Continuous Partial Attention

While going through 100's of emails today I ran across one that caught my eye which lead to a great video on "Continuous Partial Attention" by Linda Stone. So of course, I tried to watch/listen to the video while I continued to go through emails, add a new font to the website, review the new invitation designs I'll be added to the website today and while I could normally have called this multi-tasking, after listening/watching then only watching the video again, I realize I am sooo guilty of "Continuous Partial Attention" and not just when I'm sitting at my desk "working". I read while watching TV, I pickup the kitchen while trying to have conversations, I type while taking on the phone, I try to eat while I'm driving and the list goes on and on. While this clip may seem long to watch, you can give it your continuous partial attention until light bulb moment when you start it from the beginning and really pay attention as I had to do - and then a "light bulb moment". Tell me what you think!

Linda Stone at Gel 2006 from Gel Conference on Vimeo.


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Escalator Temporarily Stairs

I can't say I watch You Tube very often, but last night (at college parent info night) one of the counselors played a funny clip her students loved. Wow! Makes you think and laugh. Let us know if it made you laugh too! A great reason to always choose the stairs!



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4th of July Party Invitations

I'm not sure if our founding fathers planned Independence Day to fall in the middle of the sunny summer when they picked July 4th or if it was just coincidence, but by July, I know I'm not alone in wanting an excuse to get together with friends and family and party until the last fireworks fade away.

When I lived in Illinois, many a 4th was spent at my parent's house on the lake boating, trying to water sky, eating and just hanging out with the family.

Now that I live in Southern California, we break out the Mai Tais, the pool floats, and relax to our favorite music while "Cabana Boy Tim" (my husband) grills his favorite Killer Ribs, burgers and dogs. There's >usually a game of pool basketball "Piggy" (my son chooses Piggy as there is more letters and gives him and dear-old-dad a longer game) going on as the women scramble to the pool's beach entrance so as not to get drenched or dunked.

Then the big decision of the night - do we drive down to watch the fireworks over the lake or do we watch several shows from the comfort of our back deck. The back deck has won out the last few years so maybe this year we'll decide to try the up-close fireworks at the lake. Either way, it's sure to be a fabulous day shared with friends and family. Happy 4th to all of you, too!

Click here to see all our 4th of July invitations.

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The Magic Words and my Kindle

My birthday was last week and I just have to tell you about a gift that I wanted but really didn't think I needed. For about ten months I kept coming up with reasons why I didn't need it, why it wouldn't work for me, blah, blah, blah. One night out to dinner with our friends, Dan & Julie, changed all that. After we were seated at our table, Julie asked me if I had a Kindle.Both husbands said, "What's that?"

She went on to explain what it was and how it worked. Of course I'd see Oprah going on and on about hers on her show before Christmas, but I didn't hear any "magic words" that made me fall in love and have to have it. But when Julie said those six magic words, that was it!

What was magic to me? These simple words were: "It can even read to you." What? Something that can read to me so I can "read" while I'm supposed to be cleaning my closet? Read to me when I'm supposed to be cooking dinner (or in my case, assembling food)? Read to me when I'm driving? I don't have to put my book down?

I am never without a book. I'm usually reading several self-help books - latest journey has been into feng shui - several magazines, a great fiction book to escape and I repeat this recipe daily. I won the reading contest in second grade with 200 books (and got good grades!)

National Memorial Day Concert May 24, 2009

May 24, 2009, we celebrate Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day. This day is a time to remember those who have fought or served in our military, those who died in service to our country and those who are still fighting for our freedom. On this day I will remember my father, William E. Gillum (11-9-06), who served in the Korean War and is buried at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Joliet, Illinois, and his brother - my Uncle, Robert Blackford Gillum, II (5-3-06), who served in World War II and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As we celebrate their memories and the many years we had with them after their military service, we will also be remembering those who sacrificed so much for our country's freedom.

A fabulous website in observance of this day is the National Memorial Day Concert site. This site details the live concert from the Nation's Capital that will be broadcast on May 24, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST (check your local listings) - set your DVR so you don't miss this program. This National Memorial Day Concert honors the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, their families at home, and all those who have given their lives for our country. "Sharing memories of your loved ones is the best tribute we can make to them."

Also an amazing part of this website is the Read and Submit A Eulogy section. "For those who request it, we hand-carry your eulogies and remembrances directly to the appropriate memorial site – the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial or Arlington National Cemetery – for the fallen buried there and for those who have fallen in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. At these sacred sites, Reverend Steve Hyde, PhD, and other members of the clergy will offer prayerful words in a ceremony designed to honor and respect your loved one." You can submit remembrances that may also be made part of the website, or you can read prior years' submissions too.

So while I'm watching the fireworks, my DVR will be recording this very special remembrance to those who have served our country. I will also be remembering the 21-gun salute to my father and will forever look at Memorial Day as something more than a three-day weekend we will share with friends, family, food and fireworks.

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Cinco de Mayo or Tequila & Margaritas!

Cinco de Mayo - the celebration of the Mexican Army's defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 - usually means Margaritas and Tequila to those of us celebrating on May 5th. When Cinco de Mayo also falls on a Tuesday, it's fun to celebrate "Taco Tuesday", a weekly occasion to grab great food at favorite Mexican restaurants at great prices. Send out your favorite Cinco de Mayo party invitations and get the gang together for a fun night out.

And of course, it's not Cinco de Mayo without Margaritas. You can make an entire pitcher of margaritas for less than the cost of one restaurant drink. Fresh lime juice is the secret to a fabulous margarita - my favorite also includes Silver Patron. If you're not in the mood to squeeze all those limes, Simply Limeade (available in grocery stores) can save you time when making your own special killer margaritas.

A easy frozen margarita recipe is:
  • 1 (6-ounce) can limeade, frozen
  • Gold tequila (or any good-quality tequila - I like Silver Patron)
  • Triple sec
  • Ice
In a blender, add frozen limeade. Then using the empty limeade can as a measuring device, add one can tequila and ½ can triple sec. Fill blender with ice and blend until frozen. Add more ice as it blends down. The blender should be full when finished. Pour into glasses and garnish with lime. Serves 6.

Want to get creative? Here's a great website with over 50 margarita recipes: Margarita Extras. One interesting one that caught my eye, and is also a specialty of one of our 5 star hotels here in Southern California - the Avocado Margarita - not sure I'm brave enough to try it yet - I'll think I'll stick to eating avocados in my guacamole.

Exclusive "GRAD" Shimmer Diecuts

Our favorite new designs are fabulous folded shimmery 5" x 7" invitations with matching color shimmery envelopes. You can choose from several colors of shimmery "GRAD" diecuts to put on the front of the invitation or put your child's picture on the front.

We also have more than ten wonderful quotes that you can choose from to further customize your graduation announcement or graduation party order.



The "GRAD" diecut is affixed to the invitation with pop-up gluedots. Diecut "GRAD" colors include Red, Bronze, Green, Hot Pink, White, Turquoise, Navy, and Black. Check them all out at Announcingit.com.
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What's a Rain Date?

It's May Day! Here in sunny Southern California the weatherman has predicted 40% chance of showers. How dare he!

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday, my birthday is Sunday - it can't rain! How often has weather been a factor when you're planning a party or other activity. The first time a customer submitted an invitation with the words "rain date", my native California employees all said "What's a rain date?".

It's sad, but somebody has to live here in Southern California where weather really isn't a factor when planning your life. As the country anxiously awaits the sunny days of summer, we've been creating fabulous invitations that put you in the mood to party!

Our exclusive shimmery invitations with stunning colors such as Azalea Hot Pink, Lagoon Turquoise, Fairway Green, Flame Orange, Purple Punch also have matching envelopes. We have also layered the colors, wrapped them with a satin ribbon and they are perfect for a dinner party, graduation party, surprise birthday party and more!

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