The World According to Angie

Are there Toastmasters meetings in heaven?

I received an email from my friend (and Toastmasters 2nd Year International Director) Tim Swearingen this morning. It was not entirely unexpected, but is no less heartbreaking:

It is with regret that I share the news that Past District 3 [2003-2004] Governor Joe DeRico passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 10. His sisters Donna and Debbie were at his side

December 30 Joe fell victim to a major abdominal aneurysm from which most would have died instantly; fortunately, he made it to the hospital and was immediately taken into surgery. Unfortunately, during the procedure, Joe suffered a heart attack which, along with additional complications, left him in grave condition and on life support.

CT Scans and EEG results from earlier in this past weekend found that Joe's brain was severely damaged as a result of encephalitis, which in turn, shut down his ability to think, speak, or control motor skills. His organs were so badly damaged that even if he survived, he would only have about 20% of his faculties. As a result of this prognosis and in keeping with Joe’s Living Will, his sisters made the gut wrenching decision to remove the life support machines Sunday evening.

Joe led District 3 to Distinguished District during the 2003-2004 year.  He continued to serve that District well as a Past District Governor particularly with selection and recognition of their Communication & Leadership (C&L) Award recipients and actively supporting our annual officer nominations process. The past leaders in District 3 have already received this information, but if you know others that know Joe, please feel empowered to pass this information along.

Donna and Debbie have both expressed comfort in knowing that Joe's Toastmaster family rallied so well with many wishes, prayers, and positive thoughts. Although Joe will be buried in his home state of Ohio, they will let us know when and where a memorial service will be set for him in Phoenix. We will certainly pass along those details once we have them.

In 2003-04, when Joe served as District 3 Governor, I was a brand new member of the District 50 "trio". As Lt. Governor Marketing, I was excited and overwhelmed, all at the same time. Joe struck me as a solid leader: calm, cool, collected ... when he spoke, I listened. And he had this little gleam in his eye that made me think he was probably a lot of fun to hang with in the hospitality suite.

The members of District 3 are undoubtedly grieving the loss of a solid leader and good man. I send them my heartfelt condolences. But I am convinced that as Joe joins other Toastmasters who have passed on in recent years - like JoAnna McWilliams, Bert Marquardt, David Hostler, and Bill Haas - if there weren't already Toastmasters meetings in heaven, they're certainly holding them now.

Happy 2010! (and my new favorite photo of all time)

I don't think I've ever been this relieved to welcome a new year ... a fresh start ... a chance to begin with a clean slate. 2009 put me through the wringer, and I'm ready to start anew.

But for all that, my 2009 holiday season was pretty darn good. Take, for example, this photo below:

It is now my all time favorite photo ever in the history of ever. My Jim shot it a couple days ago as we celebrated a belated Christmas in San Antonio with my family. My brother's youngest daughter, Lyla, was twelve kinds of tickled to be with her Aunt Angie, and I got plenty of hugs and kisses and giggles and grins. Being with her makes me deliriously happy.

And that's what I'm focusing on in the coming year: those things that feed my spirit, renew my soul, and bring me levels of delirious delight.

I'll get around to recording my other resolutions tomorrow. Tonight, I'll be dreaming of strawberry blonde curls, sticky kisses, and the sweet sound of her singing... "You are my Angie, my only Angie..."

Santa's Comin' to Town ... on a motorcycle?

At the end of November, I wrote about the new additions to our Christmas yard decorations. Well, after nights spent in front of the TV with acrylic paints and the most detailed pattern ever known to man, the piece de resistance is finally done:

Yes - you're seeing that right - it's Santa Claus on a motorcycle.  When I shot this photo, the varnish was drying... which is why he's leaning against the back of our house ... but he'll get added to the front yard today when I get home from work.

I was totally stressing out about painting his face - I was afraid I'd screw it up, and it'd look all wonky...

...but I'm pretty pleased with the way that turned out. It's ALL THOSE BLASTED TOYS in the sidecar that made it so stinkin' complicated.  So, in honor of "learning from our experiences", here's my Top 5 List of what this project taught me:

5. It will always take longer than you think.

4. It doesn't do you much good to transfer the entire pattern at once ... after all, you'll be covering up all the detail lines with the first base coat of paint. Dummy.

3. Metallic acrylic paint will require at least 3 coats, even if the wood is already primed. It's thick and gooey and needs a lot of layers to dry evenly.

2. Metallic acrylic paint looks really good. So it's worth the hassle.

1. Morkies don't understand the concept of wet paint. All they know is their mama's busy, and gee, if I jump up on this couch here, then I can jump on the table, walk across this wood thing, and jump into her arms... Yikes!

A big thanks to my Dad for cutting everything out for me, and a huge thanks to my husband for putting up with the art supplies in the living room for weeks on end. I promise - no more painting this year.

Now, as for next year, that's a whole 'nother story...

Taking after my father

My Dad is what some people might call "a little bit obsessed with Christmas". I've blogged about his Yuletide yard displays in years past ... but it turns out I take after my Dad - just a little bit.

Last year, thanks to his awesome woodworking skills, we added a nativity scene to our front yard. It's a pretty silhouette showing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in the manger. Nothing too fancy, or too overboard ... just enough to show some Christmas spirit.

Well, earlier this year, I happened to be looking through one of my Dad's pattern books, and two of them caught my eye. Next thing I know, he's ordered them, cut them, and primed the wood for me to paint.

May I introduce the first of two new pieces for our yard this year: the pathetic snowman.

I finished the painting last night, and applied a coat of outdoor varnish. He'll make his debut in our yard a little later this week.

In the meanwhile, I've got a MAJOR project ahead of me ... painting the SIX FOOT TALL Santa on a  motorcycle. (Yeah, I'm not kidding... SIX FEET TALL.)

Stay tuned as that particular adventure unfolds!
 

Does anyone know anyone who wants jewelry?

Lately, I've been on a big "simplification" kick. I'm cleaning out junk drawers, donating clothes I no longer wear, getting rid of excess ... stuff.

In my early 20's, I was a big fan of fine jewelry; specifically, emeralds. My ex-husband bought me several pieces that have been gathering dust ever since our split in late 2002. Seeing as how I've become a minimalist - and I prefer to only wear jewelry that I can break or lose without having a heart-attack - it's time to find them new homes. They're so gorgeous, they just deserve to be worn.

Plus, I want to upgrade my DSLR to a Nikon D300s, so...

This gorgeous ring is a natural emerald-cut AAA emerald weighing in at 1.12ct. It's set in platinum and 18K yellow gold, and has 12 diamond baguettes in the band. Purchased in mid-2000 for $4,000, I'm asking $1,500.

Click here for details on the emerald-cut emerald ring.

This ring has a round-cut natural emerald at .4ct set in gold with eight round diamonds. Purchased in early 1998 for $1,000, I'm asking $500. 

Click here for details on the round-cut emerald ring.

These earrings are emerald-cut natural Columbian emeralds set on gold posts. Purchased in mid-2001 for $500 duty-free in the Bahamas, I'm asking $250.

Click here for details on the emerald earrings.

This is a matched set of necklace and earrings in light blue topaz. Necklace is on a 16” gold chain. Pendant includes pear shape light blue topaz and small diamond set in gold. Earrings are oval-cut light blue topaz set in gold. Asking $200.

Click here for details on the topaz necklace & earring set.

As I said, they're beautiful pieces of jewelry. They should be worn, not relegated to live in my jewelry chest. If you - or someone you know - is looking for a Christmas gift for that special someone at a terrific savings over retail, this is a great opportunity.

And as for me, I'd much rather have that new Nikon D300s; it'll be a much more productive weight hanging around my neck than my ex ever was.  (Insert evil grin here.)