Posted in Baer House Inn, beer, blogging, drinks, Family, Fiction, food, friends, humor, Jansen Schmidt, Tequila, writing, tagged alcohol, amazing, amusing, B&Bs, bed & breakfast, beds, breakfast, eating, furniture, hotels, innkeepers, innkeeping, lamps, making beds, moving furniture, nightstands, open container, traveling on March 6, 2017| 16 Comments »
My life as an innkeeper is never dull. Most of the time my work is very rewarding. The average guest is very nice and respectful. And every day I see or hear something that makes me go:
Being an innkeeper has challenges for sure, but there’s an amusing side as well. And an even larger amazing component that most people probably don’t even think about. (more…)
Posted in awards, Baer House Inn, blogging, camera, Family, friends, goals, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, moving, romance, success, vacation, Vicksburg, words, writers, writing, tagged Baer House, Baer House Inn, bed & breakfast, bed and breakfast, business owners, Chamber of Commerce, Grit Magazine, guests, made up words, Marilyn Jones, Mississippi, P. Rickrode, small business, small business awards, testimonials, travel, travel bloggers, travel magazine, traveling, Trip Advisor, urban dictionary, Warren County, weddings on July 25, 2016| 18 Comments »
I know what you’re thinking – bizi what? Biziversary. Yes, that’s a made up word. I thought of it all by myself, but I think it might catch on and some day make it into the urban dictionary.
Biziversary. Let’s break it down: part 1; biz, short for business – part 2; iversary, annual celebration of something important, in our case, the Rickrodes buying The Baer House Inn. That’s right – it’s our biziversary. We’ve owned The Baer House now for a year! (more…)
Posted in Baer House Inn, beach, blogging, camera, cruise, Disney, Disneyland, Family, friends, goals, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, moving, resolutions, spring break, vacation, Vicksburg, writing, tagged across country, Alice Cooper, California, classic rock, family vacation, homework, last day of school, Minnesota, Mississippi River, National parks, road trips, school, summer vacation, traveling, travels, vacationing, western United States on June 6, 2016| 12 Comments »
Alice Cooper is one of the creepiest performers around, but everybody loves this song and it’s so apropos this time of year. It’s one of those classic, ageless numbers that every generation seems to know.
Posted in Baer House Inn, blogging, Family, food, friends, humor, Jansen Schmidt, resolutions, short story, words, writing, tagged agenda, communicate, conversation, decaf coffee, English, foreigners, innkeeper, innkeeping, introverted, orange juice, plans, ringleader, shy, spokesperson, talking, traveling, vacation, Vicksburg on May 23, 2016| 10 Comments »
Being an innkeeper has opened my eyes to a lot of things that I never really noticed before. For instance, quite a few people travel in groups, be they family situations or just long-time friends who like to vacation together. I think that’s neat. I don’t remember my family ever traveling with any other family or friends, other than mom, dad, me and my older brother. I guess on occasion we’d include an aunt or uncle and cousins, but usually it was just the four of us.
But, it’s fairly often that we get couples traveling together through Vicksburg.
Posted in anthology, authors, awards, blogging, dogs, drinks, driving, Family, Fiction, food, friends, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, resolutions, romance, singing, sports, vacation, words, writing, tagged bad ass, beauty, bragging, clever, Facebook, funny, grandkids, grandparents, karate, kids, laughing, meme, nature, needy, parents, personality type, political, sales people, sick, soccer mom, traveling, world traveler, Youtube on April 11, 2016| 8 Comments »
I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I try to pop in every day or so to see what’s going on with my “friends.” Sometimes I post stuff, sometimes I like stuff, sometimes I use those cute newfangled emoticons. Usually, what I do is snort, scoff or laugh at other peoples’ posts.
Ever notice that there are some people you can bet money on what their post is about? I have. I’ve comprised a list of the FB personality types I come across most often on my feed. Because – and I think I’ve said this before – I’m a giver, I’ll share my analysis with you. Please keep in mind that some people fall into more than one category and I am in no way asking you to unfriend me. This is simply my observations about the most commonly posted stuff. I, undoubtedly, have fallen into one or two of these categories on occasion myself.
Here goes:
Bragging soccer mom – These posts are ALWAYS pictures of their kids with some clever or cute sentiment about how amazing the littles are. I’m not opposed to these posts, I just get tired or seeing them. “Here’s number 412 of Johnny at X event.” “Here’s little Susie all dolled up in her ____ (fill in the blank).” “followed 2 seconds later by another of Susie in one of her other 800 cute outfits.” Are you living your life vicariously through your kids? Can we see just one picture of you doing something interesting?
Overjoyous grandmother – Yup, this one’s like the one above only it skips a generation. Again, I love seeing the cuteness, so don’t stop, but you might want to throw in an occasional instructional video about how to cook something sinfully delicious that no one’s ever going to cook up. Your grandkid didn’t get cuter in 15 seconds.
Perpetual sick-o – Do you, like me, have that the one (or a dozen) “friend(s),” who always has something ailing them? Sometimes their ailment is accompanied by a disgusting picture or description of their illness. Or, if they’re not sick, someone in their family is. Let’s find something positive and post that tomorrow shall we? I’m tired of hearing about everything that’s wrong with you and/or your loved ones.
Excessively needy – These are the people who subtly boast about how awesome they are by posting negative stuff. Like how much pain they’re in because they’ve just climbed Half Dome at Yosemite in 15 minutes. Or they have injured themselves – again – for the umpteenth time in karate class earning their tenth black belt. Do these people just need sympathy or do they think they’re bad ass? I have no sympathy. I’d rather you just post the accomplishment and leave it at that. If it’s the pain you get off on, then just say that, don’t use the poor, poor me post to brag about yourself.
Humorous meme sharer – I think these are the people who appreciate good humor but are themselves not funny so they post cartoons or pictures with captions that make people laugh. I love a good laugh, and I have often shared some of these clever witticisms, but once in a while I’d love to see an actual post that you’ve typed up yourself.
YouTube abuser – This one’s pretty easy to figure out. Have you noticed how many videos are being posted on FB these days? Seems like I get dozens of them a day. They slow my computer down. Let’s use the video clips sparingly people.
Political activist – This one is self-explanatory. Just stop people. Stop right now. I know where you stand from the first hundred dozen posts. And – here’s a shocker – your posts are not going to get me to change my mind or my opinion. Stop already.
Nature lover – Only posts pictures of nature too beautiful to be real. (See photo above for example.)
Save the world prayer seekers – Again, stop with the pictures of grossly disfigured children. I don’t need to see them. I know where to donate charitable funds. I’ll pray for everyone not just these poor unfortunate souls.
Sales people – This one is tough because as an author, you want to make people aware of your books and where to buy them, but some authors seem to only put “buy me” posts up. I’d like to know a little bit more about you. Let’s see some clever posts by the author so I know whether or not your book might be enjoyable.
World travelers – Ever notice how some people always seem to be going somewhere or doing something? I am sure they have regular lives like normal people, but every day there’s a new post from somewhere other than their home. Yay for them and I love the super cool photos or super cool places, but sheesh, when do you do your laundry or pay your bills?
So there you have it, my analysis. Keep in mind, this is just my own personal FB feed and yours will look different. However, I’m sure if you take the time to look and keep track, you’ll find one of two of the types listed above on your feed too. And again, don’t hate me people; this post is mostly tongue-in-cheek.
If you fall into one of these categories and you think I’m making fun of you, well, I probably am, but that’s how I roll. If you really know me, you know that I laugh at myself as well and if I’m laughing at you, it’s because I really like you. If I ignore you, watch out; that means something else entirely. I scoff because I care.
How about you dear readers? What kinds of trends do you see on Facebook? Do you get tired of some of these offenders? I’d love to add to my list, so let me hear your thoughts.
Word of the day: Hautbois (alternate: Hautboy)
Fun fact about me: I think I’m one of these FB post offenders.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, April 2016. Photos courtesy Google Images.
Posted in April, Baer House Inn, blogging, driving, Family, Fiction, friends, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, spring break, Uncategorized, Vicksburg, writers, writing, tagged Baer House, bed & breakfast, editing, mainstreetusa, manuscript, shopmainstreets, spring, traveling, Vicksburg MS, Victorian inn, videos, virtual tour on March 28, 2016| 13 Comments »
It’s been a busy week and I’ve been lax in getting my blog ready to post. I’ve been steadily forging through a jungle of edits on my manuscript and am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
So, in lieu of actually writing something witty and clever this week, I’ve decided to take the easy way out.
For those of you thinking of visiting the Baer House, I hope this virtual tour sways you to actually book a room. For those of you who can’t visit for awhile, enjoy this virtual tour for now, to whet your appetite for good things to come later.
For those of you who never plan on coming to Vicksburg ever, here’s what you’re missing.
Enjoy!
I’m curious to know where you all spent your spring break, Easter, etc. Leave me a comment so I can be jealous.
Until next week, stay safe and be happy.
Word of the day: Facies
Fun fact about me: I have never ever used my words of the day in a sentence.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, March 2016. Video by LLC ShopMainStreets.com/MainStreetTrail.com
Posted in awards, blogging, directing, Family, Fiction, friends, goals, humor, Jansen Schmidt, moving, resolutions, short story, success, writers, writing, tagged Baer House, bed & breakfast, customer service, entertaining videos, ghost story, humorous videos, instructional videos, Julia Louis Dreyfus, traveling, Youtube on July 20, 2015| 7 Comments »
Image courtesy Google Iimages.
So friends, I’m on the road this week, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging because I know you’re all looking for more info about the Baer House. Well, just keep on hanging in there. It’s a-comin’. And it’s fun, fun fun. There might even be a ghost story. (Oooooo the suspense!)
In the meantime, I wanted to share with ya’ll (I have to get used to saying that now) some very enlightening and entertaining instructional videos I’m been watching in preparation for my new venture. I found this one to be especially insightful. Until next week, enjoy!
Ever have a bad customer service experience? Let me hear about it.
I may be not as available as I normally am on my very active and very popular blog, so talk amongst yourselves. I’ll check in when I can. Ta Ta.
Word of the Day: Vina
Fun fact about me: People used to tell me I looked like Julia Louis Dreyfus. Watch the video again and I guess you’ll get some idea of what I look like. I can see the resemblance (if I was 20 years younger).
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, July 2015. Video courtesy YouTube.com
Posted in authors, blogging, Family, Fiction, humor, Jansen Schmidt, short story, success, writers, writing, tagged AARP, Alaska, artic air, business opportunities, Canada, Dr. Seuss, Great White North, poetry, traveling on November 17, 2014| 4 Comments »
This week, I’m off exporing and checking out a business opportunity on the opposite side of the country. The hubs and I are thinking it’s time for a change; try something new, out with the old, in with the . . . well, you get it.
While we’re galavanting in the cold artic air, courtesy Alaska and the Great White North, known as Canada, I leave you with this little ditty. Enjoy!
Fun fact about me: I’ve been in the work force, and thus paying taxes, for 34 years now.
Word of the Day: Muggins.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, November 2014. Artwork courtesy Google Images.
Posted in authors, awards, blogging, dogs, drinks, friends, Jansen Schmidt, watching tv, words, writers, writing, tagged breast cancer, champagne, Cindy Samply, Colleen Patrick, Emma Burcart, inspiring blogs, Jennette Marie Powell, mastectomy, Mertianna Georgia, Pat O'Dea, reading, social media, Sunshine Award, Suzanne Lilly, Suzanne Vince, Tameri Etherton, traveling on June 20, 2013| 18 Comments »
My friend Suzanne Vince, awarded me with the Sunshine Award, for no apparent reason. While I am honored to receive this prestigious award, Suzanne is the one who deserves the award most. You see, Suzanne is able to find the silver lining even under the toughest circumstances. You can read about Suzanne’s brave decision regarding breast cancer and the choices a woman must make when faced with the possibility of already having or probably contracting this horrible disease here: http://suzannevince.com/2013/06/russian-roulette-or-mastectomy-my-personal-journey/
The Sunshine Award comes with a set of written rules and is best enjoyed when sharing with others. If you choose to play along, and I encourage you to do so, the rules of the Sunshine Award are:
Include the award’s logo (and rules) in a post on your blog. Simply cut and paste the photo to the right into your own blog post.
Link to the person who nominated you.
Answer the 10 questions below with your answers instead of mine.
Pass the award on to a bunch of “Sunshine Inspiring” bloggers. The rules say 10 people, but choose however many you’d like.
Here are the questions:
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Animal: I guess I’d have to ask domestic or wild. Domestic would be dog, in particular puppies. Wild would be, probably monkeys.
Photo courtesy Google Images.
Favorite Number: Four.
Favorite Non Alcoholic Drink: Unsweetened iced tea.
Favorite Alcoholic Drink: Champagne.
Facebook or Twitter: Neither. I hate social media. It is a necessary evil.
Passions: Reading and traveling.
Prefer Getting or Giving Gifts: Both. Hey, I want it all.
Favorite City: None. I hate cities.
Favorite TV Show: There’s too many to pick just one. I like Dancing With the Stars, Blue Bloods, Justified, Hawaii 5-0, the list goes on.
And now, here are nominations for the Sunshine Award:
Because her blogs always make me smile, Tameri Etherton: http://www.tamerietherton.com
Because I love her outlook on life: Pat O’Dea : http://www.rwrambling.blogspot.com/
Because she’s always smiling and spreading sunshine whenever I see her, Suzanne Lilly: http://www.teacherwriter.net/
Because her blogs are always on point and useful: Emma Burcart : http://www.emmaburcart.com/blog/
Because she is Little Miss Sunshine, my Pollyanna friend, Cindy Sample: http://cindysamplebooks.com/my-blog/
Because she has a wicked sense of humor, Mertianna Georgia: http://www.mertianna.com/
Because she rides a Harley and she’s really cool, Jennette Marie Powell: http://www.jenpowell.com/content/blog/
Because she always looks up my word of the day, and that makes me smile, Colleen Patrick: http://coleenpatrick.com/
I leave you with this little bit of sunshine courtesy of YouTube. Yes, I’ve finally figured out how to post videos to my blog. Old dog, new trick. It takes a while. (P.S. I now have a YouTube channel. Check me out if you’re so inclined. But, I’m still learning how to create videos, so don’t expect much right away. http://www.youtube.com/user/JansenSchmidt)
Word of the Day: Appui (yes we’re back to the A’s)
Fun fact about me: I can wink both eyes at the same time. This trick just sort of came naturally to me. (Tee hee)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt (June 2013) – Video courtesy of YouTube (Polished Life). Photos courtesy of Google Images.
