MAKE A NOTE!! -- February 6th, 2002
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A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT FEBRUARY 20TH, 2002
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NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.
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Random Acts of Kindness
Think of how you feel when someone shows you an act of kindness. Perhaps someone lets you into a lane of traffic, when everyone else is crowding you out. Someone lets you go ahead of them in a grocery line, or offers you their chair. The feeling you get at those times is only a small taste of what you can offer to others. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has taken on the commendable task of encouraging acts of kindness. Clubs are forming around the world, where people gather together and share ideas for making a difference in someone's life. This isn't just for people you know, but strangers too. People paying tolls for people behind them in line, buying coffee for the next person in line, having birthday parties where people bring donations for animal shelters or teen mom centers. There are so many possibilities. For more information on how you can help to change your world, one act of kindness at a time (IT'S CONTAGIOUS!:-), you can go to http://www.actsofkindness.org or email them at rakinfo@actsofkindness.org They have a nice info packet with loads of ideas, but I think once you get started the creative juices will be flowing. Give it a try, doing things for others usually makes you feel better than doing something just for yourself. Commit to at least one kindness for just for today.
POST IT...near you computer.
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Door Notes to Save Answering Time
This article is for everyone trying to get things done during the day, but constantly interrupted by the phone or doorbell. For the phone we have done articles in the past on using the answering machine to screen calls, and also asking solicitors to put you on their "Do Not Call" lists. I have found that the latter works better than asking to be taken off any Direct Marketing lists. But that still leaves the doorbell. For solicitors we recommend a past issue suggestion; put up a sign that says the following: "NO SALESMEN OR SOLICITORS!!, (Charity, Religious, or Otherwise), Thank You." My mom came up with this wording and since I started using it many years ago, I've only had a single person disregard the note & knock anyway. If they do this & you can see them through the peep-hole, remember, you shouldn't feel obligated to open the door. However, for those of you with children, some of the more frequent chimers are playmates of your children, with the chorus of "can (fill in the name) play?". To cut down on this type of interruption, tape a note to the door with pertinent info. For example, "Friends of Kids, the kids can come out to play at 4pm, please don't knock until then. Thank you." Or "Sorry, but the kids can't play today, see you tomorrow." It might even be worthwhile to put up a small chalk or dry wipe board near the door for these very messages.
POST IT...near your door.
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Personal Locators Now Available
It isn't cheap, but it may be worth it to your family. Wherify Wireless http://www.wherifywireless.com has developed a personal GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) Locator that people can wear like a wrist watch. It can be locked onto the wrist and has to be recharged about every 48 hours. This would be ideal for kids, and also for elderly relatives that may be suffering from Alzheimer's or other conditions that can cause wandering and/or mental confusion. With the watch, you can either go to a web site and track down the person wearing the watch, or call a toll free number. If you are in a foreign country where kidnapping has become big business, or are concerned about custody disputes, this little product could definitely give you some peace of mind. Currently the company is taking orders at $400/watch (they will start shipping this spring), and a monthly service fee of $30 & up depending on the service provided. It is something to think about. POST IT...near your computer, and perhaps under "Alzheimer's" in a medical dictionary. You might also consider forwarding the info the others you know who might be interested.
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Holiday & Historical Date Info
This is a fun one for teachers of any kind, or even those just interested in history. Kathleen S. wrote & asked for ways to get info on "This Date in History" or special events for a month. So here are two good sites that fit the bill. The first site will tell you what happened on this day in history, and in the top right corner of the page, there is a place where you can click on other days. http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/
The next site is Blue Mountain, which used to be completely free, but now charges for some of their greeting card services. Thankfully for us, the section of the site that has a listing of events & special days by months still IS free. When you click on this page, you will see on the left margin where you can click on particular blocks of months. http://free.bluemountain.com/cdbx/HDY/HLC/
POST IT...on your computer, your history books, or calendars.
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Recipe: Valentine Mailing Ideas
Instead of a recipe this month, we are giving you some ideas for good things to mail for Valentine's Day. If those you love are close by, consider mailing some goodies to someone else far from home. These people could include military folks you know, college students, state department personnel, missionaries (be considerate of custom fees), or someone from your past to tell them how much you appreciate them. Items that will usually hold up for several days in a box, could include oatmeal/sugar cookies (usually the crisper ones will be less likely to fall apart), brownies, fudge (probably not good for warmer climates), hard candies, fruit (again, be careful of agricultural restrictions), biscotti, nuts, dried fruits, drink mixes (hot chocolate, cider, teas, coffees, etc), stamps/stationery, toiletries, or school supplies. For wrapping edible goodies, you want the packing to give a little, but also provide cushioning. Save the foam "peanuts" from other packages (recycle!), or the plastic grocery bags also make great cushioning material. Make someone's day!
POST IT...on your calendar.
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Back Issue Treasure: February 1st, 1999
Go to this Valentine packed issue to find out how to send a "Valentine for Vets" card & make a veteran feel more appreciated. You'll find encouragement to look around you for a Valentine "in need". Get your Valentine Cards postmarked in "Loveland" or "Valentine" (be sure to check with the particular post office first, many post offices discontinued this practice at Christmas due to concerns about terrorism). Ways to share Valentine gift hints, unless you happen to be a mind reader. We even give you a head start on Easter preparations. So click HERE to access all the wonderful info in this back issue.
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Final Words
JOKE (Thanks to Geoff C.)
"The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mic, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mic cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again. After several circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"
QUOTE
"("Blackhawk Down")...is about the Battle of the Bakara Market in Mogadishu, Somalia, in October 1993. In (a movie) scene, the actor Tom Sizemore, playing your basic tough-guy U.S. Army Ranger colonel, is in charge of a small convoy of humvees trying to make its way back to base under heavy gun and rocket fire. The colonel stops the convoy, takes in some wounded, tears a dead driver out of a driver's seat, and barks at a bleeding sergeant who's standing in shock nearby:
Colonel: Get into that truck and drive. Sergeant: But I'm shot, Colonel. Colonel: Everybody's shot, get in and drive.
"Everybody's shot." Those are great metaphoric words...What does that mean? It means something we used to know. It means everyone has it hard, everyone takes hits, everyone's been fragged, everyone gets tagged, life isn't easy for anyone." --Peggy Noonan's column, "Everybody's Been Shot" To read the entire article telling people to, in my opinion, "quit your complaining", go to http://opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/
If you access it after it is placed in archives, you are looking for the January 11th column. I only wish I had space for the entire article.
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AT&T's Community Port
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