No More Space Available

Screen shot of my phone's apps

A few days ago, I received a notification that my iPhone's storage was nearly full. What?! How?? Really??? Was my reaction. Several videos, and pictures, along with apps are the culprit. Instead of trying to figure out what apps I could live without and delete... I started inquiring about how to increase my storage space.

There is still so much I want to do, download and explore... you understand. Even the apps that I don't use that often are there for me when I'm ready to use them. I thought I'd eventually get around to the others I haven't used yet.

My favorite apps include:

Twitter and Facebook are the two apps I use the most to stay connected. Facebook was my first experience with social media, and eventually I joined Twitter as a way to promote my blog post. Both are like dear old friends to me.

The factory camera, along with Camera Awesome are necessities. Both apps take still pictures and videos, which is a must have! Since having the iPhone, I no longer haul a still camera and a my Flip video camera in my purse. The Flip doesn't see much action these days, unless I'm recording an entire event, or one of the girl's games.  

Who knew Instagram would be so much fun?! I enjoy taking pictures and posting them, as well as seeing what others around the world are posting. It inspires me, and at times make me cringe at how much people share. But for the most part... Love it!

I have one game, and one game only on my phone, Words With Friends. Several years ago family members introduced me to Scrabble, and every time there is a family get-together, rest assure there will be a Scrabble board. Words With Friends lets me play a Scrabble like game with people all over the world. I've even played a high school classmate I haven't seen since high school. How cool is that!

For fitness I enjoy the benefits of Run Keeper. Its GPS keeps track of where I am, how far I've gone, and my speed,  as well as how many calories burned. Instead of counting laps, I just hit the pavement. With Livestrong's MyPlate I track all of my exercise, along with the intake of calories per meal.

The Holy Bible, allows me have the word handy without having to carry around a huge bible. It takes only a few seconds to find the book, chapter and verse I'm looking for.

Last but not least, and the most used is the AllRecipes app! When I don't know what to cook, or just need a list of ingredients... It's all in one place. There is a grocery list feature that makes things so easy! More often than not, I'm in the kitchen with my iPhone instead of a cookbook!

Eventually, I had to let a few apps go, until I can figure something else out. Have you reached your phone's capacity of space? What apps can you NOT live without?  

I've Set A Date

A project that has been simmering on the back burner of my mind, with sketchy details in several notebooks, finally has a tentative launch date!

Not a public date, but a personal one so that I have something to focus on. As I get closer, and know for sure I will make the date, (or change it), I'll share!

I'm excited, nervous, anxious... and everything else you can think of all rolled up. I don't want to miss out, or mess up an opportunity.  Krystal Grant, told me "Being nervous is OK. Messing up is OK. Not doing anything to reach your goal is terrible!"

I am so grateful to have people in my corner like Krystal who understand, sympathize, and encourage me to get my butt in gear. This week, I'm getting a little closer to that launch date by drafting, editing, and completing a media kit. 

Can't wait to share more!!!

Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged

Next week, June 10-12, the Arkansas Women Bloggers will host Unplugged: A Miniconference. Guess what... yours truly is speaking!

If you're in Arkansas, a neighboring state, or on the other side of the U.S. you're welcome to come. Registration is still open, but you'd better hurry! The conference will be held at the Ozark Natural Science Center in Huntsville, Arkansas. It promises to be a fun weekend, lots of information and networking.

Click on over to find out more.

If you can't be there, and want to keep up on the Twitters follow the hashtag #AWBU.

Experiencing Arkansas

I've lived in Arkansas pretty much all of my life. There is still so much of it I have yet to see, and enjoy. There are however a few things that I've experienced, that my family has not, and I would like to share with them.

Did you know Arkansas has an elephant sanctuary, caverns, diamond minds, water falls, several mountains, and other natural wonders? We've never been camping, and Petit Jean Mountain is calling my name. In the spring daffodils cover Wye Mountain, and I'd absolutely love see it!

The Trail of Tears runs right through Arkansas, and it's a part of our Choctaw heritage. My children have NEVER experienced Riverfest, and it's been about 25 years since I've been. I would say it's about time that changed!

There's so much to see, do, and experience that one spring and summer won't be enough. But I'm going to do my best to plan the most exciting tour of Arkansas my family will never forget. Join us May through August as we experience Arkansas, one adventure at a time. We'll Tweet with the hashtag #ExpArk.

For more information how your brand can benefit from our Experiencing Arkansas, adventure, check out the end of the post at LaRich Media. 

Got Social Media?

For me, social media has mostly been about making connections, with people I've never met, and wouldn't have met without social media. I've also had opportunities, that wouldn't come knocking on my door had it not been for blogging, Twitter, Facebook ...

With Facebook, I've reconnected with friends from high school, I haven't seen since we've graduated almost 25 years ago. I'm also able to stay connected with cousins I don't see very often.

Several years ago, I tried to find one of my former students. I called the number that was still in her file. Of course the number was no longer working. I asked sorority sisters of hers if they'd heard from her. Again, I came up empty handed. No one had heard from her in years.

A few months ago, I had this great idea... find her on Facebook. But I couldn't remember her married name. One night while in bed, it hit me. I remembered her husband's last name. The next day I started looking for her. And didn't find her.

About a month later, I tried again, using her maiden name. Several women with the same name came up. None of the pictures looked like her. I clicked on a picture, that was a little foggy, and difficult to see. It was a vague picture, and initially thought that wasn't her either, and moved on.

A few minutes later I went back, searched her name again, clicking on that picture, one more time. I looked really good. It was her. Calling Mr. Husband in the room, I wanted him to confirm it was actually her. He agreed. I friend requested her, and left her a message with my phone number, and asked her to call.

The next day, a week, a month came and went without a response. Why hadn't she responded? Finally, I had waited long enough. I went to her Facebook account, and because she had not accepted me as a friend, I couldn't see her wall. But I could see who she was friends with. I left four of her friends messages, explaining who I was, and if they were personal friends of hers, ask her to check her inbox.

One of those friends I in-boxed, is her sister-in-law. A couple of hours later, I received a text message from her. That weekend we talked for more than two hours, catching up. We agreed to get together in the near future.

Many people think social media is the devil, and used only to start trouble. But the social media I know, is an awesome tool!

Do you have a feel good, or great opportunity gained social media story?

Black Girls Rock

Sunday night I watched the much anticipated 'Black Girls Rock,' on BET hosted by Nia Long. I can't remember being more proud to be a black girl.

I smiled, and fought back tears the whole show. Instead of showing us as rump shakers, and baby mama's. 'Black Girls Rock,' empowered, and uplifted us! And for that, I am grateful. I felt a sense of pride for my four daughters, as well as my son. 

The Mission: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. is 501(c)3 non-profit youth empowerment and mentoring organization established to promote the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media. (cont.)

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I thought about a few rocking Black Girls in social media, who inspire me on a daily basis! They are wives, mothers, bloggers, social media entrepreneurs, influencers and so much more. In no particular order, I'd like to share them with you.

The Broke Socialite - @brokesocialite

Jennifer James - @mombloggersclub

Krystal Grant - @krystalgrant

Hanging With Mrs. Cooper - @hangingwitmrsc

Ask Wifey - @askwifey

The Chatterbox - @chatterboxcgc

Justice Fergie - @justicefergie

Justice Ny - @justiceny

Justice Jonesie - @justicejonsie

Talking With Tami - @talkingwithtami

Renee Ross - @reneejross

At a conference in 2001, Zane said "Success leaves clues." These ladies are kicking butt in the world of social media, carving out niches, building empires. and setting the bar high. They're also leaving clues like Hansel and Gretel dropped bread crumbs.

Thanks ladies, YOU ROCK!