Returning From the Business Vacation Trip

I had three trips that I had been putting off for some time and in my creative thinking I decided to combine them into one, eight day long trip.

Since business is business, I made sure that I took care of that first. Meetings had to be done in person because the client has not moved into the computer age yet. I know it seems hard to believe but, not everybody feels comfortable sitting with a computer screen in front of  them.

Since I had completed my work before I left for my trip, I felt relaxed and I looked forward to meeting with my client. The first day on the road I didn't find need to check in with facebook. I had notified everybody that needed to know that I would be away and scheduled accordingly. It was especially relaxing.

I was offline and tech free! It was a novelty but, even though I was traveling with others it got lonely. They didn't take the time to experience life as our client does and the phone calls and messages poured in causing heavy sighs of disgust and cranky attitudes that I couldn't really relate to because after all, I was tech free, baby!

We checked into the hotel and the young lady at the front desk made me feel so welcome that toward the end of my stay I asked for her name so that I could let her manager know how kind she had been to me. She really did have an impact on my trip, especially since she answered my questions and laughed at my stupid jokes but, my travel partners didn't notice much about her because they were so busy with their smart phones.

Before the official meeting, I told my travel partners we should not use cell phones during the meeting. Everyone agreed that it would be best and we all went into the meeting tech free. It was the best meeting I have had since I started GHC. There were no interruptions and nobody's mood changed because they took a quick glance at a text message.

For the remaining few days of meetings I maintained the tech free lifestyle. Actually, when my tablet had a little glitch that I know I could have fixed, I told the others I couldn't help but to be offline. Big deal, I kind of checked in but kind of was having fun experiencing the tech free life.

When I returned from my trip, I had a bunch of facebook posts to review and a few things that required immediate action. Just like I had expected, nothing was out of control.

As I reviewed facebook posts, mail and messages it occurred to me that there is a pattern. The people that I know that are willing to control their "tech" time seem to be happier. They also seem to be more productive and therefore are more relaxed when they are faced with a problem.

It makes sense that when we all focus our attention on the task at hand we are more productive. The constant interruptions take time to process and they are not anything to do  with the original task.

I suggest you take a good look at how you spend your time with technology. After all, if we want to be in control, we need to know how to manage our time.

www.georgiannahardwarecorporation.com

America Needs Leadership

I woke yesterday morning to Director James Comey testifying about his statements regarding Hillary Clinton's email investigation.

For me, his testimony couldn't have come soon enough.

Any time I see and hear anything in the news I think about society but, specifically the children. What will the children think? How will they perceive the reaction of the adults? What will they learn from this example?

Children are smart. I recall overhearing a story in a restaurant. The grandmother was telling her son in-law about a family member that continually made bad decisions. He this and then, he that. He did this and then,,,,, The six year old sitting at their table spoke up, "Idiot".

Good leaders do things.

     1)  Leaders set a good example.

               Individuals know right from wrong and need to be held accountable.

     2)  Leaders know how to negotiate.

               Every good leader knows the art of compromise.

      3)  Leaders have the ability to make a decision.

                 Weighing the pros and cons is vital to success.

A good leader does not have a ulterior motive. When a leader accepts the responsibility to represent others they are to protect the group's interests and should be driven by the set of values that serves their followers.

America needs leadership.

It's time for each and every one of us to step up and be a leader.

My New Used Truck

A few weeks ago I decided that I should buy a truck. I had been thinking about it for a while but, when I made the final decision it did seem rather implusive.

On Monday, I got the truck. Nothing fancy, just an old F150 that will be perfect to bring things home from the hardware store and take my donations to the Good Will.

When I bought it I was focused on the mileage and cost. It looked okay and the numbers added up right. I got in it to drive and realized that it had a grill guard.

I've owned pickups before. Nice trucks but, they never had a grill guard. Why would I bother with something like that?

Well, I have decided that I really like it and the best part for me is that the Ranch Hand Legend Grill Guard is made in America! The grill guard looks cool and it's fun! I can use the step to check the fluids without using the bumper as a step which is a huge bonus for me.

I'm sure that I will add a Ranch Hand guard to the trucks I own in the future. Now, I need to contact Ranch Hand to see if they will make one for my sedan. Happy trucking!

Georgianna Hardware Corporation

GMO Free. Coincidence or Not?

I have been planning my garden for months and am rapidly approaching the official start date of April 27. My scientific theory behind the official start date is, the local university is having it's plant sale on April 27 and I know that I have always had success with their plants. I've been watching my garden, purchasing soil, seeds and planters.

I buy plants whenever I have an opportunity to do so just to see if I am successful with them. My favorites are plants that I buy at fundraisers. You know, the elementary school is having a yard sale to raise money for playground equipment and Grandma thinned out her garden and has donated the plants. I am the person that will give the plants a place to live. It allows me opportunity to donate money to the fund and make somebody happy. (I figure either somebody will be happy that they don't need to clean up dirt or a child will be happy because Grandma's plants sold.)

A few years ago, I was at a fundraiser in Tate, Georgia. There were pretty, little flowers for sale. I asked a lady working at the sale what they were. She shrugged her shoulders and said, "Some kind of buttercup?" Okay. I gave her the money for the plants, brought them home and planted them.

From that day on, they have been our Tate Buttercups. I asked my daughter to take a quick picture of them tonight as she and I were headed out the door to the dollar store.

My Tate Buttercups

We get to the store and since I was only along for the ride, I looked at the seeds. The Perennial Mix branded by American Seed caught my attention. Four packages for a dollar? Even better. I paid for the seeds and we left.

As soon as I arrived home I Googled American Seed. They are in Norton, Massachusetts and have a lovely web site. The site showed the seeds they offer and there were my Tate Buttercups! But, they're not buttercups at all. Those pretty, little flowers are Showy Evening Primrose!

 My garden of Showy Evening Primrose

Aren't they pretty?! 

So, I read some more about the American Seed company in Norton, MA. Their seeds have been around a long time and they do not offer GMO seeds. I think it's pretty neat that they were cool before being GMO free was a thing.

As for the Tate Buttercups, that name will remain in our family for years. My family's inside joke guarantees that at least one of us will smile! As for the Showy Evening Primrose, I will be proud to tell my friends that they are from American, GMO-free seeds. 

Georgianna Hardware Corporation

Great News For Football Fans!

There really is not much to report as far as news regarding construction. The big news is that the NFL released the 2016-2017 regular season schedule.

The regular season will begin on Thursday, September 8, and it will conclude on Sunday, January 1, 2017.

Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium o Houston will be played on Sunday, February 5, 2017.

For myself, receiving this news was cause for celebration! Click the link below to find

your team's schedule!

May the best team win!

Georgianna Hardware Corporation

The Presidential Campaign

I follow politics. I can't help it because after all of these years it has become a hobby.

As I have been watching the news from New Hampshire I have listened to little audio clips from many meetings throughout the state and I simply do not understand why the candidates and their campaigners keep referring to everybody as, "guys".

"Guys, I'm glad you're here." "Don't forget to get out and vote, guys." "Thanks for the support, guys."

I know that it's just a stupid little thing but, these people are wanting people to vote for them to hold the office of President of the United States. I expect the candidates to be respectful of me and of my elders. If you want my vote you need to be more creative in addressing a crowd. Ladies and gentlemen may be old fashioned but, my mother-in-law is not one of the guys. Please be polite.

We're not your folks either. The folks in my town address women as, "Ma'am" and men as, "Sir". I know that it may shock a few of the candidates but, the folks in my neighborhood are deserving of respect because they are the ones that are keeping America together. We may refer to you as, "Those folks up in Washington" but, we're being polite.