I am used to finding my entertainment on the Web through my favorite pop culture (or basically online tabloid) Web sites- www.perezhilton.com, www.tmz.com and of course, www.people.com. However recently I discovered an entertaining site that does not report on Lindsay Lohan stealing a fur coat or Britney Spears still trying to get custody back of those sweet, innocent little boys. No, this Web site is actually useful AND it is entertaining at the same time. The site is called WuFoo, www.wufoo.com. It is named for the founders two favorite groups, Wu Tang Clan and Foo Fighters. Anyone that can be as creative as Wufoo, well as Renee Zellweger said, has me at hello! The Web site offers free software to build surveys, order forms, registration forms, etc. for your Web site. I have used it a few times and on top of being user-friendly, it is just a really fun Web site. For example, when you are finished and logging out of the site, you are prompted with the famous line, “parting is such sweet sorrow”. Yes, it is very silly. But in a work environment where we tend to take ourselves too seriously, it is nice to chuckle every once in a while. Using a Web site like Wufoo has challenged me to find ways in which Trio and the Nonprofit Nook Web sites can showcase our peronalities. Ultimately that is what Wufoo does, it brings the personalities of the founders into their site. And that is what makes the Web site so unique and fun.

I recently received this “list to live by” from a good friend and thought it was worth sharing. Enjoy!

The most destructive habit………………….Worry
The greatest joy………………………….Giving
The greatest loss…………….Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work……………Helping others
The ugliest personality trait………….Selfishness
The most endangered species………Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource……………Our youth
The greatest “shot in the arm”……….Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome……………..Fear
The most effective sleeping pill……..Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease…………Excuses
The most powerful force in life………………Love
The most dangerous pariah………………A gossiper
The world’s most incredible computer……..The brain
The worst thing to be without………………. Hope
The deadliest weapon…………………..The tongue
The two most power-filled words……………”I can”
The greatest asset…………………………Faith
The most worthless emotion………………Self-pity
The most beautiful attire………………….SMILE!
The most prized possession…………….Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication…..Prayer
The most contagious spirit……………..Enthusiasm
The most important thing in life………………GOD

Jennifer, Jessica and I just got back from a week in Denver and I think I have found a second career. While in Denver, Jessica and I dined twice at the Delectable Egg. It is truly a little piece of heaven on earth! For a breakfast food lover like myself, it had everything from omelets to a healthy french toast made with egg whites and apple juice. I decided on the trip back that Charleston MUST have it’s own Delectable Egg. So, anyone reading this who would like to invest in a restaurant, I am ready to take on a second career. And I am happy to approach Delectable Egg regarding franchise opportunities. As a marketing professional, I understand the importance of keeping your brand consistent. Therefore there is only one thing I would change for the Charleston location…we must add grits to the menu! Bon appetit!

My son had a “perfect” day in kindergarten today. You wondering what that means? Well, put it this way - we have been struggling since the first day of kindergarten to get a smiley face for every section of his day. Learning to read - check; understanding the concept of adding and subtracting - check; goofing out in the bathroom - check; pouring milk into peas at lunch - check. You get the point. Well today we made a significant turn. The teacher was pleased with every aspect of his day. We made a big deal of this milestone and all he wanted in return were Legos. Legos it is! The feeling of accomplishment was priceless. His gold medal was Indiana Jones Motorcycle Chase. Watching his happiness made me yearn for the days when life was so simple. I thought to myself, if only I could go to the office and get through an entire day with smiley faces. Maybe if society followed the rules of kindergarten we could all get through the day with happy faces and Legos as our prize. Wouldn’t that be nice?

We are always good listeners.
We are helpers, not hurters.
We are walkers, not runners.
We are builders, not breakers.
We are talkers, not shouters.

I can’t believe I got married two months ago today! This is my first official post as a married woman. You may be wondering what two months of marraige has taught me. I have learned a thing or two and they are as follows:

1. Apparently married or not, you should not go to the bathroom with the door open. Your husband will not think this is cute.
2. It’s ok to go to bed angry. (Although this is something I learned while playing bridezilla) It’s actually nice to have your own bed for one night!
3. Don’t get defensive when your husband wants to talk about how much money you are spending. Just try not to listen!
4. Read the Five Languages of Love together and tell your husband that even though the test doesn’t say so, your love language really is receiving gifts.
5. Don’t start taking out the trash and you will never have to.

Ok, so these probably aren’t words of wisdom from a married woman, but they are some fun things I wanted to share. I can say without a doubt that I have enjoyed every single minute of being married. Two months down, many, many, many more to come!

In the current edition of U.S. News & World Report their staff shared 50 ways to improve your life. These are quick tips and advice that can improve your body, mind, money, world, and play. I highly recommend picking up this issue. I was pleasantly surprised to see that one of the quick picks was to “purchase a health care gift card.”

Our team at Trio Solutions Inc. has been working with our client, MedExpress in Augusta, Georgia to develop gift cards that give the gift of better health. In a country where health insurance premiums are soaring and small, medium and large businesses are struggling with providing affordable health benefits to their employees we have all been very excited about this new concept. Our thought is that employers can now provide their employees with gift cards in increments of $25 to $1000. The article in U.S. News & World Report just valided that we are on to something and it makes us proud to help our clients be on the cutting-edge. We are very excited about offering this to businesses in the Augusta area.

Some of the other tips that I enjoyed and hope to do in the new year include:

• Stop drinking bottled water. There is nothing wrong with our tap water
• Say good-bye to baseball legends. Go see a baseball game at Shea or Yankee stadium
• Teach your children how to vote
• Take time to listen

If you can’t get the current issue, check out this video of the staffers at U.S. News & World Report sharing the different ways to improve your life in 2008.

Trio Christmas Party on Water’s Edge

This time of the year is full of so much cheer and everyone at Trio Solutions indulged in some holiday festivities on Dec. 13 at our annual Christmas party. The evening began with a harbor cruise abroad Water’s Edge. The sunset was breathtaking, the wine flowed well and the music (although not Christmas carols) was jamming thanks to DJ/Captain Jamie Holcombe. Some great rock ‘n roll from the 70s and 80s always gets folks in a party mode. After the harbor cruise we met up with our friends and significant others at Chai’s Lounge. The evening was full of Christmas cheer. We should do this more often. Merry Christmas everybody!

Man, you can never go wrong with oysters, music and friends and that’s just want our friends at Love Inc. provided on Sunday. Love Inc. is a Charleston-based nonprofit organization that helps elderly citizens throughout the Lowcountry. They are amazing people and it’s hard not to get infected by their caring spirit. They have a program called Adopt-a-Grandparent and go into nursing homes and make the residents feel special and human again.

On Sunday, they held a fund raising event at Goldbug Island on Sullivan’s Island. The weather was perfect! They provided steamed oysters by the bucket and a variety of bands played throughout the day. The women at my church were so generous and provided tons of baked goodies so Point Hope United Methodist Church had a booth and sold them to help raise money. Almost $200 from brownies, cookies and cakes - not bad!

From L to R - Dillion Faust, Tammy Faust, Thuy Patterson, Jamie Holcombe, Hannah Holcombe, Jennifer Cherock and Josh Clark

(From left to right: Me, John, Brettley, Andy, Brandon, Tim)

I first met Brandon in 2002 when he was a spindly 15 year-old camper at Camp Kemo. At the time he was receiving treatment for a brain tumor. He was a quiet kid, but he was very athletic and good at basketball. One of my favorite memories of Brandon was when the University of South Carolina basketball team came out to Camp Kemo one afternoon, and they went up to the basketball court at the camp to play around with the kids. Brandon, never one to shy away from competition, challenged one of the USC players to a little one-on-one. When Brandon got the ball, he gave a nasty cross-over dribble, pulled up for a fade away jumper over the outstretched arm of the defender and nailed the shot. The crowd gathered around went crazy and Brandon was an instant hero.

Today, Brandon is not doing so well. His brain tumors have relapsed for the second time, and at this point treatment and surgery cannot help him. He is still in good spirits, but the tumors have begun to affect his speech, sight, and balance. His prognosis is not good, and barring a miracle, we don’t know how much longer he will be with us.

A few weeks back, a couple of my co-counselors with the teenage boys were talking, and wanted to do something special for Brandon. They had the idea to take him to an NBA game. Given Brandon’s condition, we all felt we needed to do something for him soon, before he couldn’t travel or be comfortable enough to enjoy the game. So they settled on going to a preseason game for the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night, October 15. Luckily, I was in a position where I was able to take some time off and go with them.

So, the four Wolfpack (that’s the name of the teenage group at Camp Kemo) counselors piled into John’s Expedition with Brandon and Brettley, a friend of Brandon’s from Camp Kemo who is also a cancer survivor, and we headed up to Charlotte. Tim, who is probably the most connected person I know, knew someone with the Bobcats, so he was able to get the hookup for the boys to get the VIP treatment at the game.

When we arrived at the coliseum, we entered through the executive entrance and were greeted by two of the Bobcat dancers and a representative from the team. The team rep whisked the guys off and took them down court side to watch the players warm up. They also received autographed game jerseys from Emeka Okafor and Gerald Wallace and a bag of other team swag. Brandon and Brettley were also made honorary captains for the game, so they were able to go out to center court before the tip-off, and Brandon had the opportunity to say a few words to Vince Carter. He told him that he used to be able to dunk, but couldn’t anymore, and asked him to throw down a dunk for him in the game. In true storybook fashion, in the first minute of the game, Vince drove the lane and threw down a one-handed dunk.

(Brandon talking to Vince Carter before the game)

The guys said their favorite memory of the night was not even basketball related. Before the game, John was selected to be in a dance competition on the court at the end of the third quarter. He was miserably nervous about it the whole game, but when his time came, he shined. He busted out all the classics: the sprinkler, shopping cart, and even a breakdancing spin. It was grade ‘A’ entertainment, and I’m sure that video will end up on YouTube soon enough

Brandon and Brettley had a really good time getting the royal treatment all night. You never know what kind of effect these types of experiences will have on people, but I know that the memories of that trip will be with all of us for a very long time. I just pray that it will give Brandon some hope and comfort to continue fighting and to enjoy his time here, no matter how much of it he has left. For me, I just consider myself fortunate to know people like Brandon and Brettley. As the cliche goes, they help me much more than I help them. You receive so much more than you give, and Monday night was a perfect example.

Do you remember the first day of school? I actually don’t. I can remember bits and pieces of kindergarten but I don’t actually remember the first day. But that’s okay because the joy of having kids is that you get to re-live your youth all over again. My oldest child, David started kindergarten today at Laurel Hill Primary School. It’s a great school and seems like a private school with a public school tuition which is awesome! I think we were as excited and anxious as David (probably more so because we know what is ahead of him). And in David’s mind as long as Spiderman is there by his side then he can tackle any new adventure.