A Flyover Blog

Miss The Pre-School Program?

 
One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the programs, especially those featuring kids. They're just so cute all dolled up in their Christmas finery. If, like me, you haven't had time to attend a local program yet this year, never fear - YouTube is here! I found this video called Marie's Preschool Christmas Program, featuring adorable pre-schoolers performing in a way-too-long-for-their-short-attention-span-production from last December. It has everything you want to see in a great Christmas program - boredom, forgotten lyrics, yawns, festive costumes, musical instruments. Priceless. Enjoy.

One Hundred Christmas Trees

 

  I thought it would be fun to spotlight some interesting Christmas blogs and websites I've discovered in these final frantic days before Christmas. I'm kicking off this festive feature with a stop at One Hundred Christmas Trees, a blog devoted to - you guessed it - Christmas trees! You'll find lots of decorating inspiration here, something for nostalgia buffs too, and a few photographs that will simply make you smile.

Creative Intellegence

  Taking a break from all things Christmas today to talk about creativity. Found this interesting post by Robyn McMaster at Lateral Action; it's on the 8 types of creative intellegence. Fascinating and a must read for anyone feeling burned out and mentally drained, especially if your work requires you to be creative at all. I've followed Robyn and Dr. Ellen Weber on the blog, Brain Based Biz for a couple of years; they always have helpful tips to boost your brain power. So go ahead, read the post, recharge and then get back out there and conquer the world!

Recharge!

  
Everyone I know seems to be struggling with low energy. Don't know if its the time change, the long rainy summer, financial stress, the impending holidays, the H1N1 scare or a combination of all of these - but folks seem to be slogging through their days with sacks of wet cement tied to their feet. I don't think it's a local thing, either. The internet is full of advice on how to overcome the Blah Beast. Most of those articles are so cumbersome I quit reading half way through. But iVillage posted this little piece that seems uncluttered and actually helpful -  5 Steps to Boost Your Energy. Let me know if it makes a difference in your week!

Meet Artist Rachel Wilson

I saw a story in the local paper today about an unconventional artist. Naturally, I had to post the link. Rachel Wilson makes horses - lifesize horses - from hedge, and they're gorgeous. Rachel lives on a farm, raises kids and wanted to produce artwork from materials that were safe for her kids to be around (paint was not) and that would allow her to work outside. I think she's found her niche! Springfield News-Leader reporter Linda Leicht wrote this story which I'm sure you'll enjoy. Photo by Bob Linder.

Got A Dog?

 

This post is for dog owners. Okay, cat owners, too. And horse owners. Our little guy, Buddy the five pound Yorkie, came inside again day before yesterday with some bit of leafy green thing hanging out of his mouth. Buddy is an adventurer, and he loves fruit, veggies and plants. Now, we have a smallish fenced yard - but is does have several varities of shrubs and a number of trees. I am forever pulling little bits of greenery from Buddy's mouth, wondering if it is harmful to his little system. You know, not all animals react to the same thing, and just because a plant isn't toxic doesn't mean it can't have side effects if ingested.

Well, the ASPCA published this list of plants - some toxic, some not - but they have all been reported to have effects on animals, mostly GI disturbances. It's a great resourse, so bookmark it! Big thanks to George for reporting this great resourse on The FOG Blog.

Epiphany Courtesy of Chris Guillebeau

  

I read a post by Chris Guillebeau yesterday that was so full of spot-on common sense I thought you might benefit from reading it, too. Chris is a young globe-trotting entrepreneur whom I admire because he doesn't get caught up in having to have all the latest trappings before he does something - he just goes out and does it.

So, if you've had a big project on your agenda - doesn't matter what it is - and you've bought into the "someday when I get (fill in the blank), then I'll do this" mentality, then quick - click here and let Chris sweep the cobwebs and the excuses off your dream.

Have You Seen This?

 

I found this on Seth Godin's blog yesterday; yes, I read him every day. It was so good I thought I'd pass it on. It's called You Matter. Good stuff. 

Someone You Know...

... might be helped by this. I have a couple of friends who have fibromyalgia and they are often confused and frustrated by the information they get from the medical community. The condition is still too often thought of as "a woman thing" and "mostly in your head" which isn't helpful. A couple of years ago, I discovered a site called Woman to Woman by Dr. Marcelle Pick, an OB/GYN who has a clinic way up in Yarmouth, Maine. I like her whole mind/body/spirit approach to women's health and I often find her newsletters quite helpful. This week, she talks about treating fibromyalgia naturally. It was a good article, and I thought you - or someone you know - might be helped by it. Yes, Dr. Pick does have an online store, but I'm not suggesting you buy anything - just read the article. There's a lot of wisdom here. 

Grow: Part Four

 

This is probably my last link share post this week, unless I find something else I want to share. Today's link is aimed at anyone who wants to launch a business - a business which depends largely on an online presence. Mixergy is a site dedicated to bringing entrepeneurs great interviews and videos from some of the best web biz minds working today. I know you'll find something to inspire you here!