It's a dog's life, and it's great!

This fellow really knows how to make the most out of life. Romeo is 14, in his prime, and he's learned a lot about living well. Like how to bask in every moment. How to enjoy all the perks of the present. How to make every moment count. How to take the necessary number of breaks, even if they only last a few moments.

I can sure learn a lot from Romeo.

Hope you have a bountiful 2012, filled with abundance, joy, giving, inspiration...
and well-deserved breaks.

Happy New Year!

Are People Lining Up for Your Business?

This picture was taken 36 hours before Best Buy in La Mesa CA will even open for Black Friday sales. Lots of other stores have incredible deals too, but so far, this is the only place with tenters firmly entrenched out front.

I drove by again this morning and the 5 tents had grown to 16, plus about 20 cars in the lot. Lots of folks wearing pajamas and just waking up from chilly night were milling about. Apparently the thought of grabbing a 42" LCD TV for $199 is enough to entice these folks.

This scenario got me to thinking: what are you and I doing to make our businesses really stand out?

Food for thought on this Thanksgiving Day.

Enjoy your holiday, and eat all you want!!

Happy Thanksgiving to You!

Did you put some WOW into your work today?

Meet Justin at the Starbucks on Magnolia and Main in El Cajon, CA... he's a master at creating art that's almost too pretty to drink.

We didn't ask for this extra special touch, yet he took the time to craft it just for us. Although I ooohed and aahhed over the first starburst he made, it didn't quite meet his exacting standards, so down the drain it went, and he quickly crafted a fresh chocolate-on-whipped cream design.

Seems to me that no matter what business we're in, or how busy we are, we can always make the time to do something simple, yet extra special, for our clients, customers, friends and family. An act of random, unexpected kindness will always make somebody smile. And happy people tend to share their joy with others. Who knows who far one little nicety can spread?

The First-Ever San Diego Plug-in Parade

The San Diego Center for Sustainable Energy hosted this first ever event on National Plug-In Day last Sunday, and it was a colorful parade of mostly Nissan Leafs, plus a few Priuses, 2 Volts, and a redone electric Mustang and Celica. Ecotality presented an update on the status of upcoming electric chargers throughout San Diego County. One of our big goals is to get more chargers installed en route to Orange and L.A. Counties, plus more heading east towards Julian, the mountains and snow.

So, what's it like driving a bright red Nissan Leaf? I love it! Electric bill is only $19-$20 a month; no more gas stations, no oil changes. This car has a lot of pep, and a lot of room. People still ask if I miss my Mustang convertible...nope! I feel great about giving some oommph to the electric car movement. There are over 600 Leafs now in San Diego county. You can get plenty of local info on our facebook page: Nissan Leaf Lovers San Diego.

And if you want to green up your home and your life, visit the CCSE at http://energycenter.org

Still time to enjoy La Mesa's Oktoberfest!

It's one of our city's most popular annual events and today is the last day! Enjoy a multitude of creative vendors, and do your Christmas shopping early! Plus, don't miss the funnel cakes, homemade root beer, and dozens of other fine culinary concoctions. La Mesa Blvd and Spring Street. There's good parking close by, or take the trolley.

Crazy Hair Day at the Alpaca Farm

Don't miss Open House weekend at the local alpaca farms - maybe a nice respite from your hectic life!

Opportunity to visit your local alpaca farm and meet these cute little guys up close and ask the their owners all your alpaca questions.

DATE: Saturday Sept 24 - hours vary with farm
DATE: Sunday Sept 25 - hours vary with farm

WHERE: there are 2 registered alpaca farms in East County:
A Simpler Time: Alpacas & Fiber Mill, Dave & Barbara Davies
1802 Alta Pl. El Cajon, CA 92021 Phone: (619) 579-9114 Phone 2: (619) 579-9113 Fax: (619) 579-9113 Web: www.asimplertimemill.com
Sat hours:
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sun hours:
"By Appointment Only"

Dave gave us a great tour of the boys' pen and the mill. There are 22 different colors of alpaca and they are all so incredibly soft! Of course, we stopped at the gift shop too.

Hazard Alpacas, Rick Hazard & Patti Hazard 13905 Via de Jamul Jamul, CA 91935 Phone: (619) 990-7305 Cell: (619) 669-3829 Web: www.hazardalpacas.com
Sat & Sun hours: 10am - 2pm


Sponsor of event is the Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association, Inc, link: http://www.nationalalpacafarmdays.com/
Their 'Find A Farm' feature gives directions to the farms.
Enjoy if you have time... we sure did!