tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4408388511027089112024-02-02T09:20:56.278-08:00Valentines Flowers Menvalentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-14098116330764298192012-02-02T02:40:00.000-08:002012-02-02T02:42:29.499-08:00Valentines Flowers For Men - How to Make a Gift Basket for Valentine's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-for-men-how-to-make.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMplcZQ-7PuurpQNGSbZ02BGwo1aYjsaZJ6rENGr4IHerwT-9ee7-_3YSlNCMf23WjNATaqLdkErwBz_bkfA0Dg7MPhgJN1flRgFRcFL29_-NWVXZXOKoO1IQ2B2V71wAgt4vMp0vTkCk/s320/aaaaaa.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>You can virtually create a Valentine gift basket with almost any kind of support for as long as you nicely decorate it. As an example, take a wine case made out of wood, place a few silk paper sheets into the case, then add the items you would like to offer and put a big bow around the case. Voila! You have a really nice homemade gift basket.<br />
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Another example would be to use wicked baskets, you can buy them in any good store; fill them with silk paper or even a nice piece of fabric and you're on the right way to present a gorgeous gift. Personally, I like wire frame baskets as I can use them later in the patio and the garden. The possibilities are endless: have a jar made out of porcelain, fill it with silk paper before carefully placing the items into the jar. Not only will you give a wonderful <a href="http://valentinesflowersformen.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-flowers-for-men-this-applies.html" target="_blank">valentines flowers for men</a> basket but your recipient will also be able to keep using the jar later.<br />
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</div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-60926378346726485782012-02-02T01:09:00.000-08:002012-02-02T01:10:29.251-08:00Valentines Flowers Men - Top Valentine's Day Credit Card Offers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-top-valentines.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcOvdpaBkdIW8-XmY1uByvSCGrvL46htLV_D4QDoMv1BPgYourpk0rDfPC0agGnrQh7dnYIvWQHY6E031wJCAXAK1zjVr-jFu1ak2IrnACQoLhBRSaKSFWt0btjCBVeEdzhdFyQ-bnMw/s320/aaaaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A handful of today's top rated credit cards can help you pass the Valentine's Day test, but not in the way you think. Instead of putting yourself in debt to bankroll a special evening, consider using your credit card's special features to streamline your planning. Check out a few of our editorial team's favorite love offerings from major credit card issuers:<br />
Discover Open Road. This version of the Discover Card offers one of the most unusual signup bonuses on the market: a $150 Restaurant.com gift certificate. If you're not familiar with the website, Restaurant.com offers deeply discounted deals to eateries in most major cities. It's not hard to stretch that $150 credit into $300 or more in dining rewards. One caveat: you won't be able to use that credit on <a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html" target="_blank">valentines flowers men</a>, but you can certainly shift around your "dining out" budget for the rest of the month with help from this special offer.<br />
Bloomingdale's Ultimate Premier Insider from American Express. As a rule, we generally avoid retail store credit cards. They rarely offer great value, and their interest rates tend to balloon beyond the point of practicality. However, a partnership between Bloomingdale's and American Express means that your frequent shopping trips can help you keep your next gift a secret. Spend $2,500 a year at Bloomie's, and you'll get free gift wrapping and local delivery, plus help from a personal shopper who can help you pick out a great V-Day surprise.<br />
Marriott Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card from Chase. Sometimes, the route to your Valentine's heart leads straight out of town. This travel rewards credit card bestows you with instant Silver Elite status in the Marriott Rewards program. That means you'll have direct access to an experienced guest services professional who can help you plan everything you need for a romantic getaway at any of Marriott's 3,700 hotels and resorts throughout the world. While you dine and play during your trip, you'll earn a 20% premium on your Marriott Rewards points, plus enough bonus points to cover next year's surprise trip.<br />
Citi Gold / AAdvantage Visa Signature. When your romantic getaway means getting really far away, Citi's partnership with American Airlines can help you score some inexpensive plane tickets. Between a generous signup bonus and AA's reduced mileage awards, you can quickly earn enough miles to escape to somewhere really romantic. Plus, the Citi Private Pass program gives you access to exclusive events and hard-to-get tickets for theater, sports and concerts in many cities across the country.<br />
Each of these four cards offers something even better for your relationship than a low interest rate and a money-saving signup offer. All four cards provide access to personal concierge services that can help you plan exciting gifts, meals and experiences for your special someone. Concierges don't always work directly for your credit card issuer: Visa Signature and Discover Card outsource their concierge requests to outside companies. However, their partnerships with ticket agencies, florists, tour operators and restaurants can elevate your date to epic levels.</div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-3095484356946444702012-02-01T00:02:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:02:16.574-08:00Valentines Flowers Men - Choose The Flowers Can Show How Much One Means To You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flowers2world.com/valentine/valentines-day-flowers.asp">valentines flowers men</a> may be the worst time for any man to go shopping for gifts is not as simple as going to buy a birthday gift for your partner or a Christmas gift. There are more choices of gifts and seems to understand much more. Much you love someone, how committed you are to that person and if you are wrong, then the results can be disastrous. Security option is to buy chocolate, jewelry and teddy bears, but nothing says I love you more than a bouquet of flowers mature. I do not even try to buy some clothes, imagine if you buy a larger size or not, your life is not worth living.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flowers2world.com/send_flowers_online/images2/2582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.flowers2world.com/send_flowers_online/images2/2582.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So it's really a safe bet, but important to go with flowers. Choose the flowers can show how much she means to you. If you bought a bouquet of carnations to give the impression that does not mean much, because orchids are associated with birthdays and gerberas are a flower you give to someone to be happy if they are down, not really associated with romance. Valentine is famous for its beautiful red roses as they are ultimately the most romantic flowers you receive as a woman.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you're a secret admirer is always a sweet idea to send a dozen red roses anonymously with a note attached reflected. It's always a woman feel special and loved. Have fun with it, could provide clues in the note of your identity to make it more fun for her to understand.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another idea is to send a red rose, some people like the simplicity and especially if you have not been very long the person is a good way to show your love without doing too much too This saves you the money for gifts for others, such as books, teddy bears or dinner.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A tip for testing whether you are a married man is to recreate the flowers you have, which shows a lot of thought went into the gift he and his wife, of course, the <a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a>, if they were at the wedding. It's a useful gift and could be a nice change of roses only.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Roses come in many colors, so if your partner is proud, or a combination of colors is good to match the flower in this way when they blend perfectly with the colors displayed in the room.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The main advice that if you buy flowers, of course, whether it's allergies before ordering, rather than leave it until the last minute. Many people run frantically looking for a day before Valentine's Day roses and pay a fortune for them. Florists to be very busy at the time of the year and order in advance not only save money but will ensure that, in reality, it flowers for the 14th century.</div></div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-51956293449076441532012-01-12T00:02:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:06:15.500-08:00Valentines Flowers Men - Only You offer on Valentine’s Day at Ramada Hotel Suites Ajman<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-flowers-men-only-you-offer.html" target="_blank"><br />
<img border="0" height="208" src="http://cdnlive.albawaba.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/big_image//sites/default/files/im/pr_new/ramada_hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Celebrate the season of love at Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, a premier destination for business and leisure travellers, where a Valentine’s Day package has been created specifically for those looking to book a short break around February 14.<br />
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Called “Only You”, the special <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a> for</span> room package offers a stay at an Executive suite for AED 550/- per room per night. The package includes a set dinner at a designated restaurant where you and your beloved can enjoy intimate moments while savouring the delicious food coupled with complimentary non-alcoholic sparkling wine and signature home-made chocolate. The following morning, enjoy a buffet breakfast at Orchid Restaurant where the freshest dishes have been prepared to start your day right. Couples can also use the fitness center or head to the beach for a swim together. Or if you prefer to indulge in a more relaxing environment, head to the spa and avail of 25% discount on spa treatments.<br />
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Iftikhar Hamdani, General Manager, said: “Spend a romantic night on this Valentine’s Day at Ramada Hotel & Suited Ajman and have an extraordinary experience with your beloved one. We have created special package to celebrate the season of love. Head to Ajman on this special day and leave everything to us because we will guarantee a truly memorable moment for you and your partner!”<br />
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Treat your sweetheart to a romantic stay at Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman on Valentine's Day. For inquiries, and <a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">valentines flowers men</a> click here</div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-67587276927051644662012-01-09T23:49:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:05:18.085-08:00valentines flowers men - Valentine's Day Gifts: Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-flowers-men-valentines-day.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqkejV3L2w4gHDRzBzPFbgE9lvmGI8F17UmzlKdGytuUDmJ50dEfjx65WY4CKirKOZd3oiCI2QhNr-DoNH8N81leH1lHchem4rhm-MsLkcPCvC_h264N7HCljVw9NyrzVWvDp_Fsti9k/s200/New_Arrivals%253DChoc_Strawberries%253DSKU_LF_10000S1.jpg" /></a></div>Valentine's Day is right around the corner and Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts has a beautiful assortment of gifts perfect for that special someone in your life. There are gift baskets for men, women and even children! Whether you want to send some love close to home or far away, their selection is the sweetest around!<br />
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Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts has been providing customers with quality products and exceptional service for over 5 years now.<br />
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Their customer service goal is simple: "We are committed to providing our customers total satisfaction. Every time. Guaranteed." With that kind of guarantee, you have absolutely nothing to lose! <br />
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If you aren't looking for <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span>, Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts offers a wide variety of items for other special occasions as well. Baby, Birthday, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, Wedding or simply Just Because! Often times the gifts we get for no reason at all are the best ones.<br />
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Who wouldn't love a beautifully sweet gift basket?<br />
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I would love some chocolate covered strawberries. Maybe my wonderful husband will read this and takes the hint!<br />
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Right now they are offering FREE SHIPPING on any basket or gift over $50! Plus, use Promo Code: ROBIN to save 10% off your order!<br />
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You can also find <a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">valentines flowers men</a> Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts on Facebook and Twitter!<br />
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Right now is the perfect time to order from Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts. If you decide to make a purchase, please let them know that Being Frugal and Making it Work sent you! Leave that little bit of information in the comment section at checkout.<br />
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**The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Results may vary. I wrote this blog post while participating in the Bea's Gift Baskets and Gifts Blogging Program for a chance to win a gift basket. For more information on how you can participate, visit Bea's Blog.</div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-29018640539870520712012-01-05T22:54:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:05:04.861-08:00valentines flowers men - Love me tender: Valentine's Day show a tribute to rock 'n' roll king<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-flowers-men-love-me-tender.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cmsimg.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20120105&Category=WRT04&ArtNo=201050438&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&Love-me-tender-Valentine-s-Day-show-tribute-rock-n-roll-king" width="160" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span><br />
With the first half of our season complete, the Arts Council is looking forward to the remaining three shows in our 2011-12 season lineup. With Christmas and New Year's behind us, we are now shifting our focus to Valentine's Day!<br />
<br />
The Arts Council will present "Love Me Tender," a tribute to<br />
the music of Elvis Presley, at<br />
7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Performing Arts Center of Wisconsin Rapids.<br />
<br />
This wonderful tribute features two performers who will recreate the role of Elvis. Scot Bruce will bring the music and dancing of the young King to life, and Mike Albert will recreate the musical styling of Elvis' Las Vegas show bands. This performance will give you a taste of diversity of Elvis' musical career. Tickets cost $42, plus sales tax.<br />
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The Arts Council also will present "The All New Original Tribute to The Blues Brothers" on March 9, and Michael Kaeshammer on April 13.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a></span></div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-38011874710572625912012-01-03T03:27:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:07:31.601-08:00valentines flowers men - Hertfordshire surgicentre blighted by operation delays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-flowers-men-hertfordshire.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.whtimes.co.uk/polopoly_fs/jm11_surgicentre_2_2abf2ecf_409f_44cf_a266_df4d1522c14e_1_1165534!image/4293595106.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_225/4293595106.jpg" /></a></div>The £47m Surgicentre, based at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, became fully operational in October, to treat thousands of patients across the area, including many in Welwyn Hatfield.<br />
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But the centre, which boasts six operating theatres, inpatient beds and outpatient services, has been blighted by cancelled operations and delayed appointments.<br />
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The full scale of problems at the centre – which is run by private company Clinicenta in partnership with NHS Hertfordshire – emerged at a meeting of the county council’s health scrutiny committee.<br />
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Cllr Sharon Taylor said: “I’ve had people report to me, people who have had surgery, saying it’s back to the old days.<br />
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“People are turning up for operations, waiting all day, then being sent home.<br />
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“One person, who is a teacher, had taken the time off and got people to cover. He went down, waited all day and was then told he wasn’t having the operation on that date and was told to come back later that week.”<br />
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Although it is based at the Lister, the surgicentre has no affiliation to the East and North Herts NHS Trust, which runs the hospital.<br />
<br />
And, despite the trust having handled a number of complaints, Cllr Taylor said this meant it was powerless to act.<br />
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She added: “They don’t have any say over it, and are just as unhappy as we are.<br />
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“If not through Lister Hospital, how do we get this sorted out? What do people do if they want to complain?”<br />
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Beverly Flowers, director of systems management at NHS Hertfordshire, admitted there had been “teething problems” in the first few months.<br />
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She said: “Transferring services from one provider to another is a pretty complicated process and we know there have been some teething problems during this early stage of the new arrangements.<br />
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“The surgicentre team are working hard to make sure that changes to appointments are kept to the absolute minimum and that when it has been necessary to make changes patients are kept fully informed.”<br />
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The East and North Herts NHS Trust said it was unable to comment.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a></span></div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-41074847183329230002012-01-01T23:34:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:07:26.339-08:00valentines flowers men - In high-tech age, letters still matter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentines-flowers-men-in-high-tech-age.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.suntimes.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=rwV1ilJhog1n5WOx8beWoM$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYu9GRaOQhXQ1twRavFZ4zjHWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg" /></a></div>Instant communication may be all the rage, but old-fashioned letter-writing may have a more beneficial lasting effect on recipients.<br />
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In a study involving nearly 200 married soldiers serving in war zones, most in Iraq, researchers found that letters from home — just a few words from the heart, scribbled onto paper or typed into an e-mail — served as an inoculation against post-traumatic stress disorder.<br />
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“Those positive, permanent forms of communication may have mental health benefits,” said University of Denver researcher Benjamin Loew, who co-authored the study, published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress.<br />
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More “instant” forms of communication, such as telephone calls or video chats, did not have the same positive effect on soldiers’ mental well-being as the receipt of written communication or even care packages, the study found.<br />
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One theory why this is the case, according to the researchers, is that people tend to think through what they write in a letter and are less likely to be argumentative and more free to share affection and other positive feelings.<br />
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Letters also serve as mementos that soldiers can carry with them as a reminder of home.<br />
<br />
“A soldier could repeatedly pull out a letter or an e-mail and feel support,” Loew said. “A phone call can be recalled but can’t be re-experienced. A letter can be read over and over again.”<br />
<br />
The research team found that happily married soldiers who received frequent communication that the team described as delayed -- letters, emails, care packages — had fewer PTSD symptoms than those who’d received more instant communications, such as phone calls, video chats and instant messages.<br />
<br />
But they also detected one scenario in which letters from home proved detrimental.<br />
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Soldiers in unhappy marriages who communicated often by delayed means tended to have more PTSD symptoms, the study found.<br />
<br />
“We don’t know if the communications are more negative, or if it reflects a soldier doing a lot of writing home and not getting anything in return,” Loew said.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a></span></div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-41305294853758731442011-12-29T22:59:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:07:19.359-08:00valentines flowers men - Many pets given as Christmas gifts end up in shelters, animal advocates say<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2011/12/valentines-flowers-men-many-pets-given.html" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://media.mlive.com/grpress/lifestyles_impact/photo/10393807-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>GRAND RAPIDS — A cute puppy or kitten might have made a fun Christmas present, but what about the next day when your cute little gift soils the rug?<br />
Or, the day after that, when you have to be at work and now must make pet-sitting arrangements?<br />
Scenarios like this illustrate why many animals bought at the pet store in December will end up at the local animal shelter or Humane Society by Valentine’s Day.<br />
Both organizations generally see an increase in pet surrenders in the first months of the year, a spike that pet experts say is attributed in part to well-meaning gift-givers who don’t quite think through everything pet ownership entails.<br />
“If you think about what the average family household has going on around the holidays, that’s generally not a good environment to introduce a new pet into,” said Carly Luttmann, program supervisor at the Kent County Animal Shelter.<br />
For that reason, the shelter, as well as the Humane Society of West Michigan, discourage or deny gift adoptions around the holidays, a time when traffic in pet adoptions increases for a variety of reasons not necessarily related to gift-giving.<br />
At the Humane Society, Jennifer Self-Aulgur, humane education coordinator, says the staff gives people looking to adopt for a relative a gift certificate instead.<br />
It’s a common move for pet shelters who want the person taking ownership of the animal to be the one who goes through the adoption process. People are encouraged to wrap up a bone or dog collar, or give a card of some kind and bring the pet home later.<br />
Owning a pet should be a family decision, say both organizations. At the Humane Society, they often see a mom and dad bring the kids with in beaming smiles, because “we’re getting a puppy today.”<br />
“That’s a big difference than the brother who comes in to get a dog for mom,” said Self-Aulgur.<br />
It doesn’t always register with people that their cute new puppy will need food and training, said Luttmann.<br />
“They don’t really think past, ‘That is cute. I want it now,” she said. “Were talking about a 15-year commitment in most cases. It’s a living, breathing animal.<br />
“This takes some thought.”<br />
Still, not every gift adoption is destined for failure, she said. People can be very resilient to change. Nonetheless, a new pet is a “big upheaval.”<br />
At the shelter, the adoption process includes some “getting acquainted” time with the animal, and an application that covers the basics of the household. They try not to adopt to renters who have landlords that don’t allow pets.<br />
Then, there’s a session with a trained counselor who shares staff observations about the animal’s temperament and what they know about the health history. Eventually, if all goes well, the new pet owners pay their fees and leave with the new family member.<br />
The counseling includes discussion about bringing the pet back if it doesn’t work out. The shelter would rather have the pet come back than become abused, neglected or put out on the street.<br />
“The conversation is very educational,” said Luttmann.<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a></span></div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-30208402065516640882011-12-29T01:04:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:08:22.742-08:00valentines flowers men - Gift of the magi: Lost money found again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2011/12/valentines-flowers-men-gift-of-magi.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="341" src="http://cdn3.standard.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/snet_in_story/2011/12/21/story-22dpvalentine-w-112046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over here in Germany, Christmas is serious business. Nearly every village puts on some sort of Christmas festival or market, some of which run for an entire month of holiday bliss. The food alone is enough to keep me coming back for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But my favorite thing about Christmas in Deutschland would have to be the nativities. They are absolutely everywhere. I haven’t seen Santa at a single Christmas market, but the story of Jesus is presented in nearly every format imaginable, including live animation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The other day my girlfriend and I took the children to one of the local village Christmas markets not far from our area. I had a few Christmas gifts to buy and had been looking for something decidedly German to send back to family in the states. Leaving my purse in the car, I pocketed 100 euros ($130) and my cell phone and headed out with the kids in search of Christmas treasure.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as we entered the main square of the festival we saw, much to our wondering awe, the three wise men and their camels in full New Testament regalia. They were awesome.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The kids and I visited for a moment, got a picture, and made a note of the live play taking place later in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We moved on and found scattered among the shops a live stable filled with animals — donkey, goats, fowl, sheep — for the children to touch and smell (the smell was very authentic). It was a great teaching moment and I snapped another picture before we headed on our way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After wandering through the crowds and stalls I finally found some ornaments to purchase. Reaching into my pocket for my wad of cash I fingered my phone and dug around for the bills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing. My pocket was empty.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I checked my other pocket in vain knowing that my money had been next to my phone — the same phone I had snapped pictures with 15 minutes earlier.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With a heavy heart my friend and I retraced our steps. I didn’t have much hope. We carefully checked the busy walkways for my missing money but we all know that bills rarely end up as litter. The cash was nowhere to be seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All I could think about was my quickly depleting Christmas budget. Why had I taken so much money with me, and why hadn’t I put it someplace safe, like my underwear?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We continued to retrace our steps and I continued to mumble a sad little prayer under my breath. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if the money never surfaced, and if it went to someone who needed it more than us that was fine, too. But please, if there could be a way …<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally we landed ourselves once again in front of the magi. I approached the wise men and told them my plight. They shook their heads, no money had been found. I turned to leave, the day completely ruined, when the oldest (and wisest) of the three stopped me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wait,” he said, “I have an idea. Let us check the city hall, perhaps someone has turned it in.” I left the children with my friend as the gentleman took my arm and we headed across the town square, through the alley and around the church, finally entering the Rathaus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We walked down a narrow hall and he knocked on the last door. Upon entering, the fellow told the lady behind the desk my story, asking if anyone had turned in the money.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I stood there staring out the window. Their conversation was in German and my faith wasn’t much better than a soggy yule log.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally the man turned to me with a big grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They have it,” he said. “Someone found it on the street and turned it in. See? People are good!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He might not have been one of the real wise men, but he was good and wise and willing to help a poor, stupid American far from home feeling lost and forlorn. How funny that even after all this time the magi continue to show us that answers don’t usually come unless we’re willing to go the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a></span></div></div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-40527322735558707712011-12-27T23:17:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:08:15.182-08:00valentines flowers men - 2011: The people we met<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2011/12/valentines-flowers-for-men-2011-people.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="294" src="http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/winonadailynews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/a0/aa0598c6-5332-5f46-a75a-7480c43987e5/4efa23f7db07b.image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Harry Trowbridge: A life in nine holes<br />
Harry Trowbridge, 93, first golfed in his late 30s. He was just looking for something to do. Now he plays almost every day. And he never uses a motorized cart.<br />
“I enjoy being out here in God’s creation,” he says. “I love being outdoors.”<br />
With his first swing during an August outing at a nine-hole course in Arcadia, his lean, tan arms send the ball nearly 100 yards down the middle of the fairway.<br />
“I didn’t hit a very good one,” he says.<br />
On the sixth green, Harry misses a short putt, then puts the ball in the hole and looks up.<br />
“I very seldom have what I’d call a bad day,” he says.<br />
After multiple putts on the ninth green, he finishes with a few more strokes than usual. Harry doesn’t stop. He doesn’t even slow down. He picks up his ball and heads for the first tee.<br />
Jacob Finke, Michael Hoepner and Alex Butenhoff: Hope Lutheran’s three-man pep band<br />
What do you do when most pep bands have more members than your school has students?<br />
Suffer in silence?<br />
Not at Hope Lutheran High School, where Jacob Finke is on lead guitar, Michael Hoepner on bass and Alex Butenhoff on drums — a power trio as a pep band.<br />
“We’re the only one we know of,” Alex said.<br />
The school tried to put together a more traditional pep band last year, “with trumpets and stuff,” Jacob said. “But it didn’t get off the ground.”<br />
The repertoire isn’t John Philip Sousa — there’s no arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” for electric bass — but the boys get the crowd going with covers of classic rock ‘n’ roll tunes.<br />
“I definitely enjoy Jimi Hendrix covers,” Alex said.<br />
Jim and Ollie Anderson: 64 years of lovely Valentine’s Day dates<br />
For Jim, 89, and Ollie Anderson, 86, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about flowers and chocolate — it’s their wedding anniversary.<br />
Jim was on his way home from Germany in 1945 to the tiny map dot of Newfolden, Minn., when he stopped in St. Paul to visit friends at Macalester College. It was in the school’s library that a pretty girl named Ollie caught the 24-year-old World War II veteran’s eye.<br />
He was smitten.<br />
Once Ollie graduated, Jim decided to move north and finish his degree at Moorhead. They wanted their wedding to take place before he started spring-term classes. Valentine’s Day 1947 seemed like the best choice.<br />
After 64 years of marriage, they still look forward to planning activities they can do together.<br />
“You’ve always got a date,” Ollie said. “Someone you can share your life with.”<br />
J.D. Allen and the Music of Mercy choir: Singing for joy<br />
For J.D. Allen, leading the Music of Mercy choir — composed of special-needs men and women ages 21 to 50 — represents a long journey back to one of the major loves of his life: music.<br />
J.D., a working songwriter in California since the 1960s, was on the verge of signing a record deal in 1995.<br />
Then Lyme disease robbed him of most of his muscle tone and ended his career. Four years later, he lost his wife and his parents. He moved to Illinois, where he joined a disability ministry. It changed his life.<br />
For choir members, singing is not just about hitting every note, J.D. said. Rather, it’s about the love of singing together.<br />
“It’s not about perfection,” he said. “It’s an example of how they can be creative and involved.<br />
“Their joy is just infectious.”<br />
Larry Cortez: Grave deeds<br />
Larry Cortez has been restoring bits and pieces of the Crow Creek Reservation cemetery in South Dakota for much of his life, having visited the cemetery nearly every Easter since he was in diapers.<br />
In 2007, Cortez joined a group that spent time setting, gluing and cleaning the cemetery’s monuments, work that sometimes included moving 400-pound bricks.<br />
That fall, when Cortez enrolled in Southeast Technical College’s welding program, he discovered an opportunity to do more: welding new crosses for the cemetery. Crosses that wouldn’t rot, wouldn’t decay and wouldn’t burn in the grass fires routinely used to clear the cemetery grounds.<br />
“I’m not trying to get something out of it,” he said. “It just gives you a good feeling to help your community.”<br />
Ricky Becher: Duct tape kid<br />
Duct-tape folders, duct-tape wallets and duct-tape purses — Ricky Becher makes them all. Sometimes for class, sometimes for friends. Duct-tape masks, flags, pennants for sports teams. A blue-green globe, a chicken, a pair of shoes. A duct-tape boat.<br />
He started tinkering with duct tape four years ago, fashioning wallets like his friends were. Then, on a request from a teacher, Becher made a folder — and the project kicked his creativity into gear.<br />
“He’d go to the store and buy 10 to 15 rolls at a time,” said his mother, Kathy Becher. “He could do a six-hour Saturday doing duct tape.”<br />
Becher can’t quite explain his propensity to create, to take a common adhesive and turn it into art. But like the shoes, the boat, the purses and all the pieces in his repertoire, once the idea takes hold, he brings it to life.<br />
Ashley Kruse and Dain McDonald: A black, orange and white wedding<br />
When Ashley Kruse, 23, and Dain McDonald, 24, met six years ago on a social-networking site, Dain immediately sparked Ashley’s interest with a picture of the hearse he bought at 16. “I’ve always loved hearses,” Ashley said.<br />
Ten months later, they were living together. One summer, Dain gave Ashley a Christmas present: a hearse, wrapped in multiple tarps and with a bow on top.<br />
The two married Oct. 15 at Watkins Manor in a ceremony and celebration that featured costumes and black-and-orange decor. The Halloween lovers and hearse owners knew they didn’t want a typical wedding.<br />
“It boiled down to being original without going overboard,” Dain said.<br />
Donna Portner: Tracing the family tree back to Adam<br />
On a 24-foot scroll containing names, locations and birthdates of her ancestors, Donna Portner’s name takes up only inches.<br />
The scroll details the complicated lineage of the Galesville resident’s ancestors, from Underground Railroad activists and American pioneers to royalty. As she looks over names like Henry Hudson, Charlemagne the Great and Adam — yes, that Adam — she’s filled with pride.<br />
“I’m a sum total of all my ancestors,” she said. “There are seeds of greatness in me that I didn’t know I had.”<br />
Portner began researching her family tree nearly 50 years ago as a way of discovering herself and finding a link to the past. The tree eventually narrowed into one long, thin branch that reached into biblical records — and ended with Adam in the Garden of Eden.<br />
Portner knows the root of her record sounds farfetched. But she doesn’t let the doubts faze her.<br />
“All I can do is write down what I’ve discovered and researched,” she said. “If people choose to question it, they can.”<br />
Junior Ferguson: Stories from Winona’s music industry insider<br />
Junior Ferguson is part legend, part legendary.<br />
He brought George Jones, Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner and Eddie Cochran to Winona 50 years ago.<br />
His radio programs were broadcast live from the old Winona Opera Hall, long since destroyed by fire.<br />
But the past collides with the present every Wednesday night at Wellington’s Pub in Winona. That’s when the 86-year-old Ferguson takes the microphone.<br />
With brown hair slicked back, his voice landing somewhere between a tremolo and a rasp and a wallet full of black-and-white pictures, he resurrects a musical career that began when country music and rock ‘n’ roll were both at a zenith.<br />
Sylvia Palbicki: Dishing out samples at Midtown Foods<br />
Three days each week Sylvia Palbicki does what she has been doing since Midtown Foods opened in 1983: she hands out samples and sells like a pro.<br />
Palbicki talks with everyone who passes by, particularly with those who stop to try a sample.<br />
“People tell me I am a good salesman and that I should be selling cars. I tell them, no, I should be selling food. It’s my middle name: Sylvia Food.<br />
“I’m 89. Big deal! I’m still kicking, too, but not so hard.<br />
“If (customers) come in every day, I know what they need, or I tell them what they need.”<br />
“I know how to get them all the bargains.”<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a></span></div>valentines flowers for menhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03510663846361772445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-440838851102708911.post-33409204022593549082011-12-24T02:46:00.000-08:002012-02-01T00:08:06.678-08:00Valentines Flowers Men - Flowers Shines In Win<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentines-flowers-men-choose-flowers.html">valentines flowers men</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">IRVINE — The fleeting scent of a UC Irvine men's basketball victory Thursday night was rendered even more fragrant with the advent of Derrick Flowers in bloom.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/2011/12/valentines-flowers-men-flowers-shines.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/fall_on_the_prairie_poster-r6cdf7862617c40f9a876d48f8fa0a025_w2u_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://valentinesflowersmen.blogspot.com/">valentines flowers men</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Anteaters' junior point guard had a career-high nine assists and, combined with a solid performance at UCLA on Tuesday, appears to be making the most of an opening in the starting lineup created by freshman Aaron Wright's right-knee injury four games ago.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Flowers was one of a few bright spots for the Anteaters (3-9), who thumped visiting Hope International, 76-54, to halt a three-game losing streak. It was UCI's second win over an NAIA school this season, as it edged Vanguard, 75-73, at home on Dec. 10.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Freshman Mike Best had a career-high 17 points and was one of six 'Eaters with at least one three-pointer.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Starters Daman Starring and Chris McNealy had 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Adam Folker added eight points and seven rebounds for the winners.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But along with Best, who drained eight of 10 field-goal attempts in 18 minutes, Flowers was the story.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"He's been waiting for an opportunity," Turner said of the 6-foot flash whose quickness with the ball has always been his calling card, even when he struggled with decisions on what to do with it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"My sophomore year, [Turner] would throw me in there and hope I did something good. And if I did, he'd try to get me out of there before I did something wrong," said Flowers, whose most memorable assist came on a high alley-oop pass to Will Davis. Davis, a 6-8 freshman, soared over a defender to snare the pass, then dunked while being fouled, before sharing a leaping chest bump with Flowers.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"I feel like they are excited to play with me and I'm excited to play with them," Flowers said of his teammates, who like Flowers and Turner, are gaining confidence in their emerging floor leader.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"I felt like UCLA [nine points on four-of-five shooting from the field with three assists and one turnover] was my best game, until tonight, when I was the floor general," Flowers said. "I told everyone where to go and I got some guys some good shots. And I hit a few shots myself."<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Flowers was just two of eight from the field, and one of six from three-point range. But he had only three turnovers in 29 minutes.</div><br />
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