Independent Carpet One Floor & Home

Enlightened Purrs...pective "You Know What They Say"

2011-12-11T09:55:00.000-08:00

Enlightened Purrs…pective You Know What They Say….

Let me first start with a silly question!
Who are “they” any ways?
My goodness no matter the situation, someone will always make the statement “You know what they say”. Or another remark could be, “timing is everything” or yet another “you were in the right place at the right time”.
And when you come to think of it…”they” are correct. And it almost always turns out to be an amazing situation or a life changing event and yes even a lifelong commitment.
I’ve been having conversations lately about timing and being in the right place at the right time and why people enter our lives at that very moment. It’s crazy when you think about it!
Take love for instance. You can search and search and sometimes settle due to age or the need. Sometimes you just take a break or give up the quest. And then when you least expect it, out of the clear blue sky, out of nowhere there he is! And normally that moment you meet you weren’t searching, you weren’t hoping to find that special someone, you weren’t even contemplating it, but love found you or better yet you found each other.
Take another twist on this topic. Let’s say you were running late for work due to the craziness of the morning. You woke up late because you forgot to set the alarm and then when you’re finally ready after making the bed, lunches, ironing and you’re about to leave you can’t find your keys. Ok, now you’re in the car calm and then you turn the corner onto the main street and find a three car pile up. Had the morning not been so crazy…that could have been you in that crash. I know that may seem far fetched to you, but I think of things like this all the time. I love that timing is everything, but in the very same sentence I truly don’t. Example, had I not of met my ex-husband I wouldn’t have the most amazing kids in the world. I can go on and on...but,
Back to the reason for my purrs…pective tonight. And yes, I am sorry I haven’t written in a long time. What do “they” say? Mental writer’s block! J
Tonight, I went out with my friends from work. A girl’s night out shopping, dinner and drinks. It was fun just getting together outside of work and just chatting and laughing. We had done this before and planned on going to our last “hangout” but instead went to Plymouth. If you haven’t been there…you’re missing out. Anyway, one of the girls has a father who is 82 years old and ailing. Heart problems, broken ribs, neck, things that go along with old age. And at this awesome Irish Pub, which by the way, I’d recommend you check it out while you’re in Plymouth, Sharon received a voice mail. Her dad had fallen and yes…”He’d fallen and couldn’t get up”! But we were worried. Sharon left ahead of us to check it out. The two of us then followed close behind.
When we arrived, Jack had been on the floor and well simply this… if we hadn’t have been in Plymouth to help him, Jack would have remained on the floor until morning. He’d be bleeding and lying on a hard floor alone until morning when Sharon had scheduled a doctor’s appointment. The three of us along with Jack’s minimal strength got him safely to his chair. We did what needed to be done and this sweet 82 year old man was happy as a lark.
We listened to stories of his childhood, teenage years, married life and some stories were told three or four times. But the stories were told with love and history and appreciation that his “angels” came to rescue him.
That’s it…”They” just might be angels putting us at the right place at the right time.
I was blessed tonight with friends to share dinner with and to meet Jack, who by the way gave me a glimpse of my dad.
Indeed, angels!
“Oh I believe there are angels among us sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours to show us how to live, to teach us how to give, to guide us with a light of love.”

Keep climbing! Merriest of Christmas’ and a Joyous New Year!

Cat

Let's find the Perfect Style of Carpet !

2011-08-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

Enlightened Purrs..pective...Want to play a game?

2011-08-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Are you excited by life? Are you happy with where you are in your life? Are you doing what you thought you would be doing? Do you love waking up every morning to hear the sound of birds and the smell of coffee and know that shortly you’ll be on your way to work?
Ok…Let me ask you this … can you honestly answer yes to any or all of these questions?
Why not?
Why not change your perspective on this whole thing called life. Why not just try something new to ignite some inner spark that makes you open your eyes to the beauty of life around you?
It’s simple actually. If you think of life as a game, a game that takes 365 days to complete, kinda like the game of Monopoly or Life. It seems those two games take days to complete or to figure out who the winner is.
Or what if you won every single day of those 365 days!
Wow! Imagine what your answers to my original questions would be!
To change your perspective on life could be simply right in front of you. Maybe you could make one individual really happy by buying them a cup of coffee. You know, you’re at Starbucks in line ordering your Vanilla Frappachino and before you pay simply tell the barista you’d like to pay for the gentleman behind you. “I’ll pay for whatever he’s having, put it on my tab”. Boy, I betcha you’d put a smile on his face. I know you’d feel good too! Why not?
What about, instead of waiting in traffic blowing your horn at who know who is responsible for the hold up, just turn to the car next to you wave and toss them your pearly whites. Why not?
Have you looked in your closet lately? How many of those clothes do you actually wear? There are people that can be warmer, more stylish and actually in need of some of those clothes that you haven’t worn in three years. Take them out, make some room drive down to the Salvation Army and drop them into the box. Why not? Think about it the way I do…more room in the closet…more space to fill with a few new outfits. That always makes me happy!!
When you come to work, do you go straight to your office and open your laptop , sit yourself down in the chair and get to work or can you spare just three to five minutes, walk through the office and say “hi guys, how was everyone’s evening? Anybody up for some bagels that I just bought? Why not? Hey you don’t have to do the bagel thing but a simple hello doesn’t take much. You might come to realize that when the day starts off on a good note…you might actually love what you’re doing!
The alarm clock that you have … does it blare at you and buzz you right up off that pillow or is it a soothing phone ring or Pandora favorite tune? It does help the wake up on the right side of bed.
Have you taken a trip to the big city lately and stared at the homeless chap leaning against the brick wall and continued pass by without saying hello or dropping a few bucks in his hat? Why not? Do you really need those few dollars? Is it gonna make or break you to say hello or good morning?
And come to think of it…when someone does pass you by and say, “Hello, how are you”. Do you respond or continue walking?
The thing is…life isn’t all about you!
It’s all about the other pieces in the game. You can’t play monopoly by yourself and the game of Life…what would it be like if your car didn’t have those little blue or pink pegs in the back?
BORING!!!
Maybe that’s why you didn’t answer yes earlier!
There are people everywhere we turn, everywhere we look. Game pieces so to speak helping us in ways we never thought of in order to win the game. Why not open the deck of cards or the game box and start playing! I guarantee you’ll feel like a kid again with no fear of anything. Look at a child…do you see stress or unhappiness?
NO! Why not? Because they are indestructible beings of happiness.
Life is too short not to answer yes to those questions.
Play the game…be a winner in game of life!

Come on…I’ll play with ya!
“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing.”-Vince Lombardi

Keep climbing!
Cat

ICO Tiger Tics for YouTube

2011-03-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Super Performance Flooring Sale

2011-03-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Not only does Independent Carpet One Floor & Home have some great Super heros when it comes to Flooring like Lees Carpet and Invincible Hardwood...We want to hear about "YOUR SUPER HERO".

Visit our website at www.independentcarpetone.com and Enter to WIN a trip to Unviersal's Islands of Adventure. tell us who your Super Hero is!

Helpful Hints From Cathy...How to Keep Your New Carpet Looking Beautiful

2011-03-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

Westland's local Community TV station WLND has a new series for homeowners. This edition has helpful hints to keep your carpet cleaned and your warranty in check. It's just a simple liitle remedy that will come in handy! Keep a watchful eye each month.

Cathy has a lot to share about flooring.

Independent Carpet One Floor & Home cares about you, your home, your children and of course the floor you've purchased. So we want to inform you about all the options when it comes to flooring whether it be vinyl, carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic and even area rugs.

Next month in April, Cathy will share with you the different species of wood, their characteristics and the perfect placement in your home.

If there is a question you have, just send it in and we may just answer "your" question on the next TV spot. Email Cathy at cathy@carpetonefh.com or visit our website at www.independentcarpetone.com.

Enlightened Purrs...pective Look On The Bright Side

2011-02-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Look On the Bright Side-

I received an email today from a company in New Jersey that creates clothing items with silk screen, embroidery and graphics for businesses, schools etc. The gentleman that runs the operation sends monthly newsletters pertaining to more than just his specials or what may be new in his business. The newsletter inspires with me with each read and I find myself engulfed with his perspectives on anything and everything from selling, positive thoughts, branding, motivating yourself and your staff and today’s little blurb about Punxsutawney Phil.
I love that name even though I have a hard time saying it but it’s cool!
What? You don’t know who Punxsutawney Phil is?
Sure you don’t! Right!
Everybody knows who this little creature is! He’s our only bright spot in this treacherous time of the year called “winter”.
Ooohhh….I made you shiver there didn’t I?
Sorry…let’s get back to something positive shall we?
Ground Hog Day! Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell stared in this hilarious 1993 movie based on this “most wonderful day” when we are told by this tiny little thing…when Spring is going to be here!! Now, Bill Murray wasn’t too happy during this movie because he kept reliving the same day over and over until finally he got it right. What a waste of time. But for some people…they just don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel until they reach the end.
Phew…. So, let’s just fix it right now shall we!
This Little Ground Hog, or the people who ever thought about this crazy little guy over 125 years ago, had the right idea. Let’s say, Phil baby doesn’t see his shadow, it means we’ve got only two more weeks to trudge through. And Spring will be here early. Yahoo!!! That’s great news!!
Great news!
Did you hear that?
Aren’t you just as happy as can be? I am why aren’t you?
I say….Look on the bright side of things.
Turn off the TV and the radio, just for the day. Stop listening to the negative Nancy’s out there, sing along with Judy Garland.
“Forget your troubles come on get happy you better chase all you cares away. Shout hallelujah come on get happy get ready for the judgement day!
If that’s not your era, and David Cassidy is your crush, how about the Partridge Family.
“Hello world here's a song that we're singing. Come on get happy! A whole lotta lovin' is what we'll be bringing. We'll make you happy.”
Both of these songs came to us during difficult times.
February, the time of year when flu bugs are at the highest peak, least amount of sunshine, at least in Michigan, and yikes hate to share this one, but most suicides. So….why do you think Punxsutawney Phil became so famous on February 2nd? So, everyone could look on the bright side. Be excited for a change and have something to look forward to.
Another article I read last night was how to stay happy. It was called a “Scientifically, Proven way to be Happy”.
Really, it takes a scientist to tell you how?
I do this every day…Breathe slowly, volunteer your time, daydream and spend time with the right people. What they left out in the article is smile, sing a song and find your happy place. Somewhere when “all your troubles seem so far away”…Ooops that’s a Beatle’s verse isn’t it? See…another song. Someone besides Phil has the right idea!
Look….my quest today…my hopes and plan was…”To make you Look On the Bright Side”.
I hope my job is done! No I don’t not really…it never is. I love what I do…every day!
No matter how hard, or negative people are (and we all know retail is a Bi… sometimes), no matter how tired I have become, even if someone is sick, I am happy for who I am, for what I have, for my family and friends , for YOU. And however corny this is, I do breakout in song sometimes and sing to the radio. Hey whatever works right?

Keep climbing!
Cat

Drew...a picture in my mind!

2010-12-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

Enlightened Purrs...pective
Drew…a picture in my mind
Have you had or made a friend so very easily right from the very beginning of meeting them?
Did it just click? You would finish each other’s sentence and laugh at the same stupid jokes. And you’d like the same foods or feel the same emotions.
That’s a gift!
A blessing!
Someone told me that people are brought into our lives for specific reasons and at a particular time in our life and sometimes, when it deems necessary, that person may be taken away for a transfer to another location or possibly death. But their impact on our lives creates who we are today. And we have to be grateful for their coming and for their departure. No matter how hard the loss is, it’s a part of the “blue print of our lives”.
No lie…when I heard this I thought the person’s message was ludicrous, crazy, made up…whatever!
But I have become to believe this to be true.
And I must tell you…I literally despise the departure part of my blue print.
I just want that person, that friend, that certain someone to stay. Stay right there. Don’t move.
But then my world would actually be out of sync. I’d miss something somewhere somehow because I wouldn’t have my eyes open enough to meet the very next person. I’m not saying once someone is gone another person simply takes their place. It’s a matter of allowing the world around me to be open and aware of the endless possibilities. And no one could ever replace that special someone because . . .
That’s it…they’re special.
Just like Drew!
I began working out in October of 2006. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer and I needed an avenue to release negative energy and something for myself to focus on. I started working out at Curves which is an all woman fitness program. Not that I was looking for a Co-Ed facility, it’s just that I didn’t feel challenged enough so I moved on to a Health Club. This is where I met Drew. He was a personal trainer who also held classes in kick-boxing, circuit training and boot camp.
Could I possibly do these things? They looked so hard. I am not strong enough or fit enough or I’d look ridiculous with these people.
Well, according to Drew…I was wrong! There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. And hey…that’s what I always used to say and now say again … all the time!!!
So our friendship began.
Working out…a chore? Not with Drew! It was hard, don’t get me wrong and he pushed even when I whined. He understood my whine but plugged along right there with me sometimes even training along side of the rest of the boot camp gals. But we laughed and shared stories even secrets about liking the “Twilight” series or favorite songs heard on the radio. No matter the conversation topic, an hour long training session seemed like only 20 minutes. It didn’t feel like that the next day, but, because of the camaraderie it was simply…a blast!
Now I train one on one with Drew. I’ve left the Health Club and it’s just us! Well for at least the next 3 weeks.
January 2011, Drew is moving to Jacksonville, Florida.
My blue print is smeared with tears. The ink had not even set on the paper and he got a great job offer that he just can’t pass up. His career is off and running with me tripping behind and dropping my step, my dumbbells, weight ball and whatever other type of workout equipment we used to handle.
We wouldn’t just work out. We’d talk about my day at work, or my kids, plans for the weekend, the world around us, favorite musical artists, crazy stories about our friends, my veggie diet, his stigma with blood, Mason his nephew, our families…everything. And it was easy! After the work out, we’d hug say good-bye and say, “see ya Wednesday!”
So…Drew…See ya soon? See ya whenever?

So…my friend for life…my one particular wall of my blueprint…I love you…I can’t wait till we see each other again…good luck to you…I will miss you…but I’m grateful for you…and you’ve changed my life for the best…I am who I am because of you!

Keep climbing!
Cat

2010-12-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

Enlightened Purrs…pectives
In 1934, the Good fellows were organized to aid families with children providing them with clothing, shoes and sometimes gifts during the Christmas holiday. Turkey’s were also distributed to families during the Thanksgiving Holiday. My mother, the oldest daughter amongst 6 boys and 2 sisters, shared stories of when she was a little girl growing up in Detroit during the early 1930’s. My Grandfather worked for Chrysler at the time and my Grandmother stayed home with the children. The depression had hit hard and the family just made due with love, Catholic faith and the food that either my Grandfather was able to provide or the support of the Good Fellows. People knew that when school began the next day that the Good fellows came to their homes because they would wear their shiny new shoes, hats and gloves.
Today, 76 years later, the Good Fellows are still making sure that there is “No Child Without a Christmas”.
From the brief bit of family history, this is where my purrs…pective begins.
Christmas…my favorite time of year.
A time for caroling, for fresh fallen snow and children’s laughter, sharing stories of past, and a time for love, gift giving and wishes for a new year to come. But for some families it is the scariest time of the year. There may not be food on the table or heat to keep them warm. Gifts won’t be placed under the tree nor stockings by the fireplace. Unimaginable!
The opportunity arose with a letter from the Westland Good Fellows. There are families in our area without food, clothing and gifts for their children.
“Will you help?”
No question! I continued to read about a particular grandmother who has had her grandchildren living with her from birth. The 12 year old little girl and her 10 year old brother had a mother in a Detroit jail for drug solicitation and other fines. It has been over a year since they’ve seen or talked with her. Nightmares, tears and abandonment filled their tiny hearts and the thoughts of Christmas were far away. I asked our family here at Carpet One if in place of drawing names and buying gifts for our Christmas exchange if we could adopt this family and provide them with clothes, food and toys so their Christmas could become a reality. And they stepped up without hesitation. Before long our Christmas Giving Tree was adorned with packages wrapped with love and anticipation of smiling happy faces.
This past Saturday was set aside for the Good Fellow’s drop off and pick up program. Over 800 families came and picked up items that were donated from the Westland Community. Canned good, hats, gloves, school supplies, Grocery Gift Certificates, clothing and toys had been bagged up according to each family’s individual needs.
I arrived shortly after lunch with the gifts we had collected. I came with not a single concept of what I would encounter. I was overwhelmed with the graciousness of people and the volunteers that were made up of all age groups.
Heartwarming!
Then Judy walked in the door with 10 year old Adrien. A beautiful little brown eyed boy with feverous anticipation of seeing his gifts. He said he didn’t believe in Santa, which broke my heart a bit. But I said, “Adrien, I’m Santa along with my friends from Carpet One. Santa is someone who loves children and wants them to have a wonderful Christmas. And all of us want that for you and Arion.”
He said with the tiniest smirk, “But, you’re not fat!”
I love that boy!!! Gave him the biggest hug and said “thank you, you made my day!”
I also told him he had to wait to open the presents until Christmas day and made sure that they had a tree to place them under which they did. Adrien and his Grandmother presented me with a card for all the gang at Independent Carpet One wishing us a very Merry Christmas.
This is what this time of year is all about.
Christmas…
Sharing with others a little bit of who we are, sharing our time, our gifts, our love and helping each other when there isn’t anyone else to turn to.
Judy, Arion and Adrien are now a part of the Carpet One family. We’ve adopted them for as long as they’ll have us.

I want to take this moment to wish my dearest friends… A Very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year.
When asked…Will you help?
Don’t hesitate. You may be the one asking one day
Keep Climbing!
Cat

Healthier Living Installation

2010-11-15T06:39:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a better world of flooring installation!

Carpet One Floor & Home's installations offer a superior level of care and health benefits for your family. Our installation process minimizes allergens, dust, mold and odors and encourages better air quality in your home. Our cushion is hypo-allergenic and 100% recyclable. You and the planet can breathe easier!

2010-11-15T06:28:00.000-08:00

Enlightened Purrs...pectives
T.E.A.M.
Ok … now don’t get all ‘skitzed” out because you recognize the format of the word team in my title.
“Here we go another motivational discussion from little miss cheerleader.”
Ok … well maybe a little bit of motivation.
I just returned from a Carpet One RNG Coordinators meeting in Phoenix. I have the honor to assist David Smith from Skaff’s Carpet One in Flint, Michigan. I have always returned from gatherings like this with so much more insight than my brain can normally handle. But I am also always excited to take what I’ve learned and institute the ideas into my store or to my peers.
It has amazed me that we’ve been members of the Carpet One Co-Op now for over 13 years and there is so much to learn with every contact I make. The brilliant and devoted men and woman in the flooring industry inspire me at every turn. Taking time out of their schedules to improve not only their store’s environment but those of all the Carpet One members is an unselfish act. “Together we are ONE” is a strong and constant message we all must believe and live by if we wish to build our brand and succeed in this tough and trying economy.
I remember joining Carpet One in 1997 and participating in numerous seminars over the years with John Umbaugh, Liz Calendrino, Sally Kelly, Ronnie Thomason, Brian Metcalf, Bob Hutter, Jonathon Trivers, Sam Allman, Tim Landry, Jim Aaron and other brilliant facilitators. The overall message has always resonated…
”Together Everyone Achieves More!”
During the coordinators meeting in Phoenix, the message continued and to me, stronger than I’ve ever felt.
“How do we get more people involved?”
“How do we engage the members more?”
“What tools can we provide to assist with getting more people into our stores?”
“What’s the best format of advertising?”
“The Product selection that we have, is it enough?”
“How do we stay above the competition?”
The initiatives and the ideas and the “how to’s” kept coming and the answers were all being shared in an overwhelmingly dynamic network.
No matter if you belong to a Co-Op like Carpet One, Abbey or Flooring America, no matter if you have a business with a sizeable staff and no matter if you have families to care for…we all have to work together, support each other learn from each other to keep our lives functioning. To keep our lives focused with faith and trust and believe that each member has a purpose and a belonging. Let’s face it, it’s tough out there guys and we have to stay tough and maybe get even tougher, smarter, challenge ourselves everyday and “not give up the ship.”
Sorry, I still have the ship posters in my store. I am a product of the BHAG!
I don’t know about you, but I am geeked about January’s Convention in Dallas. I can’t wait to see my friends, to learn something new, to share great ideas, to find new and better ways to raise my margin, to achieve a higher average ticket, find another avenue of advertising, compete better with the box stores and Empire and basically to get the consumer to realize we are the best answer for their flooring needs.
We are it! We are ONE!
And…we have so many wonderful tools to prove it!
So, whether or not you’re on the Advisory Council or a RNG Coordinator, Marketing Committee member, larger store or smaller store, mom or dad, sister or brother, your input is always needed. Your presence is important to the growth of our group and to your business and to your family.
“By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” – Luke 21:5-19

Until we meet again, thank those around you this Thanksgiving holiday for supporting you this far and creating a life worth living. And when the Christmas and New Year festivities arrive take a moment to breathe and appreciate your teammates, co-workers and family.

“There is greatness all around you- welcome it! It is easy to be great when you get around great people.”

Keep Climbing!
Cat

2010-10-21T10:34:00.001-07:00

Independent Carpet One Floor & Home

1400 North Wayne Road

Westland, MI 48185

734-734-6200

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Submit your best Household Tip in the Save Our Sanity Contest and you could WIN a house full of Lees® carpet.

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See your local store for complete details of the Lees® Carpet Lifetime Stain Warranty.Save Our Sanity Contest Abbreviated Rules. No Purchase Necessary. To enter for free and/or for complete Official Rules, go to http://www.householdsanity.com/. Ends 12/30/2010. Open to legal residents of U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older or the age of majority in their state/province of residence at the time of entry. Subject to complete Official Rules. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: CCA Global Partners, Inc. d/b/a Carpet One Floor & Home, 670 North Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101 © Carpet One Floor & Home ®UNSUBSCRIBEYou are currently subscribed as cathy@carpetonefh.com to receive email advertisements from Carpet One Floor & Home. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, simply CLICK HERE and you will be promptly removed from our list. Please do not reply to this email as we are unable to respond to messages sent to this address. Contact us c/o Blueport Commerce, Attn: Privacy, 85 River Street, Suite 8, Waltham, MA 02453.

The Save Our Sanity Contest and Lees Carpet

2010-10-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

Carpet One Partners with the Accidental Housewife for a Lees Contest
Monday, October 18, 2010
Manchester, NH, October 20, 2010--Carpet One Floor & Home is hosting an Save Our Sanity contest with the help of best-selling author and TV personality, Julie Edelman, The Accidental Housewife, and her home sanity saving tips. The contest will run in tandem with the launching of Carpet One Floor & Home’s re-revolutionized Lees® carpet, and will offer consumers the opportunity to enter their own sanity saving tips at HouseholdSanity.com for the chance to win $5,000 in new Lees carpet.

Julie Edelman, The Accidental Housewife, is a New York Times best-selling author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife and television personality regularly seen on "The Today Show", "The Doctors", and "Rachel Ray Show.” She is known all over the country for her trademark humor and inventive tips for common household problems. Edelman is excited to promote Carpet One Floor & Home’s Save Our Sanity Contest and is a big fan of the Lees carpet line. “Lees carpet is the perfect sanity saving flooring,” says Edelman. “It’s comfortable, stylish, durable, stain-resistant and completely worry-free! It’s perfect for any homeowner who has an active family and is looking for a hassle-free flooring option.”

The Save Our Sanity Contest kicked off on October 1 and will run through December 30. During the contest period, consumers are encouraged to go online to HouseholdSanity.com and visit the interactive contest website to read fellow consumer sanity saving tips along with some of Edelman’s own savvy tips on flooring, household maintenance and decorating. Site visitors can also submit their own tips. For every ‘Sanity Saving’ tip submitted, the consumer will be entered into the contest for a chance to win the $5,000 Lees grand prize. In addition to the grand prize winner, four first prize winners will be awarded a new Mint Floor Cleaner.

An interactive magazine, which will include lots of ‘Sanity Savers’ from both The Accidental Housewife and contest entrants, will be available online during the contest. This interactive magazine will also feature the SOS Podcast Series starring Julie Edelman, the Accidental Housewife in episodes based around tips for different rooms in your home. The SOS Podcast can also be viewed at Carpet One Floor & Home’s YouTube Channel.

To learn more about Lees carpet and the Save Our Sanity contest, visit RelaxItsLees.com.

Enlightened Purr...spective A Community of Love

2010-09-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

Enlightened Purrs…pective
A community of love…
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever found yourself amongst friends and felt so secure, so wrapped in comfort, so peaceful, so happy, so blessed and oh so very loved? I pray that you have and I believe if you are reading this I know you have because you are a friend of mine, I’ve worked alongside of you, you may be a member of my family or a member of my church. I have a number of loving communities surrounding me every day, but yesterday and this evening I experienced the greatest forms of a love and compassion.
I’ve lived in the Dearborn area most of my adult life. I belong to The Church of The Divine Child where I am a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and recently joined the Usher’s Club. My children have gone to school at Divine Child from first grade on with my oldest daughter Chelsea graduating. After my divorce, my twins and I moved only thirty seven homes away from the church/school. This is my community of faith. I belong, I’m peaceful, I’m comfortable and I am loved.
This afternoon, two young men were in a fatal automobile accident on their way to take photos of the Senior Cheerleaders for their yearbook.
Paul, a college Senior and a recent graduate from Divine Child and Wayne, a Divine Child Senior.
20 years old and 17 years old.
These two very talented, loved, adored and respected young men lost their lives today.
News went out via High School email, texting, Facebook, twitter and by phone, believe it or not!
A prayer service had been announced for 7:00pm.
I live on the street where my church stands and I watched the cars drive by and park on all the surrounding corners. I watched the kids walking down the sidewalk with their parents as I myself traveled.
Silence!
Every pew was filled with members of the parish, high school students, family and friends. Sobs, tears, silence and question filled the air. Even though there was great sadness and loss, there was love surrounding every one present. People came, not to even say anything to the families, but to let them know their community was here for them holding them in their arms of love.
It’s amazing to me, that when there may be sadness there is also a balance of joy and hope.
Yesterday, I experienced the promise and dedication of marriage as my longtime friend and colleague joined hands with the love of his life.
Jake Larson, my adored Shaw sales rep. married Erin at a most lovely ceremony at the precious and spiritual Church along the shore of Orchard Lake. Again, the community of faithful friends and family witnessed and shared in one of the greatest days of a man and woman’s life. Together we danced, dined, shared and heard stories of the past and the memories to be made. Happiness was abundant. The bride and groom were strategically placed in the middle of the room with all the tables surrounding them with a community of love.
Applause!
Communities join together for support, for faith, to share the joys and sorrow, to be silent, to applaud, to hold in the palm of their hands, to guide, to walk alongside, to cry for and with, to teach, to learn, to carry, to be carried.
You and I my friend are blessed.
And when you feel that life just can’t go on, or when you have something you want to share and are so overjoyed about, when you feel loss or confusion or when you don’t feel there is no one listening… you will be surprised at just how very blessed you and I are.
Your community will be there for you.
They will surprise you.
Just open your eyes or answer the phone or email.

“I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.”
“I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.”
“I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard.”

Keep Climbing!

Enlightened Purrs...pective Please don't Go!

2010-08-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Please don’t go!
There’s a song resonating in my brain tonight. Actually there are three songs, but one remains so evident that it has driven me to awake from my slumber and begin to type away on my laptop.

“Babe, I love you so. I want you to know. At least in my lifetime, I’ve had one dream come true. I was blessed by someone like you….please don’t go! I want you to stay” – KC and the Sunshine Band.

Settle down, I’m not going to share a love story with you. At least not the type you may be thinking of. Like so many songs written, they have special meanings to people or maybe they are interpreted differently depending on the moment.
My moment…
I have a dear friend who I hold close to my heart who has been struggling with cancer for close to seven years now. He was afflicted with a tumor on his brain which began to hinder his driving and depth perception at first. After a number of surgeries and chemo treatments of all types he began to lose strength in his right arm and then his legs. His speech started to alter just a touch but recently the words just don’t seem to find their way to be expressed the way he would wish. He knows the word, he knows the context but something prevents it from being delivered. But he’s so patient. Never lets down his guard. He never shows signs of weakness. He smiles. He jokes around. “I’m ok!” he says with conviction. Where ever his strength and determination comes from is truly an amazing thing! If you think I’m positive, you ain’t seen nothing.
I have tried to “hang out” with him as often as possible. I took a trip one summer with my mother and three children up to Gladwin where he also had a carpet store. Silly guy it should have been a Carpet One store but, non- the- less. He’s forgiven! We’ve gone to a number of Detroit Tiger games, dinners, lunches, visits with him and his mom and an awesome Hardwood Trip to Quebec thanks to one of our Manufacturers. Last week, before my summer convention, we made plans to dine at an elegant and super delicious Italian restaurant for today’s date. When I called just as a reminder I found no one at home. Hmmm… I tried his cell phone and was greeted by a young girl’s voice. Hmmm….
I know where he is.
The hospital.
But as usual, “hey I’m doing ok. Could be worse, I’m sorry I forgot to call you about dinner.” Paul explained. He was having even more difficulty walking and needed to go the hospital. He attempted to explain the circumstances and he made requests for no visitors at this particular moment. He would let me know when it was a good time.

There are some people in our lives that you just wonder, ”why him?” Why does anyone have to suffer from these diseases?
Our time on this gracious planet is so short. We are given moments to cherish. We are blessed with people in our lives. He have moments handed to us that make our hearts skip a beat. We meet someone and in an exact moment and you know this person is so very special “I can’t let you go.” We become selfish. The minutes together aren’t appreciated until their gone and yet those minutes that we share are sometimes the very best that life can grant.

I have a friend who I love from the deepest part of my heart. I don’t believe I ever told him that. But, he knows!

“Please don’t go. Don’t go away! I want you to stay. Cause I need you so. Please don’t go!”

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”
- my favorite quote.

I love you Paul.
I always will.

Keep climbing!

Cat

To the ONE who inspires me...

2010-04-22T09:44:00.000-07:00

Enlightened Purrs…pective
To the One who inspires me…
As I sit tonight on my bed with my PC on my lap, I reflect on the day’s events. All the people I came in contact with, all the opportunities placed before me, all the lessons I’ve learned, the joy of my children, the blessings of friends, my passions, my loves. How did I ever deserve this? Who brought this all to me?
Earlier this evening, I attended a Relay for Life meeting. As I sat there in my chair, each person expressed their reasons for walking this coming May 22nd for 24 hours.
“I walk for a cure.”
“I walk for my grandmother who just passed away this Tuesday from cancer.”
“I walk so that my children may never have to say I have cancer.”
My turn…
”Three years ago this coming Monday April 26th, my father passed away from lung cancer. Three years ago this coming June 9th we walked our first Relay for Life in his honor. I walk again for the one who inspires me.”
I am often reminded about why I deserve these blessings, the joys, the loves, my passions and opportunities. Not every day, but when I’m supposed too or when the moment is right or when I need a little reminder, I stumble across the most beautiful, tiny, piece of silver. A single solitary insignificant coin smiles at me. My little “dime from heaven”.
When my brother died about 15 years ago, I didn’t understand why I hadn’t dreamt about him. I wanted to but was never granted that wish. Even though I knew he was where he needed to be I just once wanted to feel him there. It wasn’t until someone asked why I had all these coins in a shot glass on my window sill that I understood I had been guarded. For months I had found dimes, not pennies, not nickels, not quarters but dimes in the most obscure places and when they should not have shown up. A woman asked if the coins were all the same and I said yes. She didn’t view them from far away but in the same sentence asked if someone close to me had recently passed and if the coins in the tiny glass were dimes. An immediate yes to both came from my dropped mouth. “Your brother is letting you know he’s there. He’s doing ok. He loves you. It’s the spirit’s way of communicating.”
Now I know you’ll think I’m a little off, and I am sure those who know me well sometimes say that to my face, but hear me out. My mother shared with me that very next day, this most peculiar coincidence. She had also been finding dimes over the past few weeks. I explained to her what I had been told about the dimes and we wept. Twelve years of finding dimes on just cleaned carpets, flower beds while planting the spring’s annuals, in a shoe as I prepared to place on my feet, under a pillow just before slumber, we became content knowing we weren’t alone and love surrounded us always. Then cancer took my dad.
Again I experienced nothing throughout the night, not a glimpse, not a whisper, not a smell, not a cold breeze, no assurance that I would be ok.
Oh how I missed him!
Nothing for five months until the night before my mother and I prepared to go to Venice and cruise the Greek Islands with my dear friends, did I have a dream about my mother’s suit case. My father was angry and told me to get the suitcase from the basement for her to use. “Make sure you bring enough money,” he said. Let me tell you, neither of us are procrastinators. Our suitcases were packed and the dream made no sense. But I could have used a bigger suitcase for my clothes and shoes. Yes, once again, those who know me well know that I am high maintenance and come prepared. Stop laughing! My mother agreed to bring the larger suitcase for souvenirs and remembrances. She offered her suitcase and as I began to unzip the larger, rolling bag a tiny shimmering most radiant silver coin fell to my feet.
“Travel safe my love. Take care of your mother. Here’s some money for you.”
Dimes from heaven!
I am, I have, and I am blessed because of my father. I can’t begin to share with you the love we had for each other. He is my reason. My father’s greatest attribute was his way of making you feel like you were the only person that mattered. That you were his universe at that time you were with him. You would have a friend for life. There would be nothing he wouldn’t do for you. Love poured from every morsel of his body. He used to tell my three brothers and me, we had “the edge”. And he was so right, because when you are loved like we were loved, there was nothing stopping you from succeeding.
To the one who inspires me… I walk for you!
Thank you for the beautiful, shiny, silver pieces of heaven that you surprise me with. I love you!
Keep Climbing!
Cat

Enlightened Purrs...pective LOVE

2009-09-15T16:01:00.002-07:00

Enlightened Purrs…pective – What is LOVE?
Have you ever asked yourself “what is love?”
Is it all emotional?
Do people use this word too freely?
Have you ever truly understood the meaning?
I think love has many meanings and many directions that it can take us in our lives. There are different phases of love as well. But, the first thing you think of when you hear the word love is in the passionate sense. An overwhelming feeling of never wanting to be apart, heart skips a beat or two or three, your palms sweat, your attention is focused on the other person and you’re “flying higher than a kite”! You wake up in the morning and see their face and when you lay your head on the pillow before you fall asleep there is that face that you can’t clear from your mind.
Do you remember your first love? Maybe it was in junior high or high school, or maybe it was that little red head girl that you played with in the park sand box.
But the feeling? You remember it don’t you?
The name, the physical appearance, the smells and sounds that were present when you planted that first kiss. Took your breath away didn’t it?
What about that job that you love so much that you can’t wait to get to work and start your day and take over the business world? The energy you have when you enter the office can be felt across the room by the other staff members and it begins to generate throughout the building. You go to bed at night thinking about other ways to improve the position or status of the job. Pretty much the same feelings sometimes!
What about a sport that you just love to play? You smell the freshly cut grass, and the glove on your hand or the ball spiraling through the air, running like the wind. There is nothing in the world that can stop you from getting to that field and playing and not just play to win, but, just because the overwhelming joy of being a part of this magnificent game just takes your breath away.
Yes, it happens! That new feeling you had when you first started your job has filtered into a routine. The game that you so enjoyed playing now has become a ritual and a habit and you’re getting older and you can’t run as fast or throw as far. Your partnership has blossomed into a bit of separate likes and dislikes and maybe you have grown apart and forgotten that original sense of tingle in your toes. But you’ve experienced love! You’ve experienced one of the greatest gifts.
I feel deep sorrow for anyone who has never been blessed with loving something or someone.
My favorite passage from the bible speaks about love as being perfect and something you should strive for. Without love, you are nothing. It is not evil but happy with the truth. Love never gives up…
I think you just misplaced it that’s all.
Can you get it back? Of course you can! It may be a bit more of a challenge and yes sometime we have to work at it bit more, but if you just place yourself at the very beginning. Remember the smell, the sounds, the music in your ears, the beat of your heart it will find its way back into your life.
So what if the uniform fits a bit more snug.
How hard is it to just put the newspaper down in the morning and take a few minutes just to stare into each other’s eyes?
Or, for us flooring people, have you forgotten the wonderful aroma your store has or maybe you need to get on the floor and sell again. I guarantee that energy you once felt, the reason for your existence, the spring in your step, the music in your heart will find it’s way back to you.
“All you need is love”

Keep climbing!
Cat

Enlightened Purrs...pective LOVE

2009-09-15T16:01:00.001-07:00

Enlightened Purrs...pective -Strength

2009-09-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

Strength !

We’ve heard of muscular strength, mental strength, spiritual strength. There are phrases such as being “strong in your convictions” or “strong as Steel”. When we struggle within, people opt to say, “stay strong, you can do this”!
I never realized how much pressure it is to “stay strong”. At least not on my own!
Even a fire, hurricane, or tornado has the ability to bend the thickest piece of steel. So, how can the human spirit, heart, soul and muscles stay strong if steel has it’s own breaking point? After all, “we’re only human. We get tired of trying. We lose faith, we get sick, our muscles ache, we have pressures. When we lose someone in our life, whether it is due to death, divorce, change of job stature or relocation we feel weak, helpless and lost. Anything far from strong! We can’t seem to find the strength to carry on.
My strength began with my mother and father. They encouraged me, loved me, and they taught me about my faith. And then they were strong by letting me loose to fly like a bird spreading my wings and growing stronger in other ways. I’ve surrounded myself with teachers, friends and co-workers all whom provided additional forms of belief and strength.
It’s not just one beam of steel that holds a bridge. It takes many to support the daily traffic of life.
Carpet One Floor & Home and the members are like my supporting beams of steel. Not just because of the knowledge I have gain, but the friendships I have made. I am stronger because of so many of the men and woman who make up this group. I’ve cried with many, I laughed with even more. I’ve danced the dance of life and become a stronger person for learning the steps with you!
Togetherness = Strength
“…with your strength, you’ve strengthened me”! – psalms 138:3

Keep climbing !
Cat

2009-09-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Enlightened Purrs...pective Refreshment

2009-08-31T06:24:00.001-07:00

Refreshment

Troubled? Lonely? Frustrated? Weary?
Maybe you need to take time to pray…to be refreshed!
No matter your religious belief, we need to refresh our minds and refresh our souls. We need to sit back and evaluate our day, our week, our month and our year. Doesn’t it feel terrific to take a shower after a long slumber and to wake up and brush our teeth and pop into the shower and awaken our bodies in preparation for the day ahead? Eww… can you imagine going to work right out of bed? Not too many people would cozy up to you. Maybe you’ve been ill for a few days, finding yourself hanging out on the sofa and thought, “maybe a shower would help me feel better”? It normally does. Sometimes a catnap can refresh our energy level. Remember the Coca Cola commercial? “The refresher side of life.” Nothing ,like a nice cold cola to refresh your thirst on a hot sunny day.
But, the loneliness, weariness, frustrations of life or work can’t always be solved with a nap, a walk, a nice cold coke or the shower. We need a little more. We need consultation or a re-kindling of spirit. And for me, prayer is often my quiet solitude. Prayer refreshes my soul, my mind and places me into a better place. I don’t need to go to a chapel or church, I can find a quiet place, even my drive to or from work I will pray. As I lay in bed before I raise my head from my pillow I will pray for the people in my life, that their day be filled with peace and happiness. I will ask for strength to carry me through my day, to be patient with my children, that I keep an open mind and ear for my staff, that the lord watch over the people I love and protect them from any harm. The days I rush out of bed , shower, dress and drive to work in a complete blurr are the type of days that just don’t flow or have purpose. I have three different prayers written that I read. One is the Serenity prayer on my bathroom mirror and under the glass desk top at work and the other two were given to me from a special person. When my day becomes overwhelming , I will sit in my office look down at the prayer and who sent it and I am refreshed. I remember the purpose I have in life and I can continue my day.
Sunday is my day to give thanks and share with my friends together in faith at church. But, you may not have a church and that is fine. You can pray no matter who you are, where you are, no matter what time of day, no matter how you put the words to form just give thanks for where you are.
You are “alive” to pray. That deserves thanks!
“The moment I wake up, before I put on my make-up I say a little prayer for you...” –Dionne Warwick
Try it out!
Keep Climbing!
Cat

2009-08-31T06:24:00.000-07:00

Enlightened Purrs...pective Cancer!

2009-07-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

Enlightened Purrrs…pective by Cat

Cancer !
(This one is dedicated to Cathy Salvaggio)

Hold up! Where is she going with this one? Did I open the wrong email?
No you’re reading correctly!
Cancer what a negative word right! Would you consider this word to also be inspirational? Until last night I never thought about it that way either. But hear me out!!!
My dad died of cancer April 26, 2007. Even though it’s been a little over 2 years he is an inspiration to a friend of our family. On my Face Book page yesterday, a childhood friend whose father worked with my dad in the industry shared that my father, to this day, inspires his father to fight the battle of cancer. My dad was given a short three weeks to live, yet he wasn’t going to give in to his sentence. We were blessed to enjoy 7 additional months with him because he stayed positive, prayed and loved every minute of his remaining days and fought till his very last breath.
Last night I had dinner with a friend who was diagnosed with brain cancer 4 or 5 years ago. I don’t know exactly how long ago because it doesn’t matter to him. It’s just something he has to live with. Yes, he has chemo treatments, radiation and yes there are signs of deterioration in his walk, speech and motors skills, but you know something it doesn’t stop him from smiling, laughing and enjoying life. His son has had a beautiful baby, his youngest daughter just recently married; he has a semi-successful flooring business (Just kidding). He is living his life to the utmost. Positive inspiration he is!!!
Cancer is not just a medical disease. Cancer can creep into your attitude. And if you allow it, it can creep into your workspace or home. Negativity is a cancer.
Let’s say you’re on your way to the office or on the way home, and some knucklehead cuts you off and you have to swerve into the other lane and your hub cap flies off. Don’t, I repeat, don’t enter the front door of either your home or business. Leave it in the driveway or parking lot. Cause if you do, you’ve just brought the cancer into your environment. It can destroy the mindset of everyone around you.
Stop it!
Don’t let it destroy you.
Don’t focus on the negative. Rejoice with the positive. So what, it’s a hub cap. You’re alive, you have a job and a family and a door to open!!!
So, cancer right? Where does the inspiration come into the picture?
Have you ever looked at our Pink ribbon Welcomes mats? The word HOPE is visual on at least one of the designs. When you attend a walk for the American Society you will see the words:
HOPE, FIGHT, STAY STRONG, JOIN US, COURAGE, SUPPORT, BELIEVE, FAITH, LOVE!
I think those are pretty inspirational words don’t you?
So, the next time you hear that bad, evil word Cancer, fight the temptation of giving up, getting upset, feeling loss. Focus on the here and now and enjoy every minute you have. Cherish the present don’t focus on the what if or when.
To my inspirations- Dad I know you will always love me, Paul how do you do it? I am so proud of you and Alan you are my everyday C1 inspiration. I love you!

“Life isn’t fair but it’s still good!”

Keep climbing!

Cat

Enlightened Purrs...pective - Just Smile!

2009-07-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

Just Smile!

“Light up your face with gladness, hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near, that’s the time you must keep on trying. Smile, what’s the use of crying? You’ll find that life is still worthwhile... if you just smile!”

The most infectious, the least expensive, the easiest gift you can give someone is a smile. It may be the most difficult time in your life, you maybe be struggling in business or at home or within your own personal heart, but when someone grants you the gift of a smile you can’t help but to find somewhere deep inside you, that one little smirk that just aches to surface.

Those of you who know me probably think I walk around all day with this smile plastered on my face. I’ve heard people think I am on drugs most of the time. Really and truly I am not.
Can you imagine me on drugs? Watch out!
Seriously, I just want people to be joyous. Life is a gift we’ve been granted. Those things that we struggle with, the lose of friends or family, the economic hardships, the physical ailments and all the trials placed upon us throughout our life are stepping stones of strength. Each day is preparation for the next. What makes us stronger won’t hurt us!!
But that simple frown turned upside down can change your entire day’s purrs…pective.
Try one on for size!

“I’ve learned…That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.” – Andy Rooney

Keep Climbing!

Cat

*The picture above is Sally Kelly & I as we waited in line to be seen on the Today Show in NYC! We were building "Brand Island". Thanks Sally for one of my best memories. I love smiling with you!

Enlightened Purrrspective by Cat

2009-07-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Sing!

When was the last time you broke out in song?
Come on how many of you have sung in the shower at the top of your lungs or maybe in your car to the radio not caring about anything but how cool it would be to be in a band and just singing, losing yourself in the musical beat!!!
You don’t have to answer all at once! But if you have never ever done that, you are so missing out! There is nothing like singing a song. It puts a smile on your face and in your heart. It could be a love song or a break up song, maybe a song from your favorite musical or movie. I bet many of you remember your first love and the song that was playing on the radio.

Music is a magical thing.

People dance, cry, fall in love and fall out of love to music. It’s a part of who we are culturally. Just look at what we’ve all been experiencing over the past few weeks with the death of “the King of Pop” culture, Michael Jackson. For the past 40 years his music touched people across every corner of our world. You can’t deny that music has played an important role in America’s history.
But singing…it’s magical. Come on how did you get your kids to fall asleep at night? You probably sang them a lullaby and I bet your little baby could care less if the song was out of tune or “pitchy” (sorry I had to add a little American idol terminology).
Have you ever gotten up on stage at a bar and sang Karaoke? What are you afraid of? I guarantee everyone in the audience is jealous of your bravery and deep inside they wish they had enough nerve. And so what if they laugh at you because you sound like a cackling hen. You’ve just made someone laugh and they may not have laughed in a very long time. You could have just made their day by singing horribly!!!

If “Oscar the Grouch” can sing, why not you?
So…

“Sing, sing a song. Sing out loud. Sing out strong. Sing of good things not bad. Sing of happy not sad. Sing. Sing a song make it simple to last your whole life long. Don’t worry if it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing!”

Keep climbing!
Cat

The Edge !

2009-07-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Edge!
This was my father’s one liner!
He used to tell me, because of who I am, I have “the edge”. There is no one like me! No one with the same eyes, or smile, curly blonde hair, strong legs (he used to ask me to trade legs with him because he walked with a cane since I was 13 years old from an automobile accident). There was no one else who thought like me, laughed like me or danced like me. There is only one me on this entire planet. That is the miracle of “god”. And because of that I have “the edge”.

Just like me, there is only one “you”. You too have the same “edge” but, in a totally different way.

Together though, you and I have a shared edge!

Carpet One Floor & Home

Trust me this is not a testimonial for Carpet One. No one put me up to this one so hear me out!
Do you realize just how special you and I are?
We have a support system with advertising, merchandising, communication, financial know-how, brand awareness, showroom presentation (visual merchandising), computer technology, training, installation programs. The list goes on and on. There is no one like us. Yes, it’s true there are other flooring retail Co-ops, but they are imitators of us. They don’t think like us, they don’t network like us, they don’t have showrooms or warrantees like us, they don’t share the 25 years experience that we have thanks to three wonderful forward thinking men. And because of this, we have “the edge”.

My father had many “words of wisdom” for me. One that stands out is “We can’t predict the future, but we can revel in the present.”

We don’t know where the next few months or years are going to take us, but we can remain who we are. A company with “the edge”. The best flooring retailers, forward thinkers, networking together to build a stronger company for our future.

Andy Rooney once said, “I’ve learned…that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.”

Thanks dad for giving me “the edge”.

Keep climbing!

Cat

Just Play the Game

2009-07-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Just Play the Game!

I know, I know it’s only July 22nd but seriously do you know what’s just around the corner?
Football season!
Not just any sporting season but college football! This is where the true heart of the game is played.
This is where passion flows, determination to be the very best, to win and not come in second.
The competition is tough and it just makes you tougher!
Oh yes, and you can’t leave out the team colors everywhere you turn , the cheering crowd, the bands, the tailgate parties, the smell of hotdogs (even though I don’t eat that stuff) you have to admit there is nothing like that overwhelming smell on the grills.
Can you feel it?
The energy! The enthusiasm! The comradery amongst the people in the stands no matter where they have come from and no matter who they are rooting for they all have something in common…
Winning the game!
To be number ONE!
I can feel my heart beating faster just thinking about it!

This is how you should go to work everyday.
This is the feeling you should awake to!
Can you imagine how your staff would react amongst each other and to our clients?
Can you feel the positive energy? The desire to win the customer!
The goal of being number 1!
But to be number one there must be teamwork, desire, passion, commitment, discipline, faith, habit, mental toughness and truth !!
No matter how hard the opponent is, no matter what their season winning record is, no matter how big they look on the field, no matter how cool their mascot is (BTW Sparty Rules), no matter how smart their plays are…
You have to play with your heart, every fiber of your body.

I know it’s tough out there guys! I feel your pain and the difficulty of running a business today. I am right there with you on the sidelines. But, please stay strong, play hard, plant your feet on the ground, remember who you are and how far you have come, don’t quit, there are people out there rooting for you, you have teammates all across this great nation playing on the same field as you, running for the same goal…to be number ONE !

“I’ve learned…that life is tough, but I’m tougher. –Andy Rooney

Keep climbing !

Cat

2009-07-17T09:58:00.002-07:00

Enlightened Purrrspective by Cat

To those of you who have kids or remain to be one… this one’s for you!

When was the last time you had a little fun?
And I understand everyone’s perspective of fun is different, but seriously.
Having fun could be as simple as scraping the Rice Krispies off the spoon filled with sticky marshmallows, or a midnight run to 7-11 or Dairy Queen, what about playing that golf tee game at Cracker Barrel or even a card game of WAR, remember that “one war” was never so much fun (as bizarre as that may sound) ! J Whatever your description of fun is and whatever the minimal amount it is to make you laugh, it is a necessity in life to do just that. Smile and laugh!

Get away from the daily grind of work, paying bills, mowing the lawn, doing laundry, cleaning the toilet bowl. Just step away and be a kid!

Go fishing with your kids, go on a 3 day camping trip, find the closest amusement park and see just how amused you can actually get. I guarantee a deep chuckle or smile or even scream!!!

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else”!

-and

“Your children get only one childhood with you”!

Keep climbing!

Cat

2009-07-17T09:58:00.001-07:00

Enlightened Purrrspective by Cat

2009-07-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you stopped for a moment and had a break?

Maybe you have been in the office working on a project and the stress has gotten to you. It’s not just you. It has probably affected everyone around you. Don’t feel bad it happens! Get up out of your chair, walk down the hall, grab one of your co-workers or two, go outside and take a walk and maybe plant yourselves at an outdoor café and chat for a bit. You’ll be surprised how better you’ll feel. So will the people around you!
I receive an email newsletter from a “champion in positive attitude”. He is a retailer like you and I in New Jersey. And his latest newsletter reminded me of a little exercise that I do and have suggested to friends many a time. “Finding your happy place” is what I call it. John called it “Breathe For Clarity”. Maybe you’ve been dealing with an unhappy client or simply feeling out of sorts because you had a bad tee shot. No matter what the case, this exercise will help you think and see more clearly, while increasing the positive feelings to help move you through your day with ease. You can make it a habit. Practice it whenever you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

You can do this seated or standing:
Think of someone, something or someplace you love.
Experience the joy that accompanies thinking about that person, thing or place.
Close your eyes. (Yes, you can do this at your desk! It only takes a few seconds).
With your mouth closed, take a deep breath in through your nose. As you inhale, feel the breath extending down all the way to the base of your spine.
Picture the person, thing or place. Keeping your mouth closed, release the breath slowly through your nose.
Repeat this exercise three times.

Now, don’t you feel better? Where did you go? Who did you see? I guarantee the rest of your workday or golf game will go more smoothly. Plus I promise your game has to be much better than mine would be. I’ve just started. Hey I have an idea, let’s go golfing. I know you’ll feel better about your game playing next to me ! ! !

Keep climbing!

Cat