What if wow...

Phew... The What If site is all consuming! Who knew... Really, I didn't. I've been at this since 10:30 today and it's after 3p. I probably spend at least an hour everyday working on getting this site out there and brainstorming new ideas. That's me, very anal and so impatient. Once I get my mind set on something I have to get it done. I get a bit obsessed, which serves me well and also can make you a bit crazy(in a good way). Sorry to those who have to work with me, I really can't help it. But, dam I get things done, I will say that. Need a shower desperately, ran 10 miles this am. Unfortunately for me I am still in yucky clothes and haven't eaten yet! Yecks

One step forward and many steps back has been the progression of this website. Every time I change something on the site several other parts of it stop working. Things need to be redefined and reworked, which takes a lot of time and energy. It's all for the betterment of the site, but labor intensive. Thanks goodness I am working with extremely bright, totally hip, patient and awesome people. IE... My web programmer and marketing company. Oh and my hubby! My go to person for all my off the wall ideas. As well as my legal and business resource! I can't imagine how I would be inspired to continue with this project if I was working with a bunch uninspired boring duds. Not the case. I am venturing into many areas regarding the internet, internet marketing and web development I know nothing about but Learning everyday. So, I have to say Loudly...I am extremely extremely grateful to you all. For your patients, enthusiasm and knowledge.... I won't mention their names as they may not want to be mentioned. But they know who they are!

I have just, like today, incorporated a new feature..."Got a What if." Pretty cool I think. Now someone who isn't as inclined to answer a question but has a great 'What if" question can log on to www.whatifbag.com and participate. You submit your own "What if" question for review. You need to be logged into site first. If your question becomes a featured question, you'll get notified via email. You remain anonymous, if you want, but get to have fun checking out how others Bag it! Translation, answer your question.

So come on people...Think it Write it Ask it! www.whatifbag.com

What if Bag...Your Resolution for 2010

My favorite answer to this question so far is from a very wonderful, highly educated, handsome, witty, wise and extremely funny(the list goes on and on) man who I happen to love with all my heart. Here is his response regarding his New Year resolution for 2010..."To make sure all the people who know me are happy they do!" I type it in (www. whatifbag.com) as he laughs hysterically!

Humm...Ok, I think I get it. But really, who would think of something like that as a resolution? Well if you knew him and his twisted sense of humor this answer wouldn't surprise you. The more I think about it He actually has a pretty good point! I think one of the most important things I can learn for this wonderful man is to not take life or yourself so seriously. Try to have a really good belly laugh once a day, even if you have to laugh at yourself! It's great for the heart and the soul.

Good Bye and Good Luck... Resolve to Laugh and spread joy this New Year!

Think it Write it Bag it www. whatifbag.com

What if you were guaranteed success...

What if you were guaranteed 100% success with your New Year resolution...What would yours be? www.whatifbag.com

I am really trying to not be negative. I don't want to engage in negative conversation. I don't want to listen to other people's negative stuff. I don't want to listen to my own negative stuff! So, I'm tying to live a very conscious life. To catch myself when I feel that I'm going over to the dark side. It happens trust me, but if I pay attention I think I can avoid sinking into a mood. Here is my strategy. When I start to feel mad or sad or angry, I think about how lucky I am to be me! LOL. How's that for a major pat on the back! Makes me laugh. Then, quess what, I can't be negative when I'm laughing!

You can succeed at anything you put your mind to. This year make that resolution a big one. Expect to succeed. Failure is not an option. What if anything were possible...I believe it is.

What if bag: What if bag: What's in your bag? The evolution of the "What if Bag"

What if bag: www.whatifbag.com

What's in your bag? The evolution of the "What if Bag"

WHATIFBAG; Translation: What's up, what are you into? Whatifbag = a place to hold your ideas. Words=Power. Time to drop ideas into your bag!

www.whatifbag.com

Back in the day when I had a toddler attached to my hip and one in a stroller. I wouldn't think of leaving the house without the famous sippy cup, pacifier and my "whatifbag." Back then this bag was nameless. Thinking back, I guess the bag's name would have been a diaper bag. It was filled with all those things you need when babies can't use the toilet and are constantly in need of something in their mouth.

Eventually, thank goodness, the babies became toddlers and the toddlers became kids. Change is inevitable, but the one constant was my bag of stuff that came with me where ever we went. I became pretty darn good at anticipating what a situation may call for. Especially the emergencies!

I'd stock my bag with anything I thought I might need when away from home for a period of time. I even had things that other moms needed when out on the playground. I once helped a young couple with a screaming newborn on an airplane. I was always prepared and happy to help. As were the other passengers on that plane. Yes, the baby stopped crying after a nice dose of mortin.

For instance, you are at the park and your four year old has an accident. Poof, an extra outfit can be found in the bag. As well as wipes and powder that make all things smell good again! Or , you are on a long trip in the car and someone feels sick. Of course, I'd have a thermometer,tylenol and mortrin in the bag. Never want to be caught without fever relief. The upset stomach can hit without any notice. Chewable relief for those belly aches is a must. I'm not sure if that stuff really ever worked, but I do know, just by virtue of the fact I had it and told my kids it would make them feel better, they seemed to instantly go from high drama to calm and relaxed. And then so would I!

My point is..."the bag" had all kinds of things in it! As the outings changed so would the items I'd put in the bag. If we were going on an airplane. I'd make sure I had sea bands for motion sickness, ear plugs and gum. I also always traveled with a prescription for motion sickness for my oldest son. Finally at age 15 he is able to travel without getting totally nauseous. I still pack a few pills with me when we fly just in case. If we were going to New York for Christmas,as we do every year during cold and flu season. I would make sure I had cough medicine and various other things that would help if someone got the flu. When we went to the beach, I'd switch out the bag. This time I'd include bug spray, neosporine, allergy meds, aloe, anti itch cream, bandaids etc etc. I think you get the gist. The key to my bag of stuff was that I knew my kids and what things they might need based on past experiences.

Lets give it up for being a Mom! On the job training is the only training.

The bag soon became know to those closest to me as my "What if Bag." I started calling it my "what if bag" because I would say to myself, "what if I need this, or what if someone gets that?" Hence the birth of the official name of the bag of stuff... The What If Bag! Eventually, Friends and family started to expect me to have what they needed too. They would ask for things from my "what if bag," calling it by name! 95% of the time, I had what they needed.

So to this day, I still have the bag, I purchased about 8 years ago and it is my "What if Bag." It's orange and red stripped and looks like a large makeup bag. Nothing fancy but very effective. I've never upgraded it or switched it out. My kids are now teens and pre teens soI don't take my What if Bag out that much anymore. I guess those days are gone. But the bag sits in the closet stocked full of all kinds of things from days gone by. I really should go and check what's in there. I know that if I ever ran out of something in my medicine cabinet, I could go to the "What if Bag" and find a small supply of what I need.

As I'm writing this, I'm realizing what a story I have here. It's a bit sentimental and bitter sweet as well. Sweet because my kids aren't getting sick all the time or falling down or needing a change of clothes anymore. And that is the bitter part as well. My kids are older now and that kind of care isn't as necessary like it was in the olden day. I am also realizing just how much use I've gotten out that crazy orange and red bag. How many places that bag has been. Literally it has been all over the world. I truly need to pass the original "what if bag" on to one of my 3 kids. Not sure which one yet, but it's something I must do. Not just the bag, but the story behind the bag. Including the love and energy that goes into having a "what if bag. A bag that just has it all. How special is that.

I know all too well that one day my kids will find themselves in situations with their own children where the unexpected happens! And when it does, I also know how happy they will be if they can handle the situation by simply reaching into a bag. How profound it that. They will have the secret...the power of knowing the beauty of a throughly stocked and well thought out "what if bag."

www.whatifbag.com

What if...today is the day I turn a corner just by blogging

Hi my name is Courtney. Those who know me call me Court! Ok, I started a website to provoke thought, entertain, inspire and ultimateley encourage writing about 2 1/2 months ago. It's called www. whatifbag.com. What if... what? Yep, its called whatifbag! How I came up with the name is a good story in itself, which I'll save for my next post!

Anyway, I'm starting this blog on a complete impulse I need to act on right now. Why now, I really don't know. But I'm a firm believer in going with that gut feeling. I believe that all things happen for a reason and when the energy is high, take advantage! That's how I live my life through my heart and my gut. I'm a walking heart of sorts. Intuition is my guide!

I really feel that I need to give my website a jump start by infusing a bit of personality into it. So the personality is Me. I'm it... the What If Girl! Here I am...exposed! I really wanted to stay anonymous in all this, like Twitter. I mean who are they? Do we even know?? But alas I'm forced out of the closet and ready to tell all.

I have to say in all honesty I am a bit puzzled as to why my site has not taken off as I expected it to. Reality check number one! Good things happen to those who wait, right? Well I have a hard time waiting. It works to my advantage, but is also a tough thing to deal with at times. I guess ignorance is really bliss! So here I am. I will say on a positive note. I'm a lot more educated now than I was when I started the web design about 9 months. The execution of the site and how it plays out real time is a work in progress. Each day I force my self to go on line and scan through as many websites as I can. I read all the posts people make. I look at the layout, the sign in, mission statements. All of it. I have looked a 100s and 100s. And let me tell you I am on a mission to find out what the hook is. There is a lot of junk out there!!

I can't help but feel a bit sorry for myself. The pity party doesn't last long, but I'd be lying if I told you otherwise. I don't have that hook. I'm working on it and I'll find it. I've never been more sure of something. I know this website has tremendous potential to inspire and entertain. Ultimately my goal is to publish a book of the best What if Answers! Everyone who views the site and there have been 100s, think it's fun, interesting, cool, very unique etc, etc. I don't think they are all just being polite?

I have found that more people seem to be inclined to visit. They are voyeurs vs posting on their own. That's ok too. But, I really need content people! How can I put a book together without content? I'm not selling anything. Now that's something you don't get to often. I'm offering you something for free. I think you'll get something in return. A platform. A place to give yourself a voice and where you can be heard. A place to vent or just get things off your chest! Think it, Write it Bag it!

The concept is Simple yet profound. It's sort of like a blog but in reverse. I ask questions and you answer them. Easy right. Every question starts with What If... That's where I think the magic lie. The very idea of a sentence starting with the words "What if" gets you thinking. It takes you to a place of limitless possibilities. A place where your left brain takes second seat to the creative right brain! A place where you can go and dream or create. I will definitely write about why not using the right side of the brain is a terrible thing to waste!

So here I go with on my own journey of limitless possibilities via blogging about my site whatifbag.com. Hoping out of this, comes inspiration or ideas. I'll share with you How the site came to be. Where my questions come from. The places I've taken the site. Yep, its been on the road! And of course the obstacles I'm trying to overcome. So to end as I desperately need a shower after running 10 miles today. What if...by virtue of writing about my experience as a hopeful rookie website developer, I inspire people to log on to my site and write! No rules..No editing! That would be an ultimate accomplishment for me. I would love your comments, thoughts, ideas or What ifs of your own!

I hope you enjoy the ride. I'm off to go torture my 15 year old son and his two friends and tell them they have to post or no food for the rest of the time they are here. Sad but true. I think it may work, I'll let you know. www.whatifbag.com