A Beary Special Miracle
(This story first appeared in Workplace Miracles ? a book filled with a collection of stories from around the globe) I have a secret that I'm going to share with you. I am a fifty year-old woman and I love teddy bears. Big ones, small ones, fat ones, skinny ones, long hair, short hair, mohair, bears with hats, bears with jackets, or just plain furry ones, I love them all. Many years ago when I was a young woman going through a rough time in my life, I spotted a teddy bear while out shopping. I had to have it.
On an impulse I bought the bear (which I really could not afford) and took it home with me.
Every time I looked at my teddy bear, he made me smile and feel better. It was during this time that I tucked a dream in the back of my heart. My dream was to someday open my own shop filled with nothing but teddy bears. After several years in the workplace and raising two sons on my own, I finally met my knight in shining armor.
We were both ready to simplify our lives and since we both loved the country, some extensive searching enlightened us to a small town nestled in the mountains of Southern Oregon. Even though the time was not quite right, I knew that somehow I was moving closer to my dream. Indeed, this was the perfect place for a teddy bear shop. Years later, after my husband retired, we were left with a small office building on the main street of our little town. The little dream tucked away in the back of my heart for all those years grew wings and soared.
A new sign was painted for the building and "Just Bears & Stuff" became a reality. Now, nine years later, I know that my instincts were right. I'm glad that I listened to my heart. I don't have one outstanding miracle to share?I have hundreds. Every person that walks through the door of my special little shop can feel it?that special "teddy bear feeling." Whether or not our customers have come to purchase a bear or just come to visit, we know that they will leave with smiles on their faces; teddy bears just make you feel good.
Most every person that purchases a bear has a story. Our bears go to people who need comfort in times of illness or loss. Our bears go to people for joyful occasions or milestones in their lives.
Sometimes people, young or old, will make a purchase just because they need a teddy bear to get them through a bad day. These people are among my favorites because, in them, I see myself all those years ago when that first teddy bear came home with me and whispered in my ear, telling me that my dream for the future could come true.
I'm glad that I listened?that fuzzy bear was right! --Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your web site, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required..
Patricia Twitchell is the proprietor of Just Bears and Stuff, a unique gift shop located in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. Nestled in the scenic mountains, it is a favorite place to visit for people from all over the country. Receive ?Beary Special Moments? a free online teddy bear facts and tips e-zine by visiting www.justbearsandstuff.com.Workplace Miracles? is a collection of thoughts by Lori Giovannoni and Kathleen Gage and of stories from around the globe that are sure to shift your perception. You can?t help but be encouraged to create your own miracles. To learn more or order the book visit www.kathleengage.com manager@justbearstuff.comProtesting Against Valentine's Day This Year
(ContentDesk) January 11, 2006 -- Cdesigns4u.com understands that sometimes people want to show their anti-Valentine's Day attitude with pride.Enough with the Happy Valentine's Day shirts. No more of the candies, chocolate hearts, and roses. What about the many singles out there? Don't they need a day too? The brokenhearted, unhappy, betrayed, single people out there
need a special day for them.A Happy Singles Day! Get your messege across with an Anti VD shirt from Cdesigns4u.com.Make a statement this year. Let celebrating against Valentine's Day be the New Year's resolution for everyone that does'nt have a special someone in their lives, and to be able to Say, "It's ok to be single". Stand up for all the singles out there.
Showcase the Anti Valentine's day
attitude with an Anti VD t-shirt from Cdesigns4u.com.Singles don't need to spend Valentine's Day alone this year. Get a group of single friends together and form an Anti VD group. Start a Happy Singles Day....
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Titan Poker Club Launches Forum for Online Poker Players
(ContentDesk) June 12, 2006 -- Titan Poker Club's much-anticipated forum launch is official.
The poker player's forum is now up-and-running.
All online poker players are invited to become a part of the community created by Titan Poker Club.
Titan Poker Club is very excited about the new discussion board, and to celebrate, draws for t-shirts, hats, cash and other poker merchandise will be conducted throughout June and July.Online poker players can join the new forum immediately by visiting:www.titanpokerclub.com/forumThe forum provides Titan Poker Club members with an avenue to post thoughts related to poker and online gambling.
As well, poker players are provided with online poker bonus codes and bonus links to boost bankroll when joining new online poker rooms.
The various forum topics include: Information about Upcoming Titan Poker Club Events (such as freeroll tourneys and...
Titan Poker Club Launches Forum for Online Poker Players
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Web Hosting Provider Globat.com Sponsors the Ultimate Family Road Trip to Eat 300 White Castle? Hamburgers
Los Angeles, CA (ContentDesk) May 11, 2006 -- Los Angeles-based Globat.com?, the world-leader in Performance Web Hosting", today announced that it is sponsoring a family of 3 from Schulenburg, Texas in their quest to drive 400 miles to a St. Louis, Missouri-area White Castle only to eat 100 hamburgers each. In similar fashion to the movie, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, the participants, Terri Scott, a long time eBayer, daughter Kerri Gomez, and Kerris boyfriend GW Whitfield, wanted to taste and experience the infamous Sliders so badly, that they created an auction on eBay to finance the trip. The hamburger eating marathon will kick off on May 9, 2006.
Each will be required to finish all 100 hamburgers without leaving the restaurant until they do so.
Throughout the trip and at the restaurant, they will be promoting Globat.com and its marketing Web site DefyingGravity.com by displaying the companys logos on their vehicle, wearing temporary Globat.com tattoos,...
Web Hosting Provider Globat.com Sponsors the Ultimate Family Road Trip to Eat 300 White Castle? Hamburgers
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The Memory Collector
Everyone collects something right?
It may be baseball cards, hats, or some other type of sports memorabilia.
Even if you don't consider yourself a collector of anything, you may be and don't even know it.
How about the collection of tools in the cellar you don't really use, but you have to have them!
Even maybe all those movies laying around you no longer watch, sounds like a collection to me.More common items people typically collect are things like, coins, military items, guns, and sports items.
Generally it will be something that once interested a person, had an impact on their lives or they just simply enjoyed.
Me, I am a collector of shot glasses.
What it was that spawned the interest is beyond me, I think it may have started in college.
I now have a collection of over 300 shot glasses, and yes, I have had at least 1 shot of some type of a concoction from each one of them.
Looking at them now, they are...
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ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Child's Best Friend
Do you live with an ADD / ADHD child? If so-- my hat is off to you! ADD / ADHD children are brilliant, full of energy, smart as a whip (as grandma says), and tons of work. They are also the rising sun and the setting star: meaning much of life revolves around them in one way or another. One tactic you might employ is to: be your child's best friend.Hear me out just a bit. I am not promoting parents in "jammies" all day-- everyday, messy homes filled with increasing whirlwind clutter that no-one attends to, nor hot dogs and pizza nightly just to avoid more arguing with an ADD / ADHD child.I am suggesting the reminder we all need with these special needs children: keep perspective.And yes-- try thinking along the lines of being best friends with your child.Best friends are people who look out for the best interest of another. Best friends have a special tolerance for each other.
Best friends set aside time to truly know each other and how each other thinks and feels.Best friends...
ADD / ADHD Children : Being Your Child's Best Friend
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