*Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be fabric or patterns or lace?
Or a serger I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him,
"Hi, Santa," I said.
"You know....good little girls should be in their beds."
"I know I should, Santa, and now I've been caught.
But I was just so excited To see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work."
He shook his head quickly, And left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!"*
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
APPLY PERSISTENCE TO YOUR POSSIBILITIES.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your success is not a matter of idle chance, it's a matter of making
the right choices.
Success is not something you wait for, but rather something you'll
achieve with effort.
In other words, things won't turn up in this world until you turn them up.
Success is neither magical nor mysterious.
The people that truly succeed in the world are the people who look
for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them,
they make them.
Don't sit on the sidelines, get in the game.
Your access to success has no real limits.
The great opportunity in your life is where you are right now.
Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity for you.
There are grand opportunities all around you.
Open your eyes, and you will find one.
If you have the desire, you have the power to be successful.
Taking continuous action is all that is required.
© Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Reproduce freely but maintain Copyright notice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your success is not a matter of idle chance, it's a matter of making
the right choices.
Success is not something you wait for, but rather something you'll
achieve with effort.
In other words, things won't turn up in this world until you turn them up.
Success is neither magical nor mysterious.
The people that truly succeed in the world are the people who look
for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them,
they make them.
Don't sit on the sidelines, get in the game.
Your access to success has no real limits.
The great opportunity in your life is where you are right now.
Every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity for you.
There are grand opportunities all around you.
Open your eyes, and you will find one.
If you have the desire, you have the power to be successful.
Taking continuous action is all that is required.
© Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Reproduce freely but maintain Copyright notice.
YOU'RE ALWAYS IN CHARGE OF YOU.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
While your character is formed by circumstances,
your own desires can do much to shape those circumstances.
Thus, you have the power over the formation of your own character.
Nature is always at work around you.
Your character and destiny are her handiwork.
She gives you love and hate, jealousy and reverence.
You have the power to choose which impulse you will follow.
You can at any time decide to alter the course of your life.
No one can ever take that away from you.
The greatest power you possess is the power to choose.
You're the master of your joys and your sorrows.
© Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Reproduce freely but maintain Copyright notice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.
While your character is formed by circumstances,
your own desires can do much to shape those circumstances.
Thus, you have the power over the formation of your own character.
Nature is always at work around you.
Your character and destiny are her handiwork.
She gives you love and hate, jealousy and reverence.
You have the power to choose which impulse you will follow.
You can at any time decide to alter the course of your life.
No one can ever take that away from you.
The greatest power you possess is the power to choose.
You're the master of your joys and your sorrows.
© Copyright 2008 www.yourdailymotivation.com
Reproduce freely but maintain Copyright notice.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Twas the Month before Christmas
*Twas the month before Christmas
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the "PC" Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*At Target they're hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found!
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
Not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
Wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the "PC" Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*At Target they're hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found!
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
Not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
Wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Molly from The Little Seedling put out a great email that I will just copy here.
So here's Molly's letter:
In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick.
The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.
While we all applauded efforts by the federal government to tighten the safety standards for toys, we all got much more than we bargained for. The law that was passed extends to all products directed to children 12 years of age and younger, and includes such things as clothing & toys and much more, with very few exceptions or exemptions. That wouldn't be so bad, but there are a few requirements that, if left as is, will force most small businesses (and many medium & large sized businesses) out of business....including retailers, and work at home moms.
How this affects retailers and manufactures:
1. Existing Inventory: The law states that any affected product that does not meet the new standard (with the exception of phthalates) cannot be sold from the shelves after February 10th 2009. The problem is that the law includes many new items that have not been under a previous regulation, and have not been tested. To test these items now, on the retail or wholesale level is prohibitively expensive, and/or simply not possible. So it is very difficult to confirm compliance (although most items in most companies would be compliant), and at the same time, penalties for selling anything that doesn't meet the standard are very stiff. The options for anyone with inventory are not pleasant.
2. 3rd Party Testing by SKU: The law will require 3rd party testing in the future for each sku (or style). The large pair of jeans have to be tested separately from the medium size of jeans...even though all materials are the same. This makes testing prohibitively (impossibly) expensive. There are other ways to form a testing regimen and be just as satisfied with the results.
3. Markings: All products manufactured after August 12th, 2009 must have markings on the package and permanent markings on the product indicating where, by whom, and when the product was made. Large corporations can afford purchasing multiple dies to do this. Small companies cannot. European companies with limited sales to the USA likewise cannot.
4. Complexity: The law is extremely complex. Needlessly so. It is requiring companies to hire lawyers just to get a grasp of what is required of them. Also, the requirement of including certificates of compliance of each product shipped, with each product is overly burdensome. Electronic certificates has been approved, and will help, but even then there is a substantial cost to the additional administration---which does very little, if anything, to improve the safety of our toys.
5. Frequency of Testing: We are still trying to get a clear grasp of this. However, it is very possible that each batch must be tested/certified. This is fine for large companies running 10,000 or 100,000 pieces per batch. For small manufacturers, with small runs, it multiplies the enormous cost from point #2, even higher.
What this means is small, innovative companies that typically make niche products, will be forced out of business, or forced to narrow their product range and sell to the mass market. Product availability and selection will diminish. We will be primarily left with imported plastic toys from China. Yes, quite ironic isn't it.
URGENT Action:
The Subcommittee that put this law together is meeting to review its implementation on Wednesday. We need to send a message to them to revise the law or its implementation in ways that will maintain the integrity of the safety standards, but will not decimate the children's products market. Here are the details of the meeting:
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled "Implementation of the CPSIA: Urgent Questions about Application Dates, Testing and Certification, and Protecting Children." This is an oversight hearing examining implementation of Public Law 110-314 (H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)). Witnesses will be by invitation only.
The staff briefing for this hearing will be held on Monday, December 8, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in room 2322 Rayburn House Office Building.
Here is a link to the list of Committee Members. Please contact your Representative of Congress. If any one of these Representatives on the Subcommittee is YOUR representative, PLEASE be sure to call & email them to voice your concerns about the provisions in the law as they affect you and the children's products industry in general. Please do this today and Monday. Here is the contact information at the CPSC...please contact them with your concerns too.
Here is a link to some suggestions for talking to our representatives from WAHM Solutions.
What else can you do? Pass this on in your blogs, your parent groups, your local community lists, among your friends. There is much misinformation in the market, and it is up to us to warn consumers and colleagues of the pending disappearance of the natural & specialty toys we have come to rely on in the recent years. Sign petitions, and pass the link on to friends.
This is a critical time to raise our voices and be heard. Please do not say it can wait until next week, or after Christmas. Important issues that affect us will be discussed in a public way next week...NOT after Christmas.
What else can you do? If you are a crafter join the Handmade Toy Alliance, join the online community cpsia-central and become informed & involved. Contact the media, discuss this in forums and in your own online communities. It isn't just our businesses that are at risk, it is the very nature of the toys & products our children & grandchildren will have access to in the future.
Please pass this on!
So here's Molly's letter:
In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick.
The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.
While we all applauded efforts by the federal government to tighten the safety standards for toys, we all got much more than we bargained for. The law that was passed extends to all products directed to children 12 years of age and younger, and includes such things as clothing & toys and much more, with very few exceptions or exemptions. That wouldn't be so bad, but there are a few requirements that, if left as is, will force most small businesses (and many medium & large sized businesses) out of business....including retailers, and work at home moms.
How this affects retailers and manufactures:
1. Existing Inventory: The law states that any affected product that does not meet the new standard (with the exception of phthalates) cannot be sold from the shelves after February 10th 2009. The problem is that the law includes many new items that have not been under a previous regulation, and have not been tested. To test these items now, on the retail or wholesale level is prohibitively expensive, and/or simply not possible. So it is very difficult to confirm compliance (although most items in most companies would be compliant), and at the same time, penalties for selling anything that doesn't meet the standard are very stiff. The options for anyone with inventory are not pleasant.
2. 3rd Party Testing by SKU: The law will require 3rd party testing in the future for each sku (or style). The large pair of jeans have to be tested separately from the medium size of jeans...even though all materials are the same. This makes testing prohibitively (impossibly) expensive. There are other ways to form a testing regimen and be just as satisfied with the results.
3. Markings: All products manufactured after August 12th, 2009 must have markings on the package and permanent markings on the product indicating where, by whom, and when the product was made. Large corporations can afford purchasing multiple dies to do this. Small companies cannot. European companies with limited sales to the USA likewise cannot.
4. Complexity: The law is extremely complex. Needlessly so. It is requiring companies to hire lawyers just to get a grasp of what is required of them. Also, the requirement of including certificates of compliance of each product shipped, with each product is overly burdensome. Electronic certificates has been approved, and will help, but even then there is a substantial cost to the additional administration---which does very little, if anything, to improve the safety of our toys.
5. Frequency of Testing: We are still trying to get a clear grasp of this. However, it is very possible that each batch must be tested/certified. This is fine for large companies running 10,000 or 100,000 pieces per batch. For small manufacturers, with small runs, it multiplies the enormous cost from point #2, even higher.
What this means is small, innovative companies that typically make niche products, will be forced out of business, or forced to narrow their product range and sell to the mass market. Product availability and selection will diminish. We will be primarily left with imported plastic toys from China. Yes, quite ironic isn't it.
URGENT Action:
The Subcommittee that put this law together is meeting to review its implementation on Wednesday. We need to send a message to them to revise the law or its implementation in ways that will maintain the integrity of the safety standards, but will not decimate the children's products market. Here are the details of the meeting:
The Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled "Implementation of the CPSIA: Urgent Questions about Application Dates, Testing and Certification, and Protecting Children." This is an oversight hearing examining implementation of Public Law 110-314 (H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)). Witnesses will be by invitation only.
The staff briefing for this hearing will be held on Monday, December 8, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in room 2322 Rayburn House Office Building.
Here is a link to the list of Committee Members. Please contact your Representative of Congress. If any one of these Representatives on the Subcommittee is YOUR representative, PLEASE be sure to call & email them to voice your concerns about the provisions in the law as they affect you and the children's products industry in general. Please do this today and Monday. Here is the contact information at the CPSC...please contact them with your concerns too.
Here is a link to some suggestions for talking to our representatives from WAHM Solutions.
What else can you do? Pass this on in your blogs, your parent groups, your local community lists, among your friends. There is much misinformation in the market, and it is up to us to warn consumers and colleagues of the pending disappearance of the natural & specialty toys we have come to rely on in the recent years. Sign petitions, and pass the link on to friends.
This is a critical time to raise our voices and be heard. Please do not say it can wait until next week, or after Christmas. Important issues that affect us will be discussed in a public way next week...NOT after Christmas.
What else can you do? If you are a crafter join the Handmade Toy Alliance, join the online community cpsia-central and become informed & involved. Contact the media, discuss this in forums and in your own online communities. It isn't just our businesses that are at risk, it is the very nature of the toys & products our children & grandchildren will have access to in the future.
Please pass this on!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Old friends and apparently old enemies
OK, I recently reconnected with some old friends from high school and I have had a ball reminiscing and looking at old pictures. It's so much fun to look back on how we were back then.
But then things took a sour note. I found out that apparently I offended an old boyfriend of mine and didn't even know it.
He said "I don't have exceptionally good memories concerning you." Then he proceeded to tell me that he didn't want to fake being my friend. The whole thing left me sitting with my jaw on the ground, unable to think of a good response.
The thing that irks me is I honestly don't remember things ending badly. I was 14 years old. Honestly what could I possibly have done that caused someone to hate me and carry a grudge for 19 years and I don't even know why?? That is just crazy. The sad thing is I have good memories of him. He was my first real boyfriend and my first kiss. How sad! But what can I do?
All I can do is vent to you all. I apologized for whatever it was. I told him I only had fond memories of him. Then I said that I was very taken aback that he had held a grudge all these years and I didn't even know why. It's actually probably a sign of a not so healthy (mental wise) person. We were 14 years old, so if the relationship and subsequent breakup scarred him that bad, I probably wouldn't want to associate with him anyhow.
Have you ever had something similar happen to you? Has someone held a grudge against you for a very long time and you didn't even know why? I would love to hear about it.
But then things took a sour note. I found out that apparently I offended an old boyfriend of mine and didn't even know it.
He said "I don't have exceptionally good memories concerning you." Then he proceeded to tell me that he didn't want to fake being my friend. The whole thing left me sitting with my jaw on the ground, unable to think of a good response.
The thing that irks me is I honestly don't remember things ending badly. I was 14 years old. Honestly what could I possibly have done that caused someone to hate me and carry a grudge for 19 years and I don't even know why?? That is just crazy. The sad thing is I have good memories of him. He was my first real boyfriend and my first kiss. How sad! But what can I do?
All I can do is vent to you all. I apologized for whatever it was. I told him I only had fond memories of him. Then I said that I was very taken aback that he had held a grudge all these years and I didn't even know why. It's actually probably a sign of a not so healthy (mental wise) person. We were 14 years old, so if the relationship and subsequent breakup scarred him that bad, I probably wouldn't want to associate with him anyhow.
Have you ever had something similar happen to you? Has someone held a grudge against you for a very long time and you didn't even know why? I would love to hear about it.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Book Review: New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
This is the second book from the Twilight Saga. The book was good, true to Stephanie Meyer's story telling. She keeps the story very "sanitized" for the younger crowd. It does sort of drag on a little, just in that the story takes a turn that you don't expect nor desire. But it's important to the storyline and how things will eventually end up. Things get quite dramatic in the end as she introduces you to some new characters, the Volturi.
You also get to know the Cullen family a little more extensively and you will grow very fond of them as you read.
All in all, the story is excellent and the love shared between these two is spell binding. We all wish to be looked at and touched like that.
You also get to know the Cullen family a little more extensively and you will grow very fond of them as you read.
All in all, the story is excellent and the love shared between these two is spell binding. We all wish to be looked at and touched like that.
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