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Pros And Cons Of Owning A Gift Basket Business At Home Vs Owning A Storefront Business

Is the joy of owning a gift basket business at home greater than the pleasure derived from operating a storefront gift basket business? I have been on both sides of the fence and can therefore give first hand advice and opinions about this debate. Whether you want to start a basket business from home or if you are considering having a storefront, read the following pros and cons to help make your final decision.

Pros to Having A Gift Basket Business At Home:

-You will work long hours during holidays but at least you can be home for meal time and any other important family occasion or a good television show you don`t want to miss. Continue reading “Pros And Cons Of Owning A Gift Basket Business At Home Vs Owning A Storefront Business”

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Life on the Road – A Couple of Typical Days

I got a welcome laugh on a rainy day as I passed Toad Suck Park at exit 129B on I-40 in Arkansas. The legend behind Toad Suck is that it was a popular place for bargemen, traveling the Arkansas River, to pull over and drink rum and moonshine. They are said to have “sucked on bottles until they swelled up like toads.”

Passing Toad Suck inspired a reminiscence of some of the more uniquely named places I have encountered in my travels. Among the more memorable are Intercourse, Alabama; Flush, Kansas; Hell for Certain, Kentucky; Square Butt, Missouri; Big Butt, North Carolina; Cumming, Georgia and Climax, Georgia; Hog Jaw, Arkansas; Two Egg, Florida; Stinking Creek, Tennessee and Big Ugly Creek, West Virginia. The Frog City truck stop in Rayne, Louisiana offers an entrée of frog legs or a frog burger. If a bag of dirty laundry hampers your resolve, you can wash it at Suds Ur’ Duds in Corinth, Mississippi. Continue reading “Life on the Road – A Couple of Typical Days”

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If the Preacher Doesn’t Impress You

This is a sermon I wish to preach one day… if a church would let me…

My aim today is to convince you that my work in preaching is done, here, today, even if you don’t enjoy it or aren’t inspired by it. Even if you don’t like it. And I warn you, you may not like what you hear me say today. I accept that up front.

I want you to know, in 30 minutes’ time, that just because I’m not a charismatic speaker doesn’t mean God isn’t using me; that if I’m unimpressive on this occasion it’s not that the Holy Spirit isn’t speaking through me. Indeed, I’m wanting to say the opposite – that the fact I’m here today means the Holy Spirit is using and will use me.

Further to that, I want to suggest that God will use me today to show you that it’s an acute idolatry to come to this or any other church simply to hear a particular sermon or speaker, and to laud that person for their oratory brilliance. There’s no problem with compliments for your thankfulness, we just need to keep it at that. Say it, then leave it, for the person, themselves. Don’t go on about it. Going on about it serves nobody, and it nullifies the Kingdom effect. Continue reading “If the Preacher Doesn’t Impress You”

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How to Create a Passive Income Today That Provides Incredible Financial Freedom For Tomorrow

When you consider the words “passive income”, what do you imagine. Do you imagine a life without the stress and hassles of a full-time job? do you imagine a life without budgeting for items such as groceries, fuel, entertainment, travel, etc? Do you imagine a life without worrying about how financial obligations will be met now and in the future? Everyone’s image of passive income is unique.

Now consider the words “financial freedom” and “financial independence”. What do you imagine?

Consider the things you haven’t accomplished in life due to lack of time and money. Maybe you haven’t traveled as much as you would like. Maybe you didn’t buy the house you always wanted. Maybe you didn’t have the money to go back to school. Maybe you didn’t have time to devote to family or friends. Continue reading “How to Create a Passive Income Today That Provides Incredible Financial Freedom For Tomorrow”

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The Red Zone at Grave Risk in Italy, Second Wave Covid-19!

Well, I’m in the ‘Red Zone’, a zone that is literally at grave risk! As of the 3rd of November 2020, the Italian government has given new ‘anti-Covid-19’ restrictions, such as curfews and closures, which are most vital in the Red Zone. These restrictions apply to citizens, tourists, and non-citizen permanent residents. It surprised most inhabitants when they got the news abruptly on TV a few days ago. Of course, I shared the information that we were in the Red Zone with my friends who were to be affected by the event. We are in the same boat, meaning that we can not move in or out of the Red Zone without a self-certification declaring that we are going out of the area for a necessity. Moreover, no one can travel out of his or her legal municipality without self-certified reasons of work, health, and absolute necessity, which they will have to present to the police if stopped.

For now, everything looks about the same outdoors in the countryside, and I’ve had a few opportunities to snap some serene photos of Italy! Nevertheless, there won’t be many people singing and dancing on balconies this time round. Most people are neither positive about the restrictions nor trusting that they will be adequate. Continue reading “The Red Zone at Grave Risk in Italy, Second Wave Covid-19!”

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Frugal Mom’s Guide to Once a Month Cooking Review

Do you have the right ingredients for cooking the family meal tonight? Or have you just walked into the kitchen wondering what you are going to cook and feeling like it is just another chore to tackle? This is how so many people feel because their lives are so full and busy. The last meal of the day is the one last thought on their mind, until it is time to prepare.

Now comes the biggest challenge. Will you serve up a scrumptious healthy meal that may take another hour of your precious time, or will you opt for the quick and easy packet meal, or perhaps reach for the phone and ring for delivery!

There is a solution. It is not one you can do for tonight’s meal but it is a solution to the next months worth of meals. A lady by the name of Candace Anderson is the author of ‘Frugal Mom’s Guide to Once a Month Cooking.’ She lays out a plan where you spend one day a month cooking and preparing for the next 30 days. Continue reading “Frugal Mom’s Guide to Once a Month Cooking Review”

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Going Vegan: 7 Insights From My First Year

Well, this week officially marks my first year of going “vegan”. I emphasize the word because to some people, it can also mean cutting everything animal based out of your life, like clothing and furniture. However when I say it, I pretty much mean that I cut out meat and dairy from my diet. I guess you could also say that I adopted a plant based diet. Whichever way you decide to phrase it, I am happy to say that I managed to make it through my first year. I certainly learned a lot from this experience and wanted to share it with you.

So let’s take a look at my story and the 7 insights that I acquired from it all!

I was raised by a mom who was into organic food even before it became all the rave. I remember my friends coming over and saying, “What the heck are veggie chips”? It was odd to them but pretty normal to me. So you could say that I had a predisposition to healthier alternatives growing up. Don’t let me fool you though, this didn’t mean that I was always healthy. It just meant that I was open minded enough to try more than just the average options. Continue reading “Going Vegan: 7 Insights From My First Year”

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Benefits of Using an Online Florist to Send Flowers

Benefits of Using an Online Florist for Online Flower Delivery

The modern consumer is looking for fast, reliable and cost-effective service in every sphere of their lives. That is why more and more consumers are using online retailers for just about anything, right from fast food and furniture shopping to holiday gifts and grocery shopping. So, if you haven’t considered an online flower delivery service, you are making a huge mistake.

Usually, when it comes to flower and bouquet purchase, your first choice will be a brick-and-mortar florist. However, the convenience and ease of online flower delivery are unbeatable. If you are wondering why you should buy flowers online, here are some advantages that will convince you to switch to one.

Wider Choices Continue reading “Benefits of Using an Online Florist to Send Flowers”

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Romantic Date Ideas

This may be one of your last chances to spend a romantic evening with your significant other before you have your blessed baby. Spend the day pampering yourself and put on your favorite maternity dress – even if you have to buy one. Feeling good about yourself affects your attitude and you deserve to feel beautiful. Here are some ideas to make this a date to remember by showing your partner just how much you care.

Sunset picnic – Find a romantic spot with a great view of the sunset and pack his favorite dinner to go. One of the most romantic dates is an evening alone watching the sunset.

Favorite restaurant delivery – Even if they don’t deliver, drop it off to his office at the front desk. If your spouse has to work on Valentines send him a special meal sealed with a romantic note of the evening you are planning. Continue reading “Romantic Date Ideas”

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5 Lessons From India

Incase you missed it, I was just in India giving a TEDx talk and decided to make a trip out of it with my 12 year-old son, Jude. It was a trip of a lifetime, and we had the best time with Jude even wanting to stay! I’m so grateful for our time there and how much time we got to spend together. In today’s busy world, this is rare. He is such a great traveler, and we also had many take aways with being in such a different culture. Here is a picture from the Gandhi Memorial.

Read today’s article where I share what we learned and how we can all apply these lessons to our daily lives:-)

Here are my 5 take aways from India: Continue reading “5 Lessons From India”