Mobile World

I am currently at Seatac waiting for my (late) plane to head out to Northern Cali for a friend's wedding. On the way here I was checking my email on my iPhone. I shot off a couple of texts. Now I have my laptop fired up, and I can be as productive as I could be at my office in Olympia. Technology makes life on the road ever more productive.

Technology made me pause today on the shuttle when I was observing a father and his two sons. The father sat idly while his two early twenties sons tapped on their smart phones. They could have been playing Fruit Ninja, texting their girlfriend (or boyfriend), or emailing their boss. But the definitely weren't talking to each other. They were isolated while sitting right next to each other.

I am now sitting in Vino Volo. (Side note: I love the Seattle airport. At what other airport can you get a Walla Walla wine with a crab, salmon crostini? Love.) There are many people sitting at tables here. Alone. Typing on their smart phones. Answering emails on the laptops. Making business calls on their cell phones. Almost daily, I find myself honing in on one subject and then tuning into it all around me. Today's subject is technology.

Are we living in an interconnected world that leaves us unconnected? Has our quest to be in touch left us out of touch? Why can't we sit at a meal anymore without somebody answering a ring or a beep? I think it is eroding relationships. Because my sister just had a baby, I now think of things in terms of children. How do you teach children when it is appropriate to be on their phone and when it isn't? When you are on a long road trip and are bored out of your mind, text away. When you are sitting with your grandmother eating lunch, TURN OFF THE DAMN PHONE!

Like all tools, I think we will learn how to use mobile technology to improve our lives and weed out the ways it doesn't. There will be proper etiquette for texting and emailing (and people will follow it). We will text and email to stay in touch with those far away and leave the phone in the car to cultivate relationships right in front of us. I hope.

Signing off. By myself. With my computer. And my iPhone. And a glass of Sauvingon Blanc.

Morning Wake Up Calls From Children Are Pretty

-The master "waker-upper."-

I was looking through the pictures on my phone yesterday (at a stoplight, not while I was driving), and I found this video from my trip to North Carolina. It made me laugh at loud.

Since we spent a semester on a ship together, my Semester at Sea friends and I are very familiar with each other's routines. We were reminded of these routines on our trip. Some things never change. Every morning, my friend's 3 year old and 1 year old got up at 6ish, along with their dad. I got up at 7:30, along with their mom. And at about 9:30 we would take the kids into the room of our third friend who, despite being a working professional now, has not lost her ability (surely perfected during her tenure at UC-Santa Barbara) to sleep until noon. I couldn't sleep until noon if I tried. And when on vacation with two children, there was no chance of that for my friend either.

This little video documents the kids conducting their morning wake up call. Pure, innocent joy. How sweet are they?

Babies, Infants, Toddlers, and Children

ba·by   /ˈbeɪbi/
[bey-bee] –noun
1. an infant or very young child.
2. a newborn or very young animal.

in·fant   /ˈɪnfənt/
[in-fuhnt] –noun
1. a child during the earliest period of its life, especially before he or she can walk; baby.

toddler (ˈtɒdlə)
— noun
1. a young child, usually one between the ages of one and two and a half

child   /tʃaɪld/
[chahyld] –noun

1. a person between birth and full growth; a boy or girl: books for children.
2. a son or daughter: All my children are married.
3. a baby or infant.
4. a human fetus.
5. a childish person: He's such a child about money.
6. a descendant: a child of an ancient breed.
7. any person or thing regarded as the product or result of particular agencies, influences, etc.: Abstract art is a child of the 20th century.

I like children. I would say I love them. (Well, let's be honest, I love most of them.) I love spending time with children between the ages of 2.5 and 42.5. I like talking to them and figuring out how they think. I like learning new things with them. I like watching them grow. I like playing sports with them. I see children as little humans. I like them.

Babies, infants, and toddlers on the other hand... I do not know what to do with. After 4 months, when they have moved beyond the cute cuddley stage, I just don't get them. They can't talk. They drool a lot. And poop. And cry. You can't rationalize with them. You can't teach them about the meaning of life. Heck, they can't even sit up on their own for awhile. I really do love children, but I truly don't get babies.

Sorry, Maebel (my forthcoming niece). My visits might be short until you hit 2.5 and can start chatting me up and eating steak at the dinner table.

Your mom sure knew how to communicate. Check out that picture. Yikes!

Favorite Customers

We know mom said, "Don't pick favorites." And we know we should love all of our customers equally. But the truth is, we do do have a favorite.

Bon Lemon loves young ladies. We have a young ladies section of jewelry with all sorts of baubles designed just for them. We offer 50% one item for kids under 12 who are using their own money. (To encourage saving.) We hope to continue to expand our young ladies section, because, shh... don't tell anyone, the young ladies are our favorite customers.

The two blond beauties in the photographs modeled at least 18 Bon Lemon pieces at once from pearls to strawberry necklaces to scarves at a trunk show in Billings last week. At our trunk show last night, a first grader came to the check out area to purchase a red sequin hair bow and a strawberry necklace. She brought her own money she had been saving from her birthday. She received 50% off her hair bow, learned about how the government charges you a little more in tax and ran off to enjoy her new goodies.

My favorite young lady purchase was not a young lady at all; it was a young man. This young man was quiet and shy. He came to me in secret and said he wanted to buy a necklace for his mom (who was hosting the party). I asked if it would be a Christmas present. "No," he replied. "Just because." (My heart was melting at this point.) He surprised his mother with the necklace along with a card he had working on all evening. (Again, I was melting. Along with all of the other ladies in attendance.)

We love all of our customers, but there is nothing like pigtails running around with seven necklaces on or a young boy who loves his mother to make you feel good about what you are doing. Thanks to all of our favorite customers out there. We hope to meet more of you soon! (And more kids stuff has just arrived. Woo hoo!)

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Part of our mission here at Bon Lemon is doing good. We think doing good can be accomplished in many ways. Buying jewelry might not seem like the most obvious philanthropic activity, but we hope to change your view on that. By donating a percentage of our profits, participating in fundraisers for local charities, and stimulating discussion, we hope to do good. And we hope to give you opportunities to have fun while doing good.

One way I have tried to do good is through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. I have been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters since my early twenties. I have had the same little sister in Missoula for over 4 years. Intuitive Iris and I have been through a lot. (Most of which, I don't feel comfortable blogging about, so this blog might lack the details that would make it compelling.) I am committed to being there for Intuitive Iris and in return she has given me her trust and respect and has taught me about myself and others.

Those of us who have been blessed with affluence, loving families, and supportive friends, are sometimes troubled by those who seem to lack all of these things. When you have so much, it is hard to process how some can have so little. Big Brothers Big Sisters creates a program that connects people of different socio-economic and ethnic groups. It connects different ages, interests, and strengths and finds the common denominator. People are people.

Although, Intuitive Iris and I have many differences, I have been more struck by our similarities. Intuitive Iris is wise beyond her years. She just celebrated her 14th birthday and she picks up on nuances in conversation many of my peers do not notice. She is smart and wise. The hand she has been dealt has not been an easy one, but she maintains a commitment to personal growth. She inspires me to be a better person. (Again, I know details would make this more interesting to read, but I don't think putting her life under the microscope to better explain mine is fair.)

Without Big Brothers Big Sisters, I would never have met Intuitive Iris. We would not have been working out in the same gym. I would not have met her at a dinner party. We don't travel in the same circles. It is because of Big Brothers Big Sisters, we have had the privilege of knowing each other and developing a lifelong relationship. I would never have had the opportunity to teach her about writing thank you notes, chewing with your mouth closed, or my views on personal responsibility. And she would not have been able to teach me about strength, resiliance, and coping with struggles I didn't even know existed.

The Bowl for Kids Sake fundraiser is coming up in Missoula, Montana. This is one of Big Brothers Big Sisters biggest fundraisers. Lots of people have their own children or busy schedules that don't allow them to volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, but you can always donate. My close friend Carroll Anne Sowerby is raising money for her bowling team. The funds will be used to connect more peope and enhance more lives. You can donate online at:

http://www.firstgiving.com/carrollannesowerby