National Poinsettia Day

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

My grandmother had a green thumb...she could keep a poinsettia alive for months, just by dropping an ice cube in the pot each day.  She kept this plant alive so long, my mother grew so tired of it, because it was Christmas again, and she wanted to replace it with another one.  Every year on the first Sunday in December, I walk into the church to find it filled with beautiful Poinsettias.  We can contribute money and have a plant placed in the church in memory, or in honor of a loved one.  That way, the church is overflowing with the flowers, and then after the last Sunday of the month, we are allowed to take the plants we donated and bring them home, or do with as we wish.  I normally take them to the nursing home, or invalid neighbors.

(Google Image) 

Today is National Poinsettia Day, below is a story about how the Poinsettia came to be a symbol of Christmas.  Celebrate this day by going to a florist, or Wal-Mart, and picking up a plant to decorate your home, or brighten someone else's day

(Google Image) 

'The Legend of the Poinsettia'

Maria and Pablo lived in a tiny village in Mexico. Because Christmastime at their house did not include many gifts, Maria and Pablo looked forward to the Christmas festivities at the village church with great joy and anticipation.

To honor the birth of Christ, the church displayed a beautiful manger that drew crowds of admirers. Villagers walked miles to admire the manger, bringing lovely, expensive gifts for the Baby Jesus. As Maria and Pablo watched the villagers place their gifts in the soft hay around the manger, they felt sad. They had no money to buy gifts for their family and no money to buy a gift for the Baby Jesus.

One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo walked to the church for that evening's services, wishing desperately that they had a gift to bring. Just then, a soft glowing light shone through the darkness, and the shadowy outline of an angel appeared above them.

Maria and Pablo were afraid, but the angel comforted them, instructing them to pick some of the short green weeds that were growing by the road. They should bring the plants to the church, the angel explained, and place them near the manger as their gift to the Baby Jesus. Then just as quickly as she had appeared, the angel was gone, leaving Maria and Pablo on the road looking up into the dark sky. Confused but excited, the children filled their arms with large bunches of the green weeds and hurried to the church.

When the children entered the church, many of the villagers turned to stare. As Maria and Pablo began placing the weeds around the manger, some of the villagers laughed at them. "Why are those children putting weeds by the manger?" they asked each other. Maria and Pablo began to feel embarrassed and ashamed of their gift to the Baby Jesus, but they stood bravely near the manger, placing the plants on the soft hay, as the angel had instructed.

Suddenly, the dull green leaves on the tops of the plants began to turn a beautiful shade of red, surrounding the Baby with beautiful blooms. The laughing villagers became silent as they watched the green plants transform into the lovely star-shaped crimson flowers we call poinsettias. As they watched the weeds bloom before their eyes, Maria and Pablo knew they had no reason to be ashamed anymore. They had given the Baby Jesus the only gift they could--and it was the most beautiful gift of all.

(Google Image) 

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

(Google Image) 

By Nurse Diane

I was talking to a friend of mine...she was complaining that she hadn’t yet gotten any Christmas Cards, then I told her it was just the 3rd...but she had been in the holiday spirit for a while…putting up her tree after Thanksgiving, which was early this year, and had almost completed her shopping for her family.  She was getting ready for her first party of the season, a gathering from her church.

Christmas seems to start earlier each year.  After talking with another friend, he told me that people plan in advance to be able to secure a place to hold functions.  There are only so many places, and so many groups to have a party.

(Google Image) 

That is why it is also a good time to remind you that driving and drinking or drugs don't mix.  December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, and with parties starting earlier, and people celebrating more, it is wise to be cautious when driving, and if you have partaken of the holiday "spirits", make sure you have a designated driver, or phone a taxi.

(Google Image) 

Lately I have seen alot of the commercial for "buzzed" driving.  It doesn’t matter if you just have one or two; it can still affect your driving reactions, and can still result in accidents or injury to others.

(Google Image) 

Holiday parties are fun, and allow you to relax and spend time with friends from work or elsewhere.  Just practice responsibility for your actions and Be Safe!

Things that make you think!

Random Thoughts for Today

National Lager Day

(Google Image) 

By Chef Diane

When I went to my parents for Thanksgiving, my son had already arrived.  He was sitting outside with my father and aunt and uncle, and was drinking a beer.  I was a bit surprised.  Not that he was drinking, he is over the age of 21, but the fact that he was grown up.  I have never been a beer drinker, but my father has one occasionally, and keeps them outside in his shop and has them available for any guests who care for one.

I have a cousin who's friend makes their own brew.  He tries different ingredients to change the flavor, and is always taking pictures to send to my cousin.  I remember when I was in high school, we learned about making beer, and the process of fermentation, and hops and yeast.

(Google Image) 

According to punchbowl.com, lager is a type of German beer that is bottom fermented and lightly hopped. It is usually stored for at least three weeks after brewing before it is served.  Lager is the dominant style of beer throughout the world, except in England where ale is the favorite style. The only real difference between ale and lager is that ales ferment and age quickly at warm temperatures, while lagers ferment and age slowly at cool temperatures. These different types of fermentation allow for a vast difference in flavor and aroma.

Today is National Lager Day.  So to celebrate why not blow the froth off a couple of cool ones at your local pub, or in the comfort of your own home.  If you don't want to down a few, you can use it to make some bread.  Below is a recipe from food.com for beer bread that is the latest rage these days.

(Google Image) 

Beer Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour (sifted)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder (omit if using Self-Rising Flour)
• 1 teaspoon salt (omit if using Self-Rising Flour)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) can beer
• 1/2 cup melted butter (1/4 cup will do just fine)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Mix dry ingredients and beer.
3. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
4. Pour melted butter over mixture.
5. Bake 1 hour, remove from pan and cool for at least 15 minutes.

National and International Anti-Corruption Day

(Google Image) 

By Terry Orr

Put a stop to bribery and corruption or risk leading business down a path of destruction!

International Anti-Corruption Day

9 December 2012

International Anti-Corruption Day - In 2010 the Secretary-General of the United Nations broadcasted a message loud and clear about the role of the day!

So what is anti-corruption? It’s businesses taking the initiative to adopt strong policies against corruption. Why? Because corruption crimes like bribery and extortion, corporate espionage can be detrimental to businesses and eventually democracy.

And there are signals that corruption could be occurring. If cash payments seem abnormal, lavish gifts are appearing out of the blue or normal procedures are suddenly being bypassed you might want to consider if there is something else at work.

Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has opened a past event which saw her voicing some very serious words about the issue! She emphasized the importance of fighting together to prevent the weakening of our economic climate by stopping criminals from feeding into black markets. Basically, the clearer the rules and leadership, the more transparent organizations will be forced to become! (Source: national-awareness-days.com)

(Google Image) 

2012 Theme: Act Against Corruption Today

Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes. Economic development is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the "start-up costs" required because of corruption. (Source: UN)

(Google Image) 

Corruption is an appearance known since ancient times, and includes practically every corner of the world. Recently this problem is perceived negatively in the international scale. Corruption, after the organized crime, is regarded as the greatest threat to the economy and democracy.

Corruption deprave society and denies the fundamental moral values. It is a crime primary associate with the public sector, but also applies to business, where impede free competition. (Source: Pepe.com)

(Google Image) 

So my fellow citizens I ask you just how the heck can we correct this significant and ever increasing dilemma?

• Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual; the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country. ~ Karl Kraus
• I am against government by crony. ~ Harold L. Ickes
• I have often noticed that a bribe has that effect -- it changes a relation. The man who offers a bribe gives away a little of his own importance; the bribe once accepted, he becomes the inferior, like a man who has paid for a woman. ~ Graham Greene
• Life is a corrupting process from the time a child learns to play his mother off against his father in the politics of when to go to bed; he who fears corruption fears life. ~ Saul Alinsky

(Google Image) 

Top 7 Corruption Quotes:

1.    “Corruption is authority plus monopoly minus transparency.”  - Unknown

2.    “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

3.    “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” - Lord Acton

4.    "Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power." - George Bernard Shaw

5.    "Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible." - Frank Herbert

6.    "It has often been said that power corrupts. But it is perhaps equally important to realize that weakness, too, corrupts. Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many. Hatred, malice, rudeness, intolerance, and suspicion are the faults of weakness. The resentment of the weak does not spring from any injustice done to them but from their sense of inadequacy and impotence. We cannot win the weak by sharing our wealth with them. They feel our generosity as oppression." - Eric Hoffer

7.    "Money is truthful. If a man speaks of his honor, make him pay cash." - Robert A. Heinlein

(Google Image) 

Depending upon your source of information the past US Presidential cost exceeds $4 billion and up to $8 billion.  There are lots of folks wanting something for all that money.  Think of all the good that kind of money could take care of – especially in the wake of Sandy.  Is there any hope of changing the direction we are headed in America?

(Google Image) 

Your thoughts and recommendations are most welcome!

References and Links:

• http://www.national-awareness-days.com/international-anti-corruption-day.html
• http://www.un.org/en/events/anticorruptionday/
• http://www.aeriagloris.com/YesToRiches/Top7CorruptionQuotes.htm

National Hand Washing Week

(Google Image) 

By Nurse Diane

Last week I told you about National Influenza Week and the importance of getting your flu shot to prepare for the upcoming flu season.   I was explaining my research to a friend of mine whose daughter is pregnant.  Since she works in the public, I also explained the importance of good hand washing.  He told me that she did get a flu shot, but I explained that there are other bugs around that she could get too, and the best way to prevent acquiring other illnesses was to wash her hands.

(Google Image) 

Did you know that:

• 2/3 of adults in the US wash hands after using the bathroom.
• 1 in 4 adults don’t wash hands after changing diapers.
• Less than 1/2 of Americans wash hands after cleaning up after pets.
• 1 in 3 wash hands after sneezing/coughing.
• Less than 1 in 5 wash hands after touching money.
• 1 in 3 E.coli occurrences is caused from not washing hands before handling food.       

(Google Image) 

These statistics show that there is some kind of germ just waiting to jump on you.

Hand washing is important because:

• Children have weaker immune systems than adults and can become sick quicker.
• 1 in 3 E.coli outbreaks is caused by poor hand washing by food preparers.
• Germs that cause disease live in meat, vegetables, and more.
• Germs are spread from unclean hands to food, usually when the food handler doesn’t wash after going to the bathroom. Germs are then passed on to those who eat the food.
• Germs spread from uncooked foods like hamburger to the hands, then from the hands to other foods like salads. The germs can remain in the salads and eventually affect those who eat the food.
• Putting cooked meat back into its original container re-contaminates the cooked food. - Cutting vegetables on the same board used to cut meat contaminates the vegetables.
• Some main rules to follow when washing your hands include:
• Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, cleaning up after your pets, or handling money.
• Wash your hands when they’re dirty.
• Always wash your hands before eating.
• Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands.
• Refrain from putting your fingers in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

(Google Image) 

Avoid touching people and surfaces with unclean hands. The proper way to wash your hands is:

• Wet hands with warm water (not hot) and use soap.
• Rub your hands together, making sure to scrub all areas.
• Rub for a minimum of 15 seconds or sing “Happy Birthday.”
• Rinse thoroughly, then dry hands on a clean towel.
• Turn faucet off with the towel, not hands, to keep away from recontamination.
• It also doesn’t hurt to use the towel to pull the door open, or either use your shirt or, slide your arm under the handle.

Always keep your hands clean, not only does it protect you, but others you may come in contact.

(Google Image) 

Your Family Business Plan

(Google Image) 

By Terry Orr

December is How to Write a Business Plan Month. Having authored far more business/strategic plans than I would like to admit – if done properly and updated as events change – can be an effective guide to success.  This article is going to focus on you Family Business Plan.

In a lot ways, I believe the Family Business Plan is critical tool to good sound family planning – a hint to which direction you want to be heading. It is more than just your financial and retirement plans - it bring all those  plans together.

(Google Image)

Now that I am retired from the daily grid – my home projects, chores and this blog occupy about 90% of my time these days and having my family plan helps keep me focused on what needs to be accomplished.  Like most folks, it is just a guide and real life events dictate changes – replacing a toilet, leak in the basement, or a car needs to be replaced.  My friend Bruce has some excellent habits on scheduling and ensuring preventive maintenance for his vehicles, heating and air conditioning, appliances, painting, caulking, and other things. I try and pass along those concepts to my children, grandchildren and friends – but you know how that goes (grin).

In previous articles, I have mentioned the wisdom of the late Dr. Stephen R. Covey of “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and other common sense approaches to life. Keeping it Simple – without all the drama and hype – makes life easier. So should be your Family Business Plan – short, sweet and to the point.

(Google Image) 

According to Joanne Stern, Ph.D. - If you don't have a vision of where you're going and a plan on how to get there, you're likely to get swept away by the winds of life. You'll flop this way and that, not ever really knowing if you're off course and going in the wrong direction. Suddenly you may realize that you don't have money for that special family trip and everyone is disappointed. You may have spent your money on frivolous things without calculating the savings necessary to meet your family's vacation desires. Or one day you notice that your teenager doesn't talk to you anymore, and you don't know how it happened. You may blame her and think she's a bad kid-sullen and sneaky. But perhaps you neglected to set in place a plan for staying close and connected to her when she was younger.

She also writes:

Here are three reasons to create a family business plan that fits specifically for you and your children.

1. It creates a sense of team within your family and bonds you to one another.
2. It gets you to your goals.
3. It creates a family culture.

Each family will have a different plan-a different vision, a different dream.

(Google Image) 

There are plenty of resources available to draw ideas from to develop your family business plan – online, book stores, libraries, consultants, etc.  I encourage folks to review other plans that are available and find what they like and dislike to form the basic outline and concept for their own plan.  Remember, this plan should be kept current and not just another dust collector.

(Google Image) 

Good luck and let us know how you plan is coming along.

References and Links:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/parenting-is-contact-sport/201009/creating-your-family-business-plan