I really enjoy learning and playing with new software and Fast Video Creator is looking really good, posting here a meaningful quote that inspires & encourages me.
Any time is a good time to see flowers, they raise our vibrations or our spirits, whatever way you like to describe it, but it’s hard to see beautiful flowers and not feel some joy in living, at least that’s my opinion.
Here is a photo of my lovely orchid, the first time I’ve had three flowers.
The 20% discount on Techsmith products, including my favorite “Snagit”, a capture program I use daily & often several times every day, has only a few days to run – ends on 1st October. (Discount code at checkout: TSCAFF20)
Capture anything on your screen with one click!
Create From Templates
Pre-made layouts within Snagit to create visual documentation, tutorials, and training materials.
Create Video From Images
Talk and draw over a series of screenshots to create a quick “how-to” video or GIF.
Enterprise Sharing Destinations
Snagit 2021 now lets you share directly to Slack and Box.
See more Here: Use This Code at Checkout to get your discount : TSCAFF2
Also in the offer is Camtasia an all-in-one screen recorder and video editor software that has been around for over 15 years with over and has millions of users and is really good for creating video tutorials and screencasts.
20% Discount Applies to Camtasia 2021, Snagit 2021, Camtasia + Snagit Bundle: Use This Code at Checkout to get your discount : TSCAFF2
Smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced. Regardless of whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that “Life is good!” to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.
The physical act of smiling actually activates pathways in your brain that influence your emotional state—meaning that by adopting a happy facial expression, you can “trick” your mind into entering a state of happiness. This holds true whether or not your smile is real.
Even a simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides that improve your neural communication, as well as neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can boost your mood. Think of smiling like a natural antidepressant.
We all know that stress can permeate our entire being, and it can really show up in our faces and makes us look less attractive. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed but it can actually help decrease stress and boost our overall health by helping our immune system to function more effectively. It is believed that when you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed (those neurotransmitters again!).
Studies also show that smiling releases endorphins, other natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe, not only do they elevate our mood, but they also relax our body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural drug.
Whether you’re trying to maintain your overall health or strengthen your immune system ahead of cold and flu season, smiling may help so, smile every day, as often as you can.
Friday, 1 October is World Smile Day 2021 so just to get you ready, here is a catchy Smile video.
Just to add a bit of color to my life quickly am playing around with the Text Effects Templates
I first used this software from Laughingbird Software way back in 1915 when it was called The Logo Creator. Since then it has grown and grown, with a wide variety of templates available to help you make your own creations very quickly. I use it nearly every day in my business, for social media posts and to add interest to my personal emails & messages.
With the desktop version you buy template packs and the software is included with the purchase. You have these forever with no extra payment. There are many different packs and I’ve added more and more over the years.
However, if you want access to ALL the templates, the online version with annual or monthly subscription is a great way to create your own graphics simply and easily.
Here are some ways to manage.
1. Don’t overspend. Don’t use credit cards unless you can pay them off in January. If you do, you will spread December stress into the New Year. If you have already extended your credit, resolve not to do so next year. You can open a Christmas Club account at your bank and save whatever your credit card payment was each month so that you will have the money set aside for next year.
2. Don’t have unrealistic expectations. Something is sure to go wrong. Don’t let it ruin your celebration. It will only be ruined if you allow it to be.
3. Give to charity. If you can afford it, give money/and or gifts to reputable organizations such as Salvation Army, Angel tree, Toys for Tots, church food and/or toy drives, Red Cross, or local women’s shelter. If you can’t afford to give money or gifts, give time. Volunteer to sort and/or wrap donations, deliver packages to recipients, staff a selection/drop-off center, serve a meal to a shelter. Giving makes you feel good as well as benefitting the recipient.
4. Share. Invite someone who can’t be with family to share your celebration.
5. Exercise. One of the best stress busters around!!
6. Allow yourself to be sad that loved ones can’t be present, whether they have passed away or can’t make the trip. After allowing yourself some time to be sad, focus on the positive, like all the holidays you did get to share with them or the future holidays you expect to have. Take time to relax.
7. Delegate. Let other family members bring dishes, use pre-made food, and ask others to help with the set-up and/or clean up.
8. Be flexible. Compromise when necessary.
9. Don’t overindulge in alcohol. If you do, use a designated driver, call a cab, or don’t leave until you’ve sobered up.
Doing these things should help you have a safer, more pleasant holiday season. Enjoy!!
Still stuck at home? Feeling Creative? Here’s a challenge for you.
from grocery stores inhabited by animals, to a rhinoceros washing the teeth of its calf, japanese artist lito leaf art carves the most amusing sceneries on tree leaves. using a very precise cut-out technique, a closer inspection of each piece reveals surprising details that create dreamy narratives.
See more here: Lito Leaf Art
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day here in Australia & in many other parts of the world, though sometimes it has other names, such as Mothering Sunday (US).
More countries around the world celebrate Mother’s Day on the 2nd Sunday in May than any other day, many in March on the same days as International Women’s Day, but others have their own dates. Norway’s is on the 2nd Sunday in February, many Middle Eastern countries use 21st March (the spring equinox) and others celebrate the day on the last Sunday of May or for some, including France, the first Sunday of June if the last Sunday of May s Pentecost. ater in the year there are other dates for single countries, for example, the last Sunday of November for Russia.
The modern holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. St Andrew’s Methodist Church now holds the International Mother’s Day Shrine. Her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Ann Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Anna Jarvis wanted to honor her mother by continuing the work she started and to set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed a mother is “the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world”.
This is one from my collection of poems that I find meaningful, especially for when times are tougher than usual. Hope you like it too.
With CoVid-19 still running rampant at the time of writing this post, many of our stores are running out of cleaning products, so thought it’s be a good time to remember some of the old DIY recipes so we can make some ourselves.
Vinegar cleaner
All-purpose and long-lasting, this removes grease and dirt. Ideal for stainless steel sinks, tiled and timber surfaces and plastic finishes such as fridge shelves and phones.
Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before use, spray onto a soft damp cloth and rub. No need to rinse.
Lavender disinfectant
Keeps bathroom surfaces safe and smelling sweet. It also makes a marvellous spray when ironing bed linen.
Add the oil to the alcohol in a clean, dry bottle and leave to dissolve for 24 hours. Add water and decant into a spray bottle. Shake thoroughly before use.
Scouring paste
This is the simplest cleaner of all for sinks, oven doors, stovetops and inside mugs.
• 4 tbsp bicarb
• 1 tbsp water
Mix the ingredients into a stiff paste and apply with a damp sponge. Buff with a dry cloth.
Bicarb cleaner
A general cleaner, this is safe for use anywhere in the home.
Mix ingredients and shake until soap is dissolved. Spray and wipe with a sponge.