Sunday, May 31, 2009

Only 20 Hours Left on Some Great Deals!!!!!

Cello In A Box


Join my team!

This weekend only.
From now until Midnight, Sunday, May 31st
our Rep Kit #1 is only $2.99!
That's right, just $2.99
and along with the weekend shipping special below, a fantastic opportunity!

Shipping Special
From now until Midnight, Sunday, May 31st
we have special shipping rates for you!
$3.99 US shipping and $6.99 Canadian shipping
Great time to stock up!
Shipping carriers vary and your order may be shipped First Class, UPS or Priority.
You will receive a shipping confirmation email
This offer is good for orders up to $60.00

Use my Rep #1629 when joining, ordering or both!
Remember with Cello In a Box:
There are NO Quotas
Works great with any company
Useful for all your product presentation and gift needs...

Cakery Supplies



Because of all the new items we've added
and will be adding we've decided to have a sale.
So, from now through May 31st
you can use code NEW to save 5% on your order.

Creative ScentSations


30% off any order of $10. or more
Voucher code 30memorial

Expires 5/31/09

EOSB Gift Boutique


It's May Savings Month!!
Save 25% off all orders placed from 5/1/09 - 5/31/09.
You MUST use coupon code "Flowers" at checkout to receive the discount.


Luna Wolfs Mystical Essence



May Special ~ Receive a FREE Votive in your choice of scent
with any order in May.

Layaway has officially been added to LWME!!!

Go Green with LWME's Recycling Program!
Send in your used candle jars and containers.
Receive a gift voucher towards a purchase at LWME.
No Limit on the amount of vouchers you can receive.

River Street Gourmet






May also brings the flavor of the month, Garlic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW ADDITIONS


TOASTED PECANS!!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you tried.....


School is almost out, it's a perfect time for our Raspberry Iced Tea!


Our new frosted praline pecans are so good!


We have added new items to our cookie mixes, dessert mix and soups.

In addition we have a new category called Meals & Side Dishes.


Did you know?

When something has to give, it’s easy to understand why family
meals may fall by the wayside. And yet, family meals are not only a
time for strengthening family ties and keeping track of your
children’s lives, they can actually lead to better physical and
mental health for your children!

Sweet Memories and More


Eco-Friendly Wildflower Baby Shower Favors NEW "GREEN" PRODUCT!



Bio-degradable lined paper bag filled with 14gr of assorted annual wildflower seeds and vermiculite. Seed covers an average 200 sq ft. Each label is beautifully personalized then adorned with a coordinating paper flower. Flowers are constructed from hand-made paper from trees in a non-destructive way to help save the environment. Each flower is hand crafted to create a beautiful earth-friendly product. Back of every bag is hand-stamped "Eco-Friendly" "Green Product"
Available for Weddings, Showers, Birthdays and more!

Teaporia





SAVE 20% off all orders over $25. The code to use is SAVE20.

Buckingham Palace Garden Party: Flavorful with Medium body and delicate Earl Grey and Jasmine notes. Luxury Black Tea, Luxury Green Tea, Jasmine & Cornflower petals, Natural flavors. Intriguing hints of high-grown pure Ceylon Earl Grey blend effortlessly with the soft jasmine from Fujian Province. Couple this with malty Assam (from the estate of Borengajuli), flavorful Dimbula Ceylon (from Hatton), brisk and golden cup East of Rift Kenya (from Kambaa and Kagwe) and you have one of the most flavorful teas to come from the British Isles. Each cup is a cup of mystery - the flavors all come to the fore at separate times - one minute you taste the Earl Grey, the next second you can almost feel the soft floral notes of jasmine and finally you get the satisfying fullness of the Assam Ceylon and Kenya blend. Enjoy this tea and be a part of the annual tradition in the west gardens of Buckingham Palace.
AND
Queen Mary: Named after the largest and fastest ocean liner, this tea will comfort you and bring you peace of mind. This Black Tea has excellent flavor and is tempered with flowery character and malty notes. A wonderful blend whether you are lounging in your deck chair or sitting seaside!
The above flavors will be on sale during at $4.50 per each 2 oz. bag. Please note that you can ship from 1 to 5 bags for the same shipping cost.

A Zoo By U


SALE-A-BRATION

prices good thru June 5, 2009

20% OFF ALL OF OUR STUFFED FRIENDS KITS (PRICE IS MARKED)

10% OFF ALL OF OUR ACCESSORIES (PRICE IS MARKED)

Come check us out at A Zoo By U

Candy Gift Boutique


FATHER'S DAY IS

JUNE 21ST.


Dad's Poker Night >Only $65.95
FATHER'S DAY SALE!
SAVE 15% ON ALL GIFT ORDERS $35 AND OVER BY
USING COUPON CODE: b4716e7e66
Offer expires 6/22/09

Digi Scrap Kits




SUPER SALE - $1.00 Graphic Collections
Over 400 Clip Art Collections - Just $1.00!

Shake Your Bon Bons

MeMe's Country Store


Come Check out some wonderful items.

A. B. and C's


20%off any order. Just mention that you saw this ad. Just place your order and use the Money order option to pay. She will recalculate the order and invoice you the corrected total.

www.cmp.ly/5/cntzik

Friday, May 29, 2009

OPB & Mr. Top Notch

Official Business Productions
and
Mr. Top Notch

will be at The Grind, 39-20 Queens Blvd, Sunnyside, NY

at 9 p.m.

No Door Charge

Come One, Come All

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Cello In A Box


Join my team!

This weekend only.
From now until Midnight, Sunday, May 31st
our Rep Kit #1 is only $2.99!
That's right, just $2.99
and along with the weekend shipping special below, a fantastic opportunity!

Shipping Special
From now until Midnight, Sunday, May 31st
we have special shipping rates for you!
$3.99 US shipping and $6.99 Canadian shipping
Great time to stock up!
Shipping carriers vary and your order may be shipped First Class, UPS or Priority.
You will receive a shipping confirmation email
This offer is good for orders up to $60.00
Use my Rep #1629 when joining, ordering or both!
Remember with Cello In a Box:
There are NO Quotas
Works great with any company
Useful for all your product presentation and gift needs...

www.cmp.ly/5/cntzik

Chocolate Coconut Potato Candy II

Chocolate Coconut Potato Candy II

4 cups coconut
¾ cup cooked, cold mashed potatoes
1 pound powdered sugar
6 oz chocolate chips
small piece of paraffin

Variation add finely chopped almonds to the mix

Mix the first three ingredients together. Next shape the mix into balls about the size of an unshelled walnut. Let the walnut size balls dry on wax paper. In a double boiler melt chips and a little bit of paraffin on low heat. Dip dry balls into chocolate.

These have been described as being close to Mounds candy bars and as being close to Almond Joy if you add in some finely chopped almonds to the mix before dipping in the chocolate.
Publish Post

Chocolate Coconut Potato Candy

Chocolate Coconut Potato Candy

1/3 cup mashed potatoes
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flaked coconut
Chocolate (German or Semi-Sweet works well)

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Shape into desired size balls. Place in refrigerator until very cold. Roll candy in melted chocolate.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Peanut Butter Potato Candy

Peanut Butter Potato Candy

1 small potato
1 package powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Peanut Butter

Boil small potato until soft in unsalted water. Remove skin and mash with a fork. Add vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar small amounts at a time. Continue adding sugar until the dough is firm. Roll on powdered board to 1/8" thickness. Spread thin layer of peanut butter. Roll up like a jelly roll. Thinly Slice.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day Musings

Happy Memorial Day!



Thank you to all our brave men and women who serve in the United State Military.



“Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.”--Pericles (c.600 B.C.E.)



You are not forgotten.




"In Flanders Fields"
John McCrae, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Memorial Day is here. I have been thinking about what it means to me. I have been remembering those who have fallen, those who are currently serving both over seas and at home, those families who have loved ones in form of sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, husbands, wives serving active duty, national guard, reserve, or are on inactive ready reserve. But then I got to wondering about others so what does it mean to you?

Is it the start of summer? A three day weekend to be enjoyed through various outdoor activities like camping, fishing, going to the park? Is it a day or days of watching NASCAR? Is it a day to be cozily snuggled on the couch with drinks and snacks watching the Indy 500? Is it a time of being with friends and family at a picnic or BBQ either at a park, beach or in the back yard?

Is it a day to visit the cemetery in order to pay respect to the dearly departed? Either by laying flowers, wreaths, or placing flags on their graves? Or maybe do a little care taking maintenance of the plot? Do you participate in the 3 p.m. moment of silence or are you not aware or unsure of what this is?

Do you watch the televised coverage of scenes from Arlington Cemetery? Or do you participate in your own local community cemetery tribute to the soldiers who have died? Do you take the time to visit with a veteran on this day or sometime during the weekend? Do you ignore the members of the VFW with their "Buddy Poppy"? Do you accept one and offer a donation? Or are you embarrassed that you were approached or spoken to while others were able to pass on by? Do you stop to say thank you to the veteran and soldiers that you see through out your day to day activities on this day, this weekend, or at any other time of the year? Just what does this sacred solemn day really mean to you?

Today or at some point this weekend you will either be offered the opportunity to or participate in some type of outdoor activity or get together. Maybe it is the start of your summer holiday so you hold a backyard BBQ get together. Maybe it's time for an annual family reunion or get together at a local park or other outdoor location. While your enjoying your food, time with friends and family, and fun; do you give thought to how wonderful and lucky you are to be able to do it? Does how wonderful being free to do your activities and get together cross your mind at all? Do you give pause and thanks in acknowledgment for the freedom to pursue happiness and joy by doing what you do? Do you take time to remember and thank those who died to preserve our rights?

So do you take time somewhere in your busy weekend to reflect and feel thankful for the freedom to have this holiday weekend? Do you reflect and feel thankful for the countless other freedoms that you enjoy daily? Freedoms that are so precious and unique to us here in the United States of America. Do you remember those who died or lost a part of themselves (physically, mentally, emotionally or a combo of all these) so that you can enjoy the freedoms your currently enjoying?

I was actually shocked to hear that Memorial Day means nothing more to some of my friends than the start of the summer fun activities and getting to taste auntie's (or other family members or friends members or friends) potato salad or other favorite food that is associated with summer time. They sadly don't feel that there is a reason to remember a bunch of faceless and nameless soldiers who died in some cases a very long time ago. To another set it is the signal that the school year is over or about to end shortly and that fun can commence.

So let me ask you again what does Memorial Day mean to you? What does Memorial Day really mean? Why do we have it and do you know? With the above questions swirling through your mind let me share some tidbits of information about Memorial Day that I have found.

Memorial Day, originally was called Decoration Day. It is a day set aside for the remembrance of those brave men and women who have died in our nation's service preserving our freedoms.

Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868.

It is a patriotic holiday in the United States of America that is celebrated on the last Monday in May. This was established in 1971 by Congress. However, Memorial Day once had a fixed date of May 30th. There are many who feel that we should return to a one day observation and celebration instead of the day weekend that has been ongoing since 1971.

There are many versions as to where Memorial day originated. Many places claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. However in 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, NY to be the official birthplace. The Waterloo, NY townspeople were the first recognized group to pay honor to the soldiers who had died in the Civil War. They paid their respects by closing their business for the day, flying flags at half-mast, and placing flowers and flags on the graves of the fallen Civil War soldiers.

Because of lingering hostilities between the Union (North) and the Confederates (South), southerners created their own version of Memorial Day to honor the Confederate dead. It's Called Confederate Memorial Day and remains a state holiday in many southern states.

While the first to be honored by a Memorial Day observance where those who had died, were injured, and had survived the Civil War. Now it honors those who died in the many wars and military actions our nation has been apart of. To name a few: Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and Desert Storm.

The expansion from only the Civil War soldiers being remembered and honored to any American solider of any U.S. war or military action occurred after World War I.

The Memorial Day tradition involving the Indy 500 race has been ongoing since 1911.

The Memorial Day tradition of paying respects to graves has expanded from just the Civil War solider to all soldiers in U.S. wars or military action to that of friends and family members as well.

Memorial day is meant as a day of dignity and solemnity to pay tribute to those who fought for our freedom. It is also a day to reflect on our freedoms that we so freely enjoy.

All U.S. Flags should be displayed at half-staff during the morning hours. At noon they should be raised back to full-staff.

VFW Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans.

In February 1924 the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S. Patent Office. No other organization, firm, or individual can legally use the name "Buddy Poppy".

One flower that is associated with war and veterans is the red poppy. It was aided in its strong associated with war and veterans is the red poppy. It was aided in its strong association by the poem "In Flander's Field" written by Col. John McCrae of Canada.

Now that you have some tidbits of information regarding Memorial Day, I ask again what does Memorial Day mean to you? Have your answers changed any?

So take the day to remember those dearly departed friends, loved ones, and spend time with family members and friends who are still with us. Enjoy your BBQ's and picnics and holiday get together and the unofficial start to summer.

Bud do take a moment to reflect on the freedoms your enjoying and remember the brave men and women who gave their very lives so you can have the freedom to enjoy your holiday. If you see a veteran or solider don't look away but acknowledge him or her. Thank them for the sacrifices they either made or are making so that you and I and all the rest here in the United States can continue enjoying the freedoms we have.

In closing I share with you the unofficial yet highly popular words of Taps, links for further information, and a big heartfelt Thank You to our service men and women who are so brave.

Words to Taps (Note: there are no "official" words to Taps below are the most popular.)

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the solider
or sailor
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
'Neath the stars
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

http://www.usmemorialday.org/taps.html

Here are some Informational links on Memorial Day:


http://www.usmemorialday.org

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1776384/do_you_know_your_memorial_day_trivia_pg2.html?cat=74

http://sunniebunniezz.com/holiday/memorial.htm

http://holidays.kaboose.com/memorial-day-remembrance-day.html

http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.levelc&cid=127

http://www.usmemorialday.org/taps.html

http://www.history.com/content/memorial/the-history-of-memorial-day

Thank you to all who have severed in the military!


Thank you to all who are serving presently in active military and national guard units!


Thank you for the sacrifices you make and made for our freedom!


Thank you for the sacrifices your families make so that you may serve.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Memorial Specials

All Sales & Specials can be found Here.

Bubby's Grubby's

MEMORIAL DAY SALE!!

Bubbys Grubbys Wants YOU To Pick YOUR SALE!


Pick Your Memorial Day Savings
From the Following Coupons
When You Shop


(1) Free Shipping!
Spend 25.00 or More and Recieve Free Shipping on Your Order!
Use Coupon Code:
FREESHIP
In the Coupon Section of Checkout


(2) 15% Off!
Spend 20.00 or More and Take 15% Off of Your Total Order!
Use Coupon Code:
MAY
In the Coupon Section of Checkout


(3) 30% Off!
Spend 100.00 or More and Take 30% Off of Your Total Order!
Use Coupon Code:
MEMORIAL
In the Coupon Section of Checkout


Only One Coupon Code Can Be Used
Expires Midnight 5/25/09
Can't Be Used On Wholesale Orders, Refills, or Back Orders


Dont Forget to Try Bubbys Grubbys New Scents
Pink (Victoria's Secret Type) & Citronella

Bubby's Grubby's

Letters By Design

Memorial Day Special LBD

Letters By Design

Maddy Rays

We are having a Memorial Day Sale all weekend long!

Take 25% off your order just by entering the

coupon code memorial09 upon checkout!
Sale runs now and ends on Tuesday, May 26th!


We would also like to thank all of the veterans, service men and woman out there! Thank you so much for all you have done and what you are doing!
From all us here at Maddy Ray's, we wish you and yours a very happy and a very safe Memorial Day weekend!

Maddy Rays

What The Wrap

Memorial Day Special

We are offering 25% off your ENTIRE order! How great is that!

All you have to do is enter code 25off at checkout and you will get your discount.

**If shipping is too high please choose money order and we will send an updated invoice. The cart doesn't know to use flat rate boxes.

We have added some great gift sets to the site that would make great gifts for Fathers day or graduations. ..or any other occasion. We also added D'advil and Mom'trin under Poops, Soups, and more.

We are still adding more products to the site so be sure to keep an eye out.

**INCLUDING Frequent Buyer Club and Paint Can of the Month Club!

**If you don't see what you need email us and we can do a custom design...for free...that's right no design fees like those other companies!

What the Wrap offers a free affiliate program where you can earn between 10-35% on commissions. Our kits start at 10.00 and go to 40.00...they are valued at 32-93 dollars. There are no quotas and no fees. We have great prizes that all of our reps have the chance of winning. We offer weekly support chats/training chats and a yahoo support group. We have email and phone support as well. Please put Connie #10441 on the fax line and comments.

What The Wrap

A Zoo By U

SALE-A-BRATION

prices good thru June 5, 2009
20% OFF ALL OF OUR STUFFED FRIENDS KITS (PRICE IS MARKED)
10% OFF ALL OF OUR ACCESSORIES (PRICE IS MARKED)

Come check us out at A Zoo By U.

Cakery Supplies

Because of all the new items we've added

and will be adding we've decided to have a sale.

So, from now through May 31st

you can use code NEW to save 5% on your order.

Cakery Supplies

Creative ScentSations

30% off any order of $10. or more
Voucher code 30memorial

Expires 5/31/09

Creative ScentSations




EOSB Gift Boutique



It's May Savings Month!!

Save 25% off all orders placed from 5/1/09 - 5/31/09.

You MUST use coupon code "Flowers" at checkout to receive the discount.

EOSB Gift Boutique

Luna Wolfs Mystical Essence


May Special ~ Receive a FREE Votive in your choice of scent with any order in May.

Layaway has officially been added to LWME!!!

Go Green with LWME's Recycling Program!

Send in your used candle jars and containers.

Receive a gift voucher towards a purchase at LWME.

No Limit on the amount of vouchers you can receive.
Luna Wolf Mystical Essence


River Street Gourmet



May also brings the flavor of the month, Garlic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have a great deal on this months orders,

*** Special***

Until May 30

15% off with no order minimum

coupon code LEMONADE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you tried.....

School is almost out, it's a perfect time for our Raspberry Iced Tea!

NEW ADDITIONS


TOASTED PECANS!!

Our new frosted praline pecans are so good!

We have added new items to our cookie mixes, dessert mix and soups.

In addition we have a new category called Meals & Side Dishes.

Did you know?

When something has to give, it’s easy to understand why family
meals may fall by the wayside. And yet, family meals are not only a
time for strengthening family ties and keeping track of your
children’s lives, they can actually lead to better physical and
mental health for your children!

River Street Gourmet


Sweet Memories and More

Eco-Friendly Wildflower Baby Shower Favors NEW "GREEN" PRODUCT!


Bio-degradable lined paper bag filled with 14gr of assorted annual wildflower seeds and vermiculite. Seed covers an average 200 sq ft. Each label is beautifully personalized then adorned with a coordinating paper flower. Flowers are constructed from hand-made paper from trees in a non-destructive way to help save the environment. Each flower is hand crafted to create a beautiful earth-friendly product. Back of every bag is hand-stamped "Eco-Friendly" "Green Product"

Available for Weddings, Showers, Birthdays and more!

Sweet Memories & More


Teaporia


SAVE 20% off all orders over $25. The code to use is SAVE20.

Buckingham Palace Garden Party: Flavorful with Medium body and delicate Earl Grey and Jasmine notes. Luxury Black Tea, Luxury Green Tea, Jasmine & Cornflower petals, Natural flavors. Intriguing hints of high-grown pure Ceylon Earl Grey blend effortlessly with the soft jasmine from Fujian Province. Couple this with malty Assam (from the estate of Borengajuli), flavorful Dimbula Ceylon (from Hatton), brisk and golden cup East of Rift Kenya (from Kambaa and Kagwe) and you have one of the most flavorful teas to come from the British Isles. Each cup is a cup of mystery - the flavors all come to the fore at separate times - one minute you taste the Earl Grey, the next second you can almost feel the soft floral notes of jasmine and finally you get the satisfying fullness of the Assam Ceylon and Kenya blend. Enjoy this tea and be a part of the annual tradition in the west gardens of Buckingham Palace.

AND

Queen Mary: Named after the largest and fastest ocean liner, this tea will comfort you and bring you peace of mind. This Black Tea has excellent flavor and is tempered with flowery character and malty notes. A wonderful blend whether you are lounging in your deck chair or sitting seaside!

The above flavors will be on sale during at $4.50 per each 2 oz. bag. Please note that you can ship from 1 to 5 bags for the same shipping cost.

Teaporia

Digi Scrap Kits

SUPER SALE - $1.00 Graphic Collections
Over 400 Clip Art Collections - Just $1.00!

Digi Scrap Kits


Divine Designs By Leslie



BOGO Custom Greeting Cards & Custom Post Cards!

Divine Designs By Leslie



MeMe's Country Store

Come Check out some wonderful items.
MeMe's Country Store

What does C Turtlez Oddz n Endz have to offer?

That's an excellent question. C Turtlez has a lot to offer some of the categories are:

* All your gift wrap needs
* Bath and Body
* Business Helpers
* Candle Companies
* Cell Phones and More
* Collectibles
* Gift Sites
* Gourmet Foods
* Kids Corner
* Mineral Make-up
* My Power Mall
* Scrapbooking and Crafts
* Stationary
* The Pet Corner
* Sales Etc.
* Link Exchange
* Fun and Games

Each category has the stores that best fit that particular category. Some stores fit in more than one so you will find them repeated under different categories.

Another section that C Turtlez is in the process of getting together are hand made gifts. We make crocheted afghans, lap-ghans, string bags, water/soda bottle cozies, water/soda bottle bags, whimsical holders, wheelchair/walker bags, recycled water/soda bottle bags, recycled bags and have other items. We offer beaded jewelery. The products can be customizable and special orders are welcome.

What's a C Turtlez Oddz n Endz



A good question... let me stop and think how to explain what C Turtlez Oddz n Endz is...

A while ago there was a little girl who attend a public school. She had a teacher who was very fascinated by the oceans and who assigned each student in her class a report to do. The little girl was given a choice between two ocean creatures... A sea horse and a sea turtle. She struggled with a decision as to which one to pick. The time for a decision finally came and since she was still undecided... her teacher chose for her the sea horse.

Now this teacher had quite a heart for her students. She wanted to make school work as fun as possible. So, she had simple goals for her students in this writing project. She wanted them to learn about an animal that they might have little knowledge about and she wanted them to put their thoughts and information down on paper. Rules such as grammar and spelling where optional.

Now the little girl wasn't sure about where to begin with her report. She just wasn't sure if she wanted to learn about sea horses after all. It's not like you could ride them or pet them. Nor where there any locally. But she really knew she didn't want to get in trouble with her teacher or her parents so she went to search for information on them. Now because of some of the inventive spelling and sounding out words she had been exposed to in her public school classes, she wasn't really sure how to find sea horses in the library. She had been told that words sometimes sounded one way and looked another. She knew that horses where mammals and lived on land. So how they could be in the ocean puzzled her. After all how would they breath as mammals couldn't breath underwater. So she looked in the O's and she looked in the H's. And she couldn't find anything at all about sea horses there.

She looked around to see what the other students where doing. Some where looking in the letters that their creatures started with. Some where looking in the letters that they thought their creatures started with. Like the student who got the sea turtle. He was clearly looking in the C's. So she went back to look in the O's. Because she appeared to be struggling the librarian's aide came to her to see if she needed assistance.

The little girl quite embarrassed asked her for help. So the librarian's aide told her a few facts about sea horses. How the lived deep in the ocean and came in all sorts of sizes and colors. And she suggested that the girl look in the S's. Now that may seem like a logical suggestion to you but to this little girl it seemed a devious trick. After all they were studying oceans not seas, sea horses clearly couldn't start with an S as it had to begin with the letter C just as it sounded. After all the child with the sea turtle was looking in the C's for his creature. So she gave up and went home extremely confused and upset.

She asked her parents for help and was crushed by their lack of understanding. After all they seemed to be part of the trick the librarian aide was playing, since they were convinced she should look in the S's, too. After several melt downs and blow ups. It became quite clear that this girl was struggling with a case of hooked on phonics that didn't aide in the spelling words like sea. So the parents sat down with her and worked with showing her how the word was spelled and how it looked and why everyone suggested that she start in the S's.

As she went through her report she ran across some information regarding sea turtles... She even tried to share the information with her classmate. But all that did was start a huge fight and make her even more confused when her teacher intervened and said that it was ok to put a C down for the spelling of sea. After all the teacher's goal was to get the child writing, not to teach spelling at that time. So the little girl ripped up her report and started over. She painstakingly rewrote her report with all the sea's as C's instead. She felt good because she would fit in with her classmates for once. Just this once she hoped she wouldn't be singled out as different. Just this once she'd be equal with the child doing the sea turtle report. Her teacher thanked her for her report and said she had done a beautiful job on it. She had gotten stickers from a school supply store that resembled the various creatures that the students where reporting on. This made the little girl anxious as she really really wanted to get a beautiful sea horse for her report. After all sea horses really are beautiful.

When it came time for her to get her paper back there wasn't a sea horse on the cover. Instead she got a sea turtle. Her teacher tried to explain that they didn't have any sea horse stickers so some of the class received sea turtles while the others got whales, dolphins, and some got fish. And if that wasn't enough of an insult her beautiful paper was covered in red circles... Why? The teacher had had another teacher help out by grading her student's work. And that teacher followed the rules and circled all the spelling errors on the paper, along with all the grammatical errors, too.

In tears and on the verge of a huge temper tantrum the girl confronted the teacher who had corrected her paper. She had one major melt down that was so severe her mother was called to the school. The teacher who corrected the papers felt that she was just in marking the student's papers with red ink so they could see the error of their ways. She clearly felt that inventive spelling and not following the rules of grammar was a horrible thing to allow to be taught. She took great pride and care in marking this classes papers. The teacher who gave the assignment felt that she was just in allowing the students to use inventive spelling and not following the rules as she just wanted the students to get their thoughts down on paper. After all her goal was to make writing less stressful to her young students. She didn't want them staring at a blank sheet of paper for long periods of time afraid to put anything on it. The mother was confused as to what exactly was going on in the classroom these days because of the two conflicting ideas of teaching. The little girl was confused and crushed because she got a stinking sea turtle and detention for her out burst.

For the longest time the little girl insisted on following her teacher's inventive spelling ways. And to this day, she will occasionally spell sea turtle and sea horse with a capital C and insist that it's right. Just as she insists on adding a z for the end of some words that are plural and end with s or es. Ex foxes as foxz.

After some time had passed to ease the hurt and indignation from that situation, the little girl came to like sea turtles. She admired them for their quiet spirit of determination, how they live for a really long time, and over come obstacles that get in their way. How the scars they carry show how they never gave up and how graceful they are in the water and how awkward they are on land. She felt that she could identify with them when she reflected back on her little life so far.

So that is why we call our site C Turtlez. It's what the little girl thinks we should have for a role model and mascot. A Sea turtle, since she's never gotten over her experience and has struggled with spelling ever since. So it's spelled C Turtlez as a reminder to hang in there and keep moving forward, and to remind us, that just because you do things a bit differently, does not mean you can not succeed.

The sea turtle is an amazing mascot because it is a creature that lives for a very long time, and we are determined to be around for at least that long. It also doesn't seem to give up when things are rough and to remind us that sometimes what one person perceives as a mistake another sees as a learning experience.

Why the oddz n endz? It's simple, we strive to provide a wide variety and selection of products; so, that there is something for everyone. Giving you the opportunity to complete your shopping list in one convenient place. Easy Breezy Shopping from A to Z...

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Why The Delirious Fortuitous Incomprehensible Rabid Meanderings of a Feeble Mind?

Why the big long title? I asked for help from some wise people that I know and it's what they came up with.

See I was told to pick a title that would encompass everything about me, so that I could be free to share a lot more and in many areas instead of being limited to just one or two when I write.

I have been adamant about the fact that I am no writer. How then could I come up with enough content to have a blog? Since these wise people reviewed some of my attempts at writing and they felt that the above was the most appropriate title I could use.

I can be frantic, accidental, extreme, winding, and confusing in my writing. Which is exactly what the title describes.

If you don't mind that I am not a writer... If you don't mind that I might be a bit confusing in my writing... Then please come along on this writing journey of mine.