smile and want to read?
I often turn away from “outstanding” talented artists because I don’t agree with many decisions they make. Role models should teach us the importance of living life to its fullest without hurting others. They need to act responsibly, to be someone I can respect and want to be like. I feel they can make mistakes but if they continue to make them and bombard the media with stupidity and their denials I cannot support them. Robert Munsch, however, was open and honest with his family, sought help, was responsible enough to be sober while caring for or speaking to children and wrote and told terrific stories that gets children reading!
Will I see him live again? Absolutely. I want my son to experience a great stage presence. Will I buy one of his books? Of course!
Do I think Robert Munsch dealt with his troubles in a way I hope my son will avoid? There’s no doubt about it.
Life is about learning and this is definitely one of those moments you sit back and evaluate the importance of the lesson, the teacher and the message.
Of course, this is just my own opinion and I am hoping to hear from you about what your thoughts are. Feel free to comment below or send me a private email if you wish your comment to remain private.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
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