Wishing a Happy Birthday to the Yogi within. Namasté. (1328)

To begin beach yoga this morning, our instructor Ilana prompted us to look out at the beautiful sea, then close our eyes and let the sound of the waves wash over us while we “set our intention” for the morning’s practice. She said to scan our bodies, asking them what they needed from us today.
While being scanned, my ample body said, “Be good to me.” Being a lifelong carbaholic, I knew exactly what that meant, but still I started bargaining. “Are you saying no more batches of Ghirardelli brownies?” “Yes,” I sensed. “Be good to me.” Hmm, “Would that mean cutting out the Haribo gummi bears I keep in my desk?” The amazingly clear reply, “Be good to me …”
A few minutes later, Ilana had us sitting and twisting to look over our right shoulders, and there over mine was an older woman sitting in the sand smoking. Not to be too woo-woo but, to me, it might as well have been my late pack-a-day mother there to say, “Listen to that body talk, Jo. What sugar is to you, cigarettes were to me. You don’t want to wind up like your ol’ mother, dying of a stroke before your time.”
Whoa, more than a little surprised, I followed Ilana in twisting to the left and, by the time we came back to the right, the woman was gone. But not the message. Namaste.

Wishing you back roaming the streets again soon. (93574)

One of our hood’s doggie happy hour regulars ~ Sammy’s human, Roxanne ~  was rushed to ER last week in intense back pain(;-(.  Saturday we learned her surgery had been successful, and she’s now on the long road to what her doctors predict will be a full recovery.
After expressing our relief, we dog walkers stood around joking about how hard it will be to keep a whippersnapper like Roxanne down, and I made a mental note that this new PASSAGES design would be the perfect one for us all to sign & send.
Next walk I brought the card along so everyone could pen messages to our pack  leader.  Roxanne’s BFF Leslie walked up decked out in a gorgeous white sundress   and high red espadrilles (did I mention our hood is Miami Beach?), saying she was on her way to the hospital.  Leslie let her Lottie off-leash while she filled the crowd in on Roxanne’s state-of-mind, progress and prognosis.  She was mid-story when Lottie got down to business so, fearing those red espadrilles would get grass (or otherwise) stained, I whipped out a bag and headed toward Lottie.  “I’ll get it!” Leslie called to me, but I was well on my way and, for her, many questions remained. When she heard me say, “Got it,” Leslie turned back to giving  Roxanne’s groupies the scoop and said, “Right! What’s a little poop among friends.”

Is it just me, or is our flag by Julie Ross not a thing of beauty and goosebumps?

Needless to say, I am all over this Made in America movement.  Not only because I’m a Midwest farmer’s daughter, but also because it’s a tremendous source of pride to profitably produce a quality product in the States, when so many other manufacturers say it can’t be done. To know our Customer Care team actually cares, and speaks English thankyouverymuch.  I’m proud to have a management team of wise women who agree to salaries adjusted for the cost of their healthcare.  It’s gratifying to know that everyone on our payroll appreciates the work, and understands clearly that, if not for our hardworking Reps and valued Retail Partners, where would we be?   So, I’m wondering, what fills you with pride today?

It’s gift show season, so thousands of manufacturers and their reps throughout the US are setting up their booths and showrooms for retail buyers. The big snow and big show were the same week in Atlanta, but on those buyers trudged. It was a lovely moment in Cardthartic’s booth when one very gracious gallery owner stopped reading our cards just long enough to put her hand on her heart and tell us, “You know.”

A year ago, we published LR329 with its image of gorgeous Miss C.  We chose the pic without knowingCelia had lost her sight and motor skills to the devastating terminal illness that is Batten Disease.  When we learned, we added BDSRA.org to the card back and donated all 2009 proceeds.  Come the end of 2010, we’ll write another check to BDSRA, and you are invited to help make it a nice big one.  Before Dec 31, order quantities of Celia’s card and lots of your other favorites — because 20% will go to fund promising research into ways to prolong a stricken child’s motor function and life span.  Your shipping will be FREE. We can’t do much, but This we can do.  Enter Promo Code “Celia” at check-out.

OK, so, “Where Does the time go???”  I am always stunned to hear people criticize Obama for not having “turned this economy around” since he’s been in office, when I haven’t been able to get around to cleaning my clothes closet in that time frame. Haven’t Begun, much less turned the mess around.  It’s taken me roughly 13 years to get my self back into the daily fitness routine I used to live by. My Self.  Not a nation. Point being, Time, it’s a wastin.  So today is dedicated to doing as the message inside design 1280 states, “To making the most of what we’re given!”  What do you have on for today?