On The Bright Side Of Things

Gas Prices

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:45:00 +0000

The gas prices are above $4.00 a gallon, unemployment is rising, food prices are soaring, and the Iraq war has no end in site. With the working folk in the entire United States wondering what it is going to take to get our economy back on track, our government is more worried about silly campaign stories. Here are a couple of examples of what our political teams find more important than the people of the U.S.:

Nader: Obama 'talking white'
Sanchez: Can Obama's money buy him love?

But on the bright side of things, maybe someone that has at least a small concern for the working class will soon be president. And on the very bright side, only 7 more months and Bush will be out of office!!!!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Money Talk

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 19:29:00 +0000

Unless you have more money then you can do with, I am sure you will agree with me that the gas prices have hit the common mans pocket book harder then it ever has before. So it boggles my mind that our government can waste money on unimportant things, but won't think of a plan to help out its own people. Now before you think this is an anti-Bush plan, set back and listen, this is a plan to help out the hard working individual. And maybe down the road it might even help out our environment.

The two basic ways an average person will use gas is by burning it in a car, or using it to heat our houses. But the main reason most people won't change to a hybrid car or change out our heating systems is because we can't afford it. We need help, and I feel that our government should do all it can to give us this help. I am not saying that the government should go out and buy us all cars and heating systems, I am just saying that the government should give us some kind of incentive to go out buy them ourselves.

The cheapest way to get heat would be from natural heat. That is why it would be great to have an underground heat pump. Underground heat can't keep your house warm enough to be comfortable, but it would cut the gas heat price down drastically.

I think that if someone would be willing to change to a heat pump, or hybrid car, then the government should be willing to help us pay for part of it. If they can send money to other country's to help them out, why can't the government that suppose to be ours help us?

Lets face it, the price of gas will never go back down, but on the bright side of things, if we all fight for changes from our government, maybe we can make those prices a little more reasonable.

Until next time, always look on the bright side of things.

Jodee
Online Gift Shop

Children with Guns

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 19:40:00 +0000

I was reading a story today about an eighth grader that was shot by police for bringing a gun to school. Apparently the boy had a handgun in his bag, and a couple of other students saw it and reported it. But then the boy with the gun forced one of the students into a closet and took off down the school with the gun. After the police got there they cornered him into a bathroom and evacuated the school. Before the incident was over the student with the gun was shot, then took to a hospital.

So it makes me wonder, how are these kids getting guns? Do parents that own guns show their kids where the guns are located in the home? And why do so many people own handguns? I would personally never keep a handgun in my house, it just wouldn't be allowed. I do know there are cases where a hand gun is a must. For instance, my brother is a police officer. His gun is part of his uniform, he must have the gun in his house. But he keeps the gun under lock and key when he is not working. And there is no way he would tell his daughter where the gun was at, or where the key to the lock was. Then there is the case of those that say that they have a handgun in there house for protection. But for protection against whom? Robbers? Have you ever heard a news story that said that a family was protected from a robber because they had a gun? I haven't, because most robberies occur when you are not home. Or lets say that a robbery does occur when you are in the house, do you really think that you have a very good chance of being in the room that the gun is hidden in when you are surprised by an intruder? Or let us say that you want to protect yourself from a sex predator. But the problem is, they normally wait outside your window until you are asleep. I don't think you will have a chance to grab a gun when you are asleep. But I do know someone that has time to get to your gun. Your children. Your children know when you are not home, and they know when you are coming back. This gives them plenty of time to find it. And how often do you check that your gun is in its hiding place? Your child could have that gun as you read this story and you wouldn't even know it. So is owning a gun really worth that risk?

People kill people, but also guns kill people. But on the bright side of things each day one more parent realizes that guns are a danger in their house, and they shouldn't be there unless it is absolutely necessary.

Until next time remember, always look on the bright side of things.

Jodee
Family Gift Ideas

Search for Religious Belief

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 16:19:00 +0000

I watched part of the Barbara Walters special the other night, "Heaven: Where Is It? How Do We Get There?". The show completely amazed me. I wish that I had known that it was going to be coming on, then I would have got in early and watched the entire show.

After watching this show, I tried to figure out what I personally thought happened after someone dies. It surprises me that I don't know what I believe. I have no idea what I think will happen. Sure as a child my parents would bring me to church on the weekend. But today I think back and wonder if I believe in the Catholic Religion that I was brought up with. To be honest, I have a lot of trouble in finding faith in the catholic religion. If I do something terrible, like kill someone, then I don't think if I go confess with a priest that I will be forgiven by God.

So I will mull it all over. I believe that there has to be something that started this world in being what it is. But when I say begin, where is the beginning? My beginning is with my parents, and their beginning is with their parents. And so it goes clear back before there was man kind. And scientifically there were dinosaurs before man. But I am sure there was something before them. So am I to believe that mankind is so much greater to go to heaven then anything before us? Did dinosaurs go to heaven? Or do only humans receive souls?

Then I am tormented with the belief in reincarnation. I can see a point in this concept. We know that when a plant or animal dies, it will decompose and all the nutrients will be consumed by other living plants, which in turn will be ate by man. So the dead gives back to the living, and so they cycle goes. So it would make sense that the soul would somehow be reused. But then if we only began with x amount of souls years and years ago, how can our population double and triple and still have enough souls to go around? Could a ghost possibly be a soul ready to be reused in a new life? And when is the soul added to a new life?

With all my thoughts I still can't figured out what I really truly believe will happen after our deaths. But on the bright side of things, I do believe that if a person doesn't kill or steal or do anything terrible to others, then they should be ready for whatever happens to us at the end.

Till next time, always look on the bright side of things.

Jodee
Family Gift Ideas

Holiday Tree????

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 15:52:00 +0000

I heard the other day that there are activist wanting everyone to start calling their Christmas tree a holiday tree!! I was blown away. I was at first very angry with the way people feel they can just take the American tradition and twist it around. I also ask myself why would anyone have the nerve to think they could ask someone to change the name of our sacred Christmas tree?? Then I tried to figure out what the original Christmas tree symbolized, and I couldn't think of what the tree actually symbolized. So I did a little research on the internet and came up with a very educational website (http://users.rcn.com/tlclcms/chrtree.htm) that talked about the starting of the Christmas Tree. This is what I found out:

_____________

The first Christmas tree originated in Germany in 1521. Granted it wasn't decorated with lights, but it is our first known Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was probably first used in America about 1700 when the first wave of German immigration settled in western Pennsylvania.

From the eleventh century, religious plays called "mystery plays" became quite popular throughout Europe. These plays were performed outdoors and in churches. One of the most prevalent of these plays was the "Paradise play." The play depicted the story of the creation of Adam and Eve, their sin, and their banishment from Paradise. The play would end with the promise of the coming Savior and His Incarnation (cf. Gen. 3:15). The Paradise play was simple by today's standards. The only prop on stage was the "Paradise tree," a fir tree adorned with apples. From this tree, at the appropriate time in the play, Eve would take the fruit, eat it, and give it to Adam.

Because of abuses that crept into the mystery plays (i.e., immoral behavior), the Church forbade these plays during the fifteenth century. The people had grown so accustomed to the Paradise tree, however, that they began putting their own Paradise tree up in their homes on Dec. 24. They did so on Dec. 24 because this was the feast day of Adam and Eve (at least in the Eastern Church). The Paradise tree, as it had in the Paradise plays, symbolized both a tree of sin and a tree of life. For this reason, the people would decorate these trees with apples (representing the fruit of sin) and homemade wafers (like communion wafers which represented the fruit of life). Later, candy and sweets were added.

Another custom was to be found in the homes of Christians on Dec. 24 since the late Middle Ages. A large candle called the "Christmas light," symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world, was lit on Christmas Eve. In western Germany, many smaller candles were set upon a wooden pyramid and lit. Besides the candles, other objects such as glass balls, tinsel, and the "star of Bethlehem" were placed on its top.

Though we cannot be certain, it seems highly likely that the first Christmas trees that appeared in Germany in the early sixteenth century were descendants of both of these customs: the Paradise tree and the Christmas pyramids and lights. The Paradise tree became our Christmas tree. Decorations that had been placed on the pyramids were transferred to the Christmas tree.

For many Christians the Christmas tree still retains the symbolism of the Paradise tree. The tree reminds us of the tree in Eden by which Adam and Eve were overcome and which thrust them into sin. But more importantly, the tree reminds us of the tree by which our sin was overcome, namely the tree upon which Christ Jesus was crucified. Is it a stretch to refer to the cross as a tree? Hardly, for this is the language of the New Testament itself! For example, Paul writes in Galatians 3:13, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree" (quoting Deut. 21:23). And Peter writes, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." Therefore, the Christmas tree is a wonderful symbol and reminder of our salvation and forgiveness through Jesus Christ!

_____________

After reading this article I feel better about my understanding of the Christmas tree. But even with this understanding I still find that calling the Christmas tree a holiday tree is wrong. Lets set back and think for a second. What is a holiday? Easter, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Fathers Day, Mothers Day, etc. So if we have a holiday tree then this tree should be out all year! So lets us see....... if we put the Christmas tree out at Christmas, then hummmmm wouldn't it make sense to call it a CHRISTMAS TREE?!?!?!?!?! If we put the tree out at Easter then it would makes sense to call it an Easter tree right?? So lets leave the Christmas Tree as it is, a Christmas Tree.

This subject still irritates me, but on the bright side of things, everyone has different beliefs about religion and politics. And that is the great thing about living in American, we can believe whatever we want. But please, lets not mess with tradition, and don't try to fix things that aren't broken.

Until next time, always look on the bright side of things.

Jodee
Family Gift Ideas

Branson Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 19:28:00 +0000

My family and I just got back from a trip to Branson Missouri. Everyone kept telling me how it was going to be so cold, and that there was going to be so many people in town we wouldn't be able to enjoy ourselves. And they were partly correct, the town was very busy, but to top it off some of the stop lights weren't working, so there was police men directing traffic. Unfortunately the traffic was so backed up it took forever to get from one side of the town to the other. But on the bright side of things...The weather was beautiful, the temperature was in the upper 60's the entire time we were there. And even though there was so many people in town, the Branson atmosphere still kept everyone in a good mood.

We stayed in a beautiful resort called "Holiday Hills". They offer nightly rentals for one or two bedroom condos. We stayed in a two bedroom condo that overlooked a beautiful golf course. It had all the comforts of home, microwave, refrigerator, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and t.v. It even had a whirpool tub!

Some of the attractions we went to were the Ballknobbers. I would highly recommend watching them if you go to Branson, if you enjoy comedy and country music. We also went to Silver Dollar City. I have been there a couple of times before, but probably wont go back. Unless you enjoy amusement parks, I feel that you will be spending more then what it is worth. Walking in Silver Dollar City is like walking down a street in the 1800's. There are craftsmen that make candles, candy, and much more. That is what I like about Silver Dollar City, but if you want to buy something there it will cost you three times as much as you would pay in a normal store. But if you like amusement rides, you can ride as many as you wish, and it will cost you just what you have to spend to walk in the front entrance.

There is so much to do and see in Branson, Missouri that I had a wonderful vacation there, and hope to go back there very soon. Until next time, always look on the bright side of things!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Bush approval at all time low

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 15:00:00 +0000

It really doesn't surprise me that President George Bush's rating is at an all time low. He currently has only a 37% approval rating. We all know the reasons for such a low rating, but the terrible thing is whoever takes his place in the next presidential election will have to feel the heat of his mistakes. It wont be easy to turn all of Bush's wrongs into rights. It will take a very special person to do this task. And since this world is finally waking up to realize how horrible of a job that Bush has done, in the recent pole only 9 percent said their first choice in next year's elections would be a Republican who supports Bush on almost every major issue.

But on the bright side of things, entrepreneurs in the t-shirt business have came up with many anti-bush designs, which can make them a little spending money. If you click on the image above it will bring you to a website that sells gifts and apparel with that design.

Until next time, always look on the bright side of things.

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Unique Gifts and T-Shirts

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 18:56:00 +0000

I have been working on creating a website that features unique gifts and t-shirts. The gift shop has been divided into five categories: humor, family, pets, holidays and nature. Once I feel comfortable that I have a wide variety of unique gifts in those five categories, I do plan on adding more sections.

Currently my gifts include mugs, greeting cards, bags, ornaments, clocks, journals, coasters, mousepads, magnets, buttons and much more. I think my favorite section has to be for the family. There are some really great gifts for grandma, grandpa, aunt uncle, mom and dad.

But with Christmas coming up, I am sure that the all the unique Christmas gifts and apparel will be a big hit.

Until next time, always look on the bright side of things.

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Downside of Yahoo

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 18:20:00 +0000

Many years ago Yahoo was an important life line of mine. I spent my evenings chatting with friends in the Mac chat room, sending emails to family and friends, keeping up with the gossip at the forums and searching for important information in the search engine. But times have changed. A few years back, I went to log in to my email account one night to find out that I couldn't log in. So I used one of my other email accounts to write to yahoo to ask them why my email wasn't accepting my username and password. Do you know what my reply was? Nothing, zip, zero zilch. They didn't even bother to write me back. I felt like the internet world as I knew it was gone. All my saved emails were locked up tight in an email account that I could no longer get to. I was mad and frustrated about the entire situation, and vowed to never rely upon yahoo email. And to this day, I have kept that promise.

But over the weekend, my husband got to feel a similar experience. He went to yahoo to check his email, like he has done for the past 7 years. But to his shock, he wasn't able to enter his account. So he went to the sign-in help section to confirm his birthday, zip code, country, etc... When he finished he hoped that some kind of useful information would be sent to his alternative email address, which would help him be able to log-in. But when he got there, he found a message from yahoo, which had been sent to him a couple of days before his attempt to log-in to yahoo. The letter said that he had violated the TOS, and therefore they have prohibit the use of his account. This would have been fine, IF HE HAD VIOLATED THE TOS! But like I said, he has been a member of yahoo for 7 years. For the past couple of years he hardly ever uses the account. He had learned from my experience and just used the account to collect junk mail. He no longer uses their chat, games, forums or any service that would cause him to violate the TOS. So it is impossible that he had violated any TOS.

In my honest opinion I feel that yahoo is going down. Google has a great search engine and now has amazing maps that can out do yahoo's maps and driving directions. I've been using excite email which seems to be a lot more attractive and reliable. Plus excite has some wonderful games to play. If you want to find a good shopping deal, then I would recommend dealtime.com. And of course there is no better place to find current news then CNN.com.

So on the bright side of things, if you get disappointed with yahoo, there are many other places to go to find the information that you use to rely on from yahoo.

Until next time, always look on the brighter side of things!

Jodee
http://www.jrpubishers.com

Karma

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 15:11:00 +0000

The new NBC hit t.v. show, "My Name is Earl" has really put a focus on Karma. If you do something bad, something bad will happen to you, but if you do something good, then something good will happen to you. I was thinking about that show today when I read an article about a woman who had won the lottery. She had purchased a lottery ticket, and ended up winning a million dollars. She even went to the lottery headquarter to start collecting on her winning ticket. But things went down hill for her from there. The police had realized that she had purchased that ticked with a stolen credit card. The card had belonged to her mother-in-law who had passed away over a year ago. And upon further investigation, they found that she also had possession of methamphetamine, which adds to her theft and forgery charges.

A one time millionaire will probably lose her winnings because of her past actions. But she can always look on the bright side of things, Karma has taken away her million because of her past actions, but if she would only start doing good things, maybe Karma will give it back to her. Until next time, always look on the brighter side of things.

Jodee
http://www.jrpubishers.com

Parents that kill their own children

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Thu, 20 Oct 2005 15:10:00 +0000

I read today where a lady in San Francisco tossed her children into the bay. I am so sick of hearing how parents are killing, torturing and molesting their own children! I think that we need to take drastic measures into this matter. If anyone does this to their own children I feel that they should lose the privilege to be a parent forever. I mean why not treat them like the animals they are. If we have an animal that doesn't need to reproduce anymore we Spay and Neuter them. Why not do a human form of spayed and neutering? They have proven to society that they can't handle being a responsible parent, why should they be allowed to reproduce and torture another innocent child? We as a society should put an end to this craziness before someone else is abused.

On the bright side of things, there currently are laws against child abuse, and we can do all we can to help put these sick people behind bars, and away from the ones that they can harm. Lets open our eyes and watch for signs of abuse, if any is found, do something! Turn them into the proper authorities so the victum can try to pick up their pieces and try to live a better life. I pray for an abuse free society, please do your part to help. Thank you.

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Political Racist?

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 18:35:00 +0000

I have been troubled for many years on why we must still have Democrat and Republican groups. I have read that the basic difference is that Republicans follow a conservative philosophy and Democrats follow a liberal philosophy. How can this be? If I talk to a republican, they have different views that lean toward being liberal. And if I talk to a Democrat they have different views that lean toward being conservative. I think that the entire Democrat vs. Republican government is just one big joke.

To show my point....I have an uncle that is die hard Republican. He had met this man that was democrat. He had no idea that the man was democrat. After meeting him, he was talking about how great and wonderful the guy was. He agreed on different views and was just over all pleased in meeting him. But a couple of months later he learned that the man he meet was a democrat. My uncle's tone changed, he thought that he was such a terrible man, and didn't want anything to do with him. If there is such a thing as being political racist, I would put my uncle in that category. I just wonder if he would give his vote for a dog if the dog turned out to be republican!

As for the war in Iraq. I think that the Iraqis did need help getting Saddam Hussein out of power. But I don't feel that the U.S. should have went over the United Nations head. That was a terrible mistake. Now if the U.S. will ever need help from another country, do you think they will jump at the chance to help us? Heck no, they now hate us! But because we must have the democrat and republican groups, there is no way a true republican will say anything bad about what George Bush is doing. It just wouldn't be in the nature of a true politician to turn on his/her own group.

It is really hard for me to find a bright side of this subject, but I'll try. On the bright side of things, I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat, so I can stand back and watch what is going on in this world with open eyes. And base my opinion on how I personally feel, not because my party says so!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Mosquitoes

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 14:19:00 +0000

It's amazing how mosquitoes can ruin the idea of enjoying a day outside. Since we bought our house in August, we have been spending all our time inside painting and remodeling. The only chance that I get to go outside is to mow the lawn. This morning I decided to plant a couple of butterfly bushes. I already was aware of the mosquito problem we have outside our house, so I decided to arm myself. I sprayed my legs, arms, cloths, and my hair. I walked out the door feeling like I was wearing a suit of armor. I really believed that I was going to prevent any mosquito from biting me. While I was planting the first bush, I noticed that I had mosquitoes flying around me, but I felt comfortable with my OFF with deet mosquito armor on. So I just kept planting, while ignoring them. After I finished with the first butterfly bush, I headed to the back yard to plant the final bush. Sadly enough, the backyard has even more mosquitoes then the front yard. But still being delusional, I packed up my tools and headed to the backyard. Half way through the last planting I noticed that my leg was really starting to itch. I figured it had to just be my imagination, because I was wearing OFF armor. By the time I had finished my delusion had slowly diminished and I headed to the house. After getting inside and taking a shower, I counted my war scars. I have five bites on my left leg. One bite on my left elbow. And one lone bite on my back. Sadly enough I lost my battle. After planting those beautiful bushes I can't even go outside to enjoy them.

So I believe it is time to find a new battle plan for the next round. But everything I read says that the best product to use is sprays with DEET. If getting 6 mosquito bites in 30 minutes is the best I can find, I will be very disappointed. But on the bright side of things. The less I am outside in the sun, the less possibility I will get skin cancer!

Till the next time, remember to always look on the bright side of things!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

First Day Of Fall

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 14:44:00 +0000

Today is the first day of fall. Where has the summer gone? This has been a very hectic summer for me. My husband and I were living in an apartment in Harvard, Illinois in March of this year. Then due to finding a job in Kansas City, we packed up and moved to another apartment in Kansas City. After moving in, we decided that it was time to settle down and find our own house. So after a few month search we found the house that we were soon going to call home. It is a beautiful three bedroom split level house. Like all houses, it needed some TLC. So we started painting and doing a little remodeling the beginning of August.

Living 7 hours away from my family had gotten me out of many family functions in the past, but now living just a couple hours away, half of my weekends this summer had been spent at birthday parties, wedding showers, baby showers and anniversary parties. So between fixing up the house and going to family events, my summer is now gone, with no vacation to account for.

But on the bright side of things, we are planning a nice vacation in Branson in November. I have been to Branson a few times now, and it is a very relaxing place to go. Everyone there makes you feel like your at home, and will try their best to help you anyway they can. I have never been to Branson in November, but I have been reading that they have a big County Christmas Celebration that started November 6th. I love Christmas, and can't wait to find out what they will have in store!

Until next time, always look on the bright side of things!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

CafePress site (http://www.cafepress.com/jrpublishers)

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 15:15:00 +0000

I have been a member of CafePress for a few weeks now. I still haven't sold anything to anyone outside of my family, but I feel that I am getting closer. I wrote to CafePress and ask that my shop be included in their list of Grand Openings. I just got a message back yesterday saying that my shop has been accepted! And as of last night my name is on the list. I keep going to the link just to see "JR Publishers".

My cafepress site has many unique gifts, but I am always open to new ideas. I love to go see the beauties of nature, and that is why most of my products feature those images. I have a pictures of waterfalls, covered bridges, lakes, farm houses and much more. But I also have designs that use clip art and text.

I might not have sold any of my items yet, but I am going to look on the bright side of things, and know that one day soon I will. Until next time!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Hot Air Balloons

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 15:04:00 +0000

My husband bought me a new digital camera last year for Christmas. I would have to say I just love this camera. I keep finding features that makes me love it even more. Over this labor day weekend I went to an annual hot air balloon show, in a small town next to Brookfield, Missouri. I have taken many pictures during the day time, but I had never taken a night time picture. I got my chance Sunday night when they did the lighting of the hot air balloons. I selected my night time mode on the camera and took a picture of the balloons. I was very impressed when I viewed it. It somehow made my night time picture look like it had been taken at dusk. I also have another picture that I took at the same time, without the night scene mode selected. The night scene mode made my photo a little grainy, but over all I am very impressed.

I have thought about using one of my hot air balloon pictures for my cafepress store - http://www.cafepress.com/jrpublishers -. I think that the hot air balloon is a very beautiful site, and with 25 of them flying together, it is even more magnificent. Maybe it would make a good poster, or picture on a mug. Let me know your opinions. Would you like to see a hot air balloon in my store?

Well to my husband, many thanks again for a wonderful gift that just keeps giving and giving. And to everyone else, remember to always look on the brighter side of things, and take time to look at the sky, maybe you'll see a hot air balloon!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com

Harry Potter

noreply@blogger.com (jrpublishers) — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 15:47:00 +0000

I know Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has been out since September 1998, and I just got around to reading it August 2005. I missed out on the big Harry Potter craze, but on the bright side of things, I did have the pleasure of reading my first Harry Potter book. And I would have to say that it is a wonderful story. It has just enough mystery to keep me wondering what is going to happen next. I am getting ready to start reading the second year book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I am asking my family for the rest of the books for Christmas, so hopefully next year by this time I will have them all read.

Ever since I graduated high school I have been in the publishing business. I started off working as a 4 color stripper. I have a compassion for working on computers, so that job didn't last long. Then I started working in a publishing company that created pictorial history book. It was a great job. I got to type captions and create black boxes for soon to be placed photos. The company was very behind times. They still used a camera to make negatives of photos to fill the black boxes that I was making. I stayed there for many years, but my thirst for needing to work more in depth with pictures was eating at me. So I soon started working in another more up to date printing company. That is where I got to put my computer skills to be a better graphic designer. I was able to design pictorial history books, scan photos, paginate, create negs, color black and white photos, manipulate images, create web sites, and much much more. It was a wonderful job. I had that job for over 7 years. But things in life changed, and I had to move on. I ended up working for a company that created business cards for the government. It wasn't a very challenging job, so I had to challenge myself outside of work. I started using After Effects to create animated movies. I would scan images, and set them to music. I have made movies for both of my nieces for their first birthdays. I used pictures from when they were born thro their first year of growing up. Then I made an anniversary movie for my sister-in-laws parents. I did it so well that there wasn't a dry eye in the entire room when the movie was over. And I just completed a movie for my parents anniversary. It is a surprise movie, so I wont get to play it for anyone for another week. We'll just have to see how my family responds to it. As with my last job, life has changed, and I had to leave my work making business cards. So I have now started an online business. I have my website at http://www.jrpublishers.com and a little shop on CafePress at http://www.jrpublishers.com/ .

Until next time, always look on the bright side of things!

Jodee
http://www.jrpublishers.com