gift ideas

• For those who work on their own, any Christmas ideas? (sm) - midwestMT
  • two ideas --- - anon
    • gift ideas - yum
  • gift - lm
  • sm - cj
    • basket of goodies - MTinNC
      • Awesome suggestions! Thanks! :) (nm) - midwestMT

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I need some help figuring out a neat gift idea for our veterinary staff.  You guys always have some GREAT ideas !!!

We have had some significant problems with both our "mom" and the 8 puppies we have left, having lost 3.  The staff at our vet hospital has just been absolutely wonderful.  This is a new vet hospital for us.  Our old vet and staff were... well... let's just say less than caring or concerned about our animals. 

We'd like a way to say thanks in a different and unique way, other than the traditional fruit/snack basket, and this is just not my strong suit.  We feel that plenty of people will complain about bad service, but sometimes we forget to reward the great service or the extra effort, and this vet hospital has done that and more. 

Any help or ideas would be appreciated.  TIA....

This will be my second Christmas with this company.  I did not receive anything last year so I don't expect to this year either.  Still, a good company to work for.

and I do not say that lightly because my last week or so has sucked big-time donkey eggs. I said to my hubby this morning "Okay, honey, I'm leaving for the office now." He looked at me and cracked up because I was standing in the hallway in what he calls my "fart sack" a giant, several-sizes-too-big flannel nightgown. My kids are both home sick with mono and getting them through final exams and everything is going to be a challenge. The flip side of that is how lucky I am to work from home so that I can oversee their recovery and still earn a paycheck. I've resolved to try to find the silver lining in every cloud today.

By the way, those of you who saw my most on the gab board about DH's cellulitis, it seems to have miraculously started clear. I'm not getting cocky yet because he still has a pocket of infection near the top of his scar but he might be okay!

We recently had a family reunion on my husband's side, hosted on 2 different days by 2 different cousins.  We want to send them both a nice gift for their gracious hosting.  Both families are in their 40s/50s, husband and wife.  Thanks for any ideas.

Back in December I had a car accident.  I was POURING rain and the woman in front of me slammed on her brakes rather suddenly.  I hit my brakes, but I guess because of all the water on the road I didn't stop, I slid and hit her. 

Her car had very little damage, if any.  My car (Dodge Stratus) had about $1000.00 worth of damage to the front end.  The airbags did not deploy though because it was a very low impact accident.

Well, I had removed collision insurance from my auto policy because at the time I couldn't afford it.  My son had been having some medical problems and I was trying to cut corners any way I could.

My car has been sitting at a body shop since December waiting to be repaired.  The estimate was $900.00 to replace the hood, headlights, and pull the engine forward as the accident had pushed it back some and clamed the radiator hose shut and the fans weren't turning either.  The estimate did not include painting.

I have not been able to afford getting my car repaired yet.  I have been driving an old piece of junk that my parents have sitting at their house as a "back up" vehicle for emergencies.  It burns oil like the dickens, smokes like crazy, no air conditioning (in NC that is critical), and drinks gas like its going out of style.

Yesterday my son and I went to my parents house for lunch.  I pulled in the driveway, AND THERE SAT MY CAR!!!!!!  I swear to you, I cried.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  They had had it repaired and painted.  Well, they painted the new hood and the front fenders.  The fenders didn't have any damage, but they did it in order to blend the paint.  It looks increadibly good.  I can't even tell any difference between the new paint and the "old paint".

They also took it to Stanley Steemer and had the interior steam cleaned.  When they did that, they also cleaned the motor, so it looks brand new.  The only thing left is getting a new front bumper.  It has a couple of cracks in it up where the hood and the bumper meet.  But the body shop could not find a used bumper for it and to replace it with a new one would cost $900.00 by itself.  So, we will be looking out for a used bumper and when we find one we will have the bumper replaced and have the entire car painted.  I can wait for that though.  I am just so thrilled to have my car back!!!  No more piece of junk for me!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Today I landed a hospital pathology transcription position; per diem, $22.50 an hour with possibilities of f/t down the road!  They hired me on the spot - yippee!  Happy MT Day, everyone ! 

Joanne

One year my sister had some very beautiful "beaudoir" photos taken that she gave her husband for an anniversary gift and he was nuts about them.  They were all taken by a very reputable photographer, all the shots were tasteful and nothing X-rated was exposed or showing.  One showed her very covered up with a red feather boa, you could see her bare shoulders and her bare legs, but not much else; another showed her kneeling in an unmade bed covered in all the important places by a sheet.  She had 4 taken in different poses and different settings.  They were some of the best photos I've ever seen of her.  They hung them in their bedroom so that they were kept private, but they were beautiful enough and tasteful enough that she showed them to family and close friends.  From what her photographer said, quite a few women have this type of photo taken for their significant others.  Just another idea to ponder.  :)

For anyone who wants to be proactive in their career/success, check this out--click on the video clip from the CMT: 

http://www.mtmonthly.com/medicaltranscriptionnews.htm 

I picked up an exercise bike at a yard sale for $1 and a mini trampoline for $5.  Whenever I need a break to recharge, I get on the bike or trampoline for 5-10 minutes.  They say that little spurts of exercise throughout the day are as effective as exercising all at once.  Plus, it'll help clear your lungs out.  Another thing to try is to just step outside for a moment and take some really deep breaths of fresh air in.  You used to inhale deeply with smoking, so now you inhale deeply without the carcinogens.  You can also try yoga or tai chi.  Very calming on the nerves.  I also switched to herbal tea, so I'll take a break and fill up my little teapot for one.  Replace your bad habit with a good habit.  Just don't replace smoking with eating.  If you need the hand to mouth thing, try air popped popcorn, cut up fruit or vegetables, a small amount of nuts or seeds, or hot peppers.  I keep a jar of Bit o' Honey and fireball candies on my desk, so I'll have one of those a day.

It's important to reward yourself, so take the money you would ordinarily have spent on cigarettes and get something for yourself.  I like to buy books, bubble bath, stinky candles, mocha lattes, restaurant gift certificates.  You can also put the money you're saving into a big jar to watch it add up for a BIG reward.  I saved enough to buy a dishwasher, which is kind of silly for a reward, but I really wanted one.

Number one was psychology, but that will take too long, going part time, and knowing in the next five years MT'ing might not exist.  You need a bachelor's to get foot in the door.  I wish they had schooling completely on line for this degree, but they do not. 

Second is something with cooking.  Would like to work with people on diet and weight loss, since it is the way i've lived my own life for years and I believe strongly in it.  The chef/cook field is predominantly male, so it will be hard to get a foot in the door there.  I can be a certified dietician all on line within a year, but the pay isn't all that good.

Ultimate goal would be a personal chef or working for myself doing SOMETHING.  I think thats everyones dream.

My daughter LOVES trains, and you can find scenic train trips all over.  We did one in Romney, WV that was just wonderful.  The train was called Potomoc Eagle, and we did see bald eagles on our trip. 

Not sure where you are in WV, but what about Hershey, PA?  Probably not the cheapest vacation, but lots to do.  Besides HersheyPark itself (very kid friendly) there is a zoo, a garden and more.  I'm sure there are packages available.  

I'm anxious to see what others come up with too.  We are in PA and looking for some close trips as well.  Which beach do you go to?  We found a beautiful not-so-commercial beach at Lewes, DE last year and can't wait to go back!

Good luck with your planning!