Happy July 1st

Happy July 1, 2010 The first half of the year is gone. How did you do on your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you even remember what they were? I’m sorry to say I didn’t do so hot on mine. But I still have the rest of the year to pull it together. July is known for being the month of Independence, celebrated with fireworks and cook-outs. But many people are not aware of the other things of importance that happened in history. Today in history the following occurred: 1863 - The Battle of Gettysburg, which marked the turning point in the Civil War, began. 1943 - Income tax withholding began in the United States. (Yippee, like we want to celebrate that). 1963 - The U.S. Post Office inaugurated its five-digit ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) codes. (Never knew the ZIP stood for something. I thought it just mean “speedier mail” 1997 - After 156 years of British colonial rule, Hong Kong was returned to China. 2000 - The Confederate flag was removed from the South Carolina statehouse. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Be sure and put you phones on silent or turn them off when attending church, court, or public events. When you must use your phone in public, please be aware that everyone around you can hear what you say. My number one pet cell phone peeve is to be sitting enjoying a wonderful lunch/dinner with my husband in a nice restaurant and the jerk in the booth next to me spends most of his/her meal on the cell phone cursing and arguing with someone. Be aware that not everybody wants to be involved in your drama. Remember that cell phones are wonderful devices that you can use to talk in a normal tone. There is no need to increase your own volume and talk loud just because you are on the phone. If you must take a call, please say “Excuse me.” I am constantly seeing people in the middle of a discussion with someone and the phone rings and they whip it out with a hello and totally ignore who they are with. I used to work with a couple of women who would spend 90% of our lunches together being on the cell phone with their mother or husband. I ended up eating quietly and finally quit going with them because of their rudeness. Don’t invite someone to do something with you and then spend the majority of the time you are together on your cell phone. That’s about it for today. Have a wonderful July!