A Little Bit of News From the Christian Music Realm

This is a good time as any to remind everyone to tune in to Freedom Fest Radio. Christian and generally positive music twenty four seven. Pretty cool, if I do say so myself. FFR is live Wednesdays at 4:00pm PST and more live shows to come. Come check out their Yuwie blog for the mission statement. There's no need to sign up with Yuwie, but you might want to. Here's their promo video if you're interested.

In any case, pass it on . . . For the best online Christian music turn on Freedom Fest Radio.








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Can You See Me Now?

It is said that a woman should never reveal her age. Nonetheless, Lady Gatekeeper is now in her late forties and has suddenly developed the need for eye glasses. Reading has especially become quite a difficult task. But since she has done everything online these last few years, it is nice to once in a while come across a somewhat Great Discovery: www.ZenniOptical.com

Yes, the Gatekeeper has researched Zenni Optical a little bit and found their prices are right in her range. There is no middleman to speak of, thus prices are unusually low. As a matter of fact $8 shall indeed buy you a nice pair of prescription glasses. Take a look for yourselves, choose wisely from the many styles and colors and give your eyes a gift. Assistance with any kind of measurement you need to do is on their site. Furthermore, the prescription strength can be worked out for you. Hope to see you there.

It's True, Today Is My Birthday!!

I had to do some serious math, but I finally figured it out. The Gatekeeper is 49. Spending a wonderful day with the kids, though one is sick. Would you believe I have received one greeting from a MySpace friend, a couple from my FaceBook friends and three hundred from my Yuwie friends. Woa! I spend way too much time in the virtual world.





Girly Comments & Graphics

My Latest Interview Is Up At Blog Village

Greetings precious readers. Even those who leave nasty comments. Lady Gatekeeper was given a wonderful opportunity to to ask author, Meredith Gould, a few golden questions a little while ago. She is quite an amazing lady. Meredith is funny, witty and indeed, very gracious, as ladies should be. Unless wielding a sword, of course. At any rate, Lady M. is the author of books such as, Tips For Your Home Office, Staying Sober: Tips For Working A Twelve Step Program Of Recovery, and Deliberate Acts of Kindness: Service As a Spiritual Practice.

The interview has been posted in its entirety at Blog Village which is hosted by none other than Lady Dirty Butter. We do invite you, one and all, to join our esteemed community of bloggers, if it is pleasing to you, and you too could be featured in the Village. In any case, we hope you enjoy the interview and visit Meredith's blog while you are at it. You shall be thoroughly entertained.

The Pepperjam Network

Surfing around our blogosphere it has been no secret that many are trying to earn a little extra money. Perhaps to stay afloat or cash in the pocket is always sweet. Many of us, 'tis true, have affiliate programs placed neatly on our blogs. The Pepperjam Network, apparently one of the fastest growing companies in internet marketing, has announced that they are an affiliate super marketing network. Come now, it is interesting enough to at least check it out.

They have quite an impressive list of merchants hanging around; Jelly Belly, BlockBuster and Oscar de la Renta to name a few. In any case, joining the network would give you access to the tools and educational resources needed for success. It is the bloggers/publishers that are now recognized as the life-blood of affiliate marketing. This is the network that promises they have everything their publishers need to become what shall be known as the Super Affiliate. So get yourselves educated.



Press Release:

Pepperjam Announces Launch of Next Generation Affiliate Marketing Network

Pepperjam, a two-time Inc. Magazine fastest growing company and industry leading full-service internet marketing agency, today announced the launch of Pepperjam Network, a proprietary next generation affiliate marketing network.

If you are an advertiser or affiliate and would like to sign-up for Pepperjam Network please visit www.pepperjamnetwork.com.

“Pepperjam Network represents an evolution in affiliate marketing. The creation of Pepperjam Network represents eight years of research and development and the combined ideas, feedback, and intelligence of hundreds of affiliate marketers and advertisers. Pepperjam Network will forever change the face of affiliate marketing by putting power back in the hands of affiliates and advertisers to build long-term, profitable partnerships through better communication tools and transparency,” said Kristopher B. Jones, President & CEO of Pepperjam.

Among a variety of affiliate marketing enhancements, Pepperjam Network addresses the two primary shortcomings of other existing affiliate networks, namely (1) poor, unreliable communication tools and (2) lack of affiliate transparency. With Pepperjam Network, affiliates and advertisers can communicate in real-time via Pepperjam Chat™, thereby providing a reliable communication system to build stronger, more profitable partnerships. Pepperjam Network also provides advertisers with an unprecedented measure of affiliate transparency, which helps to establish trust, protect brand integrity, and lays the groundwork for open, long-term, profitable relationships.

Pepperjam Network also introduces pepperjamADS, which is a first-ever affiliate marketing widget that affiliates can use to serve customized contextual ads from one or multiple Pepperjam Network advertisers at the same time.

Pepperjam Network was designed to make the experience of affiliate marketing profitable and educational, with the goal of allowing affiliates and advertisers to truly understand and maximize the critical affiliate marketing channel.

Unlike the traditional networks, Pepperjam Network uses Web 2.0 technology to provide affiliates and advertisers with an easy-to-use, cutting-edge interface designed to facilitate and optimize the affiliate marketing process. For instance, Pepperjam Network offers industry leading source-level tracking and reporting - this robust technology is especially beneficial to search marketing and sophisticated super affiliates that want to take advantage of the most up-to-date technology available to track commissions at the keyword level.

Here is just a sample of what many industry experts are saying about Pepperjam Network:

“Even after all these years using Commission Junction on the merchant and affiliate side, I still find it terribly clumsy to find what I want. With Pepperjam Network it is quick and easy. Pepperjam Network is what an affiliate network would look like if it were built from a wish list from both the affiliate and merchant perspective,” said Shawn Collins, Cofounder of Affiliate Summit.

“As both an advertiser and a affiliate, I am on the lookout for affiliate marketing systems that meet all our company’s needs. Pepperjam Network is without a doubt the most comprehensive, practical and useful affiliate marketing system I have seen to date. Pepperjam Network demonstrates that it is possible to combine style with substance in a network that provides site owners and advertisers with tools and resources to increase their bottom line,” said Joel Comm, New York Times Best-Selling author and CEO, InfoMedia, Inc.

About Pepperjam:

Pepperjam is an industry leading full-service internet marketing agency offering marketing services and advanced technology in the areas of pay-per-click, search-engine optimization, affiliate marketing, and online media planning and buying. The company was founded in 1999 by internet marketing expert, accomplished speaker, and published author Kristopher B. Jones. Pepperjam has received numerous awards and achievements, including recognition by Inc. Magazine for two consecutive years as one of the fastest growing privately-held businesses in the United States. Learn more at www.pepperjam.com.

A Milk And Honey Moment

At the end of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ television special Christmas at the Cathedral, Bishop Blake spoke about light. He challenged the audience to think about the significance of light, so I started to do just that. Consider with me:

• The first thing God created was light.
• Light was the first thing described as “good.”
• Light was created three days before the sun was created.
• Light has a specific purpose – to dispel the darkness.
• Jesus is called the Light of the world. (John 8:12, 9:5)
• Christians are called the light of the world (Matt. 5:14)
What amazing similarities I see!
• God created you.
• God created something good when He created you. (Ps 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. KJV)
• You had life as soon as sperm and egg came together – before anyone knew anything about you. (Ps 139:15-16 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. KJV)
• You were made with a specific purpose – to dispel darkness (Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. KJV)
• Your Savior is the Light of the world.
• You are like Him and are called to be the light of the world.

Matt 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.” (NIV) To live a “light” life, keep looking to God, to that which is good. Everything God created was good (read Genesis, chapter 1), so to focus on God means you are focusing on the good around you that He created. Concentration on God means concentration on all that is good, and this brings light to your life. This week, let your milk & honey life moments be those in which you make a conscious effort to focus on at least one good thing a day. Give God the glory for the good He created.

Sharon Norris Elliott
Director of Sandy Cove Writer's Conference





Milk And Honey Retreat The Milk And Honey Life God Is Light

Jobs Down Under

My Auntie G. called a few weeks ago to let me know that there was no shortage of jobs in Australia. She is trying her best to get me to "come home." In any case, she is right of course. And if I did ever decide to travel down under and stay for a couple of years, the Australian Jobs listed on the boards will be a good resource.

If you are already there and looking for employment it would be wise for you to start with an online search. Aussie jobs has listings from construction jobs in Melbourne to educational ones in Sydney.

The site also has articles by industry specialist including how to write a good resume and all that. And to top it all off, if you don't live down under you can fill out a form to see if you qualify to work there. Sweet.

I'm Sorry But It's Football Season

Surely one knows that with her beloved Seahawks in the playoffs this post was long overdue. We must not jinx this winning streak, however, so it will be short and sweet, so to speak.

What attracts a woman to the game is a rather interesting question. Not one Lady Gatekeep knows the answer to. Nontheless, there she is each Sunday cheering on one team or the other. Of course, when the Seahawks play, non-Seahawk fans must leave the room. :)

This opening game of the playoffs was particularly tough as Joe Gibbs has been a favorite character of the Gatekeeper. His faith has inspired many. Not to mention that the Redskins had so much emotion riding on this game. The outcome, I'm afraid, could not have gone any other way. Those boys in red were running on empty. We are the victors and on to Green Bay it is. Where again, emotions and for the love of Brett, we shall be known as the under dogs.

NFL Seattle Seahawks Wild Card Playoffs

Of Churches And Worship

Now the Gatekeeper is not sure if she'll ever make it to South Carolina but it will be good to know of a few churches in Greenville SC area just in case.

Therefore, we did a little digging to see what was available. The Westminster Presbyterian Church offered a nice calendar for us to check. Let us see; Moms In Touch, a program for Tweens (very up to date), and Narcotics Anonymous. Interesting, to say the least! It's nice to have programs but what of good old fashioned Bible studies and quality worship time?

One must take a look for oneself, it seems to be in order. Worship at nine and 11:15am, I see, and Sunday Night Live at 6:30. The latter clearly sounds like we should investigate. It's a good thing I'm sure. My friends, if you are in the Greenville area and looking for a church, this would seem a worthy place for you to visit. Blessings to all.

Blogging From 1942 Blog

Mom's sister was with us during the Summer and I had hoped to receive more information from her about their lives as POWs. It was a tad bit harder than I thought. My Aunt didn't seem to remember much and what did come to mind seemed too difficult to share. I thought it wise not to pursue the story as far as my Aunt was concerned.

However, I did learn from her that she made friends with some of the soldiers while in camp and was able to use that friendship to get supplies such as bananas. Also when mom needed a doctor they were able to leave the camp for a day.

In any case, the next installment of Mom's story has been written at the 1942 Blog. Even though it was a serious event this little story had some humor in it. Thanks for reading.

What? Christmas Is Over?

Ah yes, you thought . . . the season is all but gone, my friends. But not so, says the Gatekeeper. After all it was the Christmas lights that joyfully decorated any shop, home or even the landscape of our vast desert.

So may I propose we keep those lights up all year round. Perhaps the red and green lights we shall banish for a while but what of those cozy white snowy looking ones. That could cheer up the neighborhood. Well all right then. Lady Gatekeeper did find out for your benefit that it won't cost you much at all to keep the lights burning year round. 'Tis no secret it might only cost one fifty dollars (for 365 days, mind you) to brighten your back yard or front porch or that pretty tree everyone can see from the streets below if your castle was perched on top of that mountain.

Why I dare say that folks will want to celebrate the 4th of July right in your back yard. A night wedding perhaps. It is all good. Plus we have learned that an "after-Christmas" sale might be going on as we speak. Therefore, keep the lights afire around your home and forever in your hearts.



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