Month: December 2006

  • Wanna Help Save the World? 

    I have my moments when I get very frustrated here in my job.  Part of my frustration is that I came on board just in time for a huge scale back of the program, but in the long run that scale back was absolutely necessary.  We have just completed contracts which can be duplicated and implemented across a number of communities, institutions and inudstries.  We re-launched core programs with much more streamlined processes for scalability, and this organization is on the verge of going nationwide with unique programs to help low-income people, and people who are not reaching their potential due to lack of education and access to networks and services that successful people use to build stable secure families. 

    So, my boss, the one guy in the world who MAY be more ADHD than Tucker, has written a book.  It's about his vision, but more than that it's about your vision.  What can you do to change the world?  How about your state, your town, your neighborhood? 

    I'll give you a tiny sneak peek and then for the rest of it you have to read the book.  You know how the cliche of the past ten years has been "think outside the box?"  Well, Steve, (the ADHD guy mentioned above) says that the real deal is not what's outside your box, it's what you do with the box you got.  That's the title of his book, and you can order it through www.theboxyougot.com  If you go to that website and enter the promo code BIGGIDEAS you can get the book for $5 off the cover price.

    All proceeds go to pay for programs at America's Family.  A teeny tiny portion MAY go for Administrative costs, but let me tell you those costs are low.  Steve gets $0 in salary.  Our COO Matt gets $0 in salary.  And the two paid staff members (me and Jennifer) combined get less than $45,000 a year in salary, so we aren't like those non-profits with administrators who make a hundred thousand dollars a year telling low-income people that if they just tried a little harder they too could live well. 

     

  • Wanna See what I've been working on?

    We have our new website ALMOST done.  There is still content to be added, and sound files.  But you can see the organization I work for and some of what I do at http://www.amfol.com/

    Cool, huh?

    My boss has been out of town this week, and you might THINK that means that I've been goofing off, showing up to work in jeans, and a sweatshirt, with my hair in a ponytail ...

    You'd be right.

  • I Have an Idea

    No really, I do.  I have an idea for how I could go into business for myself.  (I'm inspired by Mary who just quit her day job to devote herself to the creative dreams, goals, and plans she's been putting on the back burner for a while.)

    So I have an idea.  I did preliminary research today.  I have more research to do by FAR before I'd be ready to launch this thing.  But I think I've discovered a niche to be filled.  And I'm just about ready to start doing some filling.

    I'll let you know when I'm ready for the investment phase. 

    eating corn 1

  •  

     

    Happy December 3

    I've been playing with the kids.  I've been writing.  I've been beating the kids off my chocolate supply.  Just another happy weekend around my place. 

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  • Safe and Sound with Cheese on Top

    We had snow again.  It's not so bad, the temps have gotten above freezing and the biggest mess on the road is from the sand.  But that's winter, right? 

    I had to make a trip to the grocery this morning.  Tucker has discovered that he loves pimiento cheese.  And tragically, we were out.  He didn't think he could make it through the weekend without replenishing the supply.

    But he was nervous about being out on the road in these weather conditions.  (The way that kid worries you'd think HE was driving.)  He and Michael asked to stay home and watch the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy instead of braving Walmart.  Which was probably smart on about twelve different levels.

    Apparently, he was very worried that I was going to be killed, but not so worried that he was willing to forgo his Saturday sandwich ...  

    When I got home (with the pimiento cheese which i remembered to get even though I forgot the list he made for me,) he met me at the door.  "Oh Thank God I'm not an orphan.  I don't think Michael would raise me right."

    DSC03200

     The boys received an early Christmas gift of Advent Calendars with chocolate behind each little flap.  They are thrilled waking each morning to get their chocolate and see what shape the piece of the day was molded into.  Yesterday, Tucker had a train and Michael had a star.  Today, Tucker had a wreath and Michael had a four leaf clover.  That clover has inspired much speculation about what kind of magic will be discovered tomorrow.

     I love the Christmas season.

     The boys and I watched out first Christmas show.  They loved it.  It was a really really dumb Christmas movie where Santa got married.  They laughed, and seemed to think it was great.  I cried at the wedding scene.  What can I say?  I'm a sappy person. 

     I'm thinking about making cookies.  I haven't quite worked up the energy to do it.  But I'm thinking about it. 

  • Thank God it's Friday!

    It looks like a busy Friday for me.  But it IS Friday, and I'm looking forward to this weekend.  I anticipate a great deal of lounging around wearing stretchy pants.