Get Your Party Started!

She's baaaaack...

2006-01-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it has been almost 4 months since I have been here!! Talk about dropping the ball- well it's a new year and time to get back on track!

Working on the main website currently... planning a re-launch very soon!

Stay tuned... and Happy New Year!

~Danielle

An Update...

2005-09-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

So far $250 has been raised for those families who have been relocated to Arizona. They have just released a list of the people who have ended up here.

Here is my plan. One more week I run this fund-raiser. After that, I print out the list, put all the names in a hat, and have my daughter pick two. Then I split the money, write two checks, and hunt these people down. I don't want to spread it too thin, because then no one would really benefit.

Unless in the next week I raise a couple grand, then I will change my tune a bit, and be able to spread a little more love around. ;-)

Which means- DONATE Gosh-darnit! I know alot of you have in other ways, but I made it so you will benefit too... :-))

Just keep scrolling down...

Hurricane Relief- a call for help

2005-09-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of victims of Hurricane Katrina are being flown in to Arizona starting today. As much as my husband and I would love to take a family in and give them a home as they work to get back on their feet, we have decided that it is just not something we are able to do at this time.

Instead, I have arranged a few card packages you can choose from to help me raise funds. I plan on finding a family or families to "host"- and all proceeds from your purchases will go directly to them. Not to some bigger organization where all money goes into one big fund. All your donations will go directly to a family in need.

Package #1: Four-pack of personalized notecards- $12.00 (samples)
Package #2: Girlfriend Collection personalized (4 notecards, 8 writing sheets)- $18.50 (samples)
Package #3A: Personalized Expressions 8-pack (4 name/4 thank-you)- $16.00 (samples)
#3B: Personalized Expressions 16-pack (8 each)- $28.00
Package #4: 10-pack All-occasion Inspirational Cards- $15.00 (samples)

Keep in mind ALL proceeds will go directly to a family who has lost everything from this tragedy. That is 50% of the purchase price. CONTACT ME TODAY WITH YOUR ORDER!

email: thepartystarter@cox.net
phone: 602-410-3204

Thank you ALL for your efforts. No one asked for this, and I feel we must do all we can to help those in need.

This is your day- to help as well. :-)

~Danielle

Awesome happenings!

2005-09-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

A few neat things are happening to me and my business right now. Over the summer PS I Love You worked with me to create a fund-raising package for schools. Having been the president of my own children's PTO for two years, I have first-hand experience in how the fund-raising works in schools, and exactly what schools are looking for. It's very exciting for me, because not only did I get to choose the designs that are to be used in the fund-raiser, but I also helped decide on a price that would help get a school a decent amount of funds. So of course I will be testing this out on my own children's school. If anyone would be interested in a fund-raiser of this sort, please let me know as I would love to help out!

Another great thing is PSILY cards is going to be featured on Good Day Arizona! We have a whole new holiday line, and they will be talking about them on the show September 23rd. Yay!

But even before that- yours truly will be making (hopefully) a little TV appearance of her own. That is correct folks, on Friday, September 16th, Sonoran Living Live will have the Early Rizers in the house! Early Rizers is a breakfast networking club for women in business, and we were invited to sit in the audience.

So keep your eyes peeled, you may just see me on your TV!

September Is...

2005-09-02T00:10:00.000-07:00

This Month:

~Baby Safety Month
~Be Kind to Editors & Writers Month
~ Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
~Children's Good Manners Month
~Cholesterol Education Month
~Classical Music Month
~Coupon Month (National, US)
~Ethnic Foods
~Eye Health & Safety Month
~Self Awareness Month (International)
~School Success Month (National, US)
~Self- Improvement Month
~Sewing Month (National, US)
~Sickle Cell Month (National US)
~Sports and Home Eye Safety Month
~Prevent Blindness America Web site:
~Southern Gospel Music Month
~Tiger Month
~Women of Achievement Month

Second Week:

~Suicide Prevention Week

Third Week:

~Constitution Week
~Rehabilitation Week (National) - September 18 - 24, 2005
~Singles Week (National, US)

Fourth Week:

~Banned Books Week - September 23 - September 30
~Dog Week (National, US)

The Day Plan:

http://www.brownielocks.com/september.html

Final month of 40% off sale!

2005-08-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to bring this to the front and center again- last month of the sale!

http://thepartystarter.blogspot.com/2005/06/omg-40-off-sale.html

August Calendar!

2005-07-31T13:54:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's back to school time! Well, at least here in AZ it is, anyway. Though I think the calendar knows it as well, there are several health-related events this month:

THIS MONTH IS:

Black Business Month
Children's Eye Health & Safety Month
Children's Vision & Learning Month
Happiness Happens Month
May Your Reading Be A Haven Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Inventor's Month
National Toddler Month
National Win With Civility Month
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

THIS WEEK IS:

Simplify Your Life Week: 1-7
Exhibitor Appreciation Week: 1-5
World Breastfeeding Week: 1-7
Psychic Week: 1-5
National Fraud Awareness Week: 4-10
(This is sponsored by the FCC and has to do with phone & mail fraud.)
Knights of Columbus Family Week: 6-14
National Scrabble Week: 7-12
Don't Wait! Celebrate! : 8-14
Elvis Week: 8-16
Kool-Aid Days: 12-14
National Resurrect Romance Week: 14-20
Thanks For All The Gifts Week: 14-20
Weird Contest Week: 15-21
National Aviation Week: 16-22
Be Kind To Humankind Week: 25-31

THIS DAY IS:

Girlfriend's Day: 1
Respect For Parents: 1
Rounds Resounding Day: 1
National Night Out: 2
National Pretty Is As Pretty Does Day: 2
Coast Guard Day: 4
Braham Pie Day: 5
Work Like A Dog Day: 5
National Fresh Breath (Halitosis) Day: 6
National Pamper Yourself Day: 6
National Mustard Day: 6
Women's Pro Football Day: 6
Friendship Day: 7
Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day: 7
National Kid's Day: 7
Sister's Day: 7
Treasure Your Customers Day: 7
The Date To Create Day: 8
Happiness Happens Day: 8
Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night: 8
International Day of the World's Indigenous People: 9
Veep Day: 9
International Youth Day: 12
Vinyl Record Day: 12
Kool-Aid Day: 12
Elvis Presley Commemoration Day: 13
International Left Hander's Day: 13
National Garage Sale Day: 13
National Underwear Day: 13
International Nagging Day: 14
National Navajo Code Talkers Day: 14
Best Friends Day: 15
National Relaxation Day: 15
World Day of Reiki: 15
Joe Miller's Joke Day: 16
Meaning of "Is" Day: 17
Sandcastle Day: 17
Bad Poetry Day: 18
National Personal Chef's Days: 18-20
Aviation Day: 19
"Black Cow" Root Beer Float Day: 19
Bamboo Day: 20
Vinegar Day: 20
Poets Day: 21
Southern Hemisphere Hoodie Hoo Day: 21
Be An Angel Day: 22
National Punctuation Day: 22
International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition: 23
Kiss and Make-Up Day: 25
Women's Equality Day: 26
"The Duchess" Who Wasn't Day: 27
Sing Out Day: 27
Race Your Mouse Around the Icons Day: 28
Crackers Over The Keyboard Day: 28
More Herbs, Less Salt Day: 29
Love Litigating Lawyers Day: 31

Personalized Expressions Website!

2005-07-14T23:54:00.000-07:00

PS I Love You has a new site for our Personalized Expressions line! Here you will find the stationery you need for all your business and executive needs. Not only can they be used for personal use, but they make excellent employee gifts, and professional enough to use to keep that personal touch in your business.

The best part is- you can see what your card will look like with the personalization BEFORE you buy! Check it out today! I've all ready been playing with it...

The Journey is Complete- until next year!

2005-07-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

I am trying to figure out how a week has gone by since the party, and I am just NOW getting around to writing about it. Time flies when the kids are home from school and you are focusing all of your energy to keeping them entertained for a few months. :-)

I must say, everything went off without a hitch (so I'm told). We got to the pool early enough to decorate before guests arrived, and the kids were able to go out and swim. The theme was as divided as my two girls are- half Barbie Princess and half Hello Kitty. Of course, you have all these decorations, but really do the kids care? As soon as their friends started arriving, everyone disappeared out to the pool, not to be seen until it was time for cake and presents.

Cake and presents. I probably should have planned that differently. We had cake first, and by the time we got to presents, all the sugar-highs had started to kick in. I separated all the presents so each of them could have their own separate turn. By the time we finished one child and started the other, the natives were rather jittery. All the adults sort of had a glazed-look in their eyes...

However, I am told it went smoothly. It's funny to me that no matter how much you plan and schedule, you will still run around like a crazy-person doing things during the entire party. Don't get me wrong- I did get time to sit and chat. It just got a little hairy when all the kids were in the room together... hehehe.

The looks on my babies faces made it all worth it, though. They were quite pleased, and happy to see all of their friends and family. Each of them got their own special time, AND their own special cake- what more could a child ask for?

July Calendar!

2005-07-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

Lots of great themes going on this month! (I'm kinda drooling over chocolate day myself...)

*American Beer Month
*Anti-Boredom Month
*Blueberry Month
*Ice Cream Month
*Social Wellness Month
*Hitchhiking Month

~National Education Association Week (1-6th)
~A/C Appreciation Week (3-15)
~Therapeutic Recreation Week (10-16)
~Hug Week! (17-23rd)
~Chocolate Day! (7th)
~Puzzle Day (13th)
~Cow Appreciation Day (15th)
~Cousins Day (24th)
~Parents Day (24th)
~Father-In-Law Day (July 30th)

OMG! 40% off SALE!

2005-06-14T02:01:00.000-07:00

Now through the end of August- get your favorite cards at a MAJOR DISCOUNT! Stock up now!

http://www.psiloveyoucards.com/member_login/documents/SummerIncentuve05.pdf

Other cool things in the heat of summer-

http://www.psiloveyoucards.com/member_login/documents/TomBergerFlyer.pdf
http://www.psiloveyoucards.com/member_login/documents/SummerPromo05.pdf

How exciting! I know I am stocking up just for myself alone!

Who Is This Party For, Anyway?

2005-06-06T11:40:00.000-07:00

Parents have become too competitive over the years when it comes to birthday parties. A child's party shouldn't be such a pressure-cooker, but it is. "Mom, Tommy had his party at Bumper Bowling Swimming Whirlwind Extravaganza... can I?" Like a good parent, you most likely have all ready looked into it, because you knew your child would be asking. You know this because of the way they kicked and screamed when you had to drag them out of the place once the party was over. Then you quickly decided that it was next to impossible to have your party at BBSWE (see fictitious name above) unless you took out a second mortgage on your home to pay for it.

So you wait for the excitement to wear, then start throwing out suggestions as you are out and about with your child. Eventually they forget and will except less, but the pressure is still on for Mom- we must exceed all other parties that have been thrown this year!

I say Mom only because Dads are not part of the party picture. They carry things, pick up things, and watch the kids (if you are so lucky) while you are racing around like a lunatic running the show.

Why do we put ourselves through this each year? For some it is several times, if you have more than one child. Believe me, I get caught in the fray as well. However, over the past couple of years I have been able to look back and really evaluate who I am throwing these parties for. When my older daughter turned 2, it was a month after we moved into our new home. It ended up being a housewarming party. When my younger daughter turned a year, my parents were in town and I invited over all their friends to have a gathering. The birthday party was secondary.

It was only when my older daughter turned 5 that I started seeing who the parties needed to be about- who they were supposed to be for. Last year, we had a swim party at the local pool. They were able to invite a set number of friends each, and I of course had some family and personal friends there as well. We had a cake, some snacks, no extra games. They swam the entire time. I was able to sit, talk to the other parents, enjoy myself. My husband did too. We were even able to do a little swimming ourselves!

And you know, this year when I asked my kids what they wanted to do for their birthdays, they surprised me. They had gone to the big pizza game place, a huge water park, a bowling alley, roller skating, Build-A-Bear Workshop. I braced myself for the worst.

They wanted exactly what they had last year. They want everyone, including Mom and Dad, to have a good time.

And we will.

Journey to the Joint Birthday Party

2005-06-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

My daughter's are turning 5 and 8 this month. Now, when my older daughter turned 5, it was a big to-do. We had a luau, and half of Arizona came. OK, not half, but more than would attend their other parties. :-) I thought I would track my experience here, and add tips to help others as they plan their parties in the future. :-)

Now my baby is turning 5, and I will not cut her any slack. They both wanted a pool party. It was easy to find the venue- their favorite public pool, complete with wade pool and a slide shaped like a shell. As well as larger water slides for the older kiddies. I made absolutely sure they didn't mind having a joint party, and they were fine with it. Which makes it easier on ME, hehehe.

Who to invite? First up, the guest list. I had both of them sit down and write down their school friends they wanted to invite. While they did that, I opened up the rolodex and started listing family, family friends, and neighbors. By the time we put all our names together, we had quite the list. My husband turned a bit white, but I assured him. Not everyone will be able to attend. Besides, I have the time of the party BETWEEN lunch and dinner to avoid having to feed 50 people a meal.

Next, designing the invitation. Not difficult, it's my job after all. ;-) I went with a pic of the two of them on the front, with a summer-y theme on the inside to go with the pool party.

When to mail? I like to mail the invitations out about 4 weeks before the date of the party. That way, you can have an RSVP date of 10 or 15 days before hand, and have plenty of time to adjust your amounts of food, drink, and goodies for the party. Since I have a summer party, I like to give extra time to those who might be planning their summer getaways (mainly family and close friends whom I know would want to be there).

Lists! After making the first general guest list, I made a separate list for all the children whom are invited. As I get RSVP's , I highlight the name. Highlighting is more clear than checking off the name.

So, there is the beginning. Stay tuned for more words of wisdom as I continue my trek to the party...

June Calendar !

2005-05-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

Well I've got my website updated, and thought I would post all the great things happening this month here:

*Adopt A Shelter-Cat Month
*Audiobook Month
*Iced Tea Month
*Rose & Send a Rose Month
*Vision Research Month
*Zoo and Aquarium Month

~Clean Air Day (Canada)- June 1
~Stand for Children Day- June 1
~Hunger Awareness Day- June 3
~National Cancer Survivors Day- June 5

~Fishing Week- June 5- 11
~Headache Week- June 5-11

~Ice Cream Day!- June 8
~Mr. Party Starter's birthday! :-)- June 8
~National Yo-yo Day- June 10
~Open window Day! (Arizona excluded!)- June 12

~Hug Week!- June 12-19

~Flag Day- June 14
~Power of a Smile Day- June 15
~Father's Day- June 19
~My Younger Baby turns 5!! - June 22
~My Older Baby turns 8 ! - June 24
~Big crazy joint Birthday party!- June 25
~Recoup day from throwing
big crazy joint party- June 26

~Camping Week-- June 26-July 2

So send a note- for a birthday, for an anniversary, for no reason at all! Guaranteed you will make someone's day!

Fresh and Organized

2005-05-29T15:57:00.000-07:00

With April showers come May flowers. Have you ever received flowers? What do they say to you?

… a special way of saying thank you?
… the smell of something beautiful?
… the start of a new relationship?
… a fresh smell?

When you look at the flowers that are blooming outside right now, have you considered how you could bloom?

*Do you have new goals to achieve?
*Do you want to improve?
*Did you want to start a new career?
*Did you want to start a new project?
*Did you want to fit into that bathing suit for summer?
*Did you want to buy a new house?

Spring brings a feeling of renewal, rejuvenation. Maybe there’s a hop in your step, or at least a smile on your face. Do you feel lighter, freer, more refreshed? You should.

And so now is the time to take a fresh new look at your life.

What is it that you haven’t accomplished?
What do you still want to achieve?

Is it organizing something?
your office?
your papers?
your home? (one room at a time)

Is it setting new goals?
a new career?
a new project?
a new hobby?

Is it achieving better time management skills?
stop procrastinating?
manage your time better?
work smarter?
stop watching so much TV?

Where can you take a fresh look and enjoy your life?

Eileen Roth (Gorman) - keeping the business name
“organizing systems for success”

Author, Organizing For Dummies®
Everything in its Place®
Scottsdale AZ
(480) 551-3445 (new phone)

June PSILY Specials!

2005-05-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

June can only mean one thing- Father's Day! PSILY has some great specials on gifts and cards for that guy you call Dad!

Father's Day Print

Father's Day Card

You're A Winner! Card

Click HERE to shop now or at the PS I Love You link at the right.