For any custom engraving of stone in Australia for your school or church talk to talkingstones.

The recent upgrade of our workshop has lead to the creation of a new role to over see our larger workshop facility and growing product opportunities. We have cheekily titled the role “Workshop Wingman” and have appointed Lucy Roper into this important role. Lucy brings with her a wealth of real world experience, a great sense of humor, and a loving family, all of which make her the perfect candidte for this role and become part of the talkingstones family.

That is, until six months later, when he really messes things up. Facing a tough situation, he remembers the envelopes. He tears open envelope #1 to find a slip of paper that reads, “Blame your predecessor.” Perfect! He concocts a story that pins the problems on the previous employee and deftly sidesteps blame for the issue.

Another six months go by, and again our friend is in trouble. This time, the envelopes are fresh in his mind, so he opens #2. “Blame your coworkers,” it advises. He does, and once again avoids taking the fall for a problem he caused.

It should come as no surprise that six months later, he’s in trouble again. Fortunately, there is still another envelope. He opens number 3, to find one last bit of advice: “Prepare three envelopes.”

A person’s character can be neatly judged when we see how they handle mistakes. We are all human; we all fail. When confronted with that failure, our next move paints a picture of how we handle responsibility and blame. Do you step up and own the problem, or do you reach for an envelope?

Good people step up. They acknowledge the problem, accept the blame, and work doubly hard to correct the problem. It is a sad commentary on our world today that most people are pleasantly surprised when you do this. While you may not be able to completely rectify the problem, you will earn some measure of respect by taking ownership of the issue. The problem may not be fixed, but your character is intact.

Bad people step away. They look to blame anyone except themselves, and will sacrifice anyone to protect themselves. Blaming predecessors and coworkers will work for a while, but you will eventually run out of envelopes. The problems remain, but you will not. And your character will be irreparably tarnished.

We all have three envelopes available to us, every day. We’ll all make mistakes at some point. When that happens, don’t reach for an envelope. Own it, fix it, and move on

What a busy past 12 months its been. We continue to be humbled by the wonderful customers we deal with every day and the amazing products we are asked to create. Our Pet Memorial plaque business has enjoyed continued growth during 2011. We are proud to be Australia’s most respected and loved specialist maker or Pet memorials, Memorial plaques and outdoor urns for pets. We are looking forward to some really exciting new Pet memorial products being launch by us here in Australia. As always they will be of the highest quality made form only the best materials and every item lovingly hand engraved.  Our people memorials have been well received also. It seems today increasingly Australians are looking to new and more modern ways to cherish the memory of a loved one. Our people memorial plaques are more contemporary option for people particularly younger people. 2012 holds some pretty exciting new opportunities for talkingstones. We will be launching  a new product category that will be marketed to garden centers and a new business being launch here an another one overseas. These truly are exciting times for the talkingstones family. At the festive time of year we really feel blessed to serve such wonderful customers and work with such professional partners. So from our family to yours we wish you a safe Christmas and prosperous new year, and as we like to say around here, Take care of all that you love!. James & Samantha Rae and the talkingstones team.

Today their are many options for people looking to memorialise the memory of a pet. On line using a simple search term “Pet Memorial Plaque” will give you plenty of results. Prices and styles of Pet Memorials vary. Do check if teh price quoted includes shipping. Any quality pet memorial plaque will be heavy and can be very expensive to ship.

A stone pet memorial

Generic Mass produces plaques don’t allow for any customisation but are very inexpensive. Today a number of companies specialise in Pet Memorial plaques that can be customised to your specific requirements. Its nice to be able to personalise you pets memorial plaque.

Increasingly Australian pet owners are looking to creative ways to memorialise their pet. Engraved tumbled river stones are becoming a popular option. They make a truly Australian option that wont make your backyard look like a pet cemetery.

You can spend a little or spend a lot it really depends on what you think is the most fitting for your beloved pet.

Personalised memorials come with your chosen inscription or you can select a common one. Ask for examples or make sure you can see a gallery of recent example before deciding. Its great to know that in Australia that a quality lovingly engraved memorial for you pet doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Some custom pet memorials start at only $80.00

If you are looking for any type of memorial don’t forget to look into talkingstones, they have a great range and affordable prices.

Top Grossing Dog Movies

Marley & Me (2008) – $142,992,475
101 Dalmatians (1996) – $136,189,294
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) – $92,072,613
Cats & Dogs (2001) – $93,385,515
Eight Below (2006) – $81,612,565
Snow Dogs (2002) -$81,172,560
Turner & Hooch (1989) – $71,079,915
102 Dalmatians (2000) – $66,957,026
The Shaggy Dog (2006) – $61,123,569
Beethoven (1992) – $57,114,049
Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) – $53,443,066
K-9 (1989) – $43,247,647
Underdog (2007) – $42,937,703
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) – $41,833,324
Benji (1974) – $39,552,000
Good Boy! (2003) – $37,667,746
My Dog Skip (2000) – $34,134,641
See Spot Run (2001) – $33,357,476
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996) – $32,772,492
Because of Winn-Dixie (2005) – $32,647,042
Air Bud (1997) – $23,144,499
Benji the Hunted (1987) – $22,257,624
Cujo (1983) – $21,156,152
Best in Show (2000) – $18,715,392

I can remember becoming outraged at the amount of money my wife and I had to pay in Mortgage Insurance when we bought our first home. At the time I mentioned my outrage to a business mentor and I remember this valuable advice he gave me. “If you cant beat them, then join them!”. When I said “What did he mean?” he said “Why don’t YOU become the Bank!  ”How?” I said “Buy Bank shares” was his reply. And that’s exactly what we did. now where we hear of increases in interest rates it not so hard to accept, and when its reporting season and the usual round of record profits are announced by teh banks we have reason to celebrate. So I ask you how can you become the bank in your business????

Intersting article on same topic here:

http://bit.ly/pVTRgd