Here’s a Tip for You

LEAVE A GREAT TIP

Tonight, my husband and I went to Ruth’s Chris and had an amazing dinner, as usual…

Joe, our waiter, suggested a killer Cab, made some modifications to the prix-fixe dessert of peanut-butter-something-or-other (yuck!) and even listened to my boring wine-speak (AHA!…finally some ‘good karma’ from yesterday’s AC incident).  Needless to say, Joe got an exceptionally good tip…

When calculating the tip, we begin by figuring out the percentage that correlates with the level of service.  And, servers start with 20% in mind…I know as I waited tables for WAY TOO LONG.  Anything above 20% IS a compliment.  So, I ask you to think about what an extra $10-20 really costs you when rewarding someone for delivering an amazing experience.  Since they measure the percentages closely to gauge your level of satisfaction with their performance, even a 5-spot would be rewarding.  Tip Away!

LEAVE A GREAT TIP Tonight, my husband and I went to Ruth's Chris and had an amazing dinner, as usual... Joe, our waiter,...

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A Braveheart Christmas Story

GIVE A THOUGHTFUL GIFT

We moved into our new neighborhood 18 months ago and my son, Brooks, met his first neighborhood friend, Jason Wallace.  My husband, whom I affectionately call “Hector the Collector” enjoys collecting many things in the music, sports and movie genres.  When I met him, he was collecting small ceramic David Winter houses, so his collections have improved greatly…and his nickname has evolved from “Grandma” to “Hector.”  My “Hector” has a replica sword collection from many popular movies.

The first time Jason came to the house, Brooks decided to take him on a tour of the memorabilia.  When they got to the sword collection, the conversation went something like this:

Brooks: “So this is our sword collection.  This one is from The Last Samurai.  This one is from Braveheart.”

Jason: “Braveheart?  Is that William Wallace’s sword?  <Brooks nods> If it is, that is my great great great great grandfather’s sword!  That should really belong to me!  Do you know what that is worth?  Probably like a million dollars!”

Brooks:   “Well, it isn’t worth that much, but maybe something like a few hundred thousand.”

At this point, I knew it was my time to intervene and explain that these were very affordable replica swords.  Nevertheless, Jason fell in love with the sword.

This Christmas, we thought it would be fun to get Jason his own Braveheart sword.  He came over on Christmas Eve and opened up his gift.  His jaw dropped and he kept asking, “this isn’t what I think it is?”  It was a Christmas Story moment, but instead of “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” it was “You’ll Chop Your Foot Off!”  He began swinging the sword around and insisted on walking the two blocks home, flailing all the way.  I bet if you listened closely, you might have heard the Scottish ghosts screaming “FREEDOM!”  He forgot his sheath and came back later to get it.  Exhausted from carrying the heavy sword around the neighborhood, he fell asleep hugging it on the couch.  Our friends who were over at the house still tell the story about Jason’s sword and the spirit of Christmas.  His joy was a reminder of the magic of the season!

Mr. Wallace is smiling on the inside as he shows his mom the replica of his family's sword.

Mr. Wallace is smiling on the inside as he shows his mom the replica of his family’s sword.

The next night at dinner, my husband told us that he was saddened to hear that Jason had been at the hospital all day because he fell asleep with the sword and accidentally cut off his toe.  My mom gasped with concern!  I guess she still isn’t quick to recognize Scott’s sense of humor after all of these years.

What is the most thoughtful gift you ever received?

GIVE A THOUGHTFUL GIFT We moved into our new neighborhood 18 months ago and my son, Brooks, met his first neighborhood f...

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Angels in Honor of the Sandy Hook Children & Teachers

I can’t just sit here and look at the pictures of the 20 children who were killed in Newtown, CT.  I have to do something to honor their lives.  Today, I was sharing the same sentiments with my friend, Kimberly Davis.  Kimberly told me that 26 Christmas trees were anonymously donated from North Carolina in honor of each of the lives lost.  Those trees have been placed along the road to Sandy Hook Elementary.

MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS/LANDOV

MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS/LANDOV

Kimberly had an idea to donate 26 angel ornaments to adorn each tree.  I suggested we go BIG and send one to each of the families as well, so that they will have a matching ornament to place on their tree each year.  Time is of the essence!

Kimberly and I are making a personal request for 50 people to join us in purchasing an Angel Ornament to be sent to Sandy Hook Elementary to decorate the trees and provide to the families. Nobody will profit from this effort; it is simply an act of Jenerosity. We are both purchasing Arbonne Angel ornaments on behalf of our families and Kimberly is covering ALL shipping costs for the ornaments. The cost per Angel ornament is $38.

The Arbonne Angel sparkles with hope and shines a light on the future. With kindness and Jenerosity, the Angels strive to make the world a better place.

The glass Arbonne Angel sparkles with hope and shines a light on the future. With kindness and Jenerosity, the Angels strive to make the world a better place.

We hope to have all 52 ornaments purchased by Wednesday afternoon so that they will make it to Sandy Hook by Christmas.  We will be accepting credit cards to expedite payment, so please message me if you would like to provide an Angel in honor of these victims.

Nothing can be done to reunite these devastated parents with their beautiful children.  Our hope is that random acts of kindness can remind them that they are not alone and that their children will not be forgotten.  Maybe some comfort can come from simple acts of Jenerosity.  I am sure that those beautiful souls are with their Angels in heaven right now.  Please help us spread those wings here on Earth.

I can't just sit here and look at the pictures of the 20 children who were killed in Newtown, CT.  I have to do somethin...

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Teach Your Children Well…

It is never too early to start logging your community service hours and if you are 10 years old with a goal of getting into University of Florida, you might want to think about starting NOW!  My son wants to be a Gator and knows he has to earn his way to crocodilian status.  We are working now on improving his curriculum vitae.

Brooks recently celebrated his 10th birthday, which was a significant milestone.  Not only is ten “double digits,” but it is also the minimum age required to volunteer at Feeding America Tampa Bay.  I love food; my son loves food.  I work for Feeding America; now, my son volunteers there.

Brooks moves boxes in his University of Florida "swamp" shirt.

Brooks moves boxes in his University of Florida “swamp” shirt.

A few weeks ago, Brooks worked at a Mobile Pantry location where we delivered over 300 boxes of food to hungry families in less than two hours.  He was in charge of separating and moving boxes.  In full-blown, sweaty work-mode, Brooks managed to show his leadership and delegation skills like I had never seen before.  I was incredibly proud!

Brooks raised $96 in two hours at Winn Dixie in Madeira Beach.  That provides 672 meals!

Brooks raised $96 in two hours at Winn Dixie in Madeira Beach. That provides 672 meals!

Yesterday, he joined me at a local Winn-Dixie Supermarket to collect donations and sell Empty Bowls made by local students.  These beautiful handmade bowls are each a precious work of art and represent the 700,000 bowls that go empty each day within our community. Each one is so unique.  It was fun to see people struggling over which bowl to select.  There are many uses for these bowls: decoration, jewelry holder, salt and pepper containers, soap dish, and ASHTRAYS.  Wouldn’t those children just love to know that they poured their hearts into making ashtrays!?!  The dentist in my family will get this fabulous bowl in her Christmas bag this year…

Who can resist a monster bowl with teeth like that???

Who can resist a monster bowl with teeth like that???

My son got an introduction to the public this weekend.  He was surprised by the Jenerosity displayed by so many people who had so little.  These sweet bowls made by sweet children made people smile.  Just one day after the horrific shooting at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School, we found ourselves remembering the innocence of those schoolchildren.  So many people wanted a little token of love from a child to take home with them - a symbol of purity, Jenerosity and good nature.  We long for a life filled with more monster bowls and fewer senseless tragedies…where children can realize their dreams by working hard and improving the world around them…where they can plan what they want to be when they grow up and attend the college of their choice, even if their endeavors are reptilian in nature!

It is never too early to start logging your community service hours and if you are 10 years old with a goal of getting i...

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Eat Your Cereal!

My son doesn’t eat cereal, but if he did I bet he would not appreciate it to the same extent as those of us who grew up prior to the Video Game Age.  Back in the day  (yes…one of my favorite phrases), parents showed their Jenerosity by buying the cereal that contained the best prize or contest to enter.  Opening up the cereal and digging to the bottom to get the goods before your siblings woke up was the highlight of every new box.

Nowadays, kids don’t care about cereal like we did.  It is just that…cereal.  It is not a toy or a component of pop culture.  It is not something you talk about at school.  It is not worth switching brands to something less desireable just to experience the joy of discovery.  Those were the days of eating two bowls just so you could open the new box sooner. Those were the days of studying the milk carton to see if you knew the person on the back. Those were the days of fewer choices and less pressure to buy Organic, fat-free or low-carb.  We didn’t have fancy video games or expensive forms of entertainment.  We had rollerskates, bikes, chalk, Cracker Jacks and cereal boxes.  Life was simpler and cereal was appreciated…a symbol of Jenerosity from parent to child.

While I appreciate so many of today’s conveniences, I find myself often longing for the days when Jenerosity was less complex and when people were more appreciative of the simpler things…the days when something as simple as buying the cool box of cereal pleased your kids.  Mine wants bacon and eggs everyday.  Does that tell you something?

My son doesn't eat cereal, but if he did I bet he would not appreciate it to the same extent as those of us who grew up...

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