Eternal Thoughts from a Sunshine Mind

Lake Lanier Woes, Part 3

2008-04-22T19:55:00.001-04:00

My neighbor heard some rather shocking news today regarding the City of Cumming’s plans for routing the water into town. He met a surveyor in his yard and apparently they are going to go through our creek and up through Roger’s yard. The surveyor asked if he had gotten a letter yet. Yikes.

That doesn’t make any sense! That is a lot longer path to go from the current pumphouse to the city. My neighbor said it’s going to be about 40 feet wide taken of his land. Plus all the digging they will have to do to come around the creek and up our way, up his hill and to the street. What is going on?

He also said that the city manager has been going to Mobile 3x a week. Why does the City of Cumming Manager need to go to the Army Corps headquarters when they will not listen to the Governor of Georgia? What are they hiding?

Anyway, I need to research what our rights are if they come between our yards and the whole eminent domain issue. That means our trees will go in the front right side of our yard. This is so upsetting.

We also wonder if the lake level is being held so they can dig. The lake dropped for the first time in awhile and they released 3x more water than usual. What is going on???? Who does the Army Corps answer to? Where are our checks and balances? The rumors are flying in Forsyth County and it’s not good.
Who can help us, Clark Howard? WSB-TV? Someone!

Lake Lanier Woes, Part Two

2008-04-11T13:20:00.000-04:00

The latest rumor on our street about the City of Cumming and Army Corps of Engineers is that they will keep dredging until September 08. The heavy trucks continue to tear up our roads and some people’s yards continue to get parked on. My neighbor thinks that since they have so much equipment invested in the lake in young deer creek, that they are purposely keeping the water level down.

On weekends when there is rain in the forecast, the water is released before the rain comes and the readings appear different than what they should be. My neighbor has been measuring.

That coupled with the fact that there is a lot of dredging equipment where the water would come up makes us think that it will be a long while before our water comes back to full pool. Even a Congressman who lives across the lake from us wonders what is going on. I think they are keeping things from us. We can handle whatever truth there is, but just don’t hide things from the local citizens. It’s our money they are using to dig for more water in the first place.

This wouldn’t happen if English was the official language of the United States

2008-04-11T13:19:00.001-04:00

This is out of control. Now congress is going to allocate funds to help teach English in schools? It is time that we make English the official language of the United States before we have to start catering to a barrage of languages and bending over backwards to please everyone. If you come to the US, you know you need to know English. Period.

House OKs English-language instruction

Senate to vote today on $40 million for language instruction; allocation system faces fight
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0410flores0410.html

WTF? And now the Senate votes…

Help a Reporter.com

2008-04-11T13:17:00.000-04:00

As a public relations person, I am always looking for ways to connect with journalists. Here is a great web site and newsletter for journalists seeking experts and sources. Peter Shankman is hilarious and started it out of the goodness of his heart. He also offers humor and insight into the curious world of PR. Check it out.

http://www.helpareporter.com

The new Press form can be found at www.helpareporter.com/press

HARO rules!!!

Cheeky Monkey! Seven Year Old Loves Monkeys, Creates Online Store with Monkey Themed Gifts

2008-02-25T21:37:00.003-05:00

My friend's seven year old daughter loves monkeys and is known to friends and family as the monkeylady. She recently started her own online monkey themed gift store and is saving for college. Check it out - it has the cutest monkey-themed personalized gifts!

www.monkeylady.com

"Thank you for visiting my webstore, monkeylady.com, which specializes in cute monkey stuff! My name is Michaela but my family and friends call me Monkeylady. I am 7 years old and I LOVE MONKEYS! I thought it would be fun to run my own business and sell the things I love, with help from my mom of course. I pick all of the products for my store and help with photography, product descriptions, personalization, packing and shipping. I promised my Mom that I will save all my profits for college (and a few new monkeys every once in a while). I will be adding more monkey products so be sure to check back soon! You can email me at michaela@monkeylady.com if you have any questions!"

All Things Monkey! Backpacks, purses, picture frames, jewelry, magnets, plush, room decor, you name it. http://www.monkeylady.com/

I personally recommend the quilted backpack (in Michaela's words):

"Quilted Backpack with Monkey, one of my favorites. It has a drawstring top and a magnetic snap closure on the flap. My mom will put your name on this bag. Just choose your font and thread color. My favorite thread color for this bag is orange." It is $26.50 and you can personalize it.

http://www.monkeylady.com/Personalized-Quilted-Monkey-Backpack-p/sj1099a.htm

Attention Cancer Survivors in Alpharetta, GA

2008-02-19T15:15:00.001-05:00

Sometimes The Lap Is The Victory

Cancer Survivors & Caregivers…this is for YOU!

Relay For Life of Alpharetta
Friday, May 2, 2008
Alpharetta High School
Survivor Activities –
Dinner at 6:00 PM
Survivor Lap at 7:00 PM

For cancer survivors, each day, month and year is a victory. The American Cancer Society invites all cancer survivors to join our survivors' celebration and first lap at this year's Relay For Life. We applaud your courage and strength and want you to join in our community's effort to take up the fight against cancer.

If you are a cancer survivor and are interested in participating in the 2008 Alpharetta Relay for Life, please contact me. Check out http://www.alpharettarelayforlife.org or call Kate at 678-522-3823 for more information.

Crayon or chapstick in the dryer? Either way it's pink.

2008-02-06T17:01:00.000-05:00

Well I just witnessed my first dryer debaucle as a mom. My four year old daughter left a pink girls lipstick/chapstick in her pocket and shazam! Everything is pink. Of course, it occurred when I was drying her school uniforms. Aargghhhhhhhhh.

Thank goodness for the internet! I did a quick search, read a forum and a few minutes later ran the dryer to heat/melt the lipstick, then cleaned it away with a damp washcloth and comet.

Here is the awesome web site. Note to self, start checking her pockets!

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf690227.tip.html

Mayer? A New John's in Town

2008-02-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

John Mayer, yes he's great and I love his work. But I am more proud of my cousin John Gurney and his band. Here is his myspace link. He won the talent contest at University of Missouri last year. And a claim to fame of his is that he lives in Brad Pitt's room at his fraternity house. Love it! Go John - we are so proud of you and wish we could see you more.

http://www.myspace.com/thejohngurneyband

Farewell 99X

2008-01-25T16:04:00.001-05:00

I moved to Atlanta in 1993 after I graduated college and 99X had just begun as the only alternative station in the southeast. It was great. I grew up with the station and enjoyed getting to know the DJ's like we were old friends.

I'm sorry to see you go. You will be missed. Steve Craig is brilliant and I will miss my favorite 80s lunch hour show.

I have many fond memories of Resurrection Sunday at the Atlanta Beer Garden in Buckhead and many great concerts were brought to Atlanta thanks to them.

Leslie Fram, you have made an impact on radio and as a fan, thank you for all that you have done!

http://www.99x.com/

Lake Lanier Woes

2008-01-21T16:40:00.001-05:00

It's been depressing watching the water recede away from the shores of lake lanier. Our dock is now on dry land and our pontoon boat is parked for a few seasons.

The line of dry docks and boats serve as an eerie reminder of what once was a thriving lake just this summer.

According to the AJC, at the current rate it will take 29 years for the lake to fill to full pool.

BOOSTED BY RAIN
The week's rain continues to minimize the flows out of Lake Lanier, which remains near a record low. Given current rain conditions, it would take 843 days for the lake to reach its summertime full mark of 1,071 feet above sea level.

137.3
Billion gallons of readily available water left in Lake Lanier for drinking, sewerage and power generation.

20.7
Million gallons being added daily, on average, to Lanier.

29
Number of years it would take Lanier to fill at this rate

These snapshots, taken at 12:01 a.m. Friday, are based on a two-week average of conditions at Lanier. They account for water stored in the lake's primary supply pool; water flowing in from rainfall and streams; and water lost through evaporation, withdrawal and downstream releases. The average is calculated by dividing the amount of water remaining by the average amount lost or gained each day. If it rains or less water is released, the number of days remaining will increase. That can happen even though the lake continues to set new lows nearly every day. Under Lanier's primary pool is a secondary pool; it contains an additional 282.7 billion gallons.

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/01/20/droughtpage0120.html

Lake Lanier revealed - photo gallery
http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/metro/addicks1111/

Virtual Marketing Assistant

2008-01-10T20:41:00.000-05:00

Looking for a virtual marketing assistant?

The internet is bridging gaps in the corporate sector like never before. I truly believe that workers will be able to contribute to companies worldwide without the need to provide for relocation coverage.

Great workers and employers are hard to find, so when the internet can help link the two and make a match, it's a great thing.

Small businesses that cannot yet staff a marketing department need help with their marketing objectives. A virtual marketing assistant can help you ramp up with projects more quickly.

The owner typically does the marketing and usually does not have time to stay on task and on deadline. So marketing usually suffers by being overlooked, or deadlines are missed, which in turn affects new customer acquisition and sales.

Who can benefit? Small businesses and VARs. VMAs can help with strategic project marketing, presentations, web content, collateral, press releases, advertising, trade shows, lead generation, public relations and more.

Virtual marketing can be a great short-term solution for your business - you have no overhead and no benefits to pay, just an hourly rate. In turn, you gain an experienced marketer who can quickly learn your business from the expert, you, and then plan a plan and attack.

Please visit my site for more information and call for a free consultation. What you don't know can hurt you!

Virtual Assistant Services
http://www.jenmarketing.com

I have over twelve years of marketing, advertising and pr experience. I am looking to help small businesses build their local customer business on a project basis.

Hanky isn't feeling well

2008-01-03T23:21:00.000-05:00

Please please please let Hank be okay. Our other dog Cal passed during Thanksgiving week and now Hank is not eating and getting sick.

I think he misses Cal and is depressed. We are taking him to the vet tomorrow. I hope it's something treatable because we can't handle losing both of them so quickly. He was in a kennel this weekend, so maybe it's just a bug.

Hug and love your pets!

Weirdest Secret Santa Gift Ever!

2007-12-20T12:51:00.000-05:00

Our office had our holiday dinner at a local restaurant. For those wanting to participate in the Secret Santa, we exchanged our gifts at the party. I think I got the weirdest gift ever and some people were pretty funny about it. I got a Ouija board.

I have a pretty good idea that it was someone in our sales dept as the message on the present said "To help with planning the 2008 trade shows. Good luck." I thought it was funny but then thought a magic 8 ball would have been a better gift.

I think Ouija boards are evil and I have The Exorcist and my mom's best friend to thank for that. When I was in 5th grade, my mom's friend introduced me to the Ouija board and scared the living daylights out of me. I don't know what my mom was thinking. I had had nightmares from the time I started dreaming and woke them up almost every night. This didn't help!

It wouldn't matter so much except I took the time and effort to get my Secret Santa recipient some neat little gifts that I knew she would like.

Regardless to say, I gave the Ouija board away to one of the young twentysomething restaurant waitresses with an appropriate warning - are you sure you want it? they are evil, haven't you seen the Exorcist? But she was excited and proclaimed that she is a freak and will love it.

So good luck to her. And good luck to all of you stuck with yucky secret santa gifts. And good luck to my 2008 trade show planning. May we get new sales reps at our company in 2008.

Farewell Sweet Callahan

2007-12-17T12:15:00.000-05:00

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that we have lost a dear member of our family. Sweet Callahan, 11 1/2 years old, has left this world.

We are so thankful for the time that we had with him and for all of the joy that he brought into our lives.

It is a time to reflect on how thankful we are for our family and friends and how precious each day is on earth. Thank you for your love and friendship.

The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master. - Ben Hur Lampman

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

The Elf on the Shelf

2007-12-12T10:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my friend sent my daughters the elf on the shelf. If you haven't heard of it, it's a cute little elf doll. Your child has to name it and then it is placed on a shelf in your home. The elf, ours is Rudy, reports back to Santa every night before Christmas if the kids have been naughty or nice. You can't touch the elf because it is a magic elf and each morning Rudy appears in a different spot.

It comes with a book explaining the story and the box it is shipped in looks like it came from the North Pole! It is a very cute idea and so far, it's working with my 4 year old! I just tell her, remember, Rudy is watching! Her behavior is better and it is a fun game each morning to find Rudy.

What a fun tradition to start. You can also register your elf on the web site and print out a certificate. How clever. Check it out - there is still time for your elf on the shelf!

www.elfontheshelf.com

A New World Order?

2007-12-11T15:10:00.000-05:00

So today I am hearing about this North American Union. Its ties include NAFTA and some other under the radar associations and even allegedly go back to the Rockefeller dynasty.

It looks to me like the sinister wheels of progress are already spinning under our noses. If this is even remotely true, our futures have already been planned by an elite group of greedy power players.

It reminds me of FEMA and the X-Files, although this, fellow citizens is non-fiction and happening right now. IF this happens, who knows what will become of our rights and freedoms this country was built on.

NORTH AMERICAN UNION & VCHIP TRUTH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo

QUIETLY, QUIETLY BUILDING THE NORTH AMERICAN UNION http://www.newswithviews.com/Yates/steven23.htm

1st North American Union drivers license issued in North Carolina
http://www.newswithviews.com/Kouri/jim111.htm

Amero coin arrives
http://www.halturnershow.com/AmeroCoinArrives.html

North American currency union
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amero

The Plan to Replace the Dollar With the 'Amero'
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15017

North American Union

The Amero - North American Currency
Watch video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hiPrsc9g98

North American union to replace the USA?
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=14965

It's already started
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=15233

Lou Dobbs - CNN YouTube - Lou Dobbs: North American Union Orwellian ...Plans are in the works for the North American Union
Watch video www.youtube.com/watch?v=H65f3q_Lm9U

Stop the North American Union
http://www.stopthenorthamericanunion.com

Security and Prosperity Partnership Of North America (a cloak)
http://www.spp.gov/

Independent Task Force on North America
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_american_union

Keeping Sales Stats Fresh, Avoiding Stale Powerpoints

2007-11-28T16:45:00.000-05:00

As a marketer, I reference industry statistics so I can more effectively communicate the need for solutions whether through a powerpoint presentation, newsletter, sales document or at a trade show.

Seth Godin hits the nail on the mark regarding how this data should and should not be graphically presented in a powerpoint. It's not brain surgery, but until he walked me through the thought process, I hadn't realized what an impact properly arranging the graphics could make. It takes me back to the days of my college psychology class and he is so right.

Read his thoughts here: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2123/21206835

Tis the season for male guilt trips

2007-11-27T09:22:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again when my husband gets pissed off at holiday commercials. And rightfully so. The time where new cars appear in driveways with bows on them and jewelry ads hit us from all angles. I never realized just how bad it was until he pointed it out a few years ago. I hear Madonna now "We are living in a material world..."

If my husband bought a car and tried to surprise me with it, I would hurt him. We are on a budget and that is just not practical. But neither is the holiday shopping advertising campaigning going on since Halloween. Seriously.

This is why I think that Thanksgiving is possibly the best holiday on earth. We give thanks for friends and family, eat a luscious meal, drink heartily and watch football. No gifts or guilt appear anywhere during this holiday, and for THAT I give thanks.

Holiday gift ideas for the person who has everything

2007-10-26T12:38:00.000-04:00

I don’t know about you, but as soon as October rolls around, I start panicking about the holidays and what to get family members when everyone lives out of town and I have no idea what their preferences are. And as far as my parents go, if they need something, they usually go out and buy it. So I searched for some neat personalized gifts and found them at Mulberry Moon.com. Everyone I have given presents to from here says they love it and that is great for me.

Mulberry Moon Personalized Jewelry, Candles & Gifts
http://www.mulberrymoon.com

Technorati Tags: engraved+gift, engraved+candle, personalized+candle, personalized+gift, holiday+gift, monogrammed+gift, customized+gift

October - Baseball, Halloween and My Baby Turns 1!

2007-10-16T21:35:00.000-04:00

Ahhhh October. It's one of the best times of year. Baseball playoffs, college football, pumpkin patches, cooler weather, Halloween and now, a birthday in the family!

I can't believe my baby is turning one. And she is our last baby of which I have been highly enjoying every moment I can. It's harder with the second one - you feel bad that you can't give her the same focus, time and energy as our first daughter due to having two kids and much more craziness all around. But she goes with the flow, is a total sweetheart and adores her big sister, so I don't think there is any problem there.

I just think I give her a different kind of quality time - a frenzied, mama is trying to give you the time you need but oh yes, where did your sister go? - of which she has the extra benefit of having a sister around to chase, screech to (or at) and generally giggle with. I think it's a blessing and the dynamics between our two girls make it all worthwhile.

We are watching the Red Sox and hoping for a victory. My Cubs blew it but that's nothing new. There's always the cliche! hee hee. Auburn football is keeping us entertained and we go pumpkin shopping this weekend. Auburn plays LSU Saturday night for some foosball on the Bayou, so bring it on. It is a great time of year, and we have lots to be thankful for.

Speaking of being thankful, here are four neat organizations in the event you are searching for ways to pay it forward, do good for mankind, make a small yet valuable difference in the world.

http://www.AdoptAPlatoon.org - I never agreed with the war, but vowed to support our friends and family who are fighting to make the world a better place. Find out how you can be a pen pal and make a world of difference in a soldier's life. They pair singles with singles and married soldiers with married/families. It's really rewarding and the people I have met who are putting their lives on the line are amazing. They need our hopes and prayers.

Do One Nice Thing - http://www.doonenicething.com/ - I signed up for this newsletter and they are chock full of ideas of nice things you can do that take anywhere from one minute to one hour to do. It's a great idea and I enjoy receiving the newsletter each week. You can donate skymiles - I donated a ticket to a military family. How cool is that?

My aunt and uncle sent me this note and my goal is to participate in this for the holidays. I want to find a person to loan money to with my daughter - hopefully a mother/daughter company and we can watch their business grow. My daugher will learn about gifts that give. You also get your money back!

"Take a look at http://www.kiva.org/. If you have not heard about it, I am telling you now. It is a wonderful service and it will make you feel better. We need to change the view of the rest of the world has about us."

http://www.kiva.org/ - Loans that change lives - Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

http://www2.worldvision.ca/gifts/app - Last Christmas, my aunt & uncle in Canada gave us two hens and a rooster, or rather, a needy family, two hens and a rooster to help them support their family and earn a living. How cool is that? Our daughter didn't need an extra toy but she learned that she is helping a family survive on their own with animals that were purchased in her honor. The true meaning of Xmas - giving.

The Tale of a Defiant Soccer Mom

2007-10-03T10:14:00.000-04:00

Soccer moms, SUVs and sass, oh my!

Our family has begun the entry into kids sports.

My four year old daughter has started playing soccer this season. It's hilarious - all the kids running around the field and sometimes kicking the ball. She is enjoying it although she's a little hesitant to go get the ball and is sensitive to other's aggression. I think it's a great first sport. A field, two goals, a bunch of kids and two confused coaches trying to guide the madness.

What I wasn't ready for was the sudden self-awareness that I am the only working mom showing up late at practice in business casual wear while everyone else is in their leisure outfits and flip flops with folding chairs and cellphones so they can keep up with their friends and whatnot.

My husband kids me that I am now a soccer mom. I am in protest. I don't really feel that I fit that stereotype and before, I really didn't think it was real. Now that I am exposed to it and briefly crossing into that world, I realize there is this great divide between working moms and stay at home moms. There is just such a difference in the lifestyles.

It's an interesting observation and I will continue my journey into the world of soccer life in another post.

Radiohead makes a bold move

2007-10-03T10:12:00.000-04:00

It's a bold move in the music industry but one that is an interesting marketing test. Radiohead has legions of loyal fans. It will be interesting to see how this pans out and how it affects the industry.

Radiohead says to hell with it, lets listeners set price for new album

How much would you pay for Radiohead's new album?$5? $15? $20? Not a damned penny? Then that's the price.
http://moblogsmoproblems.blogspot.com/2007/10/radiohead-says-to-hell-with-it-lets.html

Auburn Football and the best time of the year.

2007-09-12T16:00:00.000-04:00

It's that time again. The best time of the year. When baseball and summer are still hanging on, yet a glimpse of fall appears with college football and tailgating.

Here are some fun Auburn football memories. Early times gang, unite! War Damn Eagle.

Let Freedom Ring

2007-09-11T11:56:00.000-04:00

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends who lost a loved one on this day six years ago.

I am also praying for of all of the families of soldiers who lost their lives abroad while making this world a better place.

Here is a moving tribute from Atlanta radio station Q100. It is hard to listen to, but it is worth taking a moment to remember all those precious people who lost their lives.

God Bless America.

The Bert Show's 9-11 Tribute...Every year on the Bert Show, we honor the anniversary of 9/11 with an incredible montage that Producer Tracey created. Here's also our disclaimer...like seeing the images on TV today, this montage may be painful to listen to. Thank you, Tracey, for a powerful tribute. Click here to listen with your Real Player
Click here to listen with your Real Player

http://www.allthehitsq100.com/bertshow/

Honor the Fallen
http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.html

No More Robocalls - Let’s Create A Political Do Not Call Registry.

2007-08-14T16:43:00.000-04:00

I recently learned in a Network World article about the do not call registry that politicians among others, are exempt. Exempt! And that it is time to renew your do not call status (it's every 5 years.)

There is also a new non-profit that wants to stop these political telemarketing “robocalls.”

I invite you to sign up for noticifaction when they start a registry. I know I don’t want to receive all those automated political calls and the last local election in Forsyth County was a nightmare. Our answering machine couldn’t keep up with those calls.

Stop the Robocalls!

Thanks for contacting Citizens for Civil Discourse (a non partisan non profit corporation), the home of the National Political Do Not Contact Registry!This is a grass roots initiative. We the people need to take back control of the political discussion and tell politicians not to call us (or mail or email) if we ask them not to do so.

What is next?

Building the Political Do Not Call Registry website and database –-> launch in mid to late September, 2007.

Once it is launched, you will be notified and asked to officially sign up and join the Registry.

What you can do in the meantime:

If appropriate, please tell your friends and family about this exciting non profit by asking them to visit:
http://www.StopPoliticalRobocalls.org/

Let us know why you care so much about this issue. Do you have a story to tell? Do you remember a particularly disagreeable phone call you received? What would you like to tell the politicians (from all parties)?

Please feel free to contact us with any further questions you may have.
Cheers,
Shaun Dakin – CEO & Founder
Citizens For Civil Discourse

Bio @ http://www.linkedin.com/in/shaundakin

info@citizensforcivildiscourse.orgCCD website:

http://www.StopPoliticalRobocalls.org/

Technorati Tags: do, not, call, registry