Barbie And Ken Drama

I don’t know about you…but, I grew up with Barbie and Ken.  You know…of the plastic doll fame, Ken and Barbie?  They were allegedly introduced to one another on the beach in Malibu back in 1961.  They have been through it as a couple.  For most of 43 years they were an item.  Then, back in 2004 after all of those years together…another man caught Barbies eye.  Talk about drama.  Well, last night the drama of Barbie and Ken escalated as they have chosen to reunite in a very public way…through the world of media.  Can we say ick? Continue reading here: Write Where You Are

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Jack LaLanne I Remember You

It is sort of a sad day in my heart today as I learned that Jack LaLanne, fitness guru of my baby boomer childhood has passed away from complications from a recent bout with pneumonia.  Mr. LaLanne was 96 years old.  I remember him from the early days of my childhood; watching him on television encouraging housewives to get up and get moving.  My mother had us kids right along side of her working out.  This was a new idea for women to work out in a regular way.

The impact of that was the beginning of the fitness niche that you see today.  Exercise was not just a gimmick for Jack, like you see so many businesses pushing today; just to make money.  It wasn’t a fad for him, it was a way of life, each and every day.  Jack LaLanne I remember you and your wife Elaine’s career; and, I remember how you inspired a nation to get fit by setting an example with your words, your actions and your life.  If you would like to continue reading click here: Write Where You Are

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Should Employers Get Dibs On Employees Time 24/7

It appears that some employers are of the mind that, because of the economy, employees should be so grateful to have a job; that they must do whatever it takes to not only get a job, but to keep it.  Some employers are now requiring employees, or even potential employees, to sign an agreement that they are willing to work 24/7; meaning that if and when an employee is needed they must be willing to come in to work; no matter what time of the day, or even what day of the week it is that they work.

It is my understanding that there is nothing against the law about this agreement.  If an employee doesn’t willingly agree to this…they may not be hired; or if they’ve already been hired and refuse to sign this agreement, they can be fired or scheduled for work so little, that an employee is compelled to start looking for a new job.

I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t sit right with me.  If you would like to finish reading click here: Writewhereyouare

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Impact Action Team Makes A Difference In The World Through Boot Camp Training!

Anyone who has ever gone into the military and gone through boot camp understands that boot camp is where they learned their basic skills.  Once learned, those same skills were expected to be put to use to make an impact; wherever that individual was sent to serve.  That is the same principal that business man and author, Ken McArthur, of JVAlert Live fame, is going to employ with 18 individuals through his new Impact Boot Camp http://www.impactbootcamp.com  which is a 3 day intensive training program.  

       Ken has written a best selling book called, “Impact, How to Get Noticed, Motivate Millions and Make a Difference in a Noisy World” which was published earlier this year.   He mentored with Glenn Dietzel of Books Mean Credibility fame to write that book in 12 hours.  Ken created a whole program around the book after it was published.     He knows quite a bit about making his voice heard; however, Ken has managed to snag some experts to train the 18 individuals; in  areas of expertise such as: speakers, authors, business, marketers, media consultants, and publicity.  Once those skills are learned…they will be asked to work together as a team.  The 3 day training will take place on August 22, 23, 24th.  There will be musical entertainment and motivation at this event as well; it is much anticipated! 

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Bozo…The World’s Most Famous Clown!

       Sad news today for many baby boomers who will have strong memories of Bozo…the world’s most famous clown…Larry Harmon…one of the original marketing geniuses behind the image and licensing of the Bozo character has died.  I don’t have strong memories of Larry Harmon himself much as the portrayer of Bozo…although I certainly have seen him a bit over the years. 

        What is remarkable to me is that his development and contribution to the image and promotion of the character has brought a lot of joy over the years to many families.  I remember our own local Dick Richards, for WZZM TV 13, as our Bozo; from 1968 to 1999.   Everyone wanted to get their name drawn so that they could win prizes from the bucket bonanza! Thank you Dick Richards for giving of yourself so completely to your viewers.

          Dick Richards was always entertaining and certainly a big part of our children’s development in the western Michigan area. Children’s television programing never had it so good as when people were begging for tickets just to be in the audience for the taping of the Bozo show.   It was all due to the vision that Larry Harmon had to how Bozo should be marketed around the country. 

       I wish to pass along my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Harmon and our thanks for all that he has given to the many children, whos,  hearts were lifted up by their time spent enjoying Bozo on television, making us laugh with his antics over the years.  Rest in peace, Mr. Harmon!

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Stockpiling Food–Grandma Used To Do It Too

       We all know that the economy in the United States isn’t as healthy as it could be.  We know that gas prices are sky rocketing, we know that everything keeps going up except the average American’s paycheck.  Food prices in restaurants and grocery stores keep climbing because they have to pass on the cost of gasoline increases that it takes to produce and ship their products. 

         The media has been building up the idea of stockpiling food…it is not a new idea…Grandma used to do it too…it is called, preserving food.  Everyday family life has changed dramatically, but not all of it is for the good.

       Canning, drying,  and freezing food is in it’s own way, stockpiling food for when the prices and the availability cause food to be scarce in a home. It used to be a fact of life that to get through a winter you had to do this to survive.  I am a baby boomer so i remember when it was the way things were done.  Then, as i transitioned to adulthood and rasing my own family, i did the same thing for a time; when life was about stretching the money we had, to make it last long enough to feed the children.  

        As the children aged, we started to buy our food in bulk, in the fall can good sales, that the major grocery stores do every year.  Over the last 8 years or so, you started finding that the can good sales weren’t as cheap as they used to be.  You began to get less can goods, for the same amount of money…everything started to cost more.  Some people are never going to want to take care of canning, drying, or freezing their own food…they will just continue to pay whatever it costs in the stores.  But, i feel that in the last decade or so, we are starting to see many families looking to learn some of the old ways.  It is going to become more common as young families want to feel more in control of what they put into their family’s diet and save money at the same time.  

        Already, farm markets are making a huge come back.  The media is touting ways to save money and help green up our buying habits, by buying locally grown produce when we can.  This helps us cut down on how much pollution is put into our environment by cutting down on how far the produce is shipped across the country.  It is all about making some sacrifices and using our buying power to make a statement of dedication.

        I think you are going to see a resurgence of people growing and preserving their foods.  Especially with the last couple of years experiences with salmonella outbreaks, contaminated feeds, and the common usage of cancer causing pesticides.  The average person is wanting to eat food that is healthier and the more we learn about producing food that is organic and full of nutrients…the more that people are going to demand a higher standard of quality.

        So, my hat is off to Grandma & Grandpa and all of us who are brillant enough to understand that not all of the old ways are to be passed over for the quicker, easier, and more popular way of doing things.  We can accomplish much when we commit to using wisdom from the past, with wisdom from the present…to use wisdom for our future!

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Priscilla Leaves Dancing With The Stars

         This weeks departing contestant from Dancing With The Stars was Priscilla Pressley.  Yeah, this weeks performance wasn’t magic but..man..i hope when i am 62 that i still want to be challenging myself to do things that i am not sure that i am capable of doing.  Like get real…this lady did the full out splits, IN HEELS!   She looked elegant while doing so.   Props to Priscilla Pressley. 

        She said after learning that she was leaving that she learned things about herself that she didn’t know and she discovered things that she could do that she didn’t know she could do.  She also said the whole experience was life changing for her. 

         Yes, it was her time to leave.  But, you know what…give the lady her due.  She did a very job of pushing herself over the weeks to get to where she was.  Great grace and style and for those of us baby boomers…it was nice to see a positive role model teaching us to live out our dreams no matter what.  She looks beautiful and you have to remind yourself that she is not only a mother and a grandmother; but alot of us were alive when she was just a teenaged girl who was engaged to be married to the famous rock and roll performer Elvis. 

       Priscilla went on to have a successful career as an actress entertaining us in such shows as Dallas.  She has had so many phases in her life and we have been there for most of them.  This challenge to herself to dance in front of millions was just another step in life that she shared with us.

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Accomplishments

     My husband got his first e-zine article published today.  I am proud of him…he is learning so much in his new  business.  He re-designed his business blog making it more visually appealing.  It looks awesome.

      I believe that he is learning and growing in this online business.  He says he has so much more to learn.   Often people will get intimidated and just stop when things become too challenging; not my guy!

       He is an extra special man…he gives constantly of his time and his knowledge to others who are just starting their online business’s.  It helps that he is a people person and that he is straight up about what he knows and what he doesn’t.  If he doesn’t know an answer…he will find someone who does.  His customers understand that about him.  He has earned their trust.

      He is making a name for himself and earning the respect of others who have been doing this for quite some time.  Baby boomers are having to carve their own niche in supporting their families these days with the economy the way it is.  It is no longer feasible, in the larger sense, to start a job and expect to retire from that job in 20-25 years. 

       Half way through our journey in life…someone changed the rule book….lay offs and down sizing is now the name of the game.  There is very little security. 

        But, Baby Boomers need’s have not changed.  We all still need to have money to raise our families, pay for our mortgages, put away for retirement, and help out our aging parents.  It is hard to do that in a time when there is so much instability with jobs.

        I know that hubby has the weight of the world on his shoulders financially; but, he has accomplished so much in such a short time..that i just wanted to say how proud I am of him. 

        Now, if only the financial rewards were to become a bit more steady; i know that, he could really become a power house in helping others to improve their lives in the same way.  Other’s are more willing to follow in someone else’s footsteps if they see a clear path to success.

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