Old Farmers Advise  or Proverbs according to the Panda Lady

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull strong

Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance (scam and spammers too)

Life is simpler when you plow around a stump.

A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered…. NOT YELLED.

Forgive your enemies.  It messes up their heaeds.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

Every path has a few puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

Ok, now get back to work.  You have earned your allotted credits.

FREE Search Engine Submission

Inauguration Day 2009 was a special day of remembering and reflecting on a most wonderful experience I had in  Washington D.C. May 2007.  I spent 3 weeks in D C as a volunteer at a guest house  as a volunteer doing cooking, gardening and cleaning. This had it benefits as visiting the nations capitol for a couple of days as a tourist would be quite expensive let alone staying for 3 weeks.  Each day, after finishing tasks, I loaded up my fanny pack with water, camera,  cell phone, sunglasses,  business card of  the house (served as my ID), a  D C map as well as some quick snacks. Putting on my best walking shoes I took off on daily adventures as a tourist.

For 69 cents I could buy a ticket to use anytime during my excursion including the return trip.  So for that small price I could travel to  the government buildings, zoo, museums, mall, and monuments usually walking upon bus arrival in the mall/ capitol area.   Because of the extended time in Washington D.C. I was able to spend lengthy times at any point of interest even returning to the same locations  more than once to soak in more information.  I could sit and walk  in  gardens with no concern for time.  The volunteer position included room and board as well as providing companion volunteers who knew of great places not to be missed.  Several times, I even went with house guests adding to the camaraderie. At evening tea time we shared our adventures so I kept finding more places to visit.

The volunteer experience was great because I could be a tourist with or without companions, and  people  at the guest house to report to if I had  problems.  Expense wise, this was a life saver.  I could never have afforded 3 weeks in Washington and take note, visitors can visit most places of interest for free which is great for retirees. 

Tues. Jan 22, 2009, Inauguration Day  was a day of reflection for me as  watched the proceedings on T.V. I remembered warm late afternoons and early evenings walking along Pennsylania Ave in D. C.  I was  able to recognize the buildings and understood the turns the parade was taking.  I remembered sitting on benches to rest and reflecting on all the presidents that had traveled down that road.  The capitol dome was ever present in view as I walked up and down this most famous Ave.  Of course being a baby boomer I envisioned the tradegies played out on Pennsylvia Ave where mourners gathered to say a final farewell. I could enjoy the  slim crowd of weary tourists as the day was coming to an end. 

I could have turned off the heat yesterday, put on my winter coat, opened the doors and windows to  feel like I was there to witness this part of this  historic day.   Perhaps I will return to Washington some day and now add a new memory of Pennsylvania Ave.  Yes, I wish I had been there but I think I saw more in the comfort of my living room.   

Now Pesident Obama asks us to get involved.  Perhaps I will find somewhere interesting to give of my time whether here at home or by traveling to another location.  It might be an obcure place or it could be a place like Washing D.C.  where I can re-live memories for days and years to come.

Panda picked reminiscing about volunteer experiences to remind us that we create valuable memories while doing service to mankind.  As Obama said “….there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task”. 

We baby boomers have as retirees, time to give, talents to share, memories to make.  Where would you like to serve? What part can you play in the call to serve our nation and its people as a volunteer?

Panda Lady

An on line  business if more funds are needed, allows such freedom as one  can take their business with them and not be restricted to any locality.  In fact they can move with freedom from one camp spot to another, enjoying new adventures.   

Feel Free to Join ULearn2Earn Social Networkers Community.

Meet Donna and Jake

I met Donna on an on-line community, ulearn2earn and invited her to share her story of success. She is just like us Seniors when she says, ”My computer/internet training is from years of trial/error experience only, my web design training is self-taught, and my internet marketing skills are feed from people that are already in the field of online marketing, I really believe in asking for directions. There are people out there to help you if you just ask the right questions on what you are looking for. I’ve had no formal training.” Her one advantage of course is that using the computer when younger comes much easier than for us seniors, but her idea of depending on others for guidance is good advice.

Another success idea from Donna is that she is “‘targeting the right audience, marketing properly, and using the right tool to thoroughly get my information out to the right people. Success in using the internet has always been positive for me.”  A healthy positive attitude goes a long way when striving to build that on line business.

By the photo you can tell  Donna is  no Baby Boomer but I felt her story of success was something  from which all us seniors on line could benfit.  As retirees we long for freedom to do our own thing and in Donna’s case she is already there while most her age are working at jobs they long to escape. Donna says, “I work from home where it is more informal  and brings out the creative side of me. If I was in more of a formal environment, my work output would be too stuffy and monotous. At home, I can feel more like myself.”  When the days work is done, she can go on her adventures, meet new people, and perhaps move on to another fun location.

Donna’s On Line Business

“I am a web site designer for RV parks. I also design websites that promote RV traveling and supports the RV community. Most of my income is from business advertising thru my own websites that promote the RV Lifestyle. My two websites that I own are http://www.travelbyrv.com and http://www.rvingblogs.com.
I’m located in Manchester, NH for the summer months and travel in an RV in the winter months. I left on November 20th 2008 to join the snowbirds of the south for five or six months. I’m 34 years old and I have a Maltese puppy named Jake. I’ve never been married and I have no children.”

Donna sums it all up when she says, “Trying to show seniors that people can be successful using the net hits home with me because where I travel from an RV, it really puts me in touch with the retirement population and they ask me how I live my life they way I do financially and when I tell them that I have an online business, they become very intrigued and I tell them exactly how it’s done.” Thank you Donna for showing us the meaning of on line success AND lifestyle success.

Donna uses the blog as a way of sharing her carefree winter adventures.  http://rvtrip08.wordpress.com/ Please note she has been in Florida, Arizona and managed to be in Vegas for the historic snow fall.  Gosh Donna the snow followed you to Vegas for that record 6 inch snowfall. 

Donna sums it all up when she says, “Trying to show seniors that people can be successful using the net hits home with me because where I travel from an RV, it really puts me in touch with the retirement population and they ask me how I live my life they way I do financially and when I tell them that I have an online business, they become very intrigued and I tell them exactly how it’s done.” Thank you Donna for showing us the meaning of on line success.

Meet other people who are RV people using blogs to share their adventures. http://www.rvingblogs.com/blogdirectory.html

For more links to make your RV Lifestyle:

tp://www.rvjokes.com/index.html  RV  Jokes, site linked to other sites of interest

RV Books  Amazon’s best RV books

RV Supplies

Canadian Newsletter for RV users

Panda Picked this success story to show that Seniors can make a good income on line and live the lifestyle they wish to live.  RV living allows for mobility  and freedom allowing us to increase the adventures that enrich our lives. On line business can provide that extra income to allow for RV living in warm comfortable environments while we enjoy doing our own thing.

When we retired we left behind structure, accountability to a boss, feeling useful, being around people, having extra money for travel and adventure. On a fixed income we might begin to feel like we have days without purpose, no one cares about us, we can’t afford to do things. So step out of the comfort zone and reach out to help others while you help yourself.

Volunteers are necessary to make most programs function on a budget. You can be involved locally, nationally, or globally

CONSIDERATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS

Know Your Passion

What have you always wanted to do? Where would you like to be? If you love a quiet place and like memories you might choose your local museum. A passion for reading might mean you would want to read to those who can’t or who are learning. Always wanted to learn about trees, or wildflowers, contact your local park system and ask what you can do so that you can be outside, learn from the naturalist, so you can share with others. If you like action you might want to be a coach, or join the CB club who assists during times of disaster.You love children or older persons, the disabled, autions, walking etc. Go whereyou wanta go and be where you wanta to be.

Limitations

Where can you go, how long can you be away , travel restrictions, health problems, mobility and other issues will determine your volunteer options.You will need to consider financial obligations and your personal situation including spouse and family.

Skills and Abilities

Your volunteer options do not need to be limited to what you already know or have done for a life occupation. Consider what gifts you have, caring/sharing, compassion, willingness to learn new skills,teaching, giving of time or money. In this area you may be surprized that as you work in a volunteer situation you will be doing what you had no prior experience with, nor the knowledge to do it. Your willilngness to expand your skills and abililties will be the key to your success. All the attributes you had as a worker can be applied to your volunteer time: ie puncuality, following directions, trusted, community minded, cheerful etc.

Time Restraints

Consider your obligations and restrictions before you sign up. Perhaps you are a grump.

before 10:00 or like to go to bed early. Snowbirds will not be volunteering in the winter months. They need volunteers for 4 hours but you need to rest every two hours.

Benefits of Voluneering

-Meet new people

-schedule and structure

-Feel appreciated for your skills and time

-travel

-new experiences

-dreams fullfilled ( I always wanted to)

-contribution to your community

-live in position saves home expenses

What considerations did you have to work through before doing volunteer work?

Panda picked Volunteerism as a way of staying active and productive