Oh Mr. Blog, I'm still so blue that I can't get going again. A friend of mine from high school died the day before yesterday.
Her name was Val Mroczek McLean and we hung out at high school together with a big group we liked. She was best friends with Molly McLean who I was pals with since 1966 when we were in Girl Scouts together and later married Molly's brother Marty. She was also the little sister of Kenny Mroczek who later married one of my best high school pals Sheila Anderson. Val told Molly in 1967, when they were eleven, that she would marry her brother one day and then they would be best friends and sisters. Val and Marty became sweethearts in high school.
Then forty two years later she had a heart attack and died. She had been very sick with inoperable cancer for four years so maybe God was merciful. I don't know. The funeral and reception were very lovely. They both came from huge Catholic families that had known each other at church for decades. I hadn't seen most of her relatives for thirty years but everyone looked the same but older. It was so hard to see her children. They are 21, 19 and 17 and so gorgeous. The perfect blend of Val and Marty. The girl, Johanna, is a show stopper for sure.
It just seems so unfair for her to die at fifty-two. She doesn't get to see her children marry. She doesn't get to see her grandchildren. She doesn't get to love Marty until they are old.
I haven't been able to get much done. I just want to reflect on what a lovely person she was for a few days. In high school, she and Molly were always together like peas in a pod. They were both kick-ass gorgeous at seventeen with drop dead figures and long silky brunette hair. Val had this soft speaking voice but a loud rowdy laugh that was totally infectious. She was so warm and friendly and vibrant and really authentic. What we used to call, "Up Front" in the 70s.
The day after Val died was Teddy's thirteenth birthday and it was hard to concentrate. Fourteen of his pals showed up for a pizza and pool party but it was a stormy day. We took them across the highway to the bowling alley and treated them to arcade games for an hour.
Then it cleared up bit and they all jumped in the freezing cold pool for the last hour.
Crazy boys. They had a blast and that was what was important.
So now I have two teenagers. At fifteen Troy has come out of the new teen moody zone at last right as Teddy is entering into it. Thank goodness they aren't in the moody phase at the same time! I love them so much and I am glad to be alive to be with them. I am proud of them.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
9/5/09 DECA Convention, Selling at Stop Lights
So much to think about lately Mr. Blog. The Director of the Washington State DECA called a few days ago. She wants to schedule me to talk to all the DECA advisers in Washington State at the annual convention at the Meydenbaur Center in Bellevue October 27th and tell them about my driving game. I have a VERY good gut feeling about this activity. I have tons of public speaking training going back to Roosevelt high school. I was president of the Latin Club, the JCL in 1975.
I had to go around to all the junior highs and convince kids to sign up for Latin at high school.
My pal Marie McGarry was my VP and she drove us in her dad's old blue metallic cadillac convertible. It had this big fins on the back. She was so smart even back then that she won the national scholarship to tour Washington DC and meet President Gerald Ford. Her dad gave her tickets to the Seattle Super Sonics and we drove that big car downtown to the collosium. Great game. Slick Watts, Downtown Freddie Brown, Sleepy-Eyed Sam, Spud Webb, DJ.
Then in 1990, when I was a flight attendant for Continental, they wanted 40 people to be trained as motivational seminar speakers. I was picked with 39 others from 2,000 applicants.
It was run by SAS airline and The Quality Service Institute in Houston Texas. It was great to live in the Galleria hotel and we trained 16 hours a day for a few months to learn how to motivate people. Then they decided they could only afford 20 speakers and I got cut. I learned so much. Remind me to tell you about it sometime.
So naturally on October 27th I plan to knock their socks off! If a few hundred DECA advisors sick their talented and energetic teens on our game it could be our big break.
I owe it to Terry and Connie to get some serious cash coming in as soon as possible.
So yesterday Terry and I went to visit his sister Heidi at the nursing home. She was in a car accident 15 years ago and broke her back and has to live there and be in a wheelchair.
We went to Burger King in Edmonds for lunch and Terry needed to walk across the street to go to the 7-11 for some chew. It was a sunny day so I went to the sidewalk with my game and looked for teenagers. Two fifteen year old Mexican boys came down the sidewalk and I accosted them with my game but they didn't mind. They liked the attention and I gave them mini-racers to keep and candy and a handful of business cards. Then a car load of teens was stopped at the red light so I gave them my sales pitch since the others didn't have their licenses yet. Unfortunately the light turned green but as they rolled away I threw a handful of candy and business cards in the window. Next a younger teen on a skateboard was sailing along and I stopped him and asked if he had time to look at my game but he said he was in a hurry. I gave him my card and a piece of candy. When he saw the card had a skateboard on it he had the biggest smile. Heidi was in good spirits and we had a nice visit in her sunny courtyard.
I had to go around to all the junior highs and convince kids to sign up for Latin at high school.
My pal Marie McGarry was my VP and she drove us in her dad's old blue metallic cadillac convertible. It had this big fins on the back. She was so smart even back then that she won the national scholarship to tour Washington DC and meet President Gerald Ford. Her dad gave her tickets to the Seattle Super Sonics and we drove that big car downtown to the collosium. Great game. Slick Watts, Downtown Freddie Brown, Sleepy-Eyed Sam, Spud Webb, DJ.
Then in 1990, when I was a flight attendant for Continental, they wanted 40 people to be trained as motivational seminar speakers. I was picked with 39 others from 2,000 applicants.
It was run by SAS airline and The Quality Service Institute in Houston Texas. It was great to live in the Galleria hotel and we trained 16 hours a day for a few months to learn how to motivate people. Then they decided they could only afford 20 speakers and I got cut. I learned so much. Remind me to tell you about it sometime.
So naturally on October 27th I plan to knock their socks off! If a few hundred DECA advisors sick their talented and energetic teens on our game it could be our big break.
I owe it to Terry and Connie to get some serious cash coming in as soon as possible.
So yesterday Terry and I went to visit his sister Heidi at the nursing home. She was in a car accident 15 years ago and broke her back and has to live there and be in a wheelchair.
We went to Burger King in Edmonds for lunch and Terry needed to walk across the street to go to the 7-11 for some chew. It was a sunny day so I went to the sidewalk with my game and looked for teenagers. Two fifteen year old Mexican boys came down the sidewalk and I accosted them with my game but they didn't mind. They liked the attention and I gave them mini-racers to keep and candy and a handful of business cards. Then a car load of teens was stopped at the red light so I gave them my sales pitch since the others didn't have their licenses yet. Unfortunately the light turned green but as they rolled away I threw a handful of candy and business cards in the window. Next a younger teen on a skateboard was sailing along and I stopped him and asked if he had time to look at my game but he said he was in a hurry. I gave him my card and a piece of candy. When he saw the card had a skateboard on it he had the biggest smile. Heidi was in good spirits and we had a nice visit in her sunny courtyard.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
9/2/09 Trendex Bid and the 1st Day of School
Oh Mr. Blog, I got the bid finally. It was twice as high as I expected. Trendex could print 100 copies for $22.00 each. Well, we sell them for $19.99 so that is a bit of a problem.
I have never subbed the first day of school but my pal at Frank Love move classrooms and has a health problem so I went to help her. Besides moving furniture I helped 3rd graders do their dividers in the binders for the first time.
I also helped the kindergarten teacher train her little darlings how to use a restroom independently. Funny little girls. The soap dispenser had foam soap and their eyes got as big as saucers. Like it was magic or something. Hard not to laugh.
Troy had a great time at his first day of 10th grade at Inglemoor high school. He said it was awesome.
Teddy wouldn't talk about his first day at junior high because he is "cool" now. UGH.
Terry and I ran an errand and I pulled in front of my pal Megan's house to drop in on her.
She was happy we did and told me about going to cub scout camp during the heatwave.
She and I had gone together with our sons for two years and it was so much fun.
Before she came I was the only gal with all the dads for three years. It just made it nice.
So I showed her the game and she thinks like I do. It is all about function and price.
She is the smartest person I know so I will do exactly what she suggests.
Keep the function and price and make minor adjustments to what we have.
Trendex is way out of our price range. We don't have $10,000.00 for a print run with them.
My vision has been readjusted. We will go to the 18" square next locally.
I have never subbed the first day of school but my pal at Frank Love move classrooms and has a health problem so I went to help her. Besides moving furniture I helped 3rd graders do their dividers in the binders for the first time.
I also helped the kindergarten teacher train her little darlings how to use a restroom independently. Funny little girls. The soap dispenser had foam soap and their eyes got as big as saucers. Like it was magic or something. Hard not to laugh.
Troy had a great time at his first day of 10th grade at Inglemoor high school. He said it was awesome.
Teddy wouldn't talk about his first day at junior high because he is "cool" now. UGH.
Terry and I ran an errand and I pulled in front of my pal Megan's house to drop in on her.
She was happy we did and told me about going to cub scout camp during the heatwave.
She and I had gone together with our sons for two years and it was so much fun.
Before she came I was the only gal with all the dads for three years. It just made it nice.
So I showed her the game and she thinks like I do. It is all about function and price.
She is the smartest person I know so I will do exactly what she suggests.
Keep the function and price and make minor adjustments to what we have.
Trendex is way out of our price range. We don't have $10,000.00 for a print run with them.
My vision has been readjusted. We will go to the 18" square next locally.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
8/29/09 The Check's In The Mail
You know what Mr. Blog? You remind me of Bob Newhart when he was on that TV show and had all the crazy patients. Only your hair is darker and your frame slighter. I loved that show.
So you'll never guess what my mailman Anthony brought me yesterday.
Two checks! They were for games. The first one was from Terry's Uncle Doug.
He is so nice and let us stay at his house when Terry's cousin Sarah got married last summer.
I called him on the phone last week to find out about business insurance since he owns a Farmer's Insurance franchise and takes really good care of our insurance needs. I asked him to buy one for his waiting room and he did.
The other check was from Troy's orthodontist! You know what I like???
I like being able to just hand people games with a self-addressed stamp envelope.
I like to trust people.
It makes me feel good.
It made me feel good when I was a scout leader and people trusted me
with their kids for ten years.
Their most prized, beloved possession. Their children.
I like positive virtues:
Trust
Loyalty
Compassion
Forgiveness. This one is really hard for me!
Patience
Webster's Dictionary: Moral Excellence
My game is virtuous because it teaches and helps people.
So you'll never guess what my mailman Anthony brought me yesterday.
Two checks! They were for games. The first one was from Terry's Uncle Doug.
He is so nice and let us stay at his house when Terry's cousin Sarah got married last summer.
I called him on the phone last week to find out about business insurance since he owns a Farmer's Insurance franchise and takes really good care of our insurance needs. I asked him to buy one for his waiting room and he did.
The other check was from Troy's orthodontist! You know what I like???
I like being able to just hand people games with a self-addressed stamp envelope.
I like to trust people.
It makes me feel good.
It made me feel good when I was a scout leader and people trusted me
with their kids for ten years.
Their most prized, beloved possession. Their children.
I like positive virtues:
Trust
Loyalty
Compassion
Forgiveness. This one is really hard for me!
Patience
Webster's Dictionary: Moral Excellence
My game is virtuous because it teaches and helps people.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
8/27/09 DECA and Orthodontists
Oh Mr. Blog, I have had such a winning streak this week we should go to Las Vegas!
It all started on Tuesday when I took Troy to the orthodontist. While he was strapped in the chair and the assistant was finishing his wiring, I whipped out my game and the orthodontist went nuts over it and bought it right out of my hands. He said it was perfect for his teen clients in the waiting room! I dashed home and Googled orthodontist conventions and e-mailed the organizer for the first one I found to see if I could set up a table. He said no but I'm NOT DONE with those orthodontists yet. I won't rest until I go to an orthodontic convention!
So Steve and Connie convinced me to do the improved and revised Washington State game before going on to the USA version. I hate the delay for the USA version but it will take quite a bit of time to get driving manuals from all fifty states anyway. Spring is good enough.
So then at my beauty parlor, Salon Zeka, my hairdresser/friend/adviser, Janet, was looking at my game and a dad I know gave me cash for a game but I had run out of games to sell again.
I'll deliver it as soon as Connie gets some more whipped up for me. She is so good at it!
I LOVE TO SELL. There is just something exciting about designing and making a product that you know will help people and then having it to sell to them.
So it gets better...Terry and I went to Inglemoor high school parent night and when it was over I was looking for the place to buy a student directory and we went in the student store.
I remembered the marketing teacher from when I subbed there and told him my son's best friend will be in his class and I had a game I wanted him to market for me.
I pulled out my demo of Pass The Test and he LOVED it! He told me to send it with Troy's friend when school starts next week. He was so excited that he gave me his business card and told me to contact his friends that are the directors of the Washington State DECA!
He also asked me to sub for him but I don't know anything about marketing!
So I came home and did just what he suggested. I sent a group e-mail to the DECA leaders.
I just love to work work work work work. There is nothing better in the entire world than owning a business that provides products that will help people. I am VERY HAPPY!
It all started on Tuesday when I took Troy to the orthodontist. While he was strapped in the chair and the assistant was finishing his wiring, I whipped out my game and the orthodontist went nuts over it and bought it right out of my hands. He said it was perfect for his teen clients in the waiting room! I dashed home and Googled orthodontist conventions and e-mailed the organizer for the first one I found to see if I could set up a table. He said no but I'm NOT DONE with those orthodontists yet. I won't rest until I go to an orthodontic convention!
So Steve and Connie convinced me to do the improved and revised Washington State game before going on to the USA version. I hate the delay for the USA version but it will take quite a bit of time to get driving manuals from all fifty states anyway. Spring is good enough.
So then at my beauty parlor, Salon Zeka, my hairdresser/friend/adviser, Janet, was looking at my game and a dad I know gave me cash for a game but I had run out of games to sell again.
I'll deliver it as soon as Connie gets some more whipped up for me. She is so good at it!
I LOVE TO SELL. There is just something exciting about designing and making a product that you know will help people and then having it to sell to them.
So it gets better...Terry and I went to Inglemoor high school parent night and when it was over I was looking for the place to buy a student directory and we went in the student store.
I remembered the marketing teacher from when I subbed there and told him my son's best friend will be in his class and I had a game I wanted him to market for me.
I pulled out my demo of Pass The Test and he LOVED it! He told me to send it with Troy's friend when school starts next week. He was so excited that he gave me his business card and told me to contact his friends that are the directors of the Washington State DECA!
He also asked me to sub for him but I don't know anything about marketing!
So I came home and did just what he suggested. I sent a group e-mail to the DECA leaders.
I just love to work work work work work. There is nothing better in the entire world than owning a business that provides products that will help people. I am VERY HAPPY!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
8/22/09 Ostroms'
OMG Mr. Blog. I went to Ostroms yesterday and there was my game hanging from it's adorable bag topper right there in the toy department.
Ostroms. The crown jewel of Kenmore. My game.
High enough quality to be accepted at the premier gift shop in Kenmore.
I felt totally legitimate. I was and still am so excited I can hardly stand it.
We went over to Terry's Aunt Sue's and saw his cousin Jeremy's new baby. Donald is so cute.
It was awesome to visit with Terry's Aunts and Uncles and cousins. I love them all so much.
Ostroms. The crown jewel of Kenmore. My game.
High enough quality to be accepted at the premier gift shop in Kenmore.
I felt totally legitimate. I was and still am so excited I can hardly stand it.
We went over to Terry's Aunt Sue's and saw his cousin Jeremy's new baby. Donald is so cute.
It was awesome to visit with Terry's Aunts and Uncles and cousins. I love them all so much.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
8/20/09 The Gambler
I'm a little upset tonight Mr. Blog.
My business adviser called me a few days ago and told me the days of families playing board games together for fun are over and I need to make my games only virtual.
Are family game nights dead? Are TV and computers all there is for socialization now?
I am gambling ALL my time and energy on nixpix Mr. Blog. What if I fail? What if enough people won't plunk down $19.99 for this first Washington State game? I'm trying not to worry but we ran out of money again this week for the national print run.
To top it off, after Terry paid the bills he nagged me about not having a job for an hour.
I studied three months last winter for that nasty PRAXIS exam and then I passed it.
I am, "Highly Qualified" now to teach in Washington State but I got too old.
Last year at my tech class, I saw the new teacher's orientation and the oldest was 30! I'm 52.
No one can pop my bubble faster than Terry.
We all have perfect health but does he even know how rare that is? Especially in our fifties!
I try to stay positive and I know the chances for success are slim, but I really want to create games that help people. I feel like that is what God wants me to do.
My business adviser called me a few days ago and told me the days of families playing board games together for fun are over and I need to make my games only virtual.
Are family game nights dead? Are TV and computers all there is for socialization now?
I am gambling ALL my time and energy on nixpix Mr. Blog. What if I fail? What if enough people won't plunk down $19.99 for this first Washington State game? I'm trying not to worry but we ran out of money again this week for the national print run.
To top it off, after Terry paid the bills he nagged me about not having a job for an hour.
I studied three months last winter for that nasty PRAXIS exam and then I passed it.
I am, "Highly Qualified" now to teach in Washington State but I got too old.
Last year at my tech class, I saw the new teacher's orientation and the oldest was 30! I'm 52.
No one can pop my bubble faster than Terry.
We all have perfect health but does he even know how rare that is? Especially in our fifties!
I try to stay positive and I know the chances for success are slim, but I really want to create games that help people. I feel like that is what God wants me to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)