Archive for March, 2010

It’s Springtime!

March 27th, 2010
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Of all the chocolate holidays, Easter is my favorite.  Here’s why; certain holidays have gotten too big, too crazy and filled with too many obligations. That’s what happens when adults get involved, they just can’t keep it simple.

But Easter, that is still a holiday for children. Even if the child happens to be 60, they still want their chocolate bunny, or jelly beans, or peeps or basket.  I have customers in their 80′s and beyond that come in Easter time, and they still buy the same item for their children.  Whenever they try and change the selection, the children want what they always had. I think it’s great.  A holiday where the children maintain the rules.  I wonder how Congress would run, if they let their kids run it, hmmmm… But I digress.

This Easter are offerings are as large as ever.

We have solid chocolate bunnies -10 different sizes and styles

We have hollow chocolate bunnies- 50 different sizes and styles

We have hand-painted chocolate bunnies-as pictured above on the left-over a dozen choices and counting

We have open and closed hand decorated chocolate eggs-10 choices

We have hand decorated solid and hollow crosses-4 choices

And if that’s not enough, there are: baskets, jelly beans, marshmallow peeps, our own marshmallow eggs, lollypops, lollypops, more lollypops, spiced jelly beans, individual flavor jelly beans, chocolate foiled eggs and more…

We are open daily through and including Easter Sunday.

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Chocolate Sings

March 20th, 2010
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I hate forwarded emails, especially when you can have to scroll through all the previous forwards and comments.  But when my mom sends me an email, be it a forward or a stock tip, I read it.

Today she sent me a forward that her cousin Ehrla sent her. Although I have seen versions of this before, it is worth 2 minutes of your life to take a quick read;

One day I had a date with friends for lunch. Mae, a little old “blue hair” about 80 years old, came along with them—all in all, a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, “Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.”

I wasn’t sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. “Along with heated apple pie,” Mae added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn’t enjoy mine.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait.
I smiled. She asked if she amused me.
I answered, “Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

H

ow come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, “I’m tasting all that is Possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life’s so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven’t been this old before.”
“So, before I die, I’ve got to try those things that for years I had ignored.
I haven’t smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven’t read. There’s more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.

There are many malls I haven’t shopped. I’ve not laughed at all the jokes. I’ve missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want un-timed  long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven’t cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I’d say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart’s desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.”

With that, I called the waitress over.. “I’ve changed my mind, ” I said.. “I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!”

This is my gift to you – We need an annual Friends Day! If  you get this twice, then you have more than one friend. Live well, love much & laugh often – Be happy.

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS including me if I’m lucky enough to be counted among them.

Be mindful that happiness isn’t based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect. Remember that while money talks,  CHOCOLATE SINGS!

Thanks Mom, keep ‘em coming

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Bigger is not better!

March 17th, 2010
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My mom (Esther) is a powerhouse. Although she is currently 4’10″ (she used to be 5’6″, but that’s another story) she is the funniest, fearless person I know. Just today she told a recurrent caller who had to keep adding to her order, that she would kill her (probably with kindness) if she called one more time. The fact that the caller worked for a Senator did not phase Mom at all.

My mom has been a fixture at JoMart since-forever. She has seen them all, mayor’s, celebs, the rich, the poor, the famous, you get the picture. Talk to her nice, you can have the world, be rude-you might as well leave now before things get ugly.

When mom starts telling stories, I pity you if your bladder is full-not for long. Some people tell jokes about non-existent people, my mom has real stories, that are hysterical.

There is a serious side as well. At 84 she can still put in a very physical day of work. Be it taking phone orders, taking care of customers, helping co-workers or talking to me or Debbi, she is always on. There is (thankfully) no off switch. She is the ultimate people person.

Although my dad-Martin started JoMart in 1946, his marriage to my mom in 1950 was the key to his (and our) success.

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