don't make me get my flying monkeys

Is this what the world is coming to these days? I see news reports about banks that are closing. how the price of houses have gone in a double digit decline. We knew the mortgage industry was going to be bad but never this crazy. And can someone let me know about the tidbits of information I am getting today about Hillary replacing Biden due to his health. Then I hear that Bill was on TV seen chumming up with McCain looking to have his wife take Palin's spot. WOW, my head is spinning.


So now our country is finally figuring out that we can't live beyond our means. What does that mean? What really are means? Why does everyone seem so mean? Know what I mean?


Meanwhile (sorry) I sit here trying to sell greeting cards to help spread goodwill and cheer, thinking I am offering a much needed service or is it a false sense of hope?


To find out, I took matters into my own hands and started mailing cards to random friends, family and business acquaintances. I even used them instead of those window envelopes to pay monthly bills. Can you imagine what happened?


(pause to imagine)


Almost everyone (except utilities and the IRS) had something to say about how it made them feel when the card arrived. Sure they're in the same boat as everyone in this country. But it felt just a little bit better knowing that I took the time and effort trying to make them smile and forget about their worries.


(pause for sniffle)


Who can predict what the days ahead have to offer us. What I can predict though, is how you can help make others feel this special. I guarantee you it will change your outlook on life. Take a peek at some of the great cards we offer at www.izongreetings.com Get out there and spread some cheer one card at a time.


(pause to shop)


My plan B is to have the bushes below my window padded in the event I have to jump like they did during the Great Depression. (what was so great about it anyhow?) Oh, and I have a line of doomsday cards in the works to cover myself should my idea of spreading joy turn sour.


Hope is around the corner. In just a few months we could have Sarah and Hillary in the White House. Martha can do her shows from the main kitchen, the cast of the View can bring their couch and Oprah can be Queen. Hannah Montana will sing the national anthem.


(pause for flying pigs/monkeys)


This has been just a bit too much for me today (I need a nap). I can't imagine how you must feel, thanks for staying with me. Bottom line, we all have enough love to see us through this. Share the love, send greeting cards.

falling for greeting cards . . .

Here it is - the official first day of fall. One of the seasons that many people either love or hate; both generally based off of changing weather conditions. Personally for myself, after years of dreading fall have grown to embrace what it represents. A time of year to accept the elements of my business and life that are now about to show their true colors before fading and falling aside, leaving open possibilities of what a new year can offer.

Each day of the season I look at all the great things I have accomplished this year as they fall to the ground and wait to be raked up or if the mood strikes me; made into a pile suitable for jumping in. Embracing the season, reflecting on the past and preparing for the challenge of what the future holds.

Enjoy your family with the many holidays ahead and never forget it’s your roots not the leaves of your life that make you who you are each day. Leaf yourself (sorry couldn’t resist) open to bare branches and welcome the buds of what will become yet another chapter in your life.

For those that do not have the wonderful colors of fall that bless us here in New England, please email me your name and address and I will gladly send you a little slice of what you’re missing.

it's about time. . .

One would think that if you’re reading this blog you must already know us. Forgetting that www starts with the world. So for those that have stumbled upon our little section of the web we’d like to say hello and welcome.

I’m Dan, the blogger, creative director, lackey, chief cook and bottle washer. Along with my wife Amy we spend what little time we have from raising five children operating a few different businesses. Our passion (and bread and butter) comes from working here at iZon Greetings.

It would take too much time to cover the rest of the introduction so we invite you to read some of our past blog entries (feel free to comment) and subscribe to this blog so you’ll be sure to never miss a word of wisdom, support, business advice or maybe just something to make you smile.

If there is anything you’ve always wanted to ask us we’d love to know and would be happy to have any subject matter we can get. Little by little we’ll try to unfold the story of our lives. We often feel we should have our own reality show on TV but the good names were all taken, The Amazing Race, American Idol, America's Got Talent, America's Next Top Model (LuLu’s dream), The Apprentice (only for hair style tips), The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Big Brother (if he ever visits us), The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, Extreme Makeover, Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, Nashville Star (just to be with Jewel), The Real World, So You Think You Can Dance (have you seen our cruise video), Supernanny (we really need her), Survivor (for certain we’d win), Top Chef (hands down), Wife Swap (hmm).

For our friends that do know us perhaps you can help here with your own title suggestions.

memories of DiBellas. . .

Watching some of the footage of Hurricane Ike totally devastating Texas reminded us of how exactly one year ago we were on the Island of Galveston. It was the first time we were ever there and had no idea what to expect. We will never forget the eerie Hobby airport that was like an episode of the Twilight Zone to the numerous black and white photos that lined the hotel hallways, the monuments and the famous “Seawall” erected to protect the residents. This small island seemed to have been set in it’s past never having fully recovered from the Great Storm of 1900, the nation’s most deadliest natural disaster in history killing over 6,000 people.

On a selfish note if anyone has news of how a small family home on 31st Street faired the wrath of Ike. The home of the DiBella Family and their famous italian restaurant. Talk about history; this place brought us back in time and showed generations of family traditions with food that seemed to have been prepared as if we were relatives ourselves.

Hey Galveston, hang in there, never forget and know that we finally get it; family and history is what keeps us going no matter what life delivers us. You are in our prayers.