1.  Never rely on Spell Check or Grammar Check -- they don't know what you are really trying to say.  (And if you do use them, be very careful that the word you wanted to use isn't replaced by something else!)

2.  Print it out -- it's much easier to proof on paper then on the screen.

3.  If possible, have someone else look it over.  If it involves lots of numbers, "read" it with someone.

4.  Read it backwards -- that way you're looking at the individual words, not the whole sentence.  Your brain will often "self-correct" a mis-spelled word if it is used in context.

5.  If the item is really important -- hire someone to proofread it.

Some Internet advice, courtesy of my webmaster at Abzoid Web Designs (www.abzoid.com).

   1. Thou shalt not buy merchandise found in pop-up ads or spam.
   2. Thou shalt not post thy email address, phone number, address or social security number to the internet, nor shalt thou post anyone else's.
   3. Thou shalt not forget to update thy Windows every second Tuesday.
   4. Thou shalt not connect to the internet without installing an antivirus, nor shalt thou begin a scan without checking for updates.
   5. Thou shalt not connect to the internet without installing a firewall.
   6. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's credit card number, nor his bank routing number, nor his social security number.
   7. Thou shalt not enter thy credit card number without seeing the tiny padlock icon on thy status bar.
   8. Thou shalt not reply to the email from the Nigerian banker.
   9. Thou shalt not forward chain letters to thy friends and family.
  10. Thou shalt not use "password" as thy password, nor thy birthday, nor thy children's names.

I found an interesting quote on the back of my box of Celestial Seasonings tea: "A mountain is only as large as your mind chooses to make it" (Debra Bokur).  How often I do just that -- worry and worry over something until it becomes huge.  And usually, once I actually tackle the problem, it turns out to not really be a big deal.  Too often, though, because we get so caught up in the "worrying" part, we forget to enjoy the fun part of things.  So, for 2006, try to remember to keep the fun in what you're doing.  Don't forget to take care of yourself -- whether it's taking time to read a book or have a massage or get a pedicure or go for a walk -- just do something for you! 

Let me share some more words to live by for the coming year (courtesy of my favorite restaurants in the Washington, DC area, Austin Grill):  "Be Kind.  Tell the Truth.  Eat Good Food."

Wishing you all peace, love, and joy in 2006!

Join the NJAWBO-Bergen Chapter for their 5th Annual Power of 100 Women networking event. Wednesday, January 18, 2006, 5:30 to 9:00 pm, Holiday Inn, Saddle Brook, NJ. For more information and to register, go to the NJAWBO Bergen web site.