Monday, November 29, 2010

*Why Christmas is My Favorite Time of Year*

One of the reasons Christmas is my favorite holiday, isn't because of the presents, but for the Christmas spirit that fills the air and the heart's of most people.When I was growing up we didn't have a lot of money, but we had a lot of love. Every Christmas eve it was tradition in our house to put up a live Christmas tree.

We would have an open house, and all who came would help decorate the tree. It was so wonderful, we always ate fish on the eve, as is Italian tradition. We'd have Shrimp, Linguine and Clams, Fruti Di Mar( Italian fish salad served cold with calamari,shrimp,scungelli, crab, celery, lemon, fresh parsley, olive oil) certainly a treat, as it is very expensive to make. On top of that we would have something Fra Di Av lo, which just means red sauce with various degrees of heat behind it, boy was our house the house to be at, and believe me it grew every year, as did our open house reputation.

Friday, November 26, 2010

*******Nothing Like a Child's Smile*******

One of my favorite things to do since I was seventeen years old,(maybe it's because I couldn't have my own children,) although, I have always had a connection with the young and the elderly;but I love to go to orphanages at Christmas, or the Children's Wing at the hospital to drop off Christmas gifts, and just sit and visit. I think it stems from an experience I had while at a hospital, visiting my baby brother who had fallen off his bike, and had a bad concussion.

 I had gone out to get him some juice, on heading back to his room, I noticed a little boy sitting on a bench in front of the window just looking out onto the grounds. I decided to sit down next to him and we began to chat.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

****Competition Isn't Always the Answer****

Let me start off by saying that there is a place for competition. I think when it comes to sports and contests and arena's where competition is healthy, I say give it your all.
But my story today is about how our competitive nature has gotten out of hand, off the track, and entered into our everyday lives.

Being in Sales longer than I care to remember,only because it makes me realize just how old this body is getting, I have always excelled and done extremely well. My Dad use to say I could sell rice to China, meaning, whether it was Advertising, Life Insurance, Office Supplies, Fire Extinguishers, Weight Loss Programs, or High End Fashion, I was always at the top.

Oddly enough, I was always extremely honest, always helpful to my fellow Sales Associates, and never felt the need not to lend a hand, or give help when I thought it could aid others in achieving more success.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

***We Don't Need Money To Give Back***

One of the best days I 've ever had giving back, didn't happen at a charity event, or a toy drive, or even a walk for a cause; but it did happen while I was on a leisurely walk.

It was 1983 and a beautiful sunny day in June. My girlfriend and I decided to take a power walk around the neighborhood. As we were near the end of our walk, we noticed the doors to the Senior Center were open.

My friend looked at me and said "why don't we go in and say hi and visit with some of the Seniors." Having gone to allot of Senior Homes as a teenager, especially during  Christmas, because  my Mom worked at one,  I thought it was a great idea.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

****Signs of a Happy Future****

When my niece Therese Megan was ten years old (she is now fourteen) she was and still is, a very popular, kind, and sweet girl. I know we all think our little ones are special but she really is a well - rounded young woman. She's on the Honor roll with a 4.0 average, she excels at sports, and she sings like an angel.

One day at lunch while sitting amongst a large table of her friends, they all started to giggle, and Therese Megan wanted to know what they found so funny. All at once the group at the table started pointing and making fun of a little girl who was sitting all by herself.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Which Layer meant the most?

I would love to know from those who have read my book, which layer spoke to you the most and why?