I live just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Born here, and always loved New England. I'm never too far from the ocean, lakes, rivers or ponds. It's a good home for me since I love kayaking and sailing. In fact, I love kayaking so much that it helps pay my bills, I'll tell you how on this page.

Sailing became a big part of my life when I met my husband. I was immediately attracted to his passion of sailing, his building ability and his determination. This guy built his own 34' steel sailboat out of scrap metal - by himself. Now, that's determination.

From the first season we were together, we sailed every weekend. The wind filled the enormous sails that powered us quietly through the summers. It didn't matter that we didn't have a dime between us, we dined on PB&J sandwiches, enjoying the sun and the wind. That began the journey from which I learned so much about boating.

I learned how sailboats react to small adjustments in the sails, about ballast and balance, about the buoy system, what cloud patterns tell about weather. I can determine whether the tide is coming or going and how that will effect your headway, I learned what to do in adverse conditions and how to sail safely.

I became the perfect mate, agile on deck, could haul up an anchor, crank a winch, take care of the lines and jump to the dock. Harmonizing together, we sailed for many years.

On land ...

We lived in a cramped apartment for three years before deciding to look for a house to buy ... a fix-er-upper would do. We found the perfect place - the house was falling apart, neglected and no one else wanted it. It was in our price range, cheap! We were happily committed to the work to have a place of our own.

Refurbushing this old house was a lot of work. But just like sailing, together we worked tirelessly, nights and weekends. We invested everything we had, little by little and turned it into a charming little home. We lived there for ten years.

Until one day ...

My husband and I went to return a video (remember those?), driving less than a mile from home was an "Open House" sign in front of a very old house suddenly up for sale. My husband wanted to stop and take a look. "Why", I thought?

Reluctantly, I toured the inside with him. It was a Craftman style bungalow built in 1922, it had "good bones" but it needed everything. Then we strolled out the back door ...

Nirvana!
There's a lake in the backyard!
The next day we bid on it.

Here we go again! Three more years - we poured all our money and effort into this little house resulting in a really great place to live.

The first winter there I impatiently waited for the lake to thaw because in my basement, waiting for spring was a kayak I had bought in January.

I sat in it, there on the basement floor, just waiting and waiting. Spring finally arrived and I discovered something ... I didn't know very much about kayaking. Yes, I was a good sailor but paddling is very different.

I checked the net for information for kayaking beginners - not very much there. Not knowing then, but this is how this website to help kayaking beginners started. I learned by myself and as I learned, I fell in love with paddling.

I look out on the lake some mornings when the wind is still - the trees on the shore are mirrored in the water and all I want to do is untie the line and paddle into this tranquility.

My kayak is tied to our dock from late spring through early fall. It's there every night after work, like a good friend.

I can leave the cares of the day behind. Just nature and the gentle sound of the paddle touching the water - even a short paddle recharges me.

Blissful but ...

Now, this sounds like a dream so far, a house on a lake, kayaking any time you want; but it didn't come without a price.

For more years than I want to think about, I worked full time at administrative jobs. Unfortunately, I've been part of the disposable employee pool. In my work, getting laid off is common. Companies today are profit driven, it's not personal; it's simply the bottom line.

Several long periods of unemployment raised my concern for my financial future. While people talked about their retirement funds, I thought - I didn't even have a "rainy day fund"! In addiiton to living expenses, renovating two houses ate up a lot of money.

Recognizing this, I spent several years trying different ways to earn extra income. I created artful things and sold them at shows and such - had a wonderful time, made no money. I hated the thought of a second job but it was heading that way.

My inspiration ...

A few years ago, I met a part time co-worker who had a website. She briefly explained that she preferred to work part-time because she makes enough money from her website to supplement her income and provide for her future goals.

I offered to buy her dinner after work one night. In exchange, she generously shared the details of her website. I was so grateful to her because this set me paddling in a whole new direction. I was very impressed - the very thought of working while a website worked for me?

I went to the web vendor sites that my friend recommended and tried to determine the cost of a start up site and how much work it would take. The list was long and very daunting. One company for hosting, another company to buy traffic and still another company for other "stuff" - yikes!

I attended a seminar with her that was sponsored by a company that sells website packages. The thought of having my own site for just $50 bucks on the spot was very tempting. I didn't buy on that day; instead I went home and researched the company on the net. Not so fast! Fifty dollars was just the beginning of a cash trail leading to the add-on's needed to build a site like my friend built.

About four months after meeting my web mentor, she quit the job. Before she left, she told me her goal was to retire by age 45! Wow, I thought - that's a huge goal. She's had her site for many years - she surpassed her first goal of earning a college tuituion fund for each of her three children. This was enough for me to take this website stuff seriously.

Paddling to my answer ...

During my web research, I stumbled on a company called Site Build It (SBI). Wiser on the subject at this point and more skeptical, I read their material and studied their videos.

Did I mention skeptical? I was convinced that I couldn't write, had nothing to write about; I didn't know anything about web design and couldn't even spell ".html"!

Funny the way things happen sometimes - I got laid off once more - not so funny. During a recession is not a good time to loose your job. Neither is January in the Northeast where keeping warm is costly. I was really worried - only a few jobs available to apply to and the ads were getting scarcer.

Optimism is good ...

What I did have was time - time to really explore how to build a website. Since I couldn't afford to loose any money, I was happy that SBI offered a 30-day money back trial and a $30/mo option that made it even easier. I took a deep breath and decided to trust in myself.

Online ordering was easy. Then I began devouring the lessons from the video guide. I worked feverishly because I was certain that I would get a job "any day now". I learned more about website building in one month than I ever dreamed.

A month was not a lot of time but a good start. No kidding, it was hard work but SBI's Action Guide made it easier than all the road blocks I had in my head.

The part I liked the best is that it is all inclusive, no dealing with multiple companies to buy add-ons. I didn't need to learn programming or web design; I didn't have a product to sell. SBI had all the tools I needed. They got my juices flowing and step by step, they taught me everything.

That winter, between shoveling snow and franticly sending out job applications, I built the site you are reading right now. Really!

Paddling happier ...

Employed once again, but just like my mentor, while I'm at work, (this is the part I love) my site works for me. My future looks bright - happy to have spent my worrisome unemployed time wisely.

Does SBI work? Well, I'm convinced; but an even tougher skeptic was my husband. He's a numbers guy - he has to see it to believe it. After he watched my readers steadily increase to over 6,000 per month and climbing, he decided to buy SBI himself.

Recently, I thought that since this worked out so well for me, how many others could improve their lives too. I talk with people all the time who tell me they need a better income. Hey! I have a website now, I can tell lots of people how I increased my income!

Can SBI work for you?
Well, the possibilities are endless; just take a look at these folks.

SBI encourages skeptics (like me) to "Take SBI! for the toughest test drive you can. Follow the Action Guide and use the tools at no risk..." The Action Guide details the SBI concept and the steps to build a successful online business. They will return your money if you aren't satisfied. If you have quesitons, you can contact them - send an e-mail or give them a call. They do respond, really.

So, how do I make an income from my website? I earn money referring customers to companies that offer related quality products. I choose the companies because I don't want to recommend junk. Every time someone buys a product, I make a small commission. There are many other ways people earn income on their sites - like Google ads, selling your own goods or other people's goods, services, etc.. SBI shows you how to do all that too.

Taking a topic and turning it into income has been an interesting journey for me. I don't worry about my income anymore, I just talk about what I love ... paddling.

Think about it, almost any topic can be a website. If this interests you but you're the type that needs a little push - here it is ...

I'm glad I stumbled on SBI; if I hadn't ...I'd be at my second job right now!