Fumbling My Way Through ...

Speaking at our local elementary for the kick-off of a Spring Fun Run.




A few people have emailed asking me how the "speaking circuit" (we'll use that term loosely) is going?


Well ...


let's just say I love it!


I love meeting people. I love hearing about their lives. I love that our family has been able to see new places. And I love talking about facing challenges and overcoming obstacles (adoption, Survivor, motherhood, etc.).


And let's just also say that I'm learning. 


A lot. 


And fumbling. 


A lot.


For one, I'm not able to speak at all of the places where I'm invited (some are too far away, some are out  of my budget, some are in conflict with other events, etc.). So, I'm having to learn to say no--and not feel bad about it. That's been tough for me. (Have you read the book "I Feel Bad When I Say No"? I need to.)


For two, it's actually kind of hard to balance my family-life, teaching, and the speaking engagements. (I have no idea how public figures do it? How on earth do you keep one foot "on the road" and one foot at home? It seems very hard.)


And for three, I have no idea how to coordinate events. Some are nearby; some are far away. Some organizations have budgets; some do not. So--I've learned that I'm not that great at scheduling. (Me to Dave: "Well, I can speak at both places the same night if I drive quickly." Dave: "No, actually, ya can't.")


You see, I'm a newbie.


But, I think this is how anything NEW goes. There's a huge learning curve and you make a lot of mistakes along the way.


I'm just crossing my fingers that my mistakes don't cause injuries. Truly.


So, the "speaking circuit" is great and it's a challenge.


And I love it.


PS: Enough about ME. How are you? I hope well. 8)




Typically, I speak on a panel.
Here was my last speaking partner.
Tough competition, no?

Psst: Doesn't he kinda resemble a pinata?







Popular posts from this blog

Giveaway Time: Retro Popcorn Machine (Air)

Image
(c) Nostalgia, 2011. I know microwave popcorn is WAY convenient and tasty, but it's not that healthy for you. So ... I thought it would be fun to giveaway an air-popped popcorn machine. And this is the one I own, so I thought we could be twins! Giveaway begins today and ends at 11:59pm on 2/24    (Friday, Mountain Time). Dawn's Blog Giveaway Rules 1. Anyone may enter.  Family, friends, in-laws, out-laws, previous winners, etc. 2. You enter by leaving a comment on my blog. Leave a comment--any comment--between today,  February 17 and February 24, 2012 @ 11:59pm. 3. One winner per giveaway: 1 Nostalgia Air Popped Popcorn Machine (red). I didn't win the million, sorry! 4. Winner is selected RANDOMLY using Random.org. The comments are numbered in the order they are received. 5. Winner will be named--first name/username--only on the blog on February 1. You may enter under anonymous, but I will have a ...
Read more

When The Flu Comes To Town ...

Image
Even Harriet-the-dog threw up this weekend. What the what? Well, if there's anything positive about having the flu, it's having it over a weekend--so you can truly REST from your work/school/etc. Right? Uh, sure. Poor Bam, Dave, Zu and even Harriet-the-dog each caught a weird cold/flu-type thing that had them "down for the count" this weekend. It was awful. I was teasing Dave, but I'm not sure if it's worse to be the one with the flu--or the mom to the ones with the flu. Eeek! (We're talking a lot of laundry and disinfectant. If you're picking up what I'm layin' down.) Hopefully they will be on the mend here soon. And hopefully, the remaining non-flu family members have used enough Purell to keep us germ-free. Crossing my fingers. Hope your weekend was 'smarvelous. ***** PS: Booo. BYU lost this weekend. (Yay if you are a Ute fan--Liz B.) PPS: Not that it's a big deal in the Big Picture, but I did deactivate ...
Read more

Recipe: Survivor South Pacific's " Ponderosa Caramel Banana Pancakes"

Image
(c) Sassafras Cafe, 2012. It's taken me a year to get the recipe (literally).  But here it is:  Chef Simon's  Survivor South Pacific  Ponderosa Caramel Banana Pancakes Ingredients Equal quantities of:  Soft fine dark brown sugar Unsalted Butter Full cream Sliced bananas (say bah-nah-na w/ an Australian accent please) Hot pancakes  Directions 1. Combine butter and sugar together over low heat,  2. Add cream stir with wooden spoon till combined  3. Add sliced bananas. 4. Slowly heat; don't boil. 5. Add to hot pancakes and e njoy ! Me, at Survivor South Pacific's Ponderosa, 2011. (Ponderosa is the location where players stay once they leave the game.)
Read more