7 Tips To Start 2014 On A Fabulously Positive Note

These are great tips to build positivity into your life every day - not just for the New Year!

And I'll add another - keep a Gratitude Journal, like the five year "Gratitude Expressions Journal" available on Amazon.  On January 1, 2014, I'll be starting the fifth year of my first journal.  

7 Tips To Start 2014 On A Fabulously Positive Note

100 Life Hacks That Make Life Easier

Looks like I'm going to be glad I subscribed to Life Hacks website.  Really good tips - practical advice for really making life easier using items easily available at home.  

100 Life Hacks That Make Life Easier

25 Killer Websites that Make You Cleverer

I saw this on FB, thanks to Marc Paulhus and checked it out.  It definitely has a list of websites you are going to want to know about - especially if you are a life long learner and want to be able to take advantage of free and low cost websites to make you smarter.

You can learn a new language, get a college level education, learn to cook like an engineer, exercise like a nerd, improve your memory, the opportunities are limitless.  

25 Killer Websites that Make You Cleverer

When Will Your State Get Marriage Equality?

Here is information that may be relevant to you if you live in Florida and are wondering if we will ever have valid same sex marriage? 

When Will Your State Get Marriage Equality?

The Big Lie About Shopping on Thanksgiving and Black Friday | TIME.com

So here's the truth about shopping over this upcoming holiday season.  Me, I've never shopped on Black Friday - can't stand the crowds.  So, pretty safe I won't be shopping on Thanksgiving Day either.  Have a terrific holiday season! 

The Big Lie About Shopping on Thanksgiving and Black Friday | TIME.com

UGGs and Their ‘UGGly’ Reputation - Yahoo Small Business Advisor

I only became aware of this information today.  It has certainly changed my opinion about UGG and their practices.  Become the voice for change - vote with your dollars.  Demand that companies use humane practices.  

UGGs and Their ‘UGGly’ Reputation - Yahoo Small Business Advisor

The Real Reason New College Grads Can’t Get Hired | TIME.com

I believe there is a lot of truth to this article.  We haven't prepared our children for the "real world" of work - we haven't raised them to be team players, to be polite, to speak to adults when spoken to, to be prompt, properly dressed, etc. 

At a company event yesterday, the spouse of one of my team members addressed me as follows: "Yo." 

We've done a great job! 

The Real Reason New College Grads Can’t Get Hired | TIME.com

John W. Pilley: Your Dog Is a Toddler | TIME.com

This article says almost any dog can be taught enough words to be the equivalent of a toddler.  Last night we finally taught Wolfie to speak - not words, but to bark on command.  How smart is your dog?  

John W. Pilley: Your Dog Is a Toddler | TIME.com

5 Reasons to Buy the iPad Air, 5 for the Retina iPad Mini and 5 to Buy Neither | TIME.com

As I still own the first generation iPad I really did want to know if I should rush out and buy the new iPad Air or go for the mini?  I'm still undecided. 

I do, however, love the commercial for the Surface, but not sure I'm ready to "unpair" my iPad and my iPhone.  Thoughts? 

5 Reasons to Buy the iPad Air, 5 for the Retina iPad Mini and 5 to Buy Neither | TIME.com

Top Ten Things NOT to Say to an Adoptive Parent | Portrait of an Adoption

These are really good common sense tips and the fact that they have to be posted goes to show how insensitive people can be.  

Top Ten Things NOT to Say to an Adoptive Parent | Portrait of an Adoption

Florida's New Laws 2013

This is the best summary I could find of the new laws for Florida in 2013.  Many of these laws went into effect on October 1, 2013.  

Microsoft Word - Legislative Update 2013 Final 6-14-13c.docx - 2013_Legislative_Update.pdf

Have it the Healthier Way: Burger King Reveals Low-Fat Satisfries | TIME.com

I love fries and hate the fat!  This new fry may start a french fry revolution with all of the fast food restaurants getting on board.  Hey, maybe pretty soon they'll offer baked fries? No fat at all!

Have it the Healthier Way: Burger King Reveals Low-Fat Satisfries | TIME.com

George Zimmerman Wants Florida to Pay Bills in Trayvon Martin Case | TIME.com

What do you think?  Should the State of Florida pick up a $300,000 tab for George Zimmerman?  After all, he was acquitted which means he didn't do the crime he was prosecuted for.  What if that happened to you?  Thoughts, please. 

George Zimmerman Wants Florida to Pay Bills in Trayvon Martin Case | TIME.com

Get Ready For a COLD Winter | TIME.com

Get out the winter duds, it looks like it might be a cold one.  We'll see what happens in Sunny Florida!

Get Ready For a COLD Winter | TIME.com

Number of the Week: 140% Increase in Food Stamp Use Since 1990 - Real Time Economics - WSJ

Number of the Week: 140% Increase in Food Stamp Use Since 1990 - Real Time Economics - WSJ

$7.9 Billion in Improper Social Security Payments in FY 2012 | CNS News

This is just one example of how tax dollars are wasted - fraud in our Social Security, SSI and Medicaid programs. 

Many people do not realize they cannot lie to qualify, cannot hide assets and must report any change in circumstance. 

In addition, these agencies are not always the easiest to deal with and they do make mistakes!

$7.9 Billion in Improper Social Security Payments in FY 2012 | CNS News

For more information, visit HoytBryan.com and attend one of our upcoming workshops. 

'Carnival Triumph' Passengers: Why They Couldn't Be Evacuated | TIME.com

I'm pretty sure if the CEO of Carnival had been on board, they would have found a way to get the people off the ship!  Sounds like it is more dangerous than I originally thought to move people from one ship to another.  I can only imagine what the people on board went through.

I know one thing for sure, I will NEVER take a Carnival cruise.  In fact, makes me a little concerned about any future cruise I might take on any line.  

'Carnival Triumph' Passengers: Why They Couldn't Be Evacuated | TIME.com

Peggy Hoyt 

Who really cares...?

Who really cares…?

 Last night I was at the obligatory, annual neighborhood Bunco party.   I won’t bore you with what should be the obvious reasons I dread this event.  However, I must admit I always leave gratified that I attended after spending time with some of the accomplished and fascinating people that live around me.  I had one particular conversation that compelled me to get up early on a Sunday morning to share it with the world!  The wine and the lateness of the hour prevented this from happening earlier…

One of my neighbors began telling me about a ministry he recently toured that helped children who lost their parents.  He was touched by the commitment of the staff to the kids.  That led to us talking about HOPE Helps, a foundation in Oviedo started by Krissy Todd that transformed a thrift store into a ministry that addresses the needs of families facing financial stress.  Again a story of people making the most out of limited resources to help others.

I have had personal experience with a foundation who gave large five (5) figure checks to public educational organizations at the same time giving small four (4) figure checks to small private local charities.  The gratitude from the private charities was overwhelming while in some cases we even had problems getting the checks to the public groups and in one case they actually lost our check!

Remember several years ago when we became aware of the salaries of the United Way and the American Red Cross executives.  Check out the salary of the CEO of UNICEF!  The vast majority of the local private charities spend only a fraction of their budgets on administration.  Not to mention how responsive these groups are to the actual needs of the people they serve.  The stories will warm your heart and bring tears to your eyes.

Why don’t we hear about the dreams of terminally ill children that have been fulfilled by Give Kids the World?  What about the families that have been fed and the unemployed people who have found jobs through the effects of the good people at Christian HELP?  The list goes on and on of the amazing work by our neighbors who saw a need and are making a difference.  They do it not for the glory or the big bucks; they do it because they are called and because they care!  We know they will a rewarded far greater than any of us could ever imagine, but is it not time for us to pull alongside them and give them a hand.  Seek out a local charity that is addressing a need that touches your heart, and then give what you can whether that is your time or your resources.  Your efforts will be so greatly appreciated and you will be the richer for it.

Mike Bass

School Bus Drivers are Putting Our Kids at Risk

This has been a major peeve of mine since moving to Seminole County, Florida.  The posted speed limit on our road is 35 mph.  Almost every day I catch the school bus drivers doing at least 50 mph.  They have no respect for the posted speed limit and no regard for the people and animals that live on our road.

We live in a rural area but it is still residential.  Every day the road is frequented by walkers, bikers, horseback riders.  The school buses are a hazard to people and pets.  A few years ago, one of our old dogs was hit early in the morning - I suspect it was the school bus.  Of course, no one stopped or reported the accident.  Just left me to find the dog dead on the road.

Our country is focused on the danger our children face when a gunman enters a school property.  Yet, there's no mention of the danger our children face every single day when they ride the school bus.  There are no seat belts, the driver's don't obey the rules of the road, and the kids are subject to bullying.

Seminole County schools, please monitor your drivers and protect our children.

Peggy Hoyt 

Social Media Etiquette

I love social media.  I love that we can connect with lots of people from lots of different times in our life without ever having to leave the comfort and security of our home. 

What makes me crazy are people that "pretend" to be on social media.  These are the people that create a Facebook account but won't complete their personal information or, here's the one that really gets me - put up a picture of themselves. 

On LinkedIn, my pet peeve are people that want to build networks of contacts but when you try and connect with them, you have to have their email address in order to get connected.  If I had your email address then I probably don't need to be in your LinkedIn network - you're already a part of my personal network. 

Whew!  Just had to get that off my chest!

Have a great day and remember, thank everybody for everything!

Peggy Hoyt

Where is Conscience?

Okay, since I set up this blog, I get to be first.  Here's what's bothering me most at the moment - and it's not who won the Superbowl last night. 

What's bothering me most is in the last week or so there have been a number of reported accidents - one where a young woman was hit by a car and killed while walking on the highway and another where a young woman was killed riding her bike. 

In the first instance, three people ran this woman over.  Only one had the conscience and the courtesy to stop and report the accident.  Two other drivers simply ran her over and kept driving!  At what point did we accept that we no longer have to be responsible for our actions?  Congratulations to the man who did stop, report the incident and face the outcome of his actions.  Likely it truly was an accident and he'll never be charged.  The others who left the scene are now guilty of a crime. 

In the second instance, the woman was hit by a single driver who did not stop.  Simply left her for dead.  Fortunately law enforcement was able to apprehend this person and he will pay for the consequences of his actions.

I'm just stunned that week after week, day after day, there are reported incidents of hit and run accidents where no one sticks around long enough to be responsible for their actions.  I also heard about another incident where someone driving a Ford Pickup ran off the road and demolished three cars siting in someone's driveway.  Did he stop, knock on the door and report the damage!  Not no, but hell no.  He simply drove away.

Are people leaving the scene of an accident because they fear they will be held responsible for the damage?  Is it because they don't have insurance?  Is it because they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol?  Is it because they already have a criminal record and now will face even more charges?  Whatever it is, we have to bring conscience and courtesy and respect and responsibility back to our society.  How we do this - beats me, but I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Peggy

Woman Hit and Killed on 92 
Driver Arrested in Local Hit and Run