09.18.07

Constitution Signed 220 Years Ago Today

Posted in Education, Family, Promotional Products at 1:33 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

Two hundred and twenty years ago today, the Constitution of the United States was signed by all eleven states that were in attendance at the Congressional Convention in 1787.

My nephew, Jordan, chose to educate some of his neighbors, associates, and relatives about his studies of the U.S. Constitution for his Eagle project.  This is such a unique idea  that it took months for the Eagle project to be approved, but I am glad that Jordan and his mother persevered because I have certainly been enlightened by the information my nephew shared with me. 

Did you know that this week is National Constitution Awareness Week?  Neither did I and most everyone I spoke to about Constitution Awareness Week had never heard of it before either.  Jordan provided me with a PBS documentary called “A More Perfect Union” along with a small study guide to enhance my learning experience of the circumstances that surrounded the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. 

Jordan challenged me to share my experience with others, and to consider passing it on to my children’s school teachers and administrators.  I didn’t hesitate this morning as I took this educational DVD to American Fork High and Jr. High Schools.  Both principals were receptive to the idea of showing the DVD in history classes.  It is not only legal to do so,  it is encouraged by George W. Bush to teach about the U.S. Constitution.  There is not a curriculum in place to teach about the Constitution so these five 30 minute presentations were welcomed as a possible teacher’s aids.

This documentary depicts  James Madison the author of the Constitution,  small in stature, but a brilliant, educated mind.  Thomas Jefferson, who was serving in France as an ambassador, supplied Madison with a continual flow of books about past governments, many of which failed.  James Madison devoured the information in these books prefatory to writing the Constitution.

Madison intended to amend the Articles of Confederation, but it didn’t take him long to realize that the Articles of Confederation needed to be abolished and so he began drafting  the Constitution that has so magnificently served our country for over two hundred years…………………..  For the rest of the details, consider purchasing or arranging to view this DVD. 

08.21.07

Piano Lessons

Posted in Education, Family, Promotional Products, Self Improvement at 12:37 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

Playing the piano is a needed talent that brings one satisfaction and opportunties.   For this reason, I am coaxing my son to take piano lessons by allowing him to play video games comparable to the amount of time he practices the piano.  I actually do not approve of time spent (or rather time wasted) playing video games, but I am okay using them as an incentive to get my son to practice the piano.  

My family is religious, and my husband and I have noted that there is always a shortage of accompanists at various church meetings and activities.  Although my son doesn’t enjoy practicing the piano, I believe he will later appreciate the opportunties it will afford him. 

My oldest daughter didn’t like practicing the piano when she was young either, but now she loves to play the piano and receives great joy serving others with her piano skills. 

For those interested in piano promotional products, here are some cool ideas:

Piano Stress Toy 

Piano Shaped Pen

Piano Paper Clip

07.24.07

Answer it or Ignore it?

Posted in Education, Finances, Promotional Products at 9:22 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

The caller id shows an unavailable call.  Are you going to answer it or ignore it?  If you are only kind of sure that a phone solictor is calling, you may be losing business opportunities.  Kind of sure may mean you are saving time, but it also may mean that you losing business.  I prefer not to take that chance.  I answer every call!

So why do businesses even have caller id?  That is what I asked myself, and it seemed pointless to me.   Business that comes to your doorstep is the most blessed business of all.  I say answer the phone, it may be a new customer knocking at your door, and the beginning of a  long term client relationship. 

07.20.07

Can’t Afford a Dentist, Think Again

Posted in Education, Finances, Health at 4:23 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

I had to have a root canal today.  It was actually better than some root canals I have had, but it still wasn’t much fun. 

When I was first married, we were poor like most young couples so I didn’t go to the dentist for about six years.  I had three children and breast fed each of them for at least nine months during the six year absence from the dentist.  When I finally went to the dentist, he got after me for not going to the dentist regularly because now I had a mouthful of deep cavities that would eventually lead to root canals and crowns; oh boy, how right he was.  Years later, it is exactly as the dentist predicted, I now floss a mouthful of crowns that protect teeth with root canals. 

The child bearing years are hard on women’s teeth because the baby takes all the nutrients it needs, thus, often leaving the mother depleted of minerals and vitamins that are needed to keep a healthy smile.  I learned the hard way that you don’t save money by not going to the dentist.  In actuality, you spend more, a lot more.  The only way to save money is to get regular preventative dental care whether you think you can afford it or not.  I told my new daughter in law that it is imperative for new and nursing mothers to have their teeth checked at least once a year. 

Most dentists will take a monthly fee for service rendered.  If you can’t afford to pay your dental bill in full, I suggest looking for a dentist that will allow you to pay a monthly fee, or find another solution that will enable you to go to the dentist at least once a year.

For those interested in dental promotional products, here are a few of my recommendations:

Mini Tooth Dental Floss Key Chain

Tooth Shaped Sugar Free Mints

Flashing Toothbrush

Tooth Key Tag

07.17.07

Promotional Products for School

Posted in Education, Promotional Products at 4:09 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

Lately every store I walk into, designated employees are stocking the shelves with backpacks, notebooks, pencils, file boxes, etc. to prepare for SCHOOL.  My kids are whining that summer goes too fast, and that they need to give them more time off.

I recently received an email from a TV station asking for donations, or significantly discounted school promotional items for the needy.  Here are some of the ideas we suggested for them to use:

The Leed’s Latitudes Backpack made of 600D polycanvas in red or gray colors.  It has side pockets for school accessories and padded back and straps for comfort.

The wood neon bargain pencil comes in bright pink, yellow, orange, and green that will be noticed and remembered.   Every kid has to have pencils so why not add a logo to the pencils to advertise your brand inexpensively.

Anodized Carabiners are a handy item to have for connecting water bottles to backpacks or belt loops.  Include a laser engraved  logo on the carabiner for a look that friends and associates will ask, “Where did you get that?  I want one.” 

07.14.07

To be a good teacher, you must be a willingly learner

Posted in Education, Family, Self Improvement at 12:33 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

In the documentary, “The Revolution”, broadcast on the History Channel, it was stated that it is the opinion of many that George Washington’s most outstanding leadership attribute was his ability to listen and learn from others.  George Washington had opinions, but he often changed them after hearing the ideas and opinions of others.

Near the beginning of the war, George Washington’s army lost the battle of New York.  This loss tormented Washington, and he was compassionate about regaining control of the city because he felt the city was taken by England because of his inexperience and poor judgment.    When the French army finally arrived in America, Washington felt with the additional strength to the patriot army, they were now strong enough to recapture New York.   The French commander, Comte de Rochambeau, felt they should attack at Yorktown rather than New York.  Although George Washington was passionate about recapturing New York, he listened and thought about Rochambeau’s logic, and then agreed that it would be better to attack Yorktown.  Even though the battle of Yorktown was not the end of the war, it was the battle that won the war.

A religious leader, Boyd K. Packer recently stated, “To be a good teacher, you must be a willing learner.” (lds.org: Worldwide Training Meeting)  I think if George Washington were alive today, his words would be a little different, but the meaning would be the same, ”To be a good leader, you must willingly listen and learn from others”.