Made me chuckle this morning...

Old proverb...

Key to wealth/success: Rise early, work late and strike oil!!

Can't believe it's nearly August!!

Where has the summer gone?? It just seems like yesterday it was the end of May and my long-time co-worker, Helen, was retiring after 23 years! I can't believe I haven't sent her the photos of the going-away parties yet, but here are a few that captured the friends and hugs!

Energy Audit... Amazing...

Wow... I had an energy audit today and the company came in and tested the house for air conditioning leaks and air losses throughout the house. Bottom line, before they did their work, they measured air flow and it recorded 6440, which means that I was providing a/c for the equivalent of a 6440 square foot house. BUT... I only have a 2150 square foot house, so I was losing nearly 2/3 of the a/c. YIKES!

After they caulked around window sills, the fireplace, holes around plumbing, installed insulators in switch plates, weatherstripped the outside doors, etc., the system recorded 2450, which is about where it should be. I can't wait to see what my next electric bill is.

By the way, it only cost $20. Give me a call if you want the info.

Cool designs...

Can you imagine driving one of these? I can't wait for Jon to get back to school and continue designing such cool vehicles!! :)

Can we do something fun today?

When Jen was little, she used to wake up every Saturday morning and say, "Can we do something fun today??" Well, I'm so excited about seeing this tomorrow with the girls!!! Yay for fun Saturdays... (and Jen, yes, we CAN do something fun today!)

Hope, Change and Obama

I am so excited that a person I work with just published her first book... "Hope, Change and Obama." She established an essay contest for students interested in scholarships and published the best of the best entries. I look forward to reading it!! No matter your political persuasion or your feelings about the beginning months of his presidency, you have to agree that President Obama is definitely bringing change to our country.

Take time to buy the book and read the perspectives of 51 students who were impacted by his run for the top office in our country. http://nlspublishing.net/new_book_announcement

How to say anything to anyone...

Simple, yet thought-provoking tips from Shari Harley's business card (visit http://www.shariharley.com)

How to say anything to anyone:

1) You can say anything to anyone when trust is present.

2) People do not do things the way we do them even when we think they should.

3) Tell the people you work with what you expect when relationships begin. Ask what they expect.

4) Ask for feedback. Say "thank you."

5) People treat you as you train them to treat you.

Managing your professional reputation:

1) You are 100% accountable for your career.

2) Know your reputation. Ask how others perceive you.

3) Keep your word. Do the things you say you will do.

4) Do not gossip. If you have something to say, say it directly to the person involved.

5) Everything makes an impression.

Mickey got married!

My friend, Mickey, got married this afternoon in a beautiful ceremony at her new husband's ranch house WAYYYY out in the country on a ranch called the Blue Bayou Ranch. She was radiant and seems to be on cloud 9 with a loving family and good friends to help them celebrate!!

VW Jetta TDI

I'm so excited!! I got a new car today. It's a Jetta TDI (clean diesel) and gets 29 city and 40 highway mpg. Isn't that awesome?? It even qualifies for the tax credit. YAY!!