tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57288885575996327522024-03-14T06:53:56.598-05:00We've Moved!If you like what you've seen join us at our new location www.highlowaha.com for a new creative idea each day and a blog community dedicated to instilling the Spirit of 218 in the world!Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-65155845068245449952009-02-19T00:01:00.001-06:002009-02-19T00:01:00.514-06:00Have a SeatToday is a long post. Prepare.<div><br /></div><div>Welcome Newcomers! Hopefully there are a handful of you joining this remarkable community for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">day</span> ONE of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">year</span> 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.<div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">one</span> creative and committed person could host so much good in a single year, then just imagine what the five of us will do!</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's what I present to you today... A LOT of a good thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.<br /><ul><li>Now we're a website <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> 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.<br /></li><li>Don't want to bother with all the "other" stuff? Get right down to business by clicking on the button labeled, "Blog."</li><li>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.</li><li>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. <br /></li></ul></div><div>Now, introductions (even for those who think you already know us)... </div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Anon</span> 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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Me</span></span> (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... </div><div><blockquote>"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!"</blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Cheryl</span></span>: 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...</div><div></div><blockquote><div>"What, you don't let your kids eat sweet cereal for dinner? Gosh in my house it's a staple."</div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Heather</span></span>: 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... </div><div><blockquote>"In my house, when you eat sweet cereal is determined by when it is on sale in the grocery store. Period."</blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CSPgrad</span></span>: 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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">thinking </span>(</span>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...</div><div><blockquote>"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." </blockquote></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You</span></span>: 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. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">n closing... </span></span> </div><div>This change to Highlowaha represents my desire to test the theory that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. By intentionally <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">sharing</span> the helm, instead of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">protecting</span> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you believe it's possible, then meet us here again tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow, when guess who kicks off Free For All Friday...</div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-32555389983859210102009-02-18T19:45:00.000-06:002009-02-18T19:45:00.481-06:00Row 2, Seat 18<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">AnniversaRay</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SvcrGkkEguXIkaqx6iv1JvEwrqmlXm19-AXDP7ZGm1OtL8M5MDuvwJ-jRU1qExud-UJkxedRzKX7ShKmB7eFw_I44s84liwiasgdq8a6DlPM6wYtTJYPU2aDvOhATDkvhYGiJc0QuzA/s400/PeoplesChoiceRay.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304267957240514834" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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?<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With no further ado, let the show begin...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gallery.me.com/balsnow/100031">http://gallery.me.com/balsnow/100031</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-49650792448861456922009-02-18T05:00:00.009-06:002009-02-18T05:00:02.442-06:00The Big OneAnnouncement about tonight's festivities at the end...<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Thanks for...</span></span><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7wZtlvR8UPnsewa0u0ph75_74Jf6WlYw9eHfdNchCkD7hTseNQnIYzuAU20vLDJzSC6f2UaY9zHTPSj5C7XXh63hM1Q8axF6a_YCuZ6JGmZUSYvDmtc472hxjQRjsI3_R7kDee3cJaE/s400/IMGP4073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303955637502620434" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Happy Anniversary!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nothing. </div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Highlowaha People's Choice Awards, beginning at 8:00 CST, right here in this very location</span></span>. 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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Another ritual</span></span>. 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). <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Another adaptation</span></span>. 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?</div><div><br /></div><div>So let's get on with it. I'll start</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">High</span></span>: 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. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Low</span></span>: 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.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Aha</span></span>: 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! </div><div><br /></div><div>An announcement and then it's your turn...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Announcement</span>:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Red Carpet Preview</span></span>: A few important notes about tonight's much anticipated award ceremony.<br /><ul><li>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.<br /></li><li>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.</li><li>The show is 34 minutes long.</li><li>Regardless of whether or not you win something, we'd love it if you would post notes of celebration.<br /></li><li>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.<br /></li><li>Email me pictures of you in celebration mode (cbeeny@lslog.com), by midnight, and be entered in the drawing for a prize.</li><li>As an added bonus, a series of three words - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">n yellow text</span></span> - 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.<br /></li><li>This is not an exact science, so be patient.</li></ul><div>See you on the carpet. Signing off until then...</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-37448574331673214482009-02-17T05:00:00.011-06:002009-02-17T12:58:56.299-06:00Walk Like an Egyptian<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8s-NmwNjNrsIgQS5mxTtQmbJHnKq0Soi7cNIODHeUK82z8Mf7Txl8IJ4IrllZDMThi4XFcJ4LHrzB8TDlRre7-jVWSFa_56hywfO5JCzMI6DWU6u9lxWwWfzo2x8qd8Hl08tVvNEs2U/s1600-h/Egyptianpyramid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8s-NmwNjNrsIgQS5mxTtQmbJHnKq0Soi7cNIODHeUK82z8Mf7Txl8IJ4IrllZDMThi4XFcJ4LHrzB8TDlRre7-jVWSFa_56hywfO5JCzMI6DWU6u9lxWwWfzo2x8qd8Hl08tVvNEs2U/s400/Egyptianpyramid.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303536879689621218" /></a>Who knew? <div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Adsense</span> and then hoping people clicked on your ads. Technology is not my thing, but I could relate to the idea of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">journaling</span> and, of course, effortlessly earning pocket money was a no-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">brainer</span>. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CSPgrad</span> 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 "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">temporarily</span>" 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). </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">undesignated</span> period of time and regardless of where I was or what I was doing, should at least have warranted a second thought. </div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">over analyzing</span> 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">inconvenience</span> of making posts while working 16 hour days at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Leadershape</span> would have overwhelmed me. The practical realities of sick kids, conflicting schedules, technical difficulties, and sheer mental fatigue would have discouraged me from committing. </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> he</span></span> 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."</div><div><br /></div><div>What have we built by simply giving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">HLA</span> 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Highlowaha</span> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, let's review and then I have a question for each of you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Spending this year with you has taught me two things. I hope you find them as empowering as I do. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">First</span></span>, 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. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Second</span></span>, a little bit of effort each day goes a long way.</div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Highlowaha</span> 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. </div><div><br /></div><div>So in celebration of our one year anniversary, let's answer this question...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">If every day for the next year I..., then I....</span></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow's BIG DAY...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-20010888892882890822009-02-16T05:00:00.004-06:002009-02-16T13:02:44.431-06:00Daily Dose(s)Announcements at the end...<div><br /></div><div>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.<div><br /></div><div>This morning's is a cinch. </div><div><blockquote>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.</blockquote></div><div><br /></div><div>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.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Red Carpet event, taking place this Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. CST</span></span>. Then, immediately following on Thursday morning a big announcement will be made - one you won't want to miss.</div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>Switching gears...</div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">this</span> calendar, but today's Presidents' Day and I'll feel better knowing I did my part.</div><div><blockquote>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">first to admit his shortcomings</span>. 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?"</blockquote>Announcements:</div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">First to admit his shortcomings</span></span>: 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.<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">There's Still Hope</span></span>: 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.<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">One more announcement</span></span>: 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. <br /></li></ul><div>I'm off to my in-house SPA... ASAP.</div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow...</div></div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-59749999219721760092009-02-14T05:00:00.001-06:002009-02-14T05:00:02.362-06:00Psst...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Amoray</span></span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchwFfjCHfULOC4D-XiWWAKNp0rZzqVYBOL8lCwYTfqn3iTude5cJGI78u8nNZKNg0ryYPliA9fxR_m7qYz3JTHsRxf34QNcGWX8kFo-4M0NvKCyUAi1eGkWqSRphWHCXC2EjrFe2XofY/s400/ValentineRaysm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302472369385385890" /><div style="text-align: left;">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!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last: Tell us what your Valentines plans are. I think you know where I'm headed. What are you up to?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Amoray Out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-65199647252439938772009-02-13T05:00:00.012-06:002009-02-13T15:07:24.000-06:00Free For All Friday: Question Mark Queue<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 312px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mNY5glfcf4ZtEnjho3rdAh37SUSxcDxyJnjzr1iavNiORDOo9KVVOacvhyphenhyphenZHRT2hT8WwrXBRNHGCJ7tvWRXazu73xhDhmynE8xXmerI6eBzekW7sMat0hTjQLdBuiyc_hPcOLF3uSAI/s400/question-marks.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302138250093280994" />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!<div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have quite a few items to cover, so I'll keep my updates honest, but brief.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Flat Stanley</span></span>: Flat Stanley, an initiative started early on in Highlowaha's history, made it from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Texas</span> to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Canada</span>. He got lost in the mail, so a clone was hatched and resent from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Texas</span> to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Pennsylvania</span> (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.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Sugar Ray</span></span>: Soon after Ray hit the scene, he became restless and decided he couldn't be content living a life in the boring <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Beeny house</span>. 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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Yochum house</span> 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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Johnsons</span> hosted him for a period of time and introduced him to Treye's co-workers. From Ohio he went East, ending up at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Maureen's Peres's</span> 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, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Kristen</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Craft Closet</span></span>: 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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Nicole</span> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi1pCHnppDDeESU_drOfnBdYK7vcb5fg8jkh59QY3JvWE2PlzHNWfVlipGJZpzyyAToPAfkFHyYuU8GFWY-QmOJYsZKoayFFfBCSDBzg7ZFPaEQo4-ndo8GkOI7uJF4z_H3ra6qZ9LpQ/s400/IMGP4068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302144015136854962" /><div><br /></div><div>Enough from me, at least for now. </div><div><br /></div><div>How about I get us going with a question posed on Monday and then a few of my own. Here we go...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Cristine Struble</span></span>. Monday a reader posed a question inquiring about what you ended up naming Matt's 40th birthday party.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Heather</span></span>. What did you pack as a gift for your mother, when you met up with her in Florida last week?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Lindsay Marie</span></span>. What, if anything, did you end up doing for your homesick friend who is studying abroad? <br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Cassie P</span></span>. What did you end up doing for your mother's 40th birthday?</div><div><br /></div><div>Your turn. What question marks do you have about unfinished highlowaha business?</div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow...</div><div><br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-14354788350480433272009-02-12T05:00:00.005-06:002009-02-12T07:38:30.285-06:00The Messy Truth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA6OHOQuG46fepMVwEddBnQGzo0JCO_tRCan204QAYijNNxTPkDf3G0e-I9FUhN5t5TgL4j-7Pjx9n1H1US0hGUoddy9MnxJnR9blzrPcWTiIASE2T19sH1PBvAepH4i_wEFJfj3gmgY/s1600-h/Messydesk1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyA6OHOQuG46fepMVwEddBnQGzo0JCO_tRCan204QAYijNNxTPkDf3G0e-I9FUhN5t5TgL4j-7Pjx9n1H1US0hGUoddy9MnxJnR9blzrPcWTiIASE2T19sH1PBvAepH4i_wEFJfj3gmgY/s400/Messydesk1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301765494189099090" border="0" /></a>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. <div><br /></div><div>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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Red Carpet affair beginning right here on Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 p.m. CST</span></span>. Membership not required to attend. The only thing we ask... dress in your nicest, glitziest duds.<br /><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Reading Raynbow</span></span>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Success turned flop</span>. 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, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Last Lecture</span>. 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.</div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Altoid Table</span></span>: Bust, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">butt</span>.... This one is perhaps the most painful, so I will be brief and hope I can make the recant of this as quick and pain<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">less</span></span> (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... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">until</span> 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... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">butt</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Julie in Surprise</span></span>: 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...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">jus</span>t 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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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...</div><div><br /></div><div>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 ...</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-89118611763415242072009-02-11T05:00:00.004-06:002009-02-11T05:00:01.768-06:00Clean Sweep<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03HRQnxw9riW7AsyTXZIb-HR7WFW1xgidsOLgZ6uwmIoYANrVOwHA-tC-fxYTHetij2FDNRi_h3bk1fRP_07ciVQTET7rWZjpvakUOtYJ9-eSZ3mQFr10_d9_mISU9l-XXWzfprjOebw/s1600-h/16844_scrub_brush_mascot_cartoon_character_jumping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03HRQnxw9riW7AsyTXZIb-HR7WFW1xgidsOLgZ6uwmIoYANrVOwHA-tC-fxYTHetij2FDNRi_h3bk1fRP_07ciVQTET7rWZjpvakUOtYJ9-eSZ3mQFr10_d9_mISU9l-XXWzfprjOebw/s400/16844_scrub_brush_mascot_cartoon_character_jumping.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301412408206918354" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />On Monday, readers generated a list of 16 topics for which some sort of closure was being sought. Unfinished business with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">people</span> 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...<br /><br />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... <span style="font-weight: bold;">September 7</span>! A quick glance at Highlowaha's favorite reference book, Colorstrology, reveals the following about Ray...<br /><br />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! <div><br /></div><div>His profile reads..."<span style="font-weight: bold;">Good-looking</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Discriminating</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Verbal</span>. 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.<br /><br />Pretty good, huh?<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Helping Hands Holiday Projec</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">t</span>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Success</span>. 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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Project Paint the Town Red</span>: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">nticipated</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Success</span></span>. 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!<div><br /></div><div>Two for two on the service projects. I call that a, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">clean sweep</span>!"<br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Amnesty Day</span>. 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.<br /><br />Signing off until tomorrow when we bring you up to speed on Highlowaha Programs.</div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-52826191004383303362009-02-10T05:00:00.001-06:002009-02-10T05:00:01.241-06:00CensusLet'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.<br /><br />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. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Tuesday</span>, people; <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Wednesday</span>, service initiatives; <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Thursday</span>, programs; <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Friday</span>, miscellaneous and a free for all of questions for one another; <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Saturday</span>, post your recipes and find out more about the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Highlowaha</span> cookbook; and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Sunday</span> - yes, Sunday - we will post a few slide shows of pictures from the Olympics and Pen Pal Weekend.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Maria <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Shriver</span></span>: 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)?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Frito Lay</span>: 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">internet</span> 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pringles</span> the main stage. Frito-Lay, if you're out there, we wish you'd take us up on our January 12 offer (<a href="http://www.highlowaha.com/2009/01/frito-lay-chip-in.html">http://www.highlowaha.com/2009/01/frito-lay-chip-in.html</a>).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Babies-R-Us</span>: 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">scissor</span> saga.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Shannon and 100 day t-shirt</span>: 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!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRWPeSzC-o7FEsQJP2KQU4eqFN8Q_X2TDhFyXJbfDaUc-rB2_fbSa5yjGMfZ-0hpEbbegWXhP2JW6qgAzWDaxGhAv3sNLt_BtMw9SkPEBLdexcsdO0qRvkVunmvVyDKBUHdfMoPJnNn8/s1600-h/100+days.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRWPeSzC-o7FEsQJP2KQU4eqFN8Q_X2TDhFyXJbfDaUc-rB2_fbSa5yjGMfZ-0hpEbbegWXhP2JW6qgAzWDaxGhAv3sNLt_BtMw9SkPEBLdexcsdO0qRvkVunmvVyDKBUHdfMoPJnNn8/s320/100+days.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301025110743888322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Ray</span>: 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, <span style="font-style: italic;">Unfinished Business Week</span>. 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 (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ie</span>. # = # = # 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.<br /><ul><li>Your age when you got your driver's license</li><li>Number of siblings you have</li><li>The date of your favorite post in the past two weeks</li><li>Your area code</li><li>Length of time you've lived at your current residence</li><li>Your favorite grade of school<br /></li><li>Number of times you check the blog on an average day</li><li>Number of tickets you've received in the past year</li><li>Number of Oreo cookies you typically eat in one sitting</li><li>Number of planes you've been on in the past year.</li></ul>Once completed, I will plug your numbers into my equation and calculate Ray's birthday. Check back tomorrow to find out the date.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Signing off until then...Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-32518985684190336232009-02-09T05:00:00.004-06:002009-02-09T05:00:02.818-06:00The Mother of...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM-7NbhEJgyJY9FM_WHrE9yNnejtaPp3qAaufxSY_dTqolVk0FJ_ZTxw6EPUNcZxPiE6X5sIl5OMrzMm7kLfZycJQJSsbKKcx4uSIc7VQQHAaUSVTSHtsVmiRw3SexDa_S6XT6K5TwWQ/s1600-h/Unfinished+business.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM-7NbhEJgyJY9FM_WHrE9yNnejtaPp3qAaufxSY_dTqolVk0FJ_ZTxw6EPUNcZxPiE6X5sIl5OMrzMm7kLfZycJQJSsbKKcx4uSIc7VQQHAaUSVTSHtsVmiRw3SexDa_S6XT6K5TwWQ/s400/Unfinished+business.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300632853407184978" /></a><br />...all Maintenance Mondays! That's what today is. Actually, that's what this whole week is. <div><br /></div><div>If you are new to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Highlowaha</span>, 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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Highlowaha</span> People's Choice Award Show, at 8:00 p.m.</span></span></span> (CST), right here on our blog. Then, bright and early Thursday morning, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Highlowaha</span> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before we can get to any of the excitement I just described, we have some work to do. This is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">our</span> new year and, if it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span> 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.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll need your help.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the hard part.</div><div><br /></div><div>I suck. </div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">U</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); "><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">nfinished</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Highlowaha</span> Business</span></span></span> 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 100<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> 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.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Deal? </div><div><br /></div><div>It'll feel good.. later.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let me help tear off the band aid. I have a short list to help get us going...</div><div><ul><li>Reading <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Raynbow</span><br /></li><li>My plea for a lunch date with Maria <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Shriver</span><br /></li><li>Finality on Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Wattson's</span> Birthday,<br /></li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Un-awarded</span> Patchwork Patches<br /></li><li>and a few outstanding prizes that never made it in the mail (Brian and Lori).<br /></li></ul></div><div>Signing off until next Wednesday... just kidding. I'll be back tomorrow... <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-90050645637049966862009-02-07T05:00:00.004-06:002009-02-07T05:00:01.450-06:00Red Carpet Roll Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI3kbZJkJOjkNYx4iVD1rDstFLLYvvF-sswtpBNoUnVRBTsPsNTQhodSjGS5pgguH_9KbNeWo755D0OY_iNdCXFZX3IpW4cDYlipR1xGhu8ePh-hpqVaYqCIhNAKBbVNVvPcCBgpWuw0/s1600-h/6a00e008d91f9d883400e5507986d48834-800wi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI3kbZJkJOjkNYx4iVD1rDstFLLYvvF-sswtpBNoUnVRBTsPsNTQhodSjGS5pgguH_9KbNeWo755D0OY_iNdCXFZX3IpW4cDYlipR1xGhu8ePh-hpqVaYqCIhNAKBbVNVvPcCBgpWuw0/s400/6a00e008d91f9d883400e5507986d48834-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299899008930822802" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />Come to think of it, snow days are sounding an awful lot like the Spirit of #218.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jahoda</span>, 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. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jahoda</span> - 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPR7kez3TNeiCsODftEZ0LTid0t9znKapcYGPzztF71Hjmlw6P7ysZbOW5jIi6X4MG_ssblAf-lHkeTsoCKhXF2R3mygjMtrduwZayVk1cS1PM6-RFFdCoR9vK9W8vAvOdPgeFI1v_j4/s1600-h/puzzlehearts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPR7kez3TNeiCsODftEZ0LTid0t9znKapcYGPzztF71Hjmlw6P7ysZbOW5jIi6X4MG_ssblAf-lHkeTsoCKhXF2R3mygjMtrduwZayVk1cS1PM6-RFFdCoR9vK9W8vAvOdPgeFI1v_j4/s400/puzzlehearts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299897858806470674" border="0" /></a>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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pre</span>-made cardboard puzzles, I would make one out of red construction paper.<br /><br />That's Valentine's Day. Now the Virtually Groundbreaking Award Show... At Christmastime my sister in-law shared a great drink recipe for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Limoncello</span>. 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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Signing off until Monday...Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-79732903148149013202009-02-06T05:00:00.005-06:002009-02-06T05:00:01.648-06:00Red Carpet: Free For All<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlZT3NAIixGytAarZy7R11xFzvvkj4LkHHEkBmDGuWh3MqMoT4UiMd988K8tsZxFbasFl9Wi5O1cfv2aLT0w-Z_5U84tJF1UfDn9IjVl3vRmRae4ABQSGZ4Bj_1WHPP6kyrcRW9owuVE/s400/valentineheartwithwords.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299522858320719634" /><br />By now the excitement for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Valentine's Day</span></span> (8 days) and the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Virtually Groundbreaking People's Choice Award Show</span></span> (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. <div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I'll ask you to see <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">red</span></span> once more as we put put the finishing touches on Valentine's Day and the award show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">truly</span> 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 </div><div>feel it too.</div><div><br /></div><div>So... the first Free For All topic I'd like to raise, for the good of the order, is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Highlowaha's first edition of a cookbook</span></span>. 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!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Second. Valentine's Day</span></span> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Below is a picture of a remanent of my gift for Richard last year (he kept it, which I think is kind of cool)...</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_3J-Wny2fKEUUiz36QZ_Hr_-qJ4YMiV0AFfj9LCTl7NXazX0ZlRgKjOVP5DWF2cU1Cwb-SyJLJzCuredEGvIEnljjQ93AFW7NN-HzjclcK6yqI4PWcRbdiEr0W4J2rujklmtSuFJlA8/s400/IMGP4067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299527462566908258" /><div>I covered the old paint can with red felt and ribbon. Once decorated, I filled it with all things necessary to, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Paint the Town Red</span></span>." We had reservations at a hotel Murder Mystery Dinner party, cocktails before, coffee after, and a small serving of chocolate covered strawberries. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's it for me. Feel free to post a different Free For All topic, of your interest, or comment on one of mine. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Oh, wait. One more thing</span></span>. For added fun, search the graphic at the top of the page for as many valentine-related words as you can find.</div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow...</div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-27698493205884129912009-02-05T05:00:00.008-06:002009-02-05T05:00:01.796-06:00Red Carpet: Sugar SWAKS<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; ">Lip Smacking Fun!</span><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGu0efS0Xp9_x5IsKK7GJ-iE-t7KJpBlClmlRrb2uoDYnIFGDMo-CRBgZRA3OZINzSqD-anv3mdWrsV_egtSGSZoKjgfucTBwX2Mq2hxEQULYF1IU-xWD62xzWYnZJIt8qOFUk_hW-JY/s400/IMGP4060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299181649216271266" />Is it Thursday already? <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>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).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>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.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Lip S.W.A.K (sealed with a kiss)...</span></span></div><div>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... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You've Got Mail</span></span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i2d6I89Rvs68dD4z_42C1wRVqycwKdmziT_xmT4N7ks7WPbZ2I37wAgW54De5t6RJqZFsSe29kSB9OjOMWwiG2kV8dxE90Zb8583B-7InIMhogLJYmqRQ9yuB2sPQigdN5k-FpPohxM/s400/IMGP4058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299179920293693826" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">S</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ealed with a Kiss</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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.<br /></div></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBJ74si44Tl7pGI8j48Vqr7MiVNrFv6RjzxCfCxtHUzmfKyo5-N0Lra6EobJc8miOT5XP3-BW-dCDCRPkM2_VdWgxaN4LmMmvJaNKPzyD6jg2whhILoyzUrxn9F3GfxYGS-Al9cIGd4Q/s400/IMGP4063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299180323534081842" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiQMlQEH3hytZkPApZHK6XEnyx2ZrsKVe93syq4pMmxnhBPUB1SnYW_t7Uzn9jIyJZA5_RST84P9XLsi4SijYTMXK3ocRul9ysthglMPKkedIiiNXLNdRPi0JghPhevGpaDJUqHmzwAI/s400/IMGP4061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299181656447940642" /><div style="text-align: left;">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! <br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Lip Smacks</span></span>:</div><div>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? </div><div><br /></div><div>Lay one on me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow...</div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-90754464671943877462009-02-04T05:00:00.004-06:002009-02-04T12:01:28.825-06:00Red Carpet , White Paper Plates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB5YUmKzYD7GzzA7e_xwWdqeWN9Hfx7YttsK_Wu5VU8u3kCy3LT8akSInTltOWedEJM_nr6awv1MmpBsrhH0NeaiPLHPhDX7uT71cRcftJgN4D1sAJS6j6clg9o065qmGZAZjBgp1_2g/s1600-h/paperplateaward.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB5YUmKzYD7GzzA7e_xwWdqeWN9Hfx7YttsK_Wu5VU8u3kCy3LT8akSInTltOWedEJM_nr6awv1MmpBsrhH0NeaiPLHPhDX7uT71cRcftJgN4D1sAJS6j6clg9o065qmGZAZjBgp1_2g/s400/paperplateaward.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298799795396265058" /></a><br />It might be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Red Carpet Week</span></span>, but the star of today's show is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">White Paper Plates</span>!<div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>These awards are the source of today's creative idea, because they are a great way to get ready for both <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Valentine's Day</span></span> (10 days and counting) and the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> Virtually Groundbreaking People's Choice Awards</span></span> (2 weeks from TONIGHT).</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>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!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">completely fabricated</span> (but fun nonetheless) chance to recognize someone for something as simple as a recent accomplishment or one of their "star qualities." </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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! </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow... </div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-8633077309445229862009-02-03T05:00:00.004-06:002009-02-03T05:00:00.903-06:00Red Carpet Tuesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVVn5pm7rpb2MYVUSEtqwUpCGcliwQ7erwe6eemtlS1ffKXJzqBvPzui9g4aPcDsdDwmPM2ITd9iDrpq_JpXNkuACSvGVxC0hxpWMuXW3BC_925shKjy9xHxI2s9cTnJbWbCkXQ2dACQ/s1600-h/Valentine's+heart.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVVn5pm7rpb2MYVUSEtqwUpCGcliwQ7erwe6eemtlS1ffKXJzqBvPzui9g4aPcDsdDwmPM2ITd9iDrpq_JpXNkuACSvGVxC0hxpWMuXW3BC_925shKjy9xHxI2s9cTnJbWbCkXQ2dACQ/s400/Valentine's+heart.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298393020833294802" border="0" /></a>Announcements at the end...<div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Valentine's Day</span></span><br /></div><div>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 "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Red and Pink Clashes</span>" 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?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Newlywed Game</span></span>: 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.</div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjphPsl8oxcNnMam91OdAGpoUZ2N5w7mzin94ZN3Q2CTjIifRKrnSJyB2-xBAqyAVaHzAIBxBmS-jn_qG1EJ8uathZ24enT_Cng08i-QsZkr0wd1c3u7-57cei2aQkU7qJ3Q2bus5owA/s320/IMGP4055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298390148674082882" border="0" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Virtually Groundbreaking Red Carpet Event</span></span>:<br /></div><div>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">four days earlier</span> is Valentine's Day and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">three days later</span> 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?!?! </div><div><ul><li>Valentine's Day... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">red</span>. People's Choice... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">red carpet</span>. Oscars... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">also red carpet</span>. 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.<br /></li><li>Instead of doing the traditional heart/cupid thing for Valentine's Day, how about stars? "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You're a star."</span> Cover them in red glitter.<br /></li><li>Or how about a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">walk of fame</span>, coming up your driveway (or residence hall, all you res-lifers)?<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Red candles</span> would work nicely for Valentines day, but also set great atmosphere for Wednesday night's affair. </li><li>Swags of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ed, white, </span>or<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> black tulle</span> 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.</li><li>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. </li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Announcements</span></span>:<br /></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Thumbprints</span>: 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.</li></ul><br /><br /><div><embed src="http://widget-79.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=2666130979424512633&site=widget-79.slide.com" style="width: 400px; height: 320px;" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width: 400px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2666130979424512633&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-79.slide.com/p1/2666130979424512633/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2666130979424512633&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-79.slide.com/p2/2666130979424512633/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2666130979424512633&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-79.slide.com/p4/2666130979424512633/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Mailing addresses</span>: 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).<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Kristen</span>: Inquiring minds want to know... what did you end up getting your hubby for your one year anniversary?<br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Congratulations Michelle and Robin</span>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Michelle</span> won the generously donated Belly Cast from reader, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Stacie</span>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Robin </span>was last week's other lucky winner, having won a photo shoot, for she and her family, with the up and coming photographer, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Laura Kline</span>.<br /></li></ul></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow...<br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-55314061479871498662009-02-02T05:00:00.004-06:002009-02-02T12:27:46.010-06:00Red Carpet Week<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Congratulations AZLori</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_RQ-Qx_wDjS255Z67FLROUkvuoYJJE8jXvQjJayNaTG_nE6Mv4KyinvHNw1drydFs1ReXpO7ORFWiDiItcUsLdEfkamd19z9o0R5r7lQ4Oa4wKZ7VR-0Q0-Lbv1TZFdYexIlg3YMhyk/s400/IMGP4049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298056600791257986" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; ">Winner of the First Annual Super Bowl </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Snack Throw Down 2009</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After a hard fought battle, Lori's salsa reigned supreme over the east coast's onion dip. Maybe it counters the fact that the East Coast beat the west coast in the actual Super Bowl. One win for each coast. I like it. Also, a big thanks to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Maureen</span> too for being such a formidable competitor. Nice job, women! </div><div> <div>Announcements at the end...</div><div><br /></div><div>This is going to be a fun week. We are dedicating the next six days to all things <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">RED</span></span>, in honor of Valentines Day (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">February 14</span></span></span>) and Highlowaha People's Choice Award (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">February 18 at 8:00 p.m.</span></span></span>). So each day we will address two things: ideas for making your valentine(s) feel special and ideas for celebrating our one-year anniversary in style.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those relatively new to the highlowaha game... a little bit of background about the People's Choice Awards (Valentine's Day, I assume, you already get). The People's Choice Awards is an award show to be viewed on our blog site on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. </span></span>The show will commemorate one year of blog fun, as well as recognize many of the people responsible for making this special community what it is. Readers nominated one another in the following nine award categories: Sliced Bread Award, Raising the Bar Award, Good Neighbor Award, Energizer Bunny Award, Spirit of #218 Award, Homerun Award, Newbie Award, Veteran Award, and the Oz Award. For detailed descriptions of each, check out announcements from the post labeled, 1/24.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Virtually Groundbreaking Countdown</span></span>: </div><div>We've already established, in previous posts, that we hope you will dress up for February 18th's affair. Dust off your fanciest dress, most glitzy jewelry, and most impratical pumps (you will be in the comfort of your own home, after all). Men, make sure your tux still fits. Sure, we could do this Virtually Groundbreaking event in sweatshirts and jeans, but it wouldn't be as fun, nor would the casual dress be in keeping with the kind of formal recognition we hope to deliver that evening. So, as silly as it seems, allow yourself to live the Spirit of 218 and join us, decked out for an evening of fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Invitations</span></span>. That's today's topic. One thing is for sure. You will feel far less silly dressed up in your fanciest duds, if you are actually hosting an event. Consider a pre-party party. For instance, I am fully intending to make fancy invitations, inviting my husband and each of my sons to join me for a night of celebration. But, in addition to family why not invite some friends and neighbors? They might not care much about the 8:00 People's Choice Award, but certainly we can come up with something worth celebrating (stay tuned). Invitations can be as informal as an e-vite or as formal as a scroll of parchment paper tied with a red ribbon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Valentine's Id<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ea</span></span>:</span></span></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQO8-wAhTblw_iUSD28kWXVUg84HwBrsVS8yY4DDjKFUY2LTZ5GoDE744kwE8QXGr596RB9dCzABMAPlcG4gUOinEb8ABFT3C7oAYEphoGFS_hsdNM5LopwG-4D9nUDH1-sCJyn713g0/s200/IMGP4052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298058328969341218" /><div>In keeping with the invitations outlined in today's Virtually Groundbreaking Countdown, I thought today we would talk about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Valentine's Mail Bags</span></span> (no surprise when you know how much I love mail!). Thanks to the thoughtful and organized reader, Maureen, my family and I received our first Valentine's of the season on Saturday. A few years ago I purchased three</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE4CIOGxvFiXDHRNVAp0b1q0I0fkt_TT0GrozuD85RSNGaJQK_I0OSJQmaz3NTksNag-B3k_EA3YozcQhJ_31NHG1AerxhIuO3hQeKl4n4Kn8bjtkF0_EQ7aYzRx5j2O5KvzDGY2U0V0/s200/IMG00002-20090201-1423%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298059114862524850" />of these mail bags to attach to the back of my boys' chairs at the kitchen table. They are a simple way to help decorate for the holiday. The bags are also functional, in that they will hold any and all valentines received between now and February 14. Last year, I even let Matthew use his mail bag to deliver Valentine's to his classmates.<div><br /></div><div>Don't have one? Maybe you can make one out of felt, red yarn, and a big needle? Sewing not your thing? How about using red or white poster board and red yarn or ribbon?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Announcements:</span><br /></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Speaking of Invitations</span></span>: Highlowaha is seeking the names and addresses of 50 people to receive a personal invitation to join the Highlowha community, beginning Thursday, February 19, 2009. These are people in your neighborhood, your work place, or your children's school or play group. It might even be the friend of a friend of a friend who you think might particularly enjoy our community. Please tell us their name and contact information, so printed invitations can be mailed soon. <br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Winner of Belly Cast</span></span>: Fellow reader, Stacie, donated a Belly Cast during last week's Virtual Baby Shower. Four people took guesses at Stacie's son's name (beginning with "L" and ending in "N." We had a Landon, a Larson, and a few people who admitted an unfair advantage, because they know Stacie and therefore know her son's name. Since my original plan failed, I did a drawing using the names of all the pregnant woman who posted that day. They were: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Kelly</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Erica</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Michelle</span>, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Melanie</span>. And the winner is... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Michelle</span>! Michelle, I will pass your name and address along to Stacie who will send you the Belly Cast. What a fun way to remember your pregnancy with twins. </li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Winner of Photo Shoot</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">Much of Louisville was without power last week (and in some cases is still out of power). Consequently, I decided to do a drawing of all the readers I know we have in the Louisville area to see who would win the photo shoot (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Stacie</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Melanie</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Jess</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Robin, Nicole) </span>are some of the ones I know about) with photographer and fellow reader, Laura Kline. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Robin, you are the lucky winner! </span>Congratulations. I will communicate with you via email to assure you and Laura get connected.</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Host the Next Virtual Party</span></span>: Thanks again to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Kristen</span> for hosting last week's baby shower. I had fun and hope everybody got (or gave) at least one new idea. We are looking for the next social butterfly to gather 5 or 6 of his/her friends and to decide the topic you would most like covered. This party will happen in April, as February and March are booked solid with all sorts of fun.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Thanks Cheryl</span></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07eV7e7fT57g6Q-i_lQLZplKvcwtVDh6FaYGvz5bkF2vhHn5EMyaUUzOdr0_zPXNvYRhjve6zl9KksEHCRbBFIckRYCpM3lkdb0OWUtL2repCaU-O_GcioA7yt_QbS6j8QGaEqmDBYME/s320/IMGP4046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298060304627952210" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">for hand painting the</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">HLA Super Bowl!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow...</div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-25359417227251449492009-02-01T10:52:00.004-06:002009-02-01T13:42:23.164-06:00Super Bowl Fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64X7Ckr39e9EFZ0E0cc2JdVuWKhIci_2dao5gjUj9pMvyE47RGOSzvD9lP6R47AvhC3hbtjLisEgT-7RMq_P8thlN6842K2iQARDy08uZrwVl4rtcGNFbZhMJynGAzaHkRw2lHOwLyco/s1600-h/superbowl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64X7Ckr39e9EFZ0E0cc2JdVuWKhIci_2dao5gjUj9pMvyE47RGOSzvD9lP6R47AvhC3hbtjLisEgT-7RMq_P8thlN6842K2iQARDy08uZrwVl4rtcGNFbZhMJynGAzaHkRw2lHOwLyco/s400/superbowl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297890746910728930" /></a><br />Bunny, bunny.<div><br /></div><div>Today's post is compliments of Struble Suds. Cristine sent me these fun trivia questions to answer while watching the Super Bowl. For those of you who are like I am - into the Super Bowl for the festivity of it, not so much the game itself - it will make the evening that much more pleasurable.<div><ul><li>How many beers will Matt drink?<br /></li><li>Who will the Super Bowl MVP thank first? God, teammates, family, coach, no one?<br /></li><li>How long will it take Jennifer Hudson to sing the national anthem?<br /></li><li>What commercial will be the highest rated on the USA Today Annual Super Bowl Ad meter? - Budweiser, GoDaddy.com, Pepsi, Coke, McDonalds, Doritos?<br /></li><li>Will Obama call the winning team before the Super Bowl broadcast goes off the air?<br /></li><li>What song will Bruce Springstein play to begin the half time show? Born in the USA, Glory Days, The Rising, The Wrestler, Radio Nowhere, I'm on Fire?<br /></li><li>How many time will NBC show AZ quarterback Kurt Warner's wife Brenda be shown on TV during the game?<br /></li><li>Which NBC program will get the most promos during the game? The Office, 30 Rock, Chuck, Friday Night Lights, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, or Conan O'Brien?<br /></li><li>What color liquid will be dumped on the winning coach? clear, red, yellow, blue, green, orange, lime green?<br /></li><li>How many food items will John Madden mention during the game?<br /></li></ul>Don't forget to route on Maureen and Lori our Super Bowl Throw Down finalists. Battle Onion. What will win... salsa or onion dip!?</div><div><br /></div><div>Find out tomorrow morning!</div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-12186670162834508392009-01-31T05:00:00.001-06:002009-01-31T05:00:01.057-06:00Pebbles on the Pond<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwDFk563ElcH6N1p2NwVciBRko5P6eKn6uV1Jctxy7sjRcP9T9e1DmQqEkKkPxsCD-6DcObqgjL6gp5Nbpjkz2_-glUvydyfR6k9cW2mORrXW89B5KFc9CfBiIay7QplgZy_oYm8v4_A/s1600-h/Pebble+on+the+Pond.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwDFk563ElcH6N1p2NwVciBRko5P6eKn6uV1Jctxy7sjRcP9T9e1DmQqEkKkPxsCD-6DcObqgjL6gp5Nbpjkz2_-glUvydyfR6k9cW2mORrXW89B5KFc9CfBiIay7QplgZy_oYm8v4_A/s400/Pebble+on+the+Pond.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297305969514383970" /></a>Oh, the best laid plans...<div><br /></div><div>Today is scheduled to be Day Six of Highlowaha's Virtual Baby Shower. The assigned topic... resources all new moms should know about (books, websites, available discounts and coupons, etc....). I also intended to share thumbprint pictures and share some Super Bowl fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>If it's o.k., we'll take a rain check. I have something I want to write about that is more timely and dare I say, more important. Check in tomorrow if you are interested in some Super Bowl Fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Throw a pebble into a pond and watch the ripples it creates. Kindness spreads in a similar fashion. A kind act can be a catalyst. It can reach beyond those directly involved. Who can say how far the ripples from one simple act of kindness may spread?"</span></span></span> Author Unknown.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I dropped the boys at their preschool and then, in typical fashion, headed to Starbucks to do some reading. My head was buried in a book when someone standing over me said, "Hi, Claudia. We have to stop meeting this way." In front of me was a woman I met two weeks ago at the Potato Soup party that I posted about last Saturday. She just purchased herself a coffee, so I invited her to join me for a while. Forty minutes later we had covered a lot of ground - kids, husbands, career choices, and more. By the end of our conversation, I really felt like I made a new friend. It was, perhaps, the most uplifting 40 minutes of my entire week. I can't say for sure, but I think Leanne might say the same thing. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Misty's simple act of inviting me to her Soup party allowed me to meet Leanne and two weeks later there was a ripple</span></span></span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived home from Starbucks to begin sifting through my emails before meeting a friend for lunch. A highlowaha reader emailed me to say thank you for sending her her winnings from Monday's Chinese New Year celebration. Small as her winnings were, she told me she would feel better about spending the money if she used it on a random act of kindness. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Peggy uses one $5.00 pebble and creates the first of who knows how many ripples</span></span></span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lunch in Arlington with Heather and then it's back home to Grapevine.</div><div><br /></div><div>I head to my mailbox after parking my car and stuffed inside my mailbox was a large envelope, addressed to ME, from an unfamiliar address in Dallas. Inside the envelope are four books and a two-page letter that starts out, "Claudia, I feel a kindred spirit toward you..." At the end she says, "Read what you wish and pass on the rest. You can leave them at Starbucks." I will most certainly read all four books and, because of her invitation, I intend to anonymously pass them along at Starbucks. The most important nuggets of information I learn from reading the books I will pass along to you. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">One package of books creates upwards of 5 ripples.</span></span></span> </div><div><br /></div><div>Living Highlowaha's Spirit of #218 means making choices to sometimes be the pebble and sometimes be the ripple. Do this for me this weekend, will you? While you are out and about be on the search for a pebble or small rock. Pick one up and either put it in your pocket or place it somewhere in your home where you will notice it daily. When you place your hand in your pocket or notice it sitting on the counter, take a second to think about the last time you made a ripple. Maybe you'll even decide to share your story with us. </div><div><br /></div><div>A final thought... the idea of pebbles and ripples doesn't feel completely irrelevant to this week's baby shower theme. Consider this. What if the children we raise are to be considered pebbles on the pond. What kind and how many ripples will they make? </div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow...</div><div><br /></div><div>Rabbit, Rabbit...</div><div><br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-63823551605569545062009-01-30T05:00:00.002-06:002009-01-30T05:00:03.348-06:00Free For All Friday: Favorites, Football, Freebies, and More<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOKf9fFgchyBlLaa2lqjoWcljST8Z_XkdCUO99nYP5om2SH939dLLfnbt9hceiWnsoZP0Ix8XgDRsxT33m3dO3RdBkCZh3lyJCfvIU4nCDrBZipcPCeFQHaCz9YALa2i-_m5W7Tj8SX8/s1600-h/baby_shower_Mega_collection.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOKf9fFgchyBlLaa2lqjoWcljST8Z_XkdCUO99nYP5om2SH939dLLfnbt9hceiWnsoZP0Ix8XgDRsxT33m3dO3RdBkCZh3lyJCfvIU4nCDrBZipcPCeFQHaCz9YALa2i-_m5W7Tj8SX8/s400/baby_shower_Mega_collection.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296933286219982594" /></a>Announcements at the end...<div><br /></div><div>T.G.I.F! Today is day five of our Virtual Baby Shower. It's been a fun week of activity, beginning with celebrating the Year of the Ox (and, of course, all of our own animal signs), in honor of the Chinese New Year. Tuesday we explored thoughtful keepsakes we could make using the fingers, toes, and feet of our little ones. Wednesday we shared all sorts of ideas about archiving our children's memories, important headlines, and other moments in time, and yesterday we took time out to play the inevitable baby shower game. </div><div><br /></div><div>Consider today the portion of a baby shower when structured activities are over and guests are left to sit around, sharing stories, advice, and mommy tips. Today, after all, is Free For All Friday. Newcomers, this is the day of the week when we benefit from the collective creativity and wisdom of our community. The floor is open for you to talk about whatever you want or to seek advice on the topic of your choice.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the spirit of this week's baby shower, I would like to propose a topic. The question will be easiest for current mothers to answer, but those of you with illustrious day care or baby sitting careers should have plenty to share too. Here it is...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">What baby related item <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">did</span> you register for, thinking it would be essential, only to find out you would never use it. Conversely, what did you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> register for, that you later purchased, and could never have lived without</span></span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't stop there. There is way too much going on in this community of ours.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday is the finals of the Super Bowl Snack Throw Down! East v. West, with Onion as the featured secret ingredient. Rumor has it East submitted an onion dip and West submitted a salsa. It would be anticlimactic if I let the day come and go with only a brief announcement on Monday of who won. No. Today - Free For All Friday - we need to take a minute to wish Maureen and Lori luck and to make some predictions. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">So whose going to win? East, onion dip or West, salsa? For added challenge... of the 20 anticipated bar flies at Struble Suds on Sunday, how many votes will the winning dish receive?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Next Freebie Friday and then it's on to announcements.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you work outside the home, or ever have, you'll know what I am talking about. There are people in our work places with whom interaction is not required, but whose company we actively seek. You are drawn to them for reasons including things such as shared interests; their knowledge on a topic about which you know nothing; sense of humor; an office so filled with stimulus it's the perfect work break; or maybe just that their candy dish has a better selection than anyone else on your floor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, I want to introduce you to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Stacie</span></span>. Stacie is someone I met while working in Louisville, Kentucky. The nature of our jobs on campus were not such that we were required to work together, but Stacie is someone whose company I actively sought out. There are innumerable nice things I could say about Stacie. She is smart; self-assured; an activist; knowledgeable about a lot of things, but still curious; funny, thoughtful, and has cork screw curls that most women would die for! Oh, and have I mentioned that her interests and talents are more eclectic than anyone else I've ever met? She is a walking cocktail party, able to move swiftly from conversations about the state of higher education, to politics, drama and the arts, massage, baby delivery, and just about everything in between. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bottom line. Stacie loves all things pregnant. Soon she will launch a website displaying a variety of mommy-related (and more) creations. Diaper bags, toy bags, baby slings, and other novelty items are among a few of the sewn items you can expect to find. Today, Stacie is offering to give away a Belly Cast Kit. The kit is used to make an impression of your pregnant belly. Talk about a creative way to commemorate your pregnancy!? Once made, many women paint or decorate the cast. To win this cast you must: (1) be one of our Virtual Baby Shower guests, and (2) guess the name of her beautiful 11 month old baby boy. Hint. Six letters, beginning with the letter "L" and ending in "N."</div><div><br /></div><div>Announcements: </div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">Price is Right Winner</span></span>: While many of you did well, there is only one winner to yesterday's game. Hands down, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Cheryl O'Pry</span></span> with a PERFECT 10! Congratulations, Cheryl! The final answers were: Q-tips, $1.06; Bibs, $8.99; Fitted Sheets, $10.99; Gym, $64.99; Wipes, $3.69; Diaper Bag, $68.99; Johnson & Johnson Liquid Soap, $3.39; Platex Drop-ins, $9.99; Robeez, $27.95; Baby Tylenol, $5.99. <br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">Goal Fishing</span></span>: Hopefully the 20 of you who signed up to participate in Goal Fishing have received your materials in the mail. Let the fun begin! Quarterly we will use the blog to check in on Goal Fishing participants to see how you are doing toward your resolution. The first check in will be sometime in early April. <br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Thumbprint Pictures</span></span>: We got some great submissions. Check in tomorrow to see what was submitted and to "CASE" some ideas!</li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Virtual Party Host</span></span>: Whose up next? We are looking for a party host for the month of April. Remember, all you have to do is gather five friends and identify a topic that would be of interest. I do the rest. So far Heather, Katie, and Kristen have taken advantage of the opportunity. Going once, going twice... </li></ul></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-68408980014948777742009-01-29T05:00:00.002-06:002009-01-29T11:27:51.984-06:00The Price is Right<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol_IaSBcDPApsepQ6h_6bVA0Ndb7QKa1ClD8LU8FDbNk69d0bc9Dn7pAxDKHPcRnRwmVzP6dt-C64HtDoj68RRbDHmAaSHdMtkOLbfyacuH5P0HHhLe8T_ynRbY3WeiGkV3t2KfPYf2s/s1600-h/Priceisright.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol_IaSBcDPApsepQ6h_6bVA0Ndb7QKa1ClD8LU8FDbNk69d0bc9Dn7pAxDKHPcRnRwmVzP6dt-C64HtDoj68RRbDHmAaSHdMtkOLbfyacuH5P0HHhLe8T_ynRbY3WeiGkV3t2KfPYf2s/s400/Priceisright.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296564726940246578" /></a><br /><div>What kind of Virtual Baby Shower would this be if we didn't play at least one game? Thanks to the generosity of Kristen, we have, as an added bonus, a $20.00 Starbucks card for the lucky winner. Baby shower guests... while you might not currently be drinking coffee, you will appreciate this card months from now when you are sleep deprived!</div><div><br /></div><div>Rules of the game are simple, and of course open to all party goers - pregnant or not. Simply review the baby items pictured below and assign the correct price to each item. The person who gets the most correct wins. If there is more than one winner, the names of all those eligible will submitted in a drawing. Your guesses can be emailed to cbeeny@lslog.com.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">NOTE</span>: I am sure many of you bargain shoppers will want to dispute my prices or want more detail about size or quantity. Embrace the ambiguity. The items were priced at main stream stores, with no coupons in hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a only a game, so I trust that even the most competitive of you will protect your integrity by not searching the web for answers.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Price points</span></span>:</div><div>$64.99</div><div>$8.99</div><div>$9.99</div><div>$68.99</div><div>$27.95</div><div>$1.06</div><div>$5.99</div><div>$10.99</div><div>$3.69</div><div>$3.39</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Baby Items</span></span></div><div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YFI8SsMGTxnlShmK024uOLYXx2JBJeWnmHJdo7dLBfzXPblMCVjAAODKrMDUdvoaEzM3F2Doif9WkPvHuDPs5GJI3oiucGgjmZwGH3JF9SYepvAkm0pwYcV-xkL3turvK-jQFkYmSxc/s200/baby+q-tips.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296549862688944994" /></div><div>(A)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73d0BIt1qKZxK_9Mfmz8LEGCxRdYmJKg6KRqs4WR91HrSndj-UPA_9YlcRO_mgnNF4uq2ue4W__VENmhpltKH8IjGJND63X1Lway9Yv6aUd0OHVK5bZV8DFLLG8-NRJJ_Hv00CVquxHY/s200/babybibs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296549862919689906" /><br /></div><div>(B)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLqEdtWEf0aWFZTKREZLIIKhurJ5yihDOuiUbUothM1v2r6D6J_xlZl7NXHwN9UHNlRFzGDRnfzKLP9hjNbo5A2dleRY_WTLg7goOOBTa-83jQ1V_cQmPYZ384tOIptX9pmf2vYbfE6M/s200/babyfittedsheet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296549864029841298" /></div><div>(C)</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGTUcbQh7-h-uI0F3X5ODleIV9o4aZxyRPv6obGHKfE_o_CeYVN85ZasvxT03SLmvSZyNTJG8EtIHF8mHOZ_nvTI03aYPCegTsQB1nHCOjtymCp_eLAPBPi7klgwzHdbmfxY2OVMEFE0/s200/Babygym.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296549867827791490" /></div><div>(D)</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxE3MY7HLUqKwyHQ5al4ypB0MLe3loy5yZjV-xIV_wqCY-7UjEc8gzC_Fqo8S4P-Fv_I-ddjOxXTdWRI9TEUosH3Dz10wpzXabQY-GNx5szqtsY1dWxkTwf68Y0phK8hKO0qjcCZQIIE/s200/babypampers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296550137947782786" /></div><div>(E)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImcaXnL1hjzanI1Qcc17PxTZnUC5alsVpw7QbEfQkSTKMTbim0Lz-PClfhBRbfKmZAnSSkEAizL7B8QS2TC-C2acktk7GE2hqzvtYlQ2cmDJ6iwk8QDWbtUamssXapf-MnQeKUZao3KY/s200/Diaperbag.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296550392613772770" /></div><div>(F)</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GaSqb3uYFrcLhkgo4H5Xr5FBOPW8KKmbFE4aqSwsY2PEIDloHsNzejSwMTDSw_l3nZNH4ImgolX-hs-Yf7NVdbpXAkeoUL8Gz-aBDjWBGv4oP6hUdkKojAAXrK0al8_6Jx-p6Mv-nMU/s200/babyliquidsoap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296549865741219474" /><br /></div><div>(G)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDJN7H-ejAhQh7wSe9Z8QlJnWi4t5W9Df6MPntFVBW5IzoD3An_QqkhlAlTg9dtJOjh16NmuKU15rRuu5S9EM7bdUNG4BRZo2kts83ItpO9qFxVSsl9mwITQjlSsdzBR8EGDl-wBc01g/s200/babyplatexdropins.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296550135331197266" /><br /></div><div>(H)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pSlAzryYjUEOXANP5Axly1NMQNK6gwrSDR03EPtsqOOjHhAXl1OL5FvsibekIlm8z0cc3UcumrttXUSujwLJwTMvitQbRzQpJlCfaiKMdGBdkQd2sOLhj_8gszHw0tKfapoWAsvFnW4/s200/Babyrobeez.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296550137709939890" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(I)</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_yeGQGlGK5ZuZwlHSEY1GXfqNWeQEGGwbM2qEiAMvJvDMtxp2P-QqgwiQRAZiw0LFSzFFEqKlDAafJZv36jmvh-hNXmwtmXVnWGtzO0oFDRtHLv_QvAnicM0NfAlYQm6xygp0MdbJ0o/s200/babytylenol.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296550136365850514" /><br /></div><div>(J)</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for playing! Tune in on Friday when we celebrate Day 5 of our Virtual Baby Shower. Until then...</div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off...</div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-20240215786234361202009-01-28T05:00:00.002-06:002009-01-28T05:00:05.341-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtTLcKroEgJKrdBTc5ORV1VVkHJ-oGIfZtv77GicBUcVJwt9I15CFCohaoWSwthZsCWPVPjlAAku7QKAnCTX7Kdt159Vhw2KwiDI1YjwjGm329PlQQp0MDjpRFpQJl6SIwWXI4ydX5f4/s1600-h/babycarraige.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtTLcKroEgJKrdBTc5ORV1VVkHJ-oGIfZtv77GicBUcVJwt9I15CFCohaoWSwthZsCWPVPjlAAku7QKAnCTX7Kdt159Vhw2KwiDI1YjwjGm329PlQQp0MDjpRFpQJl6SIwWXI4ydX5f4/s400/babycarraige.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296157584788592738" /></a>Announcement: If you live in Louisville, you won't want to miss the last bullet of today's post.<div><br /></div><div>Here we are... Day three of our baby shower. A couple of fun points before we get down to the business of today. Yesterday was a "snow" day in Dallas. Not only was there no snow, there was no ice either. Just a cold and miserable day stuck in the house with three boys - all of whom suffered a terrible case of cabin fever.<div><br /></div><div>At 2:00 p.m. I finally decided I had to get out of the house - for the sake of all of us! I went to the post office to mail your Chinese New Year winnings. The post office worker asked me if I wanted heart stamps for my envelopes. The envelopes were red (China). The stamps were red (hearts), so it seemed like a match made in heaven. On our way out of the post office we began talking about how nice it would be to use the heart stamps to mail our valentines this year. So how about it? How about valentines made out of thumb prints? I'm thinking my boys and I will make <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">love bugs</span></span>, using each of their thumb prints. What are some other Valentine related shapes we could make?</div><div><br /></div><div>One more nice point from yesterday. I mentioned Kristen won the biggest jackpot yesterday by choosing the Chinese envelope named "Alexis." She promptly sent me an email asking that I not send her the $20.00 and instead that I use it for the baby shower. The generosity of readers like Kristen is just one of the things that makes this community so remarkable. I will use Kristen's money as requested and when I do I will let you know. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now today.</div><div><br /></div><div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Remember three months from this date! Your lucky star is shining.</span></span>" That was Matthew's fortune from the cookie he ate on Monday night in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Keep it or throw it away? That is the question. Keep it and your house is overrun with scraps of paper. Toss it it and miss the chance to capture, albeit, a small moment of time in his life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Scrap booking, journaling, archiving.... Whatever you want to call it, that is the source of today's post. Lots to cover and only a limited amount of your attention. Let's get going.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Moments in Time</span></span>: When Kristen and I spoke on the phone in preparation of this week's baby shower, she told me of a baby book she received as a gift. It required her to capture lots of fun information soon after Jennifer was born. Here are some examples. Document the prices of a: gallon of gas, house in your neighborhood, car, computer, movie tickets, package of diapers, postage stamp, and babysitting rates. I love the idea of this and though our kids will always be able to find it on the internet, it's so much more fun to see it in your handwriting. So come up with your own list of notable things and then set out to start documenting them.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Extra! Extra!</span></span>: Make your phone calls now and put your friends, family and relatives on notice. Ask them save the front page from their city's newspaper on the day your child is born. It will be fun for your kids to look through them and to use them for class projects when they get older. Line your people up now, because it won't be the first thing on your mind when you're in labor and delivery. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Time Capsule</span></span>: Saving newspapers is one thing - kind of one dimensional, but a time capsule...? A time capsule is 3-D. How about gathering items such as advertisements from local papers, CDs with popular music, photographs of your house, car, pets, or anything else you might want your kids to see first hand when they get older. You could either bury your capsule somewhere in your yard or simply tuck it away in the attic until his/her... 21st birthday?!?!?! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Snap Shot in Time</span></span>: Mind you, I've never done this. I've just heard about other disciplined people doing it and I think it is a great idea. During your baby's first year, each month on the same date, take a picture of your baby sitting in the same place and possibly holding the same stuffed animal. By reusing the seat and the stuffed animal, your baby's growth will become even more apparent. Heather told me she recently saw a Baby's First Birthday invitation bordered with a series of photographs similar to those described above. Another example of a great idea, but one you have to be ready for from the get-go. By the time most of us come out of our post pregnancy fog, months have passed and it's too late. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Scrap Journaling</span></span>: On Highlowaha.com we try never to repeat the same idea twice. If ever I was tempted, it would be today. Months ago I shared my "strategy" for keeping and organizing my children's keepsakes. Many of my friends and some of our readers have begun using the system. I am not at all into scrap booking (too costly and time consuming), but I love the idea of documenting the lives of my children. I want them to look back and be able to find out things such as: funny phrases they used, favorite foods, least favorite foods, their favorite toys, who their teachers were, what car we were driving, what weather was like on Inauguration Day, who won the Super Bowl, and a million other mundane facts. I do all of this (and more) in a system I refer to as Scrap Journaling. Following are links to days dedicated to this topic. If you are interested, check them out (to really understand, you must check out each day). <a href="http://www.highlowaha.com/2008/07/kiss-keep-it-simple-system.html">http://www.highlowaha.com/2008/07/kiss-keep-it-simple-system.html</a>. <a href="http://www.highlowaha.com/2008/07/kiss-step-three-of-four.html">http://www.highlowaha.com/2008/07/kiss-step-three-of-four.html</a>. <a href="http://www.highlowaha.com/2008/07/kiss-step-four-of-four.html">http://www.highlowaha.com/2008/07/kiss-step-four-of-four.html</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">f you live in Louisville, you're going to LOVE this</span></span>: What better way to document the lives of your children than PHOTOGRAPHS! Today we present Louisvillians with the chance to win a free one-hour photo shoot, along with a CD of photos. The photo shoot is with Laura Kline, a local woman who is actively building her clientele. You can see Laura's work by visiting her flickr site at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurakline/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurakline/</a> or visiting her blog at <a href="http://www.lkkphotos.blogspot.com/">www.lkkphotos.blogspot.com</a>. Let's get on with it. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The winner's name will be selected from a drawing. How do you assure a spot in the drawing? Easy. Get a pregnant woman to join our party by making a post in today's comment section</span>. Your name will be entered one time for each pregnant woman you get to make a post. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don't win? Don't worry. Laura is focused on building her portfolio, so her rates by industry standards, are reasonable. If you live in Louisville, I am sure she would welcome the chance to photograph your family... and you'd be supporting another Highlowaha reader. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have an idea related to something we've already covered today? Share it with the rest of us. </div><div><br /></div><div>As for me...signing off until tomorrow.</div><div><br /></div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-73253235577348630752009-01-27T05:00:00.002-06:002009-01-27T05:00:12.734-06:00Now That's Thumbthing<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 371px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwatmEXYjvrEmL7OuTecP5kAzJPwRWmRZ8SnrNFx7gN9o_RfOumejDw-BIcXmxEvc0sFWIetcK5w0c3PzbCFV_hWIZyiM0_MJR-aR-hZRS9d0pRO3i5Kb-tTKiBL4pPpY3sbdHpYMGN0s/s400/ThumbprintFrog1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295811583403552210" /><div style="text-align: left;">Welcome back to the second day of our Highlowaha Virtual Baby Shower. This week we are raving (and ranting) about all things baby. Most notably, we are celebrating nine women - all of whom are expecting babies sometime in the next six months.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Melanie, Sara, Kimberly, Allison, Johnanna, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Michelle, Erica, Kelly, and Molly</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">First follow-up to yesterday's celebration of the Ox and all things related to the Chinese New Year. Of the 30 red envelopes containing various amounts of cash (ranging from .25 to $20.00), 20 envelopes were selected, totaling $40.75. Check you mailboxes to learn of your winnings. I will eliminate some of the suspense by providing one clue, as it is a little too ironic not to share.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Only one of the envelopes had a $20.00 bill inside. Of all 19 people who could have won the $20.00, it went to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Kristen</span> - who selected the name Alexis. Kristen, for those who do not already know, is the hostess with the most-ess, helping to make this week's baby shower happen. In doing so, she is having to endure the challenges of working with me at a distance. Bottom line... she deserves her $20.00 and then some. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Congratulations, Kristen! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I'm kicking myself. When Matthew was a baby and in child care, he frequently came home with pictures made from either his hands, feet, or finger prints. Though I kept most of them, I made a mental note to do it better the next time. Then came Jack. I became fixated on the idea of an image a month matted and then framed, in one large picture, to hang in Jack's bedroom. It was May before I knew it and I'd already missed three months. Jack didn't enter child care until he was a year hold and by that time it was way too late. My dreams were dashed... again.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">But you! You could do it. Your babies aren't born yet. You could start planning now, using the imprint of your baby's foot in the hospital as the very first. Ghosts, butterflies, turkeys, reindeer, flowers, and the list goes on. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Mind you, I thought this was a great idea years ago. Then, a few weekends ago, Cheryl and I headed to a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Sunshine Glaze</span>, a pottery place in a neighboring town. We were there on official Super Bowl Throw Down business, but while Cheryl was busy masterfully painting the winning bowl, I couldn't help but wander around. Now I think the idea is better than great. Take a look... </span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-N7w4v9-mwZBtify5II-jYrNCBFAvPcTjELChU2x94WQW1CC8tLd_mcZQJlaUcpoGJFgKVZB9BQ1ijp9MMptGqf4QXuCDWU92zh4ddVthkNd61fKkJa1FxCtydr54Zn_0KdLhxz2q2I/s320/IMGP4039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295812322904664690" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">This is a flower pot made from children's thumb prints. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Perfect Mother's Day gift!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12PZ4GFrFLnakH_acFx4caNa6hSqkybCCDTJiNEUvpo7nNUk-IjJBzwBpIPuVmKrEIxcXoBkE6MTqsTBzB_cb8RyaMk5ra7sDSfg8bQlhNWn6Mmvpk72bI_iSvCQ97VfezcEA6TGPNo0/s320/IMGP4045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295813920119279746" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Reindeer made from your baby's feet <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">It's never too early to begin thinking about the perfect holiday gift. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pyAytDhiNAlFvv4jP2kTZefdtOXhyphenhyphenuNKq3RNnpe-N6zuNcqg3p0knuHdS7E8hNugyMfrIhsiTI4At2LR9OiMoz1R6SVAVt1saF_eIkmElIaKBrj3VWEN25RDR7Au7G2phBirvcSewLw/s320/IMGP4042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295814795261255138" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Gather your kids, nieces, and nephews </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">to grow your own beautiful plate</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5gbQokIfE-lUEYNTo9yuap5ISRPR3didjFeoHBDah2w4vQKJhDopuD4IzTUCNYBCCLsV0HKhUl-fVd6jN39THesAPiWkVuWiwFqnjTJ6y17guO3mGnLjDzfme4E3WHyR2UUPEh0r8oo/s320/IMGP4040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295812332115252306" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">What an angel!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">How about this for a Grandparents Gift?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sure these make great gifts, but you could also steal the ideas and create your own image-a-month to matte and frame for your child's bedroom or play room. The key is to plan ahead, making sure you're not getting your first imprint the morning you child shoves off for college. That, come to think of it, a finger print of another sort!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have a small book of thumb print ideas I would love to give away. You know... to get your ideas flowing. How about this? Use your creativity to make me a thumbprint. Send me a digital photo at cbeeny@lslog.com, by Wednesday night at midnight. If I have a submission from you, your name will go in the drawing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Announcements</span>:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">People's Award Nominations</span></span>: There are still some of you we have not heard from. Nominations will be reviewed within the next 24 hours. Please take a second and nominate someone for an award - even if it is only one person for one award. <br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">Party-Goers</span></span>: There are a few of you whose address I do not have. If you would like me to mail you your Red Chinese envelope, please send me an email at cbeeny@lslog.com, so I can mail it off.</li></ul><div>Signing off until tomorrow...</div></div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-85490357205394253222009-01-26T05:00:00.004-06:002009-01-26T15:48:19.082-06:00Baby New Year<div style="text-align: center;">Welcome </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Melanie, Sara, Kimberly, Allison, Johnanna, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Michelle, Erica, Kelly, and Molly!</span></span> <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So much to celebrate, so little time. This is my kind of Monday! Today is not only the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Chinese New Year</span></span></span>, but it is also the first day of our six-day <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Virtual Highlowaha Baby Shower</span></span></span>! There's gotta be something Feng Shui about that!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>For our veteran readers, you know, our virtual parties are a great chance to welcome new members into our community. So, grab a cup of coffee, wake up, and let's show these women what we've got!</div><div><br /></div><div>For those who know me at all, you know it would be virtually impossible to bypass the opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year, even if I'm supposed to be at a baby shower. So the challenge... find the point of intersection. I didn't have to go far, as the Chinese Zodiac provides the perfect fuel for getting this party started. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Tradition has it that the Chinese don't talk as much about age as they do the animal sign under which they were born. In other words, rather than sharing that I am 43 and a Libra, I would simply say I was born under the sign of the Snake. If I really wanted to self disclose, I might say I was a Wood Snake (as opposed to metal, water, fire, or earth). Apparently that's all the Chinese need to know in order to, "have your number."</div><div><br /></div><div>Skeptical? Look at what my Chinese Astrology book (published in 2003) generally had to say about the year of the Ox.</div><div><blockquote>"The year of the Ox will be an exciting one in which there will be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">major changes in the world leadership</span>. Political upheavals will be on the agenda. In the first month of the first Ox year this century, Queen Victoria died. There will certainly be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">struggles at the top of the political ladder where only the toughest survive</span>. Apart from instability on the political stage, the year of the Ox will pass without great floods or famines. The Ox will spend most of his time in the fields, and the harvest will again be bountiful and the promise of an honest day's work means that there will be many willing to reap the benefits. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">If you have serious plans of having children, the year of the Ox is a good time.</span> "</blockquote>Here are a few features of the Ox babies coming in 2009:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Qualities</span></span>: You are diligent, positive, and helpful. However, you tend to run your own show and can be rather stubborn and authoritarian. Some will find it difficult to work with you because you are tough and not always cooperative.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Luck</span></span>: You appreciate the small things in life and you are extremly proud when you see the results of your work. You work hard and are destined to succeed.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Money</span></span>: You take care of what you have and build on your resources. You may become very rich and famous in what you do - even something you learned as a child can bear fruit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Social Life</span></span>: You get on well with the people you choose to deal with. When you find yourself among people you do not know well, you can be shy and introverted. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Siblings</span></span>: You enjoy relatively good relationships with brothers and sisters as long as they learn to give you space and try not to be too dominating.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Health</span></span>: You are strong and extremely robust, like an Ox. You won't suffer illness as you lead a healthy life and can look forward to prosperous later years.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Party-goers, if there is one thing you should know about this community that you will be hanging out with for the week, it is that we are fun and engaged (engaging too, but definitely engaged)! It means we find reason to interact and share ideas just about every day. As for today? When in China, do as the Chinese do.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NAR7ZeCWUHxBbn3GEOsAEfakQU6qRzfRivRiQbfvdG4P62MRfyxXkRnSbFFfXkUQ_v6uRyYlAX859XAktY2-_mlLlnNrexG02DrUpbSFhVHvTWKPdtwtyK0rlY3poXbl_ygWNNalKqQ/s400/IMGP4036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295461441420724914" /></div><div>Apparently red envelopes are a big deal during the Chinese New Year. They are given year round like greeting cards are given in the Western tradition, but never more than at the Chinese New Year. The envelopes usually contain crisp, new money. Sounds good, huh?</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's how we'll play. I have thirty red Chinese envelopes... yes, filled with money. There are four envelopes with .25 cents inside; 20 envelopes with $1.00; three envelopes with $3.00; two with $5.00; and 1 with $20.00 inside. Each envelope has one of 2009's most popular kids names on it. You take a chance, pick an envelope/name, and see how much you've won.</div><div><br /></div><div>Got it? If you know your Chinese Zodiac sign then share that too! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the names corresponding with each of the envelopes.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; ">Boys</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jacob</div><div style="text-align: center;">Michael</div><div style="text-align: center;">Joshua</div><div style="text-align: center;">Matthew</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ethan</div><div style="text-align: center;">Andrew</div><div style="text-align: center;">Daniel</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anthony</div><div style="text-align: center;">Christopher</div><div style="text-align: center;">Joseph</div><div style="text-align: center;">William</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alexander</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ryan</div><div style="text-align: center;">David</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nicholas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Girls</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Emily</div><div style="text-align: center;">Madison</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hannah</div><div style="text-align: center;">Emma</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashley</div><div style="text-align: center;">Abigail</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alexis</div><div style="text-align: center;">Olivia</div><div style="text-align: center;">Samantha</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah</div><div style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alyssa</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grace</div><div style="text-align: center;">Isabella</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lauren</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>If I don't already have your mailing address, send me an email at cbeeny@lslog.com, so I can send you your winnings!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Announcements</span>:</div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); ">Speaking of Red</span></span>: You might have heard. There's a red carpet event happening on Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 CST, right here at highlowaha. Today at midnight is the deadline for submitting your nominations for the nine award categories (see Saturday's post for detailed list of the nine awards). If you don't want to nominate someone for all nine, but only feel strongly about one or two, then please just submit those. It's only the People's Choice Awards if you, the people, actually vote!!!!! Newcomers, we hope you will join us!<br /></li></ul>Signing off until tomorrow...</div></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5728888557599632752.post-1427955699790683542009-01-24T08:00:00.006-06:002009-01-24T08:21:10.897-06:00This Spuds No Dud<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KAYIu6imQk22Re6pzCVrqO0esIjWULNJDYy1Er8z-HUfWqSnbewbQCRScKH6x1Gezi5IGDEmSZYbRuh_TcBwUWlsABxEWDvVgYbROJDvMHxFw43azu4Nry3baUAZmGs4Bq2rcGlBCjg/s400/potato+sack+dress.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294695115215021490" />Potato sacks are out and glitz and glam is in. I hope you're taking note, because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Highlowaha's</span> People's Choice Awards Show is only three weeks away. We have lots to do to prepare for our party and picking out just the right outfit should rank among the most important. I know what you're thinking... Dress up for a Virtual Award Show to be watched on my computer in the privacy of my own living room? Is she crazy?<div><br /></div><div>No, I am not crazy, but I am serious. Dressing up in anticipation of walking the red carpet is part of fully embracing and celebrating everything for which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Highlowaha</span> stands. We live the Spirit of #218 - meaning we can find cause for celebration in even the simplest of things. So, yes, there is a dress code for the People's Choice award and potato sacks are out. Dust off your fanciest dress and most glamorous jewelry in anticipation of this important One Year Anniversary.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing more important than securing the perfect outfit is submitting your nominations for the nine award categories. For your convenience, the categories and criteria are listed at the end of today's post. </div><div><br /></div><div>Back to potato sacks. While a potato sack would be wholly inappropriate for the likes of our celebration, potato sacks were 100% appropriate for the party I attended one week ago today. This party tradition is compliments of my new and special friend, Misty.</div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine my surprise when Misty excitedly stopped me in the hallway or our children's day care in early December to invite me to her annual... POTATO SOUP PARTY! What? Potato Soup Party? Now I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">know</span> parties, but never - I mean never - in my life have I have heard of, nor been invited to, a potato soup party. I was intrigued.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the idea. Years ago, Misty and a handful of her friends decided to forgo gifts at Christmas time and, instead, to give one another the gift of time. No presents, just an intimate gathering of girlfriends with a long and cherished shared history. Part of their history dates back years to when one of the women (Misty) worked at Grady's, a local restaurant with award winning potato soup. By hook, and probably a little crook, the women got hold of the coveted recipe and pronounced it the official meal of the evening.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fifteen years later, these women continue to meet for their annual Potato Soup Party. Over time, each has been granted permission to welcome a guest or two into the mix. This year I was lucky enough to be among the chosen few. The warm potato soup is great and worth every <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">carb</span> and calorie consumed. But, the real warmth comes from an evening spent with smart, fun, supportive women, all of whom seemed to genuinely understand how rare and fleeting moments like these can be as we get older and life gets busier and more complicated. </div><div><br /></div><div>We played a game, but actually the game only served as the excuse to get down to the business of sharing life's ups and downs and our most recent trials and tribulations. An hour into the evening and we were telling stories like we'd know each other for years. That's the magic of women and, in large part, the secret ingredient that makes the Annual Potato Soup party so special.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other highlight of the evening to me was listening to the women share funny stories from years past. There was the year the soup, which normally cooks the better part of the day, hadn't even been started when the guests arrived. Then there was the year the wine flowed and one of the original five party goers got sick; the year a regular missed the party because she was literally in the hospital delivering a baby; and then the first year the party transitioned to an all night slumber party. </div><div><br /></div><div>They spent a portion of the evening retracing who hosted which party and where they were living at the time. It was fun to listen to, because it was a simple reminder that though life changes, addresses change, family size changes, some things don't change. Friendship doesn't change and all it takes is to keep something so priceless in tact is a simple bowl of potato soup. I love for it's simplicity.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would be remiss if I didn't brag about one more thing - Misty's invitations. Take a look. The invitations were handwritten on a cut out potato, placed in a burlap bag, and tied with raffia. Perfect. I know. She's a pro. One of us.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8HOj8UiJoMwLfQ0VMLTs0kBl0B0DV-SP3_7iuMbwd2qhyphenhyphen9ChAzWOMojgMH5ufRUFgDeIoCTY30xBNzLdJcAu45gQ0T27mIOI4rYyOSicrZlzNjlKl2vMWgweljaPaGY1kCk-bdwNSWA/s200/IMGP4001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294696313355491506" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivKelCT1q-Bw5wl28pz5Ift9-V8kqjnBOz5S8yIE45NKiYXcrsByTEEoacg0UJWdupweydSA_w0IxhwJrnCwvMedwV_kr-GlkDiIob5sRcgUYbyBxxphpuWrCy_7cKf4x7OPTgLrNaWiA/s200/IMGP4004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294696310607403250" /><br /></div><div>So while we will celebrate Misty and her potato sack, we will not confuse it, in way shape or form, as appropriate for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">our</span> upcoming party. Get busy picking out your outfits. That's where I'm headed.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Recap of Nine People's Choice Award Categories</span></span>:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Sliced Bread Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award will go to the Highlowaha reader who shared an idea you consider the "best thing since sliced bread." It's an idea you have either utilized or passed on to others. Please tell the idea he/she shared.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Raising the Bar Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award will go to the reader who shared an idea that has, in some way, enhanced the Highlowaha community. Please share the name of the person and/or the idea he/she introduced.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Good Neighbor Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award goes to the reader whose overall participation and contributions to Highlowaha have strengthened our blog's community.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Energizer Bunny Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award goes to the adventurous reader who actively participates in daily activities.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Spirit of #218</span><br />The spirit of Highlowaha means making time for interactions and experiences, in spite of the busy, fast-paced lives we live. This People's Choice Award goes to the person whose life seems to most encapsulate Highlowaha's Spirit of #218.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Home Run Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award goes to the reader who whacked an idea so hard, he or she knocked it out of the park. </div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">The Newbie Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award goes to a Highlowaha reader who has only been with us since October 2008, or later but whose participation we couldn't live without.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">The Veteran Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award goes to a Highlowaha reader whose been with us since at least May 2008 and whose participation we couldn't live without.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Oz Award</span><br />This People's Choice Award goes to the Highlowaha reader you would most like to bring out from behind the curtain to meet.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Signing off until tomorrow... </div><div><br /></div>Claudia @ Highlowahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18156269935738164157noreply@blogger.com24