I was recently given a book to review call The Blackberry Diaries by Kathy Buckworth, but before I tell you about the book let  me tell you about me and my little friend.

So when I got my Blackberry I had no idea what I was in for. I mean afterall, I was just getting a new phone, or so I thought. My Husband thought I should “upgrade” and get something with more features like internet access(who uses a phone for the internet?), camera (I already have a camera!) , texting capability (who am I going to text?) and the list goes on. I wanted a phone that could make and receieve phone calls, after all what did I NEED all of that other stuff for?

Fast forward ……I am texting like crazy, I didn’t know that so many of my girlfriends did this! How exciting to send a quick message or “status update” and still be able to carry on another activity! As for the internet access…who knew that you could Shop On line from your phone!I can also visit my daughters school website and check for homework(very rare, but at least I know I CAN do this), checking email is a breeze now and quite addicting I must say! The camera feature that I thought I would NEVER use has come in handy. Lets see, I recently delivered my 3rd baby and no one had a camera…I whip out the handy dandy Blackberry with Built In Camera and immediatly have pictures of my bundle of joy and whats even more impressive is that I could share the pictures immediatly with my cool phone!  I can also can update  myFacebook status and Tweet with my little friend….what can I say L .O.V.E….it wasn’t love at first site but something that grew on me over time… 

About the book….Wonderful and Hilarious, there are so many things that I’ve thought and wanted to say out loud and couldn’t. Kathy says the things you wish you could say but are afraid to. Kathy compares the Blackberry with a child and has even gone so far to name hers. He is with her everywhere, important meetings, hockey games and even in the bathroom(yes, mine goes there too!).Her wish for this book was to make people laugh and that it does..from having definitions for the Blackberry owner as well as for the Toddler owner(ie parent) to comparing getting her blackberry for Christmas to the birth of a child, she describes parenthood and working from home (as many of us do) in an honest and gritty way. The book is written as a blog, a year long journey while getting to know her Blackberry “Seamus” and dealing with her day to day life with her family as well as her career. You have to read the September 30th entry “Stay at Home Dad” which she says is a threat to all caring mothers, which gives details on how to make a SAHD feel like he is in the Corporate World by giving him business cards, a project list, weekly project meetings etc…just a glimpse into how men and women are wired a little differently. While reading this book , I laughed to myself, I laughed out loud, I laughed so hard I almost pee’d my pants, I laughed and got teery eyed but most of all I LAUGHED!! Thanks Kathy for a wonderful book and for letting me know that I’m not the only one addicted to my Blackberry who is still nameless….I’ve gotta run, that little light is flashing, I’ve got new email to read…

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom details all the basics of starting a business in a spiritual, motivational, and comprehensive manner. From deciding what type of business to start to keeping your family and faith first, this helpful tool details every aspect of establishing a business. With proven success tips utilized by the authors and others who own work-at-home businesses, this inspiration approach will provide you with the resources you need to start your own home-based business.

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom includes:
* Detailed information on types of businesses to start
* Ideas and assistance for setting up, operating, and marketing your business
* Definitions and descriptions of work-at-home terminology and processes
* Help for developing your Website
* Explanations of the business nuts and bolts, including bookkeeping, taxes, and more

About the Authors
JILL HART is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. Jill is a co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom. Jill has published many articles and is a contributing author in Laundry Tales, The Business Mom Guide Book, I ll Be Home for Christmas, and Faith Deployed. She holds a bachelor s degree in human development and family studies. Learn more about working from home at http://www.cwahm.com/work-at-home/ .

DIANA ENNEN has been a leader and mentor in the work-at-home industry since starting her business, Virtual Word Publishing, in 1985. She is the author of many books, including Virtual Assistant the Series; Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and Words from Home: Start, Run, and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business. She resides in Margate, Florida, with her husband and their three children.

Below is an interview with the authors of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom – Jill & Diana.

If you have questions they are happy to answer your questions anytime. Leave a comment below or email Jill@cwahm.com or Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

How long have you been working at home?

Jill Hart – I’ve been working at home since 2000. I had to go back to work full-time for a brief period in 2003 when my husband got out of the Air Force. At that point I got even more serious about making my business work and I’ve been home full-time since then.

Diana Ennen – I’ve been working at home since 1985, when my son was born. He’s now graduated college and already working towards his own career. I absolutely love it. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What types of businesses do you operate?

Jill Hart – I run Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com, a website full of free resources, job listings and information about home businesses. I also write articles and books (yes, more books to come!) and am a blogger for sites like Time/Warner’s Christian Momlogic.com and a member of the Guideposts blogger team

Diana Ennen– I’m the President of Virtual Word Publishing. I’m a virtual assistant and specialize in marketing & publicity. I’ve also written numerous books on how to start a VA business and offer PR and VA Coaching.

Tell us about your book? How do you think it can benefit those who want to start a business?

Jill Hart – The book has been such a “God thing.” He orchestrated the entire sequence of events – from putting Diana and I together as co-authors to bringing us to the right publisher. The book is a hands-on practical guide for anyone who wants to build a business from home. We cover topics ranging from how to select the right type of business for you, to how to get started, to how to market and grow your business.

Diana Ennen – I think one of the best features of our book is that it’s not only informative, but motivational as well. You’ll feel like friends are helping you on your journey to success. Also, we discuss numerous types of businesses to start and provide proven methods to achieve success. We also often hear how starting a business can be so overwhelming. That’s why we pay special attention to all the how tos. We feel very confident our book will help, not only those starting a business, but those already in business wanting to expand it.

What types of businesses are featured in your book?

Jill Hart – We have such a great range of contributors – everything from direct sales companies like Southern Living at Home and Avon to unique product-driven businesses like BSM Media and GrillCharms. These woman are amazing and give readers a great insight into how they’ve grown their businesses in very different ways.

Diana Ennen – We cover everything from direct sales companies to specialized areas such as medical transcription and virtual assisting. Also, Jill shares detailed information on starting a community based membership site. We think you’ll get a lot of helpful tips too from such work-at-home powerhouses as Maria Bailey and Lesley Spencer Pyle.

Do you have any tips for success for Christian entrepreneurs that you’d like to share?

Jill Hart – I think my favorite tip – shared with me by one of our contributors, Tammy Degenhart, almost ten years ago is that working together benefits everyone. She told me, “Jill, what you give to others God brings back tenfold” and I’ve seen that hold true time and time again. It may not be in financial gains and it may not look like what we expected but God is so faithful in that when we work together there is no competition – it’s a win-win situation.

Diana Ennen – Do what you believe in and use your own skills and prior experience to find the business that’s just right for you. Research/Research/Research. The more you research, the better your business. Continue to market and be out there. So many once they find a few clients stop marketing. You need to get out there continually. You then become the go to person when someone needs services or products that you offer.

What are some of the challenges that you see with those starting or operating a business?

Jill Hart – In my experience, I’ve talked with many women who get frustrated because success doesn’t come easily or quickly. Working from home may sound easy, but in reality it can actually be just as hard as working outside the home. There are many unique challenges, especially when working at home while raising children. If women don’t prepare themselves, they can become discouraged and disheartened.

Diana Ennen– One of the major challenges I see is losing belief in yourself that you can do it. That’s why I think a faith-based book will be so beneficial. Even when times get tough, you can rely on your faith to forge ahead.

With the economy, do you believe it’s still a good time to start a business? Why?

Jill Hart – I think it’s a better time than ever. The internet is so much more widely used than it was even nine years ago when I began my website. If people do their research and find a company that fits them as well as their budget this can be a great time to break into the work-at-home field.

Diana Ennen – Absolutely. In fact, I think there’s never been a better time. You might have to work a little harder, but it absolutely can be done. Plus, there are so many businesses who need us more than ever because of the economy. For example, with virtual assistants because businesses are downsizing they are seeking the help of a VA to help on an as needed basis.

Your book is written from a Christian perspective? Tell us a little about that and how you feel that makes it so unique?

Jill Hart – My faith is central to who I am and therefore central to my business. I began Christian Work at Home Moms because I wanted women to have a safe place where they could discuss not only business things, but also talk about an area that doesn’t get talked about a lot in business circles – how our faith affects our businesses. The book is written in a way that doesn’t hit anyone over the head with our faith, but it’s true to who we are and talks about things from the vantage point that we see life – through the lens of our faith.

Diana Ennen – There are so many books out there today on starting a business. However, few have the Christian mom in mind. We provide a lot of scriptures and examples of how you can use your faith to help you. Our hope is that not only will your business thrive, but it might just give a little boost to your faith as well.

Learn more about the book at Beacon Hill Press or SoYouWantToBeAWAHM.com.

Do you love planning parties? Are you the party planner in your office, kid’s school or the resident party diva in your neighborhood? Isn’t it time you got paid for making people happy and doing what you love to do? With One Hour Parties, now you can!

One Hour Parties is the most exciting and fun franchise concept on the market today. They provide easy, creative and affordable party planning solutions for corporate celebrations, kid’s parties, weddings and more. If you live in a major metropolitan area, let them train you on their unique form of party planning and how to capture your own piece of the $500 billion event planning industry worldwide.
Check them out online at www.onehourparties.com

The company has just been named Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Hot New Franchise” and the founders were just named the “Top 25 Innovators and Entrepreneurs” by Seattle Business Magazine

The drive home started the same way…we the baby crying and crying…it was 10 at night so I was pretty afraid to stop anywhere. I did stop once more just to feed him and we drove the rest of the way with screaming. Miraculously both of the girls fell asleep! I somehow, reached my arm back while sitting kind of sideways while driving and held my son’s hand and guess what….he stopped crying! It was completely silent in the car….I was so afraid to let go of his hand that my arm and right side were numb when I got home, but it was worth it. the baby was still up all night as his nights and days are mixed up and I am truly more tired that I thought I could ever be, but we made it home safe, no one was screaming and I was able to have a little peace and quiet. Moral of the story? ..I don’t know if there is one. I just kept thinking of the commercial from when I was younger “Calgon, take me away”..and wishing I could slip into a nice bubble bath.

So when its time again to venture out…Daddy will be Driving!

Why do you need a PumpEase™ hands-free pumping support?
you would like to multi-task (do other things while pumping)
you are returning to work
you want to donate to a Milk Bank
you are adopting and want to induce lactation
you need relief from frequent painful engorgement
your baby has a medical condition, such as a cleft palate or tongue-tie
your baby was born premature and is still in the hospital
you have mastitis, milk stasis, a blocked duct or thrush
you need to maintain your milk supply during a lapse in breastfeeding (e.g. travel, medication, hospitalization)
your baby does not completely empty your breasts (tongue-tie, ineffective suck, latching problems)
you want the freedom to be able to leave your baby with your partner or caregiver for a feeding
your partner wants to feed, and therefore bond with, your baby
you need to boost your milk production
you have flat or inverted nipples (pumping can be helpful at drawing out the nipple)
you gave birth to multiples

Check out www.pumpease.com

Here is a little info from their site which explains the benefits of their carriers(Maya Wraps)…

www.mayawrap.com
Maya Wrap Product Features

Cool: All of our baby carriers are 100% cotton and are comfortable in hot weather. Our fabrics look the same on both sides, eliminating the need for sewing two fabrics together to hide the wrong side of a fabric. One layer of fabric is cooler than two layers and allows for better air flow to help keep your baby from becoming over-heated.

No Bulk: Our carriers (except the Lightly Padded Sling) have no padding. The Lightly Padded Sling has a small amount of padding in the shoulder. This means all of our carriers are not bulky. They fit easily into your diaper bag or purse when you are on the go. The Maya Tie uses slightly more fabric but will still fit nicely into a larger diaper bag or backpack.

Comfortable: Our Slings distribute baby’s weight across your back for a comfortable, secure fit. Wearing two MamaBaby slings allows you to distribute baby’s weight over both shoulders for extra comfort. The Maya Tie distributes baby’s weight over both shoulders and your hips for ultimate comfort. It is excellent for heavier children or babywearing for long periods of time. Unlike other woven cottons, our hand-loomed fabrics “give” for a more comfortable fit while still being supportive.

Versatile: All of our baby carriers are usable in a variety of positions for newborns and toddlers. Our slings grow with your baby over time. Wearing two MamaBaby slings makes it possible to wear your newborn in a high “burp” position. The Maya Tie can also be used for a very comfortable and secure back carry.

Adjustable: All of our products come in a range of sizes and are fully-adjustable, ensuring a perfect and secure fit every time! Our carriers can be tightened over a wide range. Frequently both parents can share one carrier even if they are different sizes.

Discreet: You can breastfeed in all of our baby carriers. For those who prefer to breastfeed discreetly, the tails of our slings can be used as a cover up. When selecting a sling, if nursing coverage is not important to you, you may prefer to select a size smaller. The smaller size will have a shorter fabric tail past the rings.

Thanks GLAMOUR for choosing me as a GLAMBASSADOR!

Angel