Graham Webb Ice Cap Revitalizing Shampoo And Conditioner

I use Graham Webb Ice Cap revitalizing shampoo and conditioner. Since I teach water aerobics or swim almost every day I need a hair care program that will keep my hair in the best condition possible. Through the years I have tried many, many different products, but the Graham Webb products are by far the best that I have ever used! Graham Webb is found at salons everywhere so when you get a chance please check them out!

http://www.grahamwebb.com

4 Inch Table Saw With 2 Blades

This 4" table saw with 2 blades is the best hobby saw I have ever used. It is small and compact which is perfect for so many projects. Please "click" the photo and take a look!

Lunds and Byerly's

My favorite grocery stores are Lunds and Byerly's. I have been shopping at their stores for 20 years now and I am constantly amazed at their great customer service and awesome food. I find pleasure in shopping at a store where the experience is warm and inviting!

When I stopped there the other day after work I picked up a couple of items at the bakery where I was approached with a smile. Then off to the meat counter where I picked out an item I had never prepared before and the butcher talked me through the cooking process and sent me away smiling. I turned the corner and the store manager asked me how I was doing and if I was finding everything I needed okay. Off to the fresh produce area for fruit. I picked up my complimentary copy of real food, winter 2008 in case I want to make the chocolate whiskey cake that graces the cover of their magazine. Then to the checkout area where two polite young men rang up my sale, bagged my groceries and carried them out to my car for me.

I love great customer service when I shop and if you are looking for an enjoyable experience when you grocery shop please feel free to check them out!

http://www.lundsandbyerlys.com

The Greatest Salesman In The World

Have you ever read the book The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino? I received this book as a gift and I have read and reread it many times through the years. When I turned 16 I got a job a local department store, Donaldson's. I loved my job. I had a great manager, really fun co-workers, and I loved helping customers find exactly what they were looking for. After I had been there about a month I received this book as a gift from one of the ladies who had worked for Donaldson's for years. She was a great saleswoman. She knew exactly when to approach a customer as they entered her department. She always spoke calmly and politely to everyone. She had a huge clientele base which amazed me. When she gave me The Greatest Salesman in the World I could hardly wait to go on break so I could start reading. I was lucky. There was a park across the street and every day I would take my book and read during my lunch breaks. What a beautiful setting to read this small book of wisdom.

The book is essentially about 10 principles that will help change your life. My copy is well worn and each time I take it out of my book shelf I am reminded of that great saleswoman who inspired me to make changes in my life. She helped guide my retail career path. Little did she know that by sharing her favorite book with me that she would make me a better person! Or maybe she did!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Salesman_in_the_World

We Have Jewelry Vises, Craft Vises, Art Vises, Hobby Vises & Vise Jaw Pads At Evie's Tool Emporium

I find that for so many projects a vise helps! Are you looking for a new vise to help you out? The jaw pads are an awesome accessory to the vise you may already have at home! Please feel free to "click" a photo and check ours out!


2 Inch Universal Parts Vise With Adjustable Jaw Pins

3 Inch Universal/Clamping Bench Vise

3 Inch Table Vise

4 Inch Swivel Base Vise

3-1/2 Inch No Mar Magnetic Vise Jaw Pads

4-1/2 Inch No Mar Magnetic Vise Jaw Pads

5-1/2 Inch No Mar Magnetic Vise Jaw Pads

Drink More Water!

The last couple of years I have tried to drink more water. I feel so much better when I drink enough water. With my meals I drink milk and as a treat I drink 1 12 oz. Coca-Cola a day. Drinking more water has made a big difference in my life.

The question I always ask is how much water should I be drinking?!? It depends on a lot of factors. When I teach my water aerobics class I always try to drink 1 bottle of water before class, 1 during class and 1 after class. That is the recommendation of A.E.A. When I walk Evie I always have a bottle of water for us. Whether I am working out in stores or from home I have ice water with me all the time. Most days I feel hydrated enough. However, there are days I know I haven't had enough.

There are several articles I have read recently regarding water consumption. I always refer to the Mayo Clinic. They have insight into health and wellness topics. I recently discovered this hydration chart which is really interesting.

Are you drinking enough water? Do you feel better when you drink more water? Here's to a hydrated 2009!

http://www.aeawave.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com
http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm

Family Values

My parents taught my brother and me our family values by the way they have lived their lives. My dad worked hard at his job providing for our family and my mom worked hard at home providing for our family. They managed their time with us really well. My dad worked hard all week, but always had the weekends off. That was family time. We would ride our bikes, go swimming, skating, sledding and all sorts of outside activities. We were blessed with private piano, flute, and trumpet classes. I twirled the baton and my brother became an Eagle Scout. We were very, very lucky children. Our meals were made at home by my mom and conversations revolved around our activities and our friends. Almost every Sunday we would entertain family and friends, or else we would go visit them. That circle of friends inspires me today to keep in contact with those who are important to me. Those friendships were very important to us at that time so we really focused on those that we cared about. Every year we had a summer vacation. We traveled to Canada, Mexico, and every state in the U.S.A. except for Hawaii and Alaska. We always traveled by car or train so we could experience how beautiful our country is.

As my brother and I have gotten older I know we both look back fondly on all the times my parents took the time to spend with us every day. Sometimes we wanted to spend more time with our friends. However, we always had our family time. We have learned to give each other space when we need it and to be there when we need that.

On December 18th my dad passed away. My mom, brother and I were all there. He is at peace now. That circle of friends I spoke of earlier embraced us and celebrated his life with us. Sometimes people mention that it is the smallest of gestures that touch us the most. After my dads funeral mass I was approached by a gentleman. He introduced himself as my dads bus driver. My dad had a form of Parkinson's disease. Until 2 years ago, he rode the bus downtown Rochester, MN to walk in the skyway to the library every Monay-Friday. As his disease advanced he was unable to do it as frequently, but he kept going as often as he could. I was so touched as I talked to the bus driver and his grandson that they would take time out of their busy lives to come and share the day with us. What a great example that bus driver was setting for his 13 year old grandson who I'm sure could think of more exciting ways to spend his first day of winter break. The grandson said it was important to his grandpa to be with us, so he was with us too. Wow! Another example of family values.

My dad received the best care in the world in Rochester through the Mayo system. The doctors, nurses, physical therapists and all who cared for him through the years are to be commended for their professionalism. The commitment they show on a daily basis is to me also a sign of family values because they treated my dad like part of their family. The funeral mass was held at St. Pius X where Father Nelson treated us with such compassion. The funeral arrangements were made by Macken Funeral Home, who have been in business for 100 years. Again, strong family values.

I appreciate all of the family members and friends who have reached out to us the past several months. I have been so comforted by their prayers of strength.

Please take a moment today to reach out to those who have shared their family values with you. It only takes a moment to go swimming, prepare and eat a meal, or travel with a loved one. I hope you know you will touch their lives forever.