Oh Metallic paper how I love thee; let me count the ways...What can one say? You are versatile and thin enough to use as a gift wrap and craft liner for baskets and tabletop accents and pretty much you rock any party world whenever and wherever you are employed.
And you bring class to any display.
And you're also fairly affordable and classy so that even at a somewhat low-end shindig, you raise it all up a notch.
And... and... and you steal the show if used in a centerpiece/table arrangement.
And so I guess I should probably stock up on you. Like today. I guess there are no more excuses. Oh sure I could sit here and make some excuses about buying I suppose but then where would that get me when I have an impromptu surprise party for one of my daughter's friends(and believe me, with three teenagers this has actually happened).
And so I will stock up on metallic paper. As soon as I'm finished rolling these toilet paper centers into Halloween party favors. Yeah. Call me resourceful.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Metallic-a Sounds Right.
Nothing livens up a party like metallic paper. This is the serious festive goods. Metallic paper has umpteen uses both for crafts and decor and I don't think there's any season that couldn't use a bit more metallic . Silver and gold are both so neutral that they can go with almost anything you already have on hand.
Metallic paper can be used as an accent layer for tablescapes, as a beautiful bold gift wrap. It can be turned into floral pieces and taped on the wall or it can also be used in baskets as liners for centerpieces and gifts. There's no end in sight for metallic paper; it's multi-purpose and makes a statement no matter where you need it.
I'm a big fan of silver and not so much gold and so for me, Christmas is typically silver and green and sometimes with red. I really like that silver can go with anything and I try to incorporate it into all of my holiday decorating and birthday party arranging. It's fun. It livens up the set. It makes everyone feel festive.
Metallic paper can be used as an accent layer for tablescapes, as a beautiful bold gift wrap. It can be turned into floral pieces and taped on the wall or it can also be used in baskets as liners for centerpieces and gifts. There's no end in sight for metallic paper; it's multi-purpose and makes a statement no matter where you need it.
I'm a big fan of silver and not so much gold and so for me, Christmas is typically silver and green and sometimes with red. I really like that silver can go with anything and I try to incorporate it into all of my holiday decorating and birthday party arranging. It's fun. It livens up the set. It makes everyone feel festive.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Babysitting Now Serious Part Time Employment
Reflective of the zeitgeist of our era, babysitting fees have increased way ahead of inflation since I was doing it so many years ago. Not that it's a bad thing. I used to feel so ripped off, having given up my weekend night for a child care job only to be paid a pitiful dollar per hour or one-fifty--if I was lucky--on a good night.
It seriously stunk.
Now that my kids are of babysitting age, and frequently do it, I always ask them what they made after a job is complete. The amount of money they get usually astounds me. And it could or could not be due to the fact that we live in a fairly upper middle class neighborhood with a lot of our distant friends hiring our girls. They do very well. Once my daughter babysat for an attorney one neighborhood over. At the end of her 6 hour run with his kids, he arrived home and stated that he only had a $20 bill or a $100 dollar bill and so he pulled out the Franklin and handed it to her. That's better than minimum wage flipping burgers at a greasy spoon.
It wasn't always like this.
But I was excited for her and that isn't the first time she was paid over ten bucks per hour; she certainly is reliable and kind and probably entertained her watch beyond duty. It's a different era today and I'm glad to see it. I'm happy that people acknowledge the real value in having someone conscientious and honest taking care of their most precious possession (if a child can be called such a thing).
It seriously stunk.
Now that my kids are of babysitting age, and frequently do it, I always ask them what they made after a job is complete. The amount of money they get usually astounds me. And it could or could not be due to the fact that we live in a fairly upper middle class neighborhood with a lot of our distant friends hiring our girls. They do very well. Once my daughter babysat for an attorney one neighborhood over. At the end of her 6 hour run with his kids, he arrived home and stated that he only had a $20 bill or a $100 dollar bill and so he pulled out the Franklin and handed it to her. That's better than minimum wage flipping burgers at a greasy spoon.
It wasn't always like this.
But I was excited for her and that isn't the first time she was paid over ten bucks per hour; she certainly is reliable and kind and probably entertained her watch beyond duty. It's a different era today and I'm glad to see it. I'm happy that people acknowledge the real value in having someone conscientious and honest taking care of their most precious possession (if a child can be called such a thing).
In House Child Care a Terrific Idea
One of the main concerns of new and young mother's returning to work, is always that of child care. Where can they enroll their child that will provide a safe environment? What is the most economically affordable care of decent quality? How does one best combat infectious illness and bullying by other children in these places? There are a lot of things to consider.
I think a great solution lies in the most recent wave of child care providers in the corporate world. That is, an entire area within the actual employers building is sectioned off and used as a day care facility. This resolves a lot of issues. First, the parent/employee can be at ease that their child is safely being cared for just a couple of floors away. If something happens, they are nearby and if there is inclement weather or they are required to stay late, they can still access their child for a quick visit throughout the day (maybe over lunch time) and know that their child is happy and well looked after.
Proximity is comforting in situations like this. And having the freedom to pop in anytime also gives great peace of mind to a young parent with young children.
I think a great solution lies in the most recent wave of child care providers in the corporate world. That is, an entire area within the actual employers building is sectioned off and used as a day care facility. This resolves a lot of issues. First, the parent/employee can be at ease that their child is safely being cared for just a couple of floors away. If something happens, they are nearby and if there is inclement weather or they are required to stay late, they can still access their child for a quick visit throughout the day (maybe over lunch time) and know that their child is happy and well looked after.
Proximity is comforting in situations like this. And having the freedom to pop in anytime also gives great peace of mind to a young parent with young children.
Get Out Your Lead Detectors
I love to look at foreign pots and dishes not made in America. Because you can find some really cool stuff out there. In fact, there are all sorts of things you can buy that are amazingly original that you could place on your tabletop over the holidays and which will both astound and reverence your dinner guests.
The problem is this: many of the things that you find at local markets in exotic locations, contain lead. And lead toxicity is a definite problem that can lead to irreversible health issues. Even in minuscule amounts. And usually over a period of time with exposure.
But there's a product out there which I once saw on a cooking show. And that thing is quite brilliant and is called a lead detector. And you can take it with you when you shop--if you're shopping overseas or somewhere with lax regulations. It's called a lead detection kit. And it works and it's cheap and you can buy pottery and cookware without any great concern for adverse effects down the road.
The problem is this: many of the things that you find at local markets in exotic locations, contain lead. And lead toxicity is a definite problem that can lead to irreversible health issues. Even in minuscule amounts. And usually over a period of time with exposure.
But there's a product out there which I once saw on a cooking show. And that thing is quite brilliant and is called a lead detector. And you can take it with you when you shop--if you're shopping overseas or somewhere with lax regulations. It's called a lead detection kit. And it works and it's cheap and you can buy pottery and cookware without any great concern for adverse effects down the road.
Blinded by Toxicity
When I lived at Fort Meade post housing about 15 years ago, we had an officer duplex and it wasn't too bad. At least the housing wasn't nearly as bad as I had predicted it'd be. It certainly wasn't as bad as some that I'd seen. I'd seen the enlisted quarters and those were fairly rough...kinda like the projects.
But officer housing has it's few and far between charms. One in particular was the parquet flooring. Y'know it could've been worse. Carpeted floors are the worst of all kinds and so I was grateful that we didn't have that. And then, the windows weren't bad--at least there was a lot of natural light. The greenery of the backyard was framed by a dense thicket of forest, which was pretty cool particularly when there were bunnies gracing the grass.
One day a contractor knocked on my front door and informed me that there might be lead toxicity in the blinds on my windows- they were the aluminum kind. Apparently some children had sucked on the bedroom mini blinds and became ill. So they had to come in and replace them. There were a lot of things like that.
But officer housing has it's few and far between charms. One in particular was the parquet flooring. Y'know it could've been worse. Carpeted floors are the worst of all kinds and so I was grateful that we didn't have that. And then, the windows weren't bad--at least there was a lot of natural light. The greenery of the backyard was framed by a dense thicket of forest, which was pretty cool particularly when there were bunnies gracing the grass.
One day a contractor knocked on my front door and informed me that there might be lead toxicity in the blinds on my windows- they were the aluminum kind. Apparently some children had sucked on the bedroom mini blinds and became ill. So they had to come in and replace them. There were a lot of things like that.
Documentary Bedtime Stories
I have a pretty good system, the way that I manage my leisure time--which is time spent not at work or on school studies but rather my alone time or also known as 'down time'.
What I really love to do is to watch documentaries in bed at night...until I get too tired to keep my eyes open. I think it really feeds my imagination and it provides me with plenty of food for thought until at least I fade into unconsciousness.
And I bet it has a vivid effect on my dreams as well although I'm not especially great at recording those but I probably should start.
There are all kinds of great documentaries out there in case you don't know this. There are documentaries online for free and they're about crazy things like lead toxicity, oil spills and North Korea and anorexia and Charles Kettering and all kinds of enigmatic and interesting people.
There are so many things that are documented on film and so many more things worthy of documentation and the documentary list grows each year and I feel like the lucky recipient of these film ventures. Simply because I have a laptop with a good battery.
What I really love to do is to watch documentaries in bed at night...until I get too tired to keep my eyes open. I think it really feeds my imagination and it provides me with plenty of food for thought until at least I fade into unconsciousness.
And I bet it has a vivid effect on my dreams as well although I'm not especially great at recording those but I probably should start.
There are all kinds of great documentaries out there in case you don't know this. There are documentaries online for free and they're about crazy things like lead toxicity, oil spills and North Korea and anorexia and Charles Kettering and all kinds of enigmatic and interesting people.
There are so many things that are documented on film and so many more things worthy of documentation and the documentary list grows each year and I feel like the lucky recipient of these film ventures. Simply because I have a laptop with a good battery.
Cash in on Other's Buyers Remorse
When I see people shopping for furniture or large appliances at high end retail shops, I often wonder if they've tried first looking for stuff through local buy and sell classified ads. Because those are great places to start looking before resorting to new. If you're patient and have enough follow-through you can often find exactly what you're seeking--and often it's barely or gently used and at a fraction of the cost.
I mean for instance, say I was looking for a stationary bike or an elliptical trainer which starts at about $2000 for a decent one. Of course if by some sudden emergency you need an elliptical trainer today, finding one in the classifieds may not happen but if you can spare a couple of weeks and maybe a gallon of gas, going to a few places to see used ellipticals--sold by private individuals, then you can often cash in. You could probably get one for about $500 or less, depending on the level of desperation to sell.
Because people like you, also buy things at full price when they think they need it. And often the realization that they didn't need it after-all and the accompanying buyers remorse, doesn't kick in until over 30 days out, at which point it can't be returned. It can only be sold through a private sale. And if you happen to want one, then you could be in luck.
I mean for instance, say I was looking for a stationary bike or an elliptical trainer which starts at about $2000 for a decent one. Of course if by some sudden emergency you need an elliptical trainer today, finding one in the classifieds may not happen but if you can spare a couple of weeks and maybe a gallon of gas, going to a few places to see used ellipticals--sold by private individuals, then you can often cash in. You could probably get one for about $500 or less, depending on the level of desperation to sell.
Because people like you, also buy things at full price when they think they need it. And often the realization that they didn't need it after-all and the accompanying buyers remorse, doesn't kick in until over 30 days out, at which point it can't be returned. It can only be sold through a private sale. And if you happen to want one, then you could be in luck.
Buy Used, Clearance or Bust
I hardly ever buy anything new. That is, I hardly ever buy anything fresh from the manufacturer's arms, pushed directly into a shop display window.
Because I've lived long enough to realize that if you wait even just a few weeks, the price will depreciate in value. Sometimes monumentally. And that's just how sales go, unless of course, the item is totally hot like beanie babies were in the 90's and also Pokemon card values happened to explode in the 2000's. Then you'll have to wait until the trend dies which is typically a year or two. But the rule of thumb for me now is...wait it out.
I buy most things on clearance or else through buy and sell classified ads. Mind you, I thoroughly window shop until stuff's available for cheap. I found the most amazing dining room set of my dreams at a back end clearance at Haverty's in Augusta Ga. And I could hardly believe my luck when the store clerk located two extra chairs. It was the best shopping day ever.
Because I've lived long enough to realize that if you wait even just a few weeks, the price will depreciate in value. Sometimes monumentally. And that's just how sales go, unless of course, the item is totally hot like beanie babies were in the 90's and also Pokemon card values happened to explode in the 2000's. Then you'll have to wait until the trend dies which is typically a year or two. But the rule of thumb for me now is...wait it out.
I buy most things on clearance or else through buy and sell classified ads. Mind you, I thoroughly window shop until stuff's available for cheap. I found the most amazing dining room set of my dreams at a back end clearance at Haverty's in Augusta Ga. And I could hardly believe my luck when the store clerk located two extra chairs. It was the best shopping day ever.
Local Ads Made Me Happy
When I first moved to Georgia almost six years back, we had enough furniture from our old house in Maryland to make a small dent in our new house that was about twice the size of the other one.
So it was pretty bare at first. But then I found an amazing local resource called The weekly Iwanta which was the local place to buy and sell classified ads. It was terrific. You could both buy and sell used stuff pretty cheap and because we lived in a fairly small town, the farthest place was never more than about ten minutes up the road.
And also because the decor style of my old home was fairly different and my taste had evolved--I had gone with a garden centered theme there but had grown weary of it--some of the previously acquired furniture had to go (and fast) if I was to afford anything new. Because I had an awful lot of space to fill.
Of particular interest, I ended up getting rid of my old worn dining table and chairs and finding something new/used that I fell very in love with. It was a happy ending thanks to local ads.
So it was pretty bare at first. But then I found an amazing local resource called The weekly Iwanta which was the local place to buy and sell classified ads. It was terrific. You could both buy and sell used stuff pretty cheap and because we lived in a fairly small town, the farthest place was never more than about ten minutes up the road.
And also because the decor style of my old home was fairly different and my taste had evolved--I had gone with a garden centered theme there but had grown weary of it--some of the previously acquired furniture had to go (and fast) if I was to afford anything new. Because I had an awful lot of space to fill.
Of particular interest, I ended up getting rid of my old worn dining table and chairs and finding something new/used that I fell very in love with. It was a happy ending thanks to local ads.
Managers Minus Computers
I've worked for several newspapers during my brief time on this planet. I first worked for The Daily Herald in a small Southwestern town. That was the first newspaper I ever worked for. It was a Scripps League publication.
I was a zone manager and had a fair bit of responsibility--hiring carriers, firing carriers who didn't perform well, hiring area representatives who typically supervise the carriers and also who do some carrier hiring of their own, running zone meetings, customer service (which was paramount) promoting new subscriptions and collecting monthly bills then submitting those reports.
And that list is incomplete. Because this was years and years ago and now I've forgotten the entire gamut of what I used to do, that far back. But as I recall, it was a lot. A lot of responsibility for the amount of pay that I took home, anyway.
I had to do a lot of phone contact and some mailing out of letters and forms and I think nowadays they likely have a lot of email communication and document scanning in that office whereas when I worked there, I didn't even have a computer console of my own. Man--looking back, that's hard to believe, now.
I was a zone manager and had a fair bit of responsibility--hiring carriers, firing carriers who didn't perform well, hiring area representatives who typically supervise the carriers and also who do some carrier hiring of their own, running zone meetings, customer service (which was paramount) promoting new subscriptions and collecting monthly bills then submitting those reports.
And that list is incomplete. Because this was years and years ago and now I've forgotten the entire gamut of what I used to do, that far back. But as I recall, it was a lot. A lot of responsibility for the amount of pay that I took home, anyway.
I had to do a lot of phone contact and some mailing out of letters and forms and I think nowadays they likely have a lot of email communication and document scanning in that office whereas when I worked there, I didn't even have a computer console of my own. Man--looking back, that's hard to believe, now.
I Can Help
I think a great part-time job would be to work behind the counter at Office Depot. Because I really like helping people. I do. It's a great thing to be able to color copy necessary documents and perform document scanning operations for people who really need it done.
And usually when people show up to have something scanned or copied, they're stressed out or on their way to something where they're presenting material and so they really appreciate personal and confident, happy customer service. I think I could be that type of person--the one who offers someone a smile and performs a pretty basic service with a smile on their face and I could handle being that someone who knows the machines and what methods to recommend so that a particular project (the customer has worked so hard to make look good) comes out looking even better and a little more professional. People really appreciate that--because as we all know, presentation is the key, when sharing information.
And I would be very happy to help out with that kind of thing.
And usually when people show up to have something scanned or copied, they're stressed out or on their way to something where they're presenting material and so they really appreciate personal and confident, happy customer service. I think I could be that type of person--the one who offers someone a smile and performs a pretty basic service with a smile on their face and I could handle being that someone who knows the machines and what methods to recommend so that a particular project (the customer has worked so hard to make look good) comes out looking even better and a little more professional. People really appreciate that--because as we all know, presentation is the key, when sharing information.
And I would be very happy to help out with that kind of thing.
It's Mostly Review
In business writing--as I'm currently learning in my MCom 320 class--there are different types of messages and for those different types, various ways to present information to an audience, depending upon who that audience happens to be. A company picnic email vastly differs from a business proposal. A no-brainer.
For those messages that are informative, there is a certain way to write; for those which are persuasive in nature, there is a preferable approach. For persuasive messages, ensure that your argument or reasoning is sound; any fallacy will weaken your stance with the intended audience.
This is not anything new to me but perhaps awakening my faculties to actually considering all this at the very forefront of my brain, is something I hadn't previously done.
And there are other lessons to be learned about basic inter-office communication as far as emailing and document scanning etc. goes.
It's a practical class I suppose, although some of it feels more redundant and obvious.
Of course, I've been around a while longer than the average student in there. Most certainly my field of reference is more expansive.
For those messages that are informative, there is a certain way to write; for those which are persuasive in nature, there is a preferable approach. For persuasive messages, ensure that your argument or reasoning is sound; any fallacy will weaken your stance with the intended audience.
This is not anything new to me but perhaps awakening my faculties to actually considering all this at the very forefront of my brain, is something I hadn't previously done.
And there are other lessons to be learned about basic inter-office communication as far as emailing and document scanning etc. goes.
It's a practical class I suppose, although some of it feels more redundant and obvious.
Of course, I've been around a while longer than the average student in there. Most certainly my field of reference is more expansive.
Everyday Post People?
What seemed like a crazy idea just 20 years back has hugely taken over the US Postal Service-or at least has come to overthrow and dominate the communication field in large part. I'm talking about the high volume of email transactions, document scanning and sending both ways.
This has greatly reduced the need for stamps and sending and receiving snail mail and will probably, eventually, if not almost immediately bring massive change.
I never thought I'd see the day when there is debate on whether or not we have regular/daily mail delivery. I was recently reading that there's discussion about removing our Saturday service as well as everyday postal delivery. And of course, with the high cost of gas and energy, it just makes sense to downsize where we can. It seems like an awful lot of wasted energy form those mail trucks to make the rounds to our homes every single day.
I think we could probably get by with less staff and less service now that most people pay half of their bills online and correspond with others via cyberspace.
Then again, my dog would really miss the daily workout and excitement of trying to drive away the postman. And enjoying that apparent success. Everyday.
This has greatly reduced the need for stamps and sending and receiving snail mail and will probably, eventually, if not almost immediately bring massive change.
I never thought I'd see the day when there is debate on whether or not we have regular/daily mail delivery. I was recently reading that there's discussion about removing our Saturday service as well as everyday postal delivery. And of course, with the high cost of gas and energy, it just makes sense to downsize where we can. It seems like an awful lot of wasted energy form those mail trucks to make the rounds to our homes every single day.
I think we could probably get by with less staff and less service now that most people pay half of their bills online and correspond with others via cyberspace.
Then again, my dog would really miss the daily workout and excitement of trying to drive away the postman. And enjoying that apparent success. Everyday.
Office Positions A Plenty
I was recently looking at jobs on Craig's List--a few months back. There are all kinds of jobs out there. Of course with unemployment being at the current rate of 9.6 percent nationally, I'm certain that the good jobs get snatched up fast while the not-so-hot ones linger awhile. And I'm sure there are a lot of those crappy ones listed.
But that's usually how it goes, huh?!
As I was looking at education jobs--just because I think I'd eventually really like to teach--I somehow began looking at both writing jobs and office positions. Because there are a ton of those out there. And I imagine that an office position has a decent amount of writing involved. You know: memos, email, meeting minutes and proposals. I'm sure you do a good amount of PR writing and document scanning and stocking supplies and opening mail and greeting clients perhaps. I think it's probably not a bad position, working in an office as long as the other staff members are tolerably nice or at least courteous. Yeah, I could probably handle a job like that. I'd especially really like the writing part. Of course. That's what seems to feel most natural to me.
But that's usually how it goes, huh?!
As I was looking at education jobs--just because I think I'd eventually really like to teach--I somehow began looking at both writing jobs and office positions. Because there are a ton of those out there. And I imagine that an office position has a decent amount of writing involved. You know: memos, email, meeting minutes and proposals. I'm sure you do a good amount of PR writing and document scanning and stocking supplies and opening mail and greeting clients perhaps. I think it's probably not a bad position, working in an office as long as the other staff members are tolerably nice or at least courteous. Yeah, I could probably handle a job like that. I'd especially really like the writing part. Of course. That's what seems to feel most natural to me.
The Joy of MCom 320
I'm taking MCom 320 this semester. It's a college requirement and I have to say that it's been a little bit annoying to have to review (at the college level) things as basic as font sizes and basic page layout on a business document. And the primary color wheel. Really. Am I to assume that I'll be tested on this stuff? That's part of the lesson I'm currently working on.
Now I know that's not review for some 19 year-old kid out there who's never painted or colored but I'm guessing that they're few and far between. Some people--I suppose--do come into college not having taken art in elementary school (if they attended say...Gulag elementary). Come on.
Sure, maybe they all didn't have basic television broadcast classes in which you are taught to compare and contrast the additive and subtractive color systems.
So I get that part.
Anyway, I'm a bit older than the average student and I did have that training back in the day.
I also have to review symmetrical and asymmetrical layout on the page. And document scanning and email protocol. Some of these things just seem so remedial to be studying--y'know, at this point in my life.
Now I know that's not review for some 19 year-old kid out there who's never painted or colored but I'm guessing that they're few and far between. Some people--I suppose--do come into college not having taken art in elementary school (if they attended say...Gulag elementary). Come on.
Sure, maybe they all didn't have basic television broadcast classes in which you are taught to compare and contrast the additive and subtractive color systems.
So I get that part.
Anyway, I'm a bit older than the average student and I did have that training back in the day.
I also have to review symmetrical and asymmetrical layout on the page. And document scanning and email protocol. Some of these things just seem so remedial to be studying--y'know, at this point in my life.
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