Sunday, September 27, 2009

This Week's Twitter Blatherings


  • Sarah's 7th birthday party today - we are pink, white, and princessified around here... #fb #

  • wiped out; going to bed... #fb #

  • got up at 6 thinking it was 7 - weird; gonna take kids to store to pick our their lunches on the way to school #fb #

  • so tired #fb #

  • Twitter updates their TOS. What does this mean for advertising? #

  • thursday noon, thursday noon, thursday noon.... #fb #

  • Bethy starts playschool tomorrow morning; feel pretty sure it'll go well, but still apprehensive #fb #

  • Bethy went right in; not a peep out of her; started playing and smiling right off... #fb #

  • my happy little girl is back! #fb #

  • library day - yay! #

  • right ear is hurting and i feel like crap; typical for it being less than 48 hours before i leave for a trip... #

  • on the Crystal's Soapbox chopping block this week @KidGlue: video games for toddlers; look for the post on thursday #

  • gotta hit the hay - tomorrow is packing day! #fb #

  • managed to actually get the kids' lunches for today yesterday afternoon; did i send them to school with the kids? ha. think again. #fb #

  • please pray for the students and staff of John Tyler high school in Tyler, TX - a teacher was stabbed there this morning #fb #

  • gotta go to the stores to get food to feed everybody while i'm gone #fb #

  • tooth feeling considerably worse this evening; pls pray that dentist will be able to pull or start antibiotics / pain meds in am #fb #

  • heading to Dallas for the NAD women's convention - huzzah! #fb #

  • 100% ethical and responsible advertising on Twitter. Sign-up today! #

  • At the Hilton Anatole in Dallas; pretty swanky digs #

  • after some tech support issues, finally connected in room #

  • k, gonna kill this puppy for a bit - see if i can find a sweatshirt - roomie likes it 67f and i'm freezing #

  • time to figure out what sessions i'll go to tomorrow, take a shower, and hit the down pillows and comforter... #fb #

  • off to first session - hoping i don't freeze... #

  • God sent a woman to tell me i am pretty! He knows what our hearts need to hear! #fb #

  • Just heard a Navajo ladies choir sing - absolutely lovely!!! #fb #

  • This morning ladies from Korea with lovely Korean dresses and *gorgeous* voices! #fb #


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Sunday, September 20, 2009

This Week's Twitter Blatherings


  • tired, head hurts, gotta get groceries; just your typical sunday morning.... *sigh* #

  • y'know, some days there is no medicine that will help; i just need to go to bed for a long, long time... #

  • long nap; head still hurts; to the chiropractor tomorrow... #

  • financial planning - a necessary pain in the hindquarters... #

  • off to bed to sleep to the sounds of rain - bliss... #

  • it's raining; it's pouring; i wish i was snoring... #

  • time to pay the water bill and deliver lunches to kids... #

  • virtual meeting with @KidGlue editor @GermainLussier in a few; hoping i can get a few posts done around this stupid headache this week... #

  • mtg done; assignments noted; now to nap in the hopes of dulling the headache a bit so i can write a post this afternoon; wish me luck! #

  • just hit 800 facebook friends; considering some serious downsizing... #

  • pain seems to be settling into my left jaw; thinking it might time to have this tooth pulled; ugh... #

  • pound out a post then off to bed, i think; wait, gotta put together a bake sale order form; well, i'll go to bed at some point, i'm sure... #

  • piddle, got distracted by Mr Bingley's proposal on P&P and working on Sarah's scarf; oopsie... #

  • heading to bed soon; will have to do order form for bake sale in the morning, i think... #

  • considering education choices for my youngest = stress #

  • Respect&Manners via @digitaldads - great post abt importance of manners & *parents* teaching them to kids #

  • another reason why i LOVE @BrentSpiner: Q:Do you still consider yourself a Texan, or a Californian?A:--Always a Texan, pardner. #

  • help me with research, pls - what's your fav movie about step families? #

  • library day! #

  • new @ My Book Bliss: Weekend of Prayer and Fasting and Guest Post from Kay Marshall Strom: S.. #

  • Pampered Chef catalog show ending soon! list Crystal Arcand as your hostess & pls RT - thanks so much! #

  • oh, bliss! oh, heaven! i hear the rain falling! throw open the door; snuggle in bed, and listen to it pour! #

  • Pampered Chef catalog show ending soon! list Crystal Arcand as your hostess & pls RT - thanks so much! #

  • confused and agitated; hmm, sounds like i'm a dementia patient... #

  • taking bethy to walmart to get new pooh shoes; the ones that were on their 3rd kiddo finally fell apart... #

  • well, no pooh shoes in her size, so she got pink shiny/sparkly hearts #

  • is doing what's best for her baby #fb #

  • oh, bah! i'm going to bed! #

  • Leave your feedback on the changes to Twitter's TOS #

  • dear @marcand, hey, y'know what? i love you. that is all. love, me #fb #

  • wow, it was crazy right when we got home today; what's up with the kids? #

  • just so you know: i *really* hate having the hiccups #fb #

  • ppl will know i follow Christ by my daily actions, not by fwding your guilt-laced e-mail; do they need the e-mail to know about you? #fb #

  • paying bills and thanking God that He's provided for me to be able to do so; praying for my friend Jeff to find a job soon #fb #

  • finishing up a post about cheeseburger day for @KidGlue #

  • seeing this made me cry; thank you, @marcand; you are my hero in so many ways; i love you #

  • ladies and gentlemen, i give you... the cheeseburger day post @KidGlue: #

  • pot roast with carrots, onion, garlic, and red potatoes in two crockpots; beef hotdogs for lunch; it's a nommiful day #fb #

  • buses - quickly becoming the bane of my existence #

  • taking the roast over to my grandmother's house for dinner with the family - 4 generations under one roof! #

  • Meme pulled some rolls she had made from freezer and made us a chocolate meringue pie = southern foodie bliss! #

  • got slides done at praise team practice this week, so i'm taking the opportunity to go to bed early and sleep for about 11 hrs! #

  • Getting ready to see Comp Works of Wm Shakespeare w/ Mom #

  • Comp Shakespeare Works intermission hilarious-Titus Andronicus as a cooking show #

  • home from CSW - totally loved it - fantastic show #fb #


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Friday, September 18, 2009

For such a time as this

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MckMama over at My Charming Kids asked how everyone's day went yesterday and how today is going so far. Well, to be honest, yesterday was stressful. And so was this morning. And it's going to be stressful this afternoon.

Yesterday I carried Bethy into school because she didn't want to go to "sister's school." I held my breath as she walked into her class. Then I took paperwork to the local Christian playschool to enrolll her there. I trusted that God made me her mommy because He'll tell me what's best for her.

Today, I'm bracing myself for the discouragement I'll face this afternoon when I withdraw her from school. But I'm still trusting that God made me her mommy for this.

So it's going to be okay.

"...And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"


Esther 4:14 ESV


Homecoming Friday Fill-in


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It's homecoming week here in Mineola, so there's orange and white everywhere. I made "mows" for the girls to wear to school and the parade. What's a "mow?" It's a mum-bow -- a miniature mum made to wear in your hair. I'll try to get some pictures to put up for you at the parade.


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1. My car needs air conditioning.

2. A luau to celebrate Charles and Linda's wedding is coming up next.

3. Lately, things seem like a roller coaster - it's all either on top of the world or plummeting doom.

4. In bed is one of my favorite 'hiding' places.

5. What happened is that I somehow got a triple dose of the "truth, justice, and the American way" mentality along the way.

6. Contrary to popular belief, getting me to shut up is not impossible!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing whatever I feel like, tomorrow my plans include a revival and potluck at church and Sunday, I want to have a great birthday party for Sarah then go enjoy myself at the luau!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

NHTSA's Child Passenger Safety Twitter Party - Take 2

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Last week was the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Child Passenger Safety Week and Seat Check Saturday. Did you miss it and the Twitter party they had? Not to worry!

There will be another #ChildSeatSafety Q & A on
Thursday, September 17th from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET.


Officials from NHTSA will be on hand to answer any child passenger safety questions. Also, we want to see how much people have learned this week! We will be asking questions of the party-goers and ten correct answers will receive a prize.

Check out this statistic:


3 out of 4 carseats are not installed as they should be, putting children at risk.



Scary, ain't it?

What you can do:

  1. Attend the Twitter event and invite your followers to join you. For more information, please visit http://tinyurl.com/childseatsafety.

  2. Share the Campaign: Use the links and social media tools below to share this campaign with your readers. Be sure to check out the seat check center locator as well as the installable widget and Facebook page.


LATCH landing page: http://childcarsafety.adcouncil.org



The following links are located on the landing page above:

Disclosure: Amy Lupold Bair, founder of Momfluence,
is acting on behalf of NHTSA's child passenger safety efforts.

Land's End FeelGood Campaign and Twitter Party

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Lands' End FeelGood Campaign
This initiative is a terrific way to shop and feel good about giving to homeless individuals and families across the country.  For every Lands' End FeelGood sweater purchased, the company will donate signature FeelGood yarn to One Heart Foundation's Warming Families, a nationwide knitting charity.  Lands' End expects to donate thousands of pounds of yarn to the charity where volunteers plan to knit up to 25,000 hats and other items to warm the homeless and displaced.







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Join Lands' End and Vickie Howell, host of TV's Knitty Gritty, for a Twitter Party to celebrate the kick-off the FeelGood Campaign! The party will feature more than 20 fun giveaways ranging from the FeelGood sweater and Vickie Howell's books to Lands' End gift cards and FeelGood yarn.

Date: Wednesday, September 16th
Time: 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. CST
Location: #landsend

Weekend of Prayer and Fasting for Trafficking Victims


Salvation Army Sponsors


4th Annual International Weekend of


Prayer and Fasting


for Victims of Sexual Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery




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September 25-27th concerned individuals across the world will join in prayer and fasting for the victims of sex trafficking and modern day slavery. In an effort to raise funds and awareness for this project, the Salvation Army is raising hands and hearts together in a special weekend dedicated to praying and fasting for the social injustices forced upon many individuals in our world today. For more information about this important project and other organizations partnering with The Salvation Army, go to the Salvation Army homepage.

For years, author Kay Marshall Strom has visited countries where human trafficking and modern day slavery run rampant. Her recent fiction release, The Call of Zulina, draws attention to the historical issues of slavery, that unfortunately continue today across the world and even in the United States of America. Through her diligence and commitment to help resolve inhumane issues revolving around slavery and trafficking Strom has become an expert in the field.

Stolen Identity
by Kay Marshall Strom

Enormous eyes in a bony-thin face, and a baggy green dress that dragged the ground. Because of all the cast-off children at the village school in India, the raggedy girl stood closest to our translator, he gently asked her, "What is your name?"

The girl stared.

"Your name. What is it?" the translator asked again.

The girl whispered her answer: "I have no name."

A child with no name. A little girl abandoned so young she could not even remember what her parents had called her. She grew up begging at the train platform, snatching up the scraps harried passengers dropped, watching other children picked off by traffickers. Now that she was seven or eight--perhaps even a scrawny nine--the traffickers had come for her. But the girl screamed and kicked and clawed so ferociously that someone called the police. Someone with clout, evidently, because the police came and pulled her away from the traffickers. Somebody in the crowd suggested that instead of putting the child in jail, the police might take her to the village school, which they did. They dropped her at the door and left.

Human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, is rampant around the world. We think of it as an eastern European problem, or Indian or Nepalese or Thai. It is. But it's also a Western problem. The U.S. State Department estimates between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the Untied States each year, but concede that the real number is far higher. According to the U.S. Justice Department's head of the new human trafficking unit, there is now at least one case of trafficking in every state.

The little girl with no name was fortunate that someone responded to her screaming pleas. What would you do if you heard a child shriek for help? Of course, if she were a trafficking victim in this country, she wouldn't likely scream or kick. She would probably shrink away in terror, or act submissively. You might see wounds--cuts, bruises, burns. Perhaps what would catch your attention would be the constant work: babysitting, cooking, washing dishes, scrubbing floors--never just being a child. Or maybe you couldn't say exactly what was wrong--only that something about the child's situation made you profoundly uneasy.

Please, please, if you suspect a person is being trafficked, call 911 and report it. Yes, it is okay. Yes, even it you are mistaken. In fact, eighteen states require citizens to report possible child abuse or neglect of any kind.

In the 1700s, Quakers led the fight against the African slave trade. In 1885, the Salvation Army took up the abolition banner, and since then it has led the fight against a different kind of slavery. More and more, 21st century abolitionists are followers of Christ determined to see slavery of all kinds ended in our day.

Oh yes... Before I left the school in India, I asked if we might give the little girl a name. She is now Grace.




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About the Author:

Author Kay Marshall Strom has two great loves: writing and helping others achieve their own writing potential. Kay has written thirty-six published books including Daughters of Hope: Stories of Witness and Courage in the Face of Persecution and In the Presence of the Poor. She's also authored numerous magazine articles, and two screenplays. While mostly a nonfiction writer, the first book of her historical novel trilogy Grace in Africa has met with acclaim. Kay speaks at seminars, retreats, writers' conferences, and special events throughout the country and around the world. She is in wide demand as an instructor and keynote speaker at major writing conferences. She also enjoys speaking aboard cruise ships in exchange for exotic cruise destinations.

Schedule Kay for an interview or request her book for review by contacting Kathy Carlton Willis Communications at WillisWay@aol.com or call 956-642-6319.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Not Me Monday

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[/caption]Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. As for me, I've been a darling angel, of course.

1. I didn't yell at my kids.

2. I didn't roll my eyes at anyone.

3. I didn't let my kids have marshmallow cereal for dinner.

4. I didn't wish I could just stay home from church.

5. I didn't want to make accusations when Mom's headlight got broken at church.

6. I didn't have what seemed like a big, continuous, several-day row with my husband over Mom's headlight, attitudes, cleanliness, and submission.

7. And I most certainly didn't get sopping wet from the knees down walking the girls in to school this morning in the rain.

See? Perfectly, perfect, what with my seven examples of perfection and non-erring ways.

And now to think of Mary Poppins all day while hoping I don't get struck by lightning...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

This Week's Twitter Blatherings


  • grocery shopping today and maybe sewing circle #

  • let's see if i can get out of the store before the after-church crowd descends... #

  • beat the after-church crowd, but came home with a massive headache... #

  • next on my @KidGlue soapbox? Barbie... #

  • taking my aching eyes to bed.... #

  • only half a day left - don't miss it! #

  • Question: How many Arcand girls does it take to polish off a dozen homemade blueberry muffins? Answer: 3 Status: yummo full happy! #

  • ok, these daily headaches (really, just one big, long headache that only waxes and wanes) are *really* getting on my nerves; i can't work! #

  • *ten minutes left* - don't miss it! #

  • rant written, auction ended, invoice sent, going to collapse in bed now... #

  • head hasn't been near as bad today; of course, i've also avoided the computer like the plague... #

  • just finished watching sisterhood of the traveling pants 2; never saw the first one; and now to write... #

  • got the outline of a post done - will have to finish it tomorrow... #

  • had a great breakfast with my MOPS group and my mom; going to try to balance comp and non-comp time today to keep the headache manageable #

  • oh, and just so you know, i *totally* #blamedrewscancer for this headache #

  • ok, it's a little freaky when the helicopter flies so low it casts a shadow over the window and vibrates my chair.... #

  • my godmother just dropped by with a gorgeous long-stemmed red rose for Good Neighbor Day - thanks, Aunt Sandi - love you! #

  • top 10 baby safety tips post finished for @KidGlue - will let you know when it's published; now to go to the Post Office... #

  • shipped bloomie's gift card and apron out; gotta get kiddos soon... #

  • WIN 500 business cards - 2 winners - last day to enter! pls RT #

  • Awesomely Amazing new space photos from Hubble released today #

  • only 2 hours left - WIN 500 business cards - 2 winners! pls RT #

  • trying to decide if i'll go to tyler tomorrow; feeling rather ambivalent about it at the moment... #

  • last 20 minutes - WIN 500 business cards - 2 winners! pls RT #

  • dragging to bed too late, as usual... #

  • went to chiropractor; adjusted my neck and said, "there's your headache;" here's hoping this thing goes away! #

  • Barbie girl? not this mom: #

  • twitter poll: what shall i sing for special music at church this weekend? #

  • mama's tired - going to bed... #

  • wearing a read shirt and blue jeans to celebrate Patriot Day - thanks to the heroes serving and remembering those sacrificed #9/11 #

  • a special Patriot Day TY to my hero husband @marcand 4 serving his country in the US Army; ur a hero 2 me whether u feel like it or not #

  • heading to Tyler #

  • for those of you wondering, i sang Be Thou My Vision a cappella this morning #

  • debating on whether or not i want to take a bath before i go to bed.... #


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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Patriot Day Friday Fill-in


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Thank you, Patriots and Heroes, and especially my husband, Michael - you are by far my favorite hero.


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1. That's a great way (in committed love) to be.

2. When you need me, just come running; I'm over here!

3. The possibilities include: a love song, an a cappella hymn, or an old standby.

4. Chicken and dumplings is one of my favorite cool day recipes.

5. How will you know it's real love? When you're so mad at him you can't stand it, but you wouldn't leave for the whole, wide world.

6. Weather bliss: a porch and a stormy sky.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to learning a new song to sing, tomorrow my plans include telling the kids at church about grandparents in the Bible and singing special music and Sunday, I want to have a headache-free day!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

This Week's Twitter Blatherings


  • going to the store... #

  • do bloggy blogfluence stuff... #

  • make that *doing* bloggy blogfluence stuff... #

  • i second @dbgrady's recommendation of "Big Night" - cute, funny film - get to see Shalhoub's funny before he was famous #

  • this looks yummo from @trishberg; gonna have to try it... #

  • off to bed... #

  • RT @SlimPerfect: Last day-RT's entered 2 win FREE @SlimPerfect Swimwear-50% off alr. red. prices thru 8/31 code SP SALE #

  • RT @SlimPerfect: Last day 2 enter monthly drawing to win a FREE swimsuit from @SlimPerfect Swimwear Pls RT #

  • my "to read" bookmark list is getting ridiculously long... #

  • break time for my eyes and lunch time for my stomach #

  • Awesome Cool Moment - when you answer the phone and it's @seanpercival! #lovemylife #

  • got my first Operation Christmas Child e-mail of the year; collection week is Nov 16-23 #

  • need a bloomie's gift card? #

  • 8am meeting - methinks it's past time for bed... #

  • wow - writing a news story for @kidglue that will knock your socks off - this is unbelievable! #

  • feeling like a real-live writer - maybe even a tad journalist - W00T! #

  • as promised, here's the post about Spongebob: #

  • and the news to knock your socks off: #

  • wow, already published two posts this week and five assignments - huzzah! #

  • ok, eyes, ow - gotta take a break... #

  • RT @vondaskelton: All profits support international orphan ministry. Please order a copy of 1 Million Arrows 2day! - #

  • Yeppers we will! >>RT @lsrtx: @tonbum We are going to miss you tomorrow Toni!! #

  • RT @IAM_SHAKESPEARE to @marcand: LAFEU. Ay, with all my heart; and thou art worthy of it. <<mwah <3 #

  • going to bed; be good, boys and girls... #

  • first MOPS meeting of the year this morning - HUZZAH! #

  • need a bloomie's gift card? #

  • and let the drama begin... #

  • MOPS was fantabulous, of course - and i got vanilla shower gel and lotion - YUMMO! thanks, Koni! #

  • turning in early; for me, anyway... #

  • gotta write today and i already have a headache; this doesn't bode well... #

  • love it when clients screw up their billing and i have to spend forever on the phone long distance to fix it #sarcasm #

  • women's ministry meeting tonight with mexican food and Study on Deborah - looking forward to it... #

  • lots of stuff coming up at ; i seriously gotta get some scheduling and time management skills down, and quick.... #

  • listening to the animals in the attic play with pecans.... #

  • 2mrw's to-do: design postcard, write re labor day & 2 rants, ship apron, get $$ from consignments; man, i wanted 2 go 2 tyler - bah! #

  • new @ My Book Bliss: Book Buying Bliss: Question: Who isn't blissfully happy when they're bu.. #

  • RT @Rippleon: #Ripple Action Of The Day:Replace "have to" w/ "get to" & see if the view & ur attitude doesn't change just a little bit. #

  • RT @SlimPerfect: @Susan70070 500th RT wins $50 E-GC 2 @SlimPerfect Swimwear.40-70% Off Sale @ #SlimPerfect50 PLS RT #

  • past time for bed... #


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Friday, September 4, 2009

Labor Day Friday Fill-in


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1. I feel very tired - what else is new?

2. Having a game night with friends is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: the air conditioner and my computer.

4. Friends are a blessing and I'm glad God's sent the ones I have to me.

5. The last time I cut my hair was when Sarah was a baby, almost 7 years ago.

6. I hope everyone is safe this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to an uneventful night of quiet, tomorrow my plans include doing nothing and Sunday, I want to get all the God in Shoes bags done!

Business Cards are a Reflection of You - What are yours saying? {Giveaway}


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The first thing most people think to get when they start a business is business cards. It's a great first thought. Unfortunately for many, the thought process stops there. How many of us have decided we needed business cards, then went to the local mass-retailer and bought business cards - to print at home. I'm ashamed to admit I have. If it wasn't the first thing most small business owners did, they wouldn't be so easily attainable.

I have to tell you, though, that I won't be doing that anymore. Why? Because I've let something I've known for a long time actually sink in: your business cards are a reflection of you and your business. I recently got some business cards from UPrinting. They were the same design I had printed on the at-home cards. But they were So Not The Same Cards. These were thick and sturdy, with rich color saturation and a completely different feel to them. I don't hesitate a second to hand out these cards. I realized holding one of them that I still had a lot of the old cards lying around. Why? Because I knew deep down that I didn't like the subconscious message I was conveying with them.

If your cards are wafer-thin slips of paper with perforation tags on the edges, your reputation will also be wafer-thin. Business cards of quality convey your quality as a service provider or the quality of your products. Here's a simple test: What do you think when a business person gives you one of those flimsy perforated cards?[caption id="attachment_2902" align="alignright" width="246" caption="Die cut cards add creativity to your image."]

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Business cards can show off creativity these days, too. With business card sizes ranging from tiny slivers to almost-postcards, you can put as little or as much information as you want on your card. Artists could take advantage by displaying one of their popular works on their cards. Don't like square corners? No problem. Did you know there are die cut business cards now? Seriously. You can get a card shaped like a leaf. It's completely non-conventional and totally cool. Business cards aren't just for stuffed, starched shirts anymore.

So what are your business cards saying about you? If you're not happy with the answer, I can help, because Uprinting is giving away not one but two prizes! Each winner will receive 500 Business Cards!

Choose size: 2x3.5”, 2x3”, 2x2"

Choose paper: 14pt cardstock (matte or gloss coating) & 13 pt cardstock uncoated

Choose Color: (4/4) Color both sides; (4/1) Color 1 side , B/W backside; (4/0) Color 1 side, black backside

Shipping must be paid by Winner. Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY.




*Mandatory Entry*


Leave a comment telling me how you'd use your new business cards if you won.



Extra Entries


  • Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to the tweet. This can be done once each day.



  • Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment letting me know your Twitter user name.


  • Subscribe to 3Stairs and leave a comment letting me know if you subscribed with RSS or via e-mail.

    By RSS:

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  • Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.


  • Add a 3Stairs button to your blog and leave a comment with a link to your blog so we can visit!









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I'll let Random.org choose a winner on the morning of Thursday, September 10, so get your entries in by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 9.

Paper Culture Review

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[/caption]I'm a stationery lover. I've actually gotten gifts of stationery because the giver saw stationery and thought of me. Needless to say, I was tickled pea-green when I was given the opportunity to review some products from Paper Culture. I was sent several examples and several postcards to use for myself. I love them! The prints are magnificent, and the quality is wonderful. The cardstock is a nice thick quality and the colors are rich. I stamped on the card with the bird design you see to give with a gift, and it took the image perfectly. I was concerned that the ink with smear or bleed, but it did neither.[caption id="attachment_2878" align="alignright" width="300" caption="elegant images with brilliant colors"]

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About the Company
Paper Culture is a stationery company committed to modern design inspired by brands like Kate Spade, Design Within Reach, Mini, Marc Jacobs and Apple. Lovers of clean lines, fresh fonts, and bold coloring will enjoy the Paper Culture aesthetic.

More importantly, Paper Culture is a green company. Not just a company offering environmentally-friendly products - truly a green company. Check out this statement from the company:



We don't just market sustainability, we live it. Every one of our cards is environmentally responsible. We start with high quality 130lb 100% Post Consumer Recycled Paper for our announcements and invitations. We minimize the resources we use and the impact they have by using recycled paper for our envelopes, recycled paper for our packaging and even environmentally friendly products in our corporate offices from the paper in our printers, to the light bulbs in our office, to the non-toxic cleaning products in our kitchen. We go even further and purchase carbon offsets so that as a business, we are certified 100% CarbonFree®.




Services
Ok, so they're swanky-cool. I bet you think they're stuck-up, too. Nope. How's this for service? They offer complete customization - right down to individualized notes on each card. Thank you cards are what they call "just as easy as sending an email, but with 20 times the “wow” factor."

The staff at Paper Culture are hard workers, too. They'll actually stuff, address, stamp and mail the cards for you. The cost? Until January 1, 2010, the cost of a stamp. Talk about the ultimate easy Christmas card.

Verdict
Whether you're looking for modern baby announcements or birthday party invitations for kids and adults, your search for premium quality, eco-friendly stationery ends with Paper Culture.

*This is solely the opinion of 3 Stairs. Other people may have different experiences with this product. Thank you to Paper Culture for providing a product for this review.*

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Who said the first comment never wins?

I went to Random.org and discovered the winner of the Postcard giveaway this morning.

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Comment numero uno was from Cindi. Congratulations!

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Update
Uprinting pointed out today that they are giving away two sets of postcards and since there were two entrants, Shawna won, too! Huzzah for winners!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Guest Post: How to Waste Time on Your Laptop - an Expert's Guide by Kathi Lipp


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My friend and fantabulous author Kathi Lipp has a wonderful newsletter. Didn't you just love the last one?

What? You... don't... get... her newsletter...?

Are you really my friend? Because I'm not sure I know you if you don't read Kathi's newsletter. Well, I'll give you a chance to amend it. Go here and subscribe now, then come back here to read.

Now this is not the same stuff that's on Kathi's blog. This is new stuff. This is different stuff. This is more good stuff. Kathi graciously let me share this article with you so you can get a taste of what you're missing.

How to Waste Time on Your Laptop - an Expert's Guide
(or, My Real Life Strategy for Getting Things Done.)

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"There's never enough time
to do all the nothing you want."
~Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes




Don't you just love your computer?!?! It is such a time saving device. I can do my banking, order groceries, talk to my agent, invite friends over via evite.com, and design my next newsletter anywhere in the world that has a Verizon tower nearby. It is amazing all the tasks I can get completed for want of a power outlet.

So why have I spent a large part of my summer playing Free Cell?

I have just hit some major deadlines in my life after 18 months of running at full steam ahead. I realized just this last week (after the edits for The Marriage Project were finished) apparently I am not capable of work unless I am under tremendous pressure and have a sense of overwhelming guilt.

I just kind of sat there thinking, "I know I have things to do, but I don't want to do any of them." Real mature attitude - yes?

So I'm having to go back to giving myself some rules and boundaries when it comes to my time on the computer. Here are some of the rules when it comes to time wasters that I am now abiding by:

1. No More than 20 minutes on Facebook a day.



I have to tell you, I love me some Facebook.

I love seeing what old friends are up to. I love hearing about the little things in my niece's life that my brother probably wouldn't call to tell me, ("Elsa said A-B-C today. We have started the Harvard Fund.") Love hearing the latest industry buzz and reading what my favorite authors and readers are up to. Love Love Love.

And that is where the trouble begins.

I love checking out what everyone else is up to, and can get super caught up in commenting on people's status. That is fine when I am standing in line at Safeway. But when I should be writing my next chapter on time management? Not so much.

So when I am at home, I am keeping my Facebook addiction down to 20 minutes.




2. Clear out my inbox once a week.



I will do anything to avoid answering unpleasant or complicated e-mails (see my Free Cell reference above.) So I have been giving myself a weekly inbox dump where everything must be dealt with (and then I reward myself with an episode of Drop Dead Diva - hey, it's better than chocolate chip cookies.)

If you need some ideas on how to clean out your inbox, read this great article from Thomas Nelson CEO Michael Hyatt entitled: Yes You Can Stay on Top of Email




3. Turn the Wireless Off for a Chunk of Time - Every Single Day



Twitter and Facebook and E-mail - Oh My!
I have several ways to keep myself entertained on my computer. I love hitting the reload button on my Outlook to see what new mail I have sitting there (yes, we have already established I have a problem. Now let's move on, shall we?)

So, for about 3 hours every day, I turn off my wireless and concentrate on just working. Whether it is writing a blog post, writing a chapter, brainstorming a new speaking topic or having a conversation with a client, I focus completely on the task at hand and not on the e-mail that I am waiting for.

I call this my "Cave Time" and it is the only portion of the day that I can trust myself to do anything that involves numbers or creativity (which for me, both require super-human concentration.)

Now don't get me wrong - a little Free Cell every once in a while is a good thing. But I want my computer to be a tool to get more things done, instead of a distration that keeps me from getting things done. (I can watch all the cute cats on You Tube I want once my speech is written!)



See? Now aren't you glad I shared? Subscribe and you can read Kathi's newsletter hot off the press!
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