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Tomorrow is Valentine's Day!! Yay! I love Valentine's Day! I can't wait to celebrate, except there is one tiny hiccup:
My boyfriend does not like Valentine's Day.
Oh, not just dislike, that's too light a word. He hates it at a visceral, nay, cellular, level. A loathing this bad could actually alter his molecules! What could possibly be his reasoning for this deep-seated disgust?
He feels all people, but men in particular, are pressured to offer up some sort of romantic gesture, overspending on gifts or flowers or are otherwise forced to shower someone with hearts and chocolates. The keyword in that sentence is 'forced'.
He believes men (and women too for that matter) should be romantic throughout the year; whenever it strikes them. He thinks they should make loving gestures daily rather than on one overly commercialized, play on your emotions, make us all feel inadequate, day of the year.
I suppose he's right, but boy does that deflate my Mylar balloon heart (feigned disappointed sigh).
The first year we were together, I was all excited to shower him with the entire Valentine Hallmark aisle (from cards to confetti), but because I know he hates it, I toned my enthusiasm way down.
As we near two years together (on the 23rd of this month!!! Can you believe it?), my current opinion is: hey, he can hate it all he wants, I'm going to do whatever I want to do for him for Valentine's Day.
Oh...now don't go getting all 'you should honor his feelings' on me -- what about mine? I am a naturally effusive person. I love him dearly so why not exploit a day meant specifically to show the man I love exactly how much I love him?
As I sit here and type this, I have decided to create a mnemonic about him using the word LOVE. How is this?
L
- Laughter -- he makes me laugh every single day -- not just a hahaha laugh but a deep, bring-tears-to-your-eyes belly laugh, which, as we all know, is great for our soul
O
- Ornery -- goodness help me, this man is as ornery as they come! I think he's in my life to teach me patience or how not to take things personally!
V
- Valor -- he is one of those people who runs toward danger - I have so much respect for that type of person! He was once a volunteer firefighter even, providing medical aide to people in distress and helping with burning buildings.
E
- Ethical, moral and honorable -- it is rare to find someone who has such a strict moral compass. Not only is it admirable, it is inspirational
Yep, that's my guy in a mnemonic. Am I gushing? Yeah, probably so, but hey, it's Valentine's Day (almost) and so I am going to gush!
I hope you will show someone you love how much you care about them - yes on Valentine's Day but also every day. And while you're at it, why not do some sort of random act of love for a stranger? This world is a much happier place when we spread the love....
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What are your plans for Valentine's Day? Did we already help you with gift buying, wrapping or some shhhh special surprise? Yay! Now it's time to start planning for St. Patrick's Day so don't forget, we are here to help make your life easier -- outsource your task list to us so you have more time to share your love with someone in your life!
Contact us at 760.898.9604 or send us an email.
We're here to help make your life better!
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The History of Latex
Ha! That title grabbed you, didn't it? Actually, I am talking latex in the form of rubbery balloons!
Did you know that the balloon was first created in 1824 as part of a lab experiment by Michael Faraday?
Faraday, whose experiments had mostly to do with electromagnetism, put two pieces of rubber together with some flour between them to prevent sticking, and then sealed the edges.
When he filled the balloon with hydrogen, he noted the apparatus had ascending properties - it leaked but it rose!
Balloons originally were intended for military communication, transportation (dirigible anyone?) and scientific experiments. But after Faraday discovered the lift, it wasn't long before balloons really took off (yes, pun intended!)
In 1825, Robert Hancock, the founder of the British rubber industry, began marketing balloon making kits. In 1847 balloons, the rubber for balloons was vulcanized. Vulcanized rubber is more flexible and stronger than regular latex balloons.
In fact, balloon popularity with the private sector grew quickly and by 1873 had found their way into entertainment (i.e. parties).
Balloon manufacturing didn't begin in the USA until 1907 and the sausage balloon was created in 1912. It would be at least 20 more years before sausage balloons would be twisted into fun shapes to delight children and grownups alike!
And can you believe, it wasn't until the 1970's that foil (or Mylar) balloons were first invented and because they hold their shape better than rubber balloons, they automatically lend themselves to images and text.
Yes balloons are a mainstay in our culture and are used for represent all sorts of emotions and to elicit all sorts of emotions. Everything from Happy Birthday! to It's a Girl (or Boy)! to Congratulations! They are used to show team spirit for all sports and schools and yes, balloons even say I love you and Happy Valentine's Day....
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Are You Coming or Going?
Calling all clients! It's that time of year again when clients are coming and going, in and out of town with increased frequency.
If you are one of our clients, please remember to provide us with your arrival and departure dates so we may update our database. These dates are important for three reasons:
- So we may properly prep for your arrival
- So we won't disturb you while you're here (or walk in just after you got out of the shower)
- So we may resume timely home checks upon your departure.
We best serve your needs when we know those needs. Once you've finalized your travel plans, please do let us know! Call us:
760-898-9604 -- or email us.
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A Bright Idea!
Effective January 1 of this year, the incandescent light bulb is no more. (At least in California.)
Yes, we're speaking about the exact same incandescent light bulb first invented by Thomas Alva Edison in 1879; the same one that has been lighting our lives ever since.
There is a link below for the entire scoop but suffice it to say California has taken the lead and is the first State in the country to require energy efficient (CFL or LED) lightbulbs. The rest of the country will adopt this new rule in 2020.
Ten years coming, this requirement for energy efficient light bulbs will save billions of dollars in electricity but will cost a bit to implement as we change over. And while the manufacturers have done their best to offer direct replacements for nearly all bulbs, don't be surprised if you find a fixture or housing is now obsolete because you can't find replacement bulbs (we speak from experience in trying to replace bulbs for our clients!).
The biggest hint we can offer is to check your base size and look for bulbs that will provide the amount or type of light you prefer and if choosing LED you might consider replacing all of them in a given lighting fixture as LED Colors vary.
Here is a link for more information about this change:
New Light Bulb Efficiency Standards
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When I was single, which as you know was most of my adult life; I felt a bit melancholy on two particular holidays -- New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day.
Both of those are romance-based and really require a significant other if you are to enjoy them as they are intended (unless your significant other refuses to participate, as mine does hahaha).
When I was single, I solved the NYE dilemma by making a traditional dinner of lobster and Caesar salad and then watching the New Year arrive on the East Coast; after which I promptly went to bed. No kiss to ring in the New Year, but that was okay. Lobster was enough!
But Valentine's Day was more challenging -- for at least a month before this couple's holiday we are bombarded with jewelry, flower and chocolates ads. In fact, all TV commercials, magazine covers and social media threads are screaming at us to be romantic.
So what was a single lady to do? Well, I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day by buying myself a present every year. And not just any present; something I truly wanted but had been denying myself for one reason or another.
Now, before you think that is pathetic, consider this: It made the day less of a painful reminder that I was alone and much more fun. I really enjoyed considering what it was that made the perfect Valentine's Day gift.
Some years I did buy jewelry -- really nice jewelry too. Some years it was an expensive handbag I'd been coveting or a long weekend trip. But one year, and this always sticks out in my mind, I bought myself a trash compactor!
I'm sure any man will tell you buying a woman a tool or appliance for a gift is the kiss of death in a relationship. That is, unless it's something she really, really wants.
At the time, I lived 30 minutes outside of town in a rural area of Virginia. There was no trash pickup so all trash had to be bagged and hauled to the nearest garbage dump collection point.
So I decided one Valentine's Day to buy myself a trash compactor -- and you know what? It was the best Valentine's Day gift I ever got! Instead of going weekly to the dump, I was going once every 3 months and sometimes less!
Even now I wish I still had that trash compactor! Best. Valentine's Day Gift. Ever.
Until next time, think about who it is you love and why. What can you do for them so they feel special? Not just on Valentine's Day but every day? How do you celebrate Valentine's Day? And if you're single, how do you cope with all the hype?
Happy Valentine's Day my friends...
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Leslie Spoor
Executive Errands®
CL#944447
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Leslie is a consultant, mentor and author helping small business owners around the globe. She is founder and CEO of two successful companies, Concierge Business Solutions® and Executive Errands®. In addition to her wide selection of training videos and webinars, documentation and forms, Leslie also is the creator of a data collections software system, Essential Elements™ and a Six DVD educational series, How to Start Your Own Business with Leslie Spoor©, available on her website. To work with Leslie or for more information, please visit her website or contact her at Lspoor@executive-errands.com
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For a list of our most popular services, please see our brochure here:
Last year, after traveling to Cuba (another beautiful country!), I wrote a travel guide! To download our
American in Cuba e-book travel guide, please
click here.
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This documentation, including sample applications herein, is provided for informational purposes only, and Executive Errands® makes no warranties, either expressly or implied, as to this documentation or its efficacies. Information in this documentation, including any URL and other Internet Web site references, is subject to change without notice. The entire risk of the use or the results of the use of this documentation remains with the user. This documentation is copyrighted by Spoor Enterprises Inc, DBA Executive Errands®, 2017.
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