Our Christmas tree

We had an awesome Christmas. God is good. Happy birthday Jesus

The History of the Christmas Card

As I was searching for inspirational Christmas stories, I came across the "History of the Christmas Card" which I found quite interesting. I thought others might find this history interesting too. The web page source: www.allthingschristmas.com/xmas-cards.php



THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS CARD

The tradition of sending Christmas cards begun in 1843 – about the same time as the first Christmas seal was published. The first Christmas card was produced in England, and the idea was well-received, because the following year, more than 25,000 Christmas cards were sold. However, the first Christmas card provoked controversy in certain circles in England, because the Christmas card pictured a company of people touching glasses and saying “Merry Christmas”. Putting alcohol and holy Christmas in one picture did not please the English citizens then.

For more than thirty years, Americans had to import greeting cards from England. In 1875, German immigrant to the U.S. Louis Prang, opened a lithographic shop with $250, and published the first line of U.S. Christmas cards. His initial creations featured birds and flowers, unrelated to the Christmas scene. By 1881, Prang was producing more than 5 million Christmas cards per year.

Today, Christmas cards come in all shapes and sizes -- from small and simple to big and colorful. The big American producer of Christmas cards, Hallmark, employs a whole army of Christmas card designers who produce new Christmas cards every season. The most popular cards are the old fashioned and nostalgic ones with sledges and pixies, and a big, chubby Santa Clause in a red and white coat.
Since the Internet became widespread in the middle of the 90’s, sending electronic Christmas cards became the trend.

Thank You David Foster for Discovering Josh Groban

As I sit here on Sunday morning, December 20th, I am listening to the fabulous voice of Josh Groban. I am absolutely loving his Christmas CD NOEL. What a superb voice, very soothing, spiritual and uplifting. I couldn't make it to church this morning and I am a firm believer things happen for a reason. I am feeling the movement of the Holy Spirit and the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ.

Track 6 "Thankful" brings it home for me. This is a message for every single person living on this planet. Regardless of our individual backgrounds and circumstances there is a place we are all connected, and each of us can find each other's light.

What a powerful statement - and so true!


Here are the lyrics to THANKFUL
(click the link to go to Josh's website to hear a sample of the song)
















Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change

David Foster discovered Josh Groban - and I am thankful for this discovery. Every single album Josh produces is very moving and uplifting.

At this time, I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to all of my clients, strategic partners, suppliers, family, friends, colleagues and associates. It has been a pleasure doing business with you and spending time with you. I am very thankful to have each of you in my life. I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy this Holiday Season, and remember:

THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

This little tree is one of my favorite Christmas decorations

Summerside Craftfair Fundraiser Party

In support of Salvation Army - we need your suppot.

Pathfiner's at Siside Craft fair.

Yum! Home made chocolate suckers and candy skewers made by our Pathfinder girls and moms.

Woot! Blog updates from phone are working.

Testing Blog updates from my dataphone

DO YOU QUALIFY?
Product Commercialization & Marketing Development Services Are Eligible For Government Funding and Financing

FIRST AND FOREMOST: PLEASE CONSULT THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT / AGENCY TO DISCUSS YOUR COMMERCIALIZATION, MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY.

Here is a listing of different Business and Economic Development Agencies in Prince Edward Island that offer Funding and Financing programs for Commercialization & Marketing Development.

The program list contains click-through links that will take you directly to each specific program. This is a partial list of programs. REMINDER: There is eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to qualify - AND - certain programs will cover all area of services up to a certain percentage, while others will only cover specific services.



PEI Business Development

1. Marketing Support Program
2. Craft Development Program
3. Professional Services Assistance Program

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agencies

1. Business Development
2. Improving Your Competitiveness
3. Developing You Innovative Idea
4. Non-Commercial/Non-Profit Projects
5. Small Business Development Programs
6. Young Entrepreneur Development Initiative
7. Atlantic Innovation Fund
8. Atlantic Innovation Fund Program Overview
   

Community Business Development Corporation

1. Seed Capital Program
2. Business Training:
   Did you know that if you are a CBDC loan recipient you have access to a $2,000 training grant for professional development. Our Marketing Coaching and Training programs are eligible so you can take some of our workshops and group coaching programs for free or get a significant portion of your cost covered. . .we thought you would like that!

Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF)

1. For Start-UPs
2. For Growing Your Business
3. For New Comers to Canada

CEED PEI / Open for Business is the community partner for CYBF Youth Loans



Mi'kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island

1. Socio-Economic Development

Ulnooweg Development Group

1. Ulnooweg Loans

Indian & Northern Affairs Canada

1. Aboriginal Business Canada

PEI Department of Agriculture

1. Growing Forward - Business Skills Development for Farm Operations

PSSSSSSST . . .. I learned just this month that marketing coaching and training services are PST exempt in most provinces because they are classified as training services. This includes all the training materials that are included as part of a packaged training and coaching program.

Two Crazy Cousins

These girls have the best time together. BEST FRIENDS.

My Daughter Blaire

Of course - she likes making us laugh - a fun person to be with.

My Niece Jamie

My Awesome niece - loving the concert.

MY DAD AT STOMPIN TOM

What a great artist Stompin Tom is. Good times, great laughs.

The Guiding Experience

Well, to start, I haven't been doing a very good job in keeping up with regular blog posts. Honestly, I have traveled portions of PEI, seeking out good examples of Experiential Marketing. Unfortunately, the only worthwhile example I actually saw that fit our whole theme of the "NEW" Marketing, was during the Summerside Lobster Carnival parade. I spotted a vehicle owned by Murphy's Pharmacy that was perfect, however, as luck should have it, I didn't have my camera so I couldn't snap a picture.


So here I sit today, figuring I must get a blog post up since the last one is dated July 4th. Yikes!


What is really on my heart at the moment is the tremendous experience I had this past week as an adult leader at a Provincial Wide Guiding Camp. We had 51 girls attend a week long camp from Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders.


My daughter is new to Guides, with last year being her first year as a Pathfinder. I have to say, that of all the activities my daughter has been in over the years, Guides is the best program for equipping young girls to be caring, nurturing, loving, helpful, productive young women. It's all about acceptance and inclusion, sharing and giving, team oriented, sisterhood. Wholesome, good, clean fun! The values I cherish most.


We're off to Guiding Mosaic next year - 13 girls and 4 leaders. It's going to be a lot of fun. We have to raise $1,200 per person, so we have a lot of funding raising to do over the next year. We're up for the challenge.


There are many rewards that come with being an Adult Leader. There is instant connection with your Patrol, with the Girls looking up to you, while you mentor and guide each of them in being responsible young ladies and Patrol Members. It's about community, relationship, unity, and sisterhood.


To all parents out there, I can tell you, if you are seeking a community where your child will be surrounded by good wholesome values, teaching respect, honor, inclusion, respect and self confidence, while teaching the value of teamwork and cooperation, Guiding is the place to be.

My Promise to Arlene Dickinson of CBC's Dragons' Den

This past week, I had the good fortune of hearing Arlene Dickenson of CBC Dragon's Den speak two days in a row in Prince Edward Island. On Thursday evening she hosted a 2 hour Q & A period and Friday, she was a noon-time speaker.

If you ever have the opportunity to see Arlene live, I really encourage you to make every effort to do so! Arlene is a refreshing speaker. She is authentic, genuine and gracious - none of this splashy, over done salesmenship hype. She speaks from the heart when she shares her entrepreneurial journey which is truly inspirational.


Arlene gave a lot of good advice and I am going to share with you some of the more resounding statements she made that truly connected and resonated with me:

1) Remember the moment you are in. Enjoy where you are - live it. "Live in the moment you are in".

2) Take your human life experiences and apply what you learned to your business.

3) Business is about personal relationships.

4) Sometimes you have to help people who you feel are the right people to help.

5) Sometimes business is about about good luck! You need to be living in the moment in order to identify good opportunity when it presents itself.

6) The beginning days of your business helps to build your character - your personal character and the character of your business.

7) Take care of yourself first - you need to be happy. You will be better as a person and more successful.

8) Stay physically active.

9) Find the potential within yourself and think better of yourself.

Arlene is 52 years old and she joined Dragon's Den 3 years ago. She started her entrepreneurial journey in her early 20's to support her family, and in 1988 she entered into a partnership to launch a marketing company in Calgary called Venture. During her key note address on Friday, she shared a number of 'struggle stories' in the beginning years of Venture. They were comical and real! She also shared when breakthrough began for the company. Now, 21 years later, Arlene is sole owner of Venture and has won many awards.

During her closing address, Arlene challenged the audience to believe - Believe in yourself and find the potential within to think better of yourself! She also challenged us to live in the moment.

On this very day, I am promising Arlene Dickinson that I will live in the moment so I will see very clearly when opportunity presents itself and I will believe in myself to seize the moment.

Arlene, it was a blessing to hear you speak; a true gift that came just at the right moment in my entrepreneurial journey. I thank you for being an authentic, genuine person that makes a significant difference in this world!