I should mention that my position won’t deal directly with the girls on a daily basis. My position is one that works within the communities I serve. Three counties, Pottawatomie, Grady and Cleveland, as well as five service teams.

My position, eventually officing out of Norman, will be a direct leiason between the community service teams, and the Council. Community service teams are the volunteers within the county, troop leaders and such, that hold elected positions. Manager, Treasurer, etc. In the work scale it is Volunteers/Troops-CST-CDE (me)-CDE Director (my supervisor)

Kapiche?

So I will be working with the volunteers on many levels.

I will also be working within the communities. Building connections. Driving membership. Beating the drum that we are in this community, and this is what we are doing, these are our programs etc. Sponsorships such as the one we have with Dell that I worked at yesterday are things that we’re always looking for.

This position has transformed from a part time into a full time. The need is there. There is much work to be done.

Tonight I have my first CST meeting in Blanchard. I’ll meet my volunteers in that area, and really tonight just be introduced and shadow the woman who had this position previously. She has done an amazing job but is moving to another full time position within the company. Thankfully I have her as a resource.

So that’s a little more insight as to what my life will be on a daily basis. I think that while I do have office hours from 9-6 M-Th and 9-2 on Fridays, this won’t be the same ole thing every day. Perfectly perfect for me.

Happy Thursday Ya’ll!

 

The Grown Up Job is two days in. For the second time in as many days I am ready for a deep deep sleep before 9:30pm. For the millionth time in as many seconds, I am so so sure that I am in the right place.

Yesterday was a whirlwind. I filled out paperwork. I proudly wore my sash from Mindi and Delbert and met all of my co-workers. (I could tell by the reactions who thought it was awesome and who thought I was touched) I filled out more paperwork. I met more people. I made up passwords and got my iPhone 5 and my Windows 8 laptop. One of which I knew how to operate. I ordered business cards and gave out my cell number and got my photo taken for our website. I went to lunch. I met a fellow employee from GS-USA direct from NYC. I got a tiny bit of log-in instruction for our database. I enrolled in insurance, health/vision/dental. I got flowers from Mark. I was given my calendar, chock full of meetings and meetings and meetings. I listened to ideas for my future position. I learned about programming and the things GS-WEST is doing and are going to do. I said yes to a grant-writing program, to some networking organizations and tried once again to remember how Windows worked.

At the end, I was both wiped out and energized. I was assigned to do some programming today with the girls and since that meant a 9:45 arrival time, I ran home, changed clothes, threw more in my bag and headed to Norman. I couldn’t wait to get there.

As we sat on the porch, discussing my day, the plans we have for my position and the things that I would be doing today, Mark replied, “I’m getting the sense that you will be doing great things in the lives of girls. This is more than cookies, camp and badges isn’t it?”

• Oklahoma is #1 in incarceration rates of women in the nation. 
• 1 in 4 girls who start high school disappear from graduation rolls. 
• Four counties served by GS-West have the highest high school drop out rates in the state. 
• Less than 15% of Oklahoma girls finish four or more years of college. 
• Oklahoma girls attempt to commit 61% of all teen suicides in the state. 
• Oklahoma ranks 17th in childhood obesity rates. By 2018 Oklahoma will be the most obese state in the nation costing the state more than $3.2 billion. 
• Two counties served by GS-West have the highest rate of child poverty. 
• Oklahoma women earn 75 cents for every dollar a man earns. 

So.

What does that have to do with Girl Scouts you ask?

GS-West community programs provide the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls who are facing serious challenges in their lives. We have Girl Scouts in detention centers such as COJC and the Oklahoma County Juvenile Justice Center . We work with the Emerson Alternative High School. Today I was on a Dell partnered program with a group of girls from an Oklahoma City public school who were touring the campus of Oklahoma City University, using social media as a tool for education and working in the Dell supported Intergenerational Computer Lab on the campus. A full service lab, laptops, desktops, all free to the community.

FREE.

These girls, most of them freshmen, some in the 10th grade, this was their first trip to a college campus. The dorm rooms, the cafeteria lunch glazed over their eyes. I heard things like, ” I want to major in acting. But I want to be a nurse too. Maybe I’ll do both.”

And you know what?

Maybe she will.

Our other programs include something called  “uniquely ME!” which is sponsored by the Dove Self-Esteem Fund and designed to foster the self esteem in girls ages 8-18. Our “Challenge & Change” program helps girls to envision and start long-term community service projects.

STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering and Change and encourages girls to pursue the sciences and stay in school

And yes, we camp. The outdoor activities in addition to that stress the importance of physical fitness and health.

There are great things happening here. I write this tonight to mark the beginning. As a touchstone. Because I know that soon enough the shine will dull a bit, and the things that come with change and implementing and enforcing change will mire my spark.

We must remember why we do this.

We must remember what our intention is behind each day.

The Girl Scout Law 

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

 

Today begins the new adventure of the Grown Up Job. I’m awake. I have been awake for awhile. I decided to get up earlier than anticipated just to stop the first day outfit dreams.

Last night’s episode of Adventures With Wildlife aka just another night at Brokedown Palace was a full one. There’s a little baby-ish bird hopping around the house. I have the front door propped open and have been playing the SHEW game this morning. The raccoon came in last night for some snacks. Bold little asshole that it is. Life is finally getting to a point where I can figure out what to do about that. Replacing the cat door with one that isn’t broken, and that locks is the first step.

I’m excited for the day. It’s mostly a paperwork, email, getting set up kind of day. I have my official calendar that already has meetings on it. I have my official GS email. It’s bonafide. For sure.

It Begins.

right after this coffee and bird relocation project.

I was in a pretty awful place when Kiki found me. I was in a dishonest, mentally abusive relationship with a raging alcoholic and scrambling to find something stable to hold on to, trying fervently to find a way to fix things and make life better.

I had wanted animals, wanted a dog or a cat and had been for several years shut down on that. Hell no we aren’t having any animals would be the reply. I accepted it, until the day I didn’t.

Out on my patio was this sweet little black and white kitty and this big hulky blackish grey kitty. I decided that I would have them. I began to feed them. I would get close enough to pet them. My allergies would explode, my breathing would be in crisis and my eyes would be damned near swollen shut but by God, I wanted these cats. I needed something good to focus on.

It was a matter of weeks that we soon discovered Kiki would be Kikimama. She gave birth to a gorgeous litter and that Christmas, there were 7 cats racing through my house. Tell ME I can’t have an animal. Go ahead.

Kikimama has never been the big game hunter that her son and Baby Daddy are. She is more of the cricket, moth and cicada variety. She loves to hold them in her mouth and feel the vibrations. Really. Who can blame her on that, right? She has a penchant for the freshest of water and is happiest curled up on the bathroom sink. She sleeps at the head of the bed, sometimes on my head, my sneezes be damned. 

She has survived the cancer once.

We had the tumor removed last year. And it returned.With a vengeance. Fucking cancer.

Today, we say goodbye to the sweet girl. She has fought the good fight long enough. It is time to let her go, and deliver her from this bullshit pain that she is in.

There are moths and crickets and the loveliest of vibrating bugs awaiting on the other side.

Godspeed sweet girl.

 

Yesterday I cleaned out my station and paid up my color and booth rent bills and walked out of Salon W for the final time as an employee. We all knew this day was coming but with the excitement and crazy that came with producing a sold out show on Sunday, my final day as a stylist on Saturday seemed just another day. I knew I would have most of these amazing fellow employees in the audience. Clients would be there as well. It was a comfort, a nice little padding in this ostrich hold I’d stuck my head in.

In the final throes of the show, switching my brain towards what lies ahead, my heart began to hurt a bit.

This was a place where, when I moved I felt so lonely. Feelings that are so far removed from my experience they seem comical. I have developed friendships that I will keep forever. I have inside jokes with my girls that will fuel even my darkest days. The laughter that rings in my heart when assessing the most ridiculous of human behavior, that will sustain.

This was a place where my clients felt at home. Time and time again for the past three and a half years, they spoke of the comfortable and laid back environment of Salon W. They loved the freedom and let’s be honest, they loved the wine. They loved how the salon supported me in my Grad School Thing. . . right up until it took me away.

We have all scrambled to contact as many of my clients as possible. Even last night, I had a text from one with “what’s going on???” and I felt so bad that I hadn’t called her. I’m still trying to tie up those loose ends. I have great people to refer my clients to and for that I am ever thankful.

It has truly, truly, truly been my pleasure to be a part of this family.

The sinks and those crackled cabinets be damned!

I take away lessons and skills that will fuel my next adventure, and I have learned by example, from each of you, how to do it right.

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity, and for letting me go and encouraging me to fly. Thank you for your tireless energy, your 90’s on the 9 mornings, your eyerolls and high fives at just the right time in the day. Thank you for the crazy, the off the wall and the care that you took with my clients.

You are loved.

And I will see you again.

at the first sight of my own roots.

And just like that…it’s over.

Yesterday was a continuous string of transformative moments. I was strung pretty tight, and know what to do about that day of show stuff for next year. But it came together. We arrived at the theatre, early. Ryan and PseudoSis 1 Michelle were there with our set furniture. The theatre what was supposed to already be pre-set with chairs was…mostly pre-set with chairs. Our contact/tech guy wasn’t there until after we expected him to be. Lots of little frustrations like no toilet paper in the restrooms, stage not clear, no trash liners in the trashcans in our getting ready space…it’s the details, right? Ugh.

BUT.

Our cast arrived and the energy was crackling and we did our walk through on our GORGEOUS set, we spiffed and posed for pictures. Heather, Julie and I were graced by beautiful flowers to plant, and cards and gifts of pedicures. It was happening.

400 people were arriving. Waves and waves of people. The theatre was packed.

As we entered the stage they gave a round of applause that really just felt like a blanket around us. They were ready. They were ready for this ride!

My own nerves bubbled up and I completely screwed up the opening remarks. Skipped the sponsor thank you’s the details that I so meticulously put on paper…skipped right over it. Jumped straight to the stories.

But hey, that’s what we were there for, right?

And they were. That audience was with us every word, every page turn, every breath. They laughed and cried and clapped and laughed and clapped. They were in it. Story after story. Each one delivered with such grace and timing and courage.

I couldn’t have been more proud of each reader. I felt like I would burst.

It was finally my turn, and my story was met with the same gracious welcome as the previous stories had been. My mom laughed, my sister laughed. It was good.

I stumbled again over the closing remarks, but got the stuff I missed in the opening and thanked our sponsors! But damnit my heart was pounding and my eyes were jumpy and I had a case of cottonmouth that cannot be described.

We took our bow (s) and we hugged and laughed.

It was over.

Engulfed in well wishes and requests to speak at other engagements, and posing for pictures…I barely remember the details. I kissed Mark. I hugged everyone. Clients, friends, family…

The cast were each embraced in their fan base, love, support and laughter just echoed throughout the theatre. They really did something on that stage, the connections…it showed.

The same group of angels cleared the set, cleaned up the sponsor table things, cleaned up all of the things…We went to The Wedge for some after partying and re-living and more laughing.

We made plans for a reunion that includes Granny’s pies and we toasted our success.

Mark and I went home to Norman, he built a fire in the fire pit and we sat on the porch and had some wine and re-lived it all.

It really was magical.

Today I gave myself the day off. I napped. I started laundry. I watered flowers. I answered some texts, but mostly had the phone turned off. Tomorrow I will return sponsor things, make deposits into our account, settle up with our venue, study for finals, clean out my station at the salon and begin to wrap my head around it all.

But tonight…

Tonight I’m going to re-live it all again. I’m going to feel proud of the thing that Julie and Heather and this cast and all of our helpers, this amazing thing that we did.

 

This is the day that brings meltdowns and crazy voices. The day before the day before is breeding ground for the what if’s and the nerves and anything negative that one could possibly think.

Physical, mental and emotional weariness sets in and the excitement has one day of pause. Tomorrow will be the “tomorrow is our show ya’ll” day. Sunday is the day of the show ya’ll day. Today…

Today is the day before the day before.

Generally on this day I can be found sitting on the side of the bathtub doing any amount of melting down.

I broke a tiny bit today after I said goodbye to one of my utmost favorite clients. I just cannot with that…

I had some scheduling crazy at work, trying to get everyone in for one last hair banging. I needed to get to my alternations lady 30 minutes north  so that I could get my dress, then back down to my hood for my spray tan.

Initially we were going to meet my family for dinner. I had to pull the plug on that plan. Just too much.

So. Here I sit. With dirty knees and neck, just had some mediocre General Tso’s chicken. I have an entire evening to make a few more lists, to finish putting the program inserts in and to put myself to bed. I’m exhausted.

But here’s the thing.

This show? It’s all worth it.

Come Sunday at 2:10 pm? none of it matters. The things I got right. The things I missed. The seats that are empty. None of it. What matters is that the stage will be full of amazing, brave writers who are sharing their stories. What matters is the audience of close to **400 that will receive those stories and connect in a way that they truly aren’t prepared for. What matters is the connections and the phenomenal bonding that has taken place within the cast…friendships that weren’t three months ago…are. What matters is the money we are giving to Infant Crisis. Because no baby should go hungry.

So tonight, I’m going to allow myself a little meltdown. I might even go to sleep before the sun goes down. I’m going to make some lists and delegate them to family tomorrow.

And I am going to savor this ride. I’m going to throw my hands above my head and scream with joy. Because it’s one of the best ones I’ve ever ridden.

The day before the day before the show usually takes me out at the knee. Today, I’m going to just let it take me to bed.

**we have 17 tickets left to sell.

 

Have I lost your trust yet?

I’ve claimed that our LTYM show has sold out.

TWICE.

And really it has. But I know we have a lot of hours between now and 2:00 pm on Sunday May 5th, and I promise you this. The thought of one of you Not seeing this show? It breaks my heart. This is magic. There will be more magical LTYM:OKC shows. There will. But this is the first one. This is the first cast. It won’t be THIS again.

And it kills me to think about turning people away.

SO

We took the plunge and bought the final 50 seats this morning. We have something in the 30’s remaining to sell. It’s more money for the babies at Infant Crisis. And it’s more people who will get a taste of something really special on Sunday.

If there is anyone that YOU know, that doesn’t know about this? Give them a heads up, won’t you?

http://www.ticketstorm.com for tickets.

 

#LTYM#OKC HAS SOLD OUT.

TWICE.

I have had no sleep. Raccoons and lists and various bits in my brain.

SOLD DAMNED OUT YA’LL!!!

I was on tv this morning with the dirtiest, stinkiest hair I’ve maybe ever had. My mother would absolutely kick my butt if she knew.

Or she might rejoice that she taught me that baby powder at the scalp will act like a dry shampoo and help you out when you’ve only had 3-4 hours sleep and are due on tv that morning.

That Mom of mine.

She’s always teaching me things.

Good thing I can still remember them.