Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day, May 13, 2012

Motherhood is one of the most important jobs in the world and it is one of the most underpaid jobs if you count money only. Motherhood is also one of the most rewarding jobs if done right. Mothers should not feel guilty because they enjoy their job as full time mothers........... Mothers are the ones who determine who the father will be. Mothers are the ones who teach their children how to be honorable, civilized, law abiding adults. When mothers love their children, they teach them life skills that enable the child to become an independent, self-reliant, trustworthy person able to live on their own. They teach their children there are always consequences for their actions, sometimes good, sometimes bad. When parents spoil their children, they then end up with spoiled adults who are not capable of functioning on their own in civilized society. Motherhood is a very important job............ All children want two parents and have an inherent need for two parents. Yes, we can survive with only one parent, but to flourish, all children want to know who their ancestors and family members are. All children want to be treated with respect. It is the Mother who can make this happen. The kindest thing a Mother can do for her children is to teach them respect for life, their own and others, and good manners. These are the life skills which enable common sense, good self esteem, and confidence to develop. These are the tools that make a loving home............ All children must be taught at an early age to do no harm to those who are younger, smaller or weaker than themselves. Children learn from their Mothers “An honorable person will not lie, cheat, or steal, even when the opportunity presents itself.” These are traits that last throughout their entire lives. These are the traits that make life worth living. It has nothing to do with the amount of money one has or does not have. One can always earn money but one cannot easily earn back respect and love once they have lost it. However, all things are possible, especially with the unconditional love of a Mother nearby............ Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers who make a safe, loving home for their children............. A special Happy Mother’s Day to my favorite role model: Dr. Ben Carson’s Mother. Please watch this video for a heartwarming story that will show just how important a Mother’s job is........... http://video.foxnews.com/v/1542093260001........... Learn 365 life skills and the reasons to use them by reading "A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, $27.95. Record autographs of family members, and this book then becomes a treasured family heirloom which becomes more valuable with each new entry.............. Securely purchase on line at: http://janpolk.com/cart/products.asp

Monday, April 23, 2012

Administrative Professionals Week is April 22 – 28, 2012

Administrative Professionals Week
is April 22 – 28, 2012


Every employee represents your company.
If you want to give your employees, confidence,
good self esteem and the ability to make good
decisions on their own and you can’t afford to send
your employees to a $500 training course in
business/customer relationships, give them something
better: “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair
and Jan Polk, $27.95.

This beautifully bound, hard cover book includes three
hundred and sixty five tips and a reason to use each tip
written by Milwaukee Business Etiquette Consultant
Margery Sinclair. It also features Jan Polk's Great
American Flower Collection "respect series" of fine
art water color paintings which symbolically remind
you to treat yourself and others with respect.

Margery Sinclair’s motto
“Good Manners are Good Business”

Jan Polk’s motto “Good Manners are Empowering.”


Good Manners are also a Good Legacy.
“A Year of Good Manners” is a wonderful way for your
employees to pass their values to future generations.
Our common bond is we all want to be treated
with respect.

One of the tips in AYOGM written by Margery Sinclair:

“Unfortunately, it is bad manners to go around
correcting other people’s bad manners. There is
an exception for parents, teachers, and managers.
More than an exception, correcting children,
students, and employees is an obligation."

Order your copy of “A Year of Good Manners”
on line at http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

Quantity discounts available upon request.

If you would like to hire Margery Sinclair to speak
to your group, contact her at www.margerysinclair.com
Sometimes it is possible to share expenses with other groups
depending on her travel schedule.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Better Conversations Newsletter

Hi Friends. After you read our book,
"A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair and
Jan Polk,
you will be so confident, you will
want to meet and mingle with the rest of the world.
We provide basic skills to get you started and a
reason to use each of the 365 tips. A way to
never get old is to keep learning new things.

Margery Sinclair introduced me to the free
“Better Conversations Newsletter”
by Loren Ekroth, Ph.D. (aka "Dr.Conversation
")
His mission is:
"To Raise the Standard of Conversation in Life."
You can sign up for his free newsletter at
URL: http://www.conversationmatters.com

Among Dr. Ekroth's subscribers are authors, speakers, coaches,
consultants, artists, and experts who have products to sell or
services to provide. Please tell him
Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk introduced you to him.

You can purchase “A Year of Good Manners” by Margery Sinclair
and Jan Polk at our website:

http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

$28.00……free shipping!


"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
~ George Bernard Shaw

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Art Show - February 17 and 18, 2012

Fri. Sat. February 17 and 18, 2012, 2nd Annual Invitational Fine Arts Exhibition and Sale at:

First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores, AL.
309 East 21st Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
(Cnty. Rte. 180 east of St. Rte. 59)

Phone: 251-968-7720
Website: www.gspres.com

The opening is Friday, Feb 17, 2012…… 5:00--8:00 p.m. and
one day only exhibition on Sat. Feb. 18 10:00 a.m. --6:00 p.m.


Free Admission and Refreshments

Art Show Curator Paul Welch, a retired artist/art professor
from Michigan, will be also giving a 6 week series of art
lectures at the church starting Tuesdays, January 10, 2012,
from 10:00 --11:00 a.m. These have been enthusiastically
attended for the past 4 years and set the stage for the
exhibition of our area artists. No charge.

Celebrating our local and snowbird artists:

Zach Baisden, Jennifer Currans, Helen Haberstroh,
David Howard, Mary Ann Lamm, Karen MacLaughlin,
Lorraine Owen,.... Jan Polk,......Martha Saunders,
Philip Sealy, Dorothy Sherman, Rick Tino,
Theresa Wayne, Richard Willlows, Beth Winn

New this year: Students from Gulf Shoes Elementary and
B.E.A.C.H. Home School.

Wine and nibbles are provided Friday evening; cookies all
day Saturday. Water color, Oil, Ink, Mixed Media, Photography,
Prints and Note Cards will also be for sale. A percentage of
sales will be donated to a local art teacher.

Come meet the artists, enjoy fine art and help support the
arts in the Gulf Shores area.


AYOGM and Jan Polk Note Cards will also be available for
sale at this show.

I invite you to visit my websites:


http://www.janpolk.com
http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Favorite Popcorn Recipes

I always like to describe our our book "A Year of Good Manners" by Margery Sinclair
and Jan Polk as "Fine Art Marries Fine Living."

Eating well is one of the perks of fine living.
Following are three of my favorite popcorn recipes. Tweaked the way I like them.
Hope you like them too.

If you know where to purchase big fluffy popcorn, please share the info. The
ones you can buy at the grocery store are OK but I would love to find a
gourmet popcorn because these recipes are so good. I found the top two
at allrecipes.com and the adult popcorn is from
Nigella.com






Cinnamon Candies Popcorn


Yield 8 cups 8 servings


2 tablespoons vegetable oil

* 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
* 1/2 cup butter
* 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
* 2 (2.25 ounce) packages cinnamon red hot candies

1. Heat oil in a large pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour in the popcorn, cover, and shake a couple of times to coat the kernels with oil. When the corn starts to pop, shake pan continuously until popping stops. Pour popped corn into a large paper bag.

2. Combine the butter, corn syrup and red hot candies in a microwave safe bowl or saucepan. Heat, stirring occasionally until the candies have melted. Pour the hot syrup over the popped corn, and shake the bag for 1 minute, until completely coated. Cool, and serve.

If you like it warm and gooey, eat right away; but if you like it crispy let it cool!

Nutritional Information open nutritional information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 255 | Total Fat: 15.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg

====================================================

Gelatin-flavored Popcorn
45 min 10 servings

* 10 cups popped popcorn
* 1/2 cup butter
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 (3 ounce) package fruit flavored gelatin mix
* 1 tablespoon corn syrup
* 3 tablespoons water

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease a 1/4 sheet pan or two 8x12 inch baking dishes. Generously butter a heavy 2 quart saucepan.

2. Distribute popcorn evenly in prepared baking pans. Place in oven to keep warm.

3. In prepared saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, gelatin, corn syrup and water. Heat to 250 to 265 degrees F (121 to 129 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a rigid ball. [or bring to a boil and boil 4 minutes stirring constantly which is the method I used]

4. Pour mixture evenly over popcorn and stir until coated. Return popcorn to oven and bake 5 minutes; stir, then bake 5 minutes more.

5. Turn popcorn out onto a large piece of foil. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then form into balls. Or let cool completely and break into clusters. Store in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place.



================================================


Adult Spiced Popcorn



2 Tablespoon oil plus 1 cup of popcorn



While popping:



Melt:

6 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons turmeric

4 teaspoons salt [I use l teaspoon of salt]

4 teaspoons sugar


Mix and pour over hot popcorn. Toss and Enjoy!



We invite you to purchase our book "A Year of Good Manners" by
Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk $28.00 --free shipping!!! -- on line at
http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

Quantity discounts available....just email me at janpolk@janpolk.com before
you place your order.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Learned Helplessness

Example of “learned helplessness.” When you depend on others
and do without if someone does not give it to you. You
are not free if you are dependant on others or the government.

Being free means you can depend on your own actions to
find your way in life. Honesty, personal responsibility and pride in
a job well done will take you far. You must also be able
to work with others. Don’t forget about the “likability
factor.” When people like you, they are more likely to
give you a break in other areas. When all things are equal,
the person of honor, good character, and good manners will win out.

I have always pondered why some people thrive and excel in life
and others cannot/will not do anything for themselves yet resent
others who have worked hard for what they have earned.

We all want to help those who are handicapped, ill, and weak
(note: these same people want what the rest of us want:
to be treated with respect…….in return, we expect them to also
treat themselves and others with respect and honor.)
There is no reason for able bodied people not to be responsible
for their own actions.

My favorite quote is: “Don’t be your own roadblock. Use
roadblocks as stepping stones to get to higher ground.” by
unknown

This story illustrates using roadblocks and taking action:

One day a donkey fell into a well. The farmer and his neighbors
decided there was no way to get the donkey
out of the well; it was too deep and the rope did not go
down that far. They decided to put the donkey out of his
misery and cover him in dirt and bury him
so he would not have to suffer.

A donkey that has “learned helplessness” will just stand there
and be covered in dirt. He will not survive.

A donkey that has a will to survive and is willing to take
personal responsibility for his own actions will work
to get out of the situation. Every time this donkey
was covered in a shovelful of dirt, he just shook it off
and stood on top of the dirt; shook it off and stood on
top of the dirt; shook it off and stood on top of
the dirt. Eventually, the donkey was able to walk
out of the well to the delight of the farmer and his
neighbors.

We can help you with your "likablity factory."
http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com

You must make the decision to be an honorable
person and take care of that part yourself.

Friday, December 9, 2011

You have power!

It is December already! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
We are all born with power until we give it up. Sometimes
we are talked out of it, sometimes we are bullied out of it,
sometimes we never learn how to use our power.

If you live in a capitalistic society such as the USA,
you are especially blessed and have more opportunities
than anywhere else in the world.

Learning how to be civilized and getting along with
people is power. Being honorable and respecting your
self is power. You have the power to determine what your
behavior will be. You have the power to decide what kind
of life you will lead. You have the power to decide if you
will get an education or not. You have the power to decide
if you will work for yourself or for someone else.
You have the power to decide if you want to
be a parent or not. You have the power to decide who will
be the other parent to your children. You have the
power to decide if you will accept disrespect or not.

If you are an honorable, civilized, law abiding citizen
you are a powerful part of our civilized society. No
society or community can exist for long if its people
are not honorable and trustworthy. Respect and Good Manners
are some of the most powerful tools you need to know
early in life.

Our common bond is we all want to be treated with respect.
Even the handicapped and mentally retarded are expected
to use the same respect and good manners that we all do.

Etiquette is practical. Sometimes there are exceptions to
the rules. When you know good manners, you learn to make
good decisions on your own, you become self confident without
becoming egotistical or rude, you learn to become independent
and capable of functioning on your own and taking care of
a family and a business.

There will always be people who soar and excel above the rest,
but that is because they are willing to work hard and long hours
at what they are good at and want to do. We all win when we live
in a society where we each have the opportunity to be the best
we can be in our chosen field.

There will always be people who never acquire a lot of money;
however, if they are honorable, civilized, and law abiding
citizens, they will still know love, peace, respect, and friendship.
Things which money cannot buy. They will still be respected members
of our free, capitalistic society.

There will always be those who do not respect themselves or
others. They are destined to be unhappy people; however, they
do have the power to decide if they want to continue this
lifestyle or not.

Treat yourself to a copy of "A Year of Good Manners" by
Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk.
Read 365 common, everyday courtesies written by Margery Sinclair.
Margery uses a humorous style to convey very important information
about life skills for your family, school, social, and business lives.
Margery tells you what you can do and a reason to use each tip.
You may even become charming after reading our book.

Jan Polk's Great American Flower Collection (GAFC) "respect series"
images are reminders to treat yourself and others with respect.

Wishing you peace, joy, respect, and safe travels during this holiday
season.

http://www.ayearofgoodmanners.com
http://www.janpolk.com
http://www.margerysinclair.com