Simply Be Offers Great Fashions for Plus Size Women

It used to be that a female had to be slim or even skinny to look great in fashion years ago. Thank goodness it is not like that today. Now any female, of different sizes or shapes, can look great. By looking great doesn’t mean showing off your body or becoming a sexualized object. By looking great is dressing nicely and feeling great about you.

Simply Be offers a variety of great choices for females who are of plus size for nearly every occasion. These items are stylish and beautiful. You can wear casual to office to going out. My favorite casual yet dressy out fit is Tradition with a Twist, a brand by Jeffry and Paula: http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/page?pageId=2944&cm_re=DALHomepage-_-S4-_-Jeffrey%26Paula . The jacket is of tweed material which can be part of dressing a casual out fit a bit. Another favorite is the Floral Prints, of the Jeffry and Paula collection: http://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/page?pageId=2944&cm_re=DALHomepage-_-S4-_-Jeffrey%26Paula . The dress is stylish, yet looks comfortable enough to relax in. The boots are awesome and a timeless classic! These are two examples of some great fashions to buy. You can continue to browse in the Clothing Catalogue for more beautiful items and fashion finds.

Simply Be also carries lingerie, accessories, footwear, sports and swimwear, and many more items. Be sure to visit http://www.simplybe.co.uk/ for some great fashion finds!

Ramadan Mubarek and Kareem to my Muslim readers

Ramadan Mubarek and Kareem to my Muslim readers and Muslims worldwide. Hope your Ramadan is a blessed and happy one!

You Can Now Argue With Everyone!

A democratic society encourages all voices to be heard regardless of stance on ideas and views. A democratic society encourages people to discuss or debate in a civil and respectable manner. So, if you are into politics or enjoy debating on any topics, head on over to Argue With Everyone Discussion Forums: http://www.arguewitheveryone.com.

Workshop with Veteran Speaker Anna Baltzer: Educating Your Community About Palestine!

Have you been to Palestine but never quite figured out how to use your experience to affect real change?
Or do you feel frustrated and ill-prepared when confronted with opposition and difficult questions?
Or do you feel ready to speak but don't know who will listen?

Please join us on Sunday, August 30 for a training on educating others about Palestine!
“When I first returned from Palestine, I had acquired a wealth of knowledge and experiences that I was desperate to share with others, but I didn’t know how to design and deliver a presentation, and I didn’t know who would listen.”(2005)- Anna Baltzer, now a Full-time Lecturer & Speaker-Trainer, having given more than 400 presentations about Palestine (with invitations multiplying after each event!)

Communities all over the United States are increasingly looking for people to speak about what is happening in Palestine, but there aren’t enough effective and known speakers to go around. People like Anna end up turning down most invitations! The American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights (AAPER), in partnership with award-winning presenter, Anna Baltzer, proposes to fill that gap by offering US citizens comprehensive training on how to speak to and educate their communities about the situation in Palestine. By empowering US citizens to share their knowledge and personal stories, we can create a national movement of citizen educators who, together, can educate their fellow Americans (either publicly or in private settings) and encourage them to take action in support of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.

Trainer: Anna Baltzer, www.AnnaInTheMiddleEast.com (bio below)

Suggestion: Review her DVD before the workshop if you haven't heard her speak.

Where: 203 Wisconsin Ave. Madison, WI 50703

Parking details: www.fumc.org When: Sunday, August 30

5:30 pm for potluck dinner 6:30-9:30 pm for the training (please arrive by 6pm in case we start early!)

Cost: Suggested donation of $10-$25 (nobody turned away for lack of funds)
Goals: To Provide Participants With... 1. Increased Confidence in Speaking About Palestine 2. An Outline for Their Presentation 3. Practice Responding to Common & Difficult Questions 4. An Action Plan for Finding Venues & Organizing Events 5. If Time Permits, a Written and Practiced Introduction Materials Provided: A Detailed Booklet Containing... 1. Tips on Presentation Structure & Delivery 2. Key Talking Points 3. Tough Questions & Respective Sample Answers 4. Sample Outreach & Organizing Supplies 5. CD of Sample Presentations, Photos, & Original Maps to Use

SPACE IS LIMITED - RSVP! If you are interested in attending the speakers training, please contact Joan Deming at (608) 241-9281 (home/office), (608) 235-1046 (cell), or by email at jdeming7@gmail.com. For more details about the training, contact Sarah Scruggs at AAPER by phone: (202) 683-8438 or by email at scruggs@aaper.org

Testimonials from Past Speaker Trainees:

Anna’s seminar was superb, measuring up to the high standards set by her own public speaking. The truth is that Anna has so many wonderful qualities to share that anyone who is interested in Israel-Palestine cannot help but benefit greatly from this opportunity. I cannot recommend Anna enough as a speaker, consultant or workshop facilitator. Participants will learn a lot of new information, have fun, and gain an elevated understanding of how to communicate their new knowledge to others with compassion and clarity.” —Rich Forer, author of upcoming book on Israel/Palestine: Breakthrough “The best thing I took away from Anna's inspiring speaker training workshop was confidence. She made me realize that I knew much more about Israel/Palestine than I gave myself credit for. I especially found useful the time we spent practicing answering the most common ‘hostile’ questions. About a month later I made my first presentation to a group of community college students. They were receptive and appreciative that I—along with my co-presenters—spoke from the heart. Now I want to develop other local speakers to present on this issue.”— Susan Shuurman, co-founder of the Coalition to Stop $30 Billion to Israel
"Anna is the consummate nonviolent warrior who is vibrant, passionate, courageous and totally committed to peace and justice in Israel/Palestine. Her film, "Life In Occupied Palestine," was one of the primary motivating factors for me to visit Palestine in 2008 and to discover the truth of the conflict for myself. Anna's transition from being a speaker herself to empowering others to tell their truth means that instead of having just a small group of passionate and courageous voices there could—and will—be hundreds more."— Will Covert, Board of Directors, Veterans for Peace - San Diego

Anna Baltzer is a Jewish-American Columbia graduate, former-Fulbright scholar, the granddaughter of Holocaust refugees, and an award-winning lecturer, author, and activist for Palestinian rights. As a volunteer with the International Women's Peace Service in the West Bank, Baltzer documented human rights abuses and supported Palestinian-led nonviolent resistance to the Occupation. Baltzer has appeared on television more than 400 times and lectured at more than 300 universities, schools, churches, mosques, and synagogues around the world with her acclaimed presentation, "Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories & Photos," and her full-color book: "Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories." Baltzer most recently returned from a trip through Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, documenting Palestinian life in the diaspora. For information about Baltzer's book, DVD, speaking tours, and eye-witness reports, visit www.AnnaInTheMiddleEast.com

Larson Shutter Offers Vinyl Shutters

It is often the details that make a home beautiful. That is why it is important to choose the appropriate materials for your home like flowers, siding and even shutters. Larson Shutter Company offers hundreds of different types of exterior shutters for your home, such as a variety of vinyl shutters. Visit: http://www.larsonshutter.com/ to purchase vinyl or other shutters.

Walk...Walk...Walk...

Is it me or are a lot of people beginning to become overweight? Seriously. Every where I go, I notice that men and women are becoming bigger in all directions. I know our lives have become more sedentary and that a person has to seek exercise, however, we need to be reminded that it is not natural for our bodies become this heavy.

So, why not incorporate walking into your schedule if you already are not doing that. For example, this morning, my son and I walked to school. It took us about 15 minutes one way. I walked back on my own again. I have included nearly 30 minutes of exercise this morning. Not only, was I exercising my body, I also became more aware of my surroundings while I was walking. I had to time to observe and time to think.

When we take time for ourselves, not only do families and ourselves benefit, even the environment benefits because you are using less gas for instance.

So, did you walk today?

Would You Rather...

Would you rather...

1. Have people be nice in front of your face, yet back stab you? or Have people tell you upfront that they don't like you?

2. Go in debt to please people? or Be considered a cheapskate because you won't spend outside your budget?

3. Do the easy thing and be popular? Or Do the right thing and be criticizied by people?

These are questions that have come to mind lately. People need to slow down and not lose themselves in this world without reflecting on their own actions and how it might affect those around them. If need to, as a rule of thumb, self-reflection should take place as little as every six months or even every couple of months.

For example, if you decide to do it at six months: you should think what kinds of things were accomplished the past six months, what you liked, what you didn't like, and then look at six months in advance and decide what you like and will keep, areas that need improvement and areas that need changing.

You would feel surprised at how well you feel.

Directv is offering very good prices

With the way the economy is today, many people are looking for ways to reduce costs without changing their lifestyle. Often times, people may decide to eliminate their cable options; while others may opt to go to a different route and choose Direct TV or some other satellite tv at http://www.kaptainsatellite.com/compare_satellite_dish_tv.htm . There are some benefits to go with Direct TV instead of other satellite TV. For example, Directv offers some of its equipment for free. In Illinois, Directv and Dish Network have very positive strong ratings. It could be due to the excellent service and deals that they offer customers. There are other DIRECTV Benefits in going with Directv. Visit DIRECTV Benefits http://www.kaptainsatellite.com/direct-TV-promotions.htm

More Students Going to School?

Yesterday, I met one of my college colleagues at a Subway, and she had told me that her office at the community college was fielding 300 calls per day, and she mentioned that she wasn't sure how the other offices were doing. People were standing in lines waiting to register for classes. My colleague continued to say that people couldn't choose which class or section to sign up for, instead many were put on the waiting list. She said that new classes may be formed to accommodate all those students. I had asked her why did she think that that everyone was going back to school. She had mentioned she wasn't sure, so I started thinking about it and asking others their ideas.

Here are some:

• The economy is getting better, and so companies are offering education as incentives.
• The federal government is offering more financial aid.
  
• Loans may be available for people.
• The recession was a wake up call for many to improve their lifestyle through education.

I would be interested in knowing what you think.

Random Thought: Quit Being Mean

Lately, I have been hearing negative stories about people mistreating each other. Why? The irony of this whole activity is that people forget that life is not permanent, but temporary. Is it necessary to be rude to some one and then regret it later?

Self-control and discipline are key here. People need to learn or practice in self-controlling and self-disciplining themselves. Society doesn't make it any easier because of its heavily pro-stance on instant gratification. Quick fixes and impulses are not the way to live a happy and well-balanced life with our fellow humans. Sometimes, the old fashion is the best way.

Start one step at a time. Become consciously aware of your thoughts and actions. Do it.