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How Grandma Inspired a Geeky Amazon Gratitude Gift Guide

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Wishing, Buying, and Don’t Forget the Wine for a Cause

The Living Web

Every year, grandma gives me a list of holiday gifts to buy from my Amazon Affiliate Store. She wants a few pennies to come my way too. Thanks Grandma. I’m grateful for your thoughts.

Every year while I shop, I’m always distracted by thoughts of the people I wish I could be buying for. I see the laptop that one friend could use and that Kindle that one reader can’t quit talking about. My heart gets filled with gratitude for the folks who’ve made my life, my business, and my blog so lovely all year and I want to demonstrate in a very real way.

And after my unexpected hospital vacation this year, the feeling is huge.

Of course, it wouldn’t be wise, practical, or even possible to share the gratitude we all feel by buying everything we might. But the good thoughts of the giving are still awfully nice.

So here’s to dreaming of the recovery, the new clients and new jobs in 2010, or the new ideas we come up with venture and partner to raise each other up again. Here are the things I would love to get for my friends with my wishful big spend.

Maybe this list will give you some ideas and great thoughts of those closest to you.

Take a Peek and Wish

Of course the list starts with books and social media gifts, you can find lots of my favorites — including everything Twitter — at my Blogger and Social Media AStore.

I’ve tried to feature there all of the contributions by my incredible friends — if your Amazon products aren’t there, please email me so that I can include you. What fun to have a store filled will products by people I know and trust. I recommend those all to you.

And here are some other fun things I’d love to put in my “big spend.” Soon … maybe soon …

Okay, my wishing for what I would get my friends is over. What would you do with your wishful big spend?

We’ll Be Together on the Holidays

Don’t tell Grandma, but she’s getting the book she wanted and another. I thought a movie and some snacks to share while watching might also be good. Meanwhile, I’m bringing over our favorite OneHopeWines … it’s always a good choice and a great cause.

Most of all, we’ll be together on the holidays. I hope you will too.

PS. If you get underwear and socks, before you return them … consider offering them to the nearest homeless shelter. Cold weather makes them a priceless gift.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

Do You See the Light Sources Shining On You?

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A Thought to Reflect Upon

This morning I caught this photo of the harbor. The hour was too late to catch the sun. You can see the shine, but not the source.

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Shortly after I turned on my computer to find this love message from my new friend, Jade Craven,

Thank you so much 🙂 I see why many of my friends rave about you.

It struck that the photo and the message have something sweet in common. You can see the light shining, but not the source. You have to assume the sun. I don’t know which friend Jade and I might have in common.

That got me thinking about the friends and folks all through my life who said and done things to help me shine as I’ve grown. So many light sources have helped me shine. It’s a stunning thought to reflect upon. My light is filled with gratitude.

Do you see the light sources shining on you?

I make connections
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

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Bloggy Question 70: How Do You Thank All of the Bloggers Who Have Helped You?

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Gratitude

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life question. . . .

You’re a blogger. Like most of us, you got here thinking it was about the writing. Then, whoa, you found out that the people who blog are something special who find a way to share who they are in meaningful ways.

Over the past few months, they’ve been great to you. They’ve shown up with advice, cheer, casual quips, deep thoughts and encouragement that has carried you along clear until today.

Now you’re looking at the holidays . . . you want to give something back, but you’re not sure what to do.

You’re a blogger like the most of us — money and packages around the world just aren’t in the budget you available to you.

Still you want to show your gratitude.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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On a Friday Morning, When Among Other Things . . .

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I’ve been thinking . . .

On a Friday morning when among other things, I will be meeting some really important people — every one of them. . . . I sit here with my laptop, thinking about what a lucky a person I am. Like the rest of us, who would have thought anything like this would have come of it when I wrote that first blog post (how long ago?)? I had no idea that anything like this would ever come of it.

Yet here I am, deleting a sentence I just spent a good hour editing. What I was trying to say in too many words was that I’ve changed and that folks who’ve known me are noticing.

“Wow, you did that differently than you would have done that a year or two ago.”

“I don’t have time for grown ups who act like spoiled brats anymore. Too many good folks are worth worrying about.”

“Blogging has been good for you.”

Everyone who reads my blogs has had a hand in that growth. Everyone has taught me.

On a Friday morning, with my laptop again in front of me I am wondering. Who would have thought anything like this might have been come of it?

I never dreamed I would fall in love.

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