I wanted to pass along this opportunity to make a difference by doing little things. I am ant #31... Ants are nature’s example of how little things, done by many members of the community, can create a very large impact. When each member does a little for the good of all, we can move mountains. "Adam’s Ants" is a virtual community established on November 17, 2005. …
Archives for November 2005
The Chocolate Factor
Smart companies know the advantages of adding a little dash of childlike nostalgia into their business plan. In fact, some companies have constructed entire business models around it. Take Ethel's Chocolate Lounge, for example. Described as a "new place to chocolate and chitchat," these lounges have combined the very childlike loves of great chocolate and fancy tea parties and added a grown-up spin. They're based in Chicago area, but I wouldn't be surprised if they started springing up elsewhere. …
Paper or Plastic?
I officially hate grocery shopping. I went this morning and I found myself moving rapidly from a calmly curable Stage 1 Adultitis (due to early morning grumpiness) to a severe case of Full-blown Adultitis. I think I would rather be sitting in a dentist chair. I know that's a bold statement, but I have pretty 'good' teeth. So, instead of dreading it every time our stomachs are growling, I am choosing to change my strategy a bit. How can I avoid the dark grumpy rain clouds that form over my head each time I am grabbing that cart? I looked online for some ideas only to be very disappointed. …
Birthday Blues
I ran across this blog today entitled "Tomorrow is Another Day" by a woman in Japan who goes by "Middle-Angel." She commented about her birthday, 'Yesterday I turned 54. Just unbelievable. I'm not wise enough for my age. I'm not deep enough for my age. I'm not generous enough for my age. In conclusion therefore, I should go much further to make myself accomplished.' I think Middle-Angel's thoughts are pretty common. Especially when we move closer to landmark birthdays (the ones with the 0's in the ones place), we start freaking out about our lives and what we've done with the time we've been …
Top Ten Kim & Jason Holiday Gifts
I'll be the first to admit that I am perfectly content sleeping in the Friday after Thanksgiving. I’m no Scrooge, but I will say that I don’t care for the lines or crowds while shopping. By the time you actually get in line you are ready to go. You probably should’ve left ten minutes ago. …
My 8 Little Things
Last night Jason posted his list of 8 little things he is thankful for (besides his faith, good health, family and friends, etc.). So, here’s mine: 1. My fleece pants. 2. My mom’s hot fudge sauce (if I shared the recipe I’d have to kill you). 3. The smells and sounds of firewood crackling in a fireplace. 4. My favorite show “Three Wishes” …
Top 10 Kim & Jason Christmas Gifts
Even though the big retailers officially start the holiday shopping season sometime between Independence Day and Halloween, I could not get myself to begin the Christmas push much earlier than right about now. Perhaps my restraint cost us some sales, but I'm hoping you'll consider shopping the Kim & Jason Lemonade Stand for gifts that fall under the description of thoughtful, unique and fun. (Please note that fruitcake falls short on all three points.)Check out our handy dandy Top 10 List of Holiday Christmas Gifts to save both time and money. Our humble "little company that …
8 Little Things I’m Thankful For
Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I'm getting ready to check out for the long weekend. Kim and I are heading home to Illinois. We'll spend Thanksgiving Day at her mom and dad's place, and celebrate turkey day on Friday with my family. That's right, one trip home, two Thanksgiving dinners. Be still, my frightened bathroom scale. Anyway, if you listened to our recent podcast, you probably heard some of our ideas on how to put the "thanks" in Thanksgiving. I am grateful for my friends and family, my health, my faith, the opportunity to do what I love, and my beautiful wife. The big things …
High-Class Ho-Hos
Some people assume that "escaping adulthood" requires a complete departure from grown-up tastes and sophistication. Hardly. Let's be honest; we may have enjoyed the delicacies produced by our Easy-Bake oven or our Snoopy Sno-Cone machine, but it wasn't like we had free range of Mom's oven or blender. I'm not advocating a return to a barbaric and unrefined lifestyle. I'm just not a big fan of boorish adult pretension. I think it's really cool when people find ways to add a dash of childlike spirit into the ostentatious havens of Adultville. Like gourmet cooking. …
Time For the Tree
In three days there will be hundreds of thousands of Christmas trees being put up and decorated. When I was little we always put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. While searching shoppingblog.com I found that this year you can actually put up the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Shoppingblog.com shares, 'Well, Urban Outfitters has recreated that same little Christmas Tree. For $24 it can be yours: to display in all its pathetic misery, or to turn into something wonderful yourself.' …