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Entry bubble Getting a Patent on a Dude Vest

By: Ginger | January 09, 2009 | Category: General

Recently an idea for an invention popped into my head… a “Man-Bra.” I’m not saying who inspired this idea; let’s just call him “Myhu S. Band.” This special garment would provide some support for men with a more developed “chest region.” Made completely of duct tape (yet another use for that all-star of adhesives!), it will have many useful features. It will include: insulated pockets that will keep a minimum of 6 beers cold up to 3 hours; side pockets for the required TV, stereo, DVD, and TIVO remotes; and a GPS tracking system, so the wearer will never have to ask for directions ever again.

When I shared my idea with Myhu S. Band, he told me to call it a “Dude Vest.” He said, “No card-carrying member of the male race would be caught dead wearing a ‘Man Bra,’ even if he did need it… which he most certainly does not!” Hmmm, maybe the “Dude Vest” should include a mirror. He also recommended adding a hidden pocket for that special edition of “Sports Illustrated,” an LED flashlight with rechargeable batteries, and a Swiss Army knife on a detachable clip. I’m thinking it should probably include a pocket for a nose hair clipper too, but that is a topic for another blog.

Thomas EdisonSo, how do inventors go about getting a patent? My first stop was the patent page on USA.gov. It directed me to the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) website which has a patents page. There are applications for 3 types of patents you can apply for: utility, design, and plant patents. The PTO suggests that a lawyer familiar with patent law be consulted because of the complexities involved. You can search for patent attorneys online for your city and state.

If you have any other suggestions for my “Dude Vest” drop me a line. Or if you have gone through the patent process, we would all be interested to hear about your experience.

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Entry bubble Taming the Paper Jungle in 2009

By: Ginger | January 02, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

I am no longer a New Year’s resolution kind of person. My resolutions were always too strict and things I was destined to break. Instead of resolutions, I am setting a few life-friendly, good-for-me goals for 2009.

This past year things went, to use one of my favorite phrases, to hell in a handbasket. My once casually-organized office morphed into a jungle. In fact, the whole house has taken on jungle-like qualities, and I am not referring to the musical jungle in Disney’s production of the “Jungle Book.” My jungle is one of paper, clutter, and dust.

woman holding a green file folderUp until now, I have been too preoccupied with life events to care or to do anything about it. As I head into 2009, I know that this disorganized situation isn’t good for me and contributes to making me feel anxious. So, one of my 2009 goals is to slowly bring order and organization back into my personal life.

I have receipts, warranties, insurance documents, copies of bills, and a host of other bits of paper that all desperately need a good home or a toss in the circular file. Instead of rushing in and just tossing everything in a massive purge, I need a little guidance on what records and documents to keep readily available, which things to store, and what things it is safe to toss. “Preparing Your Household Records” is a great article with some helpful tips. It is especially important to get things in order with tax season coming up. Consumeraction.gov also has some great guidance on what consumer documentation should be kept and organized.

They say confession is good for the soul. One of my little secrets is that my husband and I were irresponsible and never got copies of our marriage certificate. We assume the justice of the peace who married us filed for it, but who knows. So, it is time to figure out how to get copies of that. “Where to Write for Vital Records” is a good place to start. This site tells you how to obtain marriage, life/death, or divorce certificates, and the good news is that most of these documents can be ordered online.

I am sure I am not the only person out there who needs to get a grip on the clutter. If you happen to be an organizationista (hmm, did I just make up a new word?) and have some suggestions or useful tips, drop me a line. And if anyone spots a toucan with a stapler, I think it is mine.

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Entry bubble Closing the Chapter on 2008

By: Ginger | December 26, 2008 | Category: General

Girl writing in her 2008 journalAt the end of every year I try to take to take stock of how things went for me during the year. Some years it is a lovely trip down memory lane, full of positive happenings and feel-good events. Some years are relatively uneventful. This year, I don’t even want to do my year-end review. Yes, it was truly that bad.

This year has been marked with trauma and personal tragedy for me. I try not to wallow in self-pity. After all, 2008 has been filled with trauma for a lot of people. Many Americans lost businesses, homes, and possessions to natural disasters. Flooding, fires, and hurricanes threw many people into situations requiring them to be brave and cope as best they could.

Although my husband and I are in pretty good financial shape, 2008 was difficult for a lot of people. Businesses and financial institutions are suffering from the economic and banking crisis. The number of people losing their jobs, filing for bankruptcy and foreclosing on houses is increasing. 2008 saw the government trying to help stabilize both businesses and assist individuals. Mortgage assistance, a guide to avoiding foreclosure, hope for homeowners, and economic recovery websites may be helpful to you or someone you know struggling financially.

Politically, 2008 was a big year. Throughout the year we have watched and listened to the candidates telling us how they plan to reunite our country and restore stability to our economy. The voters spoke and now President-elect Barack Obama is getting ready to turn the page to our country’s next chapter.

There are many questions and hopes for 2009. Whether Republican, Democrat, or neither we should all stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as Americans. We need to pull together, because there are bound to be more natural disasters, more rocky financial times, and unforeseen bad stuff that can happen. If 2008 has taught us anything, we learned that fortunes or circumstances can turn on a dime. The only way we will get through bad times is to stay united and help each other.

Please share your memories and comments on 2008 and you hopes for 2009. Take care and I will see you in 2009.

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Entry bubble Don’t Forget the Animals this Holiday

By: Ginger | December 19, 2008 | Category: General

Every Christmas I make myself crazy shopping for gifts. I want to make this Christmas different, more meaningful. Most of the money that we budgeted for all of that Christmas craziness this year was used to purchase pet supplies to be donated to a couple of local animal shelters.

Doc, Daisy, and Conroe dressed up for ChristmasWe also decided to rescue a dog. We wanted an older dog; one that has been in the system for a while and whose chances of getting adopted might be limited. We found Conroe. He is 8 and has been at the shelter for a year. He is just the sweetest fellow. Here he is with our 2 Bichons, Daisy and Doc.

Keeboo dressed up for Christmas Keeboo, the stray cat we adopted Christmas 2006, refused to pose with the dogs. She wanted the spotlight all to herself.

If you are looking to donate to a worthy cause, don’t forget the animals! More animals are abandoned and shelter donations decrease during tough economic times. If you are unable to adopt an animal, there are other ways you can contribute. The Humane Society, Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals, or your local animal shelters use cash donations to pay for medicine, spaying/neutering, and pet supplies. If you want to donate supplies, contact your local shelter to see what they need. You can also donate your time. It is a lot of work to run a shelter. The folks who run shelters would be more than happy to put you to work.

If you are considering rescuing an animal to give as a gift for the holidays, think about it very carefully. Pets are long-term commitments and can become a big expense. After the holidays, animal shelters often get abandoned “gift” animals dumped on their doorsteps. Even if you know the person wants a cat or dog, the person getting the pet should be the one to choose the animal.

On a final note, animal abuse generally increases during tough economic times. As people get more stressed they can begin taking their frustration and anger out on family pets or other animals. If you of know of animal abuse, please check out this reporting animal abuse page on USA.gov.

Please share your animal adoption stories or other ways that people can help!

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Entry bubble Holiday Safety

By: Ginger | December 12, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

Every Christmas my husband and I have a heated debate over inflatable Christmas characters. I want to buy a couple to put in the yard. He says, “No way!” We have neighbors with 7 lovable characters gracing their yard. When my husband sees them turned off and deflated, he insists their yard looks like a graveyard for dying hot air balloons.

Too many Christmas lights plugged inMy husband and I also debate over our Christmas lighting. He prefers the classic white lights, greenery, and some red bows. I love lots of colorful lights. The more the better!

With all of the lights and decorating, it is important to keep safety in mind. Here are some tips and guidance on safe decorating: Safety Tips for Christmas Decorating, Christmas Tree Fire Hazards, Holiday Decorating Safety Tips, and Decorating with Lights.

Besides decorating, my 2nd favorite thing about the holidays is the food. My first Christmas dinner with my husband was a Tater Tot casserole (with candy canes sticking out of it to make it festive). I hated to cook and Tater Tot casserole was pretty much all I ever made for the first few years of my marriage (my husband still has nightmares about being chased by a giant Tater Tot). I am a much better cook now, but no matter how experienced, you still need to follow good food safety practices.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service offers a variety of helpful information. Check out their Food Safety at Home podcasts, the Food Safety Education page, the Meat and Poultry Hotline, and tips on Seasonal Food Safety.

P.S., Does anyone know how I can rent some of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons for a day? It would be worth it to see the look on my husband’s face as he pulls into the driveway and sees a squadron of huge parade balloons floating above our house. I will tell him that they have come to die, and then I will inform him he has to help me make Tater Tot casserole for 327 hungry balloon wranglers!

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