Social Networking Sites for Grown-Ups

Posted on August 2, 2008 by Lori Riverstone-Newell

Not having grown up with the Internet, some of us are still a bit stymied by the complexity of social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Linkedin. With the exception of the latter, these media have the sometimes-reputation that they are for kids who have the time on their hands to keep up with their personal pages and friend requests, along with the willingness to share details about themselves that those over 40 tend to hold close to the chest. What is often overlooked is the utility of social networking sites for grown-ups: moms, retirees, businesses, and other organizations. Additionally, folks who are relocating may find networking sites useful in keeping up with friends and family. Following are some network sites of interest with a short explanation of their intended utility.


Photo by luc legay.

For the uninitiated, a word of advice - Jump in. It looks much more complicated than it is! Most sites provide user-friendly templates to help you set up your own page along with support if you get stuck. All sites have a search bar to help you find other pages of interest; try searching by location, subject, or other keyword. You may get something that you didn't ask for in your search results so be prepared for that. Also, know that you don't have to have an established page to browse. Some sites require you to log in but you can register without working on your own page.

MySpace allows you to design unique pages and post information about yourself or your organizations. You can accept email, set your page to private, or leave it public for all to see. The "friend" section is populated by you; people will send you friend requests and you can choose whether you want to accept them. If you find a MySpace page that interests you, you can often find similar pages or interests by clicking on their friends' pictures. The VolNation has a page as does the Knoxville Coliseum.

Facebook was once a college networking site but now works a lot like MySpace and seems to be gaining popularity. Some say that it tends to have a more grown-up feel and tone than MySpace which they are leaving to the youngsters. Knoxville's United Way has its own page as does Songs of Appalachia, a group that features musicians from East Tennessee. If you look to the right side of their page, you can find related groups that might interest you, like Knoxville's Sundown in the City. Even our governor, Phil Bredesen, has a page on Facebook! Again, use the search bar to find groups or individuals that interest you.

Other sites aren't as well-known but are gaining popularity within specific groups. "Three focused communities have been growing rapidly this year: CafeMom, a network for mothers, Daily Strength, a support community for those with health issues and other life problems, and Eons, a social network for the 50+ set." For a list of 2007's twenty top social networking sites, click here. For another explanation of social networking sites, click here.

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Moving? Five Ways to Ease Your Transition

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Lori Riverstone-Newell

No matter how excited you are, moving brings many challenges: a new home means a new mortgage for most; perhaps the move means a new job; old routines are disrupted; and often friends or family are left behind. Even a move across town can bring significant stress. While there's no way to eliminate all the stress from your move, you can certainly minimize it. Here's 5 things you can do to make your move feel less like one of life's major events.


Photo by thornypup.

1.    Sort and dispose of, donate, or sell unnecessary clutter and furniture well before the big day. How to know what is 'unnecessary'? Here's a checklist to help you sort. The big tip here is to know the capacity of your new home and not take too much - and don't move anything dirty or that you'll throw out when you get there! Clean everything before you go and be honest with yourself when struggling with your decision to part with that broken chair you've been meaning to fix!

2.    Start packing really early. My most recent move was scheduled nine months in advance and I began packing six months before the trucks pulled up. Sorting as I went, I packed in this order: Garage first! Sort and pack as much as you can and make sure to save room to store additional completed boxes as you finish them. Next, scour your house for items that you won't "miss," such as extra dishes, files for storage, and decorator items from the tops of cabinets and shelves. As time draws closer, pack up the rooms that are the least used such as formal living rooms, libraries, under-utilized offices, formal dining rooms, and guest bedrooms. Finally, many suggest that you double the time you think you'll need for final packing. There's always more to do than you think and packing all night before the trucks arrive is no way to combat stress. How to pack? There's a guide here and a list of essentials to keep handy here.

3.    If you have children and/or pets, consider their care before you go. Here's a few tips: Young children might be better off with family or friends; besides the additional stress that caring for them while moving will bring, their safety should be considered, as well. Older children might be helpful, but for shorter periods than you would probably like. Patience, food, and entertainment will ease their stress and yours! Pets may need to be kenneled or kept in an empty room in the house with food and water for their safety. Post a sign on the door to remind everyone who's inside!

4.    Consider your family's feelings - and yours, too! Small children, teens, spouses, and extended family are affected in different ways and so need to cope in different ways. Knowing what you are feeling and how to help them is an important part of a smooth transition - before and after the move.

5.    Know your limits. Recognize and acknowledge when you feel anxious or stressed and practice these exercises to reduce your stress response. Keep a sense of humor, too! Laughing lightens any load!

For additional information, submit your questions here. 

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