Just some stuff

Last Sunday I started to feel very, very lethargic. I thought perhaps I was just relieved to have one commitment completed so I could focus on the next. However when Monday hit I realized that I had caught the little bug that was flying around the office. Yuck. I still had the parade to contend with and sure as hell didn't want to have to deal with a cold.

I started popping over the counter meds to help alleviate the symptoms and went to bed between 8:00 and 9:00 pm every night. That helped but then Saturday's parade just did me in. The parade committee leaders wanted all the volunteers to show up at 6:00 am. Mind you the parade wasn't scheduled to start until 9:00 am. Anyway, there I was waiting for sun to begin its rise at 6:00 am. Weather was chilly 30-40 degrees. I had on many layers but it was still $#!%$!# cold. Nothing happened until at least 7:00 am. So for an hour all us volunteers just stood around waiting... and waiting... and waiting... I won't bore you with all the details.

Today when I woke up I felt as I did last Monday. Great, another week of feeling like crap. At least this week my hours will return to part-time. Last week we were super busy so I was coming in early, staying late... This week I should be able to recoup much quicker - I hope!

But speaking of work... they like me. They really like me. I took on a part-time temporary job just for some extra holiday cash and well, it turned into permanent work. Apparently the big boss liked me so much he's willing to bring me on as a real employee so as not to lose me. How fabulous! That lifted my spirits a ton. I really enjoy the work and the people. And, the part-time hours really help with that, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm! These hours still allow me time to enjoy the volunteer activities that keep piling up as well as other endeavors. Anyway, being a real employee gives the hubby and I some much needed health, vision and dental insurance among other things. Yeah for benefits!

Next - AES

Whew, finally most of my big volunteer projects are done... for now. The Fall Conference for Toastmasters is over. The parade is over. Next up is the American Enterprise Speech Contest (AES).

AES is put on by the National Management Association (NMA). NMA is comprised of various chapters throughout the United States. The chapter in my area is working with local Toastmasters groups to sponsor high school students.

The primary purpose of the contest is to promote a better understanding of the American Enterprise System among high school students. Involving youth in researching, writing, and delivering a speech on American's economic system will increase their awareness of economics and serve as a reminder to the audience of the important role that a competitive economy plays in our ability to compete worldwide.

This contest also provides an incentive for the development of communication skills that are so vital to those entering the workforce.

My job is contact local high schools and educate and inform them of this opportunity for their students. There are four competitive levels and prizes of the contest:

1. Chapter - Competition between high school students sponsored by an individual NMA Chapter (in my case local Toastmaster clubs). Prize money is determined by the Chapter but not to exceed $500 for 1st place.
2. Council - Competition of Chapter winners. Prize money to be determined by the Council but not to exceed $750 for 1st place.
3. Area - Competition among Council and Chapter winners. Prizes (Savings Bonds): 1st place = $2,000; 2nd place = $1,500; 3rd place = $1,000.
   
4. National - Competition among the six area winners. Prize (Savings Bonds): 1st place = $10,000; 2nd place = $5,000; 3rd place = $3,000. $500 cash will be given to the 4th through 6th place winners.

This all started in 1988 (and I was a high school student at the time) but had never heard of it till now. It's doubtful that even if I had known of this when I was eligible that I would have entered. But all the same, I'm excited to be a part of it now. I think it's a fabulous opportunity for America's youth. I can't wait to see how this unfolds.

The Toastmaters club that I belong to already has a young member who is interested in participating in AES. I'm sure I'll get to work close with her to assist, guide and mentor in anyway I can. But I also want to be sure that other young adults in the area are able to be a part of this too.

What a chance for me to be more involved in my community! I'm sure I'll make a lot of great contacts along the way, maybe even some new friends.

Busy Day

This morning the hubby and I had a lot of errands to run so we decided to enjoy some breakfast first to get us through the day. I like Denny's so asked to go there. Erik is not as fond of it, but he agreed. We got our name on the waiting list and discovered that some friends of ours were already seated and had invited us to join them. How fabulous! Had a great breakfast: good food, great friends.

From there we went to check out Erik's office. New paint and carpet have given the whole office a fresh look. Erik choose a nice sage green. The lobby and hallways are white and most of the other offices are various earth tones.

Next we headed to Target for some sundry items. What a fantastic experience. Parking was easy and close to the door, only one screaming child that we were able to get away from quickly, and Target had the items we wanted, except for spray paint. Oh well, I'll take 2 of 3. But wait, we were able to get a ton of Greenies (really good doggie treats) for dirt cheap! They were on clearance?! Happy, happy critters.

PetSmart was next on the agenda. Since we were able to get all the greenies we could store and more, we only had to pick up some doggie food.

On to TJ's. There we got milk and other basic necessities. Finally homeward bound so Erik could watch football.

I headed back out to get the spray paint I needed for the table centerpieces I'm doing for Toastmasters. Wal-Mart, in comparison, to Target, was pure hell. LOTS of screaming kids, long, long lines, more screaming kids, small children running about as if Wal-Mart was their own personal playground. I sought out an employee to open the locked spray paint cabinet so I could purchase blue and silver paint. From there I went to wait, and wait, and wait some more in the check out line. Finally I paid my $4 bucks cash and change and ran for my life. Ugh, I do not like Wal-Mart.

My hand still hurts from all the spray painting I did yesterday - and that was with the hubby's help! I took today off from painting, but I will need to finish it up by this weekend.

This afternoon I worked on the various spreadsheets for the volunteer project I'm helping with. Still have lots to do. The friend I'm helping out gave me a very disorganized list of names and information that needs to be put into spreadsheet form. I'm doing the best I can but unfortunately I don't quite understand the thought process of how the information was sent to me. It was haphazard at best.

This evening the hubby and I walked the dogs. We walked about 3 miles. It was wonderful. No wind and the temperature was perfect. If only our mutts were leash trained. Hopefully if we continue to walk them they'll get better.

Now I'm blogging on Erik's laptop and hanging out in front of the TV just taking it easy. What a nice end to a busy day.

Just Say No

While I like volunteering and helping out... I can see I'm going to need to start using the word "No" more often. Yesterday someone asked for help in creating a spreadsheet and now I'm suddenly responsible for this person's work, in addition to my own responsibilities for this particular volunteer project.

Then today someone wanted me to help out with another event that I've already contributed a lot of time and money too. I was able to say "no" to that, so hopefully it will be easier and easier to continue saying no. I haven't made time to do the things I enjoy like stamping, reading, or being with friends. I need to find balance between good works, regular work, and some good ol' R&R.

Loving the AV

I figured by now I'd be bored with the desert landscape, but I'm not?! It is still very beautiful. The sun sets are amazing, as are the big open expanses of desert and the surrounding mountains. I like being enveloped by scenes unlike anything I ever experienced in Wisconsin, Missouri, or Tennessee.

The dryness here is quite handy too, especially on laundry day, when cleaning paint brushes, etc. as these items dry in just mere hours or less.

Now that fall is upon us it has cooled off quite nicely. The day time temps are in the 70s and just fabulous.

Life in the AV is better than I ever imagined, who'd have thought it?

Italy please take note

If only toilet seats and toilet paper were available in most tourist places in Italy. These are items not to be overlooked. A hole in the floor with tread marks on either side is NOT a toilet. Oh and while I'm at it... hot about a sink with hot running water AND soap! You are Italians not French!

Freedom

I got home from work, fed Sass and Karma and let them outside. A few moments later the doorbell rings and a young girl informs me that my dogs are running down the street.

The doggies were so happy for the attention and little bit of freedom that they actually came when I called, which is good since I didn't feel like running all around the subdivision chasing them. Thank goodness for kind neighbors!

I think the lawn care folks left the gate open today. I never know when they're coming as they don't seem to keep to any type of schedule and just show up whenever. Guess I'll need to check the gate regularly to ensure the critters don't get lose anymore.

Neophyte

I want to join the hubby in his Friday night pursuit of Battlestar Galactica. I've watched many episodes, with much pausing and asking of questions, and now have a better idea of what the heck is going on. There are many overlapping, interwoven complicated plots. There is also so much that the viewer just doesn't know, the possibilities and various twists of the numerous cylons and copies of the cylons, is mind numbing and fun. Trying to figure out what the writers have planned for upcoming shows is entertaining in and of itself. Last year I made fun of my husband for watching, this year I'm convert. Who'd have thought it?

Competition

Yesterday I competed in the Division contest for Toastmasters. There were seven (including myself) who competed in the Evaluation portion of the Humor and Evaluation Contest. I spoke last and therefore was not allowed to hear the evaluations of those six who spoke before me. As such I have no idea how well the other six performed. I did not place, so I don't know how well I did - if I came in 4th or last or somewhere in between. However, I've only been in Toastmasters for a few months so I'm very pleased that I even attempted such a thing. It was exciting to speak before a crow of 50-60 people. There was a microphone, which I am NOT used to, but fortunately it worked out fine. It was a great experience and I enjoyed listening to all the humor speeches, especially since 2 of the 8 speakers for the Humor portion were from the High Desert club of which I am member.

The Area Governor who ran the Humor and Evaluation Contest asked me to provide the breakfast fare for the event. I of course jumped at the opportunity to do this. I was given a $200 budget. When I told Erik I was going to providing the breakfast for this event he immediately said, "What do you need me to do? I can set up a "create your own omelette" bar or maybe make baby quiches." What a guy! He ended up making his world famous Danish Egg dish (which are scrambled eggs with chives and Havarti cheese) and a Country Hash Brown casserole with Sausage. Both turned out great! Together he and I made a HUGE fresh fruit salad. I make 2 loaves of banana bread (one with nuts, the other without), and we had some Nutrigran bars and store bought pastries. We have regular and decaf coffee as well as several other hot beverage options: tea, hot chocolate, and apple cider. In addition we had bottled: water, orange juice, and cranberry juice. It was a huge success! Everyone loved the food and Erik received many, many compliments for his culinary skillz. That's my man!

Aside from the fact that we were up till 1:00 am preparing the food, loading up the car, etc. It was worth it. The getting up at 5:00 am to get ready, drive to Mojave (about 1/2 an hour away) set up the food, get the coffee going, etc. by 8:00 am was grueling. But, I'd do it all over again. Not sure if Erik shares those same sentiments or not. We were both really sore from standing so long, all the prep work to make it happen, lugging all the food, bottled beverages, serving dishes, and what not. It was a lot of work for a 3-hour event. We were originally expecting about 40 people, then the week of the competition I was receiving e-mails daily explaining that more and more people were registering for the event than originally planned. This was exciting as far as the competition was concerned, not so exciting regarding the breakfast. We could have gotten more money for the budget (an additional $100), but we managed to feed the extra 20 people for only $11 bucks more than our original $200. I feel we did a fantastic job for only $211 and the short notice of discovering extra people were expected.

Erik also had requests from others attending the contest for his culinary skills at their events! Way to go babe! He's not sure yet if he wants to do this all over again... but I think he is at least considering it. As I understand it, this other event is NOT scheduled as early in the morning, but rather is an afternoon affair - much easier on our sleeping schedule. I told him if he decides to go through with it I'll be his little helper. Part of me hopes that if he is contacted for this other event that he takes it. I think it would be a fabulous opportunity to delve into catering/cooking which is something he already LOVES to do, so it seems like a natural fit, but it's his choice.

As for me and competing, I did not make it to the next level. This is actually fine by me. I'm helping out at the next contest, which is the BIG one, the Fall Conference, that takes place Nov. 3 - 5th. I'm heading up the Table Decorating Committee. I have what I consider a very UNREALISTIC budget of $100 bucks, to decorate both the lunch event on Saturday and the dinner event on Sunday. I am told there will be anywhere from 125 - 175 people per event! This translates into anywhere from 18 - 24 tables seating 8 people each - per event. I will need 36 to 48 table top centerpieces - which will be given away at each event. Thus, I am unable to reuse the lunch centerpieces for the dinner event the following day. The committee members and I are still trying to figure out how we're going to do this for only a 100 smackaroos! $25 for lunch and $75 for dinner? $50 per event? If YOU have any ideas or suggestions I welcome them! Please, I'm begging! )pen flames/candles, bird seed, rice, and other such items are not permitted.

First Place

Today I competed at the Area 4, District 33 Toastmaster's Humor and Evaluation Speech Contest. I competed in the Evaluation portion of today's event against another Toastmaster. The speech that the other contestant and I evaluated was that of Dana LaMon who is a World Class Speaker and has all the various letters after his name to prove it. I hadn't expected to evaluate such a renowned speaker! He gave a wonderful presentation that I really enjoyed. After his speech the other contestant and I had 5 minutes to prepare our evaluations and then present them to the whole room. There were about 20 people total at the contest. The 5 minutes to prepare were very helpful to me and I was thankful for the opportunity to organize my thoughts before speaking. When I was finally up to speak I was very nervous but somehow managed to not show it and instead just focused on doing the best I could. I managed to share what I wanted and hit most of my points from my written notes. I had the option of using notes but did not because points are deducted for use of notes. I found it easier to speak without the notes as my scribbles tend to be distracting. I felt really good about my performance. In fact when I had finished and was sitting down again I had more nervous energy than before I spoke! It was a really wonderful experience and at that point I didn't care how I placed I was just pleased I did well. I was very surprised and elated to discover I won first place. I've only been in Toastmasters since July of this year and the person I competed against has been in Toastmasters for 4 years. I had the occasion to hear her give an evaluation once before and I thought she did a great job. Her evaluation was organized and accomplished the "sandwich" concept: 1) positive comments, 2) area of improvement, 3) positive comments. At the contest today I was not allowed to listen to her evaluation and she went first. I had no idea if she covered the same topics as me or not, but I didn't have time to worry about it. I'm just happy that I did well and had the opportunity to compete.