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The cool, crisp days of Autumn remind us that winter is
near. It's time to stow the deck furniture, rake the
leaves, put up the winter draperies and get ready to
hibernate. Last Saturday I traveled to Wilmington, DE
to attend another MCEA meeting on the Riverfront.
The other concierges in attendance included three
individuals starting brand new businesses in this field.
They were excited and very pleased to discover what a
wonderful career this is. The best thing about this
business is our clients are ALWAYS appreciative of our
help. It's a terrific feeling to help others. That's what
we do.
It's time to get ready for some family fun and/or
new dating ideas. Experience our Halloween Haunts
and make them yearly traditions if you like - This fall,
FALL INTO SOME FUN!
Are you Linked-in?
Recently I met with a business associate visiting from
another state. Pam had moved from North Wales, to
Yardley and now lives in Florida. Pam was on a business
trip to the area and brought along two friends to the
dinner. Pam and I have always believed in the value of
networking. In discussion that evening, we found that
Pam's friends (Nancy and Dave) had a wonderful
business which might meld perfectly with a Cancer
Support Organization with which I work. Pam and I
looked at each other and agreed "it's a small world -
everything is connected - and networking is
everything!"
Our network of associates is growing every day with
Linked-in. Take a look at the website to see if you
may benefit from the connections, searches and
networking available. This type of communication
benefits your business. When you see the possibilities
and opportunities it affords, please e-mail me and and
join my network. By doing so, you'll instantly be
connected with hundreds of thousands of individuals
and businesses that can help you build yours.
"It's terrific being a "hub". Like the wheel of any
vehicle, the hub is the center or the support. It's a
very responsible position. When people need to know
something, to meet or contact someone, they seek you
out. Why? Because you know a lot of people and
because you usually know where to find things or to
obtain information. And if you don't have the answer,
you know where to find it.
Take a look and a tour of linked-in. For some
individuals and businesses, it is an invaluable tool.
It may be for you, as well!
LinkedIn Personal Profile Page
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Halloween Haunts |
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HAYRIDES - Please tell me you hop ON the wagon
every fall for a hayride. If not, start now. What better
way to enjoy a crisp fall day than by taking your child
by the hand (even if they're teenagers) or your
sweetheart, and enjoying a hayride together. No radio,
no TV, no artificial distractions. A peaceful, together
time to enjoy the October breeze, the sounds of the
farm and the feel of the hay beneath your feet. Put
your arms around each other and laugh throughout the
bumpy ride. You can find a hayride annually at
Pennypacker Mansion's ALL HALLOW'S EVE festival, at
Freddy Hill Farm during three October Fall Fest
weekends and GHOSTLY GATHERINGS at Graeme Park
October 29 & 30 (7PM-10PM) and numerous other
venues in the area. See the Quick Links at the bottom
of this newsletter for hyperlinks.
PUMPKINS - Take the Great Pumpkin Loop Hayride at
Freddy Hill and you can get out at the Pumpkin Patch,
choose your pumpkin (you pay by the pound) and wait
to catch the next haywagon outta there! Or - take
the short hayride and pick your pumpkin at the end of
your ride. Freddy also hosts Pig races (root for your
favorite porker) and games and slides for the kiddies.
WITCHES - We're not talking about that woman you
work with that makes your life absolutely miserable
because she's in charge and she doesn't know what
she's doing. There are tons of them. No - we're
talking about the witches, good or bad, we find out and
about at this time of year. It's always a good costume
alternative because it's so easy to put on a green face
(not with envy), a black pointed hat (fits well on some
people), a black dress (that little black dress comes in
handy), and what woman (and I'm not being sexist)
doesn't have a broom in the house? Ok - if not, use a
dirt devil! Whatever costume you choose, have a fun
time and get out of your comfort zone. Let loose and
enjoy just being silly once in a while.
GOURDS - Can you guess what this one is about?
Some are big and some are small. Some are OUT OF
THEIRS (gourd, that is). Some are all dried out and
rattle easily. I've seen some that look like swans and
some, that when placed up to your face, look like long
and warty witch noses. They come in all shapes
and sizes and what would harvest time be without each
and every one?
Hayrides and more... »
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Never Too Early |
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Yesterday while walking the quaint streets of Skippack
Village, I discovered some wonderful bargains at the
sidewalk sales. Beautiful bone china, hand-crafted
gifts and much more, with many items selling at 60%
off. What a great way to do your holiday shopping.
Get started early and pick up gifts as you see them.
Don't forget what you purchase now and for whom you
have each special gift. Make your list. Record your
purchase next to the name of your gift recipient. Keep
your list current so you don't buy duplicate gifts. When
it's time for gift wrapping, call me for a POWER WRAP
session. I'll come to your home or office to do the
wrapping for you.
Cut and paste this to a word document and leave
space for your written purchase notes. Your holiday
shopping list probably includes the following special
people:
Significant Other * Spouse * Son * Daughter *
Teachers * Bus Drivers * Sitters * Mom * Dad *
Grandmom* Granddad * Sisters * Brothers * Aunts*
Uncles * Nieces * Nephews * Godparents * Female
Friends * Male Friends * Co-workers * Clients * Paper
Carrier * Mail Carrier * Pkg. Delivery Rep *
Yours, Mine and Hours Gift Service Options »
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NO GUILT ALLOWED by Deborah Moses |
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These days, everyone is running fast and furious to get
things done each and every day. I know this, because
I am one of those women constantly multi-tasking in
order to fit everything into the hours in a day. If I
never had to sleep or eat, I might never have a long to-
do list. My days consist of at least the following:
managing two businesses, working on a publicity
campaign for my new book, partnering to raise
teenagers, obligations at church, and a myriad of
errands. Add travel, technology glitches that need to
be fixed, haircuts, unexpected interruptions, family
illnesses, household chores and lawn care, and you've
really got the makings for a chaotic life!
Many people, and I'll warn you-I'm about to
stereotype here-especially women, have a hard time
doing what they do without feeling guilty. If you work
outside the home and have children, there's the guilt
of "I really should be home with the kids more." On the
rare occasion that you actually are home in time to
cook a full meal, you might find yourself stirring a pot
and thinking about the report you left unfinished on
your desk, or whether you can leave the kids with your
husband or caretaker while you go to the store that
evening-even though you just got home!
Even if you don't have a family, and live a single life, it
seems you are expected to be at work even more
because, after all-you don't have kids, right?
There are women who stay home with a family, and
feel guilty that they are not working, and contributing
to the family income. Even when the cost of child care
precludes the benefit of a paycheck, these women
frequently still feel guilty.
I have learned that there is a time and place for this
work/home life guilt-the best time is never, and the
best place is the trash bin.
In 2003, 64,404,000 women were employed in the U.S.
civilian work force, and women comprised 47% of the
total labor force. Based on my experiences talking with
women, most of them feel guilty much of the time. If
working women are now so very prominent, why do we
still beat ourselves up about not getting enough done,
not being there, or only being able to juggle 17 things
at a time instead of 27?
Sometimes, we just need permission NOT to feel guilty.
By setting proper expectations, and changing our
habits, we can get rid of that guilt. Talk to your
family. They probably aren't nearly as concerned about
your absence as you are. They understand. You have
a job, and it takes your time. They like the things your
job allows them to have. Talk to your manager about
rearranging your schedule, if possible, to allow more
flexible hours so that you can occasionally work from
home, or be home when the children get off the bus.
Sometimes, that is easily accomplished if you ask for
it.
Ask for what you need. What a unique concept! The
older kids can help out-so can the husband or nanny
or childcare helper. Setting the table, running the
vacuum cleaner, sorting laundry, and other chores can
be spread out among the family members. You'll be
surprised how competently even a young child can do
certain things when shown how.
Set expectations with your manager as well. If a
deadline is too tight, see if there is room in the
timeframe for an extension. If the work rules are rigid,
see if there is another role that has more flexibility.
Look for your options and opportunities-they aren't
always readily apparent, but when you seek them out
sometimes you realize that the answer is pretty simple.
And, of course, there's the attitude thing. Change
your attitude and you change your demeanor, stress
level, and hey-the guilt level, too! Let others help. If
you feel as though you must do everything yourself,
make a choice to accept that someone else might not
do something exactly the way you would, but there
could be more than one "right" way to do that task.
Reduce your standards of excellence on the things that
are sapping your energy. If the carpet doesn't get
vacuumed until the next day, will it really matter that
much?
Choose not to feel guilty. You are working. It doesn't
matter whether it is because you want to work or
because you need to work. You just are. And you
have a life. Whether it's a single life or a family, you
deserve to have that life, and time to live it-without
working all the time.
So, I give you permission to stop feeling guilty. You
can choose to give this permission to yourself, or
continue to be stressed and guilty. It's really a pretty
simple choice, don't you think?
Deborah Moses is the founder of Veris Associates, Inc.
and Transforming U Seminars. She is the author of the
recently published Change Your Life! The CORE
Approach to Creating the Life You Want.
www.transformingUseminars.com
www.verisassociates.com
Transforming U Seminars »
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Home Monitoring |
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With holiday trips on the horizon, keep my home
monitoring services in mind. Home monitoring is just
one of the important and valuable services provided by
YMH. When you're away, trust me to pick up your mail,
check in on your home, water your plants and provide
activity onsite for that lived-in look. I'll have fresh
milk, bread and other staples in your fridge to eliminate
extra stops for you on the way home. Just walk in and
unpack. Everything else will already be done.
Business entrepreneurs that operate out of their homes
may need a personal assistant to review and forward
specific business mail while they are out of state for a
few months. Wintertime in Florida vs Summer in PA, for
example. Mail is reviewed, important items are
forwarded and deposits can be made so your business
runs as usual.
Almost anything you can imagine to make your life run
more smoothly is within my scope of services. Contact
me with any requests.
YMH Contact Information »
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Copyright Stuff |
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© 2004 Deborah Stanek Reast - Yours, Mine and
Hours - Personal Assistant and Concierge Services.
To reprint any portion of this newsletter, send a
request to deb@yoursmineandhours.com and I will
forward you a brief note to attach to the article.
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