A good week
1. For the record, my friend R was absolutely right--drinking more water is the key to weight loss. Yes, it's something I *knew* but hadn't put into practice. 8 days and 6 lbs later I've learned my lesson. To R...pppppbbbblllltttt. I love you, and I'll definitely try to solution you mentioned.
2. I had a day off work yesterday. A whole day. That may not mean much to you all, but I am the only full-time employee at my office so getting a whole day is not a common occurrence. What did I do with it? Spent the morning at the fair (see below), had a short catnap, took Kenzie for a sports physical, dropped by the faire office for Kenzie to fill out her Foodland application and interview (see below), went to WallyWorld for school supplies for both kids. Then back to the fair with Matt, mom and dad, and kids--home too late and just as a the storm set in. Satellite was out, I was beat, so we went to bed early and I slept really well for a change.
3. This is Kenzie's first year in 4-H and she's showing rabbits. My dad has had rabbits my whole life, it was my biggest success while I was in 4-H (for 12 years), and now Kenzie is interested. She took 9 rabbits to the county fair this year. Claire even got to enter 2 even though she's officially too young to be a full 4-H member. The downside is that we joined 4-H so late this year that Kenzie wasn't eligible to show as a 4-H member until we were granted a rules variance that let her compete in 4-H but not be eligible for grand champion or reserve grand champion. She did great, though. She received blues and purples across the board. She got 2 best of breed and 1 best opposite sex, best meat pen (which would have sold at auction had she been eligible for grand champion. It would have sold for $200-300...oh well, there's always next year.), and one of her New Zealand Reds would have been Best in Show if she'd been eligible. She also got a purple in showmanship, which is outstanding for a first year 4-Her. Again, she would've been Reserve Grand Champion had she been eligible. But it's okay. She is okay with it because she understands the importance of playing by the rules. I'm okay with it because I greatly respect the fact that they made a blanket rule and are sticking to it. There are too many exceptions in today's world. It's nice to have an organization say "I know it's hard, but it's fair and it's our decision."
So Kenzie qualifies to take her rabbits, and participate in showmanship, at the state fair level. Lucky for me, it's the 3rd weekend of faire and my boss has already told me that's a slow weekend if I don't want to work. I'll see what I can work out so that she can go.
We've been looking for that "thing" for Kenzie for quite a while. That "thing" that she is truly interested in, that she will work at bettering because she wants to do well in. I think this may be it. She worked hard at learning the showmanship procedure and wanted to do well. I will cultivate it as much as possible and we'll see. There's so much to be learned from 4-H...
4. I had a great chuckle yesterday at the faire office. Carla (head of Foodland) hired me when I was 14. We shared an old moment when she realized I now have a 14 year old. She says it's hard to see 2nd generation kids coming through, but it's also a good thing because most of them have been raised around the faire so they're not totally green. Without giving too much detail, I also had a chance to talk with Roger a little. Apparently the coordinator over the position I've held for the past 6 years isn't returning. I knew that...it was sent out on the egroup. He asked why I hadn't called to fill it. I told him a) I'm not totally crazy; b) I figured if they wanted me they'd call me. He said they did, that I was the first person everyone mentioned and it was his fault that he hadn't called sooner. He said the big guy wanted to talk to me about it, but didn't have time right then. I told him that I'd listen to anything but that I've already committed my time out there for the year. If I can help behind the scenes or share the responsibility I'm glad to help, but I'm not going to jump through hoops. He also mentioned some changes that will be a huge benefit to the program--I hope they come through. I asked some point-blank questions about the interest and the marketing of the program because it has almost been killed off at this point. If they want to have it they need to do it right. We'll see. I'll listen to anything, and I may commit for next year if it sounds like its worth it. It's just nice when they make you feel wanted (if if it's not totally sincere)--especially when Matt and I had already had the conversation wondering if they were going to ask me to take it.
All in all, it's been a good week so far. Some much needed rain, a welcome break in the heat, a successful county fair, a studly husband, 6 lbs off the scale. My house is a disaster and I have the living room floor covered in sewing projects until I finish my new bodice, skirt and hat (this weekend, Matt, I promise!)--but it's nothing that can't be fixed in short order.
Sigh. It's good to be me.
2. I had a day off work yesterday. A whole day. That may not mean much to you all, but I am the only full-time employee at my office so getting a whole day is not a common occurrence. What did I do with it? Spent the morning at the fair (see below), had a short catnap, took Kenzie for a sports physical, dropped by the faire office for Kenzie to fill out her Foodland application and interview (see below), went to WallyWorld for school supplies for both kids. Then back to the fair with Matt, mom and dad, and kids--home too late and just as a the storm set in. Satellite was out, I was beat, so we went to bed early and I slept really well for a change.
3. This is Kenzie's first year in 4-H and she's showing rabbits. My dad has had rabbits my whole life, it was my biggest success while I was in 4-H (for 12 years), and now Kenzie is interested. She took 9 rabbits to the county fair this year. Claire even got to enter 2 even though she's officially too young to be a full 4-H member. The downside is that we joined 4-H so late this year that Kenzie wasn't eligible to show as a 4-H member until we were granted a rules variance that let her compete in 4-H but not be eligible for grand champion or reserve grand champion. She did great, though. She received blues and purples across the board. She got 2 best of breed and 1 best opposite sex, best meat pen (which would have sold at auction had she been eligible for grand champion. It would have sold for $200-300...oh well, there's always next year.), and one of her New Zealand Reds would have been Best in Show if she'd been eligible. She also got a purple in showmanship, which is outstanding for a first year 4-Her. Again, she would've been Reserve Grand Champion had she been eligible. But it's okay. She is okay with it because she understands the importance of playing by the rules. I'm okay with it because I greatly respect the fact that they made a blanket rule and are sticking to it. There are too many exceptions in today's world. It's nice to have an organization say "I know it's hard, but it's fair and it's our decision."
So Kenzie qualifies to take her rabbits, and participate in showmanship, at the state fair level. Lucky for me, it's the 3rd weekend of faire and my boss has already told me that's a slow weekend if I don't want to work. I'll see what I can work out so that she can go.
We've been looking for that "thing" for Kenzie for quite a while. That "thing" that she is truly interested in, that she will work at bettering because she wants to do well in. I think this may be it. She worked hard at learning the showmanship procedure and wanted to do well. I will cultivate it as much as possible and we'll see. There's so much to be learned from 4-H...
4. I had a great chuckle yesterday at the faire office. Carla (head of Foodland) hired me when I was 14. We shared an old moment when she realized I now have a 14 year old. She says it's hard to see 2nd generation kids coming through, but it's also a good thing because most of them have been raised around the faire so they're not totally green. Without giving too much detail, I also had a chance to talk with Roger a little. Apparently the coordinator over the position I've held for the past 6 years isn't returning. I knew that...it was sent out on the egroup. He asked why I hadn't called to fill it. I told him a) I'm not totally crazy; b) I figured if they wanted me they'd call me. He said they did, that I was the first person everyone mentioned and it was his fault that he hadn't called sooner. He said the big guy wanted to talk to me about it, but didn't have time right then. I told him that I'd listen to anything but that I've already committed my time out there for the year. If I can help behind the scenes or share the responsibility I'm glad to help, but I'm not going to jump through hoops. He also mentioned some changes that will be a huge benefit to the program--I hope they come through. I asked some point-blank questions about the interest and the marketing of the program because it has almost been killed off at this point. If they want to have it they need to do it right. We'll see. I'll listen to anything, and I may commit for next year if it sounds like its worth it. It's just nice when they make you feel wanted (if if it's not totally sincere)--especially when Matt and I had already had the conversation wondering if they were going to ask me to take it.
All in all, it's been a good week so far. Some much needed rain, a welcome break in the heat, a successful county fair, a studly husband, 6 lbs off the scale. My house is a disaster and I have the living room floor covered in sewing projects until I finish my new bodice, skirt and hat (this weekend, Matt, I promise!)--but it's nothing that can't be fixed in short order.
Sigh. It's good to be me.