My First Read

This week I was asked by my grandson G V
To read Beach Etiquette to his first-grade class

Being my first reading…
I wasn’t shore how I would approach it
But I felt safe since I was around children

Their expectations would not be too high

I started out by asking
How many schools days were left…

They all shouted…
8 more days….

I then asked what is everyone’s’ plans for the summer…
Is anyone going to the shore…
Their hands started going up
I went thru every student
Where are you going
What will you be doing

For those heading to the shore
I asked them what they liked about the shore

I love going crabbing
I like running into the water
I like jumping the waves
Boogieboarding

They went on and on for a few minutes
Then the teacher finally says…
Ok…
Why don’t we let Mr Hutchinson read his book…

They were all excited…
I read 3 chapters…

Chapter 5…The Passing Lane
About running on the beach

Chapter 6…Having a catch
Reliving the days of playing ball on the beach

Chapter 8…Shake…Shake…Shake
About the hazards of being down wind
Of someone shaking their blanket

The kids loved it…
I received a standing ovation
G V came running up and hugged me
A little girl came running up and said
I want to hug you too…

It was so cute and…
An experience I will treasure

This book is written for anyone
Who likes or enjoys a day on the beach

To feel the sun
Listen to the waves
A feeling of serenity comes over you

I have many memories of
Growing up at the beach

I often stand there
I look around
I take a deep breath and
I am transported to a different time

I can still see people I was growing up with
We were hanging on the beach
Laughing… joking… doing silly stuff
Grabbing our surf boards and darting into the ocean
Playing run the bases or tackle football on the beach

Where did the time go…
I don’t know…
But the memories live on within me

No matter what beach you go to
With a little Beach Etiquette
We will preserve its beauty and pay it forward

Check out our new website…
We have been getting a lot of great reviews
On our new coffee table book

If you are looking for a fun read
Or a great gift for a friend

Click on the links below to order your copy or read our reviews
We would like to add your name to our growing list of reviews

https://beachetiquettebook.com/

Thank you for the kind words

Every Day is a Gift

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A Little Spring in Your Step

Have you noticed the difference…
There’s a little more spring in your step

People are smiling again

They have shed their heavy coats
No more scarves and sweaters

The sun is shining
Temperatures have shot up to the 70s and 8os

Even hit 90 last week

The trees are blooming
Flowers are popping up out of the ground
Spring is finally here

After a long cold winter
Of running from house to car
People are out walking around

You are finally getting a chance
To meet the new neighbor
Who moved in down the street
During the winter

Wow…They seem like nice people

Enjoy these next few weeks of…

Open windows…

Sunshine and…

Fresh Air

Only 14 days till Memorial Day Weekend

But who’s counting

It’s a Miracle

Sometime last August

I noticed a small lump on my face

It was on my left chin

Right below my left lower lip

 

I thought

It is probably an ingrown hair

I’ll keep an eye on it

 

By the end of September

I noticed it was getting bigger

I went to the doctor for my annual physical

I asked…

What is this little lump on my face

 

Oh…It looks like a cyst

No one knows why you get them

It could get bigger

It could get smaller

Or just go away

 

I wouldn’t worry about it

Most doctors don’t like to cut in that area

For there are a lot of nerves in that area of the face

 

So…I went home thinking

Maybe this will just go away

 

Another month passed

I noticed it was getting bigger

 

Hmmmm…

I should probably get a 2^nd opinion

 

Hey hon…

Do you know a Dermatologist I can call…

 

Just google Dermatologists in the area

See if you recognize any names

 

I see a name I know

I call their office

 

I’m sorry….

The Doctor is not taking any new patients

 

Can you at least give me a referral…

Do you have any names I can call…

I’m running blind here…

 

I can give you a couple of numbers

Try these…

 

Kathy….my associate says…

We went to a dermatologist in Voorhees

We liked him

You might want to give him a call

 

Sounds good…

Give me the number

I called and got an appointment

 

It’s just a cyst

It could get bigger

It could get smaller

It may just go away

 

If I were you…

I would probably cut it out

You don’t want it getting infected

That will hurt

 

I would need to make a small incision

It will take about 15 minutes

You will need about 3-4 stitches

See the receptionist out front

I can do it on Tuesday

 

Do I really want this cut out…

Stitches…

Let me get one more opinion

 

I call another doctor…

It’s just a cyst

It could get bigger

It could get smaller

It may just go away

 

Is it bothering you…

If not…

I would not do anything

 

If it starts bothering you

Call me and we can cut it out

 

I would have to cut from here to here

And you would need about 6 stitches

You’ll have a small scar on your face

You’ll look tougher

Like you got cut in a fight

 

Do I really want this cut out…

Stitches…

 

I think I like when he said…

 

I would not do anything

 

Another 2 months pass

It looks like it is getting bigger

But sometimes it looks like it is getting smaller

 

All of a sudden…

My lower left lip is getting numb

I am having trouble opening my mouth

My left chin is getting warm

The bump is getting red…

 

The cyst is infected…

 

I start making phone calls…

The doctor can see you in 2 weeks

 

You don’t understand

It’s infected

I need to see someone now

Not 2 weeks

 

I’m thinking…

My friend is a plastic surgeon

If anybody is going to cut my face

I might as well go to the best

 

I call John’s office…

 

I’m sorry

He’s in a consultation

Can he call you when he is done…

 

He gets right back to me

 

I am going to call in an antibiotic

Stop and see me Friday

 

I walk into his office on Friday

 

Ohhhh…That looks pretty bad…

You still taking the antibiotic…

 

I don’t think I want to do anything today

I’ll just clean it up

And get all the infection out

 

He gives me a local

And starts working on the infected area

Everything is oozing out

 

He explains…

You have body oils under your skin

Sometimes they come together and crystalize

Then they grow a small skin around it

Like a lima bean

To protect it

That’s what a cyst is

 

I can see the top of the cyst

I think I can get this…

 

You feeling alright…

 

Just like pulling a tooth

He goes in and…

 

POP….

 

Wow… look at this thing

That’s been in there for awhile

 

I think we got everything

Just keep Neosporin and a band aid on it

 

What….No Stitches…

 

No… I think it is going to heal fine

Come see me next Friday

 

It’s a Miracle

 

No stitches

No cyst

And…

1 week later

There is little evidence

That anything was ever done

 

Thanks John…

Your hands have been blessed by God

 

 

Every Day is a Gift

 

We find ways to save you money…

Thanks for the referrals

 

 

 

Thank

Ode To March

Okayyy….

I’ve had enough of this winter weather…

After teasing us with some above average temperatures

During the end of February

 

March came in roaring like a lion

 

Below average temperatures

2 Nor’easters last week

1 Nor’easter just missed us this week

And slammed the New England states

Flooding rains

Whipping winds

7 inches of wet snow

 

(The trees didn’t stand a chance)

Branches and trees were falling all over the place

 

We even had thunder snow…

 

I just heard they are tracking another Nor’easter

Heading towards us next week

 

Tell me when we can start having fun again…

 

The snow was so wet and heavy last week

I walked out my back door and…

You could hear the trees cracking

 

I said a quick prayer….

 

Please God…

No surprises

 

I called my wife and told her

You better start heading home

And please

Do not pull your car all the way up

To the top of the driveway

Park down by the end of the driveway

Next to my car

 

Good thing she listened…

I walked out later

And a big branch had fallen

Right in the driveway

Where she normally parks

 

The guy down the street was not so lucky

As I drove to work the next day

I saw a large limb had fallen

Right on the front hood of his car

 

Ouch….

 

Living in New Jersey

We are used to the cold winters

 

When I say cold winters…

I’m thinking December, January…February

 

By March…

We’re tired of all this stuff

 

After all…

 

We sprang forward last Saturday night

 

The 1^st day of spring is next week…March 20^th

 

Even Easter is early this year…April 1

 

 

So how about some warm weather

 

P…L…E…A…S…E…

 

Let’s see March go out like a lamb

 

 

Every Day is a Gift

We find ways to save you money…

Thank you for your referrals

Where to Look

It is always nice to hear good things about our company

 

When I was on the other side of the table

Looking to make a major purchase or an upgrade

I always made it a point

To get as much information as possible

 

I was looking to see

Who would be the most qualified

To implement the program or vision

We looked to achieve

 

I never liked long winded explanations

Just give me the facts

 

When giving the presentation

Give an apple to apples comparison

 

That is the only way you can make an objective decision

 

If a presentation leads to more questions than answers

I found that disheartening

 

Why am I babbling about this…

 

Recently…I was delighted

When a client complimented HBS

On the completeness of our presentation

 

They went on to say…..

We interviewed another broker…

 Their presentation was confusing….

 Leaving more questions than answers….

 

They felt our proposal was self-explanatory

It provided all the information they needed to know

They liked our attention to detail

 

Our proposal also noted

What items were under contract

And their expiration dates

 

Our goal has always been…

Define the client’s needs…

Properly address the client’s needs…

Show value with our solution….

Build a relationship of trust with the client….

Continually educate our clients

 

Everything we do

Is done with the client’s best interest in mind

 

HBS has provided substantial savings

To many of the Delaware Valley’s

Most successful firms

 

Many were surprised to find savings from 20% up to 40% and more

 

Deregulated Energy…Communication…Unemployment Taxes…Sales Tax…Property Tax

 

How do we do it…

We know where to look

Welcome 2018

 Who knows where the time goes…..

 

When we were younger and in school

We had units of measure we used to live by

There was always a holiday in waiting

It helped to pass the time

Knowing that the long Thanksgiving weekend was coming….

In less than a month….

We would be on Christmas break

 

Now…..

Every year seems to go a little faster

We have become…… beyond teens….

 

Time just seems to mesh

Just like that….

2017 is in the books

 

Will 2018 be different

That is up to us

 

I will be heading to Malvern this weekend

For our annual retreat

This will be 34 years

What a great way to start each year
Taking time to reflect on what happened in my life during the last year

Praying for the wisdom to guide me thru the next year

 

I will also be Praying……

That time slows down

Helping me to live more in the moment….

 

It is easy to get caught up in the day to day hustle…

Easily distracted….

Projecting thoughts…

Always looking forward…

Not paying attention to the now…

 

It is in the now……That peace is found

I pray to ground myself in the now

 

Welcome 2018

Merry Christmas

The spirit of Christmas is in the air

The kids are home from school

 

Families are making plans to get together

The excitement builds

As you are buying presents

Looking for that one special gift

That will bring a smile to their face

 

Love is in the air

 

No matter how your day is going

Many find…

They are lifted by the Christmas spirit

 

I was speaking with a client recently

And asked how they were doing….

They responded….

 

“Great…. I wish it was always December.”

 

Let’s make a special toast….

 

May your everyday be a December….

 

Let us take time

To celebrate and give thanks

To the many things

We take for granted

 

May we always remember…

 

Every Day is a Gift

 

Merry Christmas to All

Smile Away

 

I was going to work this week

I stopped at Starbucks

The girl behind me yelled to her friend….

 

She was sitting there

Staring out the window

 

Linda…You okay….

 

Linda snapped out of it and said….

 

Sorry…

You caught me zoning out

 

I was on the speedline

Heading to a client

 

I saw all these people

Just walking in

Blank stares on their faces

 

No….

Good Morning…..

 

Hey…How ya doing…

 

Have a nice day…

 

Not even a smile…

 

Caught up in their own little world

 

Blank Stares

 

Why the disconnect….

 

I know….

Sometimes we want to be alone

 

We may need to be alone

Disconnected from the buzz around you

 

However…

Always remember

 

Your smile is the window to the world

 

“Let us always meet each other with a smile…

 For your smile is the beginning of love”

Mother Theresa

The Gift

What we are is God’s gift to us….

 

What we become is our gift to God. – Eleanor Powell

 

 

Just take a moment to read that once again…

 

 

Let it breath thru you

 

 

What we are is God’s gift to us….

 

What we become is our gift to God. – Eleanor Powell

 

 

 

I find that to be a very powerful statement

 

 

 

My life has been a true blessing

 

 

I grew up in a close-knit

 

 

Loving family atmosphere

 

 

Attended great schools

 

 

Married my best friend

 

 

We were blessed with 4 beautiful children

 

 

Who have now gone on to bless us with…

 

 

5 beautiful grandchildren

 

 

 

I have been able to grow a business

 

 

Doing the things that I love

 

 

While building lasting friendships

 

 

 

Reflecting on my life

 

I realize….

 

 

It is all a gift

 

 

 

I have heard some people say….

 

 

 

 

Nobody ever handed me anything

 

 

 

I worked hard for everything I have

 

 

 

I deserve all this

 

 

 

 

What they fail to realize is…

 

 

 

Everything we have is…

 

 

 

Just a gift

 

 

 

 

 

Why was I born in NJ…

 

 

Why were so many opportunities…

 

 

Made available to me…

 

 

During my lifetime

 

 

 

When I stop to reflect….

 

 

I am filled with gratitude

 

 

 

 

We are all blessed

 

 

 

 

Someone is praying for

 

 

The things we all take for granted

 

 

 

 

Don’t take your life for granted

 

 

 

Our life is our message to the world

 

 

Make sure it is inspiring

 

 

 

 

As we express our gratitude…

we must never forget

that the highest appreciation is

not to utter words…

but to live by them – John F. Kennedy

Get Your DNA Here

If you have been watching tv at night lately

 

You have probably seen the commercials…….

 

 

“I found out I was 20% Native American….

 

 

I thought I was Italian but I’m actually German”….

 

 

(I find myself saying……

 

Ya vol herr Kommandant….

 

For no apparent reason)…

 

 

That is for you Hogan Hero fans…

 

 

Contact Ancestry.com and get your DNA results today

 

 

I was thinking…

 

This might be a great gift for my wife’s birthday

 

So I contacted the company and ordered 2 DNA kits

 

 

Wellllllllllll……..

 

The results are in

 

 

When people ask

 

So what nationality are you….

 

 

I would normally say Irish and English

 

My mother was 100% Irish

 

My Pop….75% Irish and 25% English

 

 

My wife is 50% Italian from her father’s side

 

A mix of Irish and Scotch from her mother’s side

 

 

When the results came in

 

My wife was shown as…..

 

38% Italian

26% Irish

20% Great Britain

6% Western Europe

 

What happen to the Scotch…..

 

Is that filed under Great Britain….

 

 

My results came in a couple days later

 

I am……

 

Drum roll please…..

 

92% Irish

4% Italian / Greek

2% Western Europe

 

 

Not even a trace of English blood

 

Or as they say Great Britain….

 

 

Hey hun….I’m 4% Italian

 

 

You’re not Italian

 

 

It says here I am 4% Italian

 

That means I am only 34% less Italian than you

 

 

That got her blood pumpin….

 

 

You’re not Italian

 

You’re gonna deny me my 4%

 

 

Well….I have had a lot of fun knowing the results

 

 

I still can’t believe….No English

 

But 4% Italian….

 

 

Those Romans really gotta around

 

 

 

 

What does your DNA say….

 

 

It may makes for good conversation…