Good Morning Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Hello Everyone,

I took the day off yesterday and didn’t “Blog” either.  I had a wonderful day off recovering from the fabulous Corrections Picnic.  The day started as usual.  Up at the crack of dawn to feed the ever persistent cats at 5:15AM – yes even on a day off they want food precisely at 5:30AM.  Mainly Wylie is the culprit, making noise, “pawing” my face and neck (got her claws clipped – they were so sharp!) and never giving up until I have my feet on the floor and work my way to the kitchen.

So about the Corrections Picnic.  Got there precisely at 8:50 AM – I thought I was going to be late because I got a late start.  Polly was “running” late – she got there about 9:30.  We were located at a different pavillion down the sidewalk from where we normally were in the past.  I didn’t like the location and everyone was used to using the first pavillion closest to the parking lot.  So we couldn’t figure out where to put the table for ticket sales.  It needed to be “in the shade” for me and looking at that pavillion I couldn’t see where to put it.  So we ultimately ended up putting it by the tennis courts so we could “catch” people going to the old location.  As we were setting up, we discovered there was no electricity in the pavillion – WHAT!!!!  Anyway, in order to make coffee – gotta have coffee – they stretched extension cords to a light pole way down the parking lot.  I was freaking out – but then everyone else was “fine” with it and went about doing their business.  Next we were putting table cloths (Dollar Store specials) on the picnic tables.  Another thing that freaked me out – why do that?  But the argument was that the tables were filthy – and that was true – they were, so I’m glad they had the plastic table clothes.  Thank goodness for Duct Tape.  I bent down and taped the cloths so they wouldn’t “fly away” in the wind.  Now today, I figured that was where I stretched out my thigh muscle that was “killing” me yesterday – I could hardly move.  I met a guy named Paul who helped with this process.  So Steve and I sat at the table away from the “people” and were pretty isolated from the “herd”.  Last year people came in and bombarded us at the “gate” to buy tickets.  Last year we sold around 90 tickets at the door and I expected that yesterday because the weather was PERFECT for this picnic!  But ultimately, we only sold around 35 tickets at the door.  Around 12:45 we decided to move the “reception” table to the pavillion.  It was helpful to have Roy around to help.  He picked up the table and brought it over all by himself.  It’s way too heavy for me to do that.  So then it was set up in the shade by the Port-a-potties.  We rented them this year because the only open rest rooms were really far away from the pavillion – they are far from the first pavillion too, because the made building is closed on Sundays (probably Saturdays too).  But they were only $60 each – (note for next year – provide hand sanitizer or get ones that provide that – it was gross even for me).  Next duty was to work with Polly on the 50/50 raffle.  She was getting everyone involved with that and we split $500 this year.  Down slightly from last year, but that was because I figured there were about 70 less people there this year.  Can’t really say why, but there is a lot going on in town this time of year since the weather is so good.  The speaker Lou V from Cleveland, was really good.  I actually heard him speak this year.  That was nice – the previous years I was just out of sound range and couldn’t hear the speaker.  I had actually met Lou the night before at the BB meeting at the Naples Group.  I heard he is here all week – staying with Tim.  That is something that makes me appreciate what happens “behind” the scenes with this type of thing.  Anyway, I’d say the picnic was a success.  BUT the biggest thing I came to appreciate, was that the Corrections Committee is really a great working group.  We all cooperate.  No fighting or egos getting “in the way”.   We all participate and get the job done.  I am blessed to be part of this wonderful group of selfless folks.  I especially thank Steve for keeping me company at the “table” and for being available to help.  Roy was a big help too.  And we get to do it all over again on Saturday at Serenity By The Sea, but this time for The Grapevine.  Life is good!

So finally today, you know I need to add a picture “of the day” and here it is:  Monday at Walmart!

Walmart on Monday Afternoon

Not like the weekend when I usually go there.  It was practically empty!

Yesterday, Bill and I went through the database meetings and the Meeting Schedule he produces and we got it synced up.  Now I just need to let Gary know about all of the changes we found so he can update his “app”.  He figured out how to do that.  I’m not sure if it’s costing him money or not – probably is – but more shall be revealed as time goes on.

Have a GRAPE day today!  On to Serenity by the Sea!