{From The Archives} Email Etiquette Tips

Hey Y'all,

According to my calendar this week is National Business Etiquette Week: 2-8 

I thought it fitting to re-post something I wrote a while back after receiving a rather unprofessional email at work. This etiquette shouldn't only be used as best business practices but for personal emails as well.

32 most important email etiquette tips:

1. Be concise and to the point

2. Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions

3. Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation

4. Make it personal

5. Use templates for frequently used responses

6. Answer swiftly

7. Do not attach unnecessary files

8. Use proper structure & layout

9. Do not overuse the high priority option

10. Do not write in CAPITALS

11. Don't leave out the message thread

12. Add disclaimers to your emails

13. Read the email before you send it

14. Do not overuse Reply to All

15. Mailings > use the bcc: field or do a mail merge

16. Take care with abbreviations and emoticons

17. Be careful with formatting

18. Take care with rich text and HTML messages

19. Do not forward chain letters

20. Do not request delivery and read receipts

21. Do not ask to recall a message.

22. Do not copy a message or attachment without permission

23. Do not use email to discuss confidential information

24. Use a meaningful subject

25. Use active instead of passive

26. Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT

27. Avoid long sentences

28. Don't send or forward emails containing libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks

29. Don't forward virus hoaxes and chain letters

30. Keep your language gender neutral

31. Don't reply to spam

32. Use cc: field sparingly

Source: www.emailreplies.com 

Until next time...

MUAH!

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters (Repost)

Hey Y'all,

A Facebook friend shared this list from Life To Her Years and I had to share half the list with you. It's heart warming and thought provoking.

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of

affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn't happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she adds years to her life… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait until her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

Be sure to read the rest of the list here

Until next time...
MUAH!

National Leave Work Early Day and Other Fun, Weird and Interesting June Observances

Hey Y'all,

There is an interesting observance for every day and month of the year. Today June 3rd is National Leave Work Early Day (which I will be participating in) and in the coming days we'll be celebrating National Doughnut Day. Here is a full list of observances by month, week and day from www.brownielocks.com. Which one(s) will you celebrate/participate in?

June Monthly Observances

Adopt A Shelter Cat Month
African-American Music Appreciation Month
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Awareness Month (APS)
Audio Book Appreciation Month
Beautiful in Your Skin Month
Cancer From The Sun Month
Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Cataract Awareness Month
Celibacy Awareness Month
Child Vision Awareness Month
Children's Awareness Month
Corn and Cucumber Month
Country Cooking Month
Dairy Alternative Month
Effective Communications Month
Entrepreneurs "Do It Yourself" Marketing Month
Fireworks Safety Month
Gay & Lesbian Pride Month Link
Great Outdoors Month
International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
International Men's Month
International Surf Music Month Link
Dairy Month Link
Lane Courtesy Month
Perennial Gardening Month
Turkey Lovers Month
Lemon and Mango Month
Migraine Awareness Month
National Accordion Awareness Month
National Aphasia Awareness Month
National Bathroom Reading Month
National Camping Month
National Caribbean-American Heritage Month
National GLBT (Gay,Lesbian,Bisexual & Transgender) Awareness Month
National GLBT (Gay,Lesbian,Bisexual & Transgender) Book Month
National Candy Month
National Fruit and Veggies Month (Also September)
National Ice Tea Month
National Migraine Awareness Month
National Rivers Month
National R.O.S.E. Month
National Safety Month
National Smile Month
National Soul Food Month
National Steakhouse Month
Okra & Pluot and Aprium Month
Pharmacists Declare War on Alcoholism Month
Potty Training Awareness Month
Professional Wellness Month
Rebuild Your Life Month
Skyscraper Month
Sports America Kids Month
Student Safety Month
Vision Research Month
World Naked Bike Ride Month (Northern Hemisphere) omen's Golf Month
World Infertility Month


June Weekly Observances
International Clothesline Week: 1-8 (First Sat-Sun Week)
Black Single Parents Week: 2-8
End Mountain Top Removal Week: 2-8   (First Full Week)
National Business Etiquette Week: 2-8 (First Full Week)
National Headache Awareness Week: 2-8   (First Full Week)
National Sun Safety Week: 2-8
National Tire Safety Week: 2-8
Rip Current Awareness Week: 2-8
(World) Dystonia Awareness Week: 3-10
Superman Days: 6-9
Great American Brass Band Week: 6-9
Worldwide Knit (and crotchet) in Public Week: 8-16
National Flag Week: 9-15
Jim Thorpe Native American Games: 9-16
National Automotive Service Professionals Week: 9-16 (Week That has the 12th In It)
Men's Health Week: 10-16
Nursing Assistants Week: 13-20
US Open Golf Championship: 13-16
Duct Tape Days: 14-16  Link
Universal Father's Week: 16-22   (3rd Full Week)
Meet A Mate Week: 16-22
Old Time Fiddlers Week: 17-22 (3rd Week)
Fish Are Friends, Not Food! Week: 23-30   (Last Week)
Lightning Safety Awareness Week: 23-29   (Last Full Week)
Carpenter Ant Awareness Week: 23-29 (Last Full Week)
National Mosquito Control Awareness Week: 23-29   (Always on the week that has 26th)
*National Prevention of Eye Injuries Awareness: 27 -7/4
Watermelon Seed Spitting Week: 27-30 (Last Weekend Thurs. to Sun.)
Water Ski Days: 28-30 (Last Full Weekend)

June Daily Observances
NOTE:  An * in front of the day means that the observance is on the same date every year regardless of the day it falls on.
Do-Dah Parade Day: 1 (First Saturday)
Drawing Day or Pencil Day: 1  (First Saturday)
*Heimlich Maneuver Day: 1
Horseradish Days: 1-2
*National Go Barefoot Day: 1
National Trails Day: 1 (First Saturday)
*Say Something Nice Day: 1
*Stand For Children Day: 1
Turtle Races Day: 1  (First Saturday)
Xterra Off-Road Triathalon: 1
Children's Awareness Memorial Day: 2 (First Sunday)
*National Bubba Day: 2
National Cancer Survivors Day: 2 Link (First Sunday)
*Yell "Fudge" at the Cobras in North America Day: 2
*Chimborazo Day: 3
National Leave the Office Early Day: 3
*Audacity To Hope Day: 4
*International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression: 4
*Apple II Day: 5
*Hot Air Balloon Day: 5
*National Moonshine Day: 5
National Running Day: 5 Link  (First Wednesday)
National Tailors Day: 5 (First Wednesday)
*World Environment Day: 5
*D-Day: 6
*Drive-in Movie Day: 6
Doughnut Day or Donut Day: 7-8 (First Fri.-Sat. in June)
*(Daniel) Boone Day: 7
Positive Power of Humor and Creativity Days: 7-9
*VCR Day: 7
Banana Split Days: 7-8
Belmont Stakes: 8
International Young Eagles Day: 8 (Second Saturday)
*National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: 8
*Upsy Daisy Day: 8
Worldwide Knit (and crotchet) in Public Day: 8  Link
*World Oceans Day: 8 Link
Abused Women and Children's Awareness Day: 9 (Second Sunday)
Children's Sunday: 9 (Second Sunday)
* Donald Duck Day: 9 Link (See Also March 13)
Multicultural American Child Day: 9 (Second Sunday)
Ride The Wind Day, Ride For Wind Day or World Wind Day: 9k (Second Sunday)
Race Unity Day: 9  (Second Sunday)
*World APS Day: 9 Link
*Alcoholics Anonymous (Founders) Day: 10
*Ball Point Pen Day: 10
* Iced Tea Day: 10 Link  Note: June 10, 1904 was a Friday.
*Corn on the Cob Day: 11
*Crowded Nest Awareness Day: 12
*Loving Day: 12 Link
*National Jerky Day: 12
*National Peanut Butter Cookie Day: 12
*Career Nurse Assistants Day: 13
*Queen's Official Birthday: 13
*Army's Birthday: 14
*Family History Day: 14
*Flag Day: 14
*National Bourbon Day: 14
*Pause for the Pledge Day: 14
*(World) Blood Donor Day: 14
Work@Home Father's Day: 14  (Friday Before Father's Day)
*Magna Carta Day: 15 Link
* Native American Citizenship Day: 15
* Nature Photography Day: 15
National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement Officers: 15
The Wicket World of Croquet Day: 15
*World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: 15
World Juggling Day: 15 (Saturday closest to the 15th)
*Worldwide Day of Giving: 15
*Bloomsday: 16
*Fudge Day: 16
Family Awareness Day: 16 (Third Sunday)
Father's Day: 16
 Husband Caregiver Day: 16
Isra Al Mí Raj: 16
*Ladies' Day (Baseball): 16
*Stewarts Root Beer Day: 17
*World Day To Combat Desertification and Drought: 17
Ride To Work Day (Motorcycles) : 17  (Third Monday)
*International Sushi Day: 18
*Garfield the Cat Day: 19
*Juneteenth: 19
*World Sickle Cell Day: 19
*World Sauntering Day: 19
*American Eagle Day: 20
*Ann & Samantha Day: 20 (also Dec. 21)
Dump The Pump Day: 20
Recess At Work Day: 20 (Third Thursday)
* World Refugee Day: 20
*Atheists Solidarity Day: 21
*Go Skateboarding Day: 21
National Daylight Appreciation Day: 21
National Flip Flop Day: 21  (3rd Friday)
Summer Solstice (Summer) : 21 1:04 am EDT
*World Handshake Day: 21
(Do not confuse with National Handshake Day - different sponsor on June 24)
*World Humanist Day: 21
Take Your Dog To Work Day: 21   (First Friday after Father's Day)
Ugliest Dog Day: 21  (Third Friday)
ARRL (American Radio Relay League) Field Day: 22-23   (Fourth Full Weekend)
Great American Backyard Camp out: 22 (Fourth Saturday)
Polar Bear Swim: 22
* Stupid Guy Thing Day: 22
America's Kids Day: 23 (Fourth Sunday)
*Baby Boomer's Recognition Day: 23
*Let It Go Day: 23
*Pink Flamingo Day (Lawn Ornaments): 23
*Public Service Day: 23
Ryan Moran Day: 23  (The First Full Moon in June)
*SAT Math Day: 23
*Celebration of the Senses: 24
*International Fairy Day: 24
*Color TV Day (CBS): 25
*Global Beatles Day: 25
National Columnists Day: 25 (Fourth Tuesday)
Please Take My Children To Work Day: 25 (Last Monday)
Tammuz: 25
*International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: 26
*International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: 26
*National Canoe Day: 26
*Decide To Be Married Day: 27
* "Happy Birthday To You" Day: 27
*Industrial Workers of The World Day: 27
*National HIV Testing Day: 27
National Bomb Pop Day: 27  (Last Thursday)
National Hand Shake Day: 27  (Last Thursday)  (Different sponsor than World Handshake Day)
Tour De France: 29-7/21
Descendants Day: 30 (Last Sunday)
*Leap Second Time Adjustment Day: 30
(Note: This is listed as an observance title only. Some years scientists do not make adjustments.
But, if they do, then it's done on either June 30 or December 31.)
Log Cabin Day: 30 (Last Sunday)
*NOW (National Organization For Women) Day: 30

Until next time...
MUAH!

Five Reasons Why My Children Won't be on Facebook Until 16+

Hey Y'all,

I haven't done a Five reasons why post in forever. Today's post is prompted by an article I read about yet another young person who took their life because of cyber bulling.

5 Reasons Why My Children Won't be on Facebook

 (or any other social media site) Until 16+

I of course searched the net for legal reasons etc and found a great article on Your Sphere For Parents which lists Three Good Reasons Why Your Child Shouldn't Be on Facebook, which are privacy, inappropriate content, and COPPA which is an Internet privacy law called The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. COPPA, was put in place for a reason: to protect the personal information of children online. I work in advertising and clients were often upset that they couldn't target 13 year old girls for products they were trying to market to children. It's DANGEROUS to have young children on line point blank PERIOD!

Here are MrsDeveter's 5 reasons why my children won't be on Facebook (or any other social media site) are as follows.

1. Sexual Predators - Men and women are still trolling the internet looking for willing participants to fulfill their sexual desires. They are seeking out unassuming young people who are clueless about their last history test so forget about someone making sexual advances on them. A 13 year old girl should NOT be posting pictures of herself in a bikini in the dressing room of Abercrombie and Fitch! I don't care if you are standing right there as she snaps the shot it just shouldn't be done. Pedophiles are real! They are abusing our children and many are causing parents like this mother to almost kill them. My children will not be put in a position where they are unsafe. So nope they won't be on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or the like for a very long time.
2. Cyber Bulling - It shouldn't be but it's REAL and most times it begins with a photo. Camera phones in my opinion are the WORST and best thing that ever happened to mobile devices. I am a picture taker. I find myself snapping shots on average five to six times a day, forget about if we are on an outing it's way more. Children however can find themselves in bad situations, post a picture of someone without their knowledge and shed a negative light on them. A young girl made a bad decision to participate in a end of summer party, got drunk, passed out and boys took advantage of her sexually. Pictures were posted to Facebook and the young woman took her life. Now there is a family without a child and some more parents who children have been charged with a crime. Don't get me wrong the girl could have still gone to the party, gotten drunk and been photographed without the use of social media. The fact is social media WAS used and her life was put on display for all to see. She felt degraded for something she couldn't even remember and ended her life because of the shame. 

Hello - My Very First Vlog

Hey y'all,

I know it's been a while. I really haven't had time to write so here's is a quick hello via video. My very first vlog. Which I think I'll do more often.

True Love

Hey Y'all,

"Truly" was the last spelling word on my 8 yr old's list for homework one night. "My dad is truly in love with my mom" was the sentence he came up with.

My husband and I hug, kiss and show plenty of affection towards one another in the presence of our children. Our youngest son 'screams like a girl' (his words not mine) when ever we kiss in front of him. Our daughter say's 'do it again' and my oldest apparently just watches. He knows what love is. He knows that his mom and dad may have lively discussions (we don't argue) and even disagree but he know's that his dad is truly in love with his mom and vice versa.

I didn't grow up with my dad in the house and didn't see him everyday. I didn't see my parents kiss or show one another affection.Aside from my mom preparing my dads meal with care I can't say that I ever saw the affection a man gave to a woman.

I'm blessed and I know it. I'm blessed because my husband and I are able to give our children everything that we lacked in the area of marriage and relationship as children. I pray that our children continue to see our love and know that's it right to show affection toward their loved ones. I posted this picture on my Facebook page and I now have 66 likes! I'm glad that others appreciate what I have and am proud to share.

Until next time...
MUAH!

A Mother's Hands - Author Unknown

Hey y'all,

I read this post on a friends Facebook page today and thought it appropriate to share on my blog. As a mother I found this to be very profound and thought provoking. It caused me to mentally evaluate the way I'm raising my children. Let me know what you think.

One young man went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the initial interview, and now would meet the director for the final interview.

The director discovered from his CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent. He asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "no".

" Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"

"My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.” he replied.

" Where did your mother work?"

"My mother worked as clothes cleaner.”

The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

" Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"

"Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Besides, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said, "I have a request. When you go home today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back home, he asked his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to her son.