Chris's Blog

Wordless Wednesday

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:18:25 -0600

Concord, CA Visit The Old Spaghetti Factory 11/19/08 and help the Monument Crisis Center

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:19:02 -0600

On Wednesday, November 19th from 5pm to 9pm bring THIS FLYER to The Old Spaghetti Factory with you and 15% of the proceeds will benefit the Monument Crisis Center.

I was just on the Crisis Center website to find this flyer to share with you. On the press page there was a statement saying they've been very low on food the last two months and even had to close for a couple of days due to lack of food.

The Crisis Center provides food, education, assistance, referrals to families and individuals in crisis situations, and promotes community awareness of needs and available resources to at-risk and low income people in Contra Costa County. I'm not a fan of the Crisis Center running out of food.

In addition to these urgently needed food items:

Breakfast cereal (low sugar)
Instant oatmeal
Peanut butter
Canned soup and broth
Canned meals
Dry soup (cup of noodles/Top Ramen)
Pasta, rice, pinto beans
Macaroni & cheese, pasta-roni
Baking items: cake/cookie mix
Snacks, granola bars, crackers

The Crisis Center is also asking for donations of diapers (especially sizes 4, 5 and 6), sleeping bags, shopping carts, bicycles, winter coats, toiletries, back to school supplies.

You can donate via paypal here. You can find donation bins at local Safeway and Lucky stores.

Remember, your local food banks need your help throughout the year, not just during the holidays. We can't do everything for everyone, but we can do one little thing that will help someone. Please take some time and do what you can to help a low income family.

RESA, IRIS, ASHSR present SIF RoundTable, + Networking 11-13-08 in SF

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:33:22 -0600

Who's coming to teh SIF Round Table in beautiful San Francisco? I'll be there & would love to see some of my AR friends.

Via Terrylynn Fisher Realtor-Live Green, Live Smart Trainer:

CINDY LIN didn't tell you but I can. She is in NY having her first session from her winning the Micro to Millions Business contest. She is going to share with us all how to enter such events around the country and how it's been for her so far. You all know she is technology savvy as well so she will also share with us some of her technology secrets. It will be a wonderful Round Table with value added networking prior to the Round Table portion of the event. So join us won't you? In San Francisco for the SIF Round Table. RSVP, RSVP, and if anyone wants to carpool, just mention in your comments what area you are in and perhaps we can get some carloads and go together. I'LL BE GOING IN EARLY TO HELP SET UP. Terrylynn:-)

From Cindy Lin's blog:

It's SCHEDULED! The next SIF Round Table in SF bay area!
Contact Real Estate Staging Association for event and ticket information.
LETS GET TOGETHER, MINGLE, GREET AND CHAT!
RSVP HERE

Stage It Forward: San Francisco Bay Area Stagers' Get Together

Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM (PT)

South San Francisco, CA Share this event

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November is "Home Staging Awareness Month"

November is Home Staging Awareness Month

Professional Home Stagers Gather to Discuss Industry News and Promote Home Staging

The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) the Trade Association for Professional Home Stagers has announced that November is Home Staging Awareness Month.

RESA along with IRIS and ASHSR is proud to announce that we are National Co-Sponsors of Home Staging Awareness Month.

During Home Staging Awareness Month the popular "Stage it Forward" (SIF) Round Table Meetings will be taking place all over North America. SIF originated from a powerful internet blogging community that is hosted by Real Estate Blogging website called Active Rain.

The meetings will focus on the Staging Industry, creating standards, ethics and the wants and needs of the Professional Stager. You ALL can have a voice in creating standards and choosing the direction you want your industry to take.

Keeping with the tradition of SIF and RESA ALL Stagers are welcome to attend or facilitate/moderate a meeting. You do not have to be a member of RESA to attend or facilitate the meeting nor do you have to hold any particular designation.

LIGHT LUNCH WILL BE SERVED. RSVP HERE!

When

Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM (PT)

Add to my calendar
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RSVP HERE!
Where Staged4more Warehouse
390 Swift Avenue #6
South San Francisco, CA 94080

Yahoo | Mapquest | Microsoft

Hosted By

Real Estate Staging Association

The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA) the Trade Association for Professional Home Stagers has announced that November is Home Staging Awareness Month.

View other Real Estate Staging Association events

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RSVP HERE!

Wordless Wednesday

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:54:14 -0600

Country Village rental in Martinez, California, $1,375

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:19:26 -0600

Open Sunday, 11/16/08, from 12-1pm

For more information please contact
Terrylynn Fisher, Owner
Property Management Alternatives
925.876.0966
Or email
ChrisFisher@astound.net

Click on an image below to view a larger version



2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Fireplace Laundry hook ups Convenient Location Garage Easy commute - close to Highway 4 Balcony with very nice view No smoking, no pets 128 Farm Lane in Martinez' Country Village $1,375/month with a $1,400 security deposit Vacant and available

Children of Grace - Today is a Happy Day

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:41:39 -0600

I am feeling strange and pessimistic, but I am not going to share that because today IS a happy day. In fact, this whole election year has been a good thing because now EVERY little girl knows she could be president. Today, every little child of color knows he or she could be president. That is a good thing, whichever way you voted.

It's also a good day because I received a letter from my sponsor child, Papa. I sponsor Papa through Children of Grace. This organization helps children in Uganda to attend school and have at least one healthy meal per day, among many other things. Please check them out when you have a chance. And I'd like to share my letter from Papa. In it he mentions that he is 5 and that writing is his favorite subject. I'd have to say that is obvious, as this is very good writing for a 5 year old in my opinion! Thanks for making me smile today little Papa!

Wordless Wednesday

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:22:28 -0600

They may not have room for me on the bus, but I have a car! SIF Round Tables

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:23:02 -0600

I was recently whining discussing the fact that there was no room on the bus for me to attend the Tri-State Staging Expo (register quick at www.StagersLIST.com if you can attend). As you can see, the bus is rather full:

Then I realized that there are many, many Active Rain and Facebook friends who live in my area and we should get together. Mentioned it to Terrylynn who said, "Well come with me to the local Round Tables." Why didn't I think of that! : )

The first one is November 13, 2008 in my favorite city, San Francisco! The event is from noon-3pm and includes a light lunch. Location:

Staged4more Warehouse
390 Swift Avenue #6
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Click here to RSVP

It is being hosted by a friend I have actually met in person, Cindy Lin. Who else will I meet in San Francisco?

I am then going to head north with Terrylynn to the Sacramento area on November 15, 2008. This event is from noon-4pm and also includes a light lunch. Location:

Welcome Home Furniture Rental
7311 Galilee Road, Suite 170
Roseville, CA 95678
Click here to RSVP

This one is being hosted by Lori Kim Polk, Ryan Dressel, Valesca Bogard. I am "real life" friends with Lori Kim Polk. Who else will I meet in Roseville?

Don't worry friends, I will leave all kittens, rabbits and dogs at home for these events. Let me know who to look for!

Californians Vote NO on Prop 8. Wedding story #3.

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:33:15 -0600

There is no exuse for Proposition 8 to even be on the ballot in California since discrimination is illegal. I thought I would share one of the wedding stories I have had the pleasure of posting to a community center website. Vote No on Prop 8.

Keith and Tom, September 15, 2007

We had our more public wedding on Sept 15th, 2007 with 110 of our friends and family attending. It was held at the Marriott in Walnut Creek (both the service and the reception). Keith's brother Laurence officiated and he did a great job. It was a lot of planning, but the best thing we did was to get a friend to handle all the details the day of the event. That way we were able to enjoy the day.

After CA made marriage permissible for same sex partners, we had a small service at the county clerk's office on June 24th, 2008 to make us legal. We really feel that our wedding in Sept was the most important and the one we will recognize as our anniversary. We feel that marriage is a proclamation to our community of our bonds and that a service held in front of all those who are important to us is really the basis of the marriage process.

Make sure to include those whom you hold special on your wedding day. Especially include those from the straight community because there is a validation of us in their eyes that is so important for future support of our civil rights.

Californians Vote No on Prop 8. Wedding story #2.

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:28:54 -0600

Marlette and Wendy, June 27, 2008

Twelve years ago our lives entwined. Kismet is the word for it. That moment when you know you've met the "one". We have been each other's "one" since then. And after one child, six cats, and a grandchild we had pretty much settled in. Then May 15th happened.

Already a banner year -with a woman AND a man of color running for President- the California Supreme Court decided our community was worthy of total equality- and the race was on. I burned up the phone line to the CoCoCo Recorder's office on a daily basis, setting three possible wedding dates.

On June 27, 2008 at 2:00 pm on the dot (I was determined to be a June bride), Wendy and I were honest-to-God married/hitched/betrothed. I was giddy, she was nervous (and gorgeous), and our witnesses sniffled through the entire ceremony. As we drove away from the Recorder's Office in Martinez, our friends showered us with fresh rose petals.

We honeymooned in Santa Cruz where the air was clean and cool. We played games at the Cocoanut Grove and gave all our tickets away to little kids needing "just a few more" to get their dream prize. And, as far as we can tell, we are still honeymooning: 12 years and going strong.

Whatever happens this November, we know who we are and why we are.

Californians Vote NO on Prop 8. Wedding story.

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:05:00 -0500

Tara and Alix, married 20 June 2008

The first time we met, we both thought “she’s the one!” – then we didn’t see each other again for three months. The second time we met, at a singles’ brunch, we talked for over 14 hours, until the owner of the restaurant where we had dinner tiptoed into the dining room to turn out the lights. The place had been closed for almost an hour.

That was in 2001, in Kentucky. We moved in together in 2002, and after seeing the San Francisco weddings on CNN, we decided to have a wedding of our own, to affirm our commitment publicly, in June 2005. We didn’t have much money, so we made everything ourselves, and had an exhausting but wonderful day with our family and friends. We were really touched by how many straight friends and family shared our joy that day, in a state that had passed an anti-gay-marriage constitutional amendment only seven months before. Since we didn’t need a licensed minister, the wedding was performed by the dear friend who had introduced us that very first day. And instead of a marriage license from the state, we made our own document that was signed by everyone at the wedding, affirming that they considered us married.

Shortly after our wedding, Alix’s career brought us to California. We had so many more rights and protections in California than we had had in Kentucky, that we certainly didn’t feel deprived. But when the State Supreme Court announced its decision on May 15, we finally felt like “full” citizens, with ALL of the same rights as straight Californians. On Friday, June 20, we were married “under the laws of the State of California!,” as our delighted officiant proclaimed. Our witnesses were two straight friends, one of whom brought her infant son and got teary when she recalled the 2004 San Francisco marriages being annulled, fearing that her children would never see equal marriage rights.

Being legally married has brought a lot of subtle but important changes. The biggest is that we now legally have the same last name, for the cost of the marriage license (about $160, versus $640 for two legal name-change orders). We had wills before, but it’s reassuring to know that we have more protection for our home and other joint property as a legally-married couple. And, as we try to start a family, it’s important to us that our kids know their moms are married. We just want the same protection for our family that straight couples have always had for theirs.

There's no room for me on the bus! 2008 Tri-State Staging Expo is coming up!

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:16:47 -0500

The First Annual Tri-State Staging Expo is coming to New Jersey November 5 2008.
Visit www.StagersLIST.com to register today!

As you can see, there is no room for Marey or myself on the bus. We will have to stow away in the baggage compartment or ride on the luggage rack.

The Staging Expo has been a huge success and a lot of fun and each one just gets better. This time around, they added a Marketing Panel consisting of the following 6 Figure Stagers. This will be a no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners, all-questions-answered Marketing Panel.

Juliet Johnson of Juliet Johnson Staging in Short Hills, New Jersey will be the panel moderator
Kym Hough of Staged to Sell in Danville, California
Melissa Marro of First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign in Charleston, South Carolina
Kate Hart of Hart & Associates Staging & Design in Radnor, Pennsylvania
Phyllis Pafumi of Restyled to Sell in Old Bridge, New Jersey
Nairn Friemann of Ingenuity & Pizzazz in New York, New York

In addition, key note speaker Christine Rae will discuss "What it Takes to Make Staging a Staple in Any Market". Kym Hough will discuss "How to Run a Profitable Staging Business". Terrylynn Fisher will discuss "How to Sell Staging to Home Sellers from a Realtor's Perspective". Shell from RESA will be there, lots of people we know from Active Rain will be there... There's no question this will be an informative event and a lot of fun. The only question is, when will I get a seat on the darn bus!?!

This expo is brought to you by:

And some of our wonderful vendors, who bring goodies for the goodie bags and cool prizes for the raffle:

Meet Miley Marshmallow Maxwell's new friends! Free Kittens in Concord, CA!

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:43:35 -0500

I believe it was the day after we picked up Miley, the new kitten, that I looked outside and noticed a mama cat with her babies. *sigh* Of course, have to take action (waiting on a surgery date for mama, have caught 3 of the 5 babies so far).

Rhiannon has a gift with animals. She had the job of taming our two (now giant) cats when we first got them. She has these 3 purring and playing and generally tearing up her room like kittens should. Miley is happy because when she jumps on one of our giant cats, they just keep walking and ignore her. Now she has someone to play with!

Do you think we're in trouble?

I was talking to one of the dads at school waiting for Rhiannon and he mentioned that he was looking for a cat. Hello, sir! I can help you out!

So for an update:

We have fleas, kittens are too young for flea treatment. Terrylynn gets bitten any time she visits, fleas apparently don't like vegetarians as Rhiannon & I have been safe.
Mama kitty has an appt on 11/9 for a spay, however I am going to contact ARF & see if they will do it instead. Our county shelter seems unclear about how to deal with ferals.
Need to catch 2 more kittens. Going to purchase a trap rather than rent from county, they annoyed me. I think the trap they rented me was defective & they charged me $5 a day anyway.
Need to find homes for kittens so I do not keep all 6 cats (mom + 5 babies).
Terrylynn (mom) wants 2 kittens, Bob (dad) does not.
Rhiannon (daughter) wants 5 kittens, Chris (Crazy Cat Lady) does also, so has to be rational.
PLEASE ALWAYS SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS! Your neighbors will appreciate it!

What Can Your VA Do For You?

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:45:28 -0500

Hi Everyone - Just wanted to re-blog Marey's announcement that we have joined forces to work on websites together. We're having a lot of fun and we truly enjoy making your website match your business and your personality. : )

Via Marey Hoeppner- Kalamazoo, MI Virtually assisting you anywhere..:

What Can Your VA Do For You??

The ways a Virtual Assistant (VA) can help you and your business are incomparable and different, based on your business. VA's can assist you from general administrative duties to marketing support, freeing you up to concentrate on servicing your customers. They can handle all your marketing to help you increase business, just by spreading the word about your business. A great way to spread the word about your business and to reach a lot of potential customers is by having website

.

Not all VA's specialize in web design or Search Engine Optimization (SEO), that is why you need to make sure you have a VA that can do these things. Having a VA working for you, they know the ins and outs of your business, is essential to anyones business. They know what it takes to market online. You have all heard that two heads are better than one, right? Of course you have.

I am happy to say, that is why Chris Fisher and Myself have merged together offering website services to individuals and businesses alike. You will receive the expert services of two of the best VA's for the price of one. That can and will create or upgrade your current site to help you achieve a more professional look making you and your business shine. With our creative minds and our experience in marketing, it is a win, win situation for everyone!

StagersLIST.com Expo Series continues across North America

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:42:34 -0500

Just wanted to let you all know this is filling up fast and we can only accomodate 125 in this warehouse, so register now if you can make it!

Via Kym Hough, Stager, Live Green, Live Smart Certified Trainer, CSP, RESA, LGLS:

LOCAL FURNITURE RENTAL COMPANY CHOOSEN TO CO-SPONSOR 1st ANNUAL TRI-STATE STAGING EXPO

StagersLIST.com announces co-sponsorship with American Furniture Rental (AFR)

Secaucus, NJ, October 23, 2008. The First Annual Tri-State Staging Expo will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at the American Furniture Rental Warehouse and Showroom located at 30 Enterprise Road in Secaucus, NJ. This event is sponsored by www.StagersLIST.com, the resource for Professional Home Stagers online. This is the fourth in a series of Staging Expo's that www.StagersLIST.com is conducting across North America through 2009.

"We started the Staging Expo series in Dublin, California this past summer and it was a huge success with well over 100 Professional Stagers from all over Northern California attending," states Kym Hough, Marketing Director of www.StagersLIST.com . We have now plan to hold an Expo every two months through the summer of 2009. Our East Coast Expo will be the biggest and most exciting one yet. The Expo is being held at the AFR Warehouse in Secaucus and was chosen due to the quality of the co-sponsor AFR and the central location to NY Metro, Long Island, North & Central New Jersey, and Connecticut.

The event is open to all Professional Stagers and Designers no matter what the designation or affiliation.

This is a one day event beginning at 9:00 a.m. and going to 5:00 p.m. Christine Rae, Staging Expert/Trainer and author of Staging for Dummies will be speaking on "Making Staging a Staple in any Market and will be taking part in a Marketing Panel with other four other six figure Professional Stagers such as Kate Hart, Hart & Design, Pennsylvania; Melissa Marrow, First Impressions, South Carolina; Kym Hough, Staged to Sell, California; Phyllis Pafumi, Restyled to Sell, New Jersey, and the Local Event Coordinator Juliet Johnson of Juliet Johnson Staging, New Jersey.

To register for this event or to learn more about speakers and sponsors of the event go to www.StagersLIST.com. Fee is $30.00 for RESA members and $35.00 for non-members.

George & Paul... No, not that Paul. Guess I'm into duets this weekend.

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:58:04 -0500

This is from 1976, when I was 9 years old. I remember it vividly. Guess I really have always loved George, and Saturday Night Live (I used to sneak out of my room & hide behind the couch to watch it with my parents - don't tell Terrylynn). Here is George Harrison with Paul Simon doing Here Comes the Sun, of course a favorite song of many of us. My daughter just started singing along, which makes me happy. Just wish I could find a better quality video!

I also have always enjoyed Paul Simon and Simon & Garfunkel. During this program they performed Homeward Bound as well. Hope you enjoy this blast from the past as much as I am this Sunday afternoon!

Can we avoid Mars, Inc. this Halloween?

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:15:48 -0500

I just got an email from PETA regarding Mars, Inc., who make among many other candies & products, M & Ms. I do agree with PETA in many of their campaigns & disagree in others, however on this issue I have no question. Apparently Mars, Inc. is still performing animal testing.

Here is a part of the email:

The experiments funded by Mars, including the following examples, are truly the stuff of Halloween nightmares:

Rats have been force-fed chocolate chemicals and had needles jabbed directly into their still beating hearts.
Rabbits have been cut apart to determine the effects of cocoa on muscle tissue.
Guinea pigs have had cocoa ingredients injected into arteries in their necks to measure the impact on their blood pressure.

And these are only a few of the tests that Mars has funded. Perhaps most disturbingly of all, not one of Mars' experiments on animals is required by law.

Thanks to PETA's hard work and pressure, many of the world's major food corporations—including Mars' chief rival, Hershey's, and Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Co—have pledged not to fund or conduct experiments on animals.

What I don't understand is this - don't we already have enough information regarding the effects of cocoa on the body? Why are we still checking? Looking for a different result? These tests are useless at this point and have already been done, so continuing them is nothing short of unnecessary torture.

So this year, when I buy my Halloween candy, I will avoid this company. I am also going to write them a letter telling them why so they can make a better choice in the future. If you are so inclined, please join me. Here is their corporate address:

Mars, Incorporated

6885 Elm Street
McLean VA 22101
USA

Tel: +1 703 821 4900

Thank you!

Contra Dance Comes to Contra Costa County!

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:46:29 -0500

I just received this via email and wanted to post it here. Sounds like the Contra Barn Dance will be a lot of fun. Please take time to attend if you can.

Dear Friends,

The RCC's Contra Dance for No on 8 is this Saturday night. Our opponents in Contra Costa County are outspending and out organizing the LGBTQ Community (today a caller reported that our opponents have started door to door canvassing leaving their campaign materials at every home they visit).

I need your help promoting this event and mobilizing our community.

Please take a moment and forward this e-mail to someone who would be interested in attending Saturday's event or who might make a donation to help RCC purchase more No on 8 Materials. Then please join me at the Barn Dance. All the proceeds we raise will be used to purchase lawn signs, window signs, bumper stickers and fliers that will be distributed in Contra Costa County.

in community,

Ben

Contra Dance Comes to Contra Costa Country!

WHAT:        Contra Barn Dance

WHEN:        Saturday, October 18th, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

WHERE:       Pacheco Community Center, 5800 Pacheco Blvd., Pacheco

                  (easily accessible from either Highway 4 or Interstate 680)

Suggested DONATION: $12 per person (or pay what you can) Cash, Check, VISA/MC, AMEX or on-line payment www.rainbowcc.org

Contra is a New England-style barn dance done in two long lines to LIVE Celtic-infused music. Driving With Fergus (http://www.drivingwithfergus.com) will be performing Saturday night at our event. The dances are fun, easy to learn with no fancy footwork. Every dance is taught from scratch and a caller prompts you throughout. The great thing about Contra Dancing is that by the end of the evening you will have danced with just about every other person in the room. This is an event that can really help build a strong sense of community.

What's even better - Contra dancing is gender-role-free, so dance with whomever you want!

Special thanks to the San Francisco Queer Contra Dance for their help with this event. Visit their website at http://www.lcfd.org/sf/.

This event is a community mobilizing event for NO on 8!

This is a non-alcohol, all age event for the whole community.

R S V P to the RCC (925) 692-0090.

Blog Action Day ~ Fighting Poverty in Redding and Shasta County, CA

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:05:29 -0500

An important reminder to help those in our community who help others. Thank you Jeanean!

Via Jeanean Gendron ~ Redding & Shasta County Specialist:

Today is a special day. Blog Action Day for Poverty. It is a day when we focus on Poverty and how we can change it.

We can change it by seeing it. We are all busy. We can take the time to see and to help.

This is a day when we come together to blog about Poverty and how we might help.

When we put our attention on those that are hungry, sick and desparate perhaps we are changed profoundly. Perhaps we make a resolution to find a way to help and contribute. Whether that be at a political level or at the local level, we can find that way to help.

We have limited resources to help with poverty and they are stretched so thin. The struggle is endless in finding resources to help those in need. There are few ways to help those who have no where to go.

I pray we shall be more compassionate going forward in this nation and here in my local area and that we will be more responsible to helping those who cannot help themselves. A contribution goes a long way in helping to provide transition services that can help them with a new start.

Volunteering can help to feed the hungry and homeless. Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Days are wonderful days to truly give. I have friends who spend their Christmas and Thanksgiving working at the mission to serve those that are in need. This year I want to spend my holidays in this service.

Good News Rescue Mission located on Highway 273. Their website is www.gnrm.org and their phone number is 530 242-5920 for information and to volunteer.

The have many programs:

New Life Recovery

Second Change Ranch

House of Hope

Guest Services

In-Step Mental Health Services

Transitional Living

Founded in 1964 by a group of concerned Christians, offers a hand up to thousands of men, women and children in our community. The Good News Rescue Mission has provided over: * 66,319 Safe Nights of Lodging * 189,725 Total Meals Provided * 39,006 Emergency Sacks of Groceries * Total Meals Served: 228,731 * 2,975 Medical Clinic * 285 Dental Clinic * 639 Chiropractic * 9,306 Academic Center (hours taught) * 55,797 Pieces Clothing, furniture, household items and mis.

They have helped so many in our area. Please call today with your donation or to volunteer. Be homeless for 1 hour and your heart will reach out. Let you heart help you decide how you can make a difference. If I were a rich person I would strive to help at a more far reaching level. If we each do what we can and are capable of, we will have a good result in helping those in need. There is no better thing in this world than to help another human being. Make this day a special day. Donate or volunteer to help!

<script src="http://blogactionday.org/js/2e852fb51a0d5ac65dda8b347076fa27adc48f4a"></script>

Check out my friend's big hair!

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:59:13 -0500

Oops - I mean, congratulations Marey & Dave! 14 years is a long time, and 3 gorgeous kids too! If you have a minute, send a happy anniversary to my friend Marey & her hubby Dave! (The hair: Okay, okay, 14 years ago. We all had big hair at some point!)

Via Marey Hoeppner- Kalamazoo, MI Virtually assisting you anywhere..:

Today is a special day for me and my husband as it is our 14th wedding anniversary.

Over the years we have had our ups and downs, riding on our own roller coaster of life. As time has gone on, it has shown me the true meaning of a marriage and I wouldnt trade a minute of our lives together as it has brought us to who we are today.

A wonderful marriage is a sweet, casual search for the pleasant and the admirable. There is nothing more precious than the love a man and a woman have for each other. Together they find fulfilling completion, in the treasures of married life.

No deeper love, which comes from caring, giving, helping, sharing and discovering happiness can be found. It's only found in sharing together, sharing souls, sharing hearts, sharing thoughts, sharing lives. It means having the ability to forgive, the ability to forget. It means giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow, together. To be loved is to know happiness, to know delight, to know ectasy, to know contentment.

To give love is to know the delight of caring oneself with whom is loving you. It is through this miracle of love that we discover the fullnes of our lives. I myself, have learned the full meaning, the complete meaning of being in love, simply by being with you. Just having you to love has brought to me, lots of happiness and joy.

You my dear, have made my days sparkle bright and my treasures greater. So may today and the years to come, hold a very special happiness for precious moments that have past and for a love that is truely blessed and will always last. Happy Anniversary Honey, With all my love.

ENOUGH. Blog action day.

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:55:05 -0500

"Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to self-reliance for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melting away."

- Mahatma Gandhi

These are my babies, my daughter and nephews.

I cannot imagine having to look into any of these faces and say, "I'm sorry, baby, we don't have anything for dinner tonight."

"I'm sorry baby, we don't have any apples left for snack."

"I'm sorry baby, we just don't have anything for your empty tummy."

"I'm sorry baby..."

I have tears in my eyes even thinking of it. I cannot imagine how powerless that would feel. I cannot imagine not having enough. Yet it happens. I found this statistic at JustHarvest.org:

In 2006, in the United States, 4% households (4.6 millions households) experienced hunger, which is a 3.9% increase from 2005.

And, as we know, it is even worse in many other countries.

I wrote a blog when I found out that my local crisis center ran out of food and had to close their doors on a Tuesday. I cleaned out my cupboards. I felt really bad that I don't do more on an ongoing basis. I realized that I have too much. I realized that I only need enough.

Another quote from Gandhi comes to mind:

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."

I am making a vow right now to live on enough. I am making a vow to survive on what I have in my cupboards and freezer before I buy more. I am making a vow to share my grocery budget with those who don't have enough. I am making a vow to start shopping for enough. This is something I can do. I have this power, and if I do not use it I cannot look at myself in the mirror. ENOUGH.

What can you do? What is within your power today?

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:15:37 -0500

Before school started this year, my daughter and I decided to have a day out in the city. I find it criminal that we live so close to San Francisco and we do not take advantage of the wonderful museums. We chose to visit the Museum of Modern Art since they were having a Frida Kahlo exhibit. I like to expose Rhiannon to interesting women in history and today, and she loves art so this was perfect for both of us.

The museum is beautiful and we saw many beautiful things, many interesting things and some just plain strange things. That's art! Frida's work was stunning. It was a very successful exhibit and crowded, since we went on a Saturday, but well worth it. There were computers with learning exhibits scattered around as well, so we were able to learn a little more about this amazing woman and artist.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Telephone: 415.357.4000
Fax: 415.357.4037

Of course, we had dinner afterwards at Buca di Beppo. We were within walking distance, and we love Italian food. This is a chain restaurant, but a good one in our humble opinion. It's loud, there are photographs everywhere, and the food is good. I ordered Rhiannon a side of spaghetti (most things are family style), it was HUGE.

Then I did make the semi-serious mistake of taking her to the Westfield San Francisco Center which is a giant mall. Rhiannon is 10 going on teen so... you can imagine how this went over. Huge eyes & lots of "Mom, can I get this?" The shopping center is at 5th and Market. I'll just tell you - the Nordstrom is, I believe, 5 stories tall. Yes, ladies & gentlemen, we can get into big trouble here.

It was a nice end of summer, girls' day in San Francisco. This trip was an easy BART (train) into the city and walk, which is my favorite because parking can be difficult and expensive.

Our next girls' day in San Francisco will have to be to the Museum of Performance and Design to check out HELLO, CAROL! A Celebration of Carol Channing.

If any of my AR friends are planning a trip out this way, don't hesitate to look us up! The StagersLIST team would love to meet you in person.

WOW Vacation Rentals By Owner. I just found this site & I'm excited

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:37:11 -0500

Of course, I'm online all day long. Today I came across www.VRBO.com and I have to say it looks really good. I'd love to hear from anyone who has used this site and learn about your experience.

I'm in California and started browsing Anaheim, as my daughter and I often go to Disneyland for our mother/daughter vacation. I found a condo for $120 per night if we rented weekly. I've paid about that much for a VERY bad hotel (for example, they gave us the key to "our" room and when we entered, it was occupied by someone else - not feeling great about security after that AND "walking distance" turned out to be "hiking distance").

I also found some nice looking single family homes walking distance to Disneyland that have 4+ bedrooms (and a pool!). So if I were to combine the vacation with another family, that would be a great option (Marey Hoeppner, you hearing me? Can we start a Disney fund?)

I am going to start digging in around the country for rates. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with this site. Check it out, I'd love to hear what you think and especially hear about your vacations. I can tell you from personal experience, spending a week in Anaheim with a kitchen can save hundreds of dollars. Not a joke, eating at the amusement parks or restaurants 3x a day is EXPENSIVE (not to mention unhealthy, especially considering all the walking you normally do). This is really the way I'm going to go next time we have a vacation, which I really hope is soon.

Here's another area of California I am planning to visit: Big Bear vacation rentals

Now I'm off to check out rentals in & around Kalamazoo, Michigan. Marey, fair warning.

Your gorgeous photographs are stretching out your blog...

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:09:56 -0500

First I have to say, I am a web designer. Stuff like my blog stretching out really gets me concerned. : ) You should have seen my panic while waiting for the Blog Customizer to be up and running after the dimensions were changed and all our blogs looked funny. I could barely stand it. I have deleted Happy Birthday comments from my myspace page because they stretched my profile. I feel bad but, come on, you stretched my profile!

Since I have assisted a couple of my AR friends with this recently, I thought I'd let all of you know how to easily adjust the size of the photos you use in your blogs. I'm sure it's been explained before, but I just thought I'd give a little refresher. Most of us recognize this, it is where we browse for our photos to upload them.

After that, we see this:

What I'd like you to notice is the appearance tab next to the general tab. This is where we want to go in order to adjust our photos.

If you want your text to wrap around the picture on the page, you use the Alignment drop down menu. I would either pick Left or Right. Then under Vertical space and Horizontal space you decide how many pixels you want between the photo and text. Usually 5 or 10 is fine. If you don't put any number in these fields, the text will be directly against the edge of the photo.

If you take large, gorgeous photographs, you probably don't want the text wrap but you most likely will want to resize. This is where Dimensions will help you. Make sure the Constrain properties box is checked so your photo does not become distorted. Then I would choose a width of maybe 500 (first box). Just let the second box be whatever it changes to when you change the size in the first box. With 500 width, your photos will still be large enough without stretching your blog.

This will help your blog header fit the space better, and prevent your side information from moving off the right of the page. Hope this was useful to you!

How to be a BAD neighbor... OR please spay or neuter your pets!

Chris Fisher of StagersLIST.com Buy Stage Sell (StagersLIST.com) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:44:08 -0500

Some of you might have read my blog about our mama kitty and 5 babies. My next-door neighbor and I, and our kids, are working at socializing them and getting them shots, surgery, etc. As you may know, this takes a lot of time and money.

So my neighbor is talking to the neighbor on the other side of her saying how much work it's been and how odd it is that 3 of the kittens look Siamese when she doesn't really see any Siamese cats around. The bad neighbor said, "Except for mine."

Good neighbor said, "Well, he's neutered, right?"

Bad neighbor said, "No. He wasn't really mine, I just started feeding him. I didn't have the money to get him fixed." She's been "just feeding" him for SEVEN YEARS. Are you really telling me that in seven years you couldn't have set aside the $45 it costs to have county animal services neuter this pet? Really?

So the question is, what would you do? Hand her a bill? Ask how many of "her" kittens she's ready to take responsibility for? Though I wouldn't even do that as she's obviously not a responsible pet owner. So here good neighbor and I are out a lot of time & money caring for bad neighbors kittens. NOT cool.

Yes, kittens are cute. Yes, I may be the "crazy cat lady". No, I don't need SIX more cats. So wish me luck with adoptions and wish me even more luck with holding my tongue so I don't start a war with the neighbor.

Take care of your pets, always spay and neuter!

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