Back At It!

It's 2:00 AM and I am finally getting back to my blog.  Things around here just got a bit hectic, and I can't seem to get over my sinus infection or whatever it is so I haven't been on top of things!  Today was a Monday holiday (President's Day) so I really tried to catch up on things.  First on the list was dusting and sweeping the floor.  Now isn't that an exciting way to spend a day off work!  But it needed done.

 Oral Communications is over and I ended up with a 97.3, so I'm happy with that.  It was a calmer week since I didn't have to worry about putting together another speech!  I finished the last of my homework for the first week of Computer Applications.  Learned how to do Power Point presentations using Office 2013.  Looks like this class is going to have a lot of homework!  It seems so funny for me to be talking about my homework!   But, like I've said many times, I'm not too old!!

In my post on January 24th, I was talking to you about my second speech on things to do in Crawford County (Ohio).  I told you a little about the Bratwurst Festival in Bucyrus, and said I'd tell you about my Main Point 2 the next day.  Well the next day has come and went several times over, so I'm going to go back to that.  My second point in that speech was talking about the Hatchery Festival in New Washington, Ohio.

New Washington is a small town of about 900 people in Northern Crawford County.  The Bank that I work at is in New Washington.  The last weekend in June they hold the Hatchery Festival.  I know that seems like an odd name for a festival, but it comes from the fact that the New Washington in the birthplace of the Baby Chick (Hatchery) Industry. In 1885, a young man of 14 named Michael Uhl build an incubator that could hold 120 eggs at once.  His father wasn't too thrilled with his endeavor, but once he saw how many chicks he could hatch he realized he might be on to something!  A few years later a man from Canton, Ohio asked if Michael could ship some baby chicks to him.  So the young man put 19 chicks into a carton covered in burlap and took it to the railroad station to ship to Canton.  At first the railroad didn't want to take the chance that they would die en route, but after some discussion, they shipped the chicks.  All 19 arrive safe and sound and an industry was born!

So, in 2001 when the town wanted to have a festival as a fund raiser to raise money for their beautification project, it seemed natural that they should call it the Hatchery Festival.  Like any good festival there are plenty of food stands along the streets.  They also have rides and a parade and fireworks on the last day.  A really popular event is the Harley Davidson raffle.  It's a fun three days if you're ever near New Washington, Ohio the last weekend in June!

Tomorrow (actually tonight) I'll tell you a little about the Speak Easy in Bucyrus.  I have school from 6-10, but I took a vacation day so I had a 4-day weekend.  That's always nice.  Everyone take care, and I'll talk to you again soon.

Back in the Saddle

Just wanted to get a few comments posted tonight.  I've been away from the Blog for awhile because of funeral arrangements and then I managed to get sick.  Had a Sinus Infection and then the Flu on top of that!  Haven't been doing much but sleeping.

Feeling better and get to go back to work tomorrow.  I've been off for a week and a half.  It's always hard going back after begin off so long, but I'll get into the groove once I get there.

I gave my second speech this past Tuesday and got an A+.  I was excited but I think the teacher was a little lenient with me!  I just went to class long enough to do the speech because I was so sick.  Then came home and slept some more.

We were supposed to get a big snow storm this weekend, but it mostly missed us.  We had a couple of inches this morning, but now it's just raining.  The problem with that is the temperature is dropping and it will probably be icy driving in to work.

I'll get back to this in earnest this week.  Everyone take care and I'll talk to you later.

Not Enough Time

Well, I've been working on my second speech.  This one is an informative speech.  We just have to inform the class on something.  Anything.  The problem with such a broad spectrum to choose from is that I keep changing my mind!  I finally settled on talking about some things to do and see in Crawford County, Ohio.  I live in Bucyrus, the county seat of Crawford County. The school I'm attending is in Marion County just slightly south, so I thought there might be some information I can share that would be new to the class. I am going to talk about the Bratwurst Festival held in Bucyrus, the Dutchtown Hatchery Festival in New Washington and the underground Speak Easy back in Bucyrus. I have the speech written, but haven't had much time to actually practice!  We've been getting things put together for my Father-in-Law's funeral.  Calling hours are tomorrow and the funeral is Monday.  I have to do my speech on Tuesday.

Here's a condensed version of Main Point 1 on my speech:

Bucyrus claims to the Bratwurst Capital of America. The town has a strong German heritage and many Bucyrus butchers over the years have created their own recipes for Bratwurst.  The most well know is Carle's. They have a nice store in town that sells lots of meats and cheeses.  It's a favorite stop for visitors to town.  Anyway, with such a background, the Bratwurst Festival was first held in 1968.  It's called the Eatingest Festival in Ohio because there are so many food stands.  Bratwurst is grilled on open flames and is so good, especially with sauerkraut on a rye bun.  Yum!  The festival also has a queen's pageant, 3 parades, live entertainment and rides.  It's a lot of fun.  

If you're ever in Ohio the third weekend of August, you should stop on by!  It's actually held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  

I'll tell you about the Harvest Festival tomorrow!

Talk to you later!!

Ups and Downs

Just a quick post today.  I wanted to let you know that my speech went well.  I missed a few things here and there, but it turned out to be pretty good.  The class seemed to like it and best of all I got 100% from the teacher!  I was so excited and so glad it was over.  Of course, another one is coming up next Tuesday, January 27th, but I took some time to enjoy my success.  By the way, my speech was on How to Take a Selfie!  I might print it on here one day.

That was the up side for this week.

Today, was quite the opposite.  We received word that my father-in-law passed away at about noon today.  He had been in failing health for about a month, but we really thought he would bounce back. Tomorrow the arrangements will need to be made.  It's gonna be a tough few days.  I am so glad that we have God to lean on in these times.  He will supply the strength for this family to get through this, and we'll come out the other side remembering what a great man John was.

I need to get to bed early tonight, so that's all I have for tonight.  Prayers are greatly appreciated.

Until we talk again, may peace fill your souls.

Speeches and Bella!

Haven't been on for a few days because I've been swamped trying to get my speech together, visual aids done and practicing.  Tomorrow is the day!  I think I'm ready.  I know what I want to say if I can just spit it out!  I get tongue tied as soon as I start talking out loud.  I was up til 4:30 in the morning last night practicing!  Today my friend, Barb, at the library was kind enough to let me practice with her.

I also had to start researching on the speech I'll have to give on the 27th.  Whew - the pressure is on. And this is only the first class on my college journey.  I do believe, however, that once I get through these speeches, I'll feel better about the rest of the upcoming classes. My mantra these days is, "I can do this, I can do this!"  I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.  I'm just glad there will be a lectern to hold onto.

Not much else exciting going on in my world.  I've just been concentrating on being ready for my speech.  I have been having a lot of fun with my kitty, Bella, though.  We got her from the Humane Society in October, 2014.  She was about 5 weeks old then.  She is all black which seemed quite appropriate since we were getting her right before Halloween.  Bella is short for Belladonna since we were trying to come up with a good black-cat name.

Anyway, Bella has started playing fetch these days.  We don't have a dog, so I'm not sure how she got the idea.  But she will carry one of her cat toys in to where I'm sitting and lay it down.  Then she starts rubbing on my leg and mewing like crazy.  At first I didn't know what in the world she wanted. But my husband told me to pick the toy up and throw it into the other room.  Sure enough, she will run and get the toy and bring it back for me to throw again!  Wish I could get it on film to send in to America's Funniest Videos!  Just love my kitty though.  She makes me laugh. (Here's a picture of her snuggling in my laundry basket.)

What else can I tell you.  Oh yes, we watched the movie, Earth to Echo this past weekend.  Have you seen it?  It's really a cute movie.  That's about all I have to say today! I'll talk to you again soon!

Class Overload 2

First I just have to say, WAY TO GO OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!!!

National Champions.  O H - I O

Now I have that out of my system!  I had my first full class of Oral Communications this evening. I'm trying to wind down now so I can go to bed!  I have so many thoughts going through my head that I know I won't be able to fall asleep just yet.

We have to give our first speech next Tuesday.  I will be the 6th one to speak, and I am more confused about it tonight than I was before I went!  Our first speech has to be a "To Do" informative talk.  In other words, we have to talk about how to do something.  I think I mentioned before that I don't really know how to do anything that would make an interesting speech.

This last week I did some brainstorming with my daughter and granddaughter.  We came up with doing something on how to take the perfect selfie!  Took me awhile to come up with enough content to do a 3 - 7 minute talk, but finally got quite a few ideas down on paper.  Was feeling good until class started!  Ms. Cleo's first point on her first PowerPoint slide was, "Say something worthwhile, useful and pertinent".  She then went on to remind us that this was college and our speeches should be reflective of higher learning!  Well I could hear my bubble bursting.  Honestly, how worthwhile and pertinent is a speech on how to take a selfie!

Seriously, I was in a fog for most of the rest of the class wondering what I would talk about now.  I'd already put in several days of work on my idea.  Trust me, not only is my body sagging going into the late Autumn of life, but apparently my mind just doesn't work as quickly either.  Absolutely nothing was coming to me.  What finally got my gears turning again was when a girl in the back asked if it was okay for a speech to be about something that may seem trivial at the beginning but actually had a deeper purpose by the finish?  Ahh, now there's a thought.  Ms. Cleo looked a bit puzzled at first, but she then became intrigued and gave the all clear sign.

On my way home, I began to think about why I was even considering something on a seemingly frivolous topic anyway.  Finally the simplicity of the answer came shining through.  It is all about relationship.  My relationship with my 13-year old granddaughter.  She is the queen of selfies and was more than happy to help me out on this project.  Little things like this just bring us closer together and build a forever relationship.  Obviously, we have the grandparent/granddaughter thing going, but this is something deeper yet.  A real friendship.

I think I do have the makings of a speech.  I will let you all know how it goes!

God bless!  Talk to you later.

(Any ideas on how to "promote" a blog to reach more readers?)

Take all my Burdens

One of my Facebook friends posted the prayer below today.  It spoke to my heart and I asked permission to borrow it!  The item in brackets is my addition.  I hope this touches you as well. 

"Lord, today, as every day this past week, I ask that you give me strength and patience as I continue to trust you and wait on you.  You know my burdens, you know my heart and you know my needs.  I continue to lay my burden down at your feet, not pick them up and try to fix things on my own (I need reminders to not do that).  I love you, trust you, and worship you.  I pray a blessing over my family especially my children {and grandchildren} and ask that you cover them with your wings of love, safety, and salvation.  I pray for their hearts to turn to you and they ask you to guide their lives.  I pray for eyes to be opened, hearts to be softened.  I pray a hedge of protection around them and ask for them to hear your truths and deny satan's lies.  I love you Lord, I know you are for us, not against us and you are in control.  Not my will, not my kids' will, but yours be done, in all our lives.  You have already won the battle although it feels like a battle brewing in this life.  I choose to trust you and not listen to the lies of satan.  I cry out to you, Lord, to take over!  I pray all these things in Jesus' name, Amen."

Praying you all have a great week. Til we talk again!