For those of you that have known our company for a while, you probably have figured out that while most companies shy away from strong statements on anything that could be polarizing, we don’t have an issue with taking a stance on just about anything.  We’re loud and outspoken on lots of stuff…having fun, saving our planet, and speaking out about things that resonate deep down in our hearts.

One thing that resonates with me is a deep sense of patriotism.  I grew up in Washington DC and saw all the good, the bad and the ugly that surrounds politics, power struggles, and the wranglings that go along with the governance of our nation.  It also imbued in me a sense of history and pride that I cannot shake.  Pride in the courage of our forefathers and all the leaders that have taken the bold strokes in history.  Pride in the decisions that have brought us to the great status that we have today.  I still marvel at the thought of the original colonists and the immigrants along the way that left everything behind for the dream of a better life.  When it comes to the American gene pool, there is a heavy dose of whatever gene makes up a dreamer, an optimist, or a person of valor.  Without those traits it wouldn’t have been an easy decision to close the family farm and get on a boat headed into the unknown.

So, on Memorial Day, we have a chance to remember those that have given the ultimate gift to us…our freedom.  They paid for it with the ultimate price…their lives.  We are asked to remember them.  To honor them.  We must ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.   Please, take a moment today to do so.  Thank them in your hearts.  Send your prayers to them.  Pray not only for those that have passed on, but the living that are still in harms way.   Most of all, do something special to teach your children about those that went before us.

If you have a chance to visit Washington DC, please don’t miss these two places:

The Wall –  (this was dedicated in 1982 right after I moved to DC and I still remember visiting it for the first time) -

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-

Never Forget!!

Joe
p.s. from Team Ju-Ju-Be (Joe posted this on a past Memorial Day and we thought it was too beautiful to not share again.)

Sometimes at Ju-Ju-Be
we like to have a little fun,
we like to ask funny questions,
be a little goofy and
stir up some CRAZY!

So we asked a few of your favorites, some really funny questions
so we can all get to know each other a little better.

Check out this interview with this beauty, Mrs. Kristin Hunziker!

[Show as slideshow]

1. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

[KH]  well a kitty, of course…a long time ago in a faraway place (Oakley) Master Toby took a look at me (while seated…at a meeting…in a cat like position) and said-I dub you “Hell Kitty” (my maiden name is Heller)  from that point on…I have been a kitty…we dropped the Hell…it’s much more pleasant LOL

2.Did you have a nick name in high school?

[KH] Within a very small crowd I was Mar…short for Krismar…not 100% sure where it came from.  Luka do you know?

3.What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

[KH] other than having children???  Probably sky diving, since I have a fairly intense fear of heights.

4.Who is your favorite TV show character and why?

[KH] I don’t watch a ton of TV, but I love Michael Westen from Burn Notice because he is always “MacGyvering” something.  I admire his cool demeanor and his excellent sense of style.  Although Phoebe is pretty amazing herself…I guess I’m thankful I don’t need to know how to wield a gun like she does!  (or Dexter…cuz he makes bad guys go away?)

5.Tell us something we didn’t know about you?!

[KH] i like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain…

…oh i also worked at a bar called O’Malleys.

Sometimes at Ju-Ju-Be
we like to have a little fun,
we like to ask funny questions,
be a little goofy and
stir up some CRAZY!

So we asked a few of your favorites, some really funny questions
so we can all get to know each other a little better.

Check out this interview with Mr. Ju-Ju-Be himself, Joe Croft.

1. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?  Super easy.  Any kind of bird.   I want to fly!!!!

2. Did you have a nick name in high school?  If so, what was it? If not, what did your parents call you?  I have a lot of people that call me Joey.  That’s what I was to my parents when I was really young. So the people that knew me then still call me that.  It’s kind of funny because all I can think of when I hear that name is Joey from Friends.  ”Yo..How you doin’ ?”

3. What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?   Tough to say. I like every day to be an adventure.   I like to do anything that provides a change of pace.  A good friend from another country told me “I live my life so that when I wake up and look at today it doesn’t look like yesterday.”. That’s my goal, too.  Starting new businesses, meeting new people, traveling new places. Taking just a minute or two to go inside new buildings.  I want to know what’s inside.  From a traditional “adventure” standpoint, I’ve climbed mountains, bungee jumped off bridges, dived into oceans, and surfed crazy waves, but they are all short lived highs.  The best adventures are the ones that you put the most effort into.  Family, work, church, community and country.  They can be lifetime adventures that leave a lasting legacy.

4. Who is your favorite TV show character and why?  Jeff Probst on Survivor.  I want to go all the places he’s gone, but I’d be way more blunt with the contestants (“Just how stupid are you?”) and probably give them funny nicknames to annoy them.

5. Tell us something we didn’t know about you!   My mom has always said that I was born under a lucky star.  its true. Things always seem to fall into place.  Maybe that’s because I’m super optimistic and never see things that go wrong.  Maybe it’s because I believe that you have to put your self in a position to be lucky. ie If you dont start you’ll never finish, and if you don’t at least try, you’ll for sure fail. Glass half empty vs Glass half full?  I’m the “Glass half full and it’s probably going to be full or overflowing soon” guy.