Paying Honor To Our Flag!

Happy Memorial Day!
A perfect time to discuss Flag Etiquette~
YIKES - I'm afraid I have violated a few of these ... like wearing
t-shirts or jewelry with the flag on it. But did you know there are a set of regulations, called the Flag Code, here's a few tips. Some may surprise you!

1. Don’t dispose of the flag yourself. There are flag disposal services that will gladly take care of your flag respectfully for you, but you should never, ever throw away a flag.
2. Our very popular "Old Navy" t-shirt is a violation of the Flag Code. Who knew! Everyone knows you aren’t supposed to wear an actual flag – but did you know those T-shirts Old Navy comes out with every Fourth of July are a violation of Flag Code, too? Flag boxers, flag ties, etc. are all violations - even if your clothes just have a picture of the flag - that's a faux pas too! YIKES!
3. Advertisements are a faux pas. The American Flag is not supposed to be used in advertising of any kind.
4. Height matters. The American Flag should never be displayed beneath the flag of another country. But did you know that in times of peace, it can’t be displayed above another country’s flag, either? They have to be at the same height. And if you display the flag of another country, the two have to be the same size.
5. If it’s ripped, take it down. It’s extremely disrespectful to display a tattered or torn flag. Fold it up and send it to the flag disposal service.
6. It’s not a decoration. If patriotic decorations are a must for your Memorial Day party, please, don’t use a real flag! The American Flag should only be hung from the Union side (the side with the stars on the blue field) or displayed flat against a wall. It should never decorate a table, speaker’s podium, or anything else.
7. Practice proper storage. It takes at least two people to properly fold a flag. Never take it down without help, because it’s also against the Flag Code for the American Flag to touch the ground.
8. If you display your flag after dark, light it. The American Flag should never be in the dark, so if you don’t want to take it down at sunset, invest in a spotlight.
This Memorial Day, let’s remember the courageous men and women who have given their lives to ensure our freedom… or to give the precious gift of freedom to another nation. God Bless America! xoJoy

Romantic Letters

Happy Monday!
What an action packed beautiful weekend. JHW and I managed to fit in a movie. As I've mentioned, we don't go to that many movies because we refuse to pay to hear God's name taken in vein - it shakes me to my core. Depending on your conviction - you can visit Plugged-In and get a check-up on the movie of your choice before paying to see it.

Letters To Juliet is a sweet love story  about new love and rekindling of old flames.  When the main charachter Sophie travels from NYC to Verona, Italy, she meets a group of volunteers who respond to letters written to a fictitious person named Juliet seeking romantic advice. 

 Sophie finds and answers a letter that has been lost for 50 years, and is stunned when its author Claire arrives in Italy with her ohso cute but overprotective grandson to find the fiance she left behind decades ago. Sophie joins Clair and grandson on an adventure through the beautiful hills of Tuscany searching for Claire's love from 50 year ago - Lorenzo. Now you can only guess what happens - go see it, so you can laugh and cry and see the beautiful countryside of Verona. 

One of my favorite lines in this movie is when Claire tells Sophie:

 "One of life's greatest pleasures is having ones hair brushed."

I agree! From the time I was a little girl I always dreamed of having a full time "hairbrusher." Some people dream of having a full time cook, butler, gardner or housekeeper - but I dream of having someone to brush my hair full time.


How about you - what do you dream of having full-time?
xoJoy

More Faux Pas

Top Ten Etiquette Faux Pas 

 This “Top Ten” list reveals some of the most common 

etiquette faux pas people commit on a daily basis.

 1. Forgetting to turn cell phones on manner mode (silent/vibrate) 

in public places—and even worse, proceeding to answer calls 

with a “cell yell.” 

 2.Sending text messages or e-mails during meetings, worship 

services, weddings, or funerals.

3. Not responding to party invitations—just showing up and 

bringing a friend. 

 4. Not sending a thank-you note. 

 5. Being late to meetings. This says that your schedule and time 

are more important than others’ in the meeting. 

 6. Coughing and sneezing in your social (right) hand. Your right 

hand is your social hand, and your left hand is your personal 

hand. No one wants to shake hands with someone who has just 

coughed into his or her hand. 

 7. Re-gifting—it is wrong! If you do not like a gift you’ve been given, 

donate it or give it to someone who would use it—don’t pass it 

off as a thoughtful gift you purchased for someone else! 

 8. Using the wrong bread plate or water glass—remember: B.M.W. 

(Bread on the left, Meal in the center, Water on the right). 

 9. Inviting someone to eat and not paying—the person who 

invites, pays. 

 10. Applying make-up at the table. All personal grooming should be 

done in the restroom. 

  

 Bonus Faux Pas—Using a toothpick, crunching ice, or 

chewing gum! 

We must give our best and be our 

best. How can we be our best if we 

don’t know the basics? 

This list is found in my Socially Savvy book which can be found on Amazon, at www.justaskjoy.com and many other boutique locations found on my website. Enjoy!

xoJoy

It's National Etiquette Week

My Personal Tips and Faux Pas 
I will be sharing etiquette tips this week - but to start out I wanted to share my personal tips and faux pas with you.
Remember: These are NOT etiquette rules, these are some of my favorite personal tips and some of the faux pas I have learned in the ongoing lessons of life. I believe this knowledge will support you, no matter what your season of your life. These are the basic principles I believe in now and try to follow as I make my journey through life. 

Tips

• Follow the “Golden Rule”: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Realize that success is measured by what you do, compared to what you are capable of doing.
• Understand that God’s delays are not His denials.
• Believe that a life without prayer is a life without power.
• Hide God’s word in your heart.
• Know that it is not necessarily the situation, but how the situation is handled, that matters.
• Behave your way to success.
• Realize that life is about choices.
• Alter your attitude, and you can alter your life.
• Learn that it is not where you start, but rather where you finish, that counts. 

Faux Pas

• Waiting on the future instead of preparing for it.
• Trading what you want most for what you want now.
• Being afraid to stand up for what is right for fear of criticism.
• Blaming your past.
• Being lazy!
• Making a permanent decision based on a temporary storm.
• Getting back at others.
• Confusing class and money. 

Would love to hear your tip and faux pas additions!

xoJoy

ABC's of Love

My mentor and friend is the great Zig Ziglar ... and his beautiful wife Jean. (the red head)  For as long as I can remember, I have read all his books, listened to all his tapes, and attended all his seminars. 

Growing up without a loving father in my life - I always dreamed of having someone like him to encourage and affirm me in life. You can only imagine how overwhelmed I was when he agreed to endorse my "Socially Savvy" book.  I'll never forget the moment when I got "the call" from him, saying he wanted not just to endorse it - but to "highly endorse" my book. I remember where I was sitting, what I was wearing, the time of day, everything about that moment. It was a biggie for me!

Below is a excerpt from Zig's newsletter - parent and grandparents I thought you would enjoy!

The ABC’s Of Love (for children)

Accept your child–not as perfect, not as a “model,” but as a basically good kid.
Be there!  You can’t be absent all the time, nor can you show your interest or love for your child  if you aren’t present.  Be there for football games, dance recitals and the like.
Care for your child.  Even when s(he) messes up!
Discipline; don’t punish.  It takes “guts” to discipline; it only takes a “wimp” of a parent to let  kids get by with anything.
Expect the best: Generally, you’ll get what you expect (bad or good).
Family–the center around which the child’s life should revolve.  School, friends and games are  the “planets” which should circle around the “sun” of the family.
God/Spiritual - pick yours carefully; there will ALWAYS be a “god” of something in your and  your family’s life.  Make sure it’s a good one.  This doesn’t mean you have to be a  ”super-Christian” or go to church seven days a week.  It DOES mean that you must instill some sense of spirituality, moral order, and ethics in your child.
Honesty–the bedrock of good character.  Make sure you demonstrate it by example.
Interest–in your child.  If you aren’t interested, the friendly local drug pusher will be.
Joy– in raising children, watching them develop, being a part of their lives, seeing them turn  out as wonderful adults.
Kindness–in discipline and relationships with your kids.  Avoid harshness or punitiveness.
Listen!  Frequently, YOU are wrong.  You are a parent, not God, and certainly not infallible.
Motivate–don’t intimidate. 
NO to negativity!  Be positive!  Any dummy can be negative about things that anyone else  does, especially kids.  Look for the good in your child and emphasize it.  Things that are  focused on and emphasized get bigger and stronger.
Open to questions and concerns of your child; be open to examine your own actions and  motivations, as well.
Practice (makes perfect); you can mess up, and you don’t have to be perfect.  Just don’t make  a habit of it.  Learn from your mistakes. 
Question; interact–your child will not always tell you unless you ask and demonstrate interest.
Reason with your teenager; don’t demand or command arrogantly when there is a disagreement.  If you must, discipline, but not until you have attempted reason.
Say your feelings–your child is not telepathic.  It’s also important to frequently “say” your  feelings of love and affection.
Touch–your child with hugs and kisses.  Hugs are appropriate for virtually all ages.  Don’t be  embarrassed, and don’t get out of the “HUG HABIT”!
Unity–as a family.  Don’t allow splits or divisions to develop between warring “factions.”Value your time together–you won’t have it forever.
Wonder at the priceless gift of your lives together–you will value it more and do more with it.
X marks the spot for your treasure: the home and your family.
You–the critical person who must show your efforts, caring, affection, interest, honesty.   Don’t wait to respond; INITIATE!
Zero— the serious problems you will have in your and your teenager’s life if you follow these  principles.
Thank you to Zig and Psychiatrist Louis B. Cady.

Graduation Etiquette

 

Graduation time is almost here and there are a few questions that always come across my email, so I have put together a tip list from those questions.

1. There is a big difference in graduation invitations vs. graduation announcements. A invitation means you are invited to the commencement and an announcement is basically a heads-up that the person is graduating. 
2. Invitations are typically send to close friends and family members and should be mailed four weeks out.
3. Announcements should be mailed at least two weeks prior to the ceremony. 
4. Upon purchasing your graduation regalia hang up your gown as soon as possible to allow the wrinkles to smooth out.
5. The cap is worn parallel to the ground, with the point of the cap between the eyes. The tassel hangs to your left and will be moved to the right upon graduation.
6. Know the school dress customs, traditions and expectations. You might possibly need to wear a tie and remember shoes are just about the only part of the graduate’s attire that is visible to the audience. Wear tasteful shoes – avoid flip flops, sandals, tennis shoes or bunny slippers!
7. Avoid wearing a darker color clothes underneath your a light colored graduation gown. 
8. Guests should dress tastefully and determine if the commencement will be indoors or out doors, then dress weather appropriate.
9. Be sure to thank everyone who sent a graduation gift with a handwritten “thank-you” note. This note should simply acknowledge the gift and should be sent immediately – however if it takes you a month, a late note is better than no note.
10. Gift giving is alway appropriate, especially if you are invited to the graduation or a party. If you are sent an announcement, it is not necessary to send a gift, but a least send a graduation card - it is nice gesture.
11. Gifts should be mailed or given to the person as close to graduation day as possible.  
12. Money is an excellent gift to give to the graduate. Other cool gifts include luggage, a camera, jewelry, gift certificates and of course ... my favorite recommendation - A Socially Savvy Book!

If you have other great ideas for graduation gifts - PLEASE let me know!
xoJoy