Blog Views By Roz...

Call me crazy, but Sunday begins my favorite time of year. I love:

• the longer days and nights
• being able to start my days off with long walks and quiet time alone, away from the phones and computers, in preparation of the day to come
• being able to take time to count my blessings and be grateful while walking mindlessly enjoying nature's beauty
• always on the lookout for colorfully unique objects to photograph for my greeting card designs
• rejuvenating from the day's happenings with late afternoon walks or after dinner strolls

Posted by roz at 09:55 PM | Permalink

It's that time again...

Don't forget to move your clocks “ahead” this Sunday at 2:00AM.

Happy Spring!

Posted by roz at 05:27 PM | Permalink

While I have much to be grateful for, I am not immune to the financial challenges many are experiencing today. Because of this, I believe I have become more aware and compassionate toward other's struggles and try to help when I can.

My opportunity to make a difference came about 9 weeks ago when I took on the volunteer position to Lead the Bronx, New York Chapter of the FreeCycle.org(TM) Network — FreeCycleBronxNY.

Any new venture takes time and some take on a life of their own until everyone settles in and things settle down. While my involvement is time-consuming many aspects are fun as it enables me to schmooze more with the public and the media as I spread the word about the organization. This is the fun part for me as I like people and while I am outgoing normally this makes me even more so and I believe this will help me in my other endeavors.

IF you live or work in the Bronx, or live or work in a neighboring Borough come on over and join us.

To join via the Internet go to:
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclebronxny/

To join via eMail sent a “Blank eMail” to:
mailto:FreeCycleBronxNY-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Check us out:
Questions? Contact the Group's Owner Roz Fruchtman at:
mailto:FreeCycleBronxNY-Owner@yahoogroups.com

In Summary

Roz says: "The reason why I believe the FreeCycle.org Network is so successful is because it taps into everyone's generosity and/or need to help and be needed. Whether they help themselves by helping others or they genuinely want to help others, they are helping and that's all that matters in the end!

Roz Fruchtman lives in Co-op City in the Bronx, NY. She is a digital artist, web consultant and search engine optimization/submission specialist. Her passion is creating digital art for her online Judaic eCard Club. Find out more about Roz at:
http://www.gsexclusive.com/aboutus.html.

Posted by roz at 03:51 PM | Permalink

In this day and age, with everyone multi- multi- multi-tasking... “Things happen!”

Having experienced a number of Press snafus I would like to share some tips on quick recovery. (Keep in mind this will only work if you have a web presence and have access to it!)

• If your name, business name or physical business address is incorrect...
  
  • quickly add the misspelling/inaccuracies to your website
  • Add them to the website title
  • Add them to the Meta Keyword section of the site
  • Quickly resubmit your website to the search engines.
    
    
  NOTE: It could take from 12-72 hours for the redirect to show up. In my experience it could happen in much less time, but it's anyone's guess what will really happen as far as this goes as it has to propagate around the Internet. As well... while the domain name makes its way around the web it will become visible to more and more people! Generally it would be good if you could contact someone else to see if they can see your site, even if you cannot.
  
  

• If your website address/website URL is incorrect
• Run, don't walk to the nearest “domain registrar” and purchase the misspelled/incorrect URL.
• Point/redirect this URL to your website address — this way when people type in the incorrect URL they will immediately be taken to the proper website.
• If your web hosting package permits, you can also “Park” the incorrect URL “on-top-of” the correct URL. Here too, when the incorrect URL is typed in, it will take you to the correct domain address.

NOTE: The same thing applies here as far as propagating around the web!

Posted by roz at 03:05 PM | Permalink

Sunday morning I caught a "Feed The Children infomercial." It tugs at my heart strings to see so many children starving for what should be their God given right — "A decent meal!

As I was moving about the room, still listening, I caught a few words about the GuidePost Sweater Project. GuidePost collects and donates hand-knitted sweaters to send to underprivileged children. Being a knitter from way back, I was intrigued and quickly took down a few notes in order to Google it when I got online.

If you are interested in volunteering or finding out what the GuidePost Sweater project is all about... Visit:

Guideposts Sweater Project. Here you can read about the project and how it originated, download instructions for two sweaters and find information where to send them when completed.

For more information visit:
Guideposts Sweater Project
c/o Brigitte Weeks
16 East 34 Street
New York, NY 10016

IN SUMMARY:
It does my heart good to know... There are other ways to contribute besides giving money — not everyone has extra funds available!

Roz Fruchtman / BlogViewsByRoz.com

Posted by roz at 12:51 AM | Permalink

Only in America! Anything is possible and inspiration can be found everywhere!

Being a knitter (and crocheter) from way back, I took notice of the lovely poncho Martha Stewart wore on her return home. While I admired it, I did not give it further thought until a friend told me about the hoopla going on on eBay. Being naturally curious, I surfed on over to have a look!

After visiting a variety of auctions I was curious as to how to create the poncho. Google to the rescue! I found Lion Brand Yarns is offering a free download of the instructions for the Coming Home Poncho right on their website.

At this time a free download for the crochet version of the Martha Steward Coming Home Poncho can be downloaded here.

Lion Brand says that a free knitted version will be available in about a week. I am not sure when that was written, so for all I know it could be tomorrow. Check it out!

And... Yes, I "did" download it and can clearly visualize it in a lovely denim yarn to wear when I am walking!


On a more positive side...

It is interesting and rather inspiringly spiritual to know that people are so forgiving. It makes one want to grab on and push forward, no matter how many past disappointments came before.

Go get'im Martha, Welcome Home!

Roz Fruchtman / BlogViewsByRoz.com

Posted by roz at 12:21 AM | Permalink

FreeCycleBronxNY Helps Bronx Clutterbugs Unclutter While Saving the Environment by Rescuing Valuable Items From Landfills

Bronx, NY (PRWEB) February 23, 2005 -- FreeCycleBronxNY, The Bronx FreeCycle Chapter of the FreeCycle.org Network celebrates its one-month anniversary today.

Led by Co-op City, Bronx Resident (Digital Artist/Web Consultant) Roz Fruchtman, FreeCycleBronxNY opened its virtual doors on Wednesday, January 23, 2005.

The group operates on the old adage: "One person's trash is another person's treasure!" In some cases though... I think we could change this to "One person's clutter is another person's treasure!"

How it works is: Once you join the group, if you have something to offer you post an OFFER message describing the item. You will receive emails from those who would like your item(s) and then "you" decide which one you would like to give it to -- whether one person takes all or some. On the other hand, if you want/need something you post a WANT (or NEED) message for that item and if/when someone has it they will contact you and make arrangements for you to pick it up.

The group's members are from all walks of life, professions and needs. For example we have: single moms and dads, housewives and husbands, firemen, policemen, college folks, people just moving in or out, those expecting babies or just having them, the person just trying to make ends meet and get along, etc. In today's world... even the working need help in order to make ends meet and provide for their families or even themselves if they are alone.

Roz says: "It's such a huge feeling of contribution on my part to see how many people are being helped themselves while helping others. We see so little of this that it feels surreal at times. It's truly a network of "people helping people" while saving valuable items from the landfills and protecting our environment at the same time. One could not ask for a better example of multi-tasking."

IF you live or work in the Bronx, or live or work in a neighboring Borough come on over and join us.

To join via the Internet go to:
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclebronxny/

To join via eMail sent a “Blank eMail” to:
mailto:FreeCycleBronxNY-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Check us out:
Questions? Contact the Group's Owner Roz Fruchtman at:
mailto:FreeCycleBronxNY-Owner@yahoogroups.com

In Summary

Roz says: "Everyone I met so far is totally intrigued by the concept!" Practically everyone said they had something sitting around they could offer. It's quite amazing to say the least, and everything is free. For me... I can't carry large items and FreeCycleBronxNY provides a way to find a new home for my possessions without having to schlep them myself or pay someone to take them out!"

Roz Fruchtman lives in Co-op City in the Bronx, NY. She is a digital artist, web consultant and search engine optimization/submission specialist. Her passion is creating digital art for her online Judaic eCard Club. Find out more about Roz at:
http://www.gsexclusive.com/aboutus.html.

Posted by roz at 04:50 AM | Permalink