A Massachusetts to Arizona Tribute Treasury

For you, Jenn and Matt!

'Happy Trails' by JudiFitzPatrick

In honor of my DD and SIL's journey from Boston, MA, to Phoenix, AZ.

Boston Red Sox Inspired Bott... Khloesbows $6.50	MARTHA'S VINEYARD vintag... VintageSwitchP... $16.00	Girls Boston Bruins Hockey H... APricelessPrin... $6.95	Fine Art Photograph - Si... JennDiggs $32.00
Crab Pillow bumblebellydes... $65.00	Maryland Cufflinks - Made fr... qacreate $29.99	Cades Cove, Great Smoky Moun... Larry727 $50.00	Tennessee State Necklace IntegrativeCre... $40.00
Mississippi Vingage Puzzle P... MichelleAndHer... $10.00	Royal Blue, photograph from ... jonahgilmore $45.00	ERSS-2838 Sterling Silver Ea... FlutterByJewel... $16.95	CROCHET PATTERNS ROUTE 66 OK... crochetpattern... $3.25
Southwestern 7 9x12 inch Ori... jujuru $38.00	Bronze- Large Scorpion Charm BlackSparrowSu... $22.75	Stairway to Sky - 8x10 Fine ... CactusHuggers $65.00	Photograph print, 11x14 phot... MargrafsPhotog... $45.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Ted Kennedy

A moment of silence in honor of Senator Ted Kennedy, the senior senator from the great state of Massachusetts, where I live.

Peace, Judi

Entrepreneurial Class

I will try to be more explanatory today, for those that don't know. In June, 2006, I accepted a voluntary severance offer from the IT company I then worked for. I promptly did all the things one does when one finds oneself unemployed - signed up for unemployment, got my resume in order, posted it on Monster and numerous other places.

While I was working I had often thought that I would like to start my own business once I retired. I realized that this was my time to be "temporarily retired", as no jobs were on the horizon.

One of the things the unemployment office offers, at least sometimes, is retraining. As luck would have it, all programs were unavailable except for an entrepreneurial training program which at the time was offered in at least 4 locations. My career center advisor, the person I worked with while unemployed, suggested the program at Northern Essex Community College. I attended an info session, applied, had an interview with the instructor for the program, and then waited. After what seemed an eternity, I found out I had been accepted.

The program ran for 20 weeks total, with the first 8 weeks being devoted to classroom with "homework", then 3 weeks geared towards creating a business plan. Then there was one week of presenting business plans to business people who critiqued the plan and presentation from their point of view, being banking, legal, etc. And finally, a few weeks for working the plan, with optional 1 hour per week meetings during this time period with the instructor.

When I finished my thought was "wow, this is like getting an MBA in 8 weeks, only better". I was exhausted but had learned so much - something no business school could have taught me (believe me, I went through a BA program nights, and except for some accounting this was almost all new to me!)

So, the reason for my post is this. This program is not only open to those on unemployment, but to anyone in the local area. I had such a good experience at NECC, that I highly recommend it to anyone in business or thinking of starting a business. A new program is about to begin, here are the details sent to me from the program's instructor:

"Entrepreneurial Training Program
The ETP is an exciting program that helps students think through their business and create a solid business plan plus provides the skills and knowledge to successfully implement that plan.
This 20 week daytime program consists of classroom training, presentations by subject matter experts, business plan presentations, and one-on-one consulting and is instructed by an experienced instructor and business consultant, Paul Jermain of Jermain & Company.
Spring session is scheduled to begin March 10, 2009. This program is MA Section 30/ITA approved; some dislocated workers and others may qualify for tuition assistance. Program is approved for Federal Education Benefits for eligible veterans, selected reservists and eligible dependents.
For information regarding the procedure for applying to this program or to reserve a seat at an information session, please call: Diane Zold-Gross at 978-659-1221 or e-mail at dzoldgross@necc.mass.edu "

I hope you find it of use to you, I sure did!

Peace, Judi

09/28/2008 Our Poster

Day 024 - 09/28/2008 Our Poster
Originally uploaded by Judi FitzPatrick Studio

Yesterday my sister, my older daughter, my son-in-law, and I walked in the 2008 Greater Boston Memory Walk in support of the Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH chapter. It was soggy but warm; we finished with blisters but such a great feeling.

It was so rainy that the poster didn't leave my sister's car, but here it is for all to enjoy.

If your family has been plagued by this disease, please feel free to comment or vent or just say "hi".

Peace to all, Judi

Meet Me At The Fair

I attended The Big E on 9/21 with my sister and a friend of ours. We were thinking the last time we went there together was probably 5 years ago – not much has changed!

There are two Ferris Wheels on the midway as well as many other rides, games to be played, and rubber ducks to be picked up in hopes of the big prize. We all got the small prize - oh well!

It's called The Big E - real name Eastern States Exposition. All of New England plus parts of New York are represented in agriculture and other local products. Each New England state has its own building where these local products are displayed and sold. For instance - in both Mass and Maine there were lobster rolls for sale, as well as maple syrup. Of course Vermont also had the maple syrup and flannel clothing.

In the aggie portion - cows (including my favorite Belted Galloways), sheep, goats, llama, chicks, and more.

There was also a petting zoo for the young’uns.

The Budweiser and Hallamore clydesdales were all there dragging their wagons during the end-of-day parade around the fair grounds along with numerous floats from which Mardi Gras beads were tossed to excited children (big and small!)

We stayed over 8 hours and still didn't see it all, but we sure had fun! Hope to go back again in the next few years.

You can still go as this fair doesn't close until the 28th. Check the web site for more details, and no need to tell you to have fun!

Peace, Judi

Please, register to vote!

No matter where you are from, I hope you will vote in both the primaries and then the election this fall.

If you're from Massachusetts, please note, you must register to vote by January 16th in order to vote in the primary this February. And don't use the "I'm an Independent" excuse in this state - if you're registered as an Independent, no matter which party you choose to support for the primary, you will automatically be returned to independent status!

So, please, register this week and get out and vote in the primary next month.

Peace.