In the old days, we used to meet our friends and spouses through school, church and social face-to-face gatherings. In the old days, we used to go down to the store to buy our food and clothing or to the dealer to buy a new car. In the old days, we had to stop at a pay phone or friend’s house to call home about something. Funny thing is that those “old days” weren’t even 30 years ago! How times have changed. Now you can get everything via the Internet!

I’m a 30 something (ok, so VERY close to 40) who deals with a technology driven society every day. I work in the Internet business. So, yes, I have embraced the Internet. How much? Let me tell you… We all know that you can shop on the Internet, no big deal right? Well I like to joke that my husband and I have taken it to a whole new level! Living in the country has helped to facilitate our Internet shopping habits. It’s at least ½ hour to a town big enough for a Walmartand almost 2 hours drive to find decent shopping malls with a little variety. So the Internet is our connection to the world! We often shop online stores and love the bargains to be had on eBay. We’ve bought clothes, boots, cameras, electronics, hunting supplies, dog and horse stuff, etc.

But we don’t stop at Internet shopping for the normal “little” stuff either! We’ve now bought several vehicles based on Internet listings as well. Our last was our used diesel truck that I put a deposit on so the dealer would hold it until we could drive the 2 hours to see it. But, at least the dealer was willing to refund the deposit if we didn’t like it.

We did buy our first horse trailer based on Internet photos and phone conversations only, finalized and sent the payment and then drove 6 hours one way to pick it up. The deal went smoothly and now we are again working with a trailer manufacturer to build us a new trailer and deliver it….sight unseen!

And finally our biggest online deal?!…I met my wonderful husband online. Yep, you heard me right! We met through a dating site (I won’t say which one). We dated and married within 8 months from the time we met and have been together happily for over 6 years.

15 years ago most of us had never heard of the Internet and who would have ever believed you could do so much with it! Now it’s just a normal everyday part of life. Just ask me, I can tell you what it’s done to my life!

Kristin Noble works for MVTV Wireless in Granite Falls, MN. Kristin truly embraces the variety small business allows. She handles daily customer service: fielding incoming calls, trouble shooting customer issues and scheduling technicians’ workloads. On top of that Kristin is charged with the more creative side of things such as website design for customers, local tradeshow exhibiting, print ad layout and writing and tracking MVTV’s social media. You can find her blogging at MVTVWireless or on her personal blog Noble Training and Supplies. Visit her on Facebook at Keeping Rural Areas Connected or on Twitter (RuralTechnology)

photo credit: goforchris

I have no name for this recipe, other than I know it came from my aunt Jennifer. It is my favorite way to make green beans, and it is really a treat. It’s a little putsy to make, but not bad. It’s certainly easy. With the over-abundance of green beans right now, I’d welcome your recipes and ideas for cooking green beans too.

Recipe: Green Beans Al a Jen

Fresh, washed/trimmed green beans

Raw strips of bacon cut in half

Brown sugar

Butter

Take about 5 green beans and bunch them together, wrap with bacon and attach with a tooth pick. Lay in a cake pan. When you are done rolling all the green beans and bacon, mix some brown sugar and butter together for a thicker paste. (Maybe about 1/4 cup brown sugar and 5 TBLS sugar) and brush across the bundles. Let them sit until you are ready to grill. Then simply grill the bundles over hot, but indirect heat so you don’t burn the beans before the bacon cooks. Enjoy!

*Don’t eat the tooth picks.

photo credit: OliBac

I loved Lincoln Logs as a kid, so I couldn’t wait to buy them for my oldest. When she out grew them, I saved them for the next child.

My daughter constructed this for her hamster. Unfortunately, she forgot that he wouldn’t sit patiently while she built it. Buddy got bored and wandered off.

We spent the next hour locating buddy.

Where can I post a whole list of stuff available at my garage sale without paying to advertise each item? Oh yeah, my blog. Please forgive this post if you aren’t from around my area.

Thursday, August 19th from 8am until 4pm

Friday, August 20th from 1pm until 4pm

Baby Changing Table

High Chair

Baby Gates

Pet Gate (Vehicle)

Lots of toys (Fisher Price People, Vtech)

Girls baby/toddler clothes  (ALL CLOTHES $.50)

Girls clothes size 4-12  (ALL CLOTHES $.50)

Shoes

Kitchen dishes

Platters

Shelves

Leather Harley Jacket

Floor lamp

Small TV

Home decor (mirror,shower curtain,rugs)

Books (children and adult novels)

Bug/Lawn Fogger

Tons of other “stuff”

Everything is going cheap!

photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

I really detest running. Do I need to? Yes, it would be good for my heart and weight loss. However, I find absolutely no pleasure in running. I never did, even when I was 102 pounds for many years. It has never “felt good”. Oh, I’ve heard the stories about getting beyond a certain point and then the chemicals/endorphins kick in, yada, yada, yada. Not me. I feel nothing good. I’ve tried good shoes, a positive attitude, ipods and music, hiring a physical trainer to keep me going, and guess what? I still detest running. I WISH it felt good and was something I craved. But I don’t. I will not ever enjoy running.

photo credit: andreweland

Dear Me,

I remember the pearls fad, home permanents, and overly flowered dresses. I’m glad styles have toned it down a bit.

You do make me laugh though.

Sincerely,

Me

PS. The tightly braided “french braid” and tightly buttoned shirt weren’t any better; in case you were wondering.

I fell behind in clipping my coupons. Determined to get caught up, I set aside last night to tackle clipping, sorting, and filing coupons. I assigned my two older kids tasks, which they did (grumbling).

 My youngest played toys, road her tricycle through the mess, and occassionally ran expired coupons to the garbage can (until that lost its appeal).

After a couple hours, we had made much progress. However, we decided to finish in the morning, leaving the mess where it is.

Hmmmm….this morning I couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures of the incredible mess that awaits me today.

What’s your messiest chore?

I’m about to introduce you to the coolest place in town (actually online), unless you’ve already found it.

It’s not the water cooler.

It’s not the swimming pool.

It’s The Conversation Hub, a fantastic blog featuring articles and podcasts of people interviewed about anything and everything. What I love about this site is that it supports my belief that everyone is an expert in something and can offer inspiration and support to others. All you have to do is focus on what you are passionate about and then offer help to others. The Conversation Hub is a creative, fun, and interesting gathering spot of amazing talent located not too far from any of us. Famous in their own right, every person interviewed on The Conversation Hub brings thought provoking ideas and stories from everyday experiences to which most of us can relate. The Conversation Hub reminds me a bit of the show, “Real People” in the 1980′s. Remember that one?

I was lucky enough to be asked for an interview this week on The Conversation Hub, which you can listen to here. I’d invite you to also listen to the other phenomenal interviews collected there; the coolest spot in town!

My town’s music festival is this coming weekend. RiverSong is located along the Crow River in Hutchinson, MN, and it is a full weekend of fantastic folk music the whole family will enjoy. There’s a big park, river, music, food, camping, wildlife, bike trails, and so much more. The best part is that tickets are affordable and kids under 14 years old are FREE! If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend in Minnesota, check out Riversong. Discount tickets are available until Wed. July 28th! If you are there and spy me, Confessions of a Mom, let’s take our picture together and post it here.

Isn’t caller ID great? I can hardly remember a time without it, when I’d answer the phone and actually talk to a telemarketer. It seems so arciac now. I pity the business or non-profit who doesn’t have a public name/number listed, as they will not get a hold of me. Ever. How about you?