Oh Heck!!

Have you ever done something with the best of intentions, then realised that you either did it incorrectly or the outcome was the opposite of what you had intended?

Recently, I volunteered to coordinate the popcorn fundraising event for Daniel's Scouting group. I had no idea what a big job it was. However, after attending the training session (yes - a TRAINING session) I decided to give it my best effort. Well, one's best effort, when sleep deprived and feeling completely overwhelmed by life, is not particularly spectacular. In fact, my best effort was a dismal disappointment.

Being an intelligent person, perhaps giving myself too much credit on that front, I prepared for the first fundraiser kickoff presentation. Daniel, being my assistant popcorn fundraiser, had his sample sales pitch prepared and memorised. I wanted the other children to be just as enthusiastic about their sales pitches, so I prepared a big bowl of popcorn for them to sample. First I threw in the caramel flavoured popcorn, then the chocolate popcorn and then I added the freshly popped microwave popcorn... ACK! The chocolate began to melt, the popcorn started to clump together - what a mess! Heck!! Oh well, what child doesn't like chocolate? "Hello, boys and girls, I'm here tonight to talk about one of the most important fundraising events of the year." All the little pairs of eyes were watching me like hawks. Good, I thought to myself, I've got their attention."We're going to sell as much delicious popcorn..." I placed the bowl of popcorn down in front of them... and... whoooompph... no more little eyes were looking at me. Of course they were all elbow deep in the popcorn! Double heck! So, still smiling because frankly what else could I do, I ended up finishing the presentation for the few parents that had hung around and handed out the envelopes and popcorn sales forms. Not a stellar performance.

The next few presentations went much more smoothly. Together Daniel and I made a great team: I'd introduce the fundraiser then Daniel would demonstrate his sales pitch. No popcorn sampling involved.

Then I realised my big mistake - I had neglected to fill in some crucial information on the collection envelopes. Hadn't even looked at the envelopes - what was I thinking? Key information was missing, such as who to make cheques payable to, deadline date, pickup date, my contact information. HECK, HECK, HECK!!!!!

Sooooo, the very last presentation went extremely well. The collection envelopes had all the relevant information on them and included a package of microwave popcorn for the children to sample at home at their parents' convenience. The children were really great, they asked questions, were well behaved and enthusiastic. If only I'd been on the ball - all of the kickoffs would have gone this well.

I think I'll have to volunteer for the popcorn event again next year, just so that I can redeem myself and make up for my mistakes this year!

What Have I Learned Lately?

Although my life has accelerated to break-neck speed, I feel like my mind is a little stagnant. One of my very close friends focuses on learning. With this in mind, I've been looking at my life through a learning lens:

1) I have learned that if Andy's arms are waving, the chances of me wearing his meal are very high. I sit here with oatmealy circular splotches on my navy pants - remnants of Andy's breakfast.
2) I have learned that I can get a lot done around the house in the minute or two that it takes a bottle to warm up.
3) I have learned that both my sons are gentle, caring children.
4) I have learned that I must stop and try to assist an animal in distress, despite the impact it will have on my day. Shame on whoever it was that hit Bob the gentle neighbourhood cat, and left him to try dragging his broken and bleeding body home.
5) I have learned that I have the power to stand up to aggressive bank managers and insist that they respect my position in the company and that I will take my time and proceed with care when implementing new processes. I refuse to be railroaded.
6) I have learned that a soft voice or gentle touch is much more likely to get positive results when trying to get myself and the boys out the door in a timely manner in the mornings.
7) I have learned that I need to take time for myself.
8) I have learned that I love my life. I need to keep striving for balance, but ultimately, I love the way things are going.

My Second Childhood

I must say that I've having an absolutely fantastic time with Daniel's Beaver Scouts. Haven't actually been to one of his colony meetings yet (we've attended another colony twice as visitors), but I'm, or should I say, we are having a lot of fun.

So far I've attended the AGM, group committee meeting, emergency group committee meeting, popcorn fundraising kickoff, made a popcorn fundraising presentation, and sat on the sidelines for two Beaver Scout colony meetings. I've laughed, joked, made relevant comments and have witnessed adults working together to make children's experiences with Scouts safe, educational and a lot of fun. However, I don't think Daryle is very impressed that I'm not home very much. He certainly doesn't share my enthusiasm. Perhaps he'll join in the fun at some point - I'm not holding my breath.

This evening will be another busy one: I'm stopping by to visit Paul (Leader for one of the Scout groups) and then Wendy (another Leader for a different scout group) to drop off fundraising information. Afterwards, Daniel and I will head over to his Beaver colony, give our presentation, then he can settle in and get to know the other kids in his group. I hope I get along with the parents at the Thursday night colony as well as the parents at the Monday night colony. I may even switch to Monday night if necessary (I'm sorry, but Daniel has a blast regardless of what night he attends and I want to enjoy myself as well).

On Monday night Daniel did so well standing up in front of the children in Beavers to show them how easy it is to speak to others about selling popcorn. He used his own words, with a few extras thrown in by me. "Hi, I'm Daniel, I'm a Beaver Scout. Would you like to buy some scrumptious popcorn? We're trying to raise money so that our group can go camping." Scrumptious was actually his suggestion, so it stayed. I'm so proud of him - he did an awesome job speaking in front of his peers.

Feeling somewhat geekish (if that's a word) I can hardly focus on my work today in anticipation of how much I'll have tonight. Sheeesh, what have I become?

Herding Cats

Last night was Daniel's first Beavers meeting. Excitement doesn't begin to describe how he felt. Secretly I was a little pumped too. I've been wanting Daniel to be a part of scouting for a long time.

After a quick leader/parent meeting, I stayed to watch and had to stifle many outbursts of laughter. Oh my goodness!!! It was so funny to watch. I've got to give credit to the Leaders for their patience and positive attitudes through all the typical 5, 6 and 7 year old behaviours.

At the beginning of each meeting they go through a certain routine, part of which is called 'Riverbanks'. The leader calls out "Riverbanks" and all the children are supposed to stop running around and line up together in two rows with their arms stretched forward to rest on the shoulders of the person in front of them to form the banks of the river where the beavers live. Cute concept, don't you think? The reality was this: when "Riverbanks" was called, some children paused in their play and sauntered around, wondering what to do, while others completely ignored the command. Two out of the ten kids lined up to form the river banks. Giggles of embarrassment from the parents. "I can't believe that MY child didn't listen..." "It looks like they're trying to herd cats."

After the kids have been rounded up and shown how to line up for Riverbanks, they sit in a circle (Beaver Dam) and have a discussion and play a game to remember each other's names. A minute or two later the Hawkeye (head Leader) asks "Marcus, do you need to go to the washroom?" A nod of his head and he heads for the washroom, followed by half of the entire troop. Giggles from the parents on the benches.

Five minutes later the children are divided into two teams to play crab-soccer. Within seconds they've jumped up from the crab pose to their feet to chase the ball. Then all heck breaks loose:  leaders try to get the kids to get back down into the crab pose, Eric kicks Justin, Cathy runs crying to her dad that Justin got kicked and our Daniel stands in the middle of the melee telling the air that his arm has a cast and that he's not going to do the crab pose. Chuckles again from the peanut gallery.

On our way home Daniel tries to remember the Beavers Motto, Promise and Law. Heck, I can't remember all three, but I'm sure I soon will. Daniel will get a badge or perhaps his scarf and woggle, I think, if he gets all three memorized. Do I get one too? All kidding aside, I think this is a great opportunity for Daniel to broaden his horizons and become a very well rounded individual. On his Hawkeye's instruction that he's personally responsible for taking care of his uniform and needs to treat it with respect, Daniel has already hung up his uniform neatly in his closet ready for his next meeting.

I'm so glad that, despite my screaming headache, I stayed to observe the meeting. I'm beginning to pick up on the jargon and at least I'll be able to talk with Daniel about what's going on at the meetings. What a wonderful program - teaching responsibility, sharing, caring, self-discipline, etc. I'm going to do everything in my power to make this a wonderful, memorable journey for Daniel.

What is This? Who am I? Where am I?

I feel like I'm in a spin. Out of control. My head feels like it is going to split into about 10 pieces. Not into 2 like a somewhat normal headache. If I could, I would put my head down on my desk and cry. It hurts THAT bad.

I don't know why I feel sooooo crummy.

It has been a really good day. Honestly. I had to tell our evening cleaning person that we've changed companies and the conversation went as well as could be expected. I HATE having to do these sorts of things. Very stressful.

I also arranged for Daniel to attend a different Beavers colony tonight instead of on Thursday because I'm in charge of the popcorn fund raising effort for the 4th Surdel Scouts and need to attend the information session on Thursday.

What else was good about today? I ordered Daniel's Beavers hat online (his head wouldn't fit into any of the hats stocked at the store - poor kid) plus I added a couple of books for him to read. I wish I had my paperwork from the hospital handy so that I could call Dr. Cast about Daniel's follow-up appointment to check that his arm is healing properly. I can deal with that though - just have to get through the day and get home first to look for the sheet of paper with the right information.

In addition to these little, and not so little, things that I've accomplished today I've managed to eat well. A bowl of cereal for breakfast and a large salad with chili for lunch.

Well, I haven't managed to talk myself out of feeling yucky. A glass-half-full type person would likely respond that I should try the reverse. Talk about feeling good, don't focus on the bad.

Sure.

Go away. It's time for me to put my head down and turn out the lights.