Lip-Sticking

Valentine's Fun For You!

From the Editor's Desk:

This came across our virtual desks from Jason (Frugal Dad), a site created for the average family to find     financial resources with a conservative slant. By “conservative slant” I’m not referring to politics, rather the “conservative” approach to personal finances.

We suggest you check this out! 

Enjoy!

A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

by Yvonne DiVita

Musing out loud today.

One: snow days are nice to have now and then. It snowed like crazy last night and we're house-bound today. Even the dogs seem content to lie around and be lazy. I have lots to do on the computer, but I am enjoying the more relaxed atmosphere.

Two: Mommy bloggers. The "don't call me that" whine is out again. On one level, I understand. These are women who are more than nannies in residence. They're smart, they're talented and they often write about things beyond the kids and the kitchen. But, in the end, they're Moms. And they blog. And, they hope brands will pay them for that. So, get over it, Mommy bloggers. You'll have your day to be something else, when your kids are grown and gone. And then, you'll whine that Grandma's don't get any respect. Trust me, I'm a Grandma. I know. 

Correct use of the word Awesome the Lilly Ledbetter Story

by Yvonne DiVita

This is for my daughters, my granddaughters, my friends, and everyone who has ever worked hard through discrimination.

It's the first anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Act where President Obama went to bat for women and equal pay. This video is of Lilly, herself, talking about her story, sharing what brought her to this purpose and showing us all that we need to continue standing up for women to make changes in how business and politics look at us, how they treat us, and how they view us as human beings.

As a woman who understands this issue - and too many of us do - I cannot stress the importance of getting behind this story and sharing with everyone you know. It's not a party issue. It's a people issue.

This isn't a story that is hard to watch or hard to hear. It's a story that is uplifting and encouraging. Despite the setbacks and the long enduring timeframe needed to make this happen, Lilly shows all of us that change is possible and that never giving up makes a difference. I hope you'll share the Lilly Ledbetter story with others and spread the word.

This link goes to President Obama and his words on the Fair Pay Act and Equal Pay For All Workers video. Another video worth watching and sharing.

 

Women and Health: Designing Your Second Half of Life

by Yvonne DiVita

Yes, there is a 2nd half to life for women. It comes around age 50. Unlike our mothers, who considered 50 'old', today's women know that 50 can be enlightening, invigorating, freeing, and full of expectation. We disdain the rocking chair on the porch. If we knit, it's because we need a blog post! If we cook, it's because we have a passion for taste - and love sharing. If we're married, we're happier than our mothers were (because we have a friendship as well as a marriage), and if we're not married, we're content and full of the wonder of life as it beckons us with invitation.

The BlogTalk Radio show shared here (from Kelley Connors and Real Women on Health) happened on Wednesday. I was sorry to miss it as I had a good number of questions I wish I could have asked. Like - if estrogen is so important to a woman's health, why does it cause complications later in life? And, are we too focused on not aging, today? We say we're younger and more vital than our parents were - and we're proud of that. But, aging is normal. Why fight it? I like sitting and relaxing and just... watching a bit of TV, or watching the geese fly over the backyard or strolling around the walkways of our neighborhood, at a leisurely pace - not because walking is good for my health, but because I like to walk. What's wrong with that?

Is it the end - or a new beginning?

by Yvonne DiVita, Check out our Facebook page

Truth is, from my perspective, it's neither the 'end' nor a 'new beginning.' It's just the conclusion of another year, according to the calendar.

When we think of 'conclusion' we think of 'new'. Finishing a project opens the opportunity for new ideas and creative plans. I guess.

Truth is, you shouldn't be waiting for the end of a current project to begin something new. You shouldn't look at December 31st as your end-goal to a new focus in your business.

I'm seeing a lot "here's how to have a fabulous 2012" blog posts across the net, and as I read each one, I begin to yawn. Seriously. They're all the same. It angers me. Do this or do that, they tell you. Make plans, they tell you. Gather your team and outline the next 3 months, then meet and move forward into the next 3 months. Etc, etc, etc... Yes, I can hear Yul Brenner in my head (from 'The King and I').

What I Did This Weekend

by Yvonne DiVita (and Tom)

First Microsoft Store hits East Coast and helps community

by Amanda Ponzar

I'm jazzed, just returning from the grand opening reception in Tyson's Corner for the first Microsoft Store on the East Coast -- it's the 14th Microsoft Store in the U.S. to date (most are on the West Coast) with 75 more planned in the near future. The stores are hip with shiny wood floors, dazzling bright lights and gadgets galore. 

Played with Xbox Kinect (oh yes, I danced) where you really are the controller as little cameras in the Xbox record every body move from head to toes. Took a while to figure out how to wave my arms wildly enough to make it work, but what a blast! Also played with a Microsoft "surface" table computer -- just touch and slide everything around just like they do on TV (think "Minority Report" and some of those crime shows). The latest version of "surface" mounts on the wall (no huge table needed). It's a hit with celebs and apparently costs ~$10-15k so I'm not adding to my Christmas list. Yet.

Microsoft is using the stores not just to push product (world domination, baby!) but to serve as the software giant's "face to the community". Part of that face includes offering the store as free meeting space for nonprofits, plus providing free Microsoft training (I do need a refresher). They even have an incredible 103" screen available for use (movie nights, anyone...or what about a SuperBowl party!?), plus will give away $1 million in free software to area nonprofits this week.

The stores also offer tech assistance (claimed they could make my old PC brand new for $50) and recycle old computers, wiping the hard drives if you want and rewarding customers with store credit for the donation. You better believe I'm digging all my old PCs out of the closet to clean up the clutter and get a store credit. Gets me that much closer to buying that "surface" computer...

Yes, I drank the Kool-Aid (and ate all the delicious hors d'oeuvres...mmm, chicken curry, crab cakes & lobster roll). The employee energy was contagious, and it will be interesting to see how Microsoft's community-focused approach stacks up against their fruity, perhaps less charitable competitor.

Dear *insert name of bank* Who Needs Ya?

by Yvonne DiVita

Banks have money to loan - for small businesses. That's what I hear on the news and read in the paper and have even been told by my bank. "We want to help America get back on its feet," my banker said. "We have money to lend... especially if you'll be hiring."

We showed how eager we are to hire - and how we're making a profit, almost unheard of for a company as new as we are, and still... we were turned away.The only money banks have to lend is money they're hiding under the table and expect a solid 500% return on. I guess. They've proven they aren't lending to "start-ups" or businesses that "need" money. We're not the only ones being turned away. Or, they're offering an SBA Loan - as long as you can invest a ton of your own money, first.

If you're established and you don't need a loan, they have LOTS of money to lend. Ain't that great?

Girlfriends Online

by Yvonne DiVita

It's true - women make friends for life. Even when we lose track of old friends - moving away, changing lifestyle (going from single to married or back again), we remember those friends fondly and often wish we could get back together.

I am fortunate to have made many friends over the years, while still maintaining a connection (however small it is) to my high school friends. Just before my move to CO, I attended an impromptu reunion with many of my high school friends.

Today, I count all of you as friends. People who write to me via this blog and who I have met via this blog, make up a large group of wonderful women and men that make me glad to know them. Today, one of my true BFFs, Toby Bloomberg, who not too long ago launched the premiere site for single women over 40 - All the Single GirlFriends - has featured me in a short interview on her site.

My Favorite Quotes

by Yvonne DiVita

These are the 'ideas' that keep me going... share and share alike, if they also resonate with you.

"Do what you can, where you are, with what you have." ~ Unknown. This is on a small plaque on the bookcase near my desk.

"We are remembered not by what we take with us, but by what we leave behind." ~ Unknown. On a small plaque next to the quote above.

"Women are the real architects of society." ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe (not written anywhere in my office...just in my head)

"I finally got it all together...but I forgot where I put it!" ~ Unknown. On a plaque near my desk... reminding me to try and get organized.