The Wedding!

Yes, it happened on June 26, 2009, on the lawn at The Lighthouse on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Adam and Chasity were married; he, in his Marine Corps uniform, and she, in a beautiful beaded gown.

They had time for a honeymoon trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, before Adam reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island on July 7.

Community Association Update

Did you read last month’s Florida Community Association Journal article, Human Relations Made Easy? Here is an excerpt.

Why do some people get along with people better than others? You can tell they have good family relationships, devoted friends, and adoring residents and associates. They seem to have time to have fun, fulfill a passion, interest, or hobby, and take a vacation. The unhappy ones don’t seem to have any of these things and certainly don’t invest their time in others. They are stingy with their time, money, and praise. It’s almost as if they think you will be more motivated by criticism! Fear of criticism only motivates for a short while. It doesn’t work on kids and it won’t work on your employees or residents. And it doesn’t work on YOU.

You can read the whole article at http://www.flcaj.com/pdfdocs/relations%20409.pdf.

If you would like to include excerpts in your newsletters, a WORD version is available on my web site so you can cut and paste. Simply go to http://www.imageinsideout.com/ManagementCompanies/Index.asp. Scroll down toward the bottom of the page and sign in to receive FREE access to my articles in WORD format.

Summertime is the time to train your staff. It’s also not too early to think about training your boards of directors when they return in the fall. You know all you have to do is call and I’ll be there as soon as possible.

The Boardmanship manual will be UPDATED and REVISED just in time for training in the fall.

I‘ll be in South Florida on Wednesday, May 26, to speak to the PBCMA. I’d be happy to schedule a stop at your community or organization while in South Florida. And Southwest Florida – you are not too far away for me to conveniently get to!

Have a great summer!

Women Owned Business!!
I finally received my certification from the State of Florida that I have been approved as a Minority Business Enterprise under Chapter 287, Florida Statutes! It was an incredible task to complete all the paperwork, but it was done, and approved!

I am now a preferred vendor for the following categories:
924-350 IN-SERVICE TRAINING, EDUCATION
924-590 OUTREACH COMMUNITY EDUCATION
924-600 NOT-FOR-CREDIT CLASSES, SEMINARS,WORKSHOPS, ETC., EDUCATION
924-800 TUTORING, EDUCATION
924-810 EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, PRIVATE OR PUBLIC

When your company is required to use a vendor with an MBE Certification for any of these categories - my company qualifies!

Betsy Barbieux, CAM, Professional Development Coach

He Did It!

Adam, my drop dead handsome USMC son, proposed to his cherished Chasity on April 15. They were in St. Pete Beach, and after a walk on the beach, down on one knee he went, holding both her hands, and proposed. He slipped an awesome ring on her finger! She said "Yes" of course. No wedding plans yet.

Adam is on American soil once again!

After serving 6 months with his Marine platoon in Iraq's Anbar Province, he has returned safe and sound.

Praise the Lord for His care of Adam and his platoon while serving our country. If you slept safely last night it is because of Marines and soldiers like Adam and his platoon who are willing to sacrifice to protect America.

His proud Mom!

Press Release

Local Business Woman attends 2009 Florida Communities of Excellence Awards at the Old Capitol Building, Tallahassee.

Betsy Barbieux, CAM, Professional Development Coach, owner of Image Inside & Out, Leesburg, was recognized during the awards ceremony as a judge for the Communications category.

TALLAHASSEE, FL--(Marketwire - March 18) 2009 Florida Communities of Excellence Awards were announced here today. Created to identify and promote innovative solutions and best practices in maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents of community associations throughout the State, the awards were presented by The Florida Community Association Journal and the law firm Becker & Poliakoff at a ceremony at the Old Capitol Building.

Nine condominium and homeowners associations -- from Destin to Palm Beach -- were recognized for achievement in addressing the needs and concerns of residents and surrounding communities in five independently judged categories: Environmental Initiatives, Disaster Preparedness, Communications, Safety & Security and Civic Involvement.

Representatives of prominent Florida civic and professional organizations, including AARP, The League of Women Voters, Volunteer Florida, The Community Associations Institute, Citizens Crime Watch and the Florida Society of Public Fire & Life Safety Educators, participated as judges in the awards, which received more than 120 entries in its first year.

Communities with more than 200 units and communities with fewer than 200 units were judged separately in each category.

"The communities we are honoring today represent pockets of very bright light in what has not been a glowing real estate picture," said Jim McMurry, publication director for the Florida Community Association Journal, which will profile the winning initiatives of each community association in its pages. "These communities are making life better for their residents and their communities in spite of the many challenges they are facing today. Each of the cities where these associations are based can take pride in the accomplishments of these communities on behalf of residents. At the same time, other communities across the state can look to the Awards recipients for examples of best practices they can institute to strengthen their communities."

Becker & Poliakoff attorney David Muller said, "We see excellence every day in the communities we represent. We are proud to be part of this awards program recognizing all of the positive things happening in communities around Florida."

Communities selected for their achievement were presented with Crystal engraved awards and DVD copies of videos that were produced to showcase each association at the ceremony which was attended by property managers, board members and residents of the winning communities.

Florida's CFO Alex Sink, a strong advocate of promoting best practices in government and the private sector, participated in the program together with state legislative leaders, awards judges and other dignitaries.

Ms. Barbieux specializes in training employees and board members to communicate more effectively with each other and their customers and residents. She also offers individual coaching to improve time and project management, reduce conflict with another person, manage stress, improve leadership and presentation skills, and increase your personal credibility and image. She can be reached at Betsy@ImageInsideOut.com or 352-728-5075. Or visit her web site at http://www.imageinsideout.com/.

Why Men Are Happier
This was sent to me by my friend, Michael Aun. Enjoy!

WHY MEN ARE HAPPIER
We men are such simple creatures. Our lives seem to have been simplified by the nature of our sex. What do you expect from such simple creatures? Here are just a few items that come to mind.

Your last name stays put. You don’t have any of this nonsense of changing the name when you get married or adding hyphens.

The garage is all yours. It’s bad enough you have to share 90% of your closet with your better half. You deserve to get 90% of the garage.

Wedding plans take care of themselves. A man’s job is to show up and remember two words- I do! Wedding dress- $5,000. Tux rental- $100.

Chocolate is just another snack like beer or peanuts.

You can be President.

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park or you can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth and you know what they’re talking about.

The world is your bathroom. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too “icky.”

Toilet seats should always remain up. No, we don’t know how to change the toilet paper and we aren’t interested in learning.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. None of those nursery rhymes like “lefty loosy and righty tighty.”

Wrinkles add character, and yes, round is a shape.

The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected and should be applauded. When a group of men get together to watch the race, it closely resembles choir practice.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

Men have one mood all the time (in my case, usually a bad mood).

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. The hello usually goes like this… “Yo, Aun here.” The goodbye… “later.”

Men know stuff about tanks, planes, wars and sports.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. Why do you need to take 10 pair of shoes on a vacation?

Men can open all their own jars. The best advertising gimmick I ever came up with was a rubber jar opener that I give my audiences with the inscription under my picture that says, “Let Mike Turn You Aun.” Bah-dah-boop!

Men get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, we forgive them. They can still be our friend. We really didn’t want to go anyway.

Men’s underwear is $14.95 for a three-pack, not $150.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

Men never have strap problems in public.

And we believe, if it itches, it’s okay to scratch it.

Men are unable to see wrinkles in clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck… and occasionally your back and ears.

Men can play with toys all our lives. Only the price of our toys changes.

Our belly usually hides our hips.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.

Men can wear shorts no matter how our legs look and we can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.

We can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

And, by the way, birthdays, Valentines and anniversaries are just not that big of a deal. A card for her should be sufficient along with some chocolate candy from the 7-11 and we’d be just a pleased if you skip the card and just by us a six pack of beer.

If you ask a question that you don’t want the answer to, expect to get the answer you don’t want to hear.

By the way, foreign films are for foreigners.

No wonder men are happier.

Michael is a very accomplished professional speaker. You may contact him at info@aunline.com

A GREAT RECIPE...
A friend sent this to me. Wish I had written it. We know these things but constantly need to be reminded to do them. Enjoy!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to__________ today. I am thankful for______________'
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like acollege kid with a maxed out charge card.
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. What other people think of you is none of your business.
19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________. Today I accomplished_________.
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings.You'll be smiling before you know it.

Merry Christmas and God Bless You!

Say Thanks to Our Troops

Look what Xerox is doing. Won't you take just a minute and send a postcard? It is so easy to do you could do it every day.


For the troops in Iraq

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING GREAT

If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's. Thanks for taking to time to support our military!