Looking Glass

 Bring on the wine!  My friend KP and I had another one of our long evenings together. The kind of evening where we had cause to celebrate, converse, laugh and of course, drink wine...two bottles to be exact. (smile here).  Our cause of celebrating stemmed from her victory in placing first at a division speech contest via Toastmasters International. The event was predicated from weeks of hard work, practice and placing first in two prior contests. From her original speech and help from a few friends, it was rewritten several times over. She and I had spent hours rehearsing. I was her audience and evaluator. I timed her speech so she could trim it down to the 7 minute speech it needed to be, in order to qualify at the contests. She nailed it and then some!  "There Must Be a Way" was the title. The speech told the story of her stuttering issues from childhood to adulthood, and eventual, intense speech therapy at age 30. Overcoming ...

I just found out last night through a classy well thought facebook post, that one of my friends from my former little town, drowned while vacationing in Hawaii. Now her husband has to return from vacation to Washington with a casket rather than his wife sitting next to him.  I can't even imagine.

 About a month ago as I was catching up on the reading of my favorite blogs, I ran across bill's blog post titled, "Two Stories". I read the post time after time and was seized by the story and the style of writing in which he used to retell it. The surprise ending made me catch my breath. I eventually copied and pasted it to a Word document then printed it in order to read it, yet, some more.  I recently completed ten more manual speeches in front of my Toastmaster group and was rewarded with the Advanced Communicator Bronze certificate and acknowledgment. This allowed me the opportunity to order and receive two more advanced manuals with project objectives to complete. One of the manuals is entitled; Interpretive Reading. The first speech objective was to read a story authored by someone else and to do it in such a way, it evokes emotion from the audience and brings them into the story. "Two Stories" seemed the perfect one to present. I secured permission fro...

http://www.422.toastmastersclubs.org I hope the link takes you to our club website. You may get an idea why it means so much to so many. PS. There's a link to our newsletters near the top of the page. Feel free to read or check us out.

 The mental typewriter is at it again. I discovered some documents saved in a PC file that I created on 12/19/2012. The document was a twelve page employment, certification & training course for Human Resource Management. I have been looking into this career choice for some time. I have FAFSA and local college material discussing the topic. (Our friend kden is familiar with this. ha!) I know some of my favorite duties were office management, customer relations and working with the caregivers; assigning them work, handling their emergencies, being a sounding board, training staff, completing performance evals, etc...but don't think for a minute it was always fun. I've had to reprimand caregivers, be part of the firing process and fire employees, handle their emergencies (yes, it is twofold because despite helping, it creates more work for me, initially.) maintain redundant paperwork and work within too many processes.  Without clamoring to brag of myself,  I am a lead...

 It is times like these that I wish I had a mental typewriter tapping out my thoughts as soon as they become thoughts...when I simply think them. Sometimes my brain rattles with thoughts and ideas so fast, I don't think a stenographer could keep up with them, if ever possible. It is one of those "moody" days where I am likely wearing my heart on my sleeve. Luckily, I am alone at the house.  I have Toastmaster's tonight, and my enthusiasm for that wears thin. I love my club and the meetings. But tonight, I'd rather be home. I'd rather take a night off from responsibility and wallow in disappointment. I did not get the receptionist job. Can you believe it? This answer comes, even after my friend went to bat for me. The other candidate wasn't hired either. Can you believe it? Derek called me yesterday afternoon with the news. He didn't have a lot of feedback as he was getting ready to run an errand. The directer did not have much to say that Derek shared...

 I had my second interview with the Economic Development Council on Thursday, for the receptionist position. I was interviewed by the deputy director and his administrative assistant. I feel the interview went well, and it was 40 minutes of normal questions and a portion was a, "getting to know me" segment. I was comfortable and the nervousness subsided rather quickly.  Derek text-ed me shortly thereafter and wondered how it went. I wrote back that I felt it went well. At 4:45 PM on Friday afternoon, after not hearing any word of the interview or job, I text-ed Derek and wrote,"Torturing your candidates through the weekend? LOL." I heard no response, so I am on pins and needles wondering what of the situation. If I can't get a job as a receptionist with an organization my friend has a partial decision in making, I am a goner. I dutifully know that he will still be my friend, regardless. But waiting to hear any word of the situation is creating anxiety. I feel d...

 March and April were scattered with fun outings and events, along with the normal job searching duties, resume rewrites and attending a class on interviewing. I remain jobless, despite some solid leads and application or interview completions. (Sigh here.) I had another job interview last week. This job lead came from a friend you are familiar with; Derek.  He is the Business Manger at a local Economic Development Council organization. He called me when the business wanted to hire a new; Front Desk Receptionist. He called me one evening with the news, and during his conversation, he said, "Claire, I told you I'd let you know if I hear of anything-so, I wanted to let you know." Then in a softer, friendlier tone he stated, "Claire, this is so beneath you. It's just a receptionist position and not as much money as you used to make, but it does have benefits." I smiled at his hidden compliment and said, "I haven't found anything better. I appreciate ...

 As I shared my lavish view with you in a brief and limited way, I thought of how this time spent in this grand, modern household evokes feelings of appreciation. It allows me to see this world from a dear friend's eyes and taste a bite from a different piece of pie. Her elaborate reality is my dream and the world is her oyster yet, she is gracious and generous with her surroundings.  She views her estate as a blessing, reinforced by the plaques and notes decorating her walls and spaces; "Beach: If you are lucky enough to live on the water, you are lucky enough!" A plaque that greets guests at the entry; "Live-Laugh-Love". A note posted to her computer screen; "If the joy is in the journey, then you are having instant success." This charming lady has earned it all; from every tree branch to every patch of grass, from the brick pathways to each cement patio, from every inch of waterfront to all the waves on the water, she's earned this breathtakin...

 I deleted my last post as I thought it was the best thing to do. I appreciate kden and bill's reading and commenting of it. I had explained my four day stay at my friend's house in order to care for her two dogs. That is where I have been since Thursday and these last two days have been a time of peace and healing. More to come, but in the meantime, I thought I'd share my view with you.  There are actually three inlets that converge on this bay and the view embraces the tips of a few small islands that are located near here and in the adjacent county.

  Sitting here in my room at my computer leaves my mind haggard with ideas and thoughts on how to write at this time. Nothing earthshaking or enlightening is abound in my brain, just ideas that are not in order... ponderings...ponderings of such a broad sort, that even a sieve won't filter through them. I am left to sort them, and this blog is one way to do so, and ye (readers) are the victims of this circumstance. (smile here).  Retrospect can be a powerful thing. That is a thought process in which we look back and review past choices or circumstances. It allows us to determine what went right or wrong, through the course of our lives. It could also help us self evaluate and improve future outcomes, IE;not make the same mistakes twice. That is a hope, anyway.  Have you ever thought about yourself in comparison to how others see you? Maybe others view some of our characteristics as flaws, but your reasoning doesn't see them as such. The opposite may be occurring, t...

 It surprises me how this computer consumes my time while job searching. I will start my on line searches and then recognize four hours has passed by.  The feeling of, "all for naught" trickles through my mind. I received another rejection letter the other day. The HR sender wrote a nice letter stating that they had 200 applicants apply for the same job and unfortunately, mine did not get processed to the next step. (sigh here). I shall persevere. I have tried to open my mind to settle for "lesser" jobs, such as a retail job at a local department store, and am ready to complete applications with local employment agencies for just about anything. The first step was searching out the 15 local agencies and calling each one of them. A few are no longer in business, so I believe there are about a dozen in my area. I had to go to my storage unit and find my social security card as they require proof of citizenship and ability to be employed in the US. That was not an easy...

 In reading of kden's disappointing trip, and bill's mishap with dentures, it appears I may not be the only blogger friend with rude awakenings, as of late. I suppose this happens to us all, at times. These mishaps of fate that happen for a reason, to teach us something, or to make us pay attention for like situations. kden will better prepare herself for future trips...just in case. bill has made a decision to keep his chops in his pocket, nightstand or mouth...just in case. hub will refrain from consuming bacon...just in case. He doesn't appear to enjoy the propped up position, while sitting at his computer. Ah yes, these lessons we learn through life. These testers of fate we try, though, we probably know better to avoid. We have to reestablish boundaries once in a while, lest we forget our humanness and limits. We often have to get kicked in the pants, or teeth, or gut, to remember these weaknesses. This is rarely a pleasant feeling, this admission of weaknesses or s...

 I have written recently about feeling reclusive with the changing season. I have written about continuing the job search and my dismay of not having a new job yet. I really don't want to regret my choice, but I do have concerns. I really thought I'd have a new job, a new wallet that has some bills in it. I thought I'd be making marked improvements with tardy bills, not just minimum payments. I thought I'd have more financial freedom by now. A new zest for my future. That is not happening as of yet. (sigh here.)  I am, however, in light of it all, continuing to forge new connections, attend workshops on "marketing yourself," and resume writing. I must admit, each time I attend classes at the Worksource Center, I do make new connections, and learn something of value that I can apply to my resume. I have been somewhat discerning of the jobs I apply for, but may have to open that realm, also, despite hesitation in doing so. I don't really want to work for a ...

           As much as we may cringe at social media or computer program's interaction, I must say, today, my 51st birthday, I Have been grateful for my cyber connections. I had 80+ people wish me well for my birthday via Face book, and I know for a fact, that many people would not have called me to send those same cheers. It is a simple interaction that brought a smile to my face, all day long. I try to do the same, when notified through the page, that some one's birthday is here. I send Happy Birthdays all the time. Almost, daily. If I can add to their number of well wishes, that is a good thing. If I can add a smile to their face, that is a good thing.  Among the postings on Face book, I had a few friends and family call me from far away. My dear, friend KP, treated me to lunch and had a lovely bouquet of roses awaiting my arrival at the restaurant. A small wait staff sang Happy Birthday to me when bringing me a cup...

 I just finished rereading some posts from my favorite blog authors; bill, kden, grumpy and hub. I enjoy them very much. I was glad to read that bill attended a speaking gig with his son, and I was enchanted by his post of speaking to medical students with Ann. I can see him sitting there, in front of those 14, wanna be doctors, talking with wise words in a gentle, yet direct fashion. I can see him being honest and descriptive, when sharing the challenges and fears of catching that next breath. Yet, he doesn't allow himself the credit he deserves for painting those pictures with words. He is a better author than he realizes. He does far more than, "ramble."  I reread some of kden's posts, too. As I have the pleasure of knowing her in person, I can see her sparkle shine through her words. I smile all the time as I read her posts. Though, even before I met her in person last summer, her words had that affect on me, and, likely, you too. That i...

                                                                                     kden & Claire at their lunch date in Ellensburg, WA  On Saturday, September 22, kden and I had arranged to meet 1/2 way between our Eastern and Western Washington locations. The town this year, Ellensburg. We met at a somewhat, famous fruit stand...Thorpe Fruit Stand. It was started in the mid forties and has grown to not only accommodate local, fresh produce, but houses two floors of antiques as well, which are sold "on consignment". We meandered through the antiques...

This is in honor of my friend, kden. Here is one I have not posted to facebook. I have many male friends, too, that I didn't want to offend. But someday...I will figure out a way to post in jest.

   This Writing is from 10/16/11, but never completed. Posting it now. Will write more later. A peaceful morning, with contentment, relaxation and joy surround me. My friend D is sleeping  in the spare room downstairs as she traveled here yesterday for the Autumn Party that KP and I hosted. I am grateful for her. She shines at parties. To describe her; she is only about 5 ft 2 inches, that my be with heels, (smile here), I am not sure, but she weighs barely over 100 lbs, she is a few years older than me, but there again, a person with a young attitude. She reminds me of my sister who has advice to bestow no matter what you are doing in life. She probably had the same scenario at one point. She has a laugh that makes others laugh, whether what she said is funny or not. Her laugh in itself provokes that from you. She is definitely, my most petite friend. She is what I would call a, "spitfire". She is also one of my bestests estes estes friends. (Raise an eyebrow here, I wa...