Have a Seat

Today is a long post.  Prepare.

Welcome Newcomers!  Hopefully there are a handful of you joining this remarkable community for day ONE of year TWO.  Highlowaha is a gathering of people from around the world, willing to share their energy and creativity for the good of community.  You're in for a fun ride.

Returners, you've noticed some changes.  Most obvious are the bright and shinning faces joining me at the table on the front page of our NEW WEBSITE.  If one creative and committed person could host so much good in a single year, then just imagine what the five of us will do!

Cheryl, Heather, Katie, (and you) will join me at the table this year, in delivering the new ideas, engaging activities, and thoughtful projects presented to you each morning (except Sunday).  In case you think I cooked up this idea last week, not a chance.  This idea has been in the works since September.  I bent the ear of many a friend and confidante, as I evaluated the pros and cons.  Ultimately I concluded, that when it comes to creativity and community, there cannot be too much of a good thing.

That's what I present to you today... A LOT of a good thing.  

Weekly planning meetings began in December, so we could begin thinking through, not only a seamless transition, but one that I think will knock your socks off.  So committed are we to spreading Highlowaha's Spirit of #218, that weekly phone calls often occurred under all sorts of imperfect circumstances.  To say they are like postmen, faithfully delivering in spite of rain, snow, sleet, or shine seems, particularly appropriate when in the company of this Snail-Mail-lovin' group.

Before I get down to the business of formally introducing our new and improved Highlowaha Team, a few more points to kick off the new year.

• Now we're a website and a blog!  This is great news for all of you who have lost hours searching old posts for a particular announcement or pieces of information.  Over time, we will use the website to better organize all the happenings of our active community.
  
• Don't want to bother with all the "other" stuff?  Get right down to business by clicking on the button labeled, "Blog."
• Don't get ahead of yourself by exploring all the tabs... yet.  Most of the links will not be activated until we touch on the subject during Orientation Week, next week.  Newcomers, you won't want to miss this week, as it is everything you need/want to know to in order to jump right in.
• You will notice the archive of posts from 2/18/08 - 2/18/09 is gone.  That's the beauty of surrounding yourself with so much collective creativity.  Who needs last year's old ideas when we can generate a whole new year's worth.  In love with a particular post?  Have no fear... we are looking into creating a Best of 2008 Highlowaha book.  
  

Now, introductions (even for those who think you already know us)...  

We represent a range of perspectives which, I am certain, will make daily posts more fun and interesting to read (though you will never know which of us will be posting on a given day).  The variety means Anon and other readers who can't relate to me, because they think my antics are over the top, will find a friend in one of the other three carefully selected women.  Our differences were never more clear than the the week we ended up talking about my Annual Sweet Cereal Day.  

I thought it could be fun to introduce each of the new Highlowaha Team members with a short introduction and then a snippet from our Sweet Cereal conversation.  It will give great insight into what you can expect from us throughout the year.

Me (Claudia): I am a 43 year old mother of three boys (Ricky, 16; Matthew, 4; and Jack, 1).  My husband (Richard), my boys, and I moved to Grapevine, Texas about a year ago.  Originally I am from New York (but have lived in a variety of places over the past 20+ years).  After a two-year hiatus, I have returned to my former career working in higher education, at the University of North Texas.  I must have been an event planner in a former life, because I see everything through the lenses of a party.  Me on sweet cereal...  

"No.  You can't just willy nilly let your kids eat sweet cereal every day.  In my house it an annual tradition.  We eat it one day a year - January 13, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  I make a really big deal out of it.  I use special bowls, special spoons, and we talk for days in advance about what kind of cereal we're going to eat.  If I was really good, I get balloons and have a banner in the kitchen too!"

Cheryl: Cheryl is a 38 year old, single mother with two boys (Drew, 8 and J.B., 7), who works.  She is a scanner-artist, which is to say she dabbles in a lot of creative ventures, but claims never to finish any of them.  Cheryl grew up in Texas, did a short stint in Utah, and returned to Texas a couple of years ago, where one fateful night we met at a neighborhood Bunco.   Cheryl is the swift hand behind the creation of our beloved blog friend, Ray Wattson.  Unlike me, Cheryl doesn't bog herself down with a bunch of needless rules.  Instead, she embraces the stress free spirit of "live and let live."  Her response to my description of Annual Sweet Cereal Day...

"What, you don't let your kids eat sweet cereal for dinner?  Gosh in my house it's a staple."

Heather: Heather is a 28 year old working mother of one little girl, Lily (20 months).  Heather and her husband, Bal, recently moved to Grapevine Texas, so Heather could accept a position as Director of Judicial Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington.  Heather and I met while working at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky.  As an added bonus, Heather's husband works with my husband (what do you think they talk about over lunch?).  Heather grew up as one of seven children, in a single parent household.  I say that to help explain why "Frugal" could very well be Heather's middle name.  Here's her thought on sweet cereal...  

"In my house, when you eat sweet cereal is determined by when it is on sale in the grocery store.  Period."

CSPgrad: Katie is a 22 year old graduate student at James Madison University, in Virigina.  She recently graduated from Bellarmine University, where Katie, Heather, and I all originally met.   I keep trying to convince Katie she should change the spelling of her name to "Catie."  That way whenever she had to participate in fun Student Affairs icebreakers (yes, she is also headed for a career in Student Affairs), she could introduce herelf as "Conscientious Catie."  Among some of Katie's "favorites" are: being conscientious, music, driving, Reeses cups, and thinking (so, thinking, while driving in a car listening to music and eating Reeses might very well be Katie's nirvana). She loves to reflect and, in fact, has been faithfully emailing me her weekly "high," "low," and "aha," since freshmen year - 5 years ago.  Here's her take on sweet cereal...

"Actually, you each kind of have a point.  I can see the value in all three of your approaches.  Really it just depends on the situation." 

You:  You are the fifth valued team member seated at our table.  We fully expect that, each day, you will use the comment section to share your ideas and perspectives. How about starting today by telling us your take on eating sweet cereal.  

In closing...  

This change to Highlowaha represents my desire to test the theory that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  By intentionally sharing the helm, instead of protecting my place at the helm, I expect our community to grow in big and inspiring ways.  We will meet far more people, embark on far more interesting adventures, swap more creative ideas than could ever be implemented in a year, and create ripples of kindness that will multiply exponentially.

If you believe it's possible, then meet us here again tomorrow.

Signing off until tomorrow, when guess who kicks off Free For All Friday...

Row 2, Seat 18

AnniversaRay

Alright people.  You know the drill.  Cell phones off, kids and dogs muzzled and get your butts in your seats.  I'm going to fix myself a cocktail and enjoy.  Where's my visine?

With no further ado, let the show begin...

http://gallery.me.com/balsnow/100031

The Big One

Announcement about tonight's festivities at the end...

Thanks for...

Happy Anniversary!

I wrote a post then deleted it.  I wrote another post then deleted it too.  I paced the living room floor, read books (and calendar pages) for ideas, scrolled through old posts for inspiration, listened to music lyrics, and even asked von Oech to whack my thinking.

Nothing.  

Today feels like it should be the grand daddy of all posts.  The pinnacle of this whole crazy year.  I feel like I should have something really profound, really funny, or really inspiring to say.  But, I don't.  Part of the reason is because the real celebration  is scheduled to happen tonight during the Highlowaha People's Choice Awards, beginning at 8:00 CST, right here in this very location.  I think the other reason I'm conflicted is because a big "to-do" or major departure from our normal routine would, in many ways, run counter to who we are and what this space stands for. 

Highlowaha is about honoring the beauty of simplicity.  It about using our creativity to turn simple moments into lasting memories that can be shared by family and friends.  It's about the security of shared rituals and of living the spirit of #218.

No.  Today is the 18th of the month and while it would be tempting to fill this blog space with inspiring quotes, a brass band from You Tube, or a virtual ticker tape parade, we will resist the urge and return to the very ritual for which this blog is named.  

In usual form we will use the 18th of the month to join in community and to share our "high," our "low," and our "aha" (something you've learned).  Maybe we'll allow for a slight adaptation.  Normally we focus on the events of the past month, but maybe today, you will consider the events of the past year.  And, if you're feeling really festive considering sharing the "high," "low," and "aha" of your experience on this blog site over the past year.

Another ritual.  In September I began drawing the name of a person who participated in our "high," "low," "aha" monthly ritual, so that one person could win a free Highlowaha t-shirt (winners to date have been AZLori, Peggy, Kelly, Heather, and Cassie P).  Another adaptation.  Beginning today, the monthly winner will have the option of either ordering a Highlowaha t-shirt OR a t-shirt bearing your favorite picture of Ray Wattson (If I won today, I'd have to go for either HemminRay or AmoRay).  How about you?

So let's get on with it.  I'll start

High:  So many highs on the blog this year.  Making new friends like Cheryl, Peggy, Julie, Brian, Kristen, and Robin (to name a few); reconnecting with old friends like Tera, Cassie P., AZLori, and Maureen (also to name a few); staying current with oldies, but goodies like Susan, Cristine, Heather and Katie (and, yes... to name a few); the birth of Ray; Virtual parties; service projects; and keeping my promise to post a new idea every day (except Sunday), while never repeating the same idea twice.  

Low:  Unfinished, unfinished business; losing readers like Jayme, Chaotic, and Anon who once frequented our site; and never tracking down Julie A. Cole from Lincoln, Nebraska.

Aha: Lots of people enjoy receiving Snail Mail, just like me.  You can't mail a cake and have it arrive in tact.  The Gettysburg Address was only 22 words.  Dueling is still legal in Paraguay.  I have the discipline to do something every day (except Sunday) for an entire year! 

An announcement and then it's your turn...

Announcement:

Red Carpet Preview: A few important notes about tonight's much anticipated award ceremony.

• As with any respectable award show, we'd like to you to take your seats beginning at 7:45 CST.  The show will be broadcast via video.  It will take approximately 15 minutes to upload (depending on connection speed), once you've clicked on the link.  So... begin uploading at 7:45 and you should be ready to go by 8:00 p.m.
  
• Incidentally, the video will begin playing as soon as you click on the link.  Refrain from watching until 8:00, so we are all watching at the same time.
• The show is 34 minutes long.
• Regardless of whether or not you win something, we'd love it if you would post notes of celebration.
  
• If you are lucky enough to be an award winner, please post your acceptance speech.  We'd love to hear what you have to say.
  
• Email me pictures of you in celebration mode (cbeeny@lslog.com), by midnight, and be entered in the drawing for a prize.
• As an added bonus, a series of three words - in yellow text - have been hidden throughout the awards show.  Gather them, read them in order, and get a clue about the fun awaiting you bright and early Thursday morning.
  
• This is not an exact science, so be patient.

See you on the carpet.  Signing off until then...

Walk Like an Egyptian

Who knew?  

It started out as a lark.  A simple idea, mostly designed to keep me sane while waiting for Jack to start preschool and for me to find the right job opportunity at the right time.  While living in Louisville, reader Jess, introduced me to the world of blogging.  She shared her fun family blog with me and even told of the pocket money one could earn by subscribing to Adsense and then hoping people clicked on your ads.  Technology is not my thing, but I could relate to the idea of journaling and, of course, effortlessly earning pocket money was a no-brainer.  

CSPgrad met me at Starbucks on one fateful Sunday to set up my blog and try to walk me through the basics.  Heather, whose house I stayed at that weekend, helped me chose my blog template and "temporarily" dropped in a picture - you know, just long enough to return to Dallas where I could replace it with a more current picture of the whole family.  I pause to mention this factoid, because 364 days later, you are still greeted with the same old picture of me and Matthew (yes, Matthew - not Jack). 

I decided on a creative-idea-a-day, because frankly, I'm not qualified to write about much else.  People have frequently commented on my creativity and when Stephanie, my friend and former intern, read my palm years ago, she said two things: One, "You're very creative" and two, "You'll work hard your whole life."  I'm not sure how I feel about number two, but I knew I could have fun with number one.

To be honest, I never thought a second about who I would be writing to or for how long my blogging adventure would last.  I had no idea whether, when push came to shove, I could come up with an idea-a-day, but it was of no concern.  Looking back, I don't know why it was of no concern.  A creative idea-a-day, for an undesignated period of time and regardless of where I was or what I was doing, should at least have warranted a second thought.  

But it didn't and that's what I want the focus of today's post to be.  What happens when we jump into something without over analyzing it, without too much planning or consternation and we simply trust.  We trust that, by putting one foot in front of another, day in an day out, our efforts will amount to something.  If I would have given this venture too much thought, the inconvenience of making posts while working 16 hour days at Leadershape would have overwhelmed me.  The practical realities of sick kids, conflicting schedules, technical difficulties, and sheer mental fatigue would have discouraged me from committing. 

I 've learned some things this year.  The first thing is that I have the discipline to commit to something and then, regardless of circumstances, to make it happen.  I, like you, might have hoped this was true, but now I have 338 posts to prove it is so.  And, guess what.  All of you readers who have been with me from the beginning and who have continued checking in daily... you get to say the same thing.  It feels good and I can't help but wonder what else I... we... are capable of if when we apply this same level of discipline to other areas of our life.

Here's the second thing I've learned and I love it, because Matthew has heard me say it enough times in the past couple of days, that now he is repeating it.  I've learned that, "If we do a little bit every day, we can do anything."  Last night Matthew was playing in our study.  When I pointed out that it was late and that he should start putting Lincoln Logs away, he was quick to tell me why he intended to leave them exactly where they were... "No mommy, if I build a little bit every day, I can make a house."

What have we built by simply giving HLA a little bit of our attention every day?  I might be biased, but I think we've built a pretty remarkable community.  I say remarkable, because in one short year many of us have gone from (literally) virtual strangers to friends with whom we exchange Snail Mail, compete for prizes, and patches, share holidays like Halloween, Christmas, Talk Like a Pirate Day, and National Tug of War Day.  We completed four service projects and raised over $1,000.  Heck, we've even been to the Olympics together.  This Highlowaha experience has underscored my core belief that with a little bit of action every day, we can accomplish anything - even building pyramids that stand 5,200 years later.

So, let's review and then I have a question for each of you.  

Spending this year with you has taught me two things.  I hope you find them as empowering as I do.  

First, no matter how many new year's resolutions we've broken, how many times we've started and restarted a diet, or how many times we've promised ourselves we'd break an old habit, all humans are capable of sustained effort when the outcome is something that genuinely matters to us.  

Second, a little bit of effort each day goes a long way.

Think about it.  If I promised to write a page a day, I could have the rough draft of a 365-page book by next February 17.  If I vowed to jog one mile, I would have run the equivalent of 14 marathons.  If I paid just one just compliment each day, I would be responsible for 365 smiles.  Learning one new Italian word each day means I could order dinner next time Richard and I are in Rome.  Saving one dollar a day could result in enough airfare to visit a friend.  One visit to Highlowaha nourishes my soul and gives me access to an international gathering of creative minds.  You see what I mean.  One gesture, of even the smallest kind, will amount to something of substance, provided you sustain the effort over time.     

So in celebration of our one year anniversary, let's answer this question...

If every day for the next year I..., then I....

Signing off until tomorrow's BIG DAY...

Daily Dose(s)

Announcements at the end...

My girlfriend gave me a calendar titled, "For Women Who Do Too Much."  I'm pretty sure she authored the calendar based on her own high-achieving, never-stops-moving, I-am-woman-hear-me-roar life.  I love the 365 days - each page filled with fun facts, quotes, and other inspirations.  I like to read the daily thought and then try to figure out why I might be crossing paths with that particular message on that particular day.

This morning's is a cinch. 

SPA DAY: For your spa hour this month -  get a loofah, one of those wonderful Japanese scrubbing cloths, or even a good vegetable brush.  Then give yourself a complete dry scrub, removing all dead, dry skin and increasing circulation.  Don't neglect any part of your body.  Then take a long shower or bath.

The past 7-10 days has worn me out!  Red carpet, staging, lights, and cameras; finishing touches on the carefully crafted People's Choice Awards; shopping for just the right number to wear; and planning a menu commensurate with the occasion.  Life in the fast lane is exhausting.  Then of course there was the whole week of bearing my soul and the admitting guilt.  Throw in the creation of 44 kids valentines, two parties, and a traveling husband and - come to think of it - I know why I'm tired.  And you're tired too, I am sure.

But this is a big week and we should be ready and rested for all that is to come.  The excitement will mount each day this week, as we celebrate the one year anniversary of Highlowaha.  By now your calendars should be marked (in bright red pen) with our Red Carpet event, taking place this Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. CST.  Then, immediately following on Thursday morning a big announcement will be made - one you won't want to miss.

That's why today's thought-of-the-day seemed so well timed.  A Spa Day on a Monday in the middle of the month.  What could be more appropriate?  I'm doin' it... loofah and all.  How about you?  Is there some tip or trick of the trade you use to make yourself feel like you've been treated to an afternoon at the spa?  Share your creative tips so we can feel like the rich and famous. 

Switching gears...

You may or may not remember my small obsession with presidential historian, Doris Kearns Goodwin (in my next life I will have her job).  Anyway, the closest I'm going to get right now is the other calendar given to me by a friend who knows of my obsession.  Each of these pages is filled with a fun fact about former presidents and first ladies.  Normally, I might not subject you to the daily quips and quotes from this calendar, but today's Presidents' Day and I'll feel better knowing I did my part.

He had charm, insight, a way with words, and - eventually - greatness.  But Abraham Lincoln didn't have looks.  "Barnum should buy and exhibit him as a zoological curiosity," said one New York newspaper.  True to form, though, Lincoln was the first to admit his shortcomings.  During the famous debates of 1858, Stephen Douglas accused him of being two-faced.  "I leave it to my audience," replied Lincoln.  "If I had another face, do you think I would wear this one?"

Announcements:

• First to admit his shortcomings: Here I go one last time and then truly I am done for the year.  Yesterday was a supposed to be a slide show of pictures from the Olympics and Pen Pal Weekend.  Here's the deal...  I literally held onto the Olympic photos and emails for months and months.  Somewhere along the line, I must have tried to rid myself of all the guilt, by purging my files of all the pictures.  I literally cannot find them anywhere in my electronic files.  So it's done.  Final.  There was not, nor will there ever be, a slide show of Olympic pictures.  I am truly sorry.
  
• There's Still Hope: for the COOKBOOK.  Saturday many of you posted recipes you loved, along with short statements about what makes the recipe meaningful.  Keep them coming, because Tera has volunteered to compile them into a Highlowaha Cookbook.  All you Olympic and Super Bowl participants, dig out all those winning recipes and pass them along to Tera - either by snail mail or by email.
  
• One more announcement: For those of you who have been following my professional path, in addition to my Highlowaha and family path, this announcement be of some interest.  One week from today I will begin a new position at the University of North Texas.  The University received a federal grant, studying student retention.  I will serve as the grants director, coordinating all the moving pieces between Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and Student Affairs.  I waited a long time for a position that genuinely felt like the right fit, so this is very welcomed news. 
  

I'm off to my in-house SPA... ASAP.

Signing off until tomorrow...

Psst...

Amoray

Like a big pizza pie.....that's amoray.  Love is in the air and yours truly is on cloud nine.  This cute little low wattage thing from the little Italian place around the corner has taken a shine to me.  I'd still be with her but once again Claudia has disappeared and left all the work to me.  What is it with her and holidays.  I've got a reputation to uphold.  If word gets out that I left her Marsala when she was just starting to get all hot and flicker, Ill be ruined.  What was I thinking.  Oh my god, I've got to go back!

Alright, let's make this quick people.  There's still a chance.  Here's the deal.  I'm supposed to make sure that you wrap up some unfinished business then I can go wrap up some of my own.

First:  Recipes for the cookbook.  Not just any recipe.  Not some random Wednesday night throw it one pot and be thankful there isn't a big mess to clean up recipe.  But something with spirit.  In fact the Spirit of 218.  What recipes have special meaning?  What's the story behind it and why is it worthy?  You know like Julie's Championchip bake off cake.  That cake would not have tasted nearly so good had it not been so carefully mixed, baked and decorated then placed in a box, tossed about like a frisbee, kicked by the mailman, sniffed by the dog, shaken by curious kids and then finally poured lovingly into a bowl and served.  Capture that in a recipe.

Last:  Tell us what your Valentines plans are.  I think you know where I'm headed.  What are you up to?

Amoray Out.

Free For All Friday: Question Mark Queue

It's been a long time since I've been so anxious for a week to end.  In part I'm excited to finish the business of Unfinished Business.  Of course ending this week also means the arrival of Valentine's Day, as well as next week's much anticipated Anniversary Week!

For all you newcomers, highlowaha is less than one week away from celebrating our One Year Anniversary.  It's going to be a week of excitement, reflection, celebration, and even a few surprises.  The festivities peak on Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. when we host highlowaha's first ever People's Choice Award Show.  It's a red carpet event, so dust off your cumber buns and boas and get ready for a night of recognition.  If you're a veteran, it will be a nice way to recap our year.  If your new to our site, it will be a great way to find out what you've been missing and to jump right in to the fun.

Tuesday, people.  Wednesday, service initiatives.  Yesterday, programs.  Today a few miscellaneous items and then space for you to Free For All.  It is a chance for you to go directly to the source and get answers to whatever question marks you have about projects undertaken or ideas shared over the course of this year.  Hopefully all the usual suspects will tune in today, so the maximum number of questions can be answered.

I have quite a few items to cover, so I'll keep my updates honest, but brief.

Flat Stanley:  Flat Stanley, an initiative started early on in Highlowaha's history, made it from Texas to Canada.  He got lost in the mail, so a clone was hatched and resent from Texas to Pennsylvania (by way of CSPgrad in Kentucky).  He got to Pennsylvania just in time for Tera and Treye's wedding.  That's the last Stanley was heard of.  Truth is, once Ray hit the scene we became way more enamored with him and I was a.o.k if his competition went MIA.

Sugar Ray:  Soon after Ray hit the scene, he became restless and decided he couldn't be content living a life in the boring Beeny house.  He wanted to spread his wings and travel the globe spreading our good word (in the form of light bulb cookies to be shared with people in our communities).  He did a stint at the Yochum house in Euless, Texas where he got the chance to talk about Highlowaha with women at Lifetime Fitness.  From there Sugar Ray went to Ohio where the Johnsons hosted him for a period of time and introduced him to Treye's co-workers.  From Ohio he went East, ending up at Maureen's Peres's house, where I think he was scheduled to meet up with a troop of Girl Scouts and their mothers.  In fact, I think that is still where Sugar Ray is hanging out.  I'm guessing he doesn't want to miss Krysten's Sweet 16 bash, coming up next Thursday night.  Can you blame him?  From there Sugar Ray is supposed to board a plane and head straight for Erie, Pennsylvania where he will be the house guest of loyal reader, Kristen. 

Craft Closet: Inquiry was made about my craft closet.  The funny thing is, I don't ever remember talking about my craft space - though I'll take any excuse to do so.  Instead, I think it was my friend Nicole who, was in the process of redoing a craft closet in her house, and who wanted to pick our brain for favorite nooks and crannies.  I emailed Nicole in an attempt to get an update, but she is weeks away from delivering her second child, so I suspect she is otherwise occupied.  Nicole... if for some reason you are out there, we love to hear what - if anything - you've done.

In the meantime, I don't mind sharing a picture of my craft space.  I like to call it, "My corner of the World."  It is literally a corner.  On the wall opposite these cabinets are the washer and dryer.  Walk through one door and you're in the kitchen area.  Walk through the other door and you're in the garage.  It's small.  It's not glamorous, but it's mine and I love it.  Incidentally, the space wasn't there when we moved in.  My wonderful husband had it built for me as an anniversary present!  One more thing.  Because it is my "corner of the world."  I am seeking an artist willing to come in and paint it (walls and cabinets) to look like a globe.  If you're out there and you're willing, you can stay with me free for however long it takes!

Enough from me, at least for now.  

How about I get us going with a question posed on Monday and then a few of my own.  Here we go...

Cristine Struble.  Monday a reader posed a question inquiring about what you ended up naming Matt's 40th birthday party.

Heather.  What did you pack as a gift for your mother, when you met up with her in Florida last week?

Lindsay Marie.  What, if anything, did you end up doing for your homesick friend who is studying abroad? 

Cassie P.  What did you end up doing for your mother's 40th birthday?

Your turn.  What question marks do you have about unfinished highlowaha business?

Signing off until tomorrow...

The Messy Truth

Upon reflection I've decided there is a reason Unfinished Business goes unfinished. Enthusiasm wanes, knowledge for getting from step A to step B lacks, resources (time of money) are low, or something else comparably exciting comes along and captures your attention. More on that in a minute.

In the event you are a newcomer dropping in for the first time today... welcome. Our blog community is in the process of ending a successful year of idea sharing and community building. We have committed this week to closing out Unfinished Business, so that come February 18 we can celebrate with a clear conscience. The celebration, by the way, is a Red Carpet affair beginning right here on Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 p.m. CST. Membership not required to attend. The only thing we ask... dress in your nicest, glitziest duds.

I purchased a 11x17 hook rug in 2000, because I thought it would make nice holiday gift for a friend who collects them. I counted the total number of rows, divided them by the total number of days between when it was purchased and Christmas day and determined I needed to do 10 rows a night in order to get the hook rug done on time. It's the same approach I used to assure completion of the needle point replica of, the then, .32 cent heart stamp. I imagined the finished needlepoint project - turned pillow - as a thoughtful birthday present for my friend Dawn. She was 32 the year I had the idea. She's 45 now and I still have the project tucked away somewhere. I liked the idea of "hooking" the rug in the same way I liked the idea of needle pointing a pillow for my friend. Truth is, I am no more a hook-er (or hook rugger?) than I am a needle-pointer.

Today's unfinished business is, for some reason, harder to swallow, than the hook rug and needlepoint projects of 10 or 15 years ago. Maybe it's because, today's failures aren't just personal. They impact large numbers of people and basically represent my inability to responsibly capture the energy of all of you. No, today's report isn't pretty, but it's real and, on some level, represents the inevitable disappointments of working with someone whose eyes are way bigger than her stomach.

Reading Raynbow: Success turned flop. Julie and Melanie did a masterful job of coordinating our blog's first ever Book Club. They developed a logo, selected a book, and facilitated thoughtful discussion about Gary Paush's book, The Last Lecture. Along the way I made mental notes of suggestions I wanted to pass along to Julie and Melanie about how we might maintain, and even grow, the small following they so successfully created. Some were my suggestions and some were on behalf of Book Club participants. One day turned into two, two days turned into three, and three days turned into four. Then days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and my feedback never made it to the our dynamic duo. Somewhere in all of that, the Highlowaha Book Club died a long and slow death. Is that the last word on this venture? That, I don't know. But I do know it is where this chapter of Reading Raynbow ends for now.

Altoid Table: Bust, butt.... This one is perhaps the most painful, so I will be brief and hope I can make the recant of this as quick and painless (for me) as possible. We whack Altoid Containers on a typical Whack on the Side of the Head Wednesday. Lots of great ideas are offered up. Artnme shares great idea and then Tera turns it into something award winning. The idea for an Altoid Trinket Table is born. Readers are excited and start sending me in droves of small items to fit in each of "Altoid treasure boxes." I secure two end tables to which the Altoid Treasure Boxes will be affixed. Tables get painted, Boxes filled with quotes and attached to the tables. Process doesn't work. Tins have to be chipped off the table and we start from scratch. Enthusiasm and patience is wearing thin. Gather 38 new tins and re-secure them to tables. Hopeful the new adhesive worked... until Jack "jacks" with the table and the tins pop right back off. Disgusted. Tables still sit in garage 90% done. Claudia in need of a serious kick in the... butt.

Julie in Surprise: Bust or Brilliant? Again, Claudia puts an idea out there and loyal readers respond. The idea... spread the spirit of #218 by surprising Surprise Arizona (Julie's residence until May) with some home grown Highlowaha "stunts." Sparks of energy and enthusiasm for the idea fly. Readers make suggestions about tying balloons to light posts, using side walk chalk to send fun messages, and sundry other ideas for providing the element of surprise. Make mental note to call Julie and make sure she's up for the idea. After two weeks realize mental notes don't work. Write it on a my to-do list, because in the interim I had an idea of a stunt our community could do for Valentine's day. Finally I make it enough of a priority to email...just as Julie is leaving town for the full week leading up to Valentine's Day. I snoozed. I "losed." February is gone. That leaves March, April, and May. So will this idea be a bust or will it be brilliant? Let's bring closure right now. If "bust," Julie's off the hook. If "brilliant," who, what, where, when, and how? You decide.

I could continue. Sewing with Kat, Shop HLA.... But, why? Maybe the whole "three strikes and your out" thing is actually an effort to keep people from humiliating themselves. Three strikes. I'm out...

P.S. Join me in the hot seat tomorrow when we, in true Free For All fashion, pose (and respond to) questions about other unfinished business ...

Clean Sweep

Today is Day 2 of Highlowaha's week of Unfinished Business. Our blog community is gearing up for the celebration of our one year anniversary, on Wednesday, February 18. But, before we can walk the red carpet at our much anticipated People's Choice Award Show (8:00 p.m. CST), we have some unfinished business to... well, to finish.

On Monday, readers generated a list of 16 topics for which some sort of closure was being sought. Unfinished business with people was the focus of yesterday's housekeeping. We followed up on letters written, outcomes of suggestions made by fellow readers, and the unresolved question... When is Ray's birthday? Before we switch gears and begin talking service projects, let tick another unresolved topic off my list...

After lots of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing Ray Wattson's birthday has been determined! 16+6x2.2+540/8.5-6x2+0+3x7.5 (average of 6 or 9 cookies) = 970.85. Drop the zero and the .85, leaving us with 97... September 7! A quick glance at Highlowaha's favorite reference book, Colorstrology, reveals the following about Ray...

First of all you will all be relieved to know his colorstrology color is Dahlia PURPLE - a shade of purple that looks amazingly close to Ray's purple boots! 

His profile reads..."Good-looking, Discriminating, Verbal. If you were born on this day you are smart and discriminating and tend to choose your words carefully. You have an understanding of true beauty and good health. Although you are outgoing and friendly, it is not always easy for people to get to know you on a deep level. You save the more intimate parts of yourself for a chosen few. Compatible birthdays: January 8, April 27, October 27.

Pretty good, huh?

Onto service projects. There were two projects for which readers wanted closure. First the Helping Hands Holiday Project and second, Project Paint the Town Red. All tolled, Highlowaha engaged in four service projects this year. I'm proud of our commitment to service, and already planned to make mention of during next Wednesday's award ceremony. In an effort not to be redundant, today I will share enough to make good on my promise, but not so much you have no reason to tune in next Wednesday night.

Helping Hands Holiday Project. Success. Highlowaha rose to the challenge and adopted a family for the 2008 holiday season. The family we helped was a single mother with five children, living in Pennsylvania. Two fundraisers yielding approximately $500.00, plus more than 100 donated items helped assure this family had a memorable Christmas. Items included everything from clothing, to book bags, legos, sleeping bags, craft items, bedding, books, games, and gift cards to purchase food. Special thanks to Sue Kolkmeier, who coordinated the project early on and who involved her co-workers in donating items. Additional thanks to Brian Root, and Maureen Peres for also coordinating the project early on and to Tera who allowed items to be shipped to her home and who took responsibility for delivering the items to our family. What a great team effort.

Project Paint the Town Red: Anticipated Success. I say anticipated success, because there are still four days to participate in this project (it ends on Valentine's Day). This project is compliments of Heather who told us about, Julie, her friend that is suffering from a terminal illness. Julie loves Coca-Cola, so building a service project around Coke seemed like a match made in heaven. For the past six months our blog community has been competing, by regions, to see who can collect the most Coke reward numbers. In the end the reward numbers will be donated to Julie, so that she may use the points to buy items she otherwise might never afford. Six of the eight regions have actively participated, racking up more than 5,000 points! Coke is red... Red is the color of Valentine's Day. Maybe - if we put our minds to it - we can reach 5,500 points by Saturday. Nothing says I love you like a Coke!

Two for two on the service projects.  I call that a, "clean sweep!"

One more quick note before the week gets away from us. I'd love to declare this week Amnesty Week. When I was in college the library and campus dining halls used to declare one day a semester Amnesty Day. What it meant was you could return all overdue books to the library and stolen utensils to the dining hall without being questioned or penalized. If you are anything like me, you might have an outstanding item or note that should already have made its way to a fellow Highlowaha reader, but hasn't. Join me in starting off our new year with all of last year's Highlowaha business resolved. Stick that package - no matter how long overdue - in the mail. You'll feel better and I'm sure you'll bring a smile to another reader's face.

Signing off until tomorrow when we bring you up to speed on Highlowaha Programs.

Census

Let's get down to business. In only 8 short days we will be walking the red carpet to our Virtually Groundbreaking People's Choice Awards, beginning at 8:00 CST. But before we can settle back into our seats and enjoy the show, we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work wrapping up left over details from our last year together.

I got a lot of great input yesterday about all the things for which you would like closure (16 things to be exact). I've tried dividing them into "buckets," so each day this week we could address a different theme. Here's how I'm thinking it will shake out. Tuesday, people; Wednesday, service initiatives; Thursday, programs; Friday, miscellaneous and a free for all of questions for one another; Saturday, post your recipes and find out more about the Highlowaha cookbook; and Sunday - yes, Sunday - we will post a few slide shows of pictures from the Olympics and Pen Pal Weekend.

Maria Shriver: Bust. Maria never took me up on my offer to eat lunch together... even though my letter arrived in a bright blue tube with metallic shred, stickers, and ribbon. I'm guessing there is no chance it will happen now - what with all California's furloughed employees and all. I'm guessing she's heavy in the middle of talking Arnold off the ledge. How about you? Did you ever make good on your goal to arrange a lunch with: (1) someone you know, (2) someone you would like to know, and (3) an aspiration person (which is what Maria was for me)?

Frito Lay: Bust. I posted the invitation to Frito Lay on my January 12, 2009 blog. I wrote the post because I was under the distinct impression they had software that searched the internet for any instance when their company name was mentioned. There's a technical term for what this software does, but right now it escapes me. At any rate, either they don't own the software that I thought they did or they are a combination of risk averse and conventional thinkers. National Potato Chip Day is March 14, so maybe we'll use it as an opportunity to approach Proctor and Gamble about giving Pringles the main stage. Frito-Lay, if you're out there, we wish you'd take us up on our January 12 offer (http://www.highlowaha.com/2009/01/frito-lay-chip-in.html).

Babies-R-Us: Pseudo Bust. A representative from Babies-R-Us actually called me after reading my account of the debacle-of-an-experience I had in a New York store on November 9, 2008. We played two full rounds of phone tag and, in the end, never spoke in person. I don't know that the effort was quite enough to get me back in one of their stores anytime soon, but it has made me less compelled to share my scissor saga.

Shannon and 100 day t-shirt: Success. On January 24 a new reader, Shannon, asked our group for input as to what she might use to make her son's 100 Days of School t-shirt. In true form our readers generated a long and healthy list of everything from fish, to buttons, to safety pins, life savers, and so much more. Shannon was nice enough to send me a photo of her final product. Take a look. Congratulations Peggy for offering up the winning idea!
Ray: Completed (or will be soon). In mid-January we had discussion about giving Ray a birthday. Ideas were shared about which day of the year we ought to assign as his official birthday. Is it the day he was named (National Tug-of-War Day), the day of his first appearance, or the 18 of a month, because of our affinity for the number eighteen? Today we shall decide. It is, after all, Unfinished Business Week. I've made an executive decision that the date should be nothing predictable. It should be 100% random, because that's when the real magic happens. So... I have in my head (and notebook) an equation (ie. # = # = # x # - # = #... you get the idea). In a Mad Libs kind of way, as suggested by someone weeks ago, I will use the numbers you generate to solve for Ray's Birthday. It'll be fun. First 10 answers get used. How about one answer per reader and let's agree to answer them in order.

• Your age when you got your driver's license
• Number of siblings you have
• The date of your favorite post in the past two weeks
• Your area code
• Length of time you've lived at your current residence
• Your favorite grade of school
  
• Number of times you check the blog on an average day
• Number of tickets you've received in the past year
• Number of Oreo cookies you typically eat in one sitting
• Number of planes you've been on in the past year.

Once completed, I will plug your numbers into my equation and calculate Ray's birthday. Check back tomorrow to find out the date.

Unless you have a question about people, on which you would like to follow up with another reader, we're done for today. Tomorrow we will tackle Service Projects.

Signing off until then...

The Mother of...

...all Maintenance Mondays!  That's what today is.  Actually, that's what this whole week is.  

If you are new to Highlowaha, don't go anywhere!  We are on the eve of something big and you won't want to miss out.  But all good things take time and our blog community is no exception.  Next week... Wednesday to be exact... we are celebrating our one-year anniversary.  The day will culminate with the Highlowaha People's Choice Award Show, at 8:00 p.m. (CST), right here on our blog.  Then, bright and early Thursday morning, Highlowaha followers (AND NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS) are in for a treat.  There will be a big announcement, followed by... well... I can't tell you.  It would ruin the surprise.

Before we can get to any of the excitement I just described, we have some work to do.  This is our new year and, if it's ok with you, I'd like to get the new year underway by borrowing from the Chinese.  You might remember, a few weeks ago, my sharing that the Chinese welcome in the new year by cleaning their entire home, squaring away all debts, and resolving differences with family, friends, and business associates.  Hopefully there aren't too many differences to resolve, because I have plenty of "cleaning-up" to do and plenty of debts on which to make good before next Wednesday.

I'll need your help.

Many of you have been with me for 356 days - or 331 posts to be exact.  I don't take a single day of your participation lightly and I am grateful every day that you return for more.  Part of this community - our relationship - is believing that our time together will amount to something.  If I say I am going to do something, you want to know I did it.  If you make a suggestion in the comment section you want to know it didn't get ignored and that your ideas were at least taken into consideration.  If I successfully get you excited about an idea, and am lucky enough to harness your energy - then in all fairness you want to know the end result.

Here's the hard part.

I suck.  

I wake up early, but then I waste time reading or watching CNN.  I make lists, ticking off the things I like doing , but pushing the less fun ones to tomorrow.  I think big about a new idea, but get lost in small details.  I over estimate how much I can fit into a day and then underestimate how long something will take.  Go on, I could.  You get the picture.  I, like everyone else, am flawed.  

The good news is there should be no shortage of Maintenance Monday topics.  Today all of you (veterans, newbies, and lurkers alike) will help me generate a Mother list of Unfinished Highlowaha Business for which you would like closure, before this year ends next Wednesday.  Maybe you want to know the final outcome of our Helping Hands Christmas project, what Shannon ended up doing for Dalton's 100th day of school shirt, or the fate of the ever elusive Altoids Table.  You name it.  Together we will try to answer as many questions as possible and to make good on as many of our joint ventures as possible.

Deal?  

It'll feel good.. later.

Right now, I am scared out of my mind.  This week I'm vulnerable.  You get to call me on the carpet for every big and small thing I've ever mentioned and to hold me accountable for doing what I said I was going to do.  That's the price I pay.  You show up faithfully every day, reading whatever idea I put out there, telling your friends about our community, and supporting whatever the project is we are working on.  If it means I get to keep your company, I will willingly move through this week dotting "i"s and crossing "t"s.

Let me help tear off the band aid.  I have a short list to help get us going...

• Reading Raynbow
  
• My plea for a lunch date with Maria Shriver
  
• Finality on Ray Wattson's Birthday,
  
• Un-awarded Patchwork Patches
  
• and a few outstanding prizes that never made it in the mail (Brian and Lori).
  

Signing off until next Wednesday... just kidding.  I'll be back tomorrow... 

Red Carpet Roll Up

I love holidays. To me holidays are like snow days. They provide the impetus, a reason - even though we don't need one - to stop and do something we've been putting off for some time. On a snow day we can sort through family pictures and not feel like we are wasting time. We can do an art project, play a game, watch old movies, write letters, or bake and not feel like there is something else we are supposed to be doing. A snow day is an unexpected gift of time.

Come to think of it, snow days are sounding an awful lot like the Spirit of #218.

Holidays have the same affect on me. Around holidays I find myself digging deep into the recedes of my mind to think about unsuspecting people in my life who deserve recognition. Sure, I could - and probably should - do this all year round. But I don't. I get busy. I get in a routine, calling the same people, writing the same people, and occasionally (if I'm really on top of things) getting a package in the mail to a small, but familiar group of family and friends.

In a typical week I don't make time to send a short note to Bob Younger, my great boss when I was 16, 17, 18 and working as a counselor at the Samuel Field Y summer camp. Too much effort. My fourth grade teacher, Ms. Jahoda, sensed from my first day in a new school that I was uncomfortable and she made it her business to help me fit in. While I am appreciative of her gestures and periodically think about her, tracking down Ms. Jahoda - 33 years later - is not on my short list in a typical work week. And what about Roger Winston and Ted Miller who were so influential in my development as a Student Affairs professional? They are both retired, but still they deserve reminders that their working years mattered... that the forty some odd years they got up every day and went to work actually influenced who I am as a person today. Yes, I - we - should make time for these sort of gestures in our every day life, but most of us don't.

That's why I love holidays. Because, at holidays I stretch myself. Sure, I still shoot a small treat off to the usual suspects, but I also try to take a snow day. That is to say, I try to use holidays to select a (just one) random, deserved person from my past and to send them a thoughtful note in the mail.

That's what I'll be doing today. While my boys are thumb-printing their class valentines, I will be tracking down Mrs. Stump from Peabody, Massachusetts. She is the mother of a resident who lived on my floor when I was an resident assistant at Arizona State (about 20 years ago!!!). Tracy's mother came to visit a number of times while Tracy was in college and, for whatever reason, we made a connection. Years later Tracy invited me to be in her wedding. I spent a beautiful summer weekend at their home with Tracy, her mom and dad, and her two sisters. It ranks right up their as among one of my favorite weekend getaways. I want to tell Mrs. Stump how memorable the weekend was and that my remembrance of her warmth and hospitality, that June weekend, stays with me as a reminder of the kind of home I would like to create.

Fact of the matter is, if you've ever received a note like this in the mail, you know it could be written on a piece of torn out loose leaf paper with smudge marks, and be ridden with errors. It wouldn't matter, because the very act of receiving such a heartfelt note, is the real gift. But, why go to such lengths and then fall short in the "packaging" department.
At the end of last season I found these Valentine Puzzle Cards on sale at Starbucks for $1.00. They are heart shaped puzzles with red envelopes. Isn't that a FUN way to get a valentine? Not only will the message be unexpected, but the anticipation will build as Mrs. Stump pieces the puzzle together. Side note: If I didn't the pre-made cardboard puzzles, I would make one out of red construction paper.

That's Valentine's Day. Now the Virtually Groundbreaking Award Show... At Christmastime my sister in-law shared a great drink recipe for Limoncello. It's a combination of cranberry juice, vodka, and lemon liquor. Let me go on the record for saying, I am no drinker... much to my husband's dismay. BUT... this drink, I loved!!! Added bonus... it's red. I think that's what we'll be serving up at our house (along with champagne, of course). How about you? What will you be serving at your Award Party?

This is it. Today the curtain closes on Red Carpet Week. It's been a week full of discussion about Valentine's Day (now only 7 days away) and the Virtually Groundbreaking People's Choice Award (now only 11 days away). Get some rest this weekend. Next week will be busy.

Signing off until Monday...

Red Carpet: Free For All

By now the excitement for Valentine's Day (8 days) and the Virtually Groundbreaking People's Choice Award Show (12 days) should be mounting.  We've covered a lot of ground this week, including ideas ranging from mail bags to mail boxes; from cookies to Tafffy Apple Salad and a hundred scrumptious desserts in between; and from Valentine's activities to other award winning (but cost efficient) ways of recognizing your loved ones. 

Tomorrow I'll ask you to see red once more as we put put the finishing touches on Valentine's Day and the award show.

Today, a minor departure from the format you've grown used to this week.  It's Free For All Friday and, while I do have two topics to get us going this morning, they are not neatly divided - one valentine's day, one award show.

The first topic is an outgrowth of feedback from all of you.  Yesterday Brian commented on the countless yummy recipes shared by highlowaha readers and casually mentioned how nice it would be to create a Highlowaha cookbook.  Within minutes I received emails from three readers supporting Brian's idea and explaining that they too would like to own a copy.

Tera, a loyal Highlowaha reader, is a woman of action.  Not only did she agree a cookbook was a great idea, but she volunteered right there on the spot to coordinate the cookbook for us.  That's what  I love about this community of ours.  We truly are a community - each person, using his/her talents to chip in and make this blog more than it could ever be if I was working alone.  Powerful.  Very powerful.  I hope you 

feel it too.

So... the first Free For All topic I'd like to raise, for the good of the order, is Highlowaha's first edition of a cookbook.  What should the contents be?  Only recipes that have been shared on our blog to date or any and all favorite recipes of Highlowaha readers?   Should it include all the Snack Throw Down and Olympic recipes?  What about photos?  Do we want the cookbook to contain pictures of all the cookies featured on the blog, to date, or is the cookie and icing recipe enough?  Tell us what you think!

Second.  Valentine's Day is a week from tomorrow.  We've given some air time this week to thoughtful treats for friends, teachers, neighbors, and colleagues, but so far little attention has been given to creative gift ideas for our ultimate valentines - husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, or fiances.  Tell us about the best gift you ever gave or received for Valentine's Day or what you've got cooking for this year.

Below is a picture of a remanent of my gift for Richard last year (he kept it, which I think is kind of cool)...

I covered the old paint can with red felt and ribbon.  Once decorated, I filled it with all things necessary to, "Paint the Town Red."  We had reservations at a hotel Murder Mystery Dinner party, cocktails before, coffee after, and a small serving of chocolate covered strawberries. 

That's it for me.  Feel free to post a different Free For All topic, of your interest, or comment on one of mine.  Oh, wait.  One more thing.  For added fun, search the graphic at the top of the page for as many valentine-related words as you can find.

Signing off until tomorrow...

Red Carpet: Sugar SWAKS

Lip Smacking Fun!

Is it Thursday already?  

Nothing makes time fly faster than a countdown... except maybe two countdowns!  First, Valentine's Day (9 days away) and then our Virtually Groundbreaking People's Choice Award Show(13 days away).

Monday was Valentine bags and invitation addresses.  Tuesday we talked Valentine's parties and festive decorations.  Yesterday the power of Paper Plate Awards and today... lips.  Today is about lip S.W.A.K.s and Lip SMACKS.

Lip S.W.A.K (sealed with a kiss)...

Sometimes the treat comes first and then comes the idea for its packaging.  Other times the packaging drives the idea for treat.  In this instance, the packaging drove the treat.  Weeks ago I was in Target and the Dollar Bin was full of small red, pink, and white mailboxes (with a flag and everything).  I love mail, so you can imagine mini mailboxes would catch my eye.  I bought twelve, so I could use them as Valentine treats for day care providers and neighbors.  I thought about filling them with chocolate kisses and a small note, but then I had an idea... 

You've Got Mail

Sealed with a Kiss

Two days ago I was in Hobby Lobby and saw these fun lips, for 40% off 16.99 ($11.00)  Having already decided on baking cookie lips, I couldn't resist buying the containers (not to mention I collect big things).  Filled with cookies and chocolate kisses, it'll make the perfect gift for a special someone.

One more thing about lips.  A few years ago Matthew and I made a "kiss on a stick" to give his friends and teachers.  We used a lip stamp, red ink, red glitter, shishkabob sticks, red foam hearts, and chocolate kisses.  We made big red, glittery lips and then hot glued them, along with the foam hearts, to skewers (pointy end up) painted red.  Once done, we speared the pointy end with a chocolate kiss.  They were adorable!   

Lip Smacks:

Wardrobe... covered.  Guest list... covered.  Decorations... covered.  Awards... covered.  Next, food.  Today I am in search (and you should be too) for yummy, BUT SIMPLE, treats I can serve at my People's Choice Award party.  It'll be 8:00, so nothing heavy.  I'm thinking lip smacking desserts.  I can't get past chocolate covered strawberries, but surely - with your help - I can come up with something more original.  Anybody have any award winning ideas? 

Lay one on me. 

Signing off until tomorrow...

Red Carpet , White Paper Plates

It might be Red Carpet Week, but the star of today's show is White Paper Plates!

Working in higher education forces even a spendthrift to be frugal.  While CEOs of companies such AIG and the auto industry are earning seven figure bonuses and flying from meeting to meeting in Leer Jets, folks in higher education are presenting awards made out of paper plates.  

It's true.  I've been associated with higher education for twenty-five years, that is if you count my undergraduate years.  Many of those have been spent working with student groups who, though filled with hard working, motivated volunteers, also cannot afford extravagant awards.  I'm not sure when I was first introduced to the notion of Paper Plate Awards, but the ritual of giving and receiving these heartfelt awards is as much a part of the school year as commencement, graduation, and beer at fraternity parties. 

These awards are the source of today's creative idea, because they are a great way to get ready for both Valentine's Day (10 days and counting) and the Virtually Groundbreaking People's Choice Awards (2 weeks from TONIGHT).

Here's the idea.

Using only a white paper plate, your imagination, and whatever art supplies you can get your hands on, create an award to be presented to another member of a membership group.  In our cases the awards might be presented to a family member; a friend;  a relative; a colleague; or a member of your book club, mom's day out group, fitness group, or.... fellow highlowaha member!!!  

If you've been playing along with me all week, you've already picked out your fancy outfit and glitzy jewelry, you've already sketched out your A-list of people to invite, and you've already decided where in your home you can lay (not lie) the red carpet.  Now you have the perfect reason for each of your guests to walk the red carpet!  Yes.  On this night, you can live the real Spirit of 218 by seizing this completely fabricated (but fun nonetheless) chance to recognize someone for something as simple as a recent accomplishment or one of their "star qualities." 

Better yet, how about letting everyone in the house create and present an award of their own? Or, seriously considering a Red and Pink clashes lunch or dinner with girlfriends?  Paper plate awards will make it double the fun!  Need a question for your Newlywed Game?  "If your husband or wife was to present you with a Paper Plate Award, what would it say?"  Still looking for a fun and inexpensive way to say "Happy Valentine's Day" to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers?  Paper plate awards are the perfect solution.

Here's the thing about these awards.  Paper plate awards are NOT a dime a dozen.  In fact, they cost less than a tenth of a penny, but in sentiment they are PRICELESS!  

In anticipation of our upcoming People's Choice Award show, consider identifying a highlowaha reader(or readers) you would love to recognize and then making him/her a paper plate award.  If you submit a photograph of your award by Monday, February 16 at noon, I will post it on the blog on Tuesday, February 17.

Signing off until tomorrow... 

Red Carpet Tuesday

Announcements at the end...

As I mentioned yesterday, this is Red Carpet Week on Highlowaha. Our community is in the thick of planning for two big events: Valentines Day (February 14) and the Highlowaha People's Choice Awards on Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 p.m. (CST). Both are too important to miss, so mark your calendars now.

As promised, I will share two ideas each day this week. The first should get your wheels turning as you begin making plans for Valentines Day and the second will assure all your ducks are in a row four days later, for the red carpet People's Choice Awards Show.

Valentine's Day

Today we'll talk parties. When I was single and just moved to Wilmington, North Carolina my friend Debbie (who happened to work at the same university) and I hosted a "Red and Pink Clashes" party with. It was girls only and you had to wear either red or pink. I seem to remember having stir fry for dinner, but I definitely remember that dessert was a yummo Strawberry Shortcake (Bisquick has a great recipe). Red strawberries and pink whip cream. It was a fun night of games, "chick flicks," and girl talk. Don't want to host a party? How about a Red and Pink Clashes luncheon with your friends?

Newlywed Game: Invitations to the Beeny version of this party just went out the other day. It's simple. We've invited seven couples to join us for a fun-filled night. Each couple receives 2 small chalk boards, chalk, and eraser. Richard and I develop fun questions to be answered by husbands and wives. Naturally a couple's goal is to have as many matching answers as possible. Some examples of questions we have used in the past are: "The famous person your husband will most say you most remind him of is...". "The item of your husband's clothing you would most like to get rid of is...," and " ." This year dinner will be a potluck, though you could just as easily do it later and serve coffee and dessert.

Virtually Groundbreaking Red Carpet Event:

Only 15 more days until February 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. Today we'll talk decorations. We've already established the fact that you'll be all dressed in all your glitz and glam. It seems only fitting, then, that your living room also be decked out. Here's the beauty of our timing. Only four days earlier is Valentine's Day and three days later is the Oscar's. If you play your cards right you could have decorations that work for all three events. And, what a week it will be?!?!

• Valentine's Day... red. People's Choice... red carpet. Oscars... also red carpet. Party city sells faux red carpets for $5.99. You could let each member of your family walk the red carpet on Valentine's day while you broadcast what you love about them and then use the same red carpet to deck out your home for the People's Choice Awards.
  
• Instead of doing the traditional heart/cupid thing for Valentine's Day, how about stars? "You're a star." Cover them in red glitter.
  
• Or how about a walk of fame, coming up your driveway (or residence hall, all you res-lifers)?
  
• Red candles would work nicely for Valentines day, but also set great atmosphere for Wednesday night's affair.
• Swags of red, white, or black tulle will look festive draped over your kitchen chairs Valentine's morning, but four days later can be used to make your living room look elegant.
• Classical music and silver serving trays will make any Valentine's dinner more special and both will work beautifully during your People's Choice Pre-Party.

Announcements:

• Thumbprints: Last week a handful of you followed through and emailed me thumbprint art. Below are some of the masterpieces thanks to Peggy, Misty, and Shannon.

• Mailing addresses: Remember, we are looking for the names of 50 people (friends, colleagues, neighbors, or acquaintances from book clubs, sports practices, or other weekly meetings). We plan to send cards, inviting people to join our community beginning February 19 (first day of the new year).
  
• Kristen: Inquiring minds want to know... what did you end up getting your hubby for your one year anniversary?
  
• Congratulations Michelle and Robin: Michelle won the generously donated Belly Cast from reader, Stacie. Robin was last week's other lucky winner, having won a photo shoot, for she and her family, with the up and coming photographer, Laura Kline.
  

Signing off until tomorrow...