Erica George

100th on 60th

Celebrating my 100th blog post on my 60th birthday.

The best-laid plans of mice and men…..

• My daughter Monica’s first attempt at a surprise party
• My 60th birthday
• The food, the preparation, the gifts, the guests, ….all planned
• Friday night 6:30 was the time
• So excited she had almost pulled it off
• My brother and sister-in-law on the road driving in to surprise me
• My favorite pie bought and ready
• I have no clue

often go awry……

• Thursday afternoon trip to the emergency room
• Friday afternoon vicious snow storm brewing
• Friday night surprise party called off

All’s well that ends well

• Resumed the party on Saturday
• Brother arrived safely despite the horrific snow
• Surrounded by LOVE

AWESOME BIRTHDAY

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me: One more very special surprise for my birthday.  A blog from a fellow-blogger jeff noel (click here)

Click here  for an awesome article about our Main Street USA in NWI Times  today.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I believe music can change your mood.

(click here to read more)

On February 13 -17, 2012 Valparaiso Indiana will be participating in the Random Acts of Kindness week.  (click here). One more reason I am proud to live and work in this town.  We plan on participating, hope you will join in too no matter where you live.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I believe in resolutions, just not on January 1st.

Female Factor

It was the sweet icing on an already delicious cake. 

What an honor to be featured with so many amazing women business owners in Valparaiso. 

To view the entire magazine click here.

Thank you to the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and especially to Rex Richards, Susan Antoszewski, Danielle Oeding, Aran Kessler and Andrew Talleckson. It was an amazing experience.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:   I have many creative ideas, but sometimes I am afraid to bring them to life.  I’m working on improving that about myself.

Ginger Glitterdrop

joy (joi)

My dream to be a Flanagin Fairy came true this year at the Popcorn Fest.  I had seen them in the parades before and I always clapped and waved at them.  I can’t believe that they picked me to join them!  I loved dressing up and having my make up done by Crystal Snowflake and Ella Seaswirl.  The very best part was when Fairy Godmother gave me my very own enchanted wand!  Walking in the parade was a blast, I loved seeing all of the people!  It was so fun getting to walk with my friend Scarlet Sunflower!  It was a day I will never forget.  Thank you to the Flanagin Fairies for making my dream come true!

Love,

Ginger Glitterdrop

They're granting you a wish

We are looking for ways to make more dreams come true, if you have any ideas leave a comment.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  Life gets better every day.

Our Friend Ronald

Caution:   The following post should only be read by people who “believe”.

The Flanagin Fairies..why do we do it? 

Why do we spend hours on our day off dressing up as a fictional characters?

Why do we travel an hour to an event knowing it might be rainy and cold?

Why do we take special care to stay in character and not let the children see us without wings and wigs?

Simple, because the of the children.

It all becomes worthwhile when… 

…the first child runs up to give you a hug

…when a mother asks us in front of her daughter if we know the tooth fairy?  We tell her we sure do that we had tea with her just yesterday and the mom turns to the daughter and says, “see I told you the tooth fairy was a “she”!

…a parent tells you their daughter keeps your picture next to her bed or our pictures are still hanging on their refrigerator from last year.

..when you meet a little girl named Katie, who has juvenile diabetes and her entire family is there to raise money for a cure.

Sometimes we will have an adult walk up to us and ask, “who we are and why are we here?”

We have never had any child ask us who we are and why we are here!!  You see, a child just BELIEVES.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I enjoy watching the real housewives  TV shows. 

Debbie Thiel - Public Speaking

It all started with one mailing.

15 years ago Debbie Thiel landed our very first mail customer and the rest is history.

15 years of nothing but fun, friendship and laughter.

Well, maybe some ups and some downs but….

quite honestly, it seems like just yesterday.

THANK YOU DEBBIE, FOR HELPING MAKE THIS BUSINESS WHAT IT IS TODAY.

LYLAS,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I just don’t have what it takes to be a sales person.

Just awarded another 15 yr pin. Congratulations Deborah Thiel!

One thing I always tell a new employee is that I hope we have a very long working relationship.

I also tell them that I don’t want them to fear the day they have to tell me that they are moving on.

I don’t want them to fear my reaction or the impact it is going to have on the company.

I don’t want them to lose sleep the night before nor feel that they will be letting us down in some way.

Because……

I believe they would not leave unless it was the best thing for them, their family and their future and that should always be their top priority.

Yes, it may be difficult to replace them.

Yes we may miss them terribly and

Yes things may not be the same,

But as a business owner I know nothing lasts forever.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I’m so blessed because most days, it just doesn’t feel like work.

All these items rescued from curbside garbage and re-sold.

The yard sale is over and you still have all this stuff.  Now what?  Yes you can drive your boxes to the local resale shop, you can call someone to pick it up, you can even leave it curbside for garbage day, but did you know there are ways you can donate directly to local non-profits, churches, school, daycares, etc.?

Most of the following donation information is local to our area, but you could find similar organizations in your own town.

What to do with all the unsold items. 

1.   Bingo prizes, there are several organizations that play bingo with their senior residents or clients and are always looking for bingo prize donations. I took mine to Whispering Pines (click) and  MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF PORTER COUNTY (219) 462-6267 

Some sample ideas: Nick-Nacks, picture frames, small seasonal decorations, nail polish, stuffed animals, costume jewelry, scarves, slipper socks, coffee mugs, and many many more.  Keep in mind that many of the residents rooms are small so smaller items are preferable. (no candles please because of fire hazard). The reason the nursing homes like stuffed animals is because the residents love to give them to their grandchildren when they come to visit.  Remember it is not easy for them to get out and shop any longer.

2.  Cut the buttons off of stained clothing items, buttons are a premium craft item for local school, churches and other organizations

3.  Take apart that worn-out wreath and use the ribbon, flowers, ornaments as individual craft items to donate

4.  Children’s game and toys that still have all their pieces can be donated to places like the Boy’s & Girls Club (click) or daycares.

5.  Self help books might be accepted by local counseling centers or churches.

6.  Some children’s DVD’s are accepted by places like the Boys & Girls Club, Housing Opportunities, The Caring Place, Hilltop, etc. Call in advance to see if they can use the ones you have.

7.  If you by chance still have brand new items with tags after your sale, they can be donated to Mental Health American for the Christmas Gift Lift program.  They have hundreds and hundreds of people in need at Christmas.

8.  Old towels, blankets and flat sheets can be donated to the animal shelters in your area as well as pet carriers and cages. I gave mine to Independent Cat Society (click).

9.  Broken costume jewelry is a prime craft items for many organizations.  The beads and jewels are used in children’s craft projects. I will be donating to Every Child Ministries. (click)

10.  Craft items are probably the most sought after items by many local organizations, churches and school.  All types of items, think creatively.

Popsicle sticks, ribbon pieces, buttons, beads, colorful paper, markers, crayons, glue, stickers, yarn, flowers, greeting cards,  etc. We gave ours to Tiny Tim’s Daycare.

11.  Many stuffed animals are good as new after a trip to the washing machine.   The Boy’s & Girls club might accept them if they are fresh and clean for the next child to enjoy.

12.  If you have new stuffed animals with tag, you can donate them to the “I Need a Hug” program. Contact the United Way of Porter Co. (click)

The “I Need a Hug” program was begun in 2004 by the Crusader softball team and evolved into a partnership with the United Way of Porter County.  The program collects new stuffed animals and places them in area elementary schools to give comfort to children going through difficult times.

13.  Tri Kappa has a used book collection every fall, so you can donate all those unsold books to them also. (click)

14.  Check your local paper and find an upcoming fundraiser yard sale and donate your left over items to them.

15.  You are better off taking clothing items to the resale shop or St Paul’s Clothing drop off.  Most organizations just don’t have room to store clothing.

These are just a few ways to help out other organizations in your area after your sale is over.  If you have other ideas to add to the list,  please comment below.

Have a wonder-filled day:

Donna Flanagin

Random me:  I have never had much interest in sports but I enjoy watching the Olympics.  I wonder why that is?