don't foget to mark your calendars...

...for the next big Etsy Dallas craft event!

Secretary of the Arts Petition

If you feel strongly about the arts, please go here to sign a petition asking President Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. It's important!

gift

Dictionary
gift |gift|
noun
1 a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present : a Christmas gift | [as adj. ] a gift shop. See note at present .
• an act of giving something as a present : his mother's gift of a pen.
• informal a very easy task or unmissable opportunity : that touchdown was an absolute gift.
2 a natural ability or talent : he has a gift for comedy.
verb [ trans. ]
give (something) as a gift, esp. formally or as a donation or bequest : the company gifted 2,999 shares to a charity.
• present (someone) with a gift or gifts : the director gifted her with a heart-shaped brooch.
• ( gift someone with) endow someone with (something) : she was gifted with a powerful clairvoyance.

When was the last time you gave a gift?

can U recycle more?

This picture of squashed cans made me wonder what else I can recycle. I took a look around my home and found two more things I can regularly recycle. I encourage you to do the same.

99 Things to Do This Year

I have seen this quiz on several blogs and thought it would be fun to do. It will be interesting to revisit this list in 2010 to see what I have been able to add to the list.

If you want to play too, bold the things that you've done and post on your blog now.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii and danced on a lava cliff with the roar of the Pacific below
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

National Braille Week

I had never heard about this holiday. I have noticed there are several companies that do cater to the visually impaired by including braille on their labels. The largest one I have found is L'Occitane.

What companies have you found that go out of their way to help others?

Coffee from Colombia

I have seen the oddest misspelling in our coffee bar at work for the last month or so. When coffee is made, it is labeled either "Decaf" or "ColombiaM". The correct word to refer to coffee from Colombia is "ColombiaN".

I was talking with one of my coworkers a few mornings ago and we were laughing about it. I went into the coffee bar this morning to replenish my cup and soneone had corrected the mistake. It totally made me smile. I realize it isn't up on a 30 foot billboard but it did make me happy to see it corrected. It's the little things...

What odd little thing make you smile?

Cheers!

Wow! It's actually here. 2009. Happy New Year everyone!!

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2...

As you get ready for the BIG count down this evening to the new year, please be safe and have a great time! Happy New Year! :)

Resolutions?

Do you make resolutions at the beginning of each year? Here are America's top 10 New Year's Resolutions;

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2. Fit in Fitness
3. Tame the Bulge
4. Quit Smoking
5. Enjoy Life More
6. Quit Drinking
7. Get Out of Debt
8. Learn Something New
9. Help Others
10. Get Organized

What's your most important resolution for 2009?

National Whiner's Day?

I had no idea there was a day dedicated to this! Wow!

Maybe this day would be better used to appreciate what you do have and rejected the urge to whine. While you're at it, why not tell someone that you appreciate what you value about them?

I just had a scary thought. Do you think that it's possible that today is Whiner's Day because many people are returning and exchanging Christmas gifts today? Yikes!

Peace Be With You!

Today is World Peace Day! Have a neighbor that you don't get along? Why not extend them an olive branch today? See what kind of change you can bring about by taking the first step to have a more peaceful existence.

Be the change that you want to see in the world.
-Gandhi

Mark your calendars...for the next big Etsy Dallas Event!

gorgeous...had to share!

Happy Friday! These are so pretty, I had to share them. Click on the image to see them in sugarlily's etsy shop! :)

giving defined

give |giv|
verb ( past gave |gāv|; past part. given |ˈgivən|)
freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to : they gave her water to drink | the check given to the jeweler proved worthless | [ trans. ] he gave the papers back.

At this time of year there is a lot of giving happening -- giving is in the air. When I was a child, my mom told me that a good gift was one that you'd like to keep yourself. She was absolutely right! :)

Although the economy here is experiencing a transition, sometimes I fear that people forget to be grateful for all that they have and to help others. So here's a friendly reminder...count your blessings and pass some on to others!

eco friendly gift wrap

Click on the image to see this in its' Etsy shop. A beautiful and green way to wrap holiday packages from

tomatedepingles!

Guilt free gift wrap! :)

gift wrap - box

box 1 |bäks|
noun
1 a container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular and having a lid : a cereal box | a hat box.

Check out this innovative gift box from vvnvvn on Etsy by clocking the image.

gift wrap - tags

gift wrap
noun
decorative paper for wrapping presents. Also called gift-wrapping.
verb ( gift-wrap) [ trans. ] [usu. as adj. ] ( gift-wrapped)
wrap (a present) in decorative paper.
• figurative hand over (something) as if a gift : his first on-screen role came gift-wrapped.

Check out these cute tags on Etsy at PaperPumpkin by clicking on the image. Happy Wrapping!

Teamwork Day

It's today! Today team leaders are encouraged to let their team members know what they are doing well and congratulate them for it! Be sure to take a minute today to do this. It's important to let others know when they are doing a good job! Cheers!

wale

wale |wāl|
noun
1 a ridge on a textured woven fabric such as corduroy.
2 Nautical a plank running along the side of a wooden ship, thicker than the usual planking, and strengthening and protecting the hull.
3 a horizontal band around a woven basket.
ORIGIN late Old English walu [stripe, weal.]

I love couduroy and this is the season for it. Here is a cutie I found on Etsy -- just click on the image for more information.