Month: October 2010
Email Etiquette
A friend of mine shared an email etiquette list with me the other day. I had to laugh at most of what it said. I think I would get a F, if graded. I would like to break it all down in this blog post for the fun of it.
1.Make sure your e-mail includes a courteous greeting and closing. Helps to make your e-mail not seem demanding or terse.
I think sometimes my emails may seem terse. I do not stick with the rules of having a courteous greeting and closing. I guess I am just not that formal.
2. Address your contact with the appropriate level of formality and make sure you spelled their name correctly.
Again, I fail at this one too.
3.Spell check – emails with typos are simply not taken as seriously.
I do spell check, most of the time.
4.Read your email out loud to ensure the tone is that which you desire. Try to avoid relying on formatting for emphasis; rather choose the words that reflect your meaning instead. A few additions of the words “please” and “thank you” go a long way!
Fail at this one. I am really trying to get into the habit of proof reading. I tend to not proof read because I write from my heart, and when I start over analizing everything that I write, I sometimes just end up deleating it altogether.
5.Be sure you are including all relevant details or information necessary to understand your request or point of view. Generalities can many times causing confusion and unnecessary back and forths.
I have no idea where I fall on this one, but I really do like the back and forths! <:o)~
6.Are you using proper sentence structure? First word capitalized with appropriate punctuation? Multiple instances of !!! or ??? are perceived as rude or condescending.
Fail
7.If your email is emotionally charged, walk away from the computer and wait to reply. Review the Sender’s email again so that you are sure you are not reading anything into the email that simply isn’t there.
Hmmm, what is wrong with emotions. I thrive on them! I don’t think I have ever wrote anyone a rude email though.
8.If sending attachments, did you ask first when would be the best time to send? Did you check file size to make sure you don’t fill the other side’s inbox causing all subsequent e-mail to bounce?
No, I never ask, I had no idea that it was not cool to send people pics, files etc.
9.Refrain from using the Reply to All feature to give your opinion to those who may not be interested. In most cases replying to the Sender alone is your best course of action.
I have never used reply to all.
10.Make one last check that the address or addresses in the To: field are those you wish to send your reply to.
I have mad OCD, so I check the email addy at least 6 times before clicking send. Just like I check the front and back doors to make sure they are locked, about 6 times each night. lol
11.Be sure your name is reflected properly in the From: field. Jane A. Doe (not jane, jane doe or JANE DOE).
Check
12.Type in complete sentences. To type random phrases or cryptic thoughts does not lend to clear communication.
Fail
13.Never assume the intent of an email. If you are not sure — ask so as to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
I think I am good about this.
14.Just because someone doesn’t ask for a response doesn’t mean you ignore them. Always acknowledge emails from those you know in a timely manner.
agree 100%
15.Be sure the Subject: field accurately reflects the content of your email.
sometimes it does, sometimes I just don’t know what the subject should be.
16.Don’t hesitate to say thank you, how are you, or appreciate your help!
Check
17.Keep emails brief and to the point. Save long conversations for the old fashioned telephone.
Nah, I like long emails, its relaxing!
18.Always end your emails with “Thank you,” “Sincerely,” “Take it easy,” “Best regards” – something!
It depends on who I am emailing, whether I end it like this.
19.Do not type in all caps. That’s yelling or reflects shouting emphasis.
This was the first thing I ever learned on the net.
20.If you bold your type, know you are bolding your statement and it will be taken that way by the other side – X10!
I know this too.
21.Do not use patterned backgrounds. Makes your email harder to read.
Yuck! I have friends that do this to me too.
22.Stay away from fancy-schmancy fonts — only the standard fonts are on all computers.
Check
23.Use emoticons sparingly to ensure your tone and intent are clear.
Check
24.Typing your emails in all small case gives the perception of lack of education or laziness.
Check
25.Refrain from using multiple font colors in one email. It makes your email harder to view and can add to your intent being misinterpreted.
Check
26.Use formatting sparingly. Instead try to rely on choosing the most accurate words possible to reflect your tone and avoid misunderstandings in the process.
Fail
27.Don’t forward emails that say to do so–no matter how noble the cause may be. Most are hoaxes or hooey and may not be appreciated by those you send to.
I never send forwards anymore. I think I have twice in the past. I know it is annoying.
28.If someone asks you to refrain from forwarding emails they have that right and you shouldn’t get mad or take it personally.
Check
29.When forwarding email, if you cannot take the time to type a personal comment to the person you are forwarding to–then don’t bother.
Amen
30.Don’t forward anything without editing out all the forwarding >>>>, other email addresses, headers and commentary from all the other forwarders.
Ditto
31.If you must forward to more than one person, put your email address in the TO: field and all the others you are sending to in the BCc: field to protect their email address from being published to those they do not know. This is a serious privacy issue!
Check-but most people don’t do this.
32.Choose your email address wisely. It will determine, in part, how you are perceived.
Check
33.Try not to make assumptions when it comes to email. Always ask for clarification before you react.
I struggle with this, but am getting better.
34.Posting or forwarding of private email is copyright infringement — not to mention downright rude. You need permission from the author first!
check
35.Even though it isn’t right; emails are forwarded to others. Keep this in mind when typing about emotional or controversial topics.
I guess I am trusting, as stated above, I write with my heart!
36.When there is a misunderstanding by email, don’t hesitate to pick up the old fashioned telephone to work things out!
check
37.Know that how you type, and the efforts you make or don’t make will indicate what is important to you and if you are an educated courteous person.
check
38.If you forward an email that turns out to be a hoax, have the maturity to send an apology follow up email to those you sent the misinformation to.
Check-but I am pretty keen on hoaxs. I know most things are hoaxs on the net.
39.When filling out a contact form on a Web site, do so carefully and with clarity so your request is taken seriously.
check
40.Think of your business email as though it was on your business letterhead and you’ll never go wrong!
check
41.If you cannot respond to an email promptly, at the very least email back confirming your receipt and when the sender can expect your response.
YES! This is actualy a pet peeve of mine.
42.Emailing site owners about your product or service through the site form is still spam. Ask them if they want more info first!
check
43.When replying to emails always respond promptly and edit out unnecessary information from the post you are responding to.
check
44.Formality is in place as a courtesy and reflects respect. Assume the highest level of formality with new email contacts until the relationship dictates otherwise. Refrain from getting too informal too soon in your email communications.
Fail
45.Never send anyone an email they need to unsubscribe from when they didn’t subscribe in the first place!
People do this? Not cool!
46.Be very careful how you use Reply to All and Cc: in a business environment. Doing so for CYA or to subtlety tattle can backfire and have your viewed as petty or insecure.
check
47.When replying to an email with multiple recipients noted in the To: or Cc: fields, remove the addresses of those who your reply does not apply to.
check
48.Never send business attachments outside of business hours and confirm that the format in which you can send can be opened by the other side.
N/A
49.With IM and Chat, try not to be overly cryptic or your meaning can be misread.
Check
50.Use Instant Messaging (IM) for casual topics or informational briefs. IM is not the place for serious topics or confrontational issues.
check
51.Start by always asking if the person you are IMing is available and if it is a good time to chat. Refrain from IMing during meetings or when your attention is required.
check
52.Practice communicating briefly and succinctly.
check
53.Use IM for casual topics or informational briefs. Serious topics are not for IM.
check
54.IMing is not an excuse to forget your grade school education.
Check to all!
Email Considerations…
55.Before getting upset because you perceive someone didn’t respond, check to see if their reply was inadvertently deleted or sent to your Trash or Junk folder.
check
56.With emotionally charged emails, wait until the next morning to see if you feel the same before clicking Send.
check
57.Feel free to modify the Subject: field to more accurately reflect a conversation’s direction.
sometimes
58.When it comes to your email communications, know who you can trust; trust only those you know.
I have failed at this in the past
59.Take the time to review each email before clicking Send to ensure your message is clear and you are relaying the tone that you desire.
trying to get into the habit
60.Never use an old email to hit reply and start typing about an entirely new topic.
check
61.Regardless of how noble a forwarded email may be, don’t just forward without investigating its authenticity @ Snopes.com.
check
62.Always add the email addresses of Web sites and new contacts immediately to your approved senders or address book so they get through Spam filters.
check
63.Take a quick look at the e-mails in your Trash before you delete them just in case a good e-mail landed there by mistake.
check
64.If any email states to forward to all your friends, or just 5 people — do everyone a favor and just hit delete!
check! I think forwards should be banned entirely!
65.Double check that your adware, spyware and virus programs are set to automatically update at least once each week so the software knows what to protect you from.
check
Dehydrating Bananas is Easy!
Making dehydrated bananas is super simple. I make them with my Nesco Dehydrator. It has a built in timer for dried fruits which makes things a no brainer.
Some people dip their bananas in lemon juice to prevent them from browning. Once they are exposed to air, they tend to turn brown, as shown below.. I skip this step because our dried bananas only last about ten minutes here.
They turn crunchy on the outside and chewy (like Taffy) in the inside. They are Amazing! Not as amazing as salt water taffy, but pretty darn close. :o)
Start off with some over ripe Organic bananas.
Slice them into the shape that you like. If you have the Excalibur, you can dehydrate them whole! I bet they are out of this world. Great for camping!
I started buying Organic bananas because they have the seeds in them. As a child, all bananas had seeds, then to my surprise, I started noticing a while back that todays non-organic bananas are hybrids, and do not have seeds in them. *sulk*
After the dehydrating process, you will end up with a bag of yummy, chewy bananas. Great snack, while out and about.
Protected: The Black Sheep
The Muffin Method
The Perfect muffin method!
I probably have made every type of muffin out there. The Joy of Baking website has loads of yummy muffin recipes to try.
I never had any complaints, and I will forever be my worst critic, I know! I have always wanted to have a really high-rise muffin cap. I have tried adding more baking powder, but never had much luck. Not until I noticed that Jenni, over on The Pastry site website had a muffin method!! Not only a cake and cookie method, but there is a muffin method too!
I made two batches of jumbo blueberry muffins the other day for breakfast. Can you tell which of the two I used the muffin method with? Then, I used my own method (ala’ throw it all in the bowl, on one of them.)
Even the color is different! I used the same recipe for both.
Notice the one on the left is much smaller, not really much of a rise. Even the taste and crumb was different, even though the same exact recipe was used.
The inside of the muffins
My daughter made these cranberry ones yesterday using the muffin method. They were regular size muffins, which is why they are smaller, but the rise it still a pretty rise!
- Pretty Cranberry Muffin!
Check out this cutsie little pretzel that my son gave me last night…Not sure if he found it that way, or ate it down in the shape of a heart, but when he handed it to me with an, “I LOVE YOU MOMMY!” I melted!
Side to Side
Ok, so here is the outcome. I’m trying to decide which color suits me best. Hubby will forever like the blonde.*typical guy* Me? I am not really sure…
Anyone want to give their opinion?
*****Thanks Mel, got your email-Check 2 for the red!! :o)******
No more Summer Garden
We just harvested the rest of the peppers! They are heirloom, so are still smaller then I like them to be. Regardless, here they are. And the purple thing, is a purple pepper! Try saying that 5x fast! :o)~
Green Bell Peppers
Still lovin Alias!
Listening to music from my teen years & still lovin it! For those who don’t know-These songs are by Alias!! Which I was totally crazy about when I was younger! (Disclaimer: Nothing bad, but not christian music.)
Breakfast Anyone?
Love the way the steamed milk foams at the top!!
Today they are thrown on the plate, other days they are lined up by color!:o)~
And in case your wondering..what the heck are all those?
Here ya go!
Probably stuff the average person has never heard of!!
Enzymes!! Seaweed!!
Awesome Songs!~Feeling Nostalgia!~
Disclaimer:Nothing bad, but these are not christian songs..
From North to South 