Charity begins at home. Specifically, in Ms. Jones’ home. She gives her time, her talent and millions of her dollars to worthwhile causes at home and throughout the world. She cried, then sent cash to help the victims of September 11. She made cookies for a bake sale for tsunami relief.  She collected cleaning supplies […]

Remember Aunt Edna? The one who pinched your cheeks and mussed your hair every year at the annual reunion? You liked playing with her marble collection, and the awkward hug was the price of admission. Remember Uncle Frank? He grunted a gruff “howdy,” none too glad to have a bunch of rowdy kids running around […]

Homeland Security. Social Security. Security Systems. Security is our most basic human need. If we feel insecure we are unable to love, to work, to shop. Yes, to shop. Certainly you remember the uncertain anxiety in the days following 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. As a country, our entire sense of security was forever altered. Then […]

The average U.S. household has at least one TV set turned on for about seven hours a day. The average school-aged child spends 27 hours per week watching TV; typical adults spend over four and a half hours per day in front of the tube. Ms. Jones can even get a 15” LCD screen built […]

Ms. Jones loves Wal-Mart. Well, she likes the idea of Wal-Mart, even if she doesn’t like the company. She likes getting groceries and greeting cards, toys and toiletries, sporting goods and sportswear all at one place. Say what you will, Wal-Mart does offer selection! Do you tout your store as being a “one-stop” furniture store? […]

Although she was obviously never a Cub Scout, Ms. Jones knows what it means to “Be Prepared.” Ms. Jones happily traded her Mini Cooper for a minivan and swapped her briefcase for a diaper bag. At any given moment she is within arm’s length of a baggie full of Cheerios and a change of clothes […]

“Choosy Moms choose ________.” “When you care enough to send the very best.” “Quality is Job 1.” Feeling adrift in a sea of sofas on the showroom floor, a recognized brand is like a life raft to Ms. Jones. It’s like seeing a familiar face across the room at a crowded cocktail party where you […]

“There’s no place like home… there’s no place like home.” If you’re reading this, you’re obviously in the home furnishing industry. You make a living selling stuff for Ms. Jones to put in her abode. What do you really know about this place she calls HOME? Where exactly does Ms. Jones live? If you haven’t […]

The closest Ms. Jones ever came to building a piece of furniture was a paper towel rack she made in eighth grade shop class. Do they even teach shop class anymore? Respectfully, Ms. Jones’ experience with furniture construction is limited to cramming one more pair of socks in the overstuffed drawer and setting the table. […]

“I can’t wait for my new furniture to be delivered, but…” “But… I’m not looking forward to staying home all day to wait for it. Or what if I have to work that day? It will be a huge pain in the neck to take time off to come home and let them in, and […]