Friday Freebie: Desktop Wallpaper

The purple coneflower – a classic garden wildflower.  Echinacea purpurea.  One of my favorites.  This desktop design was inspired by a summer garden where purple coneflowers bloom in front of an old rail fence along side hydrangea and rudbeckia.

There are links to five different sizes of the wallpaper to accommodate some of the most common screen resolutions.  You can check your screen resolution by clicking here.  Then click on the image size below that is best suited for your screen resolution.  Once the graphic loads, make sure it is 100% full size, right click and choose “Set as Desktop Background” or download the image and then set it as your background.

800 x 600     1024 x 768     1280 x 800     1440 x 900     1920 x 1080

Enjoy!

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WEDNESDAY WORKSPACE: What does your work space say about you?

Einstein’s desk the day he died. Ralph Morse / Time

Albert Einstein

Above left: Einstein’s desk the day he died. Ralph Morse / Time

There is an infographic from the U.K.-based design firm Made to Measure Blinds (see it here) showing the work spaces of some of the greatest minds of all time.  To be fair, these workspaces all belonged to people in charge of their own work.  My workspace at the job site is completely different from my workspace at home where I create jewelry, graphics and write.  The job-site workspace is organized, not terribly messy and includes everything I need within arm’s length. But the work product on my desk at the job site belongs to someone else.  My work space at home is home to my own work product and, well, let’s just say I could work well with Albert Einstein. 

The infographic may or may not be a spot-on reference for those of us who spend our workdays bringing someone else’s thoughts and ideas into existence, but it very well may tell us something about the attorney(s) with whom we work.   In general, though, the following excerpt from Monster.com may interpret your workspace language as follows:

• A highly personalized space says you are secure in your position and confident in claiming your space;
• An empty or unfinished space indicates a lack of satisfaction or disengagement;
• A candy dish filled with treats is a sign of an extrovert who likes to draw people in;
• A desk covered in paperwork likely belongs to an individual who is engaged and enjoys a challenge;
• Excessive Post-It notes can indicate that one is overwhelmed and not able to keep up.

To whom is your workspace speaking, and what is it saying?

WEDNESDAY WORKSPACE may become a regular feature on the blog.  Let me know if you’d like to see more posts featuring the workspace. 

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Hello!

The first newsletter of 2018 was my debut as creator, editor and publisher of LAL’s publication.  I still have a lot to learn, but I’ve enjoyed the roles.  Following is the first article I wrote for the newsletter in January 2018.

 

 

 

Hello!  This five-letter, two-syllable greeting that rhymes with Jello® and can be understood by passersby even if not audibly spoken is much more than meets the eye. Research shows this little gem can release profound power. Did you know you have a superpower?

Remember the “sticks and stones” verse you used to recite to yourself so you could stand strong after the pain caused by words someone said to you or about you? Words can cut and hurt. Words can also soothe, bind, lift, lighten, motivate and encourage. Two sides of the same coin. There is evil in this world; no one doubts or dismisses that fact. However, most do not believe there are superheros. I believe!  Just as He-Man had The Power, I have it, and so do you. You’ve seen the quotes “Be the change. . .” and “Let it begin with me. . .” You really can be the one to start change in your world.  

According to estimates by University of Chicago psychology professor John T. Cacioppo, Ph.D., coauthor of Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection, at any given time at least one in five people, or roughly 60 million Americans, suffers from loneliness. Just consider for a second or two the impact that has on your world. One out of five folks we live, shop and socialize with on a daily basis is lonely and experiencing the effects of isolation. That is a lot of lonely hovering around us all the time.

There is much research on the physical, mental and emotional effects of isolation and loneliness, yet we seem to be growing more and more detached from everything except our smartphones. We may like an outfit our favorite fashion blogger from across the pond posts today, but we don’t know if our co-worker made it to work safely this morning. And that co-worker just might be the one who is feeling isolated and lonely. Each of us has the power to direct our attention to another person for a second and say or just mouth the word hello. It’s a small, quick gesture. It’s a beginning, and I can do it. Whether it scores a response is not the issue. I can and I will do it. If it brings a smile, well, smiles are contagious, so someone else is likely to receive a mood boost – a chill pill, if you will. According to an article from Psychology Today, even a forced smile can lead to a mood boost.  

Since we now know we have a superpower, let’s release it for the good of others.  More likely than not, someone will do the same for you. If saying hello can be as powerful as a pharmaceutical drug to folks around us, let’s say it! Maybe our insurance premiums will drop. Say hello to someone today. . . and tomorrow.

Explore more:
Just Say Hello: The Powerful New Way to Combat Loneliness
The 9 Superpowers of Your Smile
The Power of Hello

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Friday Freebie: Desktop Wallpaper

 

Hi All,

Back again with another collage you can use as a desktop wallpaper.  This week, in honor of Typewriter Day, I’ve gone steampunk!  Steampunk is a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with science fiction.  While I do not dress the part, I do love the look and I have elements of it sprinkled here and there at work and home.

As usual, I made five sizes of the wallpaper to accommodate some of the most common screen resolutions.  You can check your screen resolution by clicking here.  Then click on the image size below that is best suited for your screen resolution.  Once the graphic loads, make sure it is 100% full size, right click and choose “Set as Desktop Background” or download the image and set it as your background.

800 x 600     1024 x 768   1280 x 800    1440 x 900    1920 x 1280

Have a good weekend!

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Summer 2018

Sweet Summertime!  And today it’s here.  School is out, the kids are home and the only thing left of your normal structure is employment.  Cool, blue water, popsicles, messy buns and weekend adventures are the visions behind every work day.  Smells of smoke from neighborhood grills will soon fill the air around us.  Night life of all sorts will leave the television dark.  Music on the river and in the city will not outdo the concerts of cicadas and crickets around the lake.  

Roadways will soon be filled with vacationers.  The coastlines will erupt with Midwestern bodies just waiting to burn in the sun.  Campgrounds will become temporary neighborhoods as we load up and take life to the great outdoors while the days are long.  

LAL, Legal Assistants of Louisville, is officially on summer break.  We will have no meetings and there will be no newsletter until September.   I will do my best to keep the social media fresh.  You can follow LAL on Facebook  or the adventures of Louie the Llawma on Instagram #louiethellawma.  I am hoping Louie will continue his adventures and introduce us to interesting people, places and events throughout the summer.  You are welcome to take him with you.  

If you are reading the blog and are not a member of LAL, we invite you to attend a meeting this fall or talk to a member to see what we are about.  We’d love to have you join us.   Enjoy your summer and check in with us often!   Tomorrow is Freebie Friday and I’ll have another desktop wallpaper for you!  

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Friday Freebie: Desktop Wallpaper

Hi All,

I have been messing around with graphics for years.  I enjoy it.  But what do you do with all those digital collages?   Maybe use some of them as desktop wallpaper? Sure!

I browse Pinterest a lot.  I love to check out the scrapbook and paper craft sections of Hobby Lobby and Michael’s.  I was absolutely taken with the tabletop light boxes, and thanks to one of my daughters who gave me one as a birthday present, I now have one on my desk.

Currently the felt letter boards are making a move to the front and center.  And I love them, too!  But just how much can a girl have on her desk and still have room for work product?

So I thought to myself, Donna, why not combine the things you love and save space by creating a digital letter board.  It will take no (zero/none) space on the desk yet it will reside center stage.  It will be seen first in the morning, and it will be the last thing seen as log out and walk away from the workday into 5:00 o’clock freedom.  Yes, I said, let’s do this.  And so I did.  (See photo above.)

Now because this blog is an extension of the LAL (Legal Assistants of Louisville) organization, and because I have challenged myself to stick to a branding aesthetic using the colors chosen before my engagement with the organization, you may note a purple/teal-ish theme.  I probably would have never chosen that color duo, but the more I work with it, the more I love it.  At first, I thought the opposite colors would always be in contrast to one another and make for a contentious feel.  I could not have been more wrong.  I love the way I can mix the different shades and tones of the colors to create different moods.  It reminds me how we, as individuals, may have different and even opposite personalities or work on opposite sides of a single case, yet we can work together to get things done.   But enough of that.  This is about desktop wallpaper, not the legal community!

I made five sizes of the wallpaper to accommodate some of the most common screen resolutions.  You can check your screen resolution by clicking here.  Then click on the image size below that is best suited for your screen resolution.  Once the graphic loads, make sure it is 100% full size and either right click and choose “Set as Desktop Background” or download the image and set it as your background.

800 x 600     1024 x 768    1280 x 800     1440 x 900     1920 x 1280

Have a good weekend!

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National Bourbon Day

LAL’s own personalized bottle of Jim Beam. 2018

Today is National Bourbon Day, so surely from a Louisville professional organization a blog post is called for. Because the history of bourbon is so sketchy, I will not attempt to present it for you here.  Instead, I will just simply state that the commercial distilling of bourbon whiskey is nearly as old as our country, and Kentucky is the home state for the oldest and best product.  While some of the historical names have likely been forgotten, many remain with us today on labels in fonts that are as familiar to us as a family member’s face. Over the years the distilling business has survived imposed taxes, revenuers, the temperance movement and prohibition. Presently, we are witnessing a revival wherein bourbon has once again made its way to the forefront of all things Kentucky.  Bourbon is now an $8.5 billion industry in Kentucky, generating 17,500 jobs, and there is purportedly more barrels of bourbon in Kentucky than people.

In the little bit of research I did to write this post, I found Bourbon Women Association, “THE organization for women who are passionate about exploring bourbon and the culture that surrounds it.”  Members enjoy attending premium events in Kentucky as well as a other areas in the U.S.;  tastings,  education, behind-the-scenes access to world famous distilleries and networking with industry insiders.  I thought this organization might be one the Legal Assistants of Louisville membership and followers might be interested to know about.

Before closing today’s post I’ll share this summertime recipe I ran across.  It was attributed to Bobby Flay.

Bourbon Milkshake
1 ounce bourbon
1/2 cup whole milk
1 3/4 cups vanilla ice cream
Seeds from half a vanilla bean
Blend together the bourbon, milk and vanilla bean seeds for 5 seconds.  Add ice cream and blend until smooth.  Enjoy.

Happy National Bourbon Day from a Legal Assistant in Louisville! Please always drink responsibly.

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Chapter Two

Today (06/08/18) Louie met Bruce.  Bruce owns and operates the hot dog stand on the corner of Eighth & Main.  I like Bruce.  He offers meals to some of the homeless folks in the area, and I can get behind that.  I have talked to him about those who ask for handouts in this vicinity.  Bruce knows who is genuinely in need and who is fake.  I feel comfortable paying for two or even three of his hot dog/sausage/brat meals (with chips & drink) and allowing him to serve the extra ones to folks at his discretion.  His business provides a quick and convenient lunch when there isn’t time to go somewhere else and I didn’t pack a lunch from home.  Giving a little extra here and there doesn’t hurt me, and it helps him and those who are hungry.  Bruce and his cart are a part of the community; the sights and smells of the West Main/Museum District. 

Bruce’s umbrella is teal, and it grabbed Louie’s attention immediately.  So even though we were headed to Fourth Street, we walked the opposite direction to say hello to the hot dog man.  How could I not take their picture while out and about today?  The setting was near perfect.

After a quick photo with Bruce, Louie and I headed back to Fourth Street Live to get our personalized bottle of Jim Beam.  You may recall when we were there on Wednesday, Louie’s fur was a bit messy and did not make for a clear etching.  When we arrived today, the “etcher” was not in, and we could not get the bottle before we had to return to work.  As a result, I was not able to film the etching process for you.  And I so wanted to. But I was told it only takes 4 – 6 minutes after the image has been prepared. If you’re interested in having a bottle personalized, the Urban Stillhouse opens at 1:00 p.m.  I kept the bottle in the bag until my granddaughter, Callie, filmed me “unbagging” the bottle for you here, in my Youtube debut on Saturday.  No cue cards, no preplanned set, no filter – just authenticity. If you are a fan of unboxing videos, I’m up for tips in the comments below.  (I think.) I am having a good time with Louie.  He has been a great inspiration and motivator for me to get out and about, and I cannot tell you the fun my entire family had this weekend filming the video. Everyone loves Louie, and I can’t wait to see what all he gets into this summer.

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Chapter One

Louie the Legal Llawma has been on the move.  He stopped in the Oval  Cowley Office to see POTUS POLAL, Sarah Kleinhenz, early this week.  Sarah works as legal assistant and office manager for the Cowley Law Office and serves as the President of LAL. 

MNS G3.6 IN10 N1 RN1 O0.60 Y0.00 C0.00 YT0 CT0 s0 sY0.00 S0 C0 NRThrd0 needASF1 BS S(70)B(20)R(0) YNR(40)CNR(40) FM0 CR0.66 FC741553204741684276741749812741815348741880884741356852741422388741487924741618996: bfalic 0000X

The weather has been incredible this week – low humidity, beautiful blue skies and perfect temperatures for enjoying the outdoors.  During lunches, I have had the pleasure of accompanying Louie to meet and greets about town. We started this week with a photo from my parking spot in the Slugger Museum parking garage at the corner of Eighth & Main Streets.  This historic building, the Fort Nelson Building, has been preserved by literally shoring up the outer facade as a shell to house a new building inside.  I have worked in this area for almost two years, and I had never noticed this building until I began parking in the garage a month ago.  This building now has a hold on me.  I love it.

I took Louie with me to pick up some pasta after an LAL Board meeting on Tuesday.  If you know me at all, you know I eat at Luigi’s Pizzeria at least three times a week.  Every day they make fresh pizza, sandwiches, salads, and a large selection of pasta, ravioli and lasagna.  The selection is enough that I do not tire of their food.  Luigi took a liking to Louie immediately and allowed me to take their picture together.  The two of them get their eyeglasses from the same supplier. 

On Wednesday, Louie wanted to check out the Louisville Visitor’s Center.  So off we went to Fourth Street.  The folks at the visitor’s center were so friendly, and they, like Luigi, took an immediate liking to my little lunch buddy.  They let him try on clothes and hats and provided us with hashtags so Louie can be seen when people search #louisvillelove and #iamali. 

Next we moved on to the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse to get a personalized bottle of Jim Beam.  Unfortunately, Louie’s fur was a bit messy, and his picture didn’t turn out well enough for the etching, so we cleaned him up a bit when we got home and sent a clean photo to the manager, Grey Davis.  We’re hoping to go again on Friday to have the etching made.  We will document the process for you. 

Louie the Legal Llawma at Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse at Fourth Street Live in Louisville #adventureswiththellawma #lal #legalassistantsoflouisville #projectthepurple #urbanstillhouse #jimbeam #fourthstreetlive

Louie the Legal Llawma visiting Grey Davis at the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse at Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville. #adventureswiththellawma #legalassistantsoflouisville #lal #projectthepurple #jimbeam #urbanstillhouse

You know, Father’s Day is just around the corner, and a personalized bottle of bourbon may make a great gift for Dad.  I am not a whiskey advocate – in fact, I can barely stand to smell it, but here is a fresh article I found from Whiskey Advocate about personalizing your bottles.

Turning back towards Main Street, Louie and I stopped to meet co-workers at Panera.  Louie was excited about the fountains outside 400 West Market (formerly the Aegon Center).  We stopped for a minute to go inside A Taste of Kentucky, where Emma was captured by Louie’s cuteness.  They allowed him behind the hub and up on the wall with the racehorses.  And by the way, the Belmont Stakes race will be run this Saturday in New York where 2018 Derby and Preakness winner, Justify, will be attempting to win the Triple Crown.  Go Justify!

Louie the Legal Llawma at the Aegon Fountain

Louie the Legal Llawma at Taste of Kentucky in downtown Louisville. #adventureswiththellawma #lal #legalassistantsoflouisville #projectthepurple #tasteofkentucky

Louie the Legal Llawma with Emma at Taste of Kentucky in downtown Louisville. #adventureswiththellawma #legalassistantsoflouisville #lal #projectthepurple #tasteofkentucky

Louie the Legal Llawma at Taste of Kentucky in downtown Louisville. #adventureswiththellawma #lal #legalassistantsoflouisville #projectthepurple #tasteofkentucky

Once back at my desk on Main Street, Chapter One of Adventures With The Llawma was over.  As it is 2:47 a.m. and I have to work tomorrow, I’ll conclude this post.  I hope you enjoy Louie and Louisville as much as I do.  And remember, there are assistants behind every lawyer and judge you see.  Louie will showcase some of them soon. ‘Till next time,

 

Llawma?

For this post, I will share the story of Louie, the legal llawma. The character was created as a tool to help spread camaraderie among the staff of the many law firms, courts and legal vendors throughout Louisville. You know, all of us who assist the lawyers with their practices. Louie’s back story was created by Kirsten Peckham, a legal secretary with Stites & Harbison and Morgan Weinrich, a legal secretary with Frost Brown Todd. The story is as follows:

Louie the Legal Llawma was born to Peruvian parents on an organic llama farm just south of our fair city. He had an idyllic criahood, until one fateful day… The farm had been unfairly accused by a rival non-organic llama farm of neglecting proper organic practices, and worse even, the farm was in danger of losing its organic certification and being shut down.

On the day in question, the attorney representing the plaintiff, while visiting the subject farm to conduct a site inspection, began to act in a more-than-bizarre manner. Apparently, he had grown manic and even rabid due to a heavy caseload, inefficient schedule and lack of legal support. The crazed attorney began tearing at his hair, running amuck over the pastures and chasing the llamas! Now Louie, our favorite llama and the hero of this story, is nearsighted, and he didn’t see the rabid attorney barreling at him until it was too late to run. Louie was caught around the neck and bit so hard he bled. The bite, of course, was toxic. Louie immediately began to feel a tingle in his toenails, and a quivering in his underbelly – a transformation was coming on! Suddenly, Louie’s blood turned a purplish hue and he began to spew a slew of what he knew as legalese. But somehow he understood it! In that moment, Louie’s destiny was set: he would become a legal assistant – a legal llawma – helping attorneys bear the burden of running their practices efficiently and effectively.

Louie has made his way to our fair City where he hangs out with human legal assistants while secretly searching for attorneys in danger. Aside from having two more legs than most legal assistants, Louie can be easily recognized by his thick-rimmed glasses and his penchant for snazzy bow ties.

As an aside, Louie’s family is not new to the spotlight: his great-grandfather was featured on the children’s show Sesame Street, accompanying a young girl to the dentist.

Louie has met several folks thus far, and we intend to document his future outings here on the blog. Below Louie can be seen in attendance at the LAL monthly meetings with members and guests.  From left, Loretta Sugg, Frost Brown Todd and Hon. Brian Edwards, Jefferson Circuit Court, Division 11; Donna Wooten, Metro United Way; Morgan Weinrich, Frost Brown Todd and Julie Hall, Boehl Stopher & Graves and LAL Secretary and Sarah Kleinhenz, Cowley Law Office and President of LAL .

 

 

Louie will be out and about and on the move.  You can keep up with his adventures here.  Upcoming plans include Fourth Street Live and the Museum District. Stay tuned.

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