Index

Two friends were walking through the desert. As the day wore on and they became hotter and wearier, they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand, Today my best friend slapped me in the face.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they knelt beside a pond, eager for a long, cool drink. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.

After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone, Today my best friend saved my life.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone. Why?”

The other friend replied, “When someone hurts us we should write it in sand where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

Let’s learn to write our hurts in the sand and carve our blessings in stone!

How To Share Your Gratitude

While preparing Thanksgiving dinner, pass out slips of paper to those gathered for your feast. Invite each person to list three things they’re thankful for. Then, while eating dinner, give each person the opportunity to read their list out loud. Don’t be surprised when your lists bring out many emotions (happy, sad, thoughtful, tears, smiles, laughter) but most of all, your love for one another.

When It Pays To Replace

Sometimes it’s hard to know when a broken device or appliance is worth the money to repair. For these items, most consumer financial experts agree it pays to skip the repair bill and replace them.

Computers and laptops. If the machine is more than five years old, it’s definitely worth it to replace. Even if it’s younger than that, realize that a third of repaired computers still don’t function properly. And weigh the projected cost of the repair against the shrinking cost of a new, more powerful computer. (Apply the same criteria to your printer.)

Digital cameras. Most consumers will spend an average of $180 on repairs, but $200 will buy you a new digital camera.

MP3 players. If you spent less than $200 on it, replace it with a new one because most repairs cost at least half of that.

Microwave ovens. Repairs generally run $120, but you can buy a new microwave for as little as $70.

Cell phones. Many carriers will give you a free phone if you sign up for a one- or two-year contract. Don’t forget to read the fine print!

When electronic items do need to be disposed of, do it properly. Check on recycling options that won’t release toxic chemicals from these devices into the environment.

Management 101?

One day, the boss had had enough. His people just didn’t get it. He grabbed two pieces of paper and wrote “Think!” on them with a big fat magic marker, then posted his signs above the sinks in the restrooms. “They can’t miss my message now,” he thought to himself with satisfaction.

The next day the boss returned to one of the restrooms. Below the sign he had posted, just above the soap dispenser, was a new sign that read “Thoap!”

How To Avoid Work-At-Home Scams

“Earn thousands of dollars a month from your home!” We’ve all seen these types of ads posted on telephone poles and on the Internet. It sounds great, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends exercising caution when it comes to work-at-home opportunities. Many of these companies don’t deliver on their promises, warns the FTC.

What many of these ads don’t disclose is that you may have to work many hours without pay, or front the money for the materials needed to accomplish the job such as envelopes, paper, stamps, or other supplies. Many consumers have lost thousands of dollars to companies like these – not to mention their time and energy, says the FTC.

Before you accept a work-at-home job, ask questions like these to determine the legitimacy of the offer and the appropriateness of it for you:

Physician, Heal Thyself?

Kelton Research for the Arnold P. Gold Foundation finds that nearly 80 percent of Americans say their doctors need better bedside manners. Less than half (49 percent) of those surveyed said they would describe their doctor’s recent conduct as attentive, communicative (44 percent), or compassionate (32 percent).

Same Sound, Big Difference!

Are you challenged by homophones, that is, words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings? There are many of them in the English language; here’s help with some of them:

You pore over a report when you read it carefully, but you pour water on your garden.

You can alter your behavior, but don’t sacrifice your life on the altar of career advancement.

I prefer to teach at a school where the principal has principles like integrity and honesty.

Inflation affects the buying power of the dollar, and we all know what effect that has on our budget.

It’s way too important to use homophones correctly, especially when you use two or more in the same sentence.

I’d like to accept your invitation, except I’m out of town this Friday.

Your rug might feel coarse when you walk across it barefoot; why not take a different course of action and put on socks?

You’re right if you think homophones are confusing, and I hope this is helpful in your future!

Have A Happy – And Safe – Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a busy time. Most people look forward to cooking large meals and entertaining guests. But while you’re busy with your preparations, it’s important to keep safety at the forefront.

The National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) says that cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires, and the incidence of home cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day is roughly three times the daily average. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your entertaining at this time of year, but with guests roaming about and your dinner preparations pressing, you’ll want to keep your mind and eye on what you’re doing in the kitchen.

One especially dangerous method of cooking is using a home turkey fryer, and the NFPA recommends avoiding home turkey fryers because of the hazards associated with them. Turkey fryers require heating up to five gallons of oil before the turkey is placed in the device. Heating large amounts of oil can be dangerous, and many devices available for home use are not sturdy and can easily tip over, creating serious risk of scalding. There have also been reports of turkey fryers overheating, which could cause hot oil spills and risk of fire and injury. If you want a fried turkey for your holiday, the NFPA recommends tapping commercial sources that can prepare the entrée for you.

A Lifelong Learner

My biggest motivation? Just to keep challenging myself. I see life almost like one long university education that I never had. Every day I’m learning something new. Fantasizing about the future is one of my favorite pastimes.

– Richard Branson, English billionaire, philanthropist, and founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways

Oh Boy, Bok Choy!

When you’re shopping for produce do you consider bok choy? With its light, sweet flavor and crisp texture, this vegetable is great in soups, stir-fries, appetizers and main dishes.

Bok choy is an excellent source of vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin A. In addition, bok choy – along with fellow cruciferous vegetables cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts – is rich in glucosinolates, substances that may reduce the risk for certain types of cancer.

How To Protect Your Pets

Let firefighters, police, and other emergency personnel know that you have pets in your home or vehicle by posting pet alert stickers on doors and windows. Many pet stores, vet offices, and humane shelters give these out for free. The decals have boxes to fill in to list the number of dogs, cats and/or birds, and a blank space for other pets. As an extra benefit, some safety experts say that would-be intruders are less likely to break into a home with pets, particularly dogs.

If you move out of your home or your pet dies, don’t forget to remove or update the sticker to ensure that emergency personnel don’t endanger themselves looking for a non-existent pet.

Been There – Done This?

You walk into the company kitchen to pour a cup of coffee, but when you pick up the pot there’s only a teaspoon of coffee left in it. You go to the copy machine to make a quick copy, but when you press Start, the “Out of Paper” message flashes.

Who hasn’t had these irritating experiences at work? We’ve all been there and groused about it. But there’s an easy solution: the Workplace Supplies Golden Rule. When you take the last of something (or nearly the last), replace it, add to it, or let the person responsible for reordering know about it. Lead by example. Imagine the amount of grumpiness that could be eliminated from the workplace if everyone practiced this bit of courtesy!

How To Spot Fake Prescription Drugs

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy estimates that 1 percent to 2 percent of the drugs in North America are counterfeit and warns that the practice is on the rise. It offers these safeguards:

The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for.

October Trivia Answer

Question: Who is the only Englishman to become Pope?

Answer: Nicholas Breakspear. He became Adrian IV from 1154 - 1159.

Congratulations to Cherri Williams! Your name was randomly selected from all of the correct quiz entries, and you will receive a $50 gift card to Bed, Bath, & Beyond.

November - December Quiz Question

Question: Who is the only U.S. President to serve two non-consecutive terms?

Everyone who contacts Elisa via email (elisa@brunerteam.com) or phone (832-SHOP-911) with the correct answer by December 15th will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card to Pappas Restaurants.

The Gift That Gives Back

Judy & I want to thank those of you who have participated in our Bruner Team Loyal Client Referral program! If we have already helped you in the sale or purchase of real estate, you know how well our family serves our clients. If you refer your friend or relative to one of us, we assure you that we will take the same high-quality care of them. As a way of saying “thanks,” The Bruner Team will donate $50 to your favorite charity when the transaction closes. In this way, we complete an important cycle of giving. First, we help you meet your personal real estate goals. Then you help your loved ones with their buying and selling needs. You also assist us in building our referral-based business with preferred clients, like yourself. Finally, with a charitable donation, we all give back to the community in which we live. Everyone benefits! For more information about our Client Referral Donation Program, please give us a call at 713-YES-1000. It’s a great program where, as our way of saying “thanks,” we can all feel good about our contribution to each other’s lives.

- Elisa McNinch