We Have a Winner Wednesday! and “Okay, Smartypants!”

December 16th, 2009

christmas-present

“We Have A Winner Wednesday!”

The winner of this week’s contest is…drum roll, please #4..Tiffany Bellah, Orange County, CA!!!!

She is the lucky recipient of a couple’s registration to the April, 2010 FATJEF IV in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Congratulations, Tiffany!  We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

Just remember…

YOU could be the next lucky contestant on ” We Have A Winner Wednesday!”

please direct all further complaints and comments regarding this contest to Mads Haahr, Dublin Ireland.

For this week’s contest and fabulous prizes….please read on.

It is my distinct privilege to introduce you to this brilliant, entrepreneurial, fantasticly

is that a word?!…it is now

mom, Lauren Miller of:

Lauren's header

Click on her banner and it will take you to her Etsy page…

where creativity and visual stimulus abound!…

Her soap creations are nothing short of amazing!

The colors!…

Circle Sunrise

The creativity-combined-with-real-life-scents…

Foody Soaps

Take the art of hand washing to a whole new level!…

At least at our house…

where admittedly, we could possibly need to get out more!

When packages arrive from Lauren, Son #5 calls a hiatus from all current activity.

Here at the Helms, thanks to Sunbasilgarden, we have happy hands!

Let’s face it…

It’s the little things in life that sometimes matter most…

Or as Lauren’s tag line says,” Because life is too messy to not use happy soap!”

I don’t gravitate to bar soap…

please remember: 5 Sons + 1 Hero Hubby = 6 Males…

This is not a bar soap equation.

This fact being clearly stated regarding bar soap…

Let me be perfectly clear.

Lauren’s soaps are NOT just bar soap…

Any more than Etsy is “just another place to shop.”

Etsy is a place to buy and sell all things handmade.

I love it.

I can support really smart, innovative people…

never leave the drive way…

Not have to take any “little Sons” to the women’s restroom in a crowded mall because no “big Sons” came along…

And I get one-of-a-kind, “where did you get that?” things!

I’m in…

This week’s winner will not only get 3 of Lauren’s beautiful, handmade wonders…

but will also receive the joy of “finding things out!”

I hope you become a “Smartypants” with your kids in tow!

We are still posting our comments under the initial prize post for each week...i.e. this one.

With the “rules” firmly in place…

Part of excellent social leadership, involves the key components of…

community involvement and stewardship.

Here, at “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”

Let’s “test” your knowledge of this organization…

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those of you that regularly default to customary fill in the blank, true/false knowledge acquisition are cheering…

Others of you are possibly sweating…profusely.

A TEST?!

No one told me that was TODAY!?!?

The Salvation Army has historically had great taglines over the years…

“Caring is Sharing.”

“Heart to God and Hand to Man”…

(Lauren and I want you to have “happy hands”, wherever you live in this amazing country!)…

See how thematic I can be?!

Over the next week, simply post the answers to your research…

All in one post, please, and you will be entered to win 3 custom soaps!

For the “other” posting days, simply return to this original post and comment…

Even if it’s just that you read the post…

It still counts as an entry.

More on this incredible community organization to come…

Ready, set, go!…

You Smartypants, you!

1. Who was the founder of The Salvation Army?

2. In what country did it originate?

3. Where was the first kettle placed?

4. In what month and year?

5. By whom?

6. What is the purpose of placing kettles?

7. During WWII, what did The Salvation Army typically give to soldiers?

8. True or False? Santa sometimes rings a bell at a kettle.

9. True or False? The Salvation Army has orchestras as well as bands.

10. True or False? The Salvation Army is a church.

11. What is the motto of The Salvation Army?

12.  Counting the upcoming 2010 Rose Parade, how many consecutive years has The Salvation Army marched in the Rose Parade?

Thank you for playing!










TeriSig

We interrupt this winning frenzy…

December 11th, 2009

For some points of clarification…
1. I, Teri, moderator, founder, and conceptual creator (pretty impressive, huh?!) of TommyMom.com…

cannot win the prizes that are being given away.

I’m stunned to think that you could even begin to assume that I am running my blog

the way the Federal Government is attempting to run our country.

2. I am not choosing the eventual winner of said prizes. Random.org is.

If you go to Random and even briefly read the defining factors of this site, you’ll realize that you’re in good hands.

Mads Haahr, the creator at The School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College, Dublin Ireland, kindly offers you the definition of true random numbers.

This school prides itself (and I’m quoting here) on its name being an “innovative and energetic centre for study and research.”

I slept considerably better after I internalized this information…

but I didn’t come up with those adjectives to describe what I personally saw there.

I searched their website for a gift shop that offered cute, chic, designer pocket protectors…

There wasn’t one.

I can confidently say, that I doubt Mads learned his multiplication tables watching SchoolHouse Rock in the 1970’s…

Just remember, wanna-be-winners, to go to TommyMom’s Monday Post each and every post day

of anyWe Have a Winner Wednesday” giveaway week…

Then you will be automatically entered for each comment you leave.

If you forgot and left a post on Wednesday of this week…

I’ve got you covered…

It might be helpful to review your days of the week from Core/Love of Learning phases for future giveaways…

Just being helpful…

Because I want for all of you to win…

and yes, the rest of the country will benefit from future prizes…

Not just Southern California…

although we’d love to have you visit for the FATJEF!

In finishing up the “Festival of the Trees” series of thoughts…

I want to share with you what we did the day we took it all down…

As I was saying…. ( so many posts ago!…)

Familial buy in is huge to reinforce family identity and a sense of belonging…

The Festival committee begins wrapping the trees for delivery and dismantling the pens promptly at 4:00 p.m.

on the Sunday following the week of the event.

We took the entire family in for this “extravaganza”…

So we could all see the trees together…

And Sons #1-#5 could make numerous trips to the car with stuff we needed to clean up…

At times, they’re convinced it’s why we had them…

For strength in numbers when we need manual labor done…

The Mission Inn is a historic landmark in Riverside, California.

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I am well aware that not all of you live here…

The point is, what do you have in your area that could be meaningful, inexpensive, family fun…

That promotes holiday spirit?

Their lights and decor during the holiday season are famous…

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They are two blocks from the Festival of the Trees.

Just look at the atmosphere of celebration, fun, and community that was going on…

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We had a ball!

And…our mission was accomplished…

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Our older children saw the value in serving the greater community good…

Our Core and Love of Learning children “can’t wait to help spray paint” for next year, and loved the trees and family fun!

This really is a freeing way to pursue education…

I am blessed…

What are you doing as a family to get ready for the upcoming holidays?

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pssstt…Go to Monday’s post to comment! You can link above…


TeriSig

Festival of the Trees…For the Love of a Child, part 2

December 2nd, 2009

I left you on Monday with three one word questions…

They were:  Messy?…Purposeful?…Rewarding?…

The answer to all three is “yes.”

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Leadership Education is effective, not efficient.

You may want to reread that…

It consumes time…

In rather large quantities…

But in the long run, when crisis, calamity or just plain old leadership void hits a situation, a nation, a continent…

It can not only be a time saver, but a freedom preserver, a life giver, a savior of the need at hand.

It pays priceless dividends on the investment given.

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We decorated for 8 1/2 hours that day.

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This is the first year that the Festival has had a “thematic guideline”…

Due to their 20th year anniversary and desire for some cohesiveness…

You had to chose a title or phrase from a Christmas song.

We went with “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.”

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With the help of many we pulled ( sorry, couldn’t resist!) it off!

We loved that our tree represented community effort…

On the part of our pediatric dentist, Gary Okamoto, for supplies…

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A teacher friend, Susan Hill for taking all of our “toothless” photos of kindergarten through second graders…

Kathy Morris, who designed our tree topper, and could make bailing wire, a tube of toothpaste and a toothpick look like a million dollars…

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And last, but certainly not least, Tammie Blackmore, community leader extraordinaire…

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for roping us in encouraging us to participate and then securing us a spot in the design room!


Wow!…no pressure…

Take a look at some of these trees

Tammie's tree, Joy to the World

Tammie's tree, Joy to the World


and their surrounding “pens”equally decorated in many cases for thematic “ambiance”…

Let Heaven and Nature Sing

Let Heaven and Nature Sing

surrounding "ambiance' space for above tree

surrounding "ambiance' space for above tree

They judge the trees and award ribbons…

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

continued...

continued...

It's awards and accolades!

Its awards and accolades!

Rockin'..in a new old fashioned way...Elvis, Brenda Lee, Bobby Darin

Rockin'..in a new old fashioned way...Elvis, Brenda Lee, Bobby Darin

Then they host a gala evening that looks like this…

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And community leaders and residents attend the dinner and silent auction…

Santa Baby...

Santa Baby...

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And the neonatal unit raises money for specific items that are needed…

Let me say here that Americans are generous…

And benevolent…

One of the doctors that attended led out with a bid for $10,000…

for neonatal respirators that save lives…

they needed two.

With all of the recent villianization of the medical profession, I cried at the reality at hand…

There are great doctors…

That dedicate their lives and resources to people

They are people as well

Not institutions…

Or corporate machines…

The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas

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In 20 years, this event has raised $6,000,000 for the hospital.

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle Bell Rock

Riverside County Regional Medical Center is one of the only county hospitals in the nation to run in the black…

Visions of Sugarplums

Visions of Sugarplums

Because people care…

Mele Kalikemaka

Mele Kalikimaka

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They lead…

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas

By serving…

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Any community service plans in your schedule this holiday season?



Festival of the Trees: “For the Love of a Child”

November 30th, 2009

Many of you are aware of the fact that our family just hosted a rather large So. Cal. tour for a friend speaking on Ameri ca and principles that are needed to return her to her glory while securing our freedoms.

We had a lot of help from wonderful hosts and it was amazing…

And quite a bit of work…

I’m not complaining…

Just trying to convince you based on today’s post that I’m not completely insane…

At least not just yet…

The tour officially ended Saturday evening in Escondido…

Monday morning found my husband, Sons #1 and #2, and myself at the Riverside Convention Center…

To decorate a tree and fulfill a commitment to charity and our community…

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The Festival of the Trees is quite an event.

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It benefits the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Riverside Regional Medical Center, our county hospital.

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One of the pillars of Leadership Education is Field Experience.

Here is a partial explanation of it: Students seek opportunities outside the classroom where they can serve, learn and generally experience with an eye toward greater understanding of people, organizations, the world and their unique role in it.

I seek permission to digress for a moment…

Many people ask me “what Leadership Education looks like”

Or a personal favorite“How did you get so lucky to have five great kids?”

Here are but two of the overriding objectives for this blog…

1. We would like you to know that we are not extraordinary as far as human capabilities are concerned…

We are, however, diligent…

We have chosen to parent purposefully…

We are far from perfect, but where our children and family are concerned

we intentionally and carefully plan…

2.  With the above in mind, please don’t attribute our children to “luck.”

Moving along…

On top of what this looks like, there seems to be a concern amongst others as to how one would incorporate leadership education objectives with multiple ages…

Excellent question!

The first thing I did, was to approach Son #1, who is a highly creative being…

In many ways…

And a HUGE lover of babies…

I “convinced” him, that yes, he DID need this experience in life, and that the county hospital’s needs were as much his issue as they are mine where responsible citizenship is concerned…

How did I do this?

With a “field trip”, of course!

He attended The Festival of the Trees information meeting with me in September…

I cannot recall what he enjoyed more…

The ER receptionist blowing Bazooka bubbles in his face as a rather impromptu greeting…

Or the profile of “any and all” whose needs are met through county hospital services…

A quick debrief with a couple of minutes for pondering the “success” of preemies advocating for themselves…

and he was “in!”

Now for the family “buy in”

remember, 4 other sons and a large age span…

It’s really pretty simple…

Not to be confused with easy…

Can anyone say age appropriate skills?

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Time consuming?…

Yes.

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Efficient?

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Hardly.

“Messy?”

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Well…

Purposeful?…

Rewarding?…

To be continued Wednesday…

Comments?

It’s “Black Friday”…let’s be sensible!

November 27th, 2009

I trust that your Thanksgiving was a wonderful experience, full of fresh new memories made with family and friends.

Today is known in the retail world as BLACK FRIDAY.

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I used to be quite a shopper…

This “semi-vocation” had family members claiming that I knew the mall directory by heart.

While it was somewhat of an exaggeration, I was “quite familiar” with more than one mall, and didn’t necessarily need to utilize its guide…

Then the vocation of motherhood was added to my plate…

These days, I practically need the help of the directory to simply park AT the mall…

Imagine my absolute shock, if you will, upon viewing more than one commercial today,

joyously announcing the opening of several major department stores at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow!

Is this supposed to be in the name of convenience?!…

If so, I’m surely missing the “perks!”

I know how long it takes me to get ready to go…( yes, I’m fully and somewhat painfully aware that that is, indeed, a personal choice.)

I just can’t imagine anything…(and I DO include my MAC makeup obsession hobby in this category),

worth rising at 2:30 a.m. to purchase…

I’m  personally factoring in the “get ready” time as well…

This holiday season, why not consider either purchasing or asking for at least a couple of gifts that make “perfect” sense?!…

Don’t get me wrong…I’m all for festivities at the holidays, and love to both give and receive!…

But in the spirit of less clutter more meaning

Why not take advantage of some savings that will not only benefit you if you act upon them by December 31st; but allow you to reap continuous personal growth and development?

The FATJEF is coming into its fourth year.

It is a great opportunity to build community and hear fantastic speakers on a variety of topics pertaining to leadership and its educational methodologies.

If you register and pay by December 31st, you can do it for:

$45.00 person

$75.00 couple

$30.00 per scholar-age youth

This includes your lunch!

Not only is this a great deal, it builds on your commitment to leadership and excellence. You can’t go wrong…

Nor can any well meaning gift giver that is perhaps otherwise “clueless” in the gift-giving department!

The FATJEF will be held in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, April 24, 2010…

It will be at The Goldy S. Lewis Community Center at 11200 Baseline Road…

After Jan. 1, 2010, there will be a price increase.

This year promises to be the best yet!…

Amazing presenters are lined up!…

The concurrent youth conference is always an incredible experience…

We will be spotlighting several presenters here on TommyMom so that you “hear it here first!”…

And of course, so you can make an informed decision about attending as well…

Just think…you can hit the snooze button and give yourself a gift right now….

Extra sleep!…

I’m in!

Let the season begin!….

Happy rest-of-the-Thanksgiving-weekend to you and yours!

Stay tuned!…

More FATJEF details to follow…

Are you ready to  begin”chatting” next week?…

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 25th, 2009

I read a great quote today that I would like to share with you.

It is simple, yet powerful in its declaration…

I hope that as you celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, you will consider the message and determine if there is anything in your own thought processes that possibly needs to be adjusted…

“Gratitude defends: just fifteen minutes a day focusing on the things you’re grateful for will significantly increase your antibodies!”

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With the past 10 day TJEd 1,000,000 tour, as well as other commitments, it seems as if Thanksgiving snuck up on me

I hope that your holiday is lovely, and rich with opportunities for meaningful dialogue

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Memorable experiences

And that it is full of defense.

a special thank you to the young Master Mancuso, age 7,  for providing me with awesome “Pilgrim People…and the attention to detail in giving the Pilgrim Lady pearls…now there’s a man to admire!”


What are you thankful for?…Raise your voices and sound off!

November 20th, 2009

On Monday, TJEd 1,000,000 was in Thousand Oaks, Ca. It was a beautiful and very productive evening.

The Mancuso Family hosted us in their home for the night as well.

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It was a lovely and wonderful experience.

I love to go into the homes of families practicing TJEd…

It is inspiring, infuses one with hope, and serves to give affirmation at the grass roots level; that there are families in America taking responsibility for furthering the cause of liberty and freedom through education.

There are still others that would really like to know what this looks like on a daily basis.

In its purest form, TJEd is very organic…

Read Leadership Education by Oliver and Rachel DeMille to gain further insight.

It can be used with any educational or life model.

It is principle based, not “forms” driven.

You don’t have to belong to a club, organization, or institution to “qualify.”

You simply take the principles and begin…with you, not them.

Throughout history, millions have done just that…

With amazing results…

I loved this simple, yet effective wall in the Mancusos kitchen area.

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The written word is powerful affirmation.

And coupling words with pending holidays is quite an affirming visual for people.

The turkeys are the Mancuso children’s hands. I ask you, how cute is that?

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I also took some pictures for you of the kitchen island…pilgrims, pumpkins, the Declaration of Independence… visual affirmations of values being communicated in core and love of learning.

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These are phases of learning that we continue to build on throughout our lives.

I know that I seized the moment to add my turkey to the wall!

What are you thankful for?…

Perhaps some visual affirmation would be in order?…


It is my desire that this blog community would be a place to lend your comments…

We benefit from the diversity and perspective of others…

I invite you to sound off!…

Of course, fabulous prizes often help!…

Starting the week after Thanksgiving, in celebration of the upcoming holiday season, there will be one prize a week given to a lucky TommyMom reader!

All you have to do is read and comment!…

It’s like Christmas and Hanukkah coming to your door!…

A random generator will pick one of the comment numbers, and that individual will become the lucky recipient of the featured prize!…

Be sure and sound off!…

Tune in Monday to see the results of the first TJEd 1,000,000 tour with Dr. Brooks!


Happy Halloween…Then and Now, part 3…The Conclusion

November 2nd, 2009

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If you have been following this Halloween costuming saga, here’s the point.  The “plan” of the leader worked. I found myself in Target, just hours before the blessed Trunk or Treating event last year, hoping  that I could get myself out of my present predicament by finding the necessary materials to throw together carefully execute a Nacho Libre costume that gave the impression that I had planned it for months.

I must be doing something right in this life, for there, before my eyes in the girls department ( not a place I frequent with any regularity), were one lone pair of turquoise tights. They were even the right size.  Could it be?!?

My next stop was women’s lingerie.  I was practically choking back tears of relief, when, on yet another rack, were some women’s red stretch panties! The brand?  “Xhilaration”.  Thus summing up what I was feeling in that particular moment.

Armed with my recent purchase, I headed home to show dubious child #5, that I, indeed was a competent, capable and fearless leader. (Never mind about the organized part.)

It was still 90 degrees that evening when the event got under way.

It is most desirable when attempting to inspire individuals ( i.e.mentees) to new heights of leadership, that they internalize the principles of personal initiation, seek out desirable mentors, and problem solve to the best of their age-appropriate ability.

Let’s just say, that judging by the above photo of THIS year’s event; those skills were definitely in place…be they good, bad or indifferent.

When you are the youngest in a large family, you have several overriding life issues that when unchecked, become dominant life goals. Being in charge would be one of them.  Of pretty much anything or anyone. Attempts at this are frequently executed.

Being the center of attention is also a plus, since you are generally IN the spotlight with one or more siblings.

We live in a racially diverse community.  It is also a highly agricultural area.  These demographics have produced a large migrant, Hispanic-based community, within our community.

Nacho Libre is well loved.  A hero. An icon, if you will.  Child #5 went last year with some serious doubts and left a celebrity.

And he didn’t sweat.

It became apparent that he had been doing his homework and mulling the above mentioned leadership principles over; when the subject recently came up regarding costumes for Halloween.  Suffice it to say, that we have discovered that #5 could possibly handle some form of fame.  He basks in his proverbial 15 minutes of it.  He recanted how much he was loved last year,  and decided he’d like to be two for two in this department.

He requested of me, the mentor to this whole mess situation, that I contact one of our friends that he had seen sporting a Nacho Libre mask. This, by the way is an adult. He was wanting to borrow it, so he could be “more authentic.”

ResourcefulFull of initiative. Practically a celebrity…at least in his own mind.

One happy, tired boy reported to me as he laid his head on the pillow, “Mom, sixty-five families asked to take a picture with me tonight. I counted.” ( Those numbers could be a stretch…I DIDN’T count… and he’s eight.)

“I love this costume.” ” I’m sorry that my tights won’t fit next year.”

Success….in more ways than one.

Happy Halloween!…One Year Ago. Costuming and Military Strategy, part 2

October 31st, 2009

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Let’s speak with true candor. Leadership Education not only strongly advises that you are one step ahead of those being led at all times, but that to the best of the leader’s ability, a demeanor of calm confidence is displayed. This would give the illusion impression of stability and competence to those following your lead.  And we all know the old adage that you have ONE CHANCE to make that first impression. As a parent, I have often wondered, what then, we are supposed to be doing with the MILLIONS of following impressions?!…But never mind.  That’s for a later discussion.

Back to the 120 degree garage where the simulation of a trial was being conducted. Since #5’s toe-tapping exercise had now been replaced with a healthy level of voice modulation; he had my complete and undivided attention. I quickly and smoothly switched to plan “B”. Perhaps that is slightly overstatedPlan B began to manifest itself beautifully, as we continued to dialogue.

“#5, you look hot.” ” That’s because I AM hot. ” And we’re in this garage, looking for a costume that I asked you for days and days and days to find.”  ” That’s because I knew you’d lost it, mom.” “#5, what if it is this warm for Halloween?”

This was clearly a consideration that his then seven-year-old mind hadn’t quite yet processed. “Then when you put all that white makeup junk on my face, I’m going to shweat (the seven-year-old pronunciation for sweat) it all off into my eyes and my suit.” He is now looking quite unsure of himself, where pressing the issue of this particular costume choice is concerned.

“Would you like to consider wearing something else in case it’s too hot for felt?” ” It IS too hot for felt.  It’s always too hot for felt.”  “I’ve told you that lots of times when the shweat sweat is pouring off of my face and making that white and black stuff go in my eyes…”

How about being “Nacho Libre?” Since we are newfound friends here, understand a couple of truths that are practically eternal.  I rarely go to, or watch, movies or television.  I need a good reason. I would just rather do other things. Like read. Or read some more.   This doesn’t make me better or worse than anyone who has an opposite viewpoint.  It’s just trivia for knowing me better.

I would rather consider being blind than watch Nacho Libre ever again.  It was one of the most mindless activities I’ve participated in since the last time I cleaned a bathroom. On this particular day, however, I was toying with calling The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood and asking them to reconsider nominating Nacho Libre for some sort of an Academy Award. Any category they were willing to consider would do.  And I was going to add it to our list of “core movies” if my plan worked. No, really.  Flexibility is a constant when educating the leaders of tomorrow…or at least those that are seven.

More to follow…

Happy Halloween!…One Year Ago. Costuming and Military strategy, part 1

October 30th, 2009

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Perhaps some of us practicing Leadership Education methodologies could, from time to time, use a smidge of help in organizational and “planning ahead” techniques. This would particularly apply to those moments when you “know that you know, that you KNOW” EXACTLY where last year’s costume-that-was-purchased-with-the-intent-of-getting-at-least-two-year’s-worth-of-wear-out-of-it, is being safely and efficiently stored.

When your then-seven-year-old (son #5), begins coming to you a month before the holiday festivities to “check in” and make sure that said costume has been located, you should possibly consider that as a serious prod to stand up and take notice. Actually locating the costume at that point would be a proactive approach to fending off Halloween Day hysteria and meltdown.  But why rush a good thing? I KNEW that I KNEW where it was. Period.

As Halloween drew near, the conversations went something like this… “Um, mom (tap your right foot up and down with arms folded while speaking), you really don’t know where you’re storing that skeleton costume, do you?” ( More incessant tapping to be heard in the pregnant pause.)  “Yes, #5, I DO happen to know where it is. Now please stop worrying.” “Then how come I haven’t seen it yet?”  “Aren’t you wanting me to try it on to make sure it fits?” “I’ve grown you know.” I refuse to be intimidated or manipulated into caving under the pressure of a seven-year-old’s stare.  This drill continues day in and day out until the week of Halloween, 2008. I finally decide that perhaps a casual perusal through the box in the garage where I KNOW the elusive skeleton costume is housed, is in order. Son #5 decides to join me, just for fun.

Never mind, that even though it’s October 25; where we live, it’s still nearly 100 degrees. And the aforementioned costume happens to be felt. Beautiful to behold and experience, but nonetheless… felt. And also, at this particular juncture in time, NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. Trying to appear casual, while rivers of sweat begin their journey down my back, I open box numbers 2, 3, and 4. NO COSTUME. Panic rises up in me, but quickly remembering three of George S. Patton’s One Minute Messages, I appear to remain calm, cool and collected.

Son #5 is not easily fooled, and playing the part of Johnny Raincloud, pipes up with the following…” I knew it.” ” You can’t find the costume, can you?” ” I even gave you days and days and days of notice!” “This is just GREAT!”  ” Am I going as Adam…in NOTHING?” Seems to me someone else said “Never let them see you sweat.” This was already null and void, as it was probably 120 degrees in the garage, and #5 was turning up the heat with every minute! “What’s a mom to do?” Follow the principles, man!

1.Be alert to the source of trouble. 2.Make your plans to fit the circumstances. 3.Never let the enemy pick the battle site.

As a mom of boys, it seriously pays to cozy up to the likes of Patton once in awhile! Stay tuned!…

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