Champagne Sundays

              Time is the greatest commodity we have. We do not get more minutes in an hour, hours in a day, days in a year. What we do with our time must be rewarding and impactful for our overall mental and physical health. When it comes to giving of my time for volunteer efforts, there are a few hard truths that impact my decisions: I hate the outdoors (unless I am on a golf course), I do not do well in medical-type situations, and I need to make a difference and leave an impression with whatever I do. This is why I am more inclined to be a “policy volunteer” rather than a “service volunteer” because I like to draw on my skills and experiences to affect change (Worth, 2019, p. 243).             This blog post is another pertaining to an assignment for Introduction to Nonprofit Organization . Our professor tasked us to find three local volunteer opportunities and disc...

If you know me, you know I have a passion for nonprofit organizations. It started twenty years ago when I first ventured into the business at Tennessee Christian Medical Center. The work we were able to do behind our Statement of Mission, “We exist to reflect the life and work of Christ and to assist physical, emotional and spiritual healing,” impacted both patients, employees, and our local community. I learned there that purpose over dollars was more of a motivator for me and that changed my career path moving forward. Since then, I have been in and out of the nonprofit realm for employment, but I also get my fix (laughing) from a number of nonprofit boards and committees that I sit on. For example, I am currently the Assistant Chair on Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) Nominating Committee, the Director of Board Marketing on the Johnny Appleseed District of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and a Board Member at Large on the Tennessee Tech Parent Association Board of Trustees....

During the 4.13.19 gathering of #734IGLIVE (live on Instagram every Saturday at 7:34 a.m. CT) we talked a lot about words. Not the word we were using to speak with, but the words that define us. What are those words that drive you? That inspire you? That are the pillars supporting you each and every day? I haven't been able to shake this conversation. It's self-reflection and that's hard. I feel like I'm always redefining myself. Or trying to, maybe. I'm quick to be inspired. Be influenced. To emulate. I'm quick to take on the skills of others because I know I can. Their success inspires me and I want it. Dang, that's a terrible thing to say. Isn't it? I started to write my three words based on my life story, as instructed. The first word I wrote was restless . Not a good way to start, huh? I then wrote teacher , social , insecure , emotional , and weak . Well, two pillars out of six isn't bad, is it? Maybe this is why I haven'...

As the world is in a tizzy today over the interception that never was to be, I ask you, what happened to the other 58 minutes of the game, and why isn’t anyone discussing what brought the Chargers, or Green Bay for that matter, to that moment?   Why is it okay to have a 2-minute drill and a Hail-Mary pass decide, and not always correctly, the end of a game? My job is Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   What would happen if I decided that every day I was going to come to work at 4:58 and work as hard and diligent and structured and on target as I can for two minutes – how would that work for my boss, my peers, and my family (fans)?   What if, on Friday, I waited until 4:59:55 and threw all of my ideas in at once and hoped that someone was around to pick up on it?   Sounds silly, right? But that’s what we’re talking about today.   And by “we,” I mean everyone who’s ever heard of the concept of football.   We’re all talking about a...

I’m noticing a trend – restaurants are keeping my money – but not in the obvious “you ate it so you have to pay for it” kinda way. Let me explain …     Earlier this week the family and I went to our local Ruby Tuesday for a late bite.  The food was adequate, the service was fine, the environment was standard, but the code of ethics was nowhere to be found.  Our bill was a total of $31.86 and we paid with $40.00 cash.  That’s right, good old fashion cash.  When our change was dropped off we received an even $8.00 and a waiter who vanished.  Let me see here, $31.86 + $8.00 = $39.86.  Whoa-nelly, where’s my $0.14?! I typically wouldn’t go all east-coast-angry-woman-hostile over 14-cents, but this was the THIRD time in two months this has happened to me (with 14-cents being the smallest amount).  The first time was at the Aquarium Restaurant about a month ago, and then just this past Sunday at Maggianno’s.  I ask you, has the ent...

I've been accused of being addicted to many things in my life - big 80’s hair, a good cry for no reason, daytime soaps, any mini series featuring Robert Mitchum or Richard Chamberlain, a good red wine, Prosecco, my son’s laughter - but never in my life have I gotten so defensive over a presumed addiction as when I was accused of being addicted to my cell phone and social media.   I mean really, an addiction? That sounds so extreme! Yet, there I was, sneaking a peek at Twitter when no one was looking, hiding the phone under a pillow when someone would walk into the room, checking Facebook at the first restroom break I could excuse myself to, having hid there just minutes before. But wait, am I addicted? Do my reactions to the accusations render me guilty or simply guilty by association?   Those accusers, who shall remain nameless, seem to think that there was a time and a place when we all simply talked more. My argument is we talk the same now (maybe even more?)...