I shall rename today Wacky Wednesday, for no apparent reason. I woke up to having to make my own coffee, which is fine, however I like the Irishman’s better. Once again I am having honey in it, you know it really brings out the coffee flavor. I am rather enjoying it.
My nails are looking rather raggedy right now, nail appointment on Saturday, I think for the season I am going to forgo the french manicure for a color, a holiday color. I am thinking red, I know, original, maybe with some sparkle, since I have a party to go to Saturday night and a football watching thing on Sunday. I want to look festive, I have found the perfect dress in my closet to wear Saturday night. It is red, fitted and amazing, I have only worn it once, then could never wear it again. I got it from Victoria’s Secret so you know it is incredibly sexy. Not something most people think of me as, but at times I can look incredibly hot. So, for Saturday night I choose to look hot, or at least in my mind I will. And seriously, that is all that counts. Shoes, that is the big question, I have the smokin hot Carlos Santana ones, however they are red, would that be overkill, do I go with black to break it up, or go with the red shoes and carry a black purse to break up the red? Decisions. And Sunday, what do I wear? It is a football watching party, do I wear the pink Cowboys jersey I bought to support United Way? Do I wear a cute outfit? I think we all know I don’t really watch football, ok, not at all, I go for the social aspect. I like these people, they are nice and fun, I am in such a quandary as to what to wear. I’ll ask Rachel what she is wearing. Whew, disaster averted.
Ok, I am off to get dressed and start my day, I am still loving my tour, I am finally getting enough sleep and am waking up rested, a heady feeling indeed.
Final United Way Update
We had the big final ending celebration to United Way yesterday at the Union Hall, I am now ready to write about the entire thing and experiences this year.
I would like to tell you about my team, Jose Morales, Brent Dozier, Gladys Evans, Madarol Thomas, Markeyus Franks, Jhanifor Griggs, Luke Culver, Stephanie Estrada, Tracy Catchings, and Adelpha Warren and Kim Azard. This was a cracker jack team; I only knew a few of them before starting this year. When Mary Linhart, our Chief Steward, told me who I would be working with, I was thrilled.
Our very first meeting I told the group our goal, $10,000.00 in two and a half months time, stretched over four buildings. Not one of them blinked an eye lid, they all said ok, and went to work.
Jose Morales was my calming influence, when I was stressed and ready to go out of my mind, he talked me down and let me know it was ok to delegate, which I did! Thank you Jose for having my back and letting me know it was ok not to do everything myself. Brent Dozier was my master meat smoker and grill master extraordinaire; he smoked brisket, turkey legs, grilled hamburgers, hotdog and hot links. I don’t think he slept the entire time; he has an amazing spirit and an attitude that should be bottled and sold. Thank you Brent for always being there and for your constant good mood, it was a balm.
This was Gladys Evans second year to do this, she is such a hard worker and also my conscience. She was there to call me on the carpet if I became crazy and bring me back down to earth if any idea was too crazy, she is a good friend and a great example of dynamite in a small package. She is quality leadership material and I look up to her in so many ways, Gladys thank you for always being at the ready and for your selfless commitment to our goal.
In our Lakeside building we had the unstoppable team of Madarol Thomas and Markeyus Franks; together they were a force to be reckoned with. They had a healthy competition between each other to see who could raise the most cash at each fundraiser that was held. It was all in good fun, and made each event a must attend happening. With the support of OM Adrian Ray, they were the building to beat, and no one did, no other building came close to our Lakeside location. When it looked like we were not going to make it, I called Adrian and said, we need your help, he said Angie I got this. And, wow, did he ever, without the support Adrian, we would never have made it.
At our Central location there was, Jhanifor Griggs at the ready, she even enlisted the help of her husband and son to make sure that there were enough hands on deck to serve the masses. And serve she did, soliciting, going door to door to business to make sure we had enough to raffle off, and later cooking and serving. What a terrific attitude, even with a full house she was always chipper and had a good attitude.
At our Roundtable location we had Luke Culver, Stephanie Estrada, Tracy Catchings, and Adelpha Warren, doing whatever it took to get things done. This building was far away from the rest and they were doing it all, working well together, delegating duties, and making sure it was all getting done. In the middle of United Way, this location had a fellow employee that was tragically lost; the group switched gears and had several fund raisers for the surviving family. They truly showed what having an amazing heart can do; it was a privilege to work with you.
Last but not least I would like to give a shout out to my friend Kim Azard; I was only able to utilize Kim when I was at our Glennville location. I would like to tell you all that my friend Kim has an amazing heart, a servants attitude and a willingness to do what it takes. She is simply fantastic, thank you Kim for not only your willingness to work with us on United Way but for your friendship.
When we had our celebrations at each location, the Lakeside folks generously allowed Juan Espinoza to come out and DJ each event. He was such a joyous addition to our team, I have to say he was just phenomenal, if I ever have an event that I need a DJ for I will be hiring him and I suggest everyone else do the same. The music he provided made each celebration so incredibly richer. Thank you Juan for being our music man!
United Way came at a time in my life when I was at a low point, I was quickly losing faith in humanity, and that people would always do the right thing. The people in this group have restored my faith, not with their words, but with their actions, their genuine desire to help people and willingness to do the hard work to ensure that we make the funds to reach our goal. I am so proud to have been a part of this team; I cannot express fully what it has meant to me. You all should be proud of your accomplishments; you have humbled me and awed me with your greatness.
United Way Update
Today has been a strange day indeed; however I am not going to write about that. I am going to tell you about our United Way Fundraising efforts. We started on August 15, going to business begging for donations to raffle or to give as door prizes to encourage fellow employees to give. We started off with a bang of a food sale and it went from there. We had a specific goal in mind, $10,000.00 in a little under two months of fundraising. My team worked tirelessly, I am so very proud to have worked alongside some of the best people I know. We had raffles; we had food sales, lunch sales, breakfast sales and sales in-between. Brent smoked brisket and turkey legs like a pro and he and Jose both grilled till they were about toasted themselves.
We had four carnivals in four different locations within a two week period; our building on Lakeside in Richardson was the big winner raking in over $1,200.00 in one day. The other buildings were huge successes as well, Central, Glennville and Roundtable, everyone came out, danced to the music that our wonderful DJ Juan provided. It was an amazing turnout for an amazing cause.
At this point in time we are still counting the money, it looks like we are just shy of $200.00 of reaching our goal, if anyone would like to donate any cash, I will be accepting funds till Friday. Then it all has to be in the bank and a cashier’s check made out to United Way.
We had a whirlwind of a ride, and got to meet some pretty amazing people along the way. I never get tired of doing this, every year is a great experience and I hope I get to do it again.
Thank you, everyone, for your generosity of spirit, open hearts and open pocket books. I have said it before and I will say it again, you simply rock.
Musketeers and Other Things
Well, here we are, two days out from a new Musketeer movie, I cannot tell you how excited I am to see this movie. I remember the first time I read the book, I was in the fourth grade, and fell in love. I wanted to be the first female Musketeer. I practiced sword fighting the entire summer between fourth and fifth grade, my mother didn’t have the heart to tell me that there were no more Musketeers. No king of France therefore no need. I was heartbroken when I found out; I just knew I was going to make history.
It was my goal the entire first half of fifth grade, then I found out, then I read the Iliad, new career goal, Demi-goddess, was born. I just knew I could figure out a way to become one, I know what you are thinking why not full blown goddess, well, I didn’t want to live forever, just have the powers. The story of my life, no power, I think that is why I wanted to be a woman who had powers. Wonder Woman, a Musketeer, a demi-goddess, Batgirl, the list is endless.
Today I am just plain old me, just Angie, no super powers, not a lot special, well I do have great hair, and a great sense of style and an amazing shoe collection. However all of those things do not add up to being in a position of power, hmm interesting, a position of power. That just came out, the words just flowed, do I in fact want to be in a position of power? Or just a powerful person in control of their own life, these are interesting questions. I shall explore these in my mind and report back.
Yesterday was a stellar day indeed, we had our United Way Carnival at the Lakeside location and they blew it out of the water. Record breaking amounts were given and I have never been prouder of a group of people. They all worked their proverbial behinds off and just blew me away, my entire team is just made up of amazing, incredible individuals, when working together accomplish great things. We have one more tomorrow and I am expecting great things there as well. I am not going to wax on right now; I want to devote an entire entry to all of these wonderful human beings. Their hearts and generosity of spirit deserves more than just an ending paragraph.
United Way Carnival
I am not ready to write about the Real Housewives of New Jersey yet, I am still processing, was incredibly upset that Jacqueline was not there. She is my ultimate favorite; I believe she has taken enough from Teresa. Good for her for standing up for herself. Ok, I said I wouldn’t write about it and I am not.
Today is the huge carnival at Lakeside, I am very excited about this, it is a large building with great supporters. I am so happy we will not only be selling things but creating a fun atmosphere that will hopefully make their workday a little brighter. Friday was so much fun in my building, with the DJ, the food, the games and the atmosphere of enjoyment. I received many comments from co-workers about how much fun they had and how pleasant the workday had been. That totally made all of the effort worth it.
We have a great basket for raffle today; it is a pound of Starbucks coffee, a Fiat travel mug, with two fiat baseball hats. Come one, come all this great basket could be yours for the purchase of a dollar ticket! Of course we have our spa basket still selling raffle tickets, $195.00 gift certificate to a spa in Allen, TX. I am trying my best to win that one! That will be drawn on Thursday the 20th, so hurry and get your tickets.
The new schedule at work was announced, I did get my schedule change, I will be working 9am to 6pm Monday thru Friday beginning November 14th. It will take some getting used to; I have been doing the 5am tour for about 2 years now. Wish me luck! I am off to have a fabulous day, I wish the rest of you an amazing day as well!
A Proud Paris Hilton Reject
So, I heard that someone called me a Paris Hilton reject, so of course I start to analyze that. I am not sure if that is a compliment, because seriously I would not want to be accepted by Paris Hilton, or an insult. And was I called that because I do not carry around a small dog in my Coach purse? Or is it because I am not rail thin (I’m working on it!) or is it because I cannot afford the designers she wears? Believe me when I tell you even when I become rail thin I will never wear outfits short enough to show my undergarments. That is, well, icky, especially for a woman of my advanced age. Oh, could it be that Paris would reject me due to my age? Alas I fear I will never know, however, I do know this, I am flattered to be rejected by Paris Hilton.
On an unrelated topic I am running out of clothes to wear, all but two pairs of jeans are too big, I have one pair of Ralph Lauren khaki pants and one pair of slacks I got from Victoria’s Secret that fit. I do have a ton of skirts I have not tried, however, working United Way fund raisers are not conducive to skirt wearing, lots of heavy lifting and food deliveries. I don’t want to buy new jeans until I am done losing. Ugh! Issues, I have them, in abundance! If anyone has any size 8 jeans they are done with, give me a call. I know I really want to lose about 40 more pounds, not sure what size that will be, but right now I am a solid size 8. Very happy about that! I look amazing! Looking at me you would never be able to tell I gave birth to 5 babies, 4 C-sections. It is crazy, God must really love me in this area of my life, because goodness knows nothing else goes the way I think it should.
Last night the Irishman and I saw Moneyball, we all know I have a deep obsession with sports movies, this movie delivers. Brad Pitt was greatness, Jonah Hill outdid himself, I wish I could hate Brad Pitt and boycott his movies, but I cannot bring myself to do it. I do find I have no issues boycotting Angelina Jolie movies, I blame her in the whole mess, I find I have a tendency to blame the women involved in cheating more than the men, except when the men lie to the woman and tells them they are single when in fact they are not. However, when a woman knowingly enters into a relationship with a man that she knows is in a committed relationship with someone else, well the woman can say no. Good grief just Nancy Regan it people! Have some dignity!
Well I am going to take my Paris Hilton rejected self and do United Way work today! I hope everyone has a great and productive day!
Mood Thingy
Yesterday was our first food sale of the United Way season; I have to say it went fantastic! My team officially rocks! I know lately I have been evasive and not very giving with information on my private life, not that I am an open book in that area to begin with. However, I know lately I have been more evasive than usual.
There are reasons for that, it has been a rough year, and an extremely rough couple of months, but I am muddling through the best I can, and can even see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I’ll be honest right now I could use a day at home where no one is here, an impossibility these days, but it is what I really want, just one day of peace and quiet, just time for me to read or watch television or both. I am adept at doing both of those things, what would you do if you had your home to yourself for an entire day? Would you sing, shout, knock yourself out? A prize to the person who knows what and whom I am quoting with that previous sentence.
It is a long weekend, with no specific plans, the Irishman has to work today and beginning tomorrow he has his children, so nothing fun in the near future for me. Perhaps I will take a nap today, not exciting but definitely reeks of escapism, or perhaps I shall lock myself in the bedroom with a book and the television. However I am furious with Time Warner Cable right now, I cannot view anything On Demand, all I get is a black screen, I called in this morning to have them fix it and all I got was a oh I’ll send this up to our networking group. Well I work for a large telecommunications corporation, I know what that means. I am totally screwed and will not be able to watch Torchwood today, maybe tomorrow. I was also going to watch the Lifetime movie with Charisma Carpenter in it, now I can do neither. I am not in a good mood. Also was making an iced coffee thingy and of course with the lid of my blender broke I made a mess. Nothing is going the way I want it to, I think I need to scream and shout. Alright folks there is a new feature here, it is a moodthingy, yes that is the correct name of it, please let me know how this blog made you feel!
Making Money
Today is our first food sale to raise funds for United Way, I am very excited to be jumping back onto the merry-go-round. United Way helps so many people in so many areas. I am honored to help in any small way I can to help they reach their financial goals. You too can help, by buying jerseys, raffle tickets or food from us or anyone that you know is raising funds for this worthwhile cause.
The meat is heating, the cheese is heating and I am getting dressed to go out and raise some money! What a great Friday indeed.
As I reflect on all of the things that have happened since I was last doing this activity, I am amazed I can stand. It is almost the one year anniversary of losing Sandi, then our beloved pet Arthur passed, then losing Dee, then some other things I refuse to talk about here, a very rough year indeed. However what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? We shall see, I am moving forward, trying not to look back too much as I cannot change anything, all I can do is learn from it and hopefully not be doomed to repeat certain mistakes.
Football Jersey’s
It is that time of year again folks, time to get your real deal football jersey. For only $60.00 you can own your favorite player, or favorite team jersey. These are the real jersey’s not knock off’s. $15.00 of every purchase goes toward United Way. We have a big goal this year and with your help we can make it happen. Please contact me with your info or questions.
Our first food sale is tomorrow, in three different buildings at once, we are very excited about this, it will be fully loaded nachos for $5.00. Bring your appetite and your cash!
Remember all of the food we serve is homemade, so come one, come all! We also have some amazing things to raffle off. you will not want to be left out of these things. come view the items and buy a ticket!
See you there!
Angie World 