Chat with the Chamber

The Road Not Taken

2009-11-08T20:14:00.002-05:00

Started reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert T. Kiyosaki tonight. Truth is that I have started this book at least two other times. But I am committed to finishing it this time.

Not very far into the book, Kiyosaki writes about one of his favorite poems by Robert Frost that he uses in everyday life:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step has trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads onto way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

--Robert Frost [1916]

Are You A Dreamer?

2009-11-07T19:00:00.003-05:00

These people not only know how to dream, but they weren't afraid to act upon their dreams:

Nathan Sawaya and The Art of the Brick

The Laundress (make sure you click on The Places We Love - NY. Love the side scrolling)

Terra Chips

Tracy Stern and SALONTEA (not your mother's tea shop)

SENDaBall - Literally

Kaile Warren and Rent-A-Husband (click on Find A Husband Near You)

Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens with Boogie Wipes (this is not a typo)

Finished The Big Idea tonight. The companies/individuals listed above were mentioned in this book as successful entrepreneurs. If you are dreaming about owning/running your own business, read this book. You will get the bug.

Life Of A Stone Crab Fisherman

2009-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Came across this interesting series on the Life Of A Stone Crab Fisherman in the Naples Daily News. They have printed two parts so far. Enjoy!

Part I

Part II

12:59

2009-11-06T23:03:00.005-05:00

Take time to watch this video. What an interesting man and business. I would love to go shopping there.

Found it on Seth's blog.

What We Can Learn From U2

2009-11-06T22:35:00.002-05:00

Excellent article at Giant Impact on how the group U2 has managed to stay together for so long. Here is an excerpt:

The bedrock of any team is the relationships between its individual members, and U2 are no exception. Certainly, the four self-assured showmen have had their artistic squabbles and personal conflicts. Yet, the mutual respect shared by the members of U2 has enabled the band to remain intact after 30 years of making music together.

Ask U2 about the band's internal dynamics, and they'll invariably point to the metaphor of marriage. In the words U2's guitarist and keyboardist, Edge "I'm so close to the other three guys in this group that sometimes it feels like a marriage."1 Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. agrees, "We don't always like each other but we respect each other, and we love each other. Marriages don't last this long."2 While U2 may have their rocky moments, at the end of the day any disagreements between them pale in light of their committed friendships.

Good stuff.

Birthdays, Ankles and Facebook

2009-11-06T13:15:00.000-05:00

I must confess that I have a new appreciation of Facebook. A few weeks ago I hurt my ankle and ended up in the ER, which was packed. So while I was waiting, I took a picture of my ID bracelet they make you wear and posted it to FB with a caption that read "Guess where I am?". Within minutes, I received many responses and well wishes. It felt nice to receive all those notes.

And the same thing happened today, on my birthday. By 6:45 a.m. I had already received four birthday wishes and they continued to appear throughout the day. It gave me a nice feeling and put a smile on my face. Thanks to all my "friends" - the ones on and off of Facebook for your nice messages!

Health Care Alert!

2009-11-05T14:14:00.001-05:00

An important message from the Ohio Chamber:

Members of the United States House of Representatives are expected to vote on a health care reform bill any day now. Having worked to combine three different proposals passed by different House committees, legislative leaders are hoping to pass legislation by weekend's end.

As the debate has heated up in recent months, it seems clear that while the current proposal in the U.S. House may cover more individuals, it will come at a significant cost to employers and taxpayers. Employers will be forced to pay more in taxes, pay stiff penalties for not meeting the level of coverage as required by the government and lose flexibility when it comes to offering benefits. As employers are seeing unsustainable increases in health care costs every year, this legislation would add more taxes and new penalties while doing nothing to reduce the underlying costs of health care.

There are certainly plenty of arguments for and against the proposed reform efforts, but one thing is certain; we need health care reform in this country that control costs, increase access and decrease the burden placed on employers and employees. Incentivizing quality of care and empowering consumers through the use of health care savings accounts are just two examples of common sense reforms that legislators should be considering - NOT throwing more money at a broken system.

That is why we need your help now! I STRONGLY URGE you to use one of our sample messages to contact your member of congress and ask them to VOTE NO on the Affordable Health Care for America Act that may be voted on in the next few days.Your voice will make a difference!Click the link below to log in and send your message:http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/ohcc37886205.aspx

It's Not Too Early. . .

2009-11-04T16:03:00.002-05:00

. . . to be thinking about Groundhog Breakfast 2010. Date: Friday, January 29, 2010

Some have already reserved their corporate tables. Won't you be next?

But Did He Save The Vodka??

2009-11-03T22:59:00.000-05:00

Oops!

25 Ways to Double Your Salary

2009-11-03T08:02:00.000-05:00

. . .with the inspiring Nicholas Bate.

The Book Tower

2009-11-02T21:06:00.008-05:00

Upon looking at my nightstand, my husband remarks: "Are you trying to reach the ceiling?" referring to my stack of books on my nightstand, which now looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I flashed him my leave me alone look and decided that maybe I should take a few moments to go through the stack.

I decided to sort them into three piles: 1 - books I have read and need to put away; 2 - books I have started and never finished, but have every intention of finishing and 3 - books that if I had nothing but time to read, I would, but I don't, so they are going back to the bookshelf for the time being. Here are the results of the sort:

The books that I have recently finished

(the middle book is Gift Of The Sea)

The books that I WILL finish

Books that I would like to read, but . . .

As I was sorting the books, my 12 year-old comes into the room and looks at the new stack on the nightstand and says: "these are boring books. I wouldn't read them." Gotta love children.

Member Monday

2009-11-02T18:40:00.002-05:00

This Monday is focusing on the biggest retail center in our community - the Indian Mound Mall. I was just there on Sunday and went to the Hollywood Theater to see This Is It. Yes, I am a fan of Michael Jackson's MUSIC. I know, I know.

Category: Shopping Centers

Indian Mound Mall

Location: 771 S. 30th Street, Heath

Contact Information: 740.522.6200 or 740.522-3942

Website: http://www.indianmoundmall.com/

Description: The Indian Mound Mall is home to over 60 shops, restaurants and salons. It is also home to Hollywood Theater.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m Sunday Noon- 6:00 p.m.

Before. . .After

2009-10-31T20:49:00.003-04:00

Our project, completed by the fire. . .

25 Tips To Improve The Conditions Of All

2009-10-31T17:32:00.003-04:00

I recently asked the United Way about volunteer opportunities for youth, specifically for the National Junior Honor Society at my daughter's school. They are required to have a certain amount of community service hours each quarter. They provided me with this wonderful list:

*Note: You don't have to be a "youth" to do some of these items. Get started today!

1. Start an anti-tobacco/drug/
alcohol campaign at your school.

2. Plant a garden and donate the
harvest to a group or person in
need.

3. Get some friends together and
clean up your neighborhood.

4. Clean out your closet and donate
your old clothes or toys.

5. Start a canned food, glove,
sock, coat, etc. drive.

6. Make a “feel good” jar for a
friend- write nice things on small
pieces of paper, put them in the jar
and give the jar to a friend.

7. Volunteer for a favorite teacher
at your school.

8. Collect and donate items to the
humane society- cat toys, scoopable
litter and hard plastic dog toys.
Or make and donate dog biscuits!

9. Check out books, CD’s and
videos from the library instead of
buying them. Donate the savings!

10. Ask your parents to buy
environmentally friendly cleaning
products– or make your own!

11. Become a foster parent for a cat
or dog.

12. Offer to baby-sit without pay for a
family in your neighborhood.

13. Make a get well card for
someone who is sick.

14. Get CPR and First-Aid Certified.

15. Adopt a grandparent– offer to
help with yard or house work.

16. Bake cookies for a neighbor or
shut-in. Visit with them when you
deliver the cookies!

17. Volunteer to feed the homeless.

18. Go on a money hunt and
donate the proceeds.

19. Explore wildlife in your neighborhood
and learn how to protect the
wildlife.

20. With your parents, check your
home for energy efficiency. Make
some changes based on what you
learn.

21. Donate a bag of fruit or candy to a
local shelter for an upcoming
holiday.

22. Organize a car wash, dog
wash, yard sale or other fundraiser
and donate the proceeds.

23. Help a friend or younger child
with school work, start a peer
tutoring program, or read to
younger children at your school.

24. Make baby blankets or lap
blankets for the elderly.

25. Make first-aid kits for your
family and friends.

My Gremlin

2009-10-31T17:21:00.004-04:00

Part Yorkie, part Gremlin. Happy Halloween.

The Best Music You Never Heard

2009-10-29T21:35:00.002-04:00

Found this great site for music lovers called What Is That Song. If you go to the 'Best Music You Never Heard' section, you can find some great music that very few have listened to. Here is one from David Bowie's Tonight album:

37 Million More Males than Females

2009-10-29T19:33:00.002-04:00

I received a nice early birthday gift today from my sister-in-law:

Did you know. . .

There are 37 million more males than females in China
There are over 5400 islands scattered in the seas off the coast of mainland China
China straddles five time zones but has adopted a single stand time
China has many significant inventions - gunpowder, printing, papermaking and paper currency, the abacus, stirrups, the seismometer, porcelain, silk and the compass.
There are over 1,000 volcanoes in China

Thanks Tammy. This is a great book to help prepare me for the trip!

The Front Fell Off

2009-10-29T18:02:00.003-04:00

On August 19th 2007, an oil tanker off the coast of Australia split in two, dumping 20,000 tons of crude oil.
Senator Collins, a member of the Australian Parliament, went on TV to reassure the public that tankers were safe.

Remember When. . .

2009-10-28T15:03:00.001-04:00

. . .this was our required reading:

26 Good Reminders

2009-10-27T10:59:00.009-04:00

I am speaking to Granville High School students this week on Leadership. In preparation, I thought I would get the thoughts of others on the topic, so I spent some time on a few blogs which continually teach/talk about the characteristics of good leaders. It has been a good refresher for me and has caused me to reflect on where I am on each of the following attributes:

From the always inspiring Nicholas Bate on Leadership:

1. Lead by example

2. Be on time

3. ALWAYS have a notepad

4. Ask questions

5. Dress as you want to be perceived

6. Be loyal

7. Deliver on your promises

8. Be confident that you can lead

9. Just make the decision

10. Be accountable

11. Do what is right

12. Being one of the few is a good thing

From the always interesting Cultural Offering on Leadership:

13. Attitude is everything

14. Preparation, preparation, preparation

15. Tell the truth

16. Ask for help

17. Encourage others

18. Speak, don't just talk

19. Always learn from your mentors

20. Give credit to others

And from one of my 20 Fav - QAspire blog on Leadership:

21. Be generous

22. Take time to get away and re-energize

23. Be persistent

24. Practice humility

25. Be happy

26. Be yourself.

And there you have it.

Internet Fact vs. Fiction

2009-10-26T21:21:00.004-04:00

My husband brought home a copy of an email he wanted me to read and it was one I enjoyed. As I was reading it, I thought about posting it on this blog. That is until I read the last line:

"Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%' "

Let me first tell you that if you send me something that has that on the bottom of the page, I WILL NOT forward this on to anyone. Chances are that I probably will hit 'delete' right away.

But because I liked this email, I decided to do a little research to see if it was real. Here are my findings:

1. The email said it was written by Regina Brett, a 90 year-old woman who is a columnist for The Plain Dealer. The title was called 45 Lessons Life Taught Me.

Fact: Her name is Regina Brett and she is a columnist for the Plain Dealer

Fact: She is 50 - NOT 90. Just a 40-year mistake.

Fact: The original article was called 50 Life Lessons - Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

Lesson - Although I can't imagine operating today without the Internet, I certainly don't believe everything I read. You must have a filter and be willing to do some fact checking if you are planning on passing the information on to other people to read.

And you should check out the list. It is filled with good, solid advice to live by discovered by a 50 year-old.

Cool Stuff

2009-10-26T19:14:00.003-04:00

Love the new 'sister blog' to Zenhabits called Zen Family Habits. Check out the list of Simple Family Pleasures. Personally, I like #29.

An Important Message About The Flu

2009-10-26T19:05:00.005-04:00

Finally, the truth about the flu here.

Good stuff Jeff.

Member Monday

2009-10-26T12:46:00.005-04:00

Today's Member Monday is all about wholesale. Specifically, Gummer Wholesale and Jeffries Supply. Here's the scoop:

Category: Wholesale Distributors

Gummer Wholesale, Inc./ Jeffries Supply

Owners: The Gummer Family

Location: 1945 James Parkway in Heath

Contact information: (740) 928-0415 nogilbee@gummerwholesale.net

Website: http://www.gummerwholesale.net/

Description:

Gummer Wholesale, Inc. Is a family owned and operated wholesale distribution company. They have been servicing the convenience store industry for over 50 years. Their current service area includes Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Northern West Virginia. Items sold include a complete selection of cigarettes, confections, snacks, grocery, tobacco, juices/drinks and more.

The ER

2009-10-25T23:46:00.002-04:00

As I write this I am sitting in the ER at Licking Memorial Hospital. No, I do not have the swine flu; just a swollen ankle that I can't put any weight on. I fought with myself over the decision to come here tonight because I figured the wait would be long and there would be a bunch of sick people around. I was right on both counts. I have now been here for over two hours (I am still in the waiting area, although x-rays have been taken) and am surrounded by people coughing, toddlers puking and many are wrapped in blankets.

I actually feel a bit guilty around all these sick people, but I'm not about to leave now. I have been to this new ER a couple of times before and I still have the same opinion - it is nice. The staff working tonight and the other times I have been here are very nice and helpful. I can only imagine the amount of hours they are putting in these days. But they certainly don't show any signs of it.

Kudos to the staff at LMH. It's no wonder why they were named The Best Place To Work.

UPDATE: Been waiting now for almost 4 hours. I hope I am next on the list!

RESULT: I am now wearing a lovely air cast. Bad sprain. Nothing like waiting for six hours to hear that news. Oh well. Could be much worse!