The Rescue Begins

WOW what a learning curve, it is remarkable what amount of work goes into a project as big as the rescue fire sale, and the amount of technical problems that have to be overcome, but we did it.

The sale went live a short time ago, there is hope for Mel to keep her home yet.

See post below for full story.

If you too would like to help then visit http://www.myresellrights.com there is also an affiliate programme link at the bottom of the page.

Well the new year got off to a good start for some, not so good for others.

Talking to an old friend on new years day I was distraught to learn of her current situation, back in 2001 Mel and I had partnered up to build an online buisiness, it was in fact this action that allowed me to go full time on line in 2002, in 2004 we had to sell the buisiness due to both Mel and myself having health problems, we decided we could mot maintain our customer service levels so passed the buisiness to someone we trusted to maintain our high standard.

Our paths went seperate ways but we always kept in touch, Mel’s illness and other cercomstances eventualy took her down the path of employment, As Mel is a great administrator she managed to find a good position which she could fit around looking after and home schooling her little boy Cody who also has severe health problems.

In October of 2008 the company Mel worked for folded, try as she might in the present economic climit she can not find work, as she was also classed as part time at her previous company she receives very little help to survive. At the time of wrighting this Mel is days away from eviction, Cody will have to go into care and Mel out on the street she realy does not have anywhare to go.

As Mel lives in Texas being 5000 miles away and on another continent I can’t offer shelter BUT I can still offer help.

I have put together a huge fire sale with the intention of raising enough money for mel to keep her house but thats not all within the fire sale I have created a high value low cost membership site which Mel can run as the base for returning to Internet marketing therefore giving her some income to build from.

Mel is working on this as we speak.

I am looking for JV partners who can move quickly to help with this project, If you have any interest please visit http://www.johnaustwick.com/jv/rescue.html

Your help will make a difference.

Good things DO come from bad.
After spending Christmas Eve with my friends next door, wrapping presents and making merry I finished the day off chatting to an old friend 4000 mile away on line.

Having been good friends for a lot of years she knows the details of a family tragedy in 2004, very recently thanks to her memory of that event she had the good sense to call for help after recognizing a bad reaction to some medication which in all probabilities saved her life.

I am so pleased good things came out of one of my family tragedies, our friendship goes from strength to strength, although we have never met each other in person, she has a good heart and has always been there for us in times of adversity as I hope we have with her.

At this time of year I hope if you are troubled in any way you too have a friend like Mel bringing joy in your life.

I wish all Family, Friends and acquaintances piece and joy of the season.

Well, it has been rough few days with the computer’s the gremlins struck big time.

First off my trusty HP notebook slowed nearly to reverse, my own fault for not keeping an eye on downloads. I spent a full day moving files and programs onto a new 500gig external hard drive including my IM Index (organisation system). After re optimising the notebook was running sweet, just as good as taking it out of the box.

Thennnnnnnnnnnnn……..

The gremlins took over the new hard drive failed. The light went to RED the drive started clicking. When did this happen? Immediately, on my return from buying the new pack of DVD’s to run the backup. All my source files, video and audio, GONE. Thankfully, the majority of files are also on the desktop computer and the ones that aren’t are recent downloads, I can replace, I just have to wait for the replacement hard drive to arrive now.

Gremlins 2

My information site officiallifestyle . info showed as going over quota on checking, I found it was a vulnerability in the partner link exchange program well taken advantage of by a link spammer, the main problem after locking out the spammer, the server software stooped me from removing any files. Being over quota I did not have the space to create a trash bin, No great problem I thought as this is my own server just increase the quota and clean up. GRRRRRRRR quota increased by 250% still no trash bin. still working on that one.

Gremlins 3

Then just to cap it off today one of the grandchildren managed to download something onto the networked computer I have set up for them that froze the wireless connection to the desktop system. A simple reset and running the spam check did not work.

So at this moment in time I have a computer full of business files that wont talk to the net and a notebook with no business files that will and a server that won’t let me delete files.

I have pest control coming tomorrow to remove a wasp nest in the house wall I wonder if they have a way of removing gremlins? I wont hold my breath

As it’s about midnight, I think a couple of whiskeys and an early night I will de grmlinise in the morning.

Wednesday night saw the AGM of LourdsFC the local junior football club young john plays for, this club is now 2 years old and growing fast, 16 teams of youngsters in all age groups up to 16 years old.

This club is going for charter standard registration this year, a lot of work still to be done in the next six months but with a great team of volunteers I am sure it will achieve the goals set. Over the holiday period I will be working on a web site for the club to provide a central easy access news and fixtures area. My sponsorship of the under 14s team will see them with a full strip for playing competitive games for the new year.

Presentation evening at Bolton Wanderers Football Club was a great night for the children who like young john had been attending out of school extra education over the last 10 weeks, this scheme run in conjunction with the local council is very popular. About 200 children from all over

The school trip to the pantomime went well with 64 children enjoying Dick Whittington at the Lowery centre Salford, a great day out with a packed lunch, no incidents to mar the day and returned back to school by three pm.

Young John had bought a stress ball in the theatre shop, on the way home in the car he decided to see what it tasted of just as we hit a bump in the road, well I nearly had an accident laughing, his teeth had punctured the skin resulting in a gush of green slime covering him instantly, just a shame I hadn’t got a camera running the look of shock as green slime driped from his chin was a site to behold, after he finished laughing he told me it tasted of lemonade. Thank goodness the stuff was none toxic.

The school Christmas fair was a great success we work it so the children have at least half an hour to work the stalls before we let the adults in, this gives the children a chance to pick up Christmas presents if they want as a surprise for mum and dad. By the end virtually everything was gone once again razing a good sum for the school.

After that lot I could do with a rest J not much chance as we move into the last week of school before the holidays, oh well back to the grind till next time John 

Fundraising and good causes are the subject of this weekends post.

Friday morning saw young John and myself arrive at school early for our monthly fundraiser the Tea and toast event. Always popular with kiddies and parents which does add to the school funds.

The rest of Friday morning I spent ticketing and packing bottles for the forthcoming Christmas fair. Another good fundraiser for the school.

Arriving home the first job was to check email, the first one I opened immediately got the blood boiling, You can read the story hear http://grinchfund.chipin.com/grinch-fund-christmas-for-kids some people do deserve to be strung up if they get caught.

Saturday was somewhat busy as we attended two fairs, the first at the local collage and community center. This is the main fundraiser for the year. Very vibrant with a wide range of stalls, tom bolas, raffles, Santa’s grotto, you could even chill out with a head massage.

From there we travelled to Yorkshire for the church fair my mum and sister support, this one was much smaller with a few stalls selling goods and several games to compete for the top score. Cream tea’s followed by carol singing to round off the day.

The marketer in me took notice of the vast differences in the set up of each fair, they each catered for there target market. Each of these fairs are successful year after year, new things are tried as a test and if successful kept for the next one if not you don’t see that part of the fair again. It is exactly the same with internet marketing target and test for the best results. Once you have a proven base formula DON’T try to re invent the wheel, DO try little additions to improve on the base.

We finished the day off with a couple of hours with mum, then home to unpack the goodies picked up from the fairs.

Sunday mornings email check, one from Dr Many caught my eye, a real inspiration if ever there is one Laura Stockman will go far check it out hear http://www.twentyfivedays.wordpress.com/

To finish off the weekend I took the kids out to lunch and off to the cinema watching Fred Claws, great entertainment but if you go to see it watch for the marketing lessons embedded in the storyline it is also an education.

Until next time John