Its been an incredibly busy time over the past couple of months!!
The holiday rush, three trips out of town to work at Disney in Orlando, a family illness, and dealing with upheavals in my children’s lives are only the tip of the iceberg.
Between all that, I’ve been working to revive my DreamPress Templates site with a new design (Thesis theme-based) and have decided to use the WordPress plugin phpurchase for the e-commerce process. I’ve also done quite a lot of posting at my fantasy literature site, ImagineDome. In addition to the posts, I’ve also created a genealogy section using phpGedView, the Genealogy Compendium, to trace the family lineages in the fantasy books I’ve posted about. And, to spark my writing muse, I took the plunge and installed the Xoops and Yogurt CMS platforms to create the Writers Dome, an online community for writers.
The learning curve has been extremely steep considering all the new stuff I’ve been cramming into my mind! 
I’ve got two or three other projects that I’ve been brainstorming on….but announcements and updates on those will have to wait till they evolve a bit more.
When I can sneak in some leisure time (not too too often! hah!), I have entered the strange world of golfing…that’s because I bought my hubby a new Xbox360 for Christmas and, since he loves golf, I bought him the Tiger Woods ‘07 golf game. I haven’t played too shabby (my drives down the fairway are rather inconsistent), and have even managed 3 holes in one! Yeah!
My Christmas gift turned out to be a Casio electronic keyboard (woohoo!), which I’ve been puttering with in conjunction with using Magix Music Maker. As a passionate music lover, I particularly enjoy composing new tunes, though I’ve yet to learn how to master the tracks.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I’ve re-committed myself to my SparkPeople weight loss and fitness plans. So, in the mornings you can find me hanging in there as user DaphneCS. Hubby and I have had some good tennis sessions and have begun to take walks again. Next is the possibility of getting into P90X….but that’s something I’m still contemplating.
There you go—the latest and greatest from my neck of the woods! I haven’t disappeared by any means, just been a busy, busy lady. And all this right before I turn the big 5-0 birthday on 2/10!! Wowsers!
I hope all is going well with you in your world and that the days are full of peace and joy—
Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author, Life & Business Coach, and Web Designer who specializes in working with women seeking lifestyle changes, interested in starting an online business, and needing web design assistance. My goal is to empower women to be the best they can be in ALL their endeavors. Be sure you grab the free Celebrate Life! Newsletter while you’re here. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey!
Posted in Business, DreamPress Templates, Getting Personal, ImagineDome, The Life Nook, Writers Dome.
Tagged with DreamPress Templates, fantasy literature, fitness, golf, home business, ImagineDome, life, music, SparkPeople, WordPress, Writers Dome.
By Daphne
– February 4, 2010
Though I’ve been very busy of late, I did make time (as I do every year) to attend the AncientWorlds GoldFest festivities. As usual, I had a great time and was wow’ed by the talent, knowledge, and creativity of the AW members.
Here are some of the goodies I gathered from the event:
You can see more of my goodies on my AW Eventerator Journal!
Have a fabulous day!
p.s. I’ve been a member of AncientWorlds for over 10 years! If you’re into history, roleplay, and looking for a great online community then I invite you to join us.
p.p.s. My Critical Mass Core property won the Best Hood Home Contemporary Award! Woohoo!!!
Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author, Life & Business Coach, and Web Designer who specializes in working with women seeking lifestyle changes, interested in starting an online business, and needing web design assistance. My goal is to empower women to be the best they can be in ALL their endeavors. Be sure you grab the free Celebrate Life! Newsletter while you’re here. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey!
Posted in The Life Nook.
Tagged with AncientWorlds, history, life.
By Daphne
– December 2, 2009
We all know the Earth is suffering. We see it around us everyday. Pollution of air, water, and land, overpopulation, species dying out, technology running rampant, warfare scarring the terrain, and landfills brimming over with the excesses of a materially-focused, excessively consumptive society.
Do we want this to continue? Do we want to leave our children an Earth so poorly cared for, leave them a tragic legacy? Do we want to surround ourselves in such an environment? Most people would say, “No”. And, so there, at the point of decision we must take action. It begins with each one of us making that decision consciously and with full commitment to do our part, no matter how small.
As we continue with this commitment we find that we set an example for those around us. And, with hope, those others will also make their commitment. And so it spreads to a global effort of saving something very precious — our Home.
“Almost anything you do will seem insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” ~~ Ghandi
- Recycle/re-use as much as you can.
- Neuter/spay your pets.
- Before you buy something ask yourself: “Do I REALLY need this?”
- Join a local action group such as the Sierra Club.
- Start a neighborhood clean-up group — and do a bi-weekly or monthly cleaning.
- Turn off the lights.
- Plant something green.
- Don’t throw trash out your car window (yes, I still see people doing this!).
- Carpool.
- Slow down when you drive — it saves on gas.
- Turn off the TV and read a book or take a walk.
- Use products that haven’t been tested on animals.
- Write to your political leaders and support conservation legislation.
- Teach your children how to care for the Earth.
- Mulch your grass clippings and leaves instead of bagging them and taking them to a landfill.
- Use chemicals sparingly.
- Turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.
- Support conservation organizations.
- Be a peaceful force of change.
- Be thankful and appreciate the beautiful planet we live with.
Visit the Heartwood for more on conservation and ecology!
Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author, Life & Business Coach, and Web Designer who specializes in working with women seeking lifestyle changes, interested in starting an online business, and needing web design assistance. My goal is to empower women to be the best they can be in ALL their endeavors. Be sure you grab the free Celebrate Life! Newsletter while you’re here. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey!
Posted in Causes, Culture & Society, Getting Personal.
Tagged with Causes, conservation, ecology, environment, Heartwood, lifestyle, recycling.
By Daphne
– October 9, 2009
I’m back home safe and sound after an incredible 4 days at the BraveHeart Women Global Community RISE event at the LAX Westin Hotel. What a fantastic and inspiring event!! Wow, wow, wow!!!
There were so many great things to do (from the high-energy drumming with New Life Rhythms to the transformational breathing with James Hyman to the spectacular red carpet awards). Dr. Angelou, Carol Channing, Delta Burke and other like-minded leaders received awards, and Courtney Cox presented an award to her best friend, Mary Fanaro. The celebrity presenters included Marla Maples, Stefanie Powers, Frances Fisher, Loni Anderson, Rolonda Watts, and Les Brown.
Mingling, meeting, networking, sharing and chatting were ongoing and the guest speakers were incredibly cool, fun and inspirational (I’ll definitely have to practice Sheila Kelley’s S Factor moves—whew, girl, you go!!! and I didn’t realize John Assaraf was soooo tall! *grin*).
The talent show on Friday evening showed just how amazing our BraveHeart Women are! I’m looking forward to the new cd that will showcase their talents.
The flow of joy, love, energy and synergy was contagious! This was a “mistressmind” of amazing breadth and depth. Many thanks to Ellie, Dr. Sugar, and the BHW Team! RISE 2010 should prove to be another life-changing, show-stopping event (though I hope those LA chilly winds won’t be blowing again *brrrr*).
Not a BraveHeart Woman yet and want to connect with our passion and “Inspiration in Action”? Please come and join us!
Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author, Life & Business Coach, and Web Designer who specializes in working with women seeking lifestyle changes, interested in starting an online business, and needing web design assistance. My goal is to empower women to be the best they can be in ALL their endeavors. Be sure you grab the free Celebrate Life! Newsletter while you’re here. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey!
Posted in Personal Development, The Life Nook.
Tagged with BraveHeart Women, Personal Development, RISE 2009.
By Daphne
– October 6, 2009
After quite a bit of research into and testing of various social networking platforms, I’ve chosen Elgg for my women’s social networking community–DreamWeavers. I had previously been using Ning, but this allows me more freedom as to what I can offer to members and is on the mlmrealms.com domain.
I invite any ladies wishing to learn more about how to heal depression by stepping into the world of owning your own business. The benefits are many! You’ll find yourself more focused, more excited each and every day, filled with passion and purpose, and discover renewed self-confidence and self-esteem, just to name a few.
I look forward to building an empowering, inspirational, and joy-filled community with you!
Just click on the image to join in and begin an exciting process of healing and living your dreams!
To Weaving Your Dreams,
Daphne Cochran-Shapiro is an Author, Life & Business Coach, and Web Designer who specializes in working with women seeking lifestyle changes, interested in starting an online business, and needing web design assistance. My goal is to empower women to be the best they can be in ALL their endeavors. Be sure you grab the free Celebrate Life! Newsletter while you’re here. I invite you to join me on this exciting journey!
Posted in Welcome!.
Tagged with Depression, DreamWeavers, home business, Life Improvement, Personal Development, Social Networking.
By Daphne
– July 22, 2009
