tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43786389861597321152024-03-08T01:35:57.912-08:00The Life and times of a...?A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-53519248349290743062009-05-23T12:50:00.001-07:002009-05-23T13:00:08.575-07:00Getting ranked in search enginesWith the complete onslaught of websites that has occured over the last few year it's getting harder and harder to get really good content filled sites <a href="http://www.discountclick.com/">ranked on search engines.<br /></a><br />It really is a whole lot harder than you think. Even if you have a specialised niche market site, and <a href="http://www.discountclick.com/seo_services.asp">SEO (search engine optimization)</a> has got to be your objective. You need the search engines to pick up your site. It's the best way to get visitors. Ideally you want to be found in organic searches!<br /><br />There are many ways to help your organic findings in search engines, the most important way is to ensure that you have <a href="http://www.discountclick.com/account/?_page=product_cat:t_1&id=12">links</a> to your site or url. This is probably one of THE most effective ways to get search engines to pay any attention to your site. The search engines spider sites and will pick up your link (well that's it in a nutshell).A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-70097003682442797182009-04-20T15:29:00.000-07:002009-04-20T15:35:02.675-07:00I love shopping and getting a great dealI would never hide the fact that I LOVE shopping. But most of all I love getting a good deal on what I get. Its just something that makes you feel pretty good about yourself!<br /><br />Price comparison sites are a great way of getting a good deal. They will list the details from all the major retailers and are a great resource.<br /><br />A great site is <a href="http://www.shopwiki.com">ShopWiki</a>. This site is gaining in popularity and is shortly going to be availabe in The Netherlands (it's already available in the US, UK, <a href="http://www.shopwiki.fr">France</a> and <a href="http://www.shopwiki.de">Germany</a>.<br /><br />Getting a deal is always a great thing, so comparing prices from a site that doesnt charge it's retailers for registering with them. That way you are getting totally free impartial advice, and ShopWiki is one of those site.A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-7934055562652389152009-03-10T05:59:00.000-07:002009-03-10T07:54:18.975-07:00Surviving your house sale or purchaseSelling your home, or even purchasing a home can be quiet a minefield. We all need help and assistance, whether we want to admit it or not. Unless we have studied all the intricacies of land purchase law in our areas we can pretty much say we are the jack of all trades and master of none!<br /><br />There are of course some great agents to help you out. You could be looking for property to live in or to vacation in. If you are looking for somewhere to vacation you have to ensure that you have quality accomodation, and that you will enjoy your stay there, OR that you can have customers or friends and family visiting who will also enjoy their stay. Especially if you invest for a properties earning potential. Vacation homes can be quiet lucrative, but you need quality. QUALITY HOMES will have your customers looking to visit your property annually.<br /><br />If you ARE looking for quality, one really strong recommentation is <a href="http://www.theholmgroupaz.com/FountainHills.htm">Fountain Hills Real Estate</a> they really do have quality as their foundation!<br /><br />Always remember to ask questions. When you are in a position to purchase property, ask questions! Remember that the money is yours to spend, and it does not matter if you ask the same question 10 times over, keep on asking until you get your answer. A quality agent will have no problem with any question you ask!A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-59572041378557447242008-10-27T06:50:00.000-07:002008-10-27T06:56:49.096-07:00The Credit Crisis...In these days of the Credit Crisis, people havn't a clue how to get themselves out of debt, and how to get themselves on top of their financial situations.<br /><br />It's genuinely not as difficult as people think. It takes a bit of common sense, and some bravery. Especially as you will have to be 100% honest with yourself. I am by no means a financial expert, but I have an accountancy background. I have developed a plan, that you can use, and it's totally FREE. Just visit <a href="http://helpyourselfoutofdebt.googlepages.com/">Get Yourself Out of Debt</a> and read the plan. It is just common sense, and it requires you to invest in nothing. Of course you can always make personal changes to suit your own personal situation. <br /><br />Just remember that it includes being completely 100% honest with yourself, so be prepared. I hope you find it useful!A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-59115630035620418942008-09-04T07:50:00.000-07:002008-09-04T07:51:28.992-07:00Really useful FREE business resourcesThis is just some really useful business resources for you to bookmark and refer back to whenever you want. Good information, that's it. Nothing to sign up to, nothing to spam your inbox, just good old fashioned advice<br /> <br /><a href="http://businessloan.site88.net">businessloan.site88.net </a> <br /><br />Everything you should take into consideration if you are considering a business loan<br /><br /><a href="http://businessadvice.site88.net">businessadvice.site88.net</a><br /> <br />Some great common sense advice<br /><br /><a href="http://bestofblogging.site88.net">bestofblogging.site88.net</a><br /> <br />How to get the best out of your blog<br /> <br /><a href="http://audiostreaming.890.com">audiostreaming.890m.com</a><br /><br />How to incorporate audio streaming to your site, and it's advantages<br /> <br /><a href="http://buyingandsellinginauctions.890.com">buyingandsellinginauctions.890m.com</a><br /><br />Everything you need to know about selling at auction, whether on or off line<br /> <br /><a href="http://businessattraction.890.com">businessattraction.890m.com</a><br /><br />How to attract people to your business<br /> <br /><a href="http://effectivearticlewriting.890m.com">effectivearticlewriting.890m.com</a> <br />Write effective articles, especiallly good for anyone who uses google adsense or adsense sites like hub pages<br /> <br /><a href="http://goodaffiliatemarketing.890.com">goodaffiliatemarketing.890m.com</a> <br />Make the very best out of your affiliate links<br /> <br /><a href="http://effectiveadvertising.890.com">effectiveadvertising.890m.com</a><br /><br />Simple effective ways to advertise both on and off line<br /> <br /><a href="http://comprehensiveadsenseresource.890.com">comprehensiveadsenseresource.890m.com</a> <br />Everything you needed to know about adsense, and how to profit from it.<br /> <br /><a href="http://goodbusinesspractise.890m.com">goodbusinesspractise.890m.com</a><br /><br />Learn how to have some good proceedures and practices to run your business efficiently.<br /> <br /><a href="http://bankruptcy.890m.com">bankruptcy.890m.com</a><br /><br />I hope you never need this one, but just in case you do, this site dispels the mythes of bankruptcy and shows how you can do it properly.<br /><br />I hope all these help you all significantlyA problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-77153397673453647742008-06-17T12:36:00.000-07:002008-06-17T13:03:11.426-07:00Translation services make the world so much smallerLiving here in Holland and being a native English speaker can have it's drawbacks. I can speak Dutch (badly I have to admit, but I can still have a conversation, read official documents). However I do have to admit that translation services do make life a whole lot easier.<br /><br />I am also involved in network marketing, and there are times when I want to place advertisements in lands where English is not the native language or in some cases not the only language. <br /><br />Although it's worth mentioning that Hindi is the official language of India. <a href="http://www.iaflindia.com/">Hindi translation</a> to English is very common.<br /><br />If you were to type <a href="http://www.iaflindia.com/">India Translation</a> into a search engine you can find online automatic translation services, however they don't usually translate languages grammatically correct.<br /><br /><br />I recently discovered an interesting fact, and that is: There are more English speakers in India then on any other continent. I thought this was fascinating. So when I check it out these are SOME of the languages I found that are spoken in India<br /><br />1. Assamese/Asomiya Assam<br />2. Bengali/Bangla Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tripura, West Bengal<br />3. Bodo Assam<br />4. Dogri Jammu and Kashmir<br />5. Gujarati Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Gujarat<br />6. Hindi Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, <br /> Chhattisgarh, the national capital territory of Delhi, Haryana, Himachal <br /> Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.<br />7. Kannada Karnataka<br />8. Kashmiri Jammu and Kashmir<br />9. Konkani Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala<br />10. Maithili Bihar<br />11. Malayalam Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep,Puducherry<br />12. Manipuri (also Meitei or Meithei) Manipur<br />13. Marathi Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, <br /> Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka<br />14. Nepali Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam<br />15. Oriya Orissa<br />16. Punjabi Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab<br />17. Sanskrit Primary liturgical language of Hinduism. Also declared a <br /> "Classical Language of India"<br />18. Santhali Santhal tribals of the Chota Nagpur Plateau (comprising the <br /> states of Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa)<br />19. Sindhi Sindhi community<br />20. Tamil Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry (Also designated a <br /> classical language)<br />21. Telugu Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh<br />22. Urdu Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Muslim <br /> community in Karnataka<br /><br />This list doesn't include other smaller languages or dialects. Isn't that fascinating. Can you imagine the administration that goes on the coordinate all these languages. You would have for example Farsi translation of official documents for all of the farsi speaking communities. Some documents could have all official languages printed but think of the cost of printing. I think that it would be farsi for farsi communities and <a href="http://www.iaflindia.com/">Arabic translation</a> for arabic communities and so on.<br /><br />So I really do have complete respect for the people responsible for <a href="http://www.iaflindia.com/">translation, India</a> and it's languages are so much more intriguing that first thought.A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-46565000427640805722008-05-14T12:30:00.001-07:002008-05-14T12:39:46.591-07:00Ah... the weather, it's been greatHere in Holland, the summer has started (although it's probably not going to last long). The weather for the last week has been glorious. I have spent afternoon after afternoon sitting in the garden with my daughter (she is 14 months, and is developing a great character). Sitting rolling a ball backwards and forwards, it's amazing how something so simple can keep her so occupied and happy. <br /><br />I would love use parents in law as babysitter, and park myself outside in a cafe terrace and have a nice ice cold beer. Probably not a great idea considering I'm pregnant, so I will just have to grin and bear it, and drink some cold lemonade.A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-31110370750159041782008-03-13T08:37:00.000-07:002008-03-13T08:54:27.374-07:00As you know, I'm pregnantIf you read my previous entry, which I personally think is a bit garbled, seeing as I was tired, and I had just found out I was pregnant.<br /><br />I THINK my head is a whole lot clearer today, in fact Im pretty sure it is. I have done some research and do you realise that at this stage in my pregnancy, the baby is<br />half of an o in print. So half of "o" is the size of my child. <br /><br />It's mad to think that we were all like that once. When you're pregnant, you tend to think about these thing a lot. It really does change your view of what's important in life.<br /><br />Before I had my first child my life consisted of work, work, and more work, interspersed of course with weekends of partying (I still miss the partying though). Now its out for dinner and a few drinks once a month, and washing really small clothes, and changing dirty diapers. <br /><br />The thing is, I don't mind. I've done the social thing, I done the travelling thing, and I look on motherhood as the next big adventure, and I'm having a ball!!A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-60665751430329662882008-03-12T14:17:00.000-07:002008-03-12T15:00:01.155-07:00Being pregnant and having a small childWell I have just found out I'm pregnant. Im 5 weeks gone, and it's quiet a mad feeling, and it's weird, especially as I don't feel the same buzz of excitement I felt on my daughter, and I think I should feel guilty about this, but I don't. Maybe it's just me, and I'm plain weird. <br /><br />I believe Im pregnant, especially as I did quiet a few tests to prove it to myself (the first two the confirmation line as a bit faint, and I just needed more proof).<br /><br />So as my pregnancy progresses, Im left wondering how I'm going to run around after a one year old, especially as lifting is out of the question the further along I go.<br /><br />I know many women have coped before me, and no doubt will cope after me, but I can just go from my point of view (selfish I know, but that's the way of it).<br /><br />This blog is probably just brainless ramblings, well, a womans brain does shrink when she is pregnant (still bigger than most mens all the same he he).<br /><br />I will keep the blog update, but I am thinking of starting a new one, and give an account of how everything is going. For now however, Im going to get a cup of tea and relax.A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-81217850961421164912008-03-10T13:36:00.000-07:002008-03-10T14:16:06.178-07:00Southern Harmony and Musical CompanionQuiet a long time ago I had, on tape (that makes me feel so old) The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion by the Black Crowes. I love that album. It was one of my absolute FAVES! <br /><br />I lost it many years ago, and by chance I decided to type the album title into ebay. It was just on a whim, I wasn't sure if it would come up or not. I managed to get it for 3.00GBP.<br /><br />It arrived about a week and I haven't stopped listening to it since. It's just so good, and I really do have to compliment my younger selfs taste in music, it's every bit as good as I remembered!<br /><br />The main stand out songs, which are beautifully written, and sung with such soulful heart felt emotion.<br /><br />Bad Luck Blue Eyes good bye<br />and<br />Time Will Tell<br /><br />If you ever see them for sale for your MP3 player, I would boldly suggest that you get them.<br /><br />If you want some songs that you can sing at the top of your voice with, and (if you're a boy) play the air guitar then<br />Sting me<br />Remedy <br />and<br />Hotel Illness <br /><br />Are just the ticket.<br /><br />Overall, it's just a super album, and if you like rock mixed with blues and easy listening this is the album for you.A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-57348714676590206052008-03-07T09:46:00.001-08:002008-03-07T10:05:16.568-08:00Being a mom!!Being a mom is more fun than I thought it was ever going to be.<br /><br />My daughter is now a year old, and she is hilarious. Trying to say words, feeding herself, standing up in her playpen. She is learning all the time, and when she figures something out, you can see her brain working from her facial expressions. <br /><br />Now to be honest I was never terribly maternal to begin with, and I figured that she would cry all night, not feed, poop all the time and at the beginning I wouldn't enjoy it. However, she is the most docile, contented child on the planet. She sleeps until 9.30am (I am just SO lucky), she eats great, she is growing exactly as she should and she is happy. The only area in which I was right was the poop, but I've long since gotten over that.<br /><br />Our district nurse (she weighs and measures her to make sure all is good) said that she may be naturally calm, but that we should take it as a compliment to our parenting, as she is obviously taking our lead. When a professional says something like that to you, you feel very proud of yourself, especially seeing as she is our first child!<br /><br />I just assumed that she was naturally content, and that I was the one following her lead, but the nurse said that babies take their cue from the tension they feel from their parents. So if a parent is stressed, the baby will be stressed, and vice versa.<br /><br />It was never something I gave that much thought to, but if I think about it logically it makes complete sense. I would NEVER in a million years claim to be a child rearing expert but if there is one tip I would give to any new parent it's to relax and always remember that your child is reading your signals.<br /><br />Try to enjoy the first year, especially as it goes so fast. I know everyone who has a child tells you that, but you have got to believe them, because they are not lying. This has been the fastest year of my life. I have no idea where it went at allA problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-67081167909110144432008-03-04T03:13:00.000-08:002008-03-04T03:19:24.022-08:00It's such a shame that we have to be so careful onlineI am a member of some great social network, and I love them. I some some great online friends. I think it's such a shame that in this the "Information Age" we have to be so careful, especially with our details, and what we share with others online! This is one thing I have seen online, especially on my social network, but this could also apply to a dating site. This makes me feel somewhat sad, but I hope it doesn't make me totally cynical to people I meet online.<br /><br />Firstly the practice of getting peoples details is called phishing. So when anyone asks for you to chat on yahoo or msn or wherever, they are looking to get your details. Please be careful with this. I don't mean to sound rude or horrible here, but there are people who are more vulnerable than others. <br /><br />People who are looking for that special someone or who are a little bit lonely are bigger targets than anyone else. They will flatter your profile, your looks everything that will make you feel special. Then comes the crunch. After a short while they will tell you that they are in love with you, and want to be with you but can't afford to get to you, would you pay for them to travel to you and you will both live happily ever after. It's all bogus of course, but you would be surprised how many people both male and female will believe this.<br /><br />Always remember that in a lot of cases this is not a personal attack, it's more to do with casting a line and see what bites (see Phishing). It is completely random, and in a lot of cases the culprit is sitting in an internet cafe in Nigeria (I am not slagging off a complete nation, but statistics prove that quiet a lot of these scam come from Nigeria, but they are worldwide too). When they get a bite they call the victim a MUGU! I think this means something like stupid rich person, especially as they will try to fleece you for everything they can.<br /><br />NEVER offer to pay for anything, or accept a cheque/check or money gram from these people, they will bounce and you are legally responsible for any funds you draw.<br /><br />Most of all, never, never, never (I cannot stress this enough) give your personal details to anyone you meet on a social network or dating site. If you do meet someone from a dating site, tell someone where you are going and what you are doing. Protect yourself from madmen, con artists and scammers at all timesA problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-68984558572104439602008-03-04T02:41:00.000-08:002008-03-04T03:07:56.781-08:00Maternity Leave in the NetherlandsWorking life in the Netherlands, is relatively stress free. You have a lot of rights and you are reasonably well protected (especially with sick leave). You start a job and on your third contract you have what they call a vaste contract. Which is a permanent contract, and this in the Netherlands is a big deal if affords you lots of protection as an employee.<br /><br />The only area that dutch employment law falls short is in maternity leave. In total you have 16 weeks. That 16 weeks is broken down as follows:<br /><br />4-6 weeks before your due date you MUST start your leave.<br />10-12 weeks that remain after the birth of your child is your total time to <br />arrange everything before you have to go back to work.<br /><br />To be fair they do also have Ouderschap Verlof, which is parental leave, which is 6 months, however you take this at your own expense, and it cannot be taken in one time frame. Most people tend to take it as one day a week unpaid for a certain time frame.<br /><br />The fact that the Netherlands has maternity makes anyone living in the Netherlands luckier than in some countries. However in comparison to many other EU countries it's quiet paltry, especially when you consider that their employment law as a whole is very evenly balanced between protecting employee and employer alike.<br /><br />Given this important fact, if makes me wonder why their maternity leave is so poor. I know having a baby is not an illness, but it still takes on average a year for a womans body to recover. Hopefully over time it will rectify its self, but until then dutch citizens and residents will have to manage.A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-29960740821637302792008-03-03T14:46:00.000-08:002008-03-03T14:47:55.509-08:00Personal Debt - Its killing your quality of lifeI don't know who out there is in debt and what it's doing to your life, but I can make one bet, it's killing you quality of life.<br /><br />I am an accountant by trade, although I no longer work in finance, but I know the gist of money, and what it takes to get your bills paid. I have lived from pay packet to pay packet. Its a giant sized pain. Now I am in a position where I can spoil myself from time to time and it's great.<br /><br />I recently wrote a piece for an intel site, explaining how you can (with a bit of perseverence) get out of debt, I have progressed this into a website.<br /><br />I will be honest it is by no means a definitive way out of debt, but it does give you a decent break down, and a step by step plan that can if you stick with it help. You can always adjust this plan to suit yourself and your circumstances, and of course it's free. It's a basic site, I am no webmaster, and my html skill are seriously lacking, but check it out and use what ever you need from it.<br /><br />I will say again, I am not a financial advisor, but I do know money, and maybe this will help, and no matter what you do to get out of your debt, there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to get a clear honest look at your finances.<br /><br />Just <a href="http://helpyourselfoutofdebt.googlepages.com/">Click Here</a> for more information. And don't forget that in your area there will be many services that you can use to help you, and lots are voluntary, so do look and check them out too.A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-40189986032317142202008-03-03T14:37:00.001-08:002008-03-03T14:37:56.243-08:00Sunday Boring SundayHow does it happen that sunday evening creeps up on you so quickly. Its SOOOO annoying. I just don't get it. Now don't get me wrong I only work part time and I don't work on Mondays (just in case you were wondering, I have a 7 month old, and resent paying a fortune in childcare). It still happens though, Sundays just sneak up on you, and WHAM its Monday.<br /><br />The Boomtown Rats got it right, "tell me why I don't like mondays.... tell me why I don't like mondays.... tell me why I don't like mondays.... I wanna shoo ooo ooooo ooooot the whole day down..."<br /><br />Now I know this was about a psycho schoolgirl who hated school, but it just applys to most people. Does anyone like mondays? What do you do to make them brighter and better? Let me know, leave me your ideas and comments so I can see if they actually work...<br /><br />I now raise my glass to next Friday, my favourite day of the week...A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-49432614287235858142008-03-03T14:32:00.001-08:002008-03-03T14:32:56.674-08:00Life in The NetherlandsI'm still living in the Netherlands (god help me), seriously takes a lot of getting used to. Im here 4.5 years, and I'm still getting used to it. <br /><br />The Dutch are just plain weird (if you're Dutch and reading this, you know its true). Lets face it they gave us the wonder that is reality TV (they did the original Big Brother and now look...), Adam Curry and they have forever contaminated the music world with 2Unlimited (no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no no, no theres no lyyrrrrrics.....).<br /><br />OK, I'm married to a Dutch man, but he's not completely Dutch, his mom is English, so he got the English manners (please and thank you, that sort of this). And it has to be said that manners are something sorely lacking in this country. Seriously, if you say thanks or give a dutch person a compliment they look at you as if you have 10 heads. Its so WEIRD.<br /><br />There are two great books that you should read if you ever plan on coming the Netherlands (I don't remember who wrote them, but you could still try and get them, they shouldn't be too hard to track down). The first is a short book, its short and extremely easy to read, its like a quick guide its The Xenophobes Guide to the Dutch. Its seriously funny, and SO accurate. It doesn't exhaggerate. When you read it you think that its blowing it all out of proportion, but its NOT. Its all true. <br /><br />The next one Undutchables, this is available in english and dutch, and its hilarious. Especially when they talk about Dutch birthday celebrations (which make wakes look like fun...). A more accurate portrayal of dutch life you WILL not find.<br /><br />Anyway, my moan is officially over, but if you want any insights into life here, just send me a message, I'll be very glad to rant and rave... I'm sure I'll find it very theraputic...A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378638986159732115.post-77225842630047358102007-12-05T11:41:00.000-08:002007-12-05T11:55:03.189-08:00A true and proper blog entryHaving been away from blogging for a while, well, I've gone away had a baby, gone back to work after maternity leave, (which in the Netherlands sucks, it's 16 weeks, you have to go 4 weeks before your child is born and you have 12 weeks afterwards compared to most other places in Europe which give 20+weeks) and have tried to find my way around starting a homebased business, so I can stay a home with my child. Got to admit on that score though, not been mega successful, havn't found anything that grabs me, or anything I don't think is a con.<br /><br />Working and being a mother is full of contradictions, your child needs you of course, but then you need to work to give you child what he/she needs... See contradictions!!!<br /><br />Now don't get me wrong I'm only working parttime, so I can spend some time surfing n stuff, and while doing this I found a good social network. If you've got the marketing skills you can make a nice extra income from it, but I don't and enjoy it for what it is. And I've made quiet a few friends and it's a bit of light relief. If you want to know more about me or about the network just click on the banner below.<br /><br />Anyway that's it for today. I will try an keep this up (bit better than before at least).<br /><br />Take care for now<br />Rachael<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://r.yuwie.com/razorblades"><img src="http://www.yuwie.com/images/banners/banner.gif" border="0"></a>A problem sharedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16022187884865032384noreply@blogger.com0