Take Care of Our Children

Thanks Cheri for sharing this great video clip. This touched me more than any ad that I have read or seen. I also am the product of a public education as is my husband and son. My granddaughter currently attends Hillview Elementary and I can't say enough great things about her teacher (Mrs. McCullough) and her principal (Mrs. Quackenbush) - the unthankless hours they give to each and every student to ensure they are getting the very best.

We are not bad people because we want the best for our future, which is our children. They deserve all that we can give them.

Support our schools - support our future!

What this video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeKVR7qgMM8

Visiting with Old Friends

Last night my husband and I went to calling hours for an old friend. It has been many years since we had seen him or his wife. He passed away on Friday very suddenly due to a fall and hitting his head (only 55). He leaves two young daughters and a wife. When we arrived at the funeral home we chatted at length with his wife and then his siblings and mom. At their great time of loss his family was actually glad to see us (his mother owns and operates Green Thumb Gardens outside of Thornville) as we had not seen them for a very long time. His mom started me on my great love of gardening many years ago and I didn't realize how much I missed our conversations and laughter until last night.

The moral of the story is an old one - catch up with friends before you can't, don't wait to tell your family how much they mean to you, and enjoy each and every day to the fullest.

I hope that I do this every chance I get for the rest of my life.

How do I say Thank You

I want to say thank you to all that have very simply said "just made my week".

I generally receive lots of email each and every day, but this week has been over whelming to say the least.

Congratulations have come in the form of email, phone calls, flowers and being stopped when out shopping and even out to dinner. I have received more hugs than normal this week also.

My thoughts have run wild with how do I let all of these wonderful people know that they are each touching my heart with their words, gestures and gifts.

I am so proud of the Licking County Safety Council and would be even if we weren't being recognized as the Safety Council of the Year - but the emotion that bubbles up each time I hear or read "Congratulations" just makes me more so.

So I thank Cheri Hottinger, President of the Chamber for allowing me to be the Safety Council Manager - our Board of Directors for the continued support of our Affiliates, my co-workers - Lois, Mandy & Jennifer for fielding all of those phone calls and helping me when I need it, the Safety Council members and attendees for allowing me to lead this group to where we are today (even when I am being bossy at times), and last to the great Steering Committee that we have assembled - they never let me down!

I couldn't do it without any of these people.

I hope that anyone that wants to celebrate with us when we actually receive the award will come to our Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, April 14. We will be at the Longaberger Golf Club www.longaberger.com/golfClub
for this Safety Meeting - should make for an exciting day and a great lunch. Call the Chamber to make a reservation or visit the Safety Council website for more information:
http://www.lickingcountychamber.com/members/safety.asp

We would love to have you join us!

Licking County Safety Council Rocks

Let me tell you a little about one of the best days that I ever had. This of course comes in behind the day I became a Grandma - but the emotion was there - the elation was there and the joy of feeling that hard work and dedication really pays off!!
On Wednesday, March 11, 2009 (a day permanently etched in my mind) I received a call from Michelle Francisco of the BWC's Division of Safety & Hygiene. Michelle was calling to tell me that the Licking County Safety Council was selected as Safety Council of the Year for 2008. The State of Ohio has 80 Safety Council's - and believe me they all work very hard - but to be honored as Safety Council of the Year, you can't imagine how much this means to our Council.
I am passionate about our Safety Council and our mission to increase safety awareness in the workplace and educate businesses on occupational safety and health issues and to be honored for the things that you enjoy and love doing makes it more worthwhile than I can explain.
This effort takes many people in the form of our Steering Committee which is made up of representatives from Bayer MaterialScience, Wilson's Garden Center, Denison University, Kaiser Aluminum, Buckeye Linen, Big O' Refuse, Licking County Board MRDD, Signature Occupational Health, Harry & David, The Licking County Chamber of Commerce & BWC.

What is the Ohio Safety Congress

March 31 to April 2 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center

Saving lives … Saving money
Focus on Safety in Today’s Economy

• Reduce training costs for you and your employees at 150 educational sessions.
• Earn free CEUs for accreditation and BWC discount programs.
• Streamline your product purchases at the Expo Marketplace.
• Solve problems with peers at roundtable discussions.
• Discover solutions to real-life safety scenarios.
• Save on registration fees and out-of-state travel expenses.
• Fewer injuries mean lower workers’ compensation costs.

Join 5,000 safety-minded individuals at Ohio’s largest and most established occupational safety and health event. Your competition will be there, and here’s why you should, too.

The price is right also - FREE

The Ears Have It

Previously I shared the ear piercing event I had with my granddaughter. Well many times we have discussed changing the earrings, which means I asked and she said no. Last night she stayed over with me and after her bath I told her I need to just take off the back to make sure that all was well, and she was great with that. When I removed the back of the earring - the front post slipped out just slightly - I told her it was almost out and would she like to look in the mirror. She did - then laughed and said Grandma let's just change these earrings. Let me tell you it took about 5 seconds before I had a full selection for her to choose from. She chose pink flowers with "diamonds" in the middle and I had those earrings out and new ones in before she could hiccup.

You see she is 5 and everything that sparkles is "diamonds" and she changes her mind so fast I knew I had better be quick or the moment would be lost. I must be catching on to this girl thing after all (being the mother of a son I sure see a difference).