Boom!

I am part of the “Baby Boomer” generation.  My generation helped to destroy the once very common long-lasting marriage. We were the first generation where divorce became commonplace.  My own parents were married 63 years and my grandparents, 55. 

In earlier times when people married, they entered the relationship knowing that it would be permanent.  They had no more or fewer disagreements than people have today, but for most, escaping the marriage was never considered.  They didn’t throw things away… they fixed them!

Today, way too many people get married with, “If it doesn’t work out, we can always get a divorce” in the back of their minds.  They don’t consciously think that way of course, but it is a seed germinating, ready to bloom when challenges in their marriage arise.  I think fewer people with each generation are willing to make a lifetime commitment.

My husband and I will celebrate our 22^nd wedding anniversary on January 1, 2015. We were both married previously (I was widowed), neither of us for nearly as long.   We have disagreements.  Everyone does on occasion.  However, we never raise our voices in anger, never call one another names and never cuss at one another.  We always demonstrate respect for one another.

My sister brags that she and her husband have been married 35 years, but she has also told me that they scream and yell at one another and use filthy language when they “fight.”  Hmm.  Is this a “good” marriage because of its longevity?

My husband and I were recently discussing the poor marriage record of Baby Boomers, and we realized that although divorce is very common for those our age, we actually know several people who have been married for a very long time.

We have several couple-friends who have been married more than 30 years, the first marriage for two of those couples.  In fact, we were surprised to realize that most people we know have been married for 20+ years.  Since so many people divorce these days, how is it that we have so many friends in long-lasting marriages?  Do people in good marriages attract or seek out others in good marriages? 

I have found a similar attitude in network marketing.  Most of those in the industry are unwilling to commit to their business; while a small percentage is fully committed, no matter what or how long it takes.  I have developed a few close friendships with other network marketers.  Like the long-married couples I know, those close friendships only seem to be with those who have a similar passion for their business that I have for my own.   

Will the next generation and the next one after that commit to relationships and to their work, or will commitment become less and less common as time goes on?  Of course, I do not know, but I pray it is the former.

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook 

"Thank You" Will Never Be Enough!

I found these wonderful quotes that honor all veteran, past and present.  In addition to the veterans themselves, I also would like to extend a huge “thank you” to the families of veterans who sacrificed so much by “holding down the fort” while their loved ones worked to defend us and maintain our freedom.  http://americanprofile.com/articles/20-memorable-veterans-day-quotes/

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 “I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.” —Gary Hart

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” —Elmer Davis

“On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.”
—Dan Lipinski

“My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place—police, firefighters, and members of our armed forces.”
—Sidney Sheldon

“Our veterans accepted the responsibility to defend America and uphold our values when duty called.”
—Bill Shuster

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. “
—Joseph Campbell

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” 
—John F. Kennedy

“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”
—Jeff Miller

https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1861/us-civil-war/index-lg.jpg

“I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, ‘Mother, what was war?’”  —Eve Merriam

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms.  It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” —G.K. Chesterton

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” – Billy Graham

“In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.” — Mark Twain

 “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” —Maya Angelou

“The hero is the man dedicated to the creation and/or defense of reality-conforming, life-promoting values.” —Andrew Bernstein

“Better than honor and glory, and History’s iron pen, Was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men. “ —Richard Watson Gilder

“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” —Patrick Henry

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!” – Sun Tzu

“Without heroes, we are all plain people, and don’t know how far we can go.” – Bernard Malamud

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook 

Ghost of Halloween’s Past

My memories of Halloween’s when I was young are warm and wonderful!  My mother sewed very well, so she made costumes for my sisters and me.  She was really creative, so I remember a few of my costumes clearly.  One big thing I remember, and carried on with my own children, was that we never wore masks.  We wore makeup, and my mother was good at that as well.

We lived in California, so it was often warm enough not to require jackets, allowing our costumes to show.

My older sister was two years older than me; I was the middle child; and my “little” sister is 3 ½ years younger still.  My mother often made our clothes and dressed us alike – not just for Halloween.  Adults thought we looked so cute; but looking back, with our age differences, I think it was a bit odd.

Dressing us all the same one year, I remember we wore “The Three Little Pigs” costumes.  They were really cute with little “screwed” pipe cleaners for our tails.

Another year, I was a “harem girl” wearing a pretty green outfit with sheer sleeves and legs.  I remember feeling beautiful in that costume.  I was a “cigarette girl” with the tray full of boxes of candy cigarettes.  It was a “grown-up” costume that I really enjoyed.  Some of you may remember cigarette girls that walked around “night clubs” saying, “Cigars, Cigarettes,” selling them to the patrons.  Of course, smoking was quite acceptable back then.

At the corner of the street where we lived, there was an empty dirt lot.  For several years carnivals were set up on the lot on Halloween night.  We loved that!

I am not very creative, and I do not sew, so my children did not have as many really great costumes that I had.  I remember one year, however, that I created a robot costume for my son, and he won first place at his school!  I covered a box with foil for the body; milk cartons covered with foil were the legs and arms; he wore a foil hat; and all the pieces were tied together with silver cord.  I put silver face paint on him to complete the look.

For a few years when my sons were young, we went to a roller rink (remember them?), and they had a costume parade, contests and other fun events.   Although kids still go “trick or treating,” some places hold Halloween events.  Most shopping malls have costume contests, and the kids “trick or treat” at all the stores where they hand out candy.  In some areas, children would not be safe going door to door, so it is nice that more Halloween activities are planned in public places today.

I’d love to see some of your Halloween stories, so feel free to post them below.  I wish you all a fun and safe holiday.

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook 

Hands Up or I'll Laugh!

It seems that nearly every day we hear about someone killing a police officer or police misconduct.  I would like to “lighten up” the police stories, so here are some transcripts of recorded funny police quotes from around the country. 

"Relax; the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch out after you wear them awhile."

"Take your hands off the car, and I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document."

"If you run, you'll only go to jail tired."

"Can you run faster than 1,200 feet per second? In case you didn't know, that is the average speed of a 9mm bullet fired from my gun."

"So you don't know how fast you were going. I guess that means I can write anything I want on the ticket, huh?"

"Yes, Sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh ... did I mention that I am the shift supervisor?"

"Warning! You want a warning? O.K., I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket."

"The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?"

"Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy, and step in monkey do-do."

"Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife will get a toaster oven."

"In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC."

"Just how big were those two beers?"

"No sir we don't have quotas anymore. We used to have quotas but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we want."

"I'm glad to hear the Chief of Police is a good personal friend of yours. At least you know someone who can post your bail."

"You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't.”

http://www.sellingsalesmanship.com/police.html 

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook 

Here Kitty Kitty

We love our pets.  For many of us, our pets are considered family members.  The unfortunate thing about those particular family members is that Americans are spending billions of dollars on their pets, and spending is at an historic high.  I’m not just referring to dogs and cats, but also reptiles and tanks of fish.  Of course, Americans are not the only ones spending their hard-earned money on their pets.  But in America alone, The American Pet Products Association estimates that more than 50 billion dollars was spent on pets in 2011, and that number is increasing each year.

How is that money spent?  The biggest expense is food, which is about half of all the money spent on our animals.  Veterinary bills are next, with supplies and over-the-counter medications being in third place.  And, there’s also grooming and boarding, which can add up to huge sums as well.

I worked for four years in a veterinary hospital as their collections agent.  I was the one who sent out all the past-due bills and letters.  I learned that pet owners will spend almost any amount to be sure their pets are healthy and happy.  Even when they can’t afford it, people will go into debt to care for their four-legged family members.  I remember one woman who brought her elderly dog to a Veterinary Cardiologist for open-heart surgery.  She spent tens of thousands of dollars.   When it comes to cutting back during a poor economy, pets are one of the last expenses to be reduced. 

There are pet insurance policies which, like human health insurance, may cover a percentage of their veterinary expenses.  Prices vary greatly on pet insurance, and if a pet doesn’t need any expensive treatment for years, the insurance premiums certainly can add up.

Fortunately, there is an alternative to reduce pet care expenses other than paying expensive insurance premiums.  Pet Care Savings Programs are now available in most large cities and in some small to medium sized cities.  Xpress Healthcare® offers one of the best and its features include:

• 25% savings on network veterinary services.  (Not available in all cities.)

• 10% to 35% savings at participating providers on pet services such as boarding, doggie day care, training, pet sitting and grooming.

• 10% to 35% at participating merchants on pet supplies such as food, beds, toys, treats and vitamins
• Free pet ID tag(s) and 24-hour location service for lost pets
• These programs can be used for nearly all animals, from companion animals such as dogs and cats to exotic animals such as birds and reptiles
• Our savings plan is NOT insurance.

Pet Care Savings Program is only part of Xpress Healthcare’s® Lifestyle Select Discount Package.  For only $19.95 per month, all the pets in the household are covered by these discounts, plus you and your immediate family will receive Roadside Assistance, Legal Services discounts, and LifeLock® Identity Theft Protection.

We’ll never stop loving and pampering our pets so it is good to know that we can greatly reduce the cost of their care.  (Only available in the United States),

Visit http://PetCareDiscounts.info/ for details.

Please Note… Discounts on the following are at the veterinarian’s discretion:

• Food and flea products.
• Low margin medications.
• Non-medical boarding and grooming. 
• Any outside services, such as lab work or outside specialists. When products are not discounted, members may still find discounts from our participating merchants.

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·         For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

·         For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

·         Please visit my Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/XpressHealthcareTheWinnersCircle 

I Cannot Find the Time

How many times have you said that?  I’ve said it, and I’m sure nearly everyone has.  We certainly must not be looking in the right place, because “time” has not gone anywhere.

For entrepreneurs, scheduling our days can make the difference between success and failure.  For those who work their business part time, they simply cannot work their business whenever they have a few minutes “to spare.”  For those working a full-time home business, if our time is not well organized, we may never get to high-priority tasks.

It is very helpful to have a schedule of what days we plan to work, how many hours we plan to work on those days, and at what time we will start and finish working each day.  In addition, we’ll likely be more productive if we schedule the various tasks we plan for each week.

For example:

Monday, Wednesday Friday – place online ads for one hour, beginning at 4 PM.

Monday through Friday – spend one hour participating on IBOToolbox, beginning at 3 PM.

Daily – Call all prospects received within the past 24 hours, beginning at 5 PM.

If we plan our days, treat our business like a job where we are expected to start and finish at a particular time, we will accomplish more and be more successful.  Many business owners treat their businesses more like a hobby to do whenever they can squeeze in an hour or two.  It is unlikely they will ever succeed with their business.

Time is ours to spend however we wish to do so.  We must “make” the time to do the many tasks required to maintain and grow a business.  If we are really serious about what we are building, we should never be unable to “find the time.”

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook 

My Point is…

To most Westerners, acupuncture is mysterious, and many people are skeptical that it can actually do anything to relieve pain or treat health issues.  The Chinese have been using acupuncture effectively for thousands of years.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the term “acupuncture” describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.

I have received acupuncture many times over the past 15 years or so.  I have severe osteoarthritis that affects virtually every join in my body.  A couple months ago, I had a bad fall, landing on my knees and ending up with bruises from head to two.  As a result, I have had debilitating back pain and both my knees hurt so bad that I walk with a limp.  

Having recently moved to California, I searched for and found an acupuncturist nearby.  I have received several treatments over the past three weeks or so.  It turned out that my back pain was due to inflammation of my sacroiliac joints.  My knees, particularly my right knee, may be beyond help (without surgery).

With each acupuncture treatment I had very thin, sterile needles inserted on several spots on my sacroiliac joint,  back and my right knee; I had moist heat applied, using an  hydroculator (a sort of quilted device filled with a clay-like substance used for pain management); and the acupuncturist massaged a liniment to all the sore areas. 

My back/sacroiliac joint hurts only if I do too many physical activities.  My knees now hurt much less, and the pain is no longer constant.

Scientific studies have proven that acupuncture can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments and pain.  Some doctors even use acupuncture to relieve pain during surgical procedures. Acupuncture cannot cure cancer, however, it can help to relieve the pain it causes and ease the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.  Acupuncture can be used to treat skin diseases, psychiatric and mental disturbances, relieving angina pectoris, and a variety of heart problems. 

I am not suggesting that acupuncture is a cure-all.  Not at all.  For serious health conditions, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with traditional medical treatment, not necessarily instead of.

Many people believe it will not work, and thus think it cannot work for them.  However, believing it will work has no effect on whether or not it will be effective.  I know a veterinarian who treats horses with arthritis with acupuncture and has seen remarkable results.  The horses do not believe or disbelieve it will work.  It simply does.  

Some people are also afraid that acupuncture may be painful.  I will not tell you there is never any discomfort; however, the needles used are extremely fine, so you likely will not even feel it being inserted. The only distress I have felt is from what the needles are meant to do… activate the body’s meridian paths where qi (pronounced Chi - vital energy) and blood pool – in the same way that water might pool. This pooling can cause pain and other health issues.

If you are suffering from pain, in particular, you may want to seek an acupuncturist.  Do your homework though.  Don’t go to a chiropractor that took a six-week course in acupuncture.  Look at the provider’s background and training.  Many have four-year degrees in Oriental Medicine.

To learn more about acupuncture, you may want to check it out online.

(My company, Xpress Healthcare, offers acupuncture discounts as part of one of our discount plans, however, at this time providers are available only in major cities.)

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook 

A Rather Unique List…

As I sit at my desk working on my home-based business in my new home, I am realizing how very fortunate I am.  In fact, I believe I am blessed.

In today’s world, so many people are suffering - struggling to put food on the table, trying to stay safe and alive in war-torn countries and hoping to stay healthy and alive.  With all this in mind, I would like to share my thoughts about my own situation.  Perhaps this will remind you to “count your blessings” as well.

·         I am a senior citizen, and like many others, I have health issues.  However, I realize how minor they are when compared to many people I see every day and the millions around the world.

·         After living in another state for nearly twenty years, my husband and I recently returned to the state where our family lives.  We have children, grandchildren, siblings and cousins whom we love and who love us in return.  They are all in excellent or relatively good health. 

Four Generations

·         We live in a lovely home with heat and air conditioning and no major repair issues.

·         We have plenty of food to eat and never have to worry from where our next meal will come.

·         We have clean, safe water to drink and with wish we can bathe.

·         We live in a relatively safe neighborhood where we feel secure in our home and to take a walk whenever we wish.

·         We are far from wealthy, but we have enough money to cover all our needs and a few wants.

·         Over our lifetime, we have been able to invest and save some money, providing us with a measure of security when combined with our income.

·         We have good health insurance at a very reasonable cost.

·         We have friends about whom we care, both actual and virtual.

In addition to stating my blessings above, I would like to thank all of my IBO friends and associates for the support and assistance they have provided over the years I have been an IBO Toolbox Member.  You are all truly appreciated.

If you care to comment on this post, I would love for you to include something for which you too are grateful.

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook 

Do You Have What it Takes?

I read a wonderful piece today about entrepreneurship that was posted by Sandy Blomstrom.  I recommend that you read it here:  http://www.ibosocial.com/sanblomstrom/pressrelease.aspx?prid=376834  Sandy’s post inspired me to write this press release about entrepreneurs. 

Without entrepreneurs, our economy would suffer dramatically – as though is hasn’t been bad enough over the past decade or so.  There are entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Walt Disney and many lesser-known entrepreneurs, have changed the world in ways no one could have ever imagined.

What does it take to become a SUCCESSFUL entrepreneurs?  There is an ongoing debate as to whether entrepreneurs are born or “made.”  I will not get into that discussion now however. 

There are several things that I believe are absolute requirements.

Preparation!  Before you dive into your new business, be prepared.  Will you actually have the time and money required to operate your business?  Do you have a business plan?  Do not only focus on your goals.  Consider what could go wrong as well.  When a crisis arises, you need to know how you will handle it. 

Prevent Burnout.  When people first start out in a new business, they are usually really excited, pumped up.  However, if you push too hard at the beginning, you will likely burnout.  Pace yourself.  Do not allow your emotions to control your actions.  In this way, when you do come across challenges, you will still have the energy to deal with the situation.

Be ready for a roller coaster ride.  Every entrepreneur has times when they wonder whether their efforts are being wasted.  Starting a new business is difficult, and you will have both ups and downs.  If you need a brief break, take one, but never stop moving forward.  Continue to work toward your goals.

If you don’t take care of YOU, who will?  When you’re wrapped up in the excitement of your new business, it is easy to skip meals, not get enough sleep or forget to stay hydrated.  If you allow your health to suffer, your business will too.

Don’t buy into the hype and believe your business will begin growing right away.  Too many people exaggerate how quickly an entrepreneur can build their business.  No matter how long you think it will take to reach your goals, it will take longer.  I am not referring to weeks or months.  To grow a successful business, it may well take years.

Expect the unexpected.  No matter how prepared you believe you are unforeseen challenges will arise.  Keep your eyes wide open so those encounters don’t take you by surprise.

As for and accept help. We all want to be the champion entrepreneur, but no one can do it entirely alone.  If you discover that you lack a particular skill to complete a task, ask someone with that skill for help.  Do not allow yourself to believe you can do everything.  No one can.

When you are on a journey, stop to see the scenery.  When you decide to become an entrepreneur, you should immediately ask yourself why. What is your ultimate goal?  In addition, set smaller goals along the way to give you a sense of accomplishment when you achieve them.  When you know your journey may take years, it helps to stop and enjoy your smaller achievements along the way.

Be aware that you may need to change directions along the way.  If you love your products and your business, you should be confident that you will do well.  However, there is always more than one way to perform an activity.  If you find that your marketing is not bringing the results you hoped for, find other ways to market.  Do not get stuck in a rut believing you must carry on in the same direction if there are stop signs in front of you

Anyone who is totally honest with themselves knows that starting a business can be way beyond difficult – and it is for most people.  However, if you love what you are doing and you are passionate about your product or service, you likely will find it worth the effort.  Entrepreneurship is NOT for everyone and no one particular business opportunity is good for everyone.  It's up to you to determine if the journey will be worthwhile.   

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For Xpress Healthcare® business opportunity info, visit http://joinxpresshealthcare.com. 

For affordable discount plans to reduce your Health and Dental expenses AND reduce costs on Hearing, Vision, Prescriptions, Roadside Assistance, Lifelock™ and even more, visit: http://ibourl.net/XpressSavings (NOT insurance). 

I invite you to visit my Facebook Page at http://ibourl.net/XpressFacebook