Tuesday, May 31, 2011

A Fun Speaking Engagement

It has been a busy week to say the least.  Patrick was gone for five days enjoying time with his friends in Waskesiu golfing.  My mom came to the rescue and co-parented with me and was my date to the many social outings that happened to all land on the same five days! 

First up was the Women Without Borders.  A social marketing conference and chance for women of Southwest Saskatchewan to come together to network and learn about how to enhance your online presence.  

With the teachers strike on and the kids being out of school for four of the five days Pat was gone it was necessary to find ways to keep them busy.  Olivia and I stayed up until Midnight making a business card version of Snappy Socks.  Child Labour Laws?

 JoAnne from Wide Mouth Media said she was going to look into having them made for me at a printing place.  What fun with that be?  I guess if I need more than 100 that will be the way to go.
 I thought they worked great for a conference about staying "connected"!
 As luck would have it I was set to speak at 2pm and my samples arrived that morning!  I was so excited to finally see them that I had to share with someone.  It seemed fitting to go to Copies Xpress as they have been working with me for over a year on everything from designs to tags.  Matt and Staci are an amazing pair and I am so grateful for all of their hard work and creativity!
 It's just like Christmas!
 I told them we had been waiting so long it felt like giving birth to another baby!  So they cradled our newest additions ever so gently.
 But then we need the model "Smize" shot!
 Too fun!
 Off to the conference and I was so honoured to such important women there to support me!  My mom Vanna drove from Davidson, my daughter who was not intersted in having her brother babysit her sat quietly at the table with no DS or Ipod and listed for 8 hours!  And making what I am sure was a giggle filled but extremely long drive from Foam Lake was my mother in law and four other fabulous ladies from Breast Friends cookbooks.  A nine hour drive in one day to come to a conference!  I feel pretty lucky to have such a great group of ladies that inspire me.
 First up.  Olivia was in charge of photography.
 There were a few boys at the conference. Ryan Switzer from Snowstreaker and his buddy Colin Powers from the radio station.   I think this is the look they had on their face after I talked about sneezing and peeing my pants.  After I sat down I said to my mom, "Did I really just tell 120 people that I peed my pants?"  I guess next time I will take some notes up with me!

Next up the Dean of University of Regina School of Business.  Anne Lavack.  Such an impressive lady.
 Gail from Gail Force Writing.  Very talented at many things including Twitter.

I received a gift of Cherry wine from the Cypress Hills Winery for speaking.  If only more of the jobs I did on a daily basis paid me in wine!  Clean the toilet..... A nice Merlot....  Finish the laundry...  Cab Sav...
 Alicia Whalen from A Couple of Chicks was the Key note speaker.  She is one smart chick and extremely funny!

Our MC was the Jade Gritzfeld.  She did a fantastic job.  
This was day one of Pat's trip.  Stay tuned for the Premier's Dinner that was the next night!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Chaperone!




It's not often I get to spend one on one quality time so when the chance to chaperone Olivia's class trip came up I was sure to sign up. 

We were up early enough to enjoy some coffee and breakfast. 

 Olivia got me in the middle of talking!  Big surprise. 
 On the bus.  Movies and books but not electronics so I packed up my phone. 
 Not the busses I remember taking field trips on. 
 The Saskatchewan Science Centre. 
 Even the way they acknowledge and thank their sponsors is fun!
 I thought the salamander looked like a Dill Pickle. 
 Everything is just so fun!  This is the entrance to the critter cave. 
The bubble exhibit.  
 My favourite exhibit.  They had a mini washing machine with a number of socks.  You had to close your eyes and reach in and try to find two matching socks. 

 I know the percentage with Snappy Socks 100% you will get matching ones!!
 Who knew socks could be math. 
 There was an exhibit on mine safety.  I told Olivia she would have to pretend to be Uncle Ryan and we would dress her up in Mine Safety gear. 
 That's better!
 There were so many things to see and do we didn't have enough time. 
 My group's faces.  Can you find Olivia?
 You could lift yourself because it was like the gravity on Mars and you were much lighter.  Still not light enough for my wimpy arms.  I don't know what planet I need to move to.
 I did it!
Neat art. 
 This projection would follow you. 
 A little bit like Beyonce in the fan. 
 SGI donated these goggles that made you feel drunk.  And look like Bubbles. 
 Crazy lady. 
 A whole room of hockey science.
 The static ball demo.  a
 The uniforms were "Dog River"
 The playground outside. 
 Off to the Imax theatre.  I am going to need some coffee to stay awake. 
 Outside for adventure games. 
 The 3D movie was fantastic. 
 Back on the bus to head for home. 
 I also got to be the mom helper on Friday for Carson for the last time before he starts Kindergarden.  Here he is at Friday morning coffee in the park.  Given his history at the E.R.  I shouldn't let him go up a tree. 
 It is so good to spend time with the kids.  With the teachers strike coming up I will get even more time with them. 
All the kids love for mom to chaperone except Levi.  He has threatened me if I ever show up at a school dance so enjoy being the mom helper while your kids are little!