There’s no place like New York during the Holidays
Christmas in New York
While the city was not yet covered in snow, but the streets have been filled with the sights and sounds of the holiday season since before Thanksgiving.
Watch the video to experience the city through my eyes…
I traveled to the city in November and experienced the early excitement of the holiday season first hand.
On this cold, blustery day in November, we walked through Times Square to watch the amazing musical, Wicked (the story of the great Land of Oz before Dorothy’s unexpected arrival) at the historic Gershwin Theatre.
After the show, we warmed up and feasted on walked over to Rockefeller Center where city organizers were getting ready to unveil the Christmas Tree the following week. The Rockefeller Center Ice Rink was filled to the brim with skaters, young and old.
The Rockefeller Center tree is the biggest in the city, and the annual tree lighting is nationally broadcast on NBC.
I also had the chance to admire 5th Avenue with its elaborately designed holiday-inspired window displays. Department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Barneys, and Bloomingdale’s line the streets. After stopping into a couple of shops to add a knit hat, gloves and scarf to my wardrobe, we hopped on a horse drawn carriage and took a romantic (and cold) ride through a peaceful Central Park.
It was truly a delight to spend part of my holiday season in New York City. I’m glad I got to experience a bit of what is surely one of the world’s most festive cities.
Thrifty Spending Is Nifty This Holiday Season
Last week, I purchased refreshments, cups and ice for over 100 people, holiday cookies for 3 holiday gatherings, candy for almost 3000 career fair attendees — all under $100.
Believe it or not, that was pricey. I’m a bargain shopper. Always have been and if I hit the lottery tomorrow — will continue to be.
The holidays can be especially rough on our wallets. Holiday gatherings and christmas gifts have the potential to break the bank, but i’ve found a few ways to cut corners and save some pennies.
Many underestimate the treasures that can be found at dollar bargain stores. Family Dollar, Big Lots and Dollar Tree are a few that I frequent when searching for holiday candies, cookies, decorations, and wrapping materials. You can even get juices, boxed and canned foods for your food drives at these stores at bargain prices.
When shopping for gifts, these stores have great stocking stuffer potential too!
Listen folks, I even buy my toiletries, household items and cookwear, cosmetics and even SOCKS at these stores.
When looking for unique and cost effective gift ideas this holiday, I like to shop at TJMaxx/Marshalls/Home Goods. I don’t have time to spend hours scouring every isle, but i’ve gotten to the point where I can go in and just skim the store for what i’m looking for. I can even find great deals on holiday fashion to help me show up at all of these holiday gatherings looking like a million bucks (for about $50!).
I like giving themed-based gift boxes or baskets (compared to pre-assembled baskets running $50 and up). Spa items from the discount racks at Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, or even the dollar storie; bakeware and supplies from the dollar store; gardening supplies. Home decor. Entertainment, games, toys, etc. The items can be assembled in a basket/container you already own or pick up a thrift shop and personalized with things like notes or recipes. Package the whole thing up with cellophane and a big bow.
Books: Find out your recipient’s favorite book or type of reading. You can look for a vintage book (even some first editions can be had inexpensively) on eBay or Amazon.com, second hand bookstores and discount stores. Customize with an inscription.
Inspirational cards: Ok. So I stole this idea from a specialty store. They were selling these plain black and white inspirational cards for 2 bucks. Then they were framing the very same cards and selling the framed version (which featured the inspirational quote inside) for $35!! I bought the cards and scooted on over to the dollar store for some picture frames and viola…a memorable, personalized gift!!
Handicrafts: Don’t get me wrong. Homemade gifts are great. I used to bake cookies, make holiday trail mix and make crafts for the holidays when I had more time. While it’s fun and personal…unless you’re a “Martha” and have lots of time of hobbies, handmade gifts are rarely worth the time, energy and cost of supplies.
Lasting Memories: Start by collecting videos and photographs from your family land friends, like birthdays and holidays. Why not organize these photos and videos and create a home movie as a gift for your family. Websites like kodakgallery, picasa, and snapfish make it easy to do from your own home.
As time winds down, hope these tips are helpful. Just remember, the holidays aren’t about the dollar amount. The holidays are about the love of family and the appreciation of family and friends.
Remind yourself of the true meaning of the season — that doesn’t cost a thing!
Duke Children’s Hospital Teddy Bear Ball bring Warm and Fuzzy Fun To The Triangle
Brendan, Me, Amanda and Matt
Friday evening at the Durham Marriott Civic Center in support of the 19th annual Teddy Bear Ball to benefit Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center.
I had never been the event before, but now that I have gone I know that it will become a yearly tradition.
The holiday-themed formal affair, allowed guests to browse and bid on hundreds of auction items and teddy bears while enjoying great food and wine.
This year’s chairs, Dan and Wendy Cooper, are the parents of pediatric brain tumor patient, Matthew Cooper.
The Cooper’s brave son, Matt, told the story of his family commuted for a number of years from California for his treatment. They have since relocated to Durham to be near Duke Children’s. His story brought tears to my eyes. His strength and wisdom was inspiring.
This year’s fund-raising ball honors the Cooper family’s dedication to helping their son, Matt.
The 2008 Teddy Bear Ball is hosted to show the reason why Duke Children’s raises funds — to better the lives of children in need.
The Teddy Bear Ball is the largest charity black-tie gala in the Triangle. Taking place the first Friday of December, the event gives sponsors, donors and guests the chance to don their finest apparel and enjoy fine food and company all in the name of helping sick children.
Avoid a run in with the SUPER bug this holiday season.
Celebrating Thanksgiving normally marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season and the stress that goes with it. Flu season is in full swing and germ threats are higher and recent news reports have highlighted the dangers of MRSA, a strain of drug-resistant staph infection.
While MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) has been found in hospitals among people with weakened or suppressed immune systems, recent scares, like one close to home at Fayetteville Regional Medical Center shows us why we should be careful of outbreaks in our own communities this holiday season.
In a surprising study recently conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories found that MRSA caught in the community could be more dangerous than the version found in hospitals
A key to coping with MRSA and the other diseases so common this time of year is through regular, thorough hand washing with soap and water.
It’s easy to forget to wash your hands in the midst of shopping, mingling and mixing with friends and family this time of year.
A Raleigh-area resident, Brendan Ferns, who lost a friend from MRSA and who works in our hospitals tell us what actions we can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with MRSA or other bacteria this holiday season:
Scrub up - Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds - the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice - or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.
Wipe it down - Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. Make sure to use clean cloths to avoid spreading MRSA from one surface to another. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)
Cover your cuts - Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
Keep to yourself - Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
Use a barrier - Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.
In addition, you can find more detailed information about MRSA and ways to prevent the spread of this lethal disease at www.stopMRSAnow.org
Smart Holiday Shopping
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches I am reminded that I have to begin saving my pennies for the holiday gift giving season. But with rumors of an economy detieriorating smack dab in the middle of the holiday season it’s tough to plan ahead and justify early spending even when the temptations of store CLOSEOUTS around every corner.
I’m a bargain shopper to begin with so when I hear of folks buying plenty and buying early it makes me cringe. One thing I have heard is that with all of these store closings buyers should be careful when purchasing gift cards.
It makes sense. Clark Howard the consumer reporter suggest not giving gift cards at all this year. If the business goes under, the card will be no good and that will just be money down the drain.
Ann Taylor is closing 117 stores nationwide. A company spokeswoman said the company hasn’t revealed which stores will be affected. It will let those stories know over the next month.
Eddie Bauer is set to close more stores. Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.
With Black Friday coming up next week it may be wise to check to see which stores will be closing and not purchasing inventory that you think may need to be exchanged or returned or gift cards from those stores.
A Modern Woman’s Lessons from Election 2008
There was a lot at stake for working women and their families in this historic election, including pay equity, education, healthcare and retirement security. I paid close attention to the facts before voting this election. Besides the obvious, I made many other observations and took some notes to take into consideration during future elections.
I’ll share a few of the lessons that I learned during this historic election year:
• I learned that it’s good to embrace change
• I learned to question what an election really means (or doesn’t mean) to the world
• I remembered how much I dislike negative campaign ads
• Campaign finance reform doesn’t really mean a whole lot
• Politics and War could be considered synonyms
• I wondered about the importance on looks vs. competence
• I questioned whether decisions (like voting for the leader of this country) really reflect logical, rational analyses of candidates’ positions and records, instead of emotional and visceral reactions
• I was inspired by the diversity in this election
• I was motivated thinking about the prospect that anyone — non-dependant on race, gender or level of experience can be a top contender for Chief of Staff
• I was discouraged learning that bigotry is still present in the world and that race, gender, religion, personal/family history are still causes for scrutiny in our modern and educated day and age
• I remembered that what I did yesterday could potentially follow me for a lifetime.
Are States UNITED during elections?
As the time to close polls during this important election near, I am noticing a pattern in the frequency of problems that voters have experienced today at the polls…confusion, poor planning, inadequate training, precinct resources, staff and technology glitches seem to be a reoccurring problem across the country during each election.
I remember having heard about the same issues occurring during the last election and the election before that.
Time after time the patchy U.S. election system fails at ensuring that every citizen has a chance to vote and that each vote is accurately counted. Why is that?
Is it because continuously changing voting laws and new technology are creating confusion among election officials and voters? Does that mean that the shenanigans at the polls will be never-ending?
One problem that I discussed with a friend this past weekend could be the fact that that there is no harmony in voting standards across the United States. In other words, believe it or not, there are not linear standards for counting or reporting election results. Voter registration information cannot be moved easily from state to state, or even within states.
The US Constitution puts the authority for managing elections squarely on the states. In order to place the governance of elections under a federal entity would require a constitutional amendment and that’s a much more complicated process than most Americans can imagine. It could take years to simply pass the amendment, not to mention even longer to implement the new law.
But, how can we be the UNITED states of America if our election process is not standardized?
It’s Election Day. I am curious to see how the lack of a uniform voting process continues to affect future elections.
I only hope that our leadership continues to learn from each election and begin working toward making some changes to make the process fair and a bit less primitive.
Peace.
On Friday, I attended my college’s Alumnae Board meeting and Promise of Peace fundraising campaign kick off event on the college grounds. The President of Peace College, Laura Bingham, who is always full of energy and inspiration shared this quote with us…
Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (Author unknown)
This definition of Peace was certainly an appropriate reflection of the journey of a Peace College student and graduate. It was also so much more than that. It’s a perfect definition of what Peace should mean in every aspect of our lives. It the definition of Peace that we often forget in this busy world.
I am at peace knowing that in the midst of the hustle and bustle, the deadlines and the stresses of daily life, I feel confident about my abilities to manage and overcome the obstacles that present themselves as long as I have peace in my heart and love in my life.
Time to manage that money
With all of this talk about the possibility of an economic recession, all of us are keeping a close eye on the economy and our own personal finances right now. My friend Allison told me about this new web site she is using that is what she calls a “FREE financial advisor.” The link is: http://www.mint.com. You just plug in your banking, credit card, savings, 401k, investments, whatever you want (and can leave out whatever you want) and it tracks everything for you. She absolutely loves it because they send you alerts when bills are due and even help you set up a budget. She only has her checking account and a credit card registered and it tracks her purchases and labels them so she can see what categories all her money goes to. It’s nice to see it all visually laid out (and painful to see how much my finance charges are - sick!). I haven’t checked it out yet, but when I have some time on my hands I want to try to add a few of my accounts in there to see how it works out for me. It can’t hurt to try it and all of us can use another method to handle our money a little bit better right now.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage this month
Sept. 15 was chosen as the kick off date because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18. Although a little earlier, another Latin American country, Brazil, celebrates their independence on Sept. 7.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, learning about and celebrating the contributions of Latinos can only help to educate our communities and build the pride of those who identify themselves as Hispanics.
Spanish was the first European language spoken in North America and the U.S. is the fifth largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. There are more than 2,000 cities and towns in the United States with Spanish names. The state names of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Montana and Florida are Spanish.
Hispanic Heritage Month and emphasizes Hispanic contributions to this country and inspires Hispanic Americans to be proud of their heritage.
We should all acknowledge the contributions of all of the great cultures that have joined to live in the great melting pot of America every day of the year. It is important that everyone learn to understand the ethnic diversity that is our country.
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