Life at Home is best when daddy wakes up when the alarm clock goes off the first time. Otherwise, it's rush, rush, rush to take a shower, get the kids up/dressed/eat breakfast, and out the door in time to play, play, play at the bus stop and heave, heave, heave after running to get there!
Life at Home is best when everyone is healthy. Otherwise, it's runny noses, sore throats, tired & tossing bodies in bed, and grumpy moods in the morning.
Life at Home is best when everything is cleaned up and put back before leaving for work, after the kids get on the bus. Otherwise, it's where's this? or where's that? or where did I put those? or why am I so organized at work yet so crazy at home?
Life at Home is best when daddy leaves work on time. Otherwise, it's running "orange" lights, hurrying dinners, catching up with kids, giving/taking baths, and disrupting the going-to-bed routine.
Life at Home is best when weekends are free. Otherwise, it involves packing and decisions and money and car rides and snacks for the car and drinks for the car and movies for the car and things to do in the car and "how long is it going to be?" in the car and "it's already been that long" in the car and falling asleep in the car and/or talking our heads off in the car....
Even when the "otherwises" happen, they just pull the family together.
Then Life at Home translates into Life with Family. And that's where I like to be.
Adventures in Dallas 2
After getting the bulk of the display at MOPS set up, I decided to spruce up the place with a few signs. In preparation for MOPS, I had made price signs for the items we were taking. I was, however, unable to finish the project due to my rushed predicament at the beginning of the week. I decided, then, to wait until arrival in Dallas to cut the price tags and attach them to the product. Apparently this was an abnormal thought for a traveler in my quandary.
Once I was back in my hotel room, I called the smiley face on my phone. It was labeled “Consider It Done” which made me smile. After working to establish high standards in customer service as a bookstore manager, I appreciate all the interesting ways to showcase service! I was impressed. Unfortunately, it appears that you can’t purchase scissors in a hotel…..something about liability. I guess they don’t want to be found guilty if I was to sue them after I cut off my fingers and/or stabbed myself in the leg. The nice lady did, however, tell me that she would check with the bellhop and even the retail store to see if she could find one for me. Apparently, they do have scissors…..they just do not lend them out to hotel guests. If I wanted to use them, I’d have to go to their areas and use them while in plain sight of their employees. Since I was in my jammies and didn’t want to change, I decided to just go to plan B. Plan B was to figure out something tomorrow.
Thursday was “tomorrow.” Exhibitors were allowed to finish setup from 8am-11am. I strolled down the hallway and found a Business Center just before the exhibit hall entrance. Ah. They’ll let me borrow scissors…..and they did. I was so excited to actually cut the price signs – my last resort was to rip them by hand! This would look much more professional. Then it occurred to me - - how was I going to attach the prices to the product?
If I’d been in Cincinnati, I would have had my handy-dandy tackle box in my car. Mind you, it’s not for fishing or anything. It’s my silly way to keep track of all the little things one would need for tasks such as this one. It contains a mini hammer, mini screwdriver, mini glue gun, staple gun, batteries, twist ties, plasti-tak, needles, pins, nails, and a tape measure. It also contains all kinds of other little things. What I needed was my scotch tape. I normally send one in the “supply box” from Standard, but alas, it was missing. The Business Center. Yes, it will have scotch tape to purchase……..for five dollars. Holy Mackerel! Five dollars?????!!!!! I guess they figure if people need it, they’ll buy it. And buy it I did.
I have almost used the entire roll. My signs are handwritten, but they’re fun and enticing! I tape them to baskets, books, tables, and product. I’m continuing to change the look of the booth by putting things on the table, taking things off the table, and moving them all around. And you guessed it, each time I make those moves, something sells! It’s like it’s in high demand or something - - like moving it from one place to another makes something “new.” Ah….Retail Management 101 at its best!
Was spending five dollars extreme for a roll of scotch tape? Yes.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Once I was back in my hotel room, I called the smiley face on my phone. It was labeled “Consider It Done” which made me smile. After working to establish high standards in customer service as a bookstore manager, I appreciate all the interesting ways to showcase service! I was impressed. Unfortunately, it appears that you can’t purchase scissors in a hotel…..something about liability. I guess they don’t want to be found guilty if I was to sue them after I cut off my fingers and/or stabbed myself in the leg. The nice lady did, however, tell me that she would check with the bellhop and even the retail store to see if she could find one for me. Apparently, they do have scissors…..they just do not lend them out to hotel guests. If I wanted to use them, I’d have to go to their areas and use them while in plain sight of their employees. Since I was in my jammies and didn’t want to change, I decided to just go to plan B. Plan B was to figure out something tomorrow.
Thursday was “tomorrow.” Exhibitors were allowed to finish setup from 8am-11am. I strolled down the hallway and found a Business Center just before the exhibit hall entrance. Ah. They’ll let me borrow scissors…..and they did. I was so excited to actually cut the price signs – my last resort was to rip them by hand! This would look much more professional. Then it occurred to me - - how was I going to attach the prices to the product?
If I’d been in Cincinnati, I would have had my handy-dandy tackle box in my car. Mind you, it’s not for fishing or anything. It’s my silly way to keep track of all the little things one would need for tasks such as this one. It contains a mini hammer, mini screwdriver, mini glue gun, staple gun, batteries, twist ties, plasti-tak, needles, pins, nails, and a tape measure. It also contains all kinds of other little things. What I needed was my scotch tape. I normally send one in the “supply box” from Standard, but alas, it was missing. The Business Center. Yes, it will have scotch tape to purchase……..for five dollars. Holy Mackerel! Five dollars?????!!!!! I guess they figure if people need it, they’ll buy it. And buy it I did.
I have almost used the entire roll. My signs are handwritten, but they’re fun and enticing! I tape them to baskets, books, tables, and product. I’m continuing to change the look of the booth by putting things on the table, taking things off the table, and moving them all around. And you guessed it, each time I make those moves, something sells! It’s like it’s in high demand or something - - like moving it from one place to another makes something “new.” Ah….Retail Management 101 at its best!
Was spending five dollars extreme for a roll of scotch tape? Yes.
Was it worth it? Yes.
Dallas Adventures - Just Getting There....
Spur of the moment on Monday, I was asked to represent Standard at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers http://www.mops.org/) Convention on Wednesday. Yes, I did say Wednesday. We have one booth, tons of discontinued product to sell at great prices, and me. So: the adventure begins on Monday.
Accepting the chaos of the challenge, I tore through my regularly scheduled plans for the week on Monday and Tuesday only. I was able to get a fairly reasonable flight thanks to the ever so nice Diane in Editorial. The week's schedule was full of deadlines here, emails there, and mucho work throughout. It always happens that when I'm planning a good week of "get-it-done," something pops into the week that I never expected!
Tuesday is a little more "hairy" because I have to finish up all the details, fix my out of office, change my voicemail, forward my phone calls, find people to cover for me. Yeh. I'm getting calls for the upcoming ESCN conferences and the VBS preview shows.....which by the way, if you're looking for 2009 vacation bible school curriculum, look no further! STUDIO GO! Game Show is the way to go! And you can visit the site on http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/! Even if you're not a VBS person, go to the site anyway to see what all the excitement is about! It's AWESOME! If you can get to a VBS preview, do it! You'll win fabulous prizes and have a great time!
Tuesday night was an adventure trying to figure out what to wear to Dallas....I'm assuming it's hot down there....and also to fit it into a smaller bag, one that rolls, just so it's easier. It was not "so easier" and thus I was unable to bring along additional shirts as originally planned. More to come on that one.
Anyway. Let's move to Wednesday. I put Ele on the bus, dropped Ethan off to school, and drove real quick to work. Had to finish up a few things and drop off a huge hymnal/piano thing to Mark. Then on to the Dayton airport. I've been there 3 times so far. Didn't even need directions....which will impress those closest to me. Though once into Dayton, it seemed like forever until the sign said "airport this way" or whatever it says. I shouldn't have doubted my sense of direction.....uh.....do I even have a sense of direction?
I'm a little rushed. And I do not work that way, though some would disagree given the nature of my maternal side of the family. I'd rather be at the airport early and have to wait, than be late and running to my flight. So I arrive, get my ticket, go through security, find my terminal, go to the bathroom (gosh I had to poop!), and finally think about lunch. It's 11am. My flight leaves at 12:20pm. Since I'm connecting in Charlotte NC, I decide to eat lunch early so I'm okay on the flight and don't have to hit the airplane potty - I hate those things! My friend Bob tells me that Max & Erma's inside the airport is quick so I sit down to eat.
I'm back on a diet.....not as strict as Weight Watchers. I started out on the South Beach and now I'm just "watching" and making better decisions. It's not bad. I hope to take off about 10 pounds at least. So I order a burger (no bun) and a side of broccoli instead of fries. And wow, the service is great. Comes out in just 20 minutes. Yummy. Then I'm waiting. And waiting. the guy next to me is also waiting. No sign of the waitress...pardon me, "server." It's almost 12pm. Crap. I have to get ON the plane in order for it to leave at 12:20pm! I grab my stuff and head to the kitchen, where I bump into the nice lady who sat me. Hey...need the check. Who's your server? don't remember her name. I'll find her. Okay. Thanks - gotta go! Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Here she comes! Quick, do it, let's go!
And I'm off.......literally running out of the restaurant like a horse race from the gunshot.......run all the way to the terminal......and you guessed it, running right onto the plane. I was apparently the next name to be called on the overhead speaker! To say the least, my day had not started out well. Flight was nice. small plane. cramped legs. no more free snacks....oh well, they'd make me need to use the airport potty. not an option. time to sleep........oops. time to wake up. that went fast. hate the landing part. My connecting flight to Dallas was to leave at 2:40. We arrived in Charlotte at 1:45. Plenty of time............until the nice lady on the plane told us that we would be entering E21 and should check the back of the US Airways magazine to see where the other gates were. This was the first time when I got off the plane, I actually walked down the steps of the plane onto the pavement! Weird. I felt like pausing at the top step and waving to the crowd below.....I should have......but the introverted side of me took over and I just did the boring do-what-everyone-else-is-doing and just get off the steps.
Just take a wild guess as to where my connecting flight was located on the map!!!!!
My gate was B11.......100 million miles away.........
Got off the plane, and you guessed it! RAN as fast as my feet would run, with my backpack on and my bulging stomach basically slapping me in the face! Geesh.....I might need to lose more than just those 10 pounds! And oh my goodness, I have to stop at a restroom.......not yet......gotta move and make this flight! After what seemed like FOREVER, I finally made it to the terminal. Had just a moment to pee and then my zone was called to board. much bigger plane this time and a little roomier. I was POOPED.....so it was time for another long nap since this flight was longer......and because I didn't want to talk to the chatty guy next to me.
FINALLY made it to Dallas. Took a taxi to the hotel and arrived. finally.
The hotel is GORGEOUS! Gaylord Texan Resort - has a river inside the hotel with little restaurants, walkways, bridges, greenery, shops, and all sorts of stuff to keep you here and spend money. It's actually amazing.
Though I had missed the "exhibitor check-in times" I was able to get into the exhibit hall and begin the setup process. I'm so glad I did because we had 3 skids of product and just one table to fit it all on. So I was able to creatively display ontop of boxes and tables and different heights the product to sell. It was a very creative and fun method - - and it helped me relax a little from my 3 day stress sessions of just getting everything done and getting here in one piece. After basically getting kicked out :), I went back to the room and crashed. Since I'd gained an hour, I slept a LONG time that night! It was great!
I must interject here and describe a bit about the show. There are 4500+ women here! How much estrogen can one man take????? And let's be honest, I am only able to give out so much testosterone! LOL!! Anyway...I have one booth - 10x10. And all of my stuff is discounted. I'm expecting mobs. I'm also expecting to transform myself into a very outgoing, fun guy for the week. This I can do - - good grief, I was a bookstore manager for 11 years - I know what it takes to sell and serve customers.
But after this week......I just might go into solitary confinement.
Accepting the chaos of the challenge, I tore through my regularly scheduled plans for the week on Monday and Tuesday only. I was able to get a fairly reasonable flight thanks to the ever so nice Diane in Editorial. The week's schedule was full of deadlines here, emails there, and mucho work throughout. It always happens that when I'm planning a good week of "get-it-done," something pops into the week that I never expected!
Tuesday is a little more "hairy" because I have to finish up all the details, fix my out of office, change my voicemail, forward my phone calls, find people to cover for me. Yeh. I'm getting calls for the upcoming ESCN conferences and the VBS preview shows.....which by the way, if you're looking for 2009 vacation bible school curriculum, look no further! STUDIO GO! Game Show is the way to go! And you can visit the site on http://www.vacationbibleschool.com/! Even if you're not a VBS person, go to the site anyway to see what all the excitement is about! It's AWESOME! If you can get to a VBS preview, do it! You'll win fabulous prizes and have a great time!
Tuesday night was an adventure trying to figure out what to wear to Dallas....I'm assuming it's hot down there....and also to fit it into a smaller bag, one that rolls, just so it's easier. It was not "so easier" and thus I was unable to bring along additional shirts as originally planned. More to come on that one.
Anyway. Let's move to Wednesday. I put Ele on the bus, dropped Ethan off to school, and drove real quick to work. Had to finish up a few things and drop off a huge hymnal/piano thing to Mark. Then on to the Dayton airport. I've been there 3 times so far. Didn't even need directions....which will impress those closest to me. Though once into Dayton, it seemed like forever until the sign said "airport this way" or whatever it says. I shouldn't have doubted my sense of direction.....uh.....do I even have a sense of direction?
I'm a little rushed. And I do not work that way, though some would disagree given the nature of my maternal side of the family. I'd rather be at the airport early and have to wait, than be late and running to my flight. So I arrive, get my ticket, go through security, find my terminal, go to the bathroom (gosh I had to poop!), and finally think about lunch. It's 11am. My flight leaves at 12:20pm. Since I'm connecting in Charlotte NC, I decide to eat lunch early so I'm okay on the flight and don't have to hit the airplane potty - I hate those things! My friend Bob tells me that Max & Erma's inside the airport is quick so I sit down to eat.
I'm back on a diet.....not as strict as Weight Watchers. I started out on the South Beach and now I'm just "watching" and making better decisions. It's not bad. I hope to take off about 10 pounds at least. So I order a burger (no bun) and a side of broccoli instead of fries. And wow, the service is great. Comes out in just 20 minutes. Yummy. Then I'm waiting. And waiting. the guy next to me is also waiting. No sign of the waitress...pardon me, "server." It's almost 12pm. Crap. I have to get ON the plane in order for it to leave at 12:20pm! I grab my stuff and head to the kitchen, where I bump into the nice lady who sat me. Hey...need the check. Who's your server? don't remember her name. I'll find her. Okay. Thanks - gotta go! Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Here she comes! Quick, do it, let's go!
And I'm off.......literally running out of the restaurant like a horse race from the gunshot.......run all the way to the terminal......and you guessed it, running right onto the plane. I was apparently the next name to be called on the overhead speaker! To say the least, my day had not started out well. Flight was nice. small plane. cramped legs. no more free snacks....oh well, they'd make me need to use the airport potty. not an option. time to sleep........oops. time to wake up. that went fast. hate the landing part. My connecting flight to Dallas was to leave at 2:40. We arrived in Charlotte at 1:45. Plenty of time............until the nice lady on the plane told us that we would be entering E21 and should check the back of the US Airways magazine to see where the other gates were. This was the first time when I got off the plane, I actually walked down the steps of the plane onto the pavement! Weird. I felt like pausing at the top step and waving to the crowd below.....I should have......but the introverted side of me took over and I just did the boring do-what-everyone-else-is-doing and just get off the steps.
Just take a wild guess as to where my connecting flight was located on the map!!!!!
My gate was B11.......100 million miles away.........
Got off the plane, and you guessed it! RAN as fast as my feet would run, with my backpack on and my bulging stomach basically slapping me in the face! Geesh.....I might need to lose more than just those 10 pounds! And oh my goodness, I have to stop at a restroom.......not yet......gotta move and make this flight! After what seemed like FOREVER, I finally made it to the terminal. Had just a moment to pee and then my zone was called to board. much bigger plane this time and a little roomier. I was POOPED.....so it was time for another long nap since this flight was longer......and because I didn't want to talk to the chatty guy next to me.
FINALLY made it to Dallas. Took a taxi to the hotel and arrived. finally.
The hotel is GORGEOUS! Gaylord Texan Resort - has a river inside the hotel with little restaurants, walkways, bridges, greenery, shops, and all sorts of stuff to keep you here and spend money. It's actually amazing.
Though I had missed the "exhibitor check-in times" I was able to get into the exhibit hall and begin the setup process. I'm so glad I did because we had 3 skids of product and just one table to fit it all on. So I was able to creatively display ontop of boxes and tables and different heights the product to sell. It was a very creative and fun method - - and it helped me relax a little from my 3 day stress sessions of just getting everything done and getting here in one piece. After basically getting kicked out :), I went back to the room and crashed. Since I'd gained an hour, I slept a LONG time that night! It was great!
I must interject here and describe a bit about the show. There are 4500+ women here! How much estrogen can one man take????? And let's be honest, I am only able to give out so much testosterone! LOL!! Anyway...I have one booth - 10x10. And all of my stuff is discounted. I'm expecting mobs. I'm also expecting to transform myself into a very outgoing, fun guy for the week. This I can do - - good grief, I was a bookstore manager for 11 years - I know what it takes to sell and serve customers.
But after this week......I just might go into solitary confinement.
Weekend Fun
A couple weeks ago we took the kids to Coney Island for "Fall-O-Ween" - for just $6 each, we were able to ride the rides and go to each "treat station" for special goodies. The kids both wore a portion of their Halloween costumes - Ele's a cat & Ethan's a ninja. At the end of the day, each painted a pumpkin and Robb ate a funnel cake (yummy!).
Remember those two-car rollercoasters - the ones that wind around in an oval, make your heart skip a beat with that one big hill and then ups and downs throughout? Well....Coney Island has the "Python" 
(generic picture to the right). Roller coasters are new to the Faust Family. Ethan had yet to enjoy any similar event, so he was VERY excited about this one! Ele previously rode the small taxicab ride at Kings Island and wasn't thrilled - and somewhat hesitant - to try something a bit more "rollercoastery."
(generic picture to the right). Roller coasters are new to the Faust Family. Ethan had yet to enjoy any similar event, so he was VERY excited about this one! Ele previously rode the small taxicab ride at Kings Island and wasn't thrilled - and somewhat hesitant - to try something a bit more "rollercoastery."Both Daddy and Mommy coaxed both kids to "try it, you'll like it".
The rollercoaster should actually be called "Death's Delight" or "Satan's Laughing at Me the Whole Time." Only two cars, eight people. Ethan & Daddy were in the front seat, front car - Mommy & Ele were in the seat behind. First, getting in the blasted seat with long legs was a feat by itself. Then, holding on to my tiny son in that huge seat....it looked as if he was going to just fall right out!
That first drop was a doozy - - a smaller version of the Son of Beast at Kings Island. We all were screaming the whole time! Round and round, up and down, whew! I was flying off my butt a couple times and I was holding Ethan tight! Once the chaos ended, Ethan says "that was AWESOME! Let's do it again!" Ele was not so enthralled. She was much happier on the ground.
All in all, Daddy and Ethan rode the Python 8 times....yes, you read that correctly.....eight.
Mommy & Ele painted the pumpkins. Ethan wanted to do it again and again. Daddy took the cell phone from his pocket and began dialing....the chiropractor to make an appointment.
:)
The Toothpick
The other day I ate a toothpick.
I actually consumed three quarters of a four inch toothpick. Chewed it up and swallowed it. Yep.
I was sitting in a room full of co-workers, sharing a catered lunch from the Honey Baked Ham Company. The culprit was a nicely sliced ham wrap. I guess the preparer oh-so-carefully inserted two of those long toothpicks into each wrap and then cut it in half. I picked up a half and just started chowin' down.
My wrap had a pile of ham, some green-leaf lettuce, and cucumber. It also included what I thought to be REALLY crunchy bacon in the middle! Not so, apparently. Even the little red cellophane stuff must have looked like bacon......because, you guessed it, I consumed that as well!
After two large bites among the conversations (and quite a bit of chewing and swallowing I should add!), I happened to look down to notice the small piece of toothpick remaining in my wrap. "No wonder that bacon was so darn crunchy!" I thought.
Of course I then proceeded to tell everyone the news - - - and get a good laugh.
I'm pretty sure The Toothpick has made it's way out of my system. I'll spare the details and leave that to your imagination. Let's just say: I'm glad I'm not dead.
Until another story.....
I actually consumed three quarters of a four inch toothpick. Chewed it up and swallowed it. Yep.
I was sitting in a room full of co-workers, sharing a catered lunch from the Honey Baked Ham Company. The culprit was a nicely sliced ham wrap. I guess the preparer oh-so-carefully inserted two of those long toothpicks into each wrap and then cut it in half. I picked up a half and just started chowin' down.
My wrap had a pile of ham, some green-leaf lettuce, and cucumber. It also included what I thought to be REALLY crunchy bacon in the middle! Not so, apparently. Even the little red cellophane stuff must have looked like bacon......because, you guessed it, I consumed that as well!
After two large bites among the conversations (and quite a bit of chewing and swallowing I should add!), I happened to look down to notice the small piece of toothpick remaining in my wrap. "No wonder that bacon was so darn crunchy!" I thought.
Of course I then proceeded to tell everyone the news - - - and get a good laugh.
I'm pretty sure The Toothpick has made it's way out of my system. I'll spare the details and leave that to your imagination. Let's just say: I'm glad I'm not dead.
Until another story.....
OREO and Events at Standard Publishing
It's only taken 8 months and, you guessed it.....I'm official.
This past Friday, I was given the opportunity to share "Conventions and Events" with my colleagues in a great setting at our semi-annual Sales Conference. My department has been through a lot of transitions and throughout my tenure so far, my supervisor had challenged me to bring Events to the next level. My presentation was the necessary "next step" to showcasing all I've done so far and all I have plans for in the future. My audience was all of the sales reps in the office and from across the country, the Sales Manager, all the admins, the Customer Service Manager, my boss (Vice President of Marketing & Sales), and even the President of Standard Publishing.
To say the very least, I did not take this presentation lightly. I knew it was important to establish my confidence in my responsibilities as well as present my "take" on how Events fits into the whole Standard Publishing realm.
Presenting my "take", however, was definitely going to include creativity. Not much of my life at work is boring - - I try my best to interject "creative moments" into most everything I do. And so this presentation was going to showcase Events in a creative way, while of course getting the point across.
So....I repeat what I said at the beginning of this blog. I'm official.
Officially the crazy & creative, wacko & weird, manager of the madness! And I do believe my colleagues would agree. You see, they have seen the quiet, held back, organized, do-your-job Robb the past 8 months. Every so often (especially away from the office AT events or during other weird tasks), my "true" weird self would appear. For the most part, though, I'm known as the REALLY organized one (is that hysterical or what???).
Anyway, I definitely presented Events in such a fashion as to showcase creatively the job, the expectations, and the "oh-so-exciting" Robb.
I went with something I am truly linked to: OREO!
I took everyone on an "OREO" Adventure. Each time they saw the OREO logo on a sign, they were to yell "OREO"!!! Then they saw words on powerpoint slides that they were also to yell. These formed a summary statement for each "point" of my presentation. Then 4 of my Marketing colleagues did a little "oreo cheer" ( "O" - "R" - "E" - "O" - "OREO"!!!!)
Here were my points as we contemplated the Conventions & Events Department:
Oh.....Robb.....Events aren't....Ordinary!
Oh.....Really?......Events are.....Organized!
Moving forward we have Oodles of.....Reasons to.....Enhance our.....Output!
Our......Required.......Expectations are......Outlined!
We are Optimizing......Resources at.......Every......Opportunity!
We are creating Occasions for..........Responses and...........Emerging......Opinions!
We're focused on Ongoing..........ROIs...........Evaluation, and.........Outcomes!
The presentation was very well-received and, of course, we all enjoyed oreos to end things!
This past Friday, I was given the opportunity to share "Conventions and Events" with my colleagues in a great setting at our semi-annual Sales Conference. My department has been through a lot of transitions and throughout my tenure so far, my supervisor had challenged me to bring Events to the next level. My presentation was the necessary "next step" to showcasing all I've done so far and all I have plans for in the future. My audience was all of the sales reps in the office and from across the country, the Sales Manager, all the admins, the Customer Service Manager, my boss (Vice President of Marketing & Sales), and even the President of Standard Publishing.
To say the very least, I did not take this presentation lightly. I knew it was important to establish my confidence in my responsibilities as well as present my "take" on how Events fits into the whole Standard Publishing realm.
Presenting my "take", however, was definitely going to include creativity. Not much of my life at work is boring - - I try my best to interject "creative moments" into most everything I do. And so this presentation was going to showcase Events in a creative way, while of course getting the point across.
So....I repeat what I said at the beginning of this blog. I'm official.
Officially the crazy & creative, wacko & weird, manager of the madness! And I do believe my colleagues would agree. You see, they have seen the quiet, held back, organized, do-your-job Robb the past 8 months. Every so often (especially away from the office AT events or during other weird tasks), my "true" weird self would appear. For the most part, though, I'm known as the REALLY organized one (is that hysterical or what???).
Anyway, I definitely presented Events in such a fashion as to showcase creatively the job, the expectations, and the "oh-so-exciting" Robb.
I went with something I am truly linked to: OREO!
I took everyone on an "OREO" Adventure. Each time they saw the OREO logo on a sign, they were to yell "OREO"!!! Then they saw words on powerpoint slides that they were also to yell. These formed a summary statement for each "point" of my presentation. Then 4 of my Marketing colleagues did a little "oreo cheer" ( "O" - "R" - "E" - "O" - "OREO"!!!!)
Here were my points as we contemplated the Conventions & Events Department:
Oh.....Robb.....Events aren't....Ordinary!
Oh.....Really?......Events are.....Organized!
Moving forward we have Oodles of.....Reasons to.....Enhance our.....Output!
Our......Required.......Expectations are......Outlined!
We are Optimizing......Resources at.......Every......Opportunity!
We are creating Occasions for..........Responses and...........Emerging......Opinions!
We're focused on Ongoing..........ROIs...........Evaluation, and.........Outcomes!
The presentation was very well-received and, of course, we all enjoyed oreos to end things!
Memorial Day Weekend
Enjoyed a great Memorial Day camping with extended family! Brenda took some BEAUTIFUL pics of the kids and here is one! Ele is growing up too fast ~ I can't believe it! And Ethan is so much taller ~ I keep calling him "little buddy" and he continues to remind me that he's a "big boy" now! AAAAHHHHH! I'm getting old!
What It Means to be an "Events Coordinator"
I've never really shared what my new job entails. For those that may not know, I recently switched from managing the CCU Bookstore (see link for Cincinnati Christian University) to serving as the Events Coordinator for Standard Publishing (see link to left). It's been a great transition...and a very "God-confirmed" transition. Because the transition happened in January, there really wasn't a good way to inform everyone who needed to know. Not like I could just send an addendum to our Christmas letter! :)
Anyway...I've tried to explain my job in spoken word. Most of the response has been a weird "I don't get it" stare or a shrug of the shoulders with "Okay, Robb....hope you like what you're doing" impression.
Events Coordinator may inspire thoughts of me setting up tables and chairs for millions of people at events hosted by Standard Publishing. I do coordinate the Energizing the Smaller Church Network conferences (yep, see the link to the left). These are great one-day events for small churches with great potential! It's pretty exciting to hear and see the enthusiasm from the staffs from these churches via email, participation at the events, and with contact afterwards.
Along with that "hosted" event, I also help decide which events, conventions, and conferences Standard Publishing should participate in. Once decided, the real job begins! Imagine a 10'x10' booth space at your normal convention (like the North American Christian Convention or the Children's Pastors Conference). Everything that is involved with getting that space filled with furniture, products, carpet, electricity, internet, staffing, and anything else is what I do. It's a huge process and it's quite an exciting array of responsibility. I work with a specific SP Marketing Manager and together we figure out all the specifics of each event.
What the job entails is a myriad of organization, planning, and following-up ~ while creating, collaborating, and branding in the process. The job itself is A LOT of paperwork. It also requires MUCHO input from others. It involves budgeting, financial follow-through, purchasing, filing, keeping track of a million tasks for each event, and then the fun stuff! Fun includes creating gift packs for product giveaways, working with a host of people, designing a booth's layout, programming cash registers, creating and simplifying processes, and doing a ton of "behind-the-scenes" things.
When I'm available, I head to some of the larger events. Responsibilities at the event includes setting up the booth space, displaying and selling the product, making connections with customers, tearing down the booth and getting it back to Cincinnati in one piece! :) If I'm unavailable to attend, then the "booth reps" are responsible for these tasks. It's a GREAT time! Most enjoyable, of course, is meeting and talking with our customers. I'm not much of an extrovert, yet I completely enjoy this part of the job! Now that I'm more behind a desk than a cash register, it's nice to get out and speak to the people we sell to!
One of the most fun parts of my job is working with the Marketing team! We have a great group! And yes, I'm a little biased on that. :) What a talented group of individuals!
And of course, I completely enjoy organizing all the crazy chaos during the work week! It's also great fun to apply my crazy and creative side to the perceived "boring" part of the job. I think my co-workers think I'm a little nuts ~ but I think they like it! :)
Anyway....life as Events Coordinator is FUN ~ Full of Unique Nuttiness!
Anyway...I've tried to explain my job in spoken word. Most of the response has been a weird "I don't get it" stare or a shrug of the shoulders with "Okay, Robb....hope you like what you're doing" impression.
Events Coordinator may inspire thoughts of me setting up tables and chairs for millions of people at events hosted by Standard Publishing. I do coordinate the Energizing the Smaller Church Network conferences (yep, see the link to the left). These are great one-day events for small churches with great potential! It's pretty exciting to hear and see the enthusiasm from the staffs from these churches via email, participation at the events, and with contact afterwards.
Along with that "hosted" event, I also help decide which events, conventions, and conferences Standard Publishing should participate in. Once decided, the real job begins! Imagine a 10'x10' booth space at your normal convention (like the North American Christian Convention or the Children's Pastors Conference). Everything that is involved with getting that space filled with furniture, products, carpet, electricity, internet, staffing, and anything else is what I do. It's a huge process and it's quite an exciting array of responsibility. I work with a specific SP Marketing Manager and together we figure out all the specifics of each event.
What the job entails is a myriad of organization, planning, and following-up ~ while creating, collaborating, and branding in the process. The job itself is A LOT of paperwork. It also requires MUCHO input from others. It involves budgeting, financial follow-through, purchasing, filing, keeping track of a million tasks for each event, and then the fun stuff! Fun includes creating gift packs for product giveaways, working with a host of people, designing a booth's layout, programming cash registers, creating and simplifying processes, and doing a ton of "behind-the-scenes" things.
When I'm available, I head to some of the larger events. Responsibilities at the event includes setting up the booth space, displaying and selling the product, making connections with customers, tearing down the booth and getting it back to Cincinnati in one piece! :) If I'm unavailable to attend, then the "booth reps" are responsible for these tasks. It's a GREAT time! Most enjoyable, of course, is meeting and talking with our customers. I'm not much of an extrovert, yet I completely enjoy this part of the job! Now that I'm more behind a desk than a cash register, it's nice to get out and speak to the people we sell to!
One of the most fun parts of my job is working with the Marketing team! We have a great group! And yes, I'm a little biased on that. :) What a talented group of individuals!
And of course, I completely enjoy organizing all the crazy chaos during the work week! It's also great fun to apply my crazy and creative side to the perceived "boring" part of the job. I think my co-workers think I'm a little nuts ~ but I think they like it! :)
Anyway....life as Events Coordinator is FUN ~ Full of Unique Nuttiness!
How I Know My Kids Are Growing Up
It's been quite a while since my last post. I'm very busy at work and I'll explain the details in another blog.
For this one, I wanted to share some of the funny things that have happened recently - - and how I have realized that my kids are growing up faster than I previously thought!
How I know my daughter is growing up:
...Ele came to me this morning with a bowl of spaghetti for breakfast and the question: "How long does this need to cook in the microwave, Daddy?" I tell her about 30 seconds....then yell to her as she rushes downstairs: "...but don't climb on the counter to use the microwave! wait until I get down there!" I hear the grown-up reply (that prompts this blog subject), "I don't need to Daddy, I can already reach the buttons!" Amazing. My daughter, who in my mind is still so small, can now reach the buttons on the microwave and cook her own food!
...She dresses herself more like a model (so crazy stylish and modern!) instead of just throwing on a mismatched "does-this-look-okay" outfit to which I almost always replied "yes, honey."
How I Know My Son Is Growing Up:
...Ethan and I talk more about Star Wars & Indiana Jones (characters, episodes, and plots) than we ever did about Elmo and Buzz Lightyear.
...I now have a backseat driver: "Doesn't a yellow light mean 'slow down', Daddy?" and "This isn't the right way to _____, Daddy."
I am continually amazed at how fast they are growing up ~ and then what that means for me: I'm that much older!
For this one, I wanted to share some of the funny things that have happened recently - - and how I have realized that my kids are growing up faster than I previously thought!
How I know my daughter is growing up:
...Ele came to me this morning with a bowl of spaghetti for breakfast and the question: "How long does this need to cook in the microwave, Daddy?" I tell her about 30 seconds....then yell to her as she rushes downstairs: "...but don't climb on the counter to use the microwave! wait until I get down there!" I hear the grown-up reply (that prompts this blog subject), "I don't need to Daddy, I can already reach the buttons!" Amazing. My daughter, who in my mind is still so small, can now reach the buttons on the microwave and cook her own food!
...She dresses herself more like a model (so crazy stylish and modern!) instead of just throwing on a mismatched "does-this-look-okay" outfit to which I almost always replied "yes, honey."
How I Know My Son Is Growing Up:
...Ethan and I talk more about Star Wars & Indiana Jones (characters, episodes, and plots) than we ever did about Elmo and Buzz Lightyear.
...I now have a backseat driver: "Doesn't a yellow light mean 'slow down', Daddy?" and "This isn't the right way to _____, Daddy."
I am continually amazed at how fast they are growing up ~ and then what that means for me: I'm that much older!
Guinea Pig Stories - Oldies, but Goodies!
For those who were unable to get the emails, these are for you....
9.3.07
So the saga of having guinea pigs in the Faust home continues. The pigs still live....even while living under the same roof as me (robb), the most anti-pet person of them all!
our vet experience:
We took them to the vet (aka the Petsmart Doctor) last week to get their toenails cut. We were supposed to be doing this regularly (ha!). First of all, none of us have the guts to hold their little claws and clip each nail. (they have veins in their toes, so snipping too far down will exert blood all over the place - none of us could stomach it).
Anyway, we all watched the doctor do it - he did good until he met Brownie. Brownie decided to first pee all over him (which absolutely killed the kids in laughter!) and then squeal when the blood started - - geesh, you'd think a vet could DO these things....So now we have finely clipped nails on our 24 TOES of the 6 PIGS! (who would have thought they'd live this long?)
While we were there, we asked him to tell us "which were which." Yes, the questions had still remained. They were born a while back, and we had made our guesses. We needed to know FOR SURE what sexes they were....because at this point we had absolutely no more room in the laundry room for these creatures - they were taking over! If you're not aware, we had 3, yes THREE, cages in our laundry room - with the little boogers all separated out "so the daddy doesn't, first, EAT the babies" and then "so the daddy doesn't make more babies with the babies or the mommy." Geesh. Like we want to start explaining THAT already! Oh, and the cages were stacked on top of each other in what sort of looks like a Guinea Pig Condominium Complex. But I digress....let's get back to the story...
Having never had a pet in my life, I assumed you just look between the legs and tell them apart. Apparently it's not that easy with guinea pigs. We were wrong in our guesses - - all of our guesses. The proper way to know the sex of guinea pigs: hold the booger face up (like they are going to pee right in your eye) and proceed to squeeze where you think their TESTICLES are! Then - - if while squeezing, this QUITE LARGE PENIS LOOKING THING bursts through the skin - - - THEN you have a male!!!
And oh my goodness.....we have three of them! The process itself made me want to be a woman! :)
10.6.07
another update from the Faust Family Pig Farm...
for some time now, after the shock of reproducing 4 additional guinea pigs into our family of 2 "females", we've been trying to figure out how to reduce our family size. This has entailed a host of questions like: which ones to get rid of...umm..I mean which of the cute little piggies we can ask another child to adopt....or other questions like: who do we know that needs another pet, will the pet place take them back, is there an animal shelter nearby, or can't we just throw them in a field...sorry...that was MY question popping through my head...
Anyway, we decided that we would say "goodbye" to the boys (they ARE the most trouble, you know!) and went forth to list them on CraigsList.com this past week.
*before going further, I must note that deciding to get rid of the boys was a much more complex decision than it might seem. Explanation as to WHY was easy (they are stinkier than the girls, they are more roudy than the girls, we can't keep paying $3000 for food - okay, I'm exagerrating a little). What was hardest was explaining TO the kids about WHO was leaving (aka "Kasey" "Chocolate" and "Spikey, Jr.") - - we all were pretty much in agreement with saying bye-bye to Kasey. He's the dad and quite sex-driven, I should add! :) Unfortunately for Chocolate, he was just one of the babies that had an identity crisis. I was the one always confusing him with the girl named "Brownie" and thus he was mostly forgotten about...And of course, Spikey Jr was Cream of the Cute Crop! He was our son's favorite (I must admit, he was definitely the Cutie Pie of the Pig Population). And tears were shed over giving up the Cute one...
Okay - enough of the sob story, let's get back to the good stuff. I listed the little boogers on CraigsList.com - with pictures and a story that only Robb could describe....yes, yes. I gave it a little twist using the whole ".....and then there were six" - it was funny. Anyway, we got 8 immediate emails and finally a "meet up with me" email.
* humor me and read on while I yet again interject my story:
this whole email thing was cracking me up. "oh my kids would love them, are they really free?" or "I'm interested - call me!" or "I can meet you at Meijer on Tuesday at 5pm" - - - forgive me, but I felt like I was going behind an alley to sell drugs or something. I talked to a complete stranger about the weird hours of my day, how to "hook up" with her schedule, and "deliver the goods." It was hysterical!
back to the story...we decided to meet in Mason at 4pm on Friday afternoon. I was getting off work early, so my plan was to come home, pick up the pigs, and meet the new family at Culvers Restaurant. We told the kids the news on Thursday night. They of course stopped what they were doing and decided to play with the 3 boys for a while that night (because you know they didn't originally have that planned in their "play" schedule that night...) They shed more tears over losing Spikey Jr. Mommy tried to explain the adoption process. I just tried to hold in my tears.....of JOY!
The morning came. Normal routine. Don't forget to say bye to the boys...Daddy's dropping them off before you come home tonight...They say good-bye and get on the bus. I had to mow the lawn, take a shower....and then it hit me! Hmmm...In order to make this easier for me at work today, I'll take the pigs with me to work and then I'll have them with me in the car...I can leave a little later from work and not have to stop home...with Friday night traffic, this will work great. So - that's what I did. Ethan said his good-byes on the way to the sitter's house, and I drove the "boys" to work with me. Kept em in the office with me - my associate thought we had Ewoks among us with the grunting and the whistling... overall the day went just fine...left at the right time and headed to Mason with pigs in the front seat.
Mind you, I was going a little slower than normal; they were a little "antsy" while driving...It seemed to me that little dudes knew just what was going on and they continued to stare up at me with those eyes....those little eyes.....Ah! we're getting close to Mason, and I'm seeing a lot of traffic ahead.
***NOW, if you know anything about Fausts from the Head Matriarch's side....you know that when I said I left on time REALLY meant I left at just the time that I needed to leave without any interruptions in order to get to where I was going "on time." traffic was not an option.***
I did however have the lady's cell phone number and proceeded to call her to let her know of the situation. The great part was that she was just ahead of me (after picking up her kids from school), so we were able to quickly redefine the original meeting place and met at the BP at the next exit! Pulled over, got out, delivered the goods, talked a little (mostly about how she & the kids already have 2 dogs and a lizard at home. they are going to set up a huge cage that the boys can just run all over the place in), and set them on their way...
So. 3 little piggies found themselves a new little home. Thank Goodness.
01.20.08
The Faust family has made a decision. In our recent history, it’s taken quite some time to reach this conclusion. Along with some parental persuasion, from the cleanliest depths of our souls, this result will affect ALL members of the family – including Daddy (who is the happiest one of all)!!
You guessed it: we are “delivering the goods” once again - - this time, for good.
Our female guinea pigs have lasted in our family for just over half of one year. The kids have enjoyed playing with them, holding them, and talking to them. But Spike, Chippy, and Brownie have peed, pooped, flicked their bedding outside of the cage, and smelled up our house for the last time! And Daddy is very happy.
We posted the pig pictures on the web this evening, and we have already planned the “drop-off” for tomorrow night.
As the saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new.”
Any parent knows the art of making a convincing trade. So we got rid of the pigs (yippee!) and then we traded “up” for an early birthday present: an aquarium – the kids can pick out the fish. We’re all set up (the water is “brewing”). Fish come tomorrow. I think they want a swimmy frog and a snail too! THAT should be interesting. I’m sure you’ll receive an update after the purchasing is completed.
So – Daddy is VERY pleased with the outcome: no more poop flicked in my shoes & coat, no more constant vacuuming up the bedding crap, and no more squeaky little grunts when I pull out a bag from the refrigerator. I think I can get used to a tank of water in my family room.
9.3.07
So the saga of having guinea pigs in the Faust home continues. The pigs still live....even while living under the same roof as me (robb), the most anti-pet person of them all!
our vet experience:
We took them to the vet (aka the Petsmart Doctor) last week to get their toenails cut. We were supposed to be doing this regularly (ha!). First of all, none of us have the guts to hold their little claws and clip each nail. (they have veins in their toes, so snipping too far down will exert blood all over the place - none of us could stomach it).
Anyway, we all watched the doctor do it - he did good until he met Brownie. Brownie decided to first pee all over him (which absolutely killed the kids in laughter!) and then squeal when the blood started - - geesh, you'd think a vet could DO these things....So now we have finely clipped nails on our 24 TOES of the 6 PIGS! (who would have thought they'd live this long?)
While we were there, we asked him to tell us "which were which." Yes, the questions had still remained. They were born a while back, and we had made our guesses. We needed to know FOR SURE what sexes they were....because at this point we had absolutely no more room in the laundry room for these creatures - they were taking over! If you're not aware, we had 3, yes THREE, cages in our laundry room - with the little boogers all separated out "so the daddy doesn't, first, EAT the babies" and then "so the daddy doesn't make more babies with the babies or the mommy." Geesh. Like we want to start explaining THAT already! Oh, and the cages were stacked on top of each other in what sort of looks like a Guinea Pig Condominium Complex. But I digress....let's get back to the story...
Having never had a pet in my life, I assumed you just look between the legs and tell them apart. Apparently it's not that easy with guinea pigs. We were wrong in our guesses - - all of our guesses. The proper way to know the sex of guinea pigs: hold the booger face up (like they are going to pee right in your eye) and proceed to squeeze where you think their TESTICLES are! Then - - if while squeezing, this QUITE LARGE PENIS LOOKING THING bursts through the skin - - - THEN you have a male!!!
And oh my goodness.....we have three of them! The process itself made me want to be a woman! :)
10.6.07
another update from the Faust Family Pig Farm...
for some time now, after the shock of reproducing 4 additional guinea pigs into our family of 2 "females", we've been trying to figure out how to reduce our family size. This has entailed a host of questions like: which ones to get rid of...umm..I mean which of the cute little piggies we can ask another child to adopt....or other questions like: who do we know that needs another pet, will the pet place take them back, is there an animal shelter nearby, or can't we just throw them in a field...sorry...that was MY question popping through my head...
Anyway, we decided that we would say "goodbye" to the boys (they ARE the most trouble, you know!) and went forth to list them on CraigsList.com this past week.
*before going further, I must note that deciding to get rid of the boys was a much more complex decision than it might seem. Explanation as to WHY was easy (they are stinkier than the girls, they are more roudy than the girls, we can't keep paying $3000 for food - okay, I'm exagerrating a little). What was hardest was explaining TO the kids about WHO was leaving (aka "Kasey" "Chocolate" and "Spikey, Jr.") - - we all were pretty much in agreement with saying bye-bye to Kasey. He's the dad and quite sex-driven, I should add! :) Unfortunately for Chocolate, he was just one of the babies that had an identity crisis. I was the one always confusing him with the girl named "Brownie" and thus he was mostly forgotten about...And of course, Spikey Jr was Cream of the Cute Crop! He was our son's favorite (I must admit, he was definitely the Cutie Pie of the Pig Population). And tears were shed over giving up the Cute one...
Okay - enough of the sob story, let's get back to the good stuff. I listed the little boogers on CraigsList.com - with pictures and a story that only Robb could describe....yes, yes. I gave it a little twist using the whole ".....and then there were six" - it was funny. Anyway, we got 8 immediate emails and finally a "meet up with me" email.
* humor me and read on while I yet again interject my story:
this whole email thing was cracking me up. "oh my kids would love them, are they really free?" or "I'm interested - call me!" or "I can meet you at Meijer on Tuesday at 5pm" - - - forgive me, but I felt like I was going behind an alley to sell drugs or something. I talked to a complete stranger about the weird hours of my day, how to "hook up" with her schedule, and "deliver the goods." It was hysterical!
back to the story...we decided to meet in Mason at 4pm on Friday afternoon. I was getting off work early, so my plan was to come home, pick up the pigs, and meet the new family at Culvers Restaurant. We told the kids the news on Thursday night. They of course stopped what they were doing and decided to play with the 3 boys for a while that night (because you know they didn't originally have that planned in their "play" schedule that night...) They shed more tears over losing Spikey Jr. Mommy tried to explain the adoption process. I just tried to hold in my tears.....of JOY!
The morning came. Normal routine. Don't forget to say bye to the boys...Daddy's dropping them off before you come home tonight...They say good-bye and get on the bus. I had to mow the lawn, take a shower....and then it hit me! Hmmm...In order to make this easier for me at work today, I'll take the pigs with me to work and then I'll have them with me in the car...I can leave a little later from work and not have to stop home...with Friday night traffic, this will work great. So - that's what I did. Ethan said his good-byes on the way to the sitter's house, and I drove the "boys" to work with me. Kept em in the office with me - my associate thought we had Ewoks among us with the grunting and the whistling... overall the day went just fine...left at the right time and headed to Mason with pigs in the front seat.
Mind you, I was going a little slower than normal; they were a little "antsy" while driving...It seemed to me that little dudes knew just what was going on and they continued to stare up at me with those eyes....those little eyes.....Ah! we're getting close to Mason, and I'm seeing a lot of traffic ahead.
***NOW, if you know anything about Fausts from the Head Matriarch's side....you know that when I said I left on time REALLY meant I left at just the time that I needed to leave without any interruptions in order to get to where I was going "on time." traffic was not an option.***
I did however have the lady's cell phone number and proceeded to call her to let her know of the situation. The great part was that she was just ahead of me (after picking up her kids from school), so we were able to quickly redefine the original meeting place and met at the BP at the next exit! Pulled over, got out, delivered the goods, talked a little (mostly about how she & the kids already have 2 dogs and a lizard at home. they are going to set up a huge cage that the boys can just run all over the place in), and set them on their way...
So. 3 little piggies found themselves a new little home. Thank Goodness.
01.20.08
The Faust family has made a decision. In our recent history, it’s taken quite some time to reach this conclusion. Along with some parental persuasion, from the cleanliest depths of our souls, this result will affect ALL members of the family – including Daddy (who is the happiest one of all)!!
You guessed it: we are “delivering the goods” once again - - this time, for good.
Our female guinea pigs have lasted in our family for just over half of one year. The kids have enjoyed playing with them, holding them, and talking to them. But Spike, Chippy, and Brownie have peed, pooped, flicked their bedding outside of the cage, and smelled up our house for the last time! And Daddy is very happy.
We posted the pig pictures on the web this evening, and we have already planned the “drop-off” for tomorrow night.
As the saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new.”
Any parent knows the art of making a convincing trade. So we got rid of the pigs (yippee!) and then we traded “up” for an early birthday present: an aquarium – the kids can pick out the fish. We’re all set up (the water is “brewing”). Fish come tomorrow. I think they want a swimmy frog and a snail too! THAT should be interesting. I’m sure you’ll receive an update after the purchasing is completed.
So – Daddy is VERY pleased with the outcome: no more poop flicked in my shoes & coat, no more constant vacuuming up the bedding crap, and no more squeaky little grunts when I pull out a bag from the refrigerator. I think I can get used to a tank of water in my family room.
I'M NOT USED TO BEING FAT
I'm not used to being fat. Where before I walked from my car to the office building, now I waddle. My arms used to just hang straight down. Now they swish against my protruding stomach. I used to see my feet when standing up. Now they are blocked by what looks like a bump on my body. The inside of my thighs itch from being rubbed all day long against each other. I'm exhausted after carrying my sleeping daughter up one flight of steps to her room. I sweat like a pig, for no reason. I'm tired more and hungry more (or so it seems). I'm just not used to being fat.
It's not always been this way. In college, I was skinnier than a pole. At that point in life, I needed to gain weight. It was a little ridiculous. When I got married almost 14 years ago, I gained that necessary weight to make me a bit more "normal." And then I guess, I just kept going.
See....I like sweets. I'm not talking about eating sweets here and there. I'm talking about indulging myself in sweets at every meal, in between meals, in between snacks, and as much as I can before bed. If I could eat while sleeping, I probably would! I just love food. And no, I'm not blaming anybody in my past. I know it's me. I know I have no willpower. I know what's good for me - and I know what's not. Unfortunately God made all those "nots" so yummy! I love Swiss Cake Rolls and Oatmeal Cream Pies for breakfast. Cereal's good too, but it's gotta have sugar. I love salad & vegetables (good for you!), and I love the cheese & dressings on top (not so good for you!) I know I can change. I've done it....for a little bit.
Yep. I did Weight Watchers for 6 months. It was really quite good for me. I felt better, and I lost the poundage. I paid the monthly fee, went to the meetings, and counted those points. I actually impressed my self. I didn't think I had it in me. But I really did well. Those points are a BITER....especially when you love chocolate as much as I do. I went through withdrawal....from the chocolate. I was rather irritable ~ at work mostly. Once I got past that craziness, things were much better. That sugar-free crap was starting to taste a little more normal. I wasn't craving the sweets as much, and I was losing weight. I actually reduced 2 pants sizes and 1 size in shirts.
Now, mind you, I vowed during my time in Weight Watchers that I was not going to exercise. I think I've mentioned before that me and sports/exercise are oil & vinegar ~ we don't mix well. So, in my head I wasn't going to add any type of exercise to my daily routine - - and see what happened. I lost a good 24 pounds. My goal was 25. That one little pound was INSANE to accomplish.....and right about the time it was going to happen......well.......it was the week of my vacation with the family. And yep. You guessed it - - all things WW was thrown out the window, never to be talked about again! And now, it's almost a year later. I've gained back the 24 and probably more. Not real sure, since the scale is "broke" (aka "I'm not getting on that thing if it kills me").
So - all this to say ~ I'm still not used to being fat. I waddle, grunt when I move from the couch, and notice myself wiggling & pushing my body out of the car (my grandpa does that!) I can hardly take my wedding ring off...it's starting to cut off the circulation in my finger. I'm using the first hole in my belts (and I actually busted a belt! popped right off!).
This whole fat thing has got me off-kilter. I need to do something about it. Hmmmm....maybe tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll eat a cookie and feel good about myself! LOL!
It's not always been this way. In college, I was skinnier than a pole. At that point in life, I needed to gain weight. It was a little ridiculous. When I got married almost 14 years ago, I gained that necessary weight to make me a bit more "normal." And then I guess, I just kept going.
See....I like sweets. I'm not talking about eating sweets here and there. I'm talking about indulging myself in sweets at every meal, in between meals, in between snacks, and as much as I can before bed. If I could eat while sleeping, I probably would! I just love food. And no, I'm not blaming anybody in my past. I know it's me. I know I have no willpower. I know what's good for me - and I know what's not. Unfortunately God made all those "nots" so yummy! I love Swiss Cake Rolls and Oatmeal Cream Pies for breakfast. Cereal's good too, but it's gotta have sugar. I love salad & vegetables (good for you!), and I love the cheese & dressings on top (not so good for you!) I know I can change. I've done it....for a little bit.
Yep. I did Weight Watchers for 6 months. It was really quite good for me. I felt better, and I lost the poundage. I paid the monthly fee, went to the meetings, and counted those points. I actually impressed my self. I didn't think I had it in me. But I really did well. Those points are a BITER....especially when you love chocolate as much as I do. I went through withdrawal....from the chocolate. I was rather irritable ~ at work mostly. Once I got past that craziness, things were much better. That sugar-free crap was starting to taste a little more normal. I wasn't craving the sweets as much, and I was losing weight. I actually reduced 2 pants sizes and 1 size in shirts.
Now, mind you, I vowed during my time in Weight Watchers that I was not going to exercise. I think I've mentioned before that me and sports/exercise are oil & vinegar ~ we don't mix well. So, in my head I wasn't going to add any type of exercise to my daily routine - - and see what happened. I lost a good 24 pounds. My goal was 25. That one little pound was INSANE to accomplish.....and right about the time it was going to happen......well.......it was the week of my vacation with the family. And yep. You guessed it - - all things WW was thrown out the window, never to be talked about again! And now, it's almost a year later. I've gained back the 24 and probably more. Not real sure, since the scale is "broke" (aka "I'm not getting on that thing if it kills me").
So - all this to say ~ I'm still not used to being fat. I waddle, grunt when I move from the couch, and notice myself wiggling & pushing my body out of the car (my grandpa does that!) I can hardly take my wedding ring off...it's starting to cut off the circulation in my finger. I'm using the first hole in my belts (and I actually busted a belt! popped right off!).
This whole fat thing has got me off-kilter. I need to do something about it. Hmmmm....maybe tomorrow. In the meantime, I'll eat a cookie and feel good about myself! LOL!
Friday I helped set up the Standard Publishing exhibit at the Small Groups Conference at Cincinnati Christian University. Since I'd left CCU on good terms, being nervous about seeing people I'd previously worked with was really at the back of my mind. I was focused on presenting SP well, and it was actually fun to see former colleagues. I did, however, venture into my former "stomping ground" (the CCU Bookstore) feeling a little weird about it all. Once I arrived though, it was fairly normal ~ I had to walk in the front door this time (which was weird) and stand in front of the counter (which was weirder). The student workers that had worked for me were still there and served me very well - - I hope I had some influence in that, but I know the current interim manager (my former assistant) has probably had more influence than I! :)
Knowing that lunch breaks are few and far between in the Bookstore, I timidly asked if Beth (the manager) was able to leave for lunch - - and she was! Again, it was obvious she does the scheduling a little different & allows herself a break now and then! :) We enjoyed the original Skyline Chili down the street and caught up on the "ins & outs" of Bookstore Management. It was really fun!
From there I enjoyed a trip to the Warehouse for SP. I had 3 skids that needed to be put back in correct locations and I needed to pick up some products for upcoming summer events. I'm working on approximately 45 gift packs of varying sizes & value to give-away at these larger events. I'm starting early so I can spread them out. Then back to the office for tons of paperwork and catching up. The day was BEAUTIFUL - a roll-down-your-window-and-drive kind of day!
Yesterday we enjoyed a supremely wonderful day with our good friends, the Dericos, in Indy. The kids had a great time playing all afternoon - and we adults lavished ourselves in good food and fun conversation! As always we just love getting together, catching up, and laughing a lot!
I sincerely appreciate friends who we can feel so comfortable with ~ even after a long stretch of time.
And then today we are enjoying a relaxing day at home. Got up & went to the 9:30 service, out to lunch, a little shopping, and now home with the kids. It's a little cool & rainy outside, so we're staying in and enjoying the couch mostly.
Nothing really exciting this week....
Knowing that lunch breaks are few and far between in the Bookstore, I timidly asked if Beth (the manager) was able to leave for lunch - - and she was! Again, it was obvious she does the scheduling a little different & allows herself a break now and then! :) We enjoyed the original Skyline Chili down the street and caught up on the "ins & outs" of Bookstore Management. It was really fun!
From there I enjoyed a trip to the Warehouse for SP. I had 3 skids that needed to be put back in correct locations and I needed to pick up some products for upcoming summer events. I'm working on approximately 45 gift packs of varying sizes & value to give-away at these larger events. I'm starting early so I can spread them out. Then back to the office for tons of paperwork and catching up. The day was BEAUTIFUL - a roll-down-your-window-and-drive kind of day!
Yesterday we enjoyed a supremely wonderful day with our good friends, the Dericos, in Indy. The kids had a great time playing all afternoon - and we adults lavished ourselves in good food and fun conversation! As always we just love getting together, catching up, and laughing a lot!
I sincerely appreciate friends who we can feel so comfortable with ~ even after a long stretch of time.
And then today we are enjoying a relaxing day at home. Got up & went to the 9:30 service, out to lunch, a little shopping, and now home with the kids. It's a little cool & rainy outside, so we're staying in and enjoying the couch mostly.
Nothing really exciting this week....
basketball and robb
Those that know me know I don't even know who is playing....apparently tonight.
I think it goes without saying that I'm clueless when it comes to basketball - - or any sport for that matter. I take that back. I do enjoy tennis - I stay up all hours of the night to watch the matches across the world. So I guess I do enjoy ONE sport, huh?
The whole sport thing is a mystery to me. I guess since I didn't watch much growing up, I was able to "save" myself from the madness. Yes...we must acknowledge that my father tried and tried to get us (me & my brother) involved in sports. The best part, however, is that my dad just let us be us....he didn't push anything on us ~ and I am very grateful for it. He allowed me to enjoy my creativity through music & the piano. He allowed my brother to enjoy his creativity through art. Don't get me wrong, we were up for going to a baseball game now and then...we just didn't really care about the game. We really enjoyed the hot dogs, ice cream, people-watching, and overall "atmosphere" of it all! I, myself, still enjoy that! So anyway...sports and me don't have a lot of ties. My son, however, enjoys playing wiffle ball, basketball, soccer, and other such sports. I guess I'll need to learn from my dad ~ and just allow it, encourage it, and love sitting on those really comfortable outdoor benches....Oooh. Can't wait.
I think it goes without saying that I'm clueless when it comes to basketball - - or any sport for that matter. I take that back. I do enjoy tennis - I stay up all hours of the night to watch the matches across the world. So I guess I do enjoy ONE sport, huh?
The whole sport thing is a mystery to me. I guess since I didn't watch much growing up, I was able to "save" myself from the madness. Yes...we must acknowledge that my father tried and tried to get us (me & my brother) involved in sports. The best part, however, is that my dad just let us be us....he didn't push anything on us ~ and I am very grateful for it. He allowed me to enjoy my creativity through music & the piano. He allowed my brother to enjoy his creativity through art. Don't get me wrong, we were up for going to a baseball game now and then...we just didn't really care about the game. We really enjoyed the hot dogs, ice cream, people-watching, and overall "atmosphere" of it all! I, myself, still enjoy that! So anyway...sports and me don't have a lot of ties. My son, however, enjoys playing wiffle ball, basketball, soccer, and other such sports. I guess I'll need to learn from my dad ~ and just allow it, encourage it, and love sitting on those really comfortable outdoor benches....Oooh. Can't wait.
Pet Power!
Apparently, the ammonia has settled down a little. A couple weeks ago, we got more fish to add to our dwindling tank of plants & water...and they have survived! The kids are very happy! I'm happy because we increased our snail population by 3 - - we now have 5 slow-moving snails in the tank! They are quite the cool & creepy animals. I love to watch 'em "bloop" their mouths against the tank & quite possibly suck the crap off the glass. Gross? yes. Cool? definitely. The "blooping" is amazing to watch...I am mesmerized by their movements & can sit for almost 15 minutes mimicking that "blooping." yep. pretty sad. Oh! And we also replaced the ghost shrimp with 2 more. The aquarium is hoppin', stayin' alive, & movin' on up! :)
As most know, I am not a pet lover....pets are not people, they are not my friends, they do not comfort me, and they certainly do not deserve any love from me. I'm uncomfortable with dogs that sniff certain areas of my body, with cats who sneak up & rub their tails on my legs under a table, and with small things like guinea pigs or rabbits that look so cute & then wiggle/jerk/twitch unexpectedly to scare the bajeebies out of me! I do not like that they require major upkeep, including cleaning pee/poop. Leaving for a weekend not only requires getting the kids ready, it also requires getting a "pet sitter." Any volunteers??? I didn't think so....
Anyway....I have to admit, however, that I enjoy the fish tank in my family room. Easily maintained. Easy to feed - even on long weekends. I like to watch them. It's amazing that their whole life is that little square box on our table. Wonder if they can see "out of the box?" So much world they don't even know about.....
So. Fish. I can live with them. Yikes. The power of pets: are they changing my mindsets?
As most know, I am not a pet lover....pets are not people, they are not my friends, they do not comfort me, and they certainly do not deserve any love from me. I'm uncomfortable with dogs that sniff certain areas of my body, with cats who sneak up & rub their tails on my legs under a table, and with small things like guinea pigs or rabbits that look so cute & then wiggle/jerk/twitch unexpectedly to scare the bajeebies out of me! I do not like that they require major upkeep, including cleaning pee/poop. Leaving for a weekend not only requires getting the kids ready, it also requires getting a "pet sitter." Any volunteers??? I didn't think so....
Anyway....I have to admit, however, that I enjoy the fish tank in my family room. Easily maintained. Easy to feed - even on long weekends. I like to watch them. It's amazing that their whole life is that little square box on our table. Wonder if they can see "out of the box?" So much world they don't even know about.....
So. Fish. I can live with them. Yikes. The power of pets: are they changing my mindsets?
Blog Bonanza!
I've introduced myself to blogging...and I think I'm gonna like it! My crazy thoughts may just mesh with all the other crazies on this internet information explosion. Read, comment, and come back if you wish. As I get better at this, I'll continue to update my stupid stories - - for the amusement of my extended family, mostly. Here's to robb's ramblings! Yippee!
Fish Flushdom
Less than a month ago, I shared a very happy story (for me)about getting rid of
(uh...delivering) the last three guinea pigs under the umbrella of the Family Fundom.
In that last email, I told you that the next level of pet passions was the addition of an aquarium to our family room. While typing, I mentioned that the water was "brewing"
and the fish would arrive the next day. THAT, my friends, is where I'll begin....
The fish arrived! We stopped by our local PetSmart store and consulted the very intelligent teeny bopper in charge of all things fishy.We filled our tank with:
* a large white & black spotted fish (named OREO)
* a couple "zebra" fish (named ZEBRA 1 & ZEBRA 2)
* a white fish (named CLOUD)
* an orange fish (named ORANGE)
* a dwarf frog (named FROGGY)
* a ghost shrimp (named SHRIMPY)
* and 2 snails (sorry. no names - just "the snails")
Oh Wow! They are AWESOME! Cool! Look how that one just bumped into that one!
And wow! so pretty! Eww...the snails are gross! I can't find the ghost shrimp, can you?
(ah....the reason for the name.....)
For days and days we enjoy looking at fish swimming around in a tank....swimming, FROGGY is doing the "frog paddle" through the waves from the filter, the fish continue swimming, swimming, eating flakes of yucky smelling crap, and then ewwww....look at the POOP coming out of the fish! is that blood?!?!? Oh the awesome conversations we are holding at our house! What color POOP Cloud pooped and "how do snails poop, Daddy?" Here we are: back to the poop again. I thought we got rid of the poop with the guinea pigs, and we're talking about poop again. This time,instead of cleaning it up, we're WATCHING it exude from the fish's body!
Then ORANGE starts looking a little limp - the back fin seems to be swaying more than swishing. Couple days go by, and ORANGE is stuck to the filter - you guessed it....dead.
Flush #1
All seems well enough. We're on to "oohing" and "aahing" for a couple more days. Then FROGGY is standing at "attention" next to the rock formation we bought to make the aquarium look more "real." We leave him there for a couple days - hoping he's sleeping......nope.
Flush #2
By now, we're getting a little concerned. Within the next couple weeks, we have flush #3, #4, and #5: Zebra 1, Oreo, and Cloud. Oops - forgot to tell you. In between flush #1 and #2, we bought more fish to pacify very disappointed children. So - then we flushed a couple of them with flush #6 and #7.
Well, here it is the weekend of February 8th and we have 2 snails, Zebra 2, and a ghost shrimp (from the original batch). They all seem quite content with our ammonia-infested water. Yep. Went back to PetSmart and got a handy-dandy "you have too much ammonia in your water" tester kit. We also have kept 3 new orangey fish and a sucker fish alive throughout this new process.
The Family Fundom is becoming the Family Flushdom. Now that we are prepared with a do-it-yourself-ammonia-tester, I'm hoping we'll flush no more - - fish, that is. We're running out of reasons why all these fish need to "visit Nemo."
(uh...delivering) the last three guinea pigs under the umbrella of the Family Fundom.
In that last email, I told you that the next level of pet passions was the addition of an aquarium to our family room. While typing, I mentioned that the water was "brewing"
and the fish would arrive the next day. THAT, my friends, is where I'll begin....
The fish arrived! We stopped by our local PetSmart store and consulted the very intelligent teeny bopper in charge of all things fishy.We filled our tank with:
* a large white & black spotted fish (named OREO)
* a couple "zebra" fish (named ZEBRA 1 & ZEBRA 2)
* a white fish (named CLOUD)
* an orange fish (named ORANGE)
* a dwarf frog (named FROGGY)
* a ghost shrimp (named SHRIMPY)
* and 2 snails (sorry. no names - just "the snails")
Oh Wow! They are AWESOME! Cool! Look how that one just bumped into that one!
And wow! so pretty! Eww...the snails are gross! I can't find the ghost shrimp, can you?
(ah....the reason for the name.....)
For days and days we enjoy looking at fish swimming around in a tank....swimming, FROGGY is doing the "frog paddle" through the waves from the filter, the fish continue swimming, swimming, eating flakes of yucky smelling crap, and then ewwww....look at the POOP coming out of the fish! is that blood?!?!? Oh the awesome conversations we are holding at our house! What color POOP Cloud pooped and "how do snails poop, Daddy?" Here we are: back to the poop again. I thought we got rid of the poop with the guinea pigs, and we're talking about poop again. This time,instead of cleaning it up, we're WATCHING it exude from the fish's body!
Then ORANGE starts looking a little limp - the back fin seems to be swaying more than swishing. Couple days go by, and ORANGE is stuck to the filter - you guessed it....dead.
Flush #1
All seems well enough. We're on to "oohing" and "aahing" for a couple more days. Then FROGGY is standing at "attention" next to the rock formation we bought to make the aquarium look more "real." We leave him there for a couple days - hoping he's sleeping......nope.
Flush #2
By now, we're getting a little concerned. Within the next couple weeks, we have flush #3, #4, and #5: Zebra 1, Oreo, and Cloud. Oops - forgot to tell you. In between flush #1 and #2, we bought more fish to pacify very disappointed children. So - then we flushed a couple of them with flush #6 and #7.
Well, here it is the weekend of February 8th and we have 2 snails, Zebra 2, and a ghost shrimp (from the original batch). They all seem quite content with our ammonia-infested water. Yep. Went back to PetSmart and got a handy-dandy "you have too much ammonia in your water" tester kit. We also have kept 3 new orangey fish and a sucker fish alive throughout this new process.
The Family Fundom is becoming the Family Flushdom. Now that we are prepared with a do-it-yourself-ammonia-tester, I'm hoping we'll flush no more - - fish, that is. We're running out of reasons why all these fish need to "visit Nemo."
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