My October Dream: 2015 Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference

I have been blogging since 2008.  When I look back at the difference between my posts when I first started and my posts now, it's obvious that life has certainly changed!  And I am sad to say that some of those life changes have taken me away from things I truly love!  

Writing has always been an outlet for me and blogging came along at a time when I felt lost and confused about my role in my family and my role in the world.  Blogging provided a venue for me to vent, to laugh, to share and to meet other people in the world at a time when I really needed to feel connected. Blogging became a lifeline that gave me hope and that helped me learn more about my strengths and talents.  Blogging gave me a network that allowed me to tap into an amazing and supportive group of women from all walks of life and from all over the globe. I have internet friends that feel like family because of blogging and social media!

Since the day I started blogging, it has been my greatest desire to attend a blog conference. I've had a few opportunities, but have never been able to take advantage of them due to bad timing or bad finances.  It occurred to me a few weeks ago, that had I worked harder to make one of them in particular happen, I think my life would be very different today.  I think the networking, the learning and the friendships I would have made there would have helped me have more confidence in my ability to earn a living pursuing my passion.  I would have had a bigger group of friends and associates to lean on when I was feeling overwhelmed and in need of support. I would have been surrounded by like minded women who find ways to overcome obstacles and make what they love become what they do. I would get to sit at the feet of Social Media Mavens like Maria Bailey to better learn the craft. It makes me sad to think about how much time I have wasted trying to convince myself that what I love has value and worth because circumstances in my tiny world try to make me believe otherwise. 

I know, sitting around and feeling bad does nothing to change my circumstance.  Which is why this year, I am committed to attending at least one conference!  Last year I was invited to attend the
Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference.  I had to turn it down because it was financially impossible at the time. I regretted not trying harder to find a way to make it happen.  My family was sorely in need of some bonding time and I was sorely in need of being with a group of people who get why blogging is "my thing."  I applied again this year and nothing would make me happier than to have the opportunity to attend the 2015 Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference!  I heard and read nothing but amazing things about it! From the phenomenal accommodations and staff to the engaging and relevant content, everyone who attended raved about the conference. 

I want to rave about it too!  So I hope I make the list this year.  I pray that the blogging gods will smile kindly upon me and give me and my family a chance to experience the beautiful Turks and Caicos Island together while I learn more about how to be a better blogger. My kids and husband need to see how happy mom is when she's in her element and I need to help them see the world can be so much more than struggling to pay bills in tiny Idaho. 

So I'm just putting this out there for the Universe to hear and see!  I'm ready for some Social Media on the Sand this year! I'm making my plans for October and trusting that you are hearing this, Universe! My family needs to spend some time together this year looking at this:

(photo courtesy of Beaches Resort)

I'm doin' my part, I'm putting out positive thoughts and working hard to make sure we can make it happen on our end, so don't let me down, Universe! You and me, Uni. Working together.  We got this!

Stocking Stuffer Idea: Powerocks Magicstick Portable Charger Review

At the risk of sounding all Scrooge-ish, I'm just gonna say it: I don't love Christmas shopping.  OK...I don't love any kind of shopping, actually.  OK...I mostly hate shopping when I have very little money to shop with.  If I do have money, then shopping becomes slightly more tolerable.  But even when I do have money, shopping isn't my most favorite activity.  Especially when I have to figure out what to get other people.  I don't know why.  I think I am just too worried about getting something the receiver won't like.  Which is why I like little gems like this Powerocks Magicstick Portable Battery.  Because honestly?  There is only one person I know who would not like this and she is 75 years old and does not own one single electronic device that would need to be charged.  No cellphone, no laptop, no tablet, no e-reader...nothing.  Other than my friend Darlene?  Everyone else I know would use one of these!

I am seriously psyched about this little piece of awesomeness!  I use my smartphone constantly throughout the day for both personal and professional tasks, which include internet searches, social media updates and taking photos for blogs, reviews and marketing purposes.  Consequently, the phone battery gets drained quickly and if I have forgotten my car charger or I am in a meeting when my phone decides to die, then I am without my communication device until I get back home.  And that is bad.  Because I depend on that device.  OK, I am addicted to that device. It's my crack. Don't judge me.  

The Powerocks Magicstick solves that problem for those of us who are slaves to our electronic devices.  Inside the sleek exterior is a rechargeable 2800mAh lithium ion battery that will charge any device that can be powered by an USB connection, such as iPhone 4/4S & 5, e-Readers, Android Phones, Blue Tooth Devices, Cameras, Gaming controllers, MP3 players, GPS. That's a pretty long list of devices, people!

You know what else is great about it?  It's size.  It fits easily in a purse, a pocket, a backpack pocket or a carry-on bag.  Honestly? I could fit this bad boy, along with the USB charging cord, in my bra in an emergency! Sorry, no pics on that one, but I can assure you, I tried it.  Just to see.  Because sometimes a girl finds herself with no pockets or hand bag and she needs her hands free to climb a tree or something!  It happens! 

The Magicstick is incredibly easy to use: just plug the USB cord into the device, then plug it into your phone.  That's it.  And to recharge the Magicstick when it's dead?  Use the same USB cord in reverse by plugging the device into the USB cord and then plugging the USB cord into a computer.  Rocket science, right?

The only negative thing I can say about this portable power source is that I can't tell how much of a charge it holds once the power indicator turns red. There is a button on the bottom that will shine green when the Magicstick is fully charged and red when it is not fully charged.  But I can't tell when the light is red just how low the Magicstick is.  It could be 3/4 full or almost empty.  But seriously?  There's nothing else to pick apart.  

So to recap:

• Powerocks Magicstick is an awesome portable charger for many electronic devices.
• Powerocks Magicstick is easy to use and easy to carry.
• Powerocks Magicstick is a great gift for males and females of varying ages who use electronic devices.
• Powerocks Magicstick makes an excellent gift for your boss or other high powered executives who travel with their smartphones.  Your sophisticated and thoughtful gift might prompt them to thank you with a raise or a promotion. Just sayin.'  
• Powerocks Magicstick fits into Christmas Stockings or really cute, small gift bags.
• Powerocks is offering a 20% discount for I Am Boymom Readers who use this code: Powerblog20 

The Magicstick retails for about $50 and you can find it at the Powerocks website.  You can also find a list of retail locations in your area on the website.     

Admit it.  I just helped you cross like 3 or 8 people off of your Christmas shopping list, right?  No need to thank me.  It's what I do. But maybe you can thank Powerocks Magicstick by visiting their website and Facebook page.  

**Disclosure:  Powerocks provided me with a Magicstick Portable Charger to help me facilitate this review.  My honest opinions about the product are my own.**

This Matt Guy Doesn't Dance Well!

I've been following this guy for the last couple of years. I find his whole concept really refreshing. Check out his site, read his stuff and watch his Dancing videos. Maybe it's his exuberance, maybe it's his lack of concern about his dancing skills, maybe it's his genuine love for humanity...he brings the fact home that no matter where we live in the world, we are all the same. We laugh, we smile, we live, we struggle...and we dance. The guy inspires me to try to make my own part of the world a happier place. Maybe I need to dance more.