Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
What Christmas is all about!
Take a minute to read this...
Christmas
By: Joei Gold
Something to think about : As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giv...ing time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in
your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
Christmas
By: Joei Gold
Something to think about : As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giv...ing time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamin’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in
your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
PB + J Monday
Welcome to PB + J Monday!
This is another new addition to my blog. Now, you’re probably wondering why I want to talk about peanut butter and jam every Monday. And I say “Why not?” It’s one of the classic lunchtime sandwiches for kids in North America . And I would but that’s not what PB + J stands for in this case.
For this purpose it stands for another passion/interest/concern of mine:
Polar Bears and Jellyfish.
What?! Well, instead of just talking about my pyrography, I figured this blog could be about more of the things I care about, like saving the planet and photography. That’s why I’ve also started Wordless Wednesdays. And now on Mondays I’m going to give you ideas, tips and habit changers that may make this planet livable for our children’s children a little longer. I’m not going to shove my ideas down your throat or make you feel bad if you don’t do what I suggest but I will give you small changes to consider doing everyday that will have a green impact. Ok, it might seem too small but I believe all changes are good ones and DO make a difference. Plus, some of these changes may even save you money! Now that’s good, right?
I have a really big soft spot for our planet, its animals and especially polar bears. And this spot’s not just big because polar bears are big. It’s big because it breaks my heart that our everyday actions are causing their homes to disappear. So that is why I name Monday’s posts after them. Why jellyfish? Well, they’re pretty cool too but mostly I needed an animal that started with a “J”.
Ok, on with today’s PB + J Monday.
Today’s tip is a small habit change: Boil only the amount of water that you need.
See? That’s pretty easy. Instead of filling your kettle to the very top for a bowl of instant oatmeal, just add a cup of water and turn it on. The best part is that because there is less water in the kettle it boils so much faster! You can have your hot cereal much quicker AND you save on the electricity it would cost you to boil a whole kettle! Cool, eh? Is that something you can easily do? Sure you can! It’s a habit change so it may take a little time but before you go to fill your kettle take a look inside, you may already have the amount you need. And before you know it you’ll be saving money and hopefully some bear’s homes too. Now doesn’t that feel good?
Consider giving a donation to a charity as a gift this year. WWF and other animal organizations do wonderful work and make gift donations fun for your recipients too. Check out the WWF gift shop here and have a wonderful Monday!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Tropical Traditions Giveaway!
This is a giveaway from Simply Shop and Save for Tropical Traditions coconut. Read the blog post about it and I know you'll want some too (if you love coconut!) It sounds wonderful!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
My first giveaway!
Well, my first giveaway is over and the sign is in the mail on its way to its new home!
Nathalie from Arcana Dea Design was the winner and her answer "tea with friends" has been made into her very own personalized sign!
Yay Nathalie!!
This was a really fun giveaway for me and I think I may just do it again in the future!
Nathalie from Arcana Dea Design was the winner and her answer "tea with friends" has been made into her very own personalized sign!
Yay Nathalie!!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Wordless Wednesday - Vancouver Aquarium
Ok, I have definitely been neglecting the blog lately. I have plans to change that so please don't give up on me just yet.
One of the changes, or additions, is Wordless Wednesday. I've seen many other bloggers do this and I've been thinking about joining in for awhile. It looks like fun and at the very least it gives me a focus each week. The pictures will be very random and the title of the blog will be the most I write about it. The pictures will be what ever I happen to come across as I browse through our millions of photos, or what ever I see that week that sparks an interest. I hope you'll enjoy it. And stay tuned for some other changes too.
One of the changes, or additions, is Wordless Wednesday. I've seen many other bloggers do this and I've been thinking about joining in for awhile. It looks like fun and at the very least it gives me a focus each week. The pictures will be very random and the title of the blog will be the most I write about it. The pictures will be what ever I happen to come across as I browse through our millions of photos, or what ever I see that week that sparks an interest. I hope you'll enjoy it. And stay tuned for some other changes too.
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