GINA MORTIMER STORR

Archive for the ‘Holidays’ Category

Although she is more than 70 years of age, my mother, the incredible Gloria Mortimer, is more active than many 40 – 60 year olds I know, me included! She is recently back from a trip to China and has also traveled to the Mediterranean, Europe and off course North America, including the US,  in recent years. Never missing a beat, she is always present early to many social events at home and abroad. Her energy and go- gettedness (is that a word) never ceases to amaze me. She is truly a “Super Hero” in my book!

My daughter shared with me how, not very long ago, she agreed to accompany my mother to an event and was making arrangements to drive her there, only to be told “I’ll drive my own car because you young people don’t know how to party, and go home too early for me!!” Read the rest of this entry »

Two of the most commonly accepted definitions of the word “resolution” when used in the term “New Year’s Resolution” are:

“finding a solution to a problem”

“a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner”

This year, I am choosing to take both and turn them into action.

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I have so many wonderful memories and fun traditions of Christmas. This was always such a magical time for my entire family and I have continued to keep that magic alive!

I especially remember how special Christmas was to my father. While we were off attending colleges abroad (a total of five of us at one time!) my father was adamant about one thing: we all had to be home for Christmas. Because my mother worked for an airline at the time, we got to travel the world fairly unrestricted so most holidays, we found ourselves all over, visiting families of room mates and college friends. However, inevitably a few days before Christmas, most of us could be found sleeping in some airport, on the way to Nassau for Christmas!

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As the United States celebrates Thanksgiving Day tomorrow, you will continue to hear the greeting “Happy Thanksgiving.”

The question is: what are you thankful for? And, how do you show gratitude?

As for me,

• I am thankful first for just being alive and healthy! I have more than one friend or relative who had health related challenges recently and although I am not 100 percent at the point of healthiness that I should be, my recent physical examination indicates that my health continues to improve over where I was at my last physical two years ago. I am showing my gratitude for the blessing of good health by being more committed to eating healthy and exercising – that does not include while I am in the Bahamas for the Christmas holiday

• I am also thankful for my family, beginning first with my wonderful husband Jim, who continues to be supportive and committed. His unconditional devotion makes every day worth getting out of bed for (except on Saturday’s of course when he gives me breakfast in bed and I curl up and watch movies all day I hope that Jim knows through my actions that I am equally committed and love him unconditionally as well. Read the rest of this entry »

Ragged Ann and Andy aka Raeh & Ryan

Although as an adult I have always struggled somewhat with this question, I must confess, I have been a willing participant first as a child, then as a parent (much to the dismay of my victims ( I mean children!!!) and now as a friendly neighbor!   Here are my adorable Raggedy Ann and Andy in their hand made costumes which resulted in many prizes as we made the rounds of Halloween parades and contests throughout the island of Nassau in the Bahamas, where we lived at the time!!!  How could I resist the opportunity to make such sweet memories and have something to make them cringe later in life

There are several versions of the origins of Halloween. One of the more popular ones claims that it dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

According to an article by History.com, “The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.”

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Full Harvest Moon - Oct 1, 2009

As I was driving along the highway  this evening, a bright light above seem to be leading the way and once I was back at my house, I took this great shot of the Harvest Moon!  According to the Farmer’s Almanac, “this  is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. “  How kewl that it occurred on the first day of the month!  Like all natural occurrences, (even when there is devastation) there is something significant  associated with it and the Harvest Moon is no exception.    The Almanac continues its description: “At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, it seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada Read the rest of this entry »

For many people, in many countries, Labor Day signifies a “new beginning”.

Around this time of year, many of the television networks are gearing up to launch their new seasons. Many school districts are beginning the new school year and many state governments are embarking on the implementation of their new budgets.

What does this time of year  signify for you? Both personally and professionally?

For me, personally, it is a time when I begin to take a look around my home to see which of the many decor themes I’ve built up over the years, I will force my husband to endure before the holidays!

My Summer Table Dressing

I call it my in-be-tween decor and use it while I pack away my summer things and begin preparation for what will eventually become my holiday theme. (Decorating is another one of my passions!)

On the business front, I am in the process of revamping some of my websites to reflect the growth and shift to a more social networking  and online marketing niche. This is in keeping with my business plan for 2009, which included an intense push to learn more about and become proficient in this area so that I could offer a greater level of support in these areas in anticipation of the continuing explosion in 2010.

If you are ready to take your social networking and online marketing to the next level, now is the time so that you too can ride the wave that has engulfed of us doing business on the internet!

Did you know that having a Facebook Fan Page allows you to have unlimited contacts versus the 5000 limit on friends you can have?  Read more about this topic.

Did you know that you can use a custom Twitter background to promote your products and events without spending any traditional advertising dollars?

This is a great time to use your labor (or mine)  to maximize social media!