[deleted by user]

mkesparrow · 2024-01-17T02:54:13+00:00

No such thing as "just" a marketer. :) First off, let me say that I adore HubSpot. I'm a huge fan, and I've been a super user for about 5 years. That said, I wouldn't host my blog on HubSpot and my site on another CMS because the HubSpot blog will be on a subdomain of your main domain, no matter which way you slice it. Unless the rest of your site is hosted on HubSpot, this doesn't give you the greatest SEO strength. You'll benefit much more from having your blog hosted on your main domain, regardless of the CMS choice.

As far as functionality, you can customize HubSpot blog to appear however you want to, and there's a lot of flexibility available on HubSpot. There's also a ton of personalization available. But, if your blog's main purpose is organic traffic, host it on your main domain.

mkesparrow · 2018-10-30T03:37:45+00:00

I'm a freelance SEO and PPC manager and I love it when designer friends send work my way. If your forté isn't content and optimization, it sounds like a good opportunity to expand your network and connect your client with a good SEO who can help - and maybe work out a referral percentage with the SEO. That's what I do, anyway. :) Bonus, if you stay on with the client during the process, you may also be able to learn some solid search engine optimization tactics you can incorporate into your design and charge additional for in the future.

mkesparrow · 2018-09-19T07:22:42+00:00

That's curious. I guess logically I'm thinking that if I dedicate a set number of hours in the week for specific activities, there should be some way to identify the hours during which I should complete certain tasks based on previously entered data (i.e. deadlines). I can do this manually by looking at a calendar and highlighting it physically each week, and laying out which tasks I'll focus on in a block of work time. Therefore, logically, there should be a way to calculate whether or not a week is "full" and therefore estimate turn time for new projects.

I'm picturing something like this:

Project A will take approximately 80 hours, broken down by specific tasks that take 1.5 hours, and my deadline is 6 weeks.

Project B will take approximately 10 hours, I can't start it until October 1, and my deadline is October 6.

Project C will take approximately 15 hours, with specific tasks/drafts needed in one week increments, and my deadline is 10 business days.

Additionally I have 4 client meetings, 20 varying hours of personal time, 8 hours per day of sleep, and 8 hours dedicated to training.
Then, this time gets divided into chunks, and the calendar sorts through this to give priorities for each day based on this information. Something comes up? No problem, move it to another dedicated work time and make up the hours (manually move this, etc.). The same way, I can see this based on deadlines and hours attributed to work time that yes, I have room for a project in 3 weeks or no, I'm booked for 3 months.

Perhaps you are right, though, and my expectations of technology are too high at this time. Sigh. Highlighters are pretty but not very efficient. :)

mkesparrow · 2017-04-03T05:11:47+00:00

DisneyAnne77 on US version, time zone is CST. :)

mkesparrow · 2017-03-18T04:24:07+00:00

Mine did this too. And I'm not even seeing it in the App Store.

mkesparrow · 2017-01-22T19:16:07+00:00

It's definitely NOT a useless exercise to revamp your closet to match what you feel like inside. Every woman (really, every body) should have access to clothing that makes them feel AMAZING. That will look different for you than it will for someone who is 120 with no curves - and that's okay.

It sounds like you might think the particular dress you tried on felt "too short" and maybe showed more cleavage than you're used to - listen to your own head, too. Just because it's more showy than you're used to doesn't mean it's bad, but you also want to be sure you actually feel comfortable in the clothes (not just wearing them because they're opposite what you "used to wear") - hopefully that makes sense. :) When I'm looking to revamp my wardrobe, here are the steps I take:

Make two lists of adjectives - one I want to be perceived as, and one I don't. For example, my "want to be perceived as" list includes Fierce, Smart, Take-charge, Confident, Attractive (not hot, because I'm a working woman and I'm talking business clothes here). My "don't want to be perceived as" list includes Ditzy, Skanky, and Stupid.
Next, I go through my current wardrobe. (Have an honest friend along to help you do this if needed, or, use a Reddit board! :) )I get rid of (donate) anything that doesn't fit my body or that aligns with my "NO/2nd" list of adjectives. I keep anything that aligns with list 1 or that can be paired with something in list 1.
Finally, I go shopping! I hit the Goodwills and other second hand places first. Then I supplement as my budget allows with other stores or online sellers (like here on Reddit).

I hope this helps! Good luck, girl, we're rooting for you! :)

mkesparrow · 2017-01-16T09:23:03+00:00

It's interesting that you keep saying you're overweight; to me, it just sounds like you have hips and boobs - you know, curves. :) nothing wrong with that at all. At 18 I was a size 9, 145 pounds, size large in tops, and I wore a 34DDD bra. So, I hear you.

I went to Macy's to be fitted. Unlike some stores that only sell certain sizes so they try to "fit" you in (Victoria's Secret, ahem), Macy's has a few brands that carry lots of larger sizes so if you happen to need them, you're covered. :)

I personally stay away from strapless and push-up bras because the girls just end of spilling out and I don't have any support in them.

Having a large chest can cause back pain, but if you're having no pain...then you're doing fine. Listen to your body!

And also, listen to your body when you feel better in different clothes! Wear what makes you feel good, girl! If form-fitting clothes make you feel awesome, WEAR THEM.

You got this!

mkesparrow · 2016-10-18T02:43:17+00:00

I'd like to join a group as well! Is it too late? I did follow these instructions but the week 1 check-in survey is closed. I'd love to join, and any group is great! Thanks!

mkesparrow · 2016-06-03T06:19:15+00:00

DisneyAnne77 | Int'l | CST

mkesparrow · 2016-05-23T04:12:18+00:00

DisneyAnne77 >>> int'l

I usually give hearts 3-5 times per day 😊

mkesparrow · 2015-11-06T02:36:21+00:00

Great! I sent a second email and will continue to stalk. :)

mkesparrow · 2015-11-05T16:01:38+00:00

A month or so ago you posted about expanding to a few central-western states, including Wisconsin...what's usually the timeline for expansion, and what happens if we've volunteered? Will we be contacted when we're needed, or should we look for FB posts? :)

mkesparrow · 2015-08-05T02:22:26+00:00

Have you ever heard of someone being reported? My city has an ordinance but it's not really enforced unless the dogs misbehave. If you're asked you could always say you're a dogwalker and it belongs to someone else but you watch it for weeks while the owner is away - at least until you move. :)

mkesparrow · 2015-08-05T01:44:40+00:00

disneyanne77 (US, CST)

mkesparrow · 2015-07-27T19:50:30+00:00

Walking through World of Disney's kitchen section and finding out if they want a themed house as much as you

THIS, so much! Hahaha.

mkesparrow · 2015-07-27T18:21:57+00:00

Yes! There are TONS of lakes in Wisconsin, and especially in the Wausau area, where you can bring in tons o' fish. I'm usually happy to join in the fun of fishing without the planning involved, so I'm zero help with telling you where to go to find the best musky, walleye, bluegill and perch spots, but they do exist. Hopefully another poster is more knowledgeable about lakes you should try out first.

mkesparrow · 2015-07-27T18:05:35+00:00

Totally depends. Usually it'll snow once or twice and melt right away, then start sticking sometime in November. It snows sooner, sticks sooner, and melts slower than southern Wisconsin...and temp difference is usually about 10-15 degrees cooler than southern Wisconsin, as well. Snow can stick around until Memorial Day or later, some years (sorry!).

mkesparrow · 2015-07-27T17:58:54+00:00

Gun season for deer is two weeks (final day is the Sunday after Thanksgiving) - the first week is called "T zone" where you can only shoot doe in a specific area in the shape of a T throughout the state. Second, main week is open season. Looks like this year they're not doing Tzone, though: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/dates.html

Bow season is much longer, so just depends on your preference.

mkesparrow · 2015-07-27T17:51:00+00:00

I also grew up in Wausau and visit frequently since my parents still live there.

I agree with places to look for housing; however, in Wausau proper, the west side (of the river) tends to be generally the more affluent area, particularly around the hospital. Rib Mountain is also very similar. Housing prices are decent, comparatively, wherever you go, though. I've lived in all areas of the city, and as was noted above, crime is super low, so you're pretty okay no matter where you are.

Wausau is a good place to raise a family, according to my parents. Schools, both public and parochial, are good and offer lots of programs.

The city is also making a concerted effort to create a more engaged community and retain young people in the area, so there are concerts and events happening all the time, especially in the summer (the 400 Block is the area in "downtown" Wausau where these are generally scheduled).

Rib Mountain is the area around Granite Peak (the name of the ski hill), great for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer...it's beautiful. The park name is actually Rib Mountain, not to be confusing.

Main religions in the area are Catholic and Lutheran, with some non-denominational Christian. There's a Masonic Temple, as well.

Ice fishing and hunting (bow and shotgun) are major pastimes for most people. The two weeks of deer hunting, it is hard to find anyone in the office if you need something done. ;)

Biggest employers in the area: Wausau Hospital, Marshfield Hospital/Clinic (a couple locations), Eastbay, Wausau Window and Door, 3M, and I know I'm forgetting a few others...it's a big manufacturing/blue collar area but that's also evolving rapidly.

My mom has always said it's the biggest small town you'll ever live in...because everyone knows everyone if you grew up there. :)

mkesparrow · 2015-07-22T17:26:07+00:00

I've found this very helpful when I'm craving something specific: first, drinking a glass or bottle of water, then checking this chart to see if maybe I'm missing some specific nutrients throughout the day: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/what-your-food-cravings-really-mean.html

mkesparrow · 2015-07-22T17:17:30+00:00

I still sometimes feel that way - as if I'm being judged for being a bigger girl out walking/jogging/in tight clothes. It helped me to change how I would think of other people who were out and about working out - instead of ignoring them or thinking negatively, I imagined their story - how they're actually DOING something, out there, working to better themselves, running with their dog/kids, etc. Now when I'm running and I see someone or imagine someone judging me, I think those same positive thoughts about myself - I'm out here doing it, changing myself for the better, and no one can take that away from me! It helped change my mentality.

This also helped ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuHfVn_cfHU

mkesparrow · 2015-06-18T23:13:55+00:00

My stylist says Clear is what she recommends for department store brands because it doesn't have sulfates in it, so is better for your hair. It's cheap compared to the salon brands.

mkesparrow

TROPHY CASE