Technology, What a Wonderful Invention

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Christmas is just around the corner. Are you ready for the thrill of hunt for those special and unique gifts.  Many of you will utilize the internet as part of that hunt.  Just as I am to bring  new unique gifts to Surprise Arrivals this season.

 In that quest, I ran into a computer issue this week.  A  firewall upgrade was downloaded into the system and required a reboot .  Once back up I discovered that  I was not able to obtain access to my network. I was cut off from everything, no email, no store, nothing would run.  Of course, after I recovered from the shock , I ran everything I could to resolve my problem and I am pretty good with this techie stuff.  Once that failed and I completed some relaxation exercises to maintain my control. I called Support.

 After hours on the phone with support and going through every possible solution, I was told I would have to speak to another technician that would probably be able to resolve my issue.  Needless to say, I was, by this time, not a happy camper.   The new techie called and within 10 minutes had my issue resolved and I was back up and running. 

I appreciated so much all the patience and knowledge that these support guys provided to help me.  Even when they, themselves could not figure out why the program was doing this strange action.  I got to thinking how difficult it must be for them every day dealing with irate  customers and computer issues.

We all have that support person in our company or even in our own home that is always catching the heat when our technology goes awry.  So why not let them know we do appreciate and acknowledge their skill. Here are my three recommendations to say Thank you for that patience and support.

Thanks A Million  Deluxe Care Package, this gift says it all, “Thanks a Million” From the decorative gift box, to the imprinted ribbon to even the caramel corn. This gift is sure to send your message loud and clear, “Thanks A Million!” The attractive gift box carries a delicious assortment of tasty treats while sending your sincere thank you!

Office Bytes, this gift is great for someone whose world revolves around megabytes and gigabytes – send the Office Bytes gift basket to brighten the day and lower the stress level.   You’ll be the hit of the office when you send the Office Bytes gift basket. 

With Sincere Gratitude Gourmet Gift Box   Give a gift of gratitude that will last long after the last of the goodies are gone when you give the With Sincere Gratitude gift box.  The faux leather box holds sweets and treats that let that someone special know how highly you esteem their kindness and thoughtfulness.

Have  a great Thanksgiving Weekend and run those computer backups.  till later. LB.

Thanksgiving November 26, 2009

Yes, tucked between the two monster holidays of Halloween and Christmas, Thanksgiving receives far less attention. But Thanksgiving is a very important holiday, especially in the busy lives of Americans. It is a time to kick back and relax, watch a football game or go to a movie, and enjoy a huge feast. There is no nation in the world that has more to be thankful for than us.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated between the Pilgrims and the Indians in 1621.That first feast was a three day affair. The fall harvest was time for celebration. The Pilgrims and the Indians created a huge feast including a wide variety of animals and fowl, as well as fruits and vegetables from the fall harvest. This early celebration was the start of today’s holiday celebration. Like then, we celebrate with a huge feast.

After the first Thanksgiving, the observance was sporadic and almost forgotten until the early 1800’s. It was usually celebrated in late September or October. In 1941, Congress made it a national holiday and set the date as the fourth Thursday in November.

Today, most of us enjoy Turkey with “all the trimming”. The “trimming” include a wide variety of foods that are a tradition for your family. Those traditional foods often replicate the foods at the first Thanksgiving feast. While others, are traditional ethnic or religious groups recipe, or a special food item that your family always serves at Thanksgiving dinner. Then, to top it off, pumpkin pies, apple pies, an even mince meat pies are bountiful around the table.

With our busy lives, it is not always possible to spend Thanksgiving with all your family and loved ones. We worked with our designers to have some great Thanksgiving themed gifts so you can ensure that although you might not be able to be with them, your thoughts and well wishes are sent in these great gift ideas. Here are LB’s top picks.

Thanksgiving Gourmet  This honey willow basket brings the Thanksgiving Gourmet gift basket.  From sparkling apple cider to cheese, summer sausage, rye bread and sweets treats to satisfy the most discriminating palate, this gift will please your friends and family this Thanksgiving season. 

Autumn’s Bountiful Harvest Gift Basket This beautiful fall bushel basket is filled to overflowing with the delicious tastes of creamy walnut fudge, chocolate chip biscotti, cinnamon caramel corn and more.

Grateful Harvest A 12 inch hand painted Harvest bowl carries a harvest of snacks in the Grateful Harvest gift basket.  A harvest of mixed fruit, cheeses, Focaccia crisps, caramel corn and fudge is topped off with Alaska Smoked Salmon fillets to make a feast of fall treats! 

Did you know? Potatoes were not part of the first Thanksgiving. Irish immigrants had not yet brought them to North America.

Till next week. LB

Birthdays Come and Go!

Hello everyone, Ms. Honey making a contribution to the  SurpriseArrivals.com Blog this week. As my title states, Birthdays come and go but you 50th Birthday is something special. You’ve reached half a century. By this time, your accomplishments are many. You have gotten a group of friends that will always be there for you, through good or bad, happy or sad times.  This was one of those happy times, 2 Saturdays ago on Halloween night.

A surprise party for Larry had been in the planning for a long time by his extended family and friends, here in Florida.  A Mystery Clue hunt started for Larry on the Sunday before Halloween and ended on his last clue that lead him to the party.  At the back door of Beth and John Z.’s home, a werewolf laid in wait for him to arrive. Inside about 25 guest were waiting to shout “Surprise”.

Some of the guest were in costume, Dee was a beautiful “Raggedy Ann”, Patty was a “Geisha “and I was a retired “Madame” with all the sparkle and necklaces I could find.  John Z. was the perfect bartender and had created a “witches Brew” in a large caldron that everyone was dipping their glasses into. Larry and Paul were enjoying Chocolate Martinis in special Halloween Martini glasses that Irene and John P. had given Larry for his birthday.  Food and drinks were a plenty this special evening.

Larry was roasted by  a few of his closest friends. You can tell how much you are loved when so many friends attend and have so much fun at your expense on your 50th. Paul had spent a week giving Larry lame excuses every time he ran down to the Z’s house or picking me up for a run to the store.

I hope to be around to write about a 75th surprise party blog for Larry. Was it a surprise, we may never know for sure, after all Larry is pretty savvy when it comes to reading his friends and family.

Whether you have someone that has a special birthday approaching or a special recognition, you can always check out our Gifts for him, Gifts for her, Birthday gift baskets or any other great gift ideas at SurpriseArrivals.com.

Till our next party,  “See Ya!”  Ms. Honey.

Forget-Me-Not Day, November 10, 2009

I really enjoy looking up these unique and sometimes bizarre holidays or days of recognition.  There is simply no reason not to find a reason to send someone you know a special surprise.  I thought it very appropriate to have Forget-Me-Not Day and USMC Day on Tuesday, November 10th followed by Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th.  We wrap up the week with World Kindness Day on Friday, November 13th.

I see next week as a week of remembering those we love near and far, those that are serving and have served, and simply spreading kindness to everyone you encounter.   So with that in mind I started looking at the different types of gifts I could send to some friends in Missouri and Tennessee as my way of celebrating Forget-Me-Not Day. Here is my top three choices.

All your favorite fall snacks are here in the Fall Snacks gift basket.  Everything to chase away the chill of autumn will warm your heart when this lovely fall leaves gift box arrives overflowing with sweet and savory snacks.  Your good wishes will arrive in beautiful style with the Fall Snacks gift basket.

A Fall Snack Chest full of fall splendor this attractive hamper is sure to make a great keepsake long after the treats are gone. The dark stain hamper with lid is filled with creamy vegetable dip, petite fruit candies, 2.5 oz gourmet snack mix, vanilla spice tea, Angela’s butter cookies, and 2.5 oz spicy tortilla chips.

All the Fall Splendor along with a scrumptious assortment of delectable treats are encompassed by a hunter green fall basket. Created with an upscale fall presentation this delicious gift will leave them remembering how thoughtful you were.

Now thinking of giving some special recognition to someone you know in the USMC or is a veteran then may I suggest you check out the wonder ideas at Surprise Arrivals. Gifts for Him , Gifts for her or Care Packages have some great gifts ideas that could be just right for that special person.  

How about just spreading some kindness around to someone you know that could use a boost in spirits. Candles are always a nice gift to send someone and these are my two picks this month. There is the Strawberry & Vanilla Cream Candle Assortment, these Ice Cream Candles look and smell so delicious you might just forget they are candles and try to eat them. Surround your special person in scents of perfectly ripe wild strawberries and the warm scent of creamy vanilla. How delicious!  Or enjoy the scents of the warm vanilla bean and cinnamon nutmeg with the Fragrance Retreat Candle Basket. Makes a thoughtful gift with reusable Willow Basket.

 Like I say there is never a good reason not to find a reason to send a surprise arrival to someone you know and love.

till next time. LB

A Visit from the Great Grandson

A visit from a two year old great grandson can be both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. As it was for me when my granddaughter brought my great grandson , Brayden to see me last week.

When I saw both of the walking hand in hand, I thought to myself, how lucky I am to see this unfold before me.  Boy, how he has grown since their last visit.  When I admired his new glasses he was wearing and telling him how special he looked, brought out a great big smile on his face.

Once in the house, he was greeted by my dog Lola, a cute Shih tzu.  Once she realized it was Brayden, who just happens to love “her ” toys,  she immediately headed for under the sofa with only her little face and eyes exposed to see what was going to happen next.

Sure enough, off came the glasses with a swipe the hand and off he went after Lola. Between the barking of Lola and the “Sit Lola’s” from Brayden, I knew I was in for a busy visit.

Have you ever seen a 2 year old climb onto the sofa over to a counter stool and up through the pass through to the kitchen, well you have not lived  a great grandmother’s life yet. The little guy is quick and adventurous, of course, I would never know where he got that from.  All of this took place in just a matter of minutes of their arrival to the house.

Once retrieved by his mom, he was next to me on the sofa with flash cards, I had bought for him. That kept his interest for a full 5 minutes, then it was off the sofa and out to the screen patio.  He loves going out there to blow bubbles .  This kept him content till Lola decided she wanted to try and catch the popping bubbles.

It was back in the house for a treat of fruit cocktail. I learned that peaches are his favorite. I have lots of left over fruit cocktail minus the peaches, if interested.

After our snack, he was off to the surprise drawer, this is something I have done since becoming a grandmother for his mom, aunt and uncle. Lots of goodies from the Dollar store.  Out came the crayons and  coloring book.  Wrong choice, he was not interested in the crayons for coloring yet, so I quickly exchanged the crayons for  a piece of candy. Back in the drawer went the crayons for when he is a little older.  We, great grands are still in the live and learn game.

Off he goes again, walking around the house to see what else he can do.  He loves walking around and pointing at things and naming them. He has developed a great vocabulary.  Great Gram does not want to brag, but.  He finally stopped in front of the coffee table and off go the books to the floor. He proudly turned around with his hands up in the air and said “Sorry”.  He picked them up and place on table and off he went.

The pine cones, on display in front of fireplace, was his next victim. Each one was taken out of the display basket and counted “one, four, two, five” in this most serious voice. What a pick me up, for great Gram.

It had been about an hour and half when his mom Kim says “I have to leave now Gram. I hope you don’t mind we had such a short visit. We will try to come back next week”.  Back on go the glasses and hand in hand, they walk to the car. Lots of hugs and kisses  and they drive off.

I went back inside and directly to the sofa.  There I laid slowly slipping into a nice nap, thinking just how lucky I was to have grandchildren and a wonderful great grandson.  Lola was already snoring under the sofa as I drifted off exhilarated and exhausted.

For you lucky enough to have grandchildren and blessed to have great grandchildren, send them a surprise arrival from their favorite grandmother or great grandmother.  Gifts like the “Kids Just Wanna Have Fun Care Package“, a Crazy Crayon gift box, Play Doh, Cracker Jacks, Silly String and Rice Krispy Treats to list a few of the great items.  Another great gift is the “Crayola Kids Gift Box“.  Activities abound in this crazy Crayola gift box! Our designers have selected a unique variety of Crayola kids fun activities and snacks for this exclusive gift box. We’ve included a coloring book, crayons, Pez candy dispenser, bubbles and more. A great gift for kids of all ages!

Till next time, Ms. Honey.