I gave the below speech today to the Gulf Power Engineering Society and my fellow Toastmasters group on May 26, 2016. I wrote this in March 2016 and finally had the opportunity to deliver it for a crowd in the way I wanted. This was my final speech to complete the Toastmasters Competent Communicator manual. …
Our family took its first real vacation in nearly a decade. We traveled to Sevierville, Tennessee (located near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) with another family–our very good friends. This spring break getaway was the the most relaxed my husband and I have felt in a year or longer. We rented a cabin in the Smoky …
I recently interviewed four women for an article I’m composing on the topic of female confidence. Each of the participants had thought-provoking insights about their assertiveness and outside factors that affect it. I’m not done writing it yet but the words of these empowering ladies are already burned into my mind. They are amazing and I can’t wait to …
I gave this speech (below) in my Toastmasters group. Actually it was credited as two speeches from the Competent Communicator Manual – with emphasis on vocal variety and visual aids. The total time it took me to deliver this speech was almost fourteen minutes. I received such great feedback from the presentation and I had such …
I enjoyed a lunch meeting with three other ladies on Friday. We met for work purposes but the conversation later turned to personal endeavors and lastly, one of my favorite topics: creativity. I referenced how I recently read the book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) to the group. That’s when I …
Two weeks ago I was interviewed by a colleague. This was a change for me. As a writer, I’m typically the one questioning others. As I answered each question about a program or group I’m involved with, her face lit up with astonishment. “I cannot believe you’ve accomplished all that in a year’s time,” she …
Ask and ye shall receive. Is that how the ancient saying goes? As I look back upon 2015, I realize this past year has been remarkable. For once my laundry list of achievements is more than simply folding and putting away loads of towels, light, and dark clothing. My portfolio has pages of listings worth …
Deer Dis-connect, (Dear Auto-correct) I ate ewe! (I hate you!) Yu airways med up meye worlds. (You always mess up my words). Eye dupe latters and your chain there aground (I type letters and you change them around). Thus happens afternoon I hot sand buttons. (This happens after I hit send button). Wherever doctor 30th craft …
On Tuesday morning, December 1, 2015, I backed into a mailbox with my van. I was in my friend’s neighborhood, dropping off my 8-year old like I do every weekday morning before school. I’m not proud of it. I was distracted and not paying attention (like I should have been). This was a first-time occurrence for …
During an employee conference break last week, I noticed I had voicemail blinking on my cell phone. I listened to the message. It said the following: “Thank you again for all the help you’ve given me with this project of ours. I took your words and thoughts into account. You made my story better. You’ve …