Chatbug Karen

Ever wonder how Microsoft came up with Chrome? Check this out for one interesting possibility. Google sfida Microsoft con Chrome

I have been sewing lately and it seems that when I do that, my blogs are pushed to the side. We have also begun to get busier in our floor covering store. That is great news. Our sales have been very slow this winter.

Be sure to check out what I have been working on over at my Winding Threads blog.

I want to give a shout out to my friend Elizabeth. Happy Birthday Elizabeth! She just got back from a tour at Campbells. She reminds me of the Energizer Bunny.

President Obama signed his first piece of legislation into law today. It was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, which will increase workers ability to sue for past pay discrimination. Woo hoo!

I have to say, finally. The fact that women have been discriminated against when it came to equal pay for an equal job is not new. Laws have been brought before the legislative bodies before but were always twisted in ways that never helped women. This new law effectively nullifies a 2007 Supreme Court decision that said workers had only 180 days to file a pay-discrimination lawsuit.

Lily Ledbetter sued Goodyear after she discovered she was not receiving the same amount in her paycheck as the men who did the same job she did. The Supreme Court said she was not due compensation because she missed the deadline. The law that was signed today makes it easier for workers to sue for decades-old discrimination. Under the new bill, given final passage in Congress this week, every new discriminatory paycheck would extend the statute of limitations for another 180 days. The bill does not change current law limiting back pay for claimants to two years.

In all fairness, Congress attempted to update the law to extend the time, but the Bush White House and Senate Republicans blocked the legislation in the last session of Congress.

Do you think this will bring more lawsuits into our courtrooms? Will this make a difference in our workplaces? Will employers be able to get around paying women the same?

Why is it that I can sing the praises of new products in our store but am hesitant to talk about new medical technology? Familiarity. That is the key. I have been in the business of selling carpet for over 30 years. I know how it is made and I am not afraid to tell a customer what I think about a certain yarn system and how it will wear better than another. When it comes to health issues, it is a subject of which I am not as familiar. I have to do my research when making choices involving my health.

A subject that has been drawn to my attention is the the issue of collecting potentially life-saving stem cells found naturally in menstrual blood. I have only recently seen television commercials about the subject. After researching this topic, I am astounded that this technology has not been emphasized to the public. The decision to save stem cells is very important. Every day pre-clinical trials are being performed to find more diseases and health issues that may be helped with stem cell technology. Everyone can benefit from stem cell collection.

Pre-clinical trials using stem cells to treat:
• Heart Disease
• Breast Cancer
• Diabetes
• Stroke

We all know someone who has been troubled with one of the above health issues. The testimonials at the C’Elle website talk about how stem cell collection made a difference when faced with health situations out of their control. Barbara, a C’Elle client told how after much consideration and questioning of her family, she decided to collect her stem cells. She talked of hoping that the cells may someday help should any of her family experience a horrible disease such as Alzheimer’s Disease. She refers to the procedure as reasonable and practical.

If the aspect of the collection seems foreign, be sure to check out the C’Elle Testimonials. It is a lot easier than I thought and the importance must be emphasized. Stem cell collection from menstrual blood is on the cusp of changing lives for so many people.

When you order C’elle now, not only will you save $200 on the $499 annual plan but you will also receive a limited-edition rhinestone engraved C’elle satchel! Just use the code: CNB200 when ordering. Don’t put off doing what might be one of the most important acts of your life. This offer ends on January 31, 2009.

Gmail, also known as Google Mail, is a free email service with innovative features like “conversation view” email threads, search-oriented interface and plenty of free storage (almost 7GB). Need to get caught up on your Gmail? Gmail is available through your mobile devices.

The only drawback of using Gmail for our business has been the inability to work with our email when offline. Not to fear! Gmail has come through.

Google is rolling out a Google Gears version of Gmail that will be available to users starting today in Gmail Labs. It will be reaching users slowly so you will need to check on it.

After installing the Google Gears plug-in to your browser, Gmail detects when you are offline. By caching your e-mail so that you can read it, respond to it, search it, star it, or label it and open attachments, Gmail is more accessible.

These are all the new features listed on Gmail’s website:

Multiple accounts.New! Quickly switch between your Google Apps email and Gmail from the same client.

Multiple Mobile Drafts.New! Jot your thoughts down, finish and send later.

Shortcut keys*.New! Undo, scroll up and down, archive, delete, refresh at the push of a button. See Menu/Help in the app.

Basic offline*.New! Compose and read your most recent email even when you’re on the subway or plane.

Language Support.New! Gmail for mobile 2.0 is available in over 35 languages.

Just before Christmas, I finished a king size quilt for our bed. After about a week of sewing, I finally finished the pillow shams to match the quilt. This is what I made.

I had never sewn piping before so I decided this was the time to try. I will be posting a tutorial on piping and how to make it, on my Winding Threads blog.

I like my new shams and they might get me to make my bed everyday! LOL

Woo hoo Indiana! For the first time ever, Miss America is from our state. I have been interested in pageants in our state because a neighbor of ours has competed. I understand the hard work that they endure to compete. It is not just a beauty pageant but more of a scholarship pageant. Congratulations to Miss America 2009 Katie Stam.

Enter to win during Bella Casa’s Etsy Party!!!

When???
It starts today
Monday, January 26 – Friday, January 30

Where???
At Bella Casa’s Blog!

COME JOIN THE FUN!!!

So, how are you doing with your New Year’s resolution list? How many of you are trying to lose weight? How many are trying not to yell at your kids? There are many good resolutions we all should try to resolve. One of the most important resolutions we should try to keep is to live healthier lives. Eat better foods, exercise and get more sleep.

Our health is something that when we are young, we think can never fail us. We feel good and hope to feel that way for a long time. The truth is, we never know what may happen. That said, it is good to take measures to do things that can help us and our families should tragedy or ill health strike.

Women have a unique opportunity to take matters of our health into our own hands. How can we do that? By using C’elle’s method to save and store menstrual blood right from the privacy and comfort of our own homes. Recent studies have shown that vital stem cells may be used to treat osteoporosis which is prevalent in my family. It may also be used to help our parents and children if it becomes necessary for them to battle heart disease and other health issues.

Do your research then check out C’elle’s pricing and place your order at their order now page as you strive to meet your resolutions this year.

From the Associated Press: The official Chinese translation of President Barack Obama’s inauguration speech was missing his references to communism and dissent, while a live broadcast on state television Wednesday quickly cut away to the anchor when the topic was mentioned.

This is the portion that the Chinese government did not want their people to hear:

earlier generations faced down communism and fascism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.” He later addressed “those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent – know that you are on the wrong side of history.

The AP went on to say:

The Chinese translation of the speech, credited to the Web site of the official English-language newspaper China Daily, was missing the word “communism” in the first sentence. The paragraph with the sentence on dissent had been removed entirely.

You should read the AP article in its entirety to totally understand the undertones of the Chinese government’s censorship.

How are people supposed to know what the United States is really all about when what they are presented is slanted? How many times have you thought you didn’t like someone only to change your mind once you met them?

The people of China should be outraged. On second thought, they probably are outraged. They can’t do anything about their outrage as they risk being thrown into jail.

I love being an American.

We have been updating our calendar because we decided to take a vacation. That in itself is amazing. We have a hard time getting away from our business. While looking at the calendar, I was shocked to see that Valentine’s Day is only a couple of weeks away. Yikes!

I have a friend who has been looking for someone special for a long time. I was hoping this year would be the year that he would need a great Valentine’s gift to give to someone special. Alas, I don’t think it has happened. I think he needs to try a different approach. He is a great guy. He has a good job, owns his home and is interested in many hobbies.

A great way for him to find that special someone would be to use a dating service. Dating services have come a long way in the past few years. Because of my friend’s interest in horses, I think that the equestrian cupid might help.

Seriously, this dating service is the best, largest and most effective dating site for single horse lovers and friends in the world! A niche dating service such as this is different than many dating services in that they offer ways to meet people who hold the same interests, the love of horses. They offer FREE sign-up to be on your way to meeting that special someone. I cannot think of an easier, relaxing way to get to know someone. Not only can you meet the person special to you, you can make friends who will become your horseback riding buddies. Enjoy great exercise as you discover uncharted trails and become one with nature. Equestrian Cupid has experienced great success with their safe and easy to use dating service.

I hope my friend is agreeable to trying it. I’ll let you know how it works out. He will, hopefully, be needing a Valentine gift come this time next year.