Amazing how I simply dropped off the face of the Earth, isn’t it? Things got a little crazy around the Fabulosokids house for a few months, and I simply didn’t have time to sit in front of the computer to do anything but my job. You see, in addition to Fabulosokids I have a job, where people actually pay me to make decisions and to get things done–I can hardly believe it myself. The company has two divisions–one that deals with plants, and one that deals with other stuff. In both cases, the whole point of our company is to get things done for other people, and those other people just all happened to need stuff done all at the same time! SO, for the past few months, I’ve been getting up at 5:00am and going to bed at midnight, spending every waking moment during the weekdays tending to my job, and every waking moment on the weekends tending to my family. No room for Twitter or blogs or any of that stuff.

Now, however, things are winding down and I should be able to focus on Fabulosokids a little more. Hopefully. We just started a discussion at my job for another giant project that may suck up a bunch more of my time, and it’s still Spring so the plants still need a ton of attention. We’ll see what happens.

For the time being, I’m going to try to write here once a week and to tweet every couple of days. I can’t wait to find out what you all have been doing and how things are. Be sure to let me know. We’ll talk…….soon.

When we are young, everything seems so simple and so clear. It may be pure ego, but I can’t accept the fact that I was wrong then–I just had a much different set of circumstances which actually made things easier, not only to do but also to plan and to understand. There was nothing to lose, my body was able to do whatever I asked of it, and there was an infinity in front of me in which I could correct any problems I might cause myself. As that infinity has shrunk to something less, something that seems now to have an end, the rules that I live my life by and that I expect everyone else should be able to live their life by have changed and as a result, I have broken lots of promises to myself. Below is that list–and, in italics, the realizations that made it impossible for me to keep them.

10. I will never yell at my children but will calmly and rationally explain things to them–children are completely irrational and make adults temporarily insane. Also, there is no way to calmly and rationally explain “Don’t hit the car with the shovel.”.

8. I will never pay anyone to do the things that I can do myself–lot’s of the things that I can do myself get put off for years because I have no time to do them.

7. I will never spend an entire day without doing something fun and entertaining–one word…..mortgage.

6. I will never wear particular clothes because someone else tells me I should–I wanted to run a company way more than I wanted to wear shorts.

5. I will never go more than a month without going fishing–I still haven’t figured this one out. I tell myself every month that I am going to go, but it just doesn’t happen.

4. I will never put “things” before my family–DON’T HIT THE CAR WITH THE SHOVEL!!!!

3. If there is something that I want, I won’t just tell people about it, I will actually buy it–it occurred to me that I would like to continue to buy at least some of the things that I want later in my life, and so I better put a little something aside.

2. I will never be too tired for “fun time” with my wife–just seems silly now, to both of us. If we only knew.

1. I will never offer unsolicited advice–we actually started a company DEVOTED to giving people advice, so……

Return to fabulosokids.com

First, a confession. I have never made New Year’s Resolutions, at least to the best of my knowledge. I suppose it’s possible that there was some instance during my school years when it was assigned and so I put something together in order to satisfy the class requirements, but I’ve never tricked myself into thinking that the beginning of a new year would somehow spur me to do the things that I otherwise would not do.

In my current working life, things that are going to happen in January are actually planned in about June and then developed until January. This week, in fact, is our annual meeting in which the rest of the team will be let in on what I and my senior managers have been working on for the past six months. In my personal life, if something needs to get fixed, it either happens right then, or it doesn’t happen at all–there is such a sea of things that need attention that no other system will work.  

As a result, the following list of resolutions are the things that I would love to do more, but know I won’t. Maybe writing them down will push them further toward the front of my mind and create such a strong desire to do them that I will actually work them in somewhere. That would be awesome. Here goes:

10. I will get my hair cut more frequently. Waiting until I can feel it pinned beneath my head when I lay down to sleep makes for a much less fastidious Bruce than I imagine myself to be.

9. I will pay more attention to the landscape around the house. Freezes two years in a row took the wind out of my sails, but it’s time to get over it and to make it right.

8. I will wash the Jeep. It’s been a few years. If I wash it, maybe I can sell it as the only time it really gets used is when I go fishing.

7. I will go fishing more often. I only went three times this year. That’s pitiful.

6. I will make enough extra money to get my wife a cleaning lady. It needs to happen. My beautiful wife should not be cleaning the house–she should feel free to make her own list and to pursue it.

5.  I will be more patient with the things that I am not patient with. It’s a long list of things that cause me to lose my patience, a list that frustrates me because it really shouldn’t matter, but it does and I need to get over it. That’s all I’ve got to say about that.

4. I will abandon all of my vices and become nearly perfect.

3. I will make absolutely zero errors in judgement, recall, grammar, arithmetic, etiquette and logical thinking. Forever.

2. I will discover the exact method by which to tell people the complete truth and to have them come away from it understanding 1) that my argument is sound and 2) that I have told them the complete truth because it is helpful to them, all the while with them feeling super good about it and embracing me as a truly excellent friend/coworker/boss.

1. I will find the way to spend time with my wife, and only my wife, and to talk about something other than children while doing things that adults do, like drinking alcoholic beverages or seeing movies with something other than “G” at the front or listening to a concert or play. (Of them all, this is really the only one that I hope comes true. And maybe the fishing.)

It’s not often that we think about what we have done for the first time. In truth, most of us probably dwell on the things that we are having to do over and over again. I’m glad that Bridget at Twinisms proposed this theme for this week’s Listicles (link up every Monday with the gang–it’s a great way to start your week!) because it forced me into a retrospective of my year and made me realize, it was really darn good! On to the list:

10. Our daughter said her brother’s name for the first time–sort of. She went through a period where she only said the first syllable of words, and so for a few months, her brother was “Mi.” And she loved to call him, sometimes with excitement, sometimes (especially from her crib) plaintively, but always LOUDLY and REPETITIVELY.

9. Our son rode his bike for the first time. Really rode it, without training wheels.

8. Our son crashed his bike for the first time. In some ways, the crashing was more impressive to me than the riding. You can read about it here.

7. We put Gloria’s dream into action and created Fabulosokids, and as a result of that, this blog.

6. Our son asked a question that seemed adult. It shocked me and made me proud at the same time. It was during a discussion of baptism for Catalina and he asked the pastor “Why did Jesus need to be baptized?” It was so insightful and exhibited such depth of understanding that I realized he had turned a cognitive corner.

5. I pet a Manatee!

4. I got a brand new Chevy car. My first car, which I got 31 years ago and which was NOT new by any stretch of the imagination, was also a Chevy–a Nova. At the time, I kind of assumed that I would always drive Chevys, a long succession of brand new shiny Impalas in the tradition of my grandfather in fact, but in reality, it took nearly half a century for me to get one. It’s a Malibu, not an Impala and it’s a company car, but nonetheless, it’s my first shiny new Chevy.

3. Our daughter got her ears pierced. She LOVES her little rhinestone studs and asks everyone who will listen (numerous times each day, by the way) “Do you like my earrings?” ¿Te gusta mis aretes? And yes, she’s two. She insisted that she get earrings, even knowing that it was going to hurt. The most disturbing part of the process for her was that the lady drew on her ears with a pen–to mark the spot of the pierce–which even our daughter knows is not right. Only paper is for drawing

2. Our son spoke in public. He played the role of Simón Bolivar at his school timeline and said his lines in front of about 250 staring adults. He did wonderfully, and enjoyed the experience so well that he gleefully wore his Bolivar costume for Halloween.

1. I made friends with people who I have never met, whose voices I have never heard, but who exhibit such generosity and such humanity that I find myself wondering why it is that I never meet people like all of you in real life. If nothing else, this Fabulosokids experience and the blogging and tweeting and facebooking and linking that goes along with it have given me an entirely new perspective, and I thank each and every one of you for it.

Como algunos  de ustedes saben, además de tener el blog también tenemos una tienda virtual en el internet donde vendemos diversos artículos para niños. Le queremos comentar que tenemos un problema con el sitio (tienda virtual). Necesitamos opiniones para poder corregirlo, y por eso pedimos al público en general: Tuiteros, bloggers, facebookeros, escritores y todo el que se anime aportar su granito de arena con su opinión o comentario, necesitamos que le den un vistazo a nuestro sitio (tienda virtual) y nos dejen saber lo que ustedes crean que está mal.

Este es el problema; Nuestro porcentaje de rebote (un término utilizado en los análisis del trafico de visitantes de las web es decir, que el visitante sólo ve una página y se retira) es demasiado alto, y no sabemos por qué. Al principio pensamos que era el precio de nuestros productos, entonces publicamos un anuncio muy claro en el que se refleja el precio del producto antes de comprar o tan siquiera hacer clic. Le contamos que nuestro porcentaje de rebote fue más alto comparado con nuestro blog, que no debería suceder.

Lo que nos gustaría que hiciera es lo siguiente:

1. Supongamos que usted ve el siguiente anuncio “Libro de las Ballenas asesinas.” El anuncio tiene la  imagen del libro, el precio y una descripción breve: “Libro para niños, todo lo que deseen saber acerca de la Ballena asesina.” Digamos que el anuncio a usted le intereso y presiono clic.
2. Haga clic en http://fabulosokids.com/index.php/departments/libros/spanish-book-ballenas-asesinas.html
3. Note las cosas que le gusta o disgusta de la página, especialmente si ves algo que te hace querer salir. Se súper critico(a). Créenos, no herirá nuestros sentimientos. Queremos sus observaciones y necesitamos saber lo que piensas.
4. En otra forma, déjenos saber las razones por las cuales usted presionaría clic en un anuncio tan claro como el anterior, al no tener la intención de comprar.

Usted puede dejar su comentario en la página de nuestro sitio (tienda virtual). Haga clic en “Contáctenos.” Si desea dejar su comentario como anónimo, puede hacerlo solo escríbala la palabra “anónimo”  en la casilla donde dice “nombre” y utilizar la dirección de correo electrónico neco@fabulosokids.com en la casilla que dice correo electrónico. O, si prefiere, puede enviarme un correo electrónico a gloriac@fabulosokids.com En este caso el comentario no sería anónimo. Esta última seria fantástica, ya que podría contestar si tiene alguna duda o pregunta.

Nos interesa saber todo lo que piensa acerca de la pagina o las razones por la que usted presionaría un anuncio, nos será de gran ayudad. Por favor deje su comentario cualquiera que sea, por más insignificante que le parezca tiene un gran valor para nosotros.

También nos gustaría saber de aquellas personas que también tienen tiendas virtuales y que han experimentado los mismos problemas y como encontraron la manera de solucionarlos. La opinión de ustedes en general es realmente importante.

De ante mano queremos agradecer a todos, incluyendo la opinión anónima por su apoyo y ayuda para encontrar la salida a este problema. Somos una empresa pequeña que depende de sus clientes y amigos para aprender a mejorar. Sin todos ustedes, no tendríamos la oportunidad de hacerlo, les damos las gracias por apoyarnos.

As some of you know, in addition to the blog we also have a commercial site where we sell various things for kids. We have a problem with that site that requires some candid opinions in order to get it fixed, and so I am asking all of you bloggers and writers and tweeters and facebookers, who I am certain are capable of voicing your opinion, to have a look at the site and to let us know what is wrong.

Here’s the issue–our bounce rate is WAY too high, and we don’t know why. At first we thought it was the prices on our goods, so we designed ads that included the price boldly in the ad copy. Our bounce rate actually went up! It’s now higher than it is on the blog, which should never happen.

Bounce rate, for those who don;t know, is the percentage of visitors who land on any given page, and then exit the site from that same page without seeing any others.

What we would like for you to do is this:

1. Imagine that you have seen an ad for a Killer Whale book that features a picture of the book’s cover, it’s actual price, and the brief description “Kids’ Book about Killer Whales.” Also imagine that the ad interested you enough to click it.
2. Go to http://fabulosokids.com/index.php/departments/libros/killer-whales.html to simulate your ad click.
3. Note the things you like or dislike about the page, especially if you see something that makes you want to leave. Be super critical. Beleive me, you won’t hurt our feelings. We really need to know what you think.
4. Otherwise, let us know the reasons you might click an ad as described above other than for an intent to buy.

You can make your comments on the “Contact Us” form on the website. If you would like to remain anonymous, you can fill in the name field with “anonymous” and use the e-mail address neco@fabulosokids.com. Or, if you would prefer, you can e-mail me directly at brucew@fabulosokids.com although you won’t be anonymous in that case. I would actually prefer the latter so that I can ask follow-up questions if they come to me.

Anything you think about the page or about the reasons that you click ads might be helpful, so please don’t feel like you don’t have something profound enough to write down. I would also love to hear from others who have e-stores who experienced the same issues and who found a way to overcome them. Knowing everyone’s opinion is the important part.

Just in case you decide to remain anonymous, please let me thank everyone in advance who helps us figure this thing out. We are a very small business that depends on its customers and friends to learn how to improve. Without all of you, we simply can’t get better, and I thank you for supporting us.

At Birmingham, the Southwest gate area occupies something of a rotunda, with 5 or 6 gates spaced out around a circular building. My flight was set to leave from a gate on one side of the rotunda. As I sat waiting for my plane to board, I heard applause begin on the other side of the rotunda. At first I thought there must have been a celebrity coming through the termianl but as I stood up, I realized that the people at the gate directly across from me were clapping for soldiers who were deplaning from a flight that had just arrived. In fact, there were a couple of dozen people giving the soldiers a standing ovation. As I watched, more and more people stood to honor the soldiers until soon, nearly everyone in the rotunda was on their feet, applauding and cheering for the men who were trying as best they could to get out of the limelight. The sound was unbelievable–the air quaked with the rhythmic clashing of the applause.

Soon, another place arrived carrying more soldiers, and the ritual played out again. And again. And again. It didn’t matter if it was a group of 20 soldiers ambling stonefaced through our midst or just one single boy slinking shyly out of view–each and every one of them got a standing ovation from 1000 travelers who had never met them before but who were moved to voice their gratitude and their joy that the men would be home for the holidays.

My only regeret in the whole thing was that my children weren’t there to see it. That is the America where I want them to live, and where I hope they will grow up. I want them to feel comfortable reaching out to soldiers and to police officers and to fire fighters to say “Thank you. I appreciate what you do for me and my family every day.” I want them to think of our military men as heroes, not as villians. I wish they had been there.

To the people of Birmingham, or at least to the people who were passing through there yesterday, I say “Thank you,” and also “I am proud of you.” Yesterday, you were all great patriots. I hope you will be tomorrow, too. Because you have inspired me, I know I will.

©2011 Fabulosokids LLC  All rights reserved.

I like this idea of answering a list of questions. Wish I had gotten it done on time, but it is what it is.

1. What is your favorite word?

Bookkeeper. The repetition of the consonants has fascinated me since I was a kid.

2. What is your least favorite word?

Can’t. Yuck. I’ve written about it before here.

3. What turns you on?

Sexually? None of your business. In general, enthusiasm. If you’re enthusiastic, I’ll get behind you.

4. What turns you off?

Apathy. Take a stand for God’s sake.

5. What sound do you love?

The sound of happiness from my wife. There is nothing that makes me feel more complete and more right than the sound of Gloria laughing or singing.

6. What sound do you hate?

Complaint–if you don’t like something, change it and if it is beyond your control to change it, shut up! Complaining just makes everyone else feel bad too!

7. What is your favorite curse word?

I like all of them that are euphemisms for curse words. Throughout my childhood, my father said “Gol dang” constantly, and it made me smile and made me feel safe at the same time. I have taught our children to say “Salamanca” when they hit their funny bones or otherwise injure themselves in some minor way–I derive a certain inappropriate glee from hearing them say it.

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Professional fisherman. Politician. Football coach. Restaurateur.

9. What profession would you not like to do?

Actor. Outside sales rep. Social worker.

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

The ones you have left behind are going to be just fine. Don’t worry.

Read the post below, copied in whole from 5 Minutes for Mom. I’m not typically a crier, but this one had me blubbering a little.

Tics and Stereotypy in Children — Lessons from a Six Year Old

First an aside. I am realizing while pursuing this discipline of writing a list of 10 every Monday how weird unique I am. Way too often, I have to write an introduction that explains why I can’t exactly do what I am supposed to. It’s eye-opening, and marginally disconcerting.

I’ve told you that to tell you this. I don’t really have a Hometown. The place where I live currently, Palm Bay, FL is a “bedroom community.” Essentially, a super-sized subdivision with nothing but houses and a little bit of commercial. The joke among we Palm Bayans is that Wal-mart is our downtown.

To turn to my actual hometown, Lima, OH–the place of my birth–won’t work either as I have been there only twice in my adult life, both times to go to a burger joint called Kewpie which apparently was the favorite of my father and his sisters when they were younguns.

So, I think that the only way to solve the issue is to adopt the state of Florida as my hometown. I’ll just consider it a really big town. I’ve lived in Florida longer than anywhere else, although not necessarily in Palm Bay. I’ve had 8 Florida addresses, in fact. But, it is in Florida where I have found my home, and so I suppose that it is my Hometown. So here goes–this is what I love about my Hometown:

10. Breaking dawn on calm water in a bay or river–the moment centers my soul.

9. The juxtaposition of wind whispering through pines and rattling through palms that make for a symphony that is purely Florida and that makes me sleepy–I could lie down in the needles beneath those pines and sleep a sleep that I haven’t known since I was a boy.

8. My children’s squeals and screams crashing through the screen door as they play in the back yard. 

7. The perturbed glares of deer as my headlights ruin their late night snack along the side of the road. The haughty turkeys and disgruntled bears are pretty awesome too, though usually during daylight and much more rarely.

6. The overpowering embrace of heat and humidity and sunshine as I exit an air-conditioned space during the summer, and the comfort I take in that, knowing that I live in a place unlike any other.

5. Thunderstorms, swirling, violent–threatening destruction as they bring life in such abundance that it becomes commonplace or even a nuisance.

4. Yelling at my sweaty little children in an effort to overcome their unstoppable need to open the valve to the garden hose and to roll and stomp and dig like little piggies in the cool mud that it makes.

3. Being able to go from the metropolis that is Miami and, after having driven only an hour, arriving in some of the most wild lands on Earth.

2. Waking up every morning knowing that I chose, and choose, to be here.

1. Knowing that this is where I met my wife, and married her, and made a home with her, and created two little people, and where we grow those two together, and run a business, and where we will some day die, together. Everything that is good happens to me in Florida because everything that is good starts with Gloria, an she is here, with me.

©2011 Fabulosokids LLC All rights reserved.