Happy Birthday America - I Still Believe In You

Today is the fourth of July. It has been designated as America's "Independence Day".... as America's birthday. And, I still believe in you, America.

I still believe that you are still one of the great countries in the world. And while there are many, I do feel blessed to have been born in America.

I say that, while our country is in an economic crisis with a no viable sign of relief in the near future. I say that, while we are still fighting a huge oil spill that is endangering our wildlife, our waters, and our fishermen's livelihood. I say that even though our sons and daughters are still in foriegn lands waiting for the signal that they can finally put down their firing arms and come home. I say that, while there are immigration disputes and while the religious faith our country was originally founded and based upon is being attacked. I say that because I believe in America.

Just as those before us worked together, and believed that our country would get through the depression era of the 30s, World War I and II, the assination of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr, and then Robert F. Kennedy, and September 11, 2001, I believe that America will get through all the crisis that we are faced with today. Because, as Americans, that is what we, at the end of the day, have always done best.

So today America, I wish you a very Happy Birthday .... because, I stll believe in you.


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In honor of Independence Day, I've included a video (above) in tribute of America. Ironically, the woman you hear singing is Canadian born Celine Dion. When I heard this the first time, it dawned on me. Doesn't matter where she is from, this song has never been sung more beautifully. Click to listen and view.

Tim Steed -Raised By Opossums-Still Hanging In Trees

For almost a quarter of a century, Tim Steed has impacted the lives of over 1 million people with his television and film acting, his book, award-winning screenplays, keynote speeches, corporate seminars, award-winning comedy shows, video productions, college orientation programs, high school programs, actor seminars, and professional theater.

He’s worked 47 out of 50 states plus Canada and Puerto Rico.
He’s worked with Shaq, Brett Butler, Tony Dow, John Goodman, Bill Engvall, Carrot top, Robby Benson, Kate Mulgrew, Chis Titus, John Hinton and many others.

Tim will be joining the Three Wise Girls on BlogTalk Radio July 1, 2010 at noon EST to discuss his humble beginnings. As Tim tells, it, he was discovered at the side of a road, at the age of 3 years old, by a family of opossum. Apparently, the opossum raised him as their own and according to him, taught him valuable lessons .... like hanging from a tree.

Tim will also be discussing his hilarious book "My Vow of Silence, the Roughest Three Minutes of My Life.", his current movie release, "The Class of 91", and his upcoming production, "Stone Angels", base on the life of William Edmondson. Edmondson was a hospital janitor in 1939 when he picked up a railroad spike and began to sculpt figures, headstones, and statues out of Tennessee limestone.

Join Tim Steed, Debbie Barth, Dori DeCarlo, and Linda Alexander at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/threewisegirls at noon EST. or call in at 347.994.3835. A great sense of humor is required for admittance.

We would love to hear your show ideas and feedback, so please email us at threewisegirls@gmail.com, follow us on Twitter and join our Facebook fan page.

Hello, My Name is Debbie Barth ... And I Am Current Customer

A few weeks ago, I became aware of just how clueless I was about the policies and procedures of cell phone companies. I was with Sprint for seven years, and then recently changed over to AT&T. It was my practice to get the least expensive phone that had the one quality I needed at the time .... that was to place and to receive calls, which hopefully would not be dropped during conversations. Yes, I am guilty of purchasing "dumb phones". I don't even want to think about the side effects of using "dumb phones."

I changed carriers nine months ago, and of course purchased an inexpensive "dumb phone". However, as it happens with most of us that get up in the morning and vigorously pursue our goals and aspirations, my life/work style changed. It had become increasingly important to upgrade to a "smart phone". And this is the part where I found out how clueless I am ( a side effect of the "dumb phone", maybe? I'm just saying ....)

I called my local company that uses AT&T (I am cool enough to bundle services) to make sure I was able to upgrade. The representative seemed elated that I had stepped out of the "dumb ages" and directed me to a local store. I guess she was so happy for my "awakening" that she misread my contract by one year. ( I found this out later)

I go to the store and talk with a really super sales guy, who gently took my hand and led me through the possibilities of the living in the "smart ages". I began to feel confident that I was ready to embrace my new life as a "smart phone" user. (Yes, it is the smart phone of all smart phones that I am talking about ..... you know ... an apple a day ....)

The sun broke through the clouds, birds started singing, butterflys were hovering over flowers. I am standing there with my debit card in hand, and ready to pay the $199.00 for the upgrade as quoted .... when .... the sales guy says ... "uh oh" .... looks at me with disdain, and says .... "I should have seen this earlier. You are a .....current customer."

A black cloud appears and the room goes silent. He then says ... "the phone will cost YOU $499.00" In an instant my phone went up $300.00. Funny though, because it looked just like the very same phone. He was sympathetic, and did tell me to come back 6 months before my two-year contract ended, and I could get the phone at the price that was originally quoted. Apparently, the quoted price was/is a promotional price quoted to lure new people in, and to bribe existing customers, otherwise unhappy with the service, to stay. I on the other hand, was simply a lowly current customer, who did not meet their requirments, and therefore unworthy.

In all fairness to AT&T and the sales person (who is really a great person and representative), the requirements are placed upon them (according to AT&T) by Apple, and they have no "wiggle room" to accommodate customers who do not fall into the category of the elite few. I also have never had a problem, thus far, with the actual service provided by AT&T. I also know this is a common practice of cell phone carriers, and I mention the above because it deals with my own personal experience.

For Apple, I would suggest this. I signed a two-year contact with the company supplying your smart phone to their customers, and I personally feel obligated to fulfill that contract. I'm a customer for two years, and if the service continues to be good, and I feel that I'm appreciated as a customer, I will renew without having to be bribed. My suggestion would be to replace the requirements in place now with a more flexible contract .... a "lifestyle change" contract ... if you will. This contract revision would allow current customers, without regard of how long they have been a customer, the right to upgrade at the promotion price one time during the current contract. This, in respect for the fact that customers do go through life/workstyle changes, and their customers' requirements change.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that big companies today are more concerned with the "front-end" and "back-end" of customer procurement and retention. My philosophy of "customer retention 101" is simple .... keep current customer's happy by providing great customer service during the contact, and they will remain a customer and will probably tell others about the great service.

But what do I know ... I'm Debbie Barth .... and I am a current customer.

Is it great r gr8?

Dear Suzie,

Thx 4 ur interest n our facial creme this mourning. It ws gr8 talking 2 U. W r sending the creme out 2day.

Pls LMK if 1 tube will b enuf 4 future delivs.

Thx

Marty, Rep for xyz
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While it seems improbable that you would receive a business response in letter form or email written as above, I wonder if the above isn't an omen of things to come for the beleaguered American-English language. And, yes, there is a big difference between the "Queen's English" and the American version. I found out just how true this is while living in Sweden for a few years. And due to a variety of social networks, the popularity of texting, and protests (yes protests), the gap may widen.

Twitter has created it's own culture and language with the enforcement of 140 characters per post. Messages are short and not so sweet, as tweeters are becoming more and more resourceful in shortening words in order to convey messages.

When you post to your profile wall in Facebook, you are given a lot more lead-way, but even then, there are times that you need to be innovative.

We learn through repetition We tweet and FaceBook several messages a day using shortened forms of our written vocabulary. And thus, using shortened forms to create your messages become a habit. Point in case, have you ever written an email or written a business letter and wrote, lmk for "let me know", or cul for "see you later?". Have you ever written wld instead of would, or gr8 instead of great? Are you beginning to forget how to spell simple words?

It must really be confusing for students in elementary schools learning the English language, while quietly sitting in the back of the class texting their friends.

And let us not forget that there are those participating in protest rallies at, where else, national Spelling Bees. Apparently, they have had "enuf" of enough.

Is the Eng. lang. in truble? Who kno's? As 4 me I'm not worried. I'll just keep n mind the impotence of spelling korrectly & knot mispellin wrds.

Jason's Law-The Truth About Trucking

On Thursday March 5, 2009, Jason Rivenburg pulled his truck into a gas station that has been used frequently, and considered to be somewhat safe. Jason was only twelve miles from his destination, but could not make delivery because it was too early. His delivery never took place. Jason was shot and killed as he rested in his truck. Jason leaves behind a young son and a wife who gave birth thirteen days after Jason was killed.

It's a fact that if truck stops were required to provide adequate lighting, cameras and if delivery sites provided secure waiting areas crimes of this nature could be prevented. It's also a fact that they aren't required to do so.

Jason's case is not an isolated event. Stories just like this one are emerging everyday, and it's time the general public took note. Anyone thinking that this isn't a problem that affects us all, needs to walk into the local Target, Walmart, or food store and imagine what it would it be like with empty shelves. It is easy to talk for granted that those shelves will always be stocked, without considering the men and women truckers who are literally putting their lives in danger to make sure family and food clothes on their back.

Hope Rivenburg, Jason's wife, will be joining the Three Wise Girls at Blog Talk Radio this Thursday, June 10, 2010, at 12:00 pm EST, to tell her story. We will also be talking about bill HR 2156-Jason's Law, which is seeking safer and more secure places for Truckers to pull over and rest, without putting their lives in jeopardy.

Joining Hope and The Three Wise Girls, Debbie, Dori, and Linda, are Desiree Wood, a well-known Trucker Driver who writes blogs concerning the real life of Truckers, especially women Truckers, and Deva Hoffman, a self-defense expert with some advise and tips for Truckers to keep them safe.
For information concerning Jason's Law, Desiree Wood, Deva Hoffman, click on the links below.

Honoring Jason Rivenburg: http://www.jhlrivenburg.com/

Desiree Wood: http://www.facebook.com/REALWomenTruckers and http://www.realwomenintrucking.com/

Deva Hoffman: http://www.nselfdefense.com/

Boomer+Attitude = Job

If you are a baby boomer and you have seen 50 come and go, very likely you think your chances of landing a really great job are very slim. And, there is no doubt that ageism is alive and ever present every where we turn. However, it may not be the perception of others that is preventing you from landing that great job, it might very well be your perception of yourself that is stopping you. This writer believes that it isn't your age that might be the problem, but your attitude.

If your are on the backside of 50 and feel that you can't compete with your younger counterparts and have nothing to offer, consider this:

• You have life skills gained over years of experience in dealing with people and different situations. You know and value the importance of managing emotions at work, and dealing with co-workers that are difficult.
• You have a skill-set refined over several years of experience.
• You have, more than likely, experienced many of the interruptions and mishaps that spring up in a workplace, and are more able to handle the situation than your counter-parts who have not experienced similar situations.
• You have the knowledge to mentor and teach your younger co-workers.
• Your are probably much more flexible and not neccessarily agressively seeking to climb the ladder of command, thus eliminating feelings of competition amongst younger counterparts.

But obviously knowing all this and having confidence in your ability to be an asset to an employer isn't enough. You also have to project an aura of not only confidence, but energy, enthusiasm and knowledge. And then of course, you need a resume that not only reflects your skills and experience, but one that is more tailored to your age group. Yes, a one-size (or age) "fits -all" resume is not the ticket.

This writer is not implying that it is easy for job seekers that are 50+ to run out and land the job they want, but is saying that it is not entirely impossible, either. Stop listening to all the negative media and believing all the statics (where do all the statics really come from, anyway?), and start believing in yourself. Research and find the resources you need to help guide you through the job-seeking process for your age group. Use local resources, as well as online resources.

Some Online resources that cater to older job seekers are:

• AARP jobs: http://jobs.aarp.org/
• Seniors for Hire: http://www.seniors4hire.org/
• Workforce 50: http://www.workforce50.com/

The information shared here today is reflected in a guidebook this writer read and recommends. "Land The Job You Love", by Mary Eileen Williams, M.A.,NCC., gives a positive approach to finding a job at 50+. The book is at Amazon.com, and has strategies specific to 50+ job seekers, as well as action steps that help you refine your resume and cover letter to reflect your skills & experience and not your age. Mary Eileen Williams was the guest caller on Three Wise Girls Blog Talk Radio recently, and the response to her advice as been extremely positive.

With all the skills and experience you have, and all the resources offered to you, the number one thing you have in your possession, is your attitude. Bask in the glow of years of experience and skills, and what you can bring to the job. That "glow" won't go unnoticed by your interviewer.








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Need a Super Wife?

"I can wash out forty-four pairs of socks
And have them hangin out on the line
I can starch and iron two dozen shirts
Before you can count from one
to nine .... Cause I'm a woman ..... "

From Smokey Joe's Cafe

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you walk in the door after you get home from an excruciatingly long work day? Do you see dirty dishes in your sink and your house is a total disaster area? You then walk into your bedroom to change into something more comfortable and you see that huge pile of laundry just calling your name? Do you think that if you don't take care of this yourself, it just will not get done? That's not necessarily the case.

Patty Marsh walked into her home feeling the very same frustration for years. Then Pattie decided to do something about her situation. She decided it was time to hire a "super wife". Even better, she decided to start her own company called ... of course ..."The Super Wife."

She not only solved own her time-management problem, and had much more quality time with her family, she turned her "solution" into a rapidly growing business.

The Super Wife is a personal assistant service that is custom built to meet individual needs. Patty's service allows you to eliminate that "2nd full time job" that we all come home to when our first job ends. Patty's service is located in the Triad area of North Carolina. However, do not be surprised to see "The Super Wife" coming your way in the near future.

You can find more information concerning Patty Marsh and "The Super Wife" at http://www.facebook.com/thesuperwife.

Join us on Thursday, April 22, at 12:00 pm noon-time, at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/threewisegirls, when the Three Wise Girls talk with Patty Marsh.

Patty will be sharing with us how she started up her company and her experiences thus far. She will also be sharing with us some of her money/time-saving tips that just may surprise you. Patty is also on a mission to make her breast cancer patient clients lives a little easier via the services she provides. Patty is the epitome of the super wife.

We welcome you to call in at 1-347-994-3835 and talk with Patty, as well as to join us in the chatroom. After all, this isn't an interview ... it's a conversation!