Be Proud by Gidget Giardino

BE PROUD of even the smallest accomplishments. They are the building blocks to greatness. And, YOU ARE GREAT!

If every day you did one thing, just one thing to improve yourself or build your business, at the end of the week you'll be amazed. Keep achieving these little mini goals and by the end of the month your be thrilled to see how far you've gone. Imagine where you'll be, how grand your life is at the end of the year!  

Now, I know all about making new year resolutions that never get off the ground. I used to be one of those people. It all boiled down to discipline. Taking the extra few minutes each and every day to actually do the things you know you need to do in order to have a better life, or having the willpower to quit doing the self destructive habits you have. Because you are afraid you can't shake them isn't going to make them go away, and it certainly isn't going to improve your life.

Take it one day at a time. If something is truly important to you, you will make it part of your daily routine to improve. It isn't as hard as it seems. You just have to take a deep breath every morning and live your life the way you know you need to.

 

BE PROUD of your positive improvements. Even if they seem small. All your accomplishments add up to greatness. And, you ARE great!

Grow. Grow. GROW. by Gidget Giardino

Since I was a florist for more than 25 years, it probably goes without saying, I love growing things.

A daily task was to care for our many plants. This is said to be therapeutic, and I believe it is. There is something very calming about cultivating the growth of a plant.

Each kind of plant needs different care. Some want constant attention, while others get "sick" if you fiddle with them too much. The key is to figure out what each needs and then only do what you KNOW will be best. Don't give too much water if the plant prefers to be dry. Don't let it scorch in the sun if it must have shade.  You don't necessarily have to baby it. Just respect its needs.

If you take the above into consideration and apply the thinking to your business you will find that people are a lot like plants. Treat each person with the care and respect they need and do not do more than necessary. We've all heard of the term "over-kill."

Your Home-Based business will "thrive" when you learn, and apply, the above.

Article by Gidget Giardino

You Know What They Say About Death and Taxes by Gidget Giardino

I don't know about you, but it makes me mad as hell to wake up each day and hear that our country is in such financial turmoil. Today's headlines on the "Tax Cut Compromise" was enough to make me puke.

Under this proposal, the single working people with below $20,000 in earnings and married couples below $40,000 will be worse off.  Basically the "working poor" (I hate that BTW) will loose money because Obama's proposal is to substitute a Social Security payroll tax cut for the Making Work Pay credit. In this scenario, our single working-class will no longer receive the $400 they are accustomed to and the married will not receive the $800, by the time you do the math.  

However, the rich will do really well. A worker earning $106,800 (max. amount of income subject to Social Security tax) stands to save $2,136 in payroll taxes. Double that for married couples making over $100,000.

Now, do you really think the rich will stimulate the economy with their extra dough? Maybe some, but not nearly as much as the low-income working families would with their measly $400. All this does is drive a bigger wedge between the rich and the poor, financially speaking.

How do you get out of the jam? Simple. Make more money.

I know, you're rolling your eyes and snorting at my last statement. But, think about it. It is the solution to that  problem, as well as many others. On my blog you will find articles with basic steps to follow in order to be successful in making more money. Stay tuned. And, BE PREPARED to take action.

Article by Gidget Giardino

Improve Your Business

Stay Ahead Of The Curve

by “Independent Executive” Chuck Boyce

It’s often difficult for entrepreneurs and business owners to look beyond the hectic day-to-day pace of their business responsibilities.  Time is at a premium; and so are money and resources.
Any small business coach or executive business coach, however, will tell you that not looking past today can cost you plenty tomorrow.

There’s an old saying:  “Stay ahead of the curve.”  Translation?  Keep your eyes open for change before it happens – so you’ve already thought through how you’re going to make critical adjustments before it’s too late.

Here are a few suggestions on how you can stay ahead of the curve, no matter what your business is:

• SCHEDULE IT AND SET IT IN STONE

Many smart entrepreneurs will carve out a few hours every week (Friday afternoons, when everything is winding down, are often popular) to review their business operation from a “Big Picture” perspective.  This requires a certain objectivity and distance to do correctly.  If you do put this into practice, always make sure you end each session with some “Action Points” to apply to your business that will help it react to current marketplace conditions.

• GET OUT OF YOUR BUSINESS BUBBLE

Everyone wants to think there’s nowhere to go but up in their particular business category.  When they associate with others in the same industry, there’s often a little bit of groupthink going on – everyone reinforces each other’s optimism. Let’s recall a few years ago when the entire financial community bet everything that real estate prices would never, ever take a substantial drop.  To avoid the echo chamber, seek out other opinions from those in other industries on how they view your business sector – and if they feel it’s headed for growth or rough times.

• DO YOUR RESEARCH

In case you weren’t aware, the internet isn’t just for shopping or playing games – it’s also the most amazing source of information in the history of mankind.  It’s easy to find reputable sites that analyze current business trends, as well as suggesting new ways of both saving money and making it.   If you don’t already seek out this kind of valuable (and generally free) business advice, put it on your to-do list.

Doing your research also involves attending seminars and trade shows where you can network as well as catch up on cutting-edge trends.  The more you expose yourself to, the more well-rounded you are in terms of running your business.  That ultimately makes you quick with the right response whenever business conditions change or a new opportunity crops up.

Santa Mail

Make Wishes Come True

You can help Santa grant special wishes this holiday season just by writing him a letter.

This year you can bring a smile to the face of a child with a life-threatening medical condition by writing a letter to Santa. Go into any Macy's store before December 25th and write a letter to Santa at the Believe Station or drop off a stamped letter addressed to Santa. For each letter mailed at Macy's, the famous department store will donate a dollar, up to $1 million, to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can download a template at www.macys.com/believe or write one of your own.

Macy's Believe Campaign is inspired by The New York Sun's famous "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus" editorial from 1897, in reply to a little girl's question about Santa's existence. "Yes, Virginia", an animated television special about this heartwarming holiday story, is now available as a DVD and a children's book. 10% of the purchase price of those sold at Macy's will also be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

Christmas is a time to be joyful and spread peace and love to all. So, this holiday season, while you are rushing around preparing for your own special festivities, stop by Macy's Believe Station and write a letter to Santa. Every dollar counts.

Beautiful Trees

TREES... 

 (by Joyce - 1886-1918) Kilmer

 I think that I shall never see 
A poem lovely as a tree. 
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; 
A tree that looks at God all day, 
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;   
A tree that may in Summer wear 
A nest of robins in her hair; 
Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 
Who intimately lives with rain.   
Poems are made by fools like me, 
But only God can make a tree... 

Are You Happy?

The Head Games of Happiness
by Darren Hardy

What makes you happy… really?

That’s a serious question… maybe one of the most important questions of your life. But did you know most people can’t answer it correctly?

In his book Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard professor Dan Gilbert explains that most of us think we know what makes us happy, but typically we are wrong.

I have found there are three major traps in which you might be unknowingly making yourself unhappy.

The first unhappiness trap is postponing happiness. The “when I (fill in the blank), I will be happy” syndrome. The reality is that happiness isn’t something to be acquired in the future. You are either happy now or not; “then” never arrives. Living and striving for “then” results in a constant state of unhappiness. Now is the only time you have to be happy. If you can’t be happy now, you most certainly will not be happy later.
The second unhappiness trap is we spend our lives trying to make other people happy, which can make us very unhappy. Many times we are living a life we didn’t even choose ourselves. We might have simply, and unconsciously, started pursuing the idea of happiness programmed by our parents, peers, societal culture, or the examples given to us by Hollywood or commercialism. Whose idea of success are you living out?
Third unhappiness trap is contrast. For the most part happiness is really an illusion. In other words, you make up the idea of whether you are happy or not. And you really only know how to judge something by comparing it to something else. Typically this means comparing yourself to other people. This is dangerous business because there will always be reference points that will cause you to be unhappy.

The bottom line is this, happiness is not derived from the outside, it is only derived from within. Happiness is a state of mind. And you can continually choose to be happy.

Here is the best way I know to live in happiness—live in gratitude. When you focus on all you have and all that you are, right now, that is where happiness is born. Once it is born now you can nurture it further by discovering those other experiences that bring you increased joy, happiness and exhilaration.

http://www.darenhardy.success.com/

Eco-Friendly Holiday Tips by Gidget Giardino

Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday

It's hard to believe, but according to Robert Lilienfeld, co-author of the book, "Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are," between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week. During the season of giving, it sure seems like we're taking a lot from Mother Nature. Here are some suggestions of ways to go green this holiday season, and you just might save some green in the meantime.

Start with your gift giving. You may not have ever thought about it before, but some gifts are certainly more eco-friendly than others. Giving an experience, like tickets to a ballgame or an art exhibit, create much less waste than complicated toys and gadgets. And some of the best gifts can be homemade like cookies and cakes, or having guests over for a full home-cooked meal.

As you do begin warping up those presents for family and friends, consider recycling gift wrap. You can easily reuse gift bags, tissue paper, bows and even wrapping paper. For gift wrapping alternatives, think about using reusable items like scarves, handkerchiefs or bandanas.  
If you need to ship your presents this year, avoid Styrofoam packing peanuts and try the biodegradable kind instead. You can also use crumpled up newspaper, or even dry, popped popcorn (insert a note inside the box letting the receiver know that they can later treat birds to it).

For many folks, the holidays just wouldn't be the same without a live, fragrant Christmas tree. As you search for that perfect tree, keep in mind that if you purchase a tree from a tree farm you're not damaging forests. Artificial trees are also a good choice since they are reused every year and that saves on the gas you would spend driving to the tree farms.

To ignite your family with holiday cheer, be sure to purchase Christmas lights made with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. According to one U.S. Department of Energy study, if all families replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved in a month. The savings alone would be enough to power 200,000 homes for a year.

Once you've chosen your tree, get creative with the decorations. Give it your family's personal touch by decorating it with memorabilia such as a child's first shoe. Cookie cutters, pinecones, stuffed animals and toys, and miniature toy cars work just as well.

And start the New Year off on the right foot try treecycling. By recycling your fresh tree you can make a huge difference in reducing holiday waste. Instead of ending up in a landfill, Christmas trees can be ground into wood chips and be reused as mulch gardens, or to prevent erosion. If you visit Earth911.com, you can search your zip code to find the nearest Christmas tree recycling center near you. Written by Tara Darby

Choose The Right Company For Success

Janet Callaway, my mentor, has a way with words, as well as, being tremendously successful in NWM. This article completely describes what you need to succeed in this industry.

6 Keys to Success by Janet Callaway

Today let's explore 6 key points in finding a company that is “built to last.” After all, if you are going to invest your time and effort to build for the future, you want to know that company will still be around in the future to pay you that residual income you earned.

Though it might seem odd, I am going to list these 6 keys in reverse order. In other words, I am going to start with the Least important first which may surprise you.

1. Product. What, you say; how can that possibly be the least important? You're thinking if I had a great product to market, a product that really “Worked,” I would be rich because everyone would want it and would keep using it. While your logic sounds well, logical, unfortunately the reality is something else. People use great products, get better, feel better, look better or whatever better, and then they quit taking the products. Why? Because they are better! People forget about prevention and following consistent routines for optimum results. Life happens and people “forget” how they were before or they choose to spend their money elsewhere. A great product does not guarantee longevity of a company nor success for the individual distributor.

2. Compensation. No way. If the compensation plan is good, the program/the plan will work and “I'll get rich!” Sounds good, however, once again that old reality is quite different. Many compensation plans are designed to only last a “short” time rather than the long haul. Still others “work” when there are a modest number of distributors and simply fall apart when the distributor force grows larger. The bane of the network marketing industry is compensation plans that keep changing because they were not well designed in the beginning. The good news/bad news is that it is not about the Compensation plan because people have made tons of money with truly terrible Compensation plans. Go figure.

3. Tools. What on earth do you mean by “Tools.” Tools are what you use to deliver the information to your prospective business partners. They are critically important. This quote by Archimedes best describes the power of good tools: "Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand, and I will move the world." 
    
4. Systems. Newcomers to the Network Marketing industry often don't recognize the importance of a system. Because most of us are used to having to do it by ourselves, we forget that Network Marketing is about the power of leverage as Archimedes so well stated. You not only use Tools in a system, you also use people. In a good company, there is a step-by-step system that anyone can follow. If people do follow the System, they experience success because they have people helping them each step of the way as well as the Tools that do the work for them.
   
   
5. Coaches. This is probably starting to make sense to you now. You now have a Product to market, a Compensation plan to pay you as well as Tools and a System to follow. Your Coach helps to put it together for you and keep you on target so that you achieve your goals. Any successful athlete, musician, or person who excels at a craft/trade/art has or had a coach. In most instances, its multiple and continuing coaches. Recognizing the importance of coach, we celebrate great coaches like the late Coach John Wooden of UCLA. Work with a coach, a mentor and you will succeed. Attempt to do it all on your own and, most likely, you will fail.
   
   
6. Owners. Simply put, if the owners lack integrity and the ability to lead, the Company will fail. The Owners are the ones who write your royalty checks both today and into the future. Make sure that they have a track record of success and integrity. Your future depends on it.

Choose wisely. Let me know if I can help in any way. Would love to hear your thoughts on these 6 Key Points.

Business or Hobby ? by Gidget Giardino

Unless somebody is making the phone ring or the customers come through the door, it's not a business. It's just a very expensive hobby.


Depending on what kind of business you are in the activities you need to do in order to bring the customers to you daily varies. Traditional business may need more advertising, direct mail campaignes, radio scripts, etc. But, if you Work From Home you need to stay in touch via internet, the phone, or both. 


A Home-Based Business does not usually require a large start-up cost. You should not have to take out a sales ad in the newspaper or spend your cash on advertising campaignes. However, you will need to choose the right company and get a mentor.


The things you need to look for in choosing the right company are:
1. The Owners must have integrity and a solid success record.
2. A Mentor who will keep you on target and help you achieve your goals.
3. A step-by-step System that anyone can follow.
4. Tools to deliver the information professionally without delay. 
5. Generous and fair Compensation plan designed to last.
6. Highly consumable Products that work.

Tomorrow I will post details on the above six necessary things you need to choose a Successful Company.

A Small Success by Gidget Giardino

There are lots of small successes leading up to a big success. One of my small successes has just happened and I wanted to share it with you.

For more than 25 years I owned a retail florist in busy Fort Lauderdale, FL. Recently I sold it and have felt kind of sad. After all, that business was a huge part of my life I let go. All three of my sons were raised right there in the shop. Every milestone was made primarily in my office among the flowers. And, before I go any further... that is not the small success I am talking about.

For the very first time EVER in my life, my Christmas tree is up AND decorated before the end of November! Usually I am throwing ornaments on in a hurry somewhere around the 15th of December (and I'm lucky if the tree isn't lopsided when I'm finished.) This may not seem like something to consider as a success in life for most people, but for me it surly is.

Success is measured in may different ways. Today I am considering this small success a stepping stone toward a bigger success. I LOVE WORKING FROM HOME!

Don't Settle by Gidget Giardino

Life has so much to offer each of us. Why, then, do we settle for less than exactly what we want? Today there is too much doom and gloom being spread around us. The daily news spouts unemployement woes and future economic projections show more of the same; doom and gloom. Don't you think you deserve more?

If every month you made more money than you did the previous, wouldn't you want to share how you made that happen? It goes back to the age old question: which would you rather have, a million dollars or the way to make a million dollars? Well....?

Let's make a million dollars together.

Key To Happiness by Gidget Giardino

Burned biscuits

When I was a kid, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone
noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly
anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what
I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults - and choosing
to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating
a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
Learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

Celebrating Differently by Gidget Giardino

I am celebrating Thanksgiving differently this year. And, man, am I excited about it!

One thing missing from my glorious life of owning my flower shop has been the joy of spending time with family. Traditional business can rob you blind. Because the days and weeks before a major holiday are full of deadlines and long hours, when the actual day arrives, I am so worn out I can’t really relax and enjoy it. As a matter of fact, my mind replays the holiday weeks events taking into account the amount paid out for supplies, payroll, added contractors, perishables, pending paperwork, etc. It’s like a broken record playing out of tune.

And, flower shops are not the only business that I am referring to. Restaurants, gift shops, specialty stores, and the like, all these owners experience a back draft of sorts. Sure, the money made may make you think you are doing great, BUT, are you really? Is it truly worth it?

There are lots of reasons traditional business is right for some people. But for me, after 25 plus years it was time to re-think. Realizing I needed a change made me look to Network Marketing for the income and lifestyle I was missing.

So, because I chose to take charge of my life, this year I am able to travel to North Carolina for a family reunion. A reunion that has taken place at my cousin’s house in High Point, for God knows how many years, that I was forced to miss year after year because my traditional business kept me tied to the boss’s seat.

This year I am celebrating Thanksgiving in a whole new light. One shared with my family, surrounded by joy and happiness, totally relaxed. I am thankful for XanGo bringing me into that light and shining so bright you can see it from anywhere.  



Want To Earn Money by Gidget Giardino

Want to earn an extra $500.00 - $1,000 before the holiday bills come due?

It's easier than you'd think. And, best of all you don't have to do it by yourself.

Work with the best team now and make this year end on a positive note.

Happiness really is the joy of achievement.

Road To Success by Gidget Giardino

We all start our lives small and grow considerably into our adult bodies. Along the way our brains develop similarly. The things we learn through our experiences make up much of who we become as adults. This is important to think about because when we set goals sometimes it is difficult to picture the outcome. Our goal has not fully developed in our minds. It has not grown into its full size yet. It is still a baby.

That baby goal needs to be loved, cherished, cared for, and most importantly it must be fed.
So, how do you do that?

Write it down. Use lots of details like where, when, how much, what color. Project what the outcome will look like once you've reached that goal. Visualize your goal as already achieved. Then take that written goal and write a few more copies of it. In your mind see the goal completed while you write. When you've finished, put one in your purse or wallet. Stick another in your sock drawer. Set one in the dashboard or console of your car. And, tape one to the mirror of your bathroom and look yourself in the eye as you read it out loud.

Every time you see your goal you need to close your eyes and visualize once again what it looks like accomplished. How does it feel? What does it smell like? Where are you standing? Who is there sharing it with you? Then, read your goal aloud.

The Game Changer

http://www.lifeasitcouldbe.com/Gidget&Mark/frontier

Success In Life by Gidget Giardino

You will find no new revelations here.

Integrity

Self-discipline

Kindness

& Courage

These are the secrets to living a successful life.

Sure, you can add in a few other ingredients, but if you do not have integrity people will certainly figure that out and you'll have egg on your face. Without self-discipline the actions you take will not be consistent, thus you may move one step forward and two steps back. Kindness is such a simple thing yet it is so unbelievably powerful. People do not ever forget your kindness. You absolutely must have the courage to see your success through. Courage makes you go after what you want in life and not take no for an answer!

The Pricks In Life by Gidget Giardino

Have you ever  seen a
baby porcupine?   

    

  Fable of the Porcupine 

It was the coldest winter ever.  
Many animals died because of the cold.

The porcupines, realizing the situation,
decided to group together.  
This way, they covered and protected themselves.

But, the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.

   After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their  companions or disappear from the Earth.
 Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it was the heat that came from the others. Thus they were able to survive.  


  Therefore:  
 The  best relationship is not the one that  brings together perfect people, but the  best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.
 

Decide What You Want by Gidget Giardino

When we were babies we knew exactly what we wanted. We knew when we were hungry, needed to be changed, wanted to be held. If we saw something we liked we moved toward it. No question, we were born to instinctly go for what we wanted.

So what happened?
Someone told us we couldn't have everything simply because we wanted it.

The problem with that is, we can have what we want, do what we want, be what we want. Scientists used to believe we responded to information flowing into our brain from the outside world. Today they are learning we respond to what our brain expects to happen. Because our brain expects something to happen a certain way, often what we expect is exactly what does indeed happen.

Stop settling for less than what you want. When you are confronted with a choice, no matter how small or insignificant, act as if you have a preference. Be clear about what you want. You will find yourself taking control and feeling better and better about having exactly what you want in your life.

Decide What You Want.

See It And Seize It - John C. Maxwell

6 Steps to Turn Your Dreams into Realities by John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell is an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 19 million books. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, each year he speaks to the leaders of diverse organizations, such as Fortune 500 companies, foreign governments, The National Football League, the United States Miliary Academy at West, and the United Nations.

In this excerpt by Joyce Meyer from John Maxwell's book Dream: See It and Seize It John gives you the steps to achieve your dream. Since even those people who have defined their dreams often lack both the strategy and the knowledge for what must be done to attain their dreams, his plan will put the clarity into the vague notions so many people have about their dreams. Janet

Dream: See It and Seize It

If you are unsure of what your dream might be - either because you are afraid to dream or because you somehow lost your dream along the way - then start preparing yourself to receive your dreams by doing six things to put yourself in the best possible position to receive a dream.


Once you do these six things, focus on discovering your dream. As you do, keep in mind the words of my agent Matt Yates, who says, "A dream is what you desire if anything and everything is possible."

Mental Preparation: Read and study in areas of your greatest interest.

Experimental Preparation: Engage in activities in areas related to your interests.

Visual Preparation: Put up pictures of people and things that inspire you.

Hero Preparation: Read about and try to meet people you admire and who inspire you.

Physical Preparation: Get your body in optimal shape to pursue your dream.

Spiritual Preparation: Seek God's help for a bigger-than-self dream.

"God will help you be all you can be, but He will never help you be someone else."

Originally Posted by Janet Callaway

Beauty Is Pain - But It Doesn't Have To Be

There is a saying, “beauty is pain,” which we at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics never much cared for. After a hair salon worker complained about bloody noses and breathing problems after using "formaldehyde free" Brazilian Blowout, Oregon OSHA tested the product and discovered it's up to 10 percent formaldehyde. The search for miraculously smooth hair should not cause acute pain or long-term health problems.

Because formaldehyde is a nasty chemical linked to cancer and allergies, the governments of Canada and Ireland issued recalls of Brazilian Blowout in the last few weeks, after their own tests confirmed its presence.

But guess what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has done? Nothing.

This is unacceptable. The high levels of formaldehyde in Brazilian Blowout pose a serious threat to salon workers giving the treatment on a daily basis, and are dangerous for customers, too.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics sent a letter to the FDA asking for immediate action, and now the agency needs to hear from you.

Please join us in asking the FDA to issue a voluntary recall of Brazilian Blowout products!

Even if you've never gotten a Brazilian Blowout treatment, this issue shows that we need a real change in the beauty industry. Under current law, it's perfectly legal for a product to contain carcinogens and other harmful chemicals, and the FDA doesn't have the power to issue a mandatory recall of any cosmetics. That's why the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is working to pass the Safe Cosmetics Act – a law that will close the loopholes and protect our health.

But right now, we need to get formaldehyde out of salons ASAP: Ask the FDA to issue a voluntary recall of Brazilian Blowout.

Mia Davis, National Grassroots Coordinator via Campaign For Safe Cosmetics

Toxic US by Gidget Giardino

Why is there a governing body in Europe for the ingredients used in making personal care products yet there isn't anyone looking out for the US? We are supposed to believe something is safe just because the bottle has the word "natural" on it. That is a crock of crap. A big one.

The United States does not have an kind of true rules and regulations in place to protect the American people from the poisons in the personal care products we use each and every day. We should all be outraged. Even some baby products have harmful chemicals known to cause cancer. Why? When the European Union forbids known toxic chemical use, why doesn't the US?

The very same companies who produce these toxic products for the US are doing business in the EU, and producing the same products for them toxin-free! I don't know about you, but..... that makes me angry!

Art in the Street with a Side of Cold by Gidget Giardino

Today I bundled up and went out in the chilly 50 degree weather to view something I can never get enough of - art. For the past 28 years Downtown Gainesville has held a festival and art show that spans several blocks and has everything it should. There were paintings galore, gorgeous one-of-a-kind jewelry, fantastic wood crafts, amazing sculptures made out of all sorts of stuff (literally!), beautiful photography of everything from nature up close to architectual masterpieces, and unusual sculptures and glassart. Along with musicians, dancers, jugglers, etc.
The kids enjoyed puppet making, face painting and various other activities meant to attract the entire family. And, WOW, the number of dogs I saw there was incredible. Many of the booths offered doggie bowls full of water, and we saw one man carrying his very large and heavy Golden Retriever while the dog napped. (Wish I had taken a pictue of that.)

But, the reason I am writing to you today is.....
I want to share with you something I had never seen before. You already know, art comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes and mediums. Many times you see art that resembles someone elses work. Today I saw art that pictures will NEVER do justice. This artist takes a white material and starts applying thousands of super tiny squares of fabric. She builds her art up one teeny piece at a time and mixes colors to come up with a fabulous look that is so intricate a picture simply cannot show the beauty and patience. The stitching used is also in various colors and patterns. These one-of-a-kind works are accompanied by a very special poem. Special because each poem was written by the artists grandmother, Margaret H. Brooks.

The artist I am speaking of is Rhanna Nyman. A very lovely lady who took the time to not only explain in full detail how her pieces are created, but allowed me to take photographs. She even stopped to chit-chat about our names and their uniqueness. I felt I had known her a lifetime.
Visit her website: http://www.rhannanyman.com/  It's worth taking a peek.


There I am. Bundled up in the white coat. You can't see the turtleneck sweater underneath, but trust me it's there. Boy was I glad, too. The large buildings kept most of the sun from reaching the streets where it would really have helped the masses to stay warm. Funny. Here in Florida, we would normally prefer the looming concrete structures known as buildings because we like to hide from the sun's rays. But, not today. Today was pretty darned cold.
There was another artist who deserves to be mentioned. Hugo Cruz is a self taught artist who uses other mediums aside from photography. What I saw today were photographs of typical things around us which we take for granted everyday, captured through an infrared lense. His infrared photos were absolutely gorgeous.
Visit his website at:  http://www.hugocruzgallery.com/

It was 38 degrees when I woke up this morning and I seriously thought about ditching the art show. I'm grateful I didn't though. I would have really missed out. The 29th Annual Downtown Festival and Art Show in Gainesville, FL was a treat for all who attended. (Even the dogs enjoyed it.)

Where I Began - Where I Am Now by Gidget Giardino

The people viewing my page that already know me might say I've been lucky. Lucky because my first business was a family-owned full service florist, and, so, I lucked out on not having to choose a career path. It was expected that I would take over the family business when the time came. The good news is they were right. The bad news is, well, there really is no bad news.

My friends would tell you I am a hard worker, very friendly and caring, quite dependable yet silly at times; I like to have fun and make people laugh. They would also tell you I love children. In fact, I love children so much I decided to start a family early. Very early. I was a Teenage Mom.

Pregnant at 15; I delivered my first son at age 16. Richard was my reason for everything I did in life. I was young enough that the thought never occurred to me there were things I could not do. While pregnant I worked two jobs; I was a file clerk for a group of four Jewish doctors in Hollywood, FL, Mon.-Fri. and I worked at my florist located in Fort Lauderdale, FL in the evenings and on Saturdays. (We were closed Sundays, thank God.)

I quickly proved I had what it took to manage our florist and after Richard was born I worked six days a week with him right by my side. It was perfect for me. I never liked school (I am dyslexic, if you see any typos - just laugh and move on so going to college was NOT going to happen.

My second son, Anthony, came two weeks after my 20th birthday. (Yikes! Another Taurus!) I still had the Superwoman mentality. It was typical for me to attend conventions regularly having to visit the ladies room to breast feed or change diapers. I was good at juggling my family’s needs with my own desires. Growing my florist business was important to me. You could honestly say, I am stubborn through and through. No one really ever told me no. Probably because they knew I wouldn't listen.

Two years later I was divorced with three sons aged 5 years, 2 years and my youngest was three months old. Everyone thought I was bonkers for calling my marriage quits, but I knew I could not have been saner. You see, my youngest son Shawn is a special needs child. My rationale was with three little kids I could not afford to waste time on a relationship that was not able to be fixed. It was tough to do it alone yet at the same time a huge weight was lifted. You see, I was still in control of my future.

Over the years I really enjoyed working with children. For 14 years I held leadership positions in my sons' Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops, as well as volunteered in their schools. Giving time volunteering at our local wildlife center, our local American Cancer Society fundraisers, local Entrepreneurs Clubs and Kiwanis Club gave me great pride.

Now, let's skip ahead to the present day. My two oldest sons are making their own lives and have been doing a really great job; I am so proud of them. Recently I sold my florist which I owned and operated in Fort Lauderdale, FL for over 25 years. And, for the fist time in my life, I moved. (Deep breath.) Today I live in central Florida with my fiancé', Mark, my 17 year old Autistic son, Shawn, and my 4 Dachshunds, 4 kitty cats and a bunny rabbit. However, I am not retired. Not yet. I still have a lot to give of myself to others and contribute to society.

Several years ago I started a second business primarily working with stay-at-home moms. What I do is teach them how to work from home and be successful. While I do work with lots of different kinds of people, not just mothers who work from home, my passion is children, so, I chose to focus this page on helping moms take care of their families by working on a part time or full time basis. I teach them that they can have it all. They design the life they want to have; I help them to achieve it.

This makes me very happy. .   .