Sunday, February 14, 2010

Surprise for the Week

Tonight, I'm letting you in on a little secret...I was asked to speak in our Ward Relief Society (Homemaking Night) last week. But I thought it was something else...that's me-just not paying real attention to details these days! I really thought I was going to be sitting in a tiny primary class room-drawing on a chalk board.

I got a call from the Relief Society counselor in my ward-last Wednesday. She told me that one of our ward sisters would be moving out of the area-and they now needed someone to teach the class on Affordable Home Decorating. I imagined myself, sitting in a little classroom discussing paint colors and table cloths:) I figured that I was a useful solution to the cause-because I had been a designer in a craft store and just recently worked in a home decorating store also. So, their was NO panic in my voice-and I casually said, "Sure, no problem! I'd love to sit a talk about decorating". The counselor was pleasantly surprised (I could hear the surprise in her voice-"You will??? Oh thank you- thank you!!". I thought...Hmm?...that was odd. No big deal.

The closer the day came (one week later), the more I put on my thinking cap, and began to wonder-what can  I share with these sisters on home decorating? So, I began to surf the internet. I found some awesome links to share and some very creative ideas started to form. I began to focus on popular colors, what is all the rage right now for sprucing up a person's home, and how can I save a few dollars on decorating? Because you and I are regular bloggers...I know that if I list a sight to see over the internet...you will just hit the link and *pop*, your in another window looking at some other bloggers ideas-easy lesson to teach. That's the magic of our little world here. Not so easy to explain when I'm standing in front of a room full of ladies-who are NOT regular bloggers. That became my challenge last Wednesday Night. Boy-was I in for a surprise...

I packed all my great ideas in a rubber maid bucket, brushed my teeth-and fluffed my hair. No need to dress-up...I was attending Homemaking. I had worn jeans and t-shirt to tons of these nights before.Then at six thirty last Wednesday night-I climbed in my car-and drove over to my ward chapel. I was greeted by the happy counselor-who had called me. She asked if I needed help getting in the door. I lugged my box up the stairs and thought...that was so sweet of her! She is just the kindest lady ever:) Then, I noticed that she had a dress on...and when we walked into the cultural hall-the tables were all decked out for a Valentines Dinner. It all looked so fancy and there was a buffet dinner waiting. Several sisters asked if I needed anything-they all had dresses on, and were carrying in food to share. I thought to myself, I think I missed the memo on who the main speaker was tonight! Who is coming to speak at this dinner??? As I tried to pick a table to sit at, my mom came over to ask if I was ready for tonight? I looked around and said "Why?"-she pointed out that I WAS the main speaker-and I needed to sit near the podium....WHAT??? That was the moment-that I realized I was suppose to be dressed up- and ready to speak to a "gym room" full of ward sisters. This is pretty much what nightmares are made of-in my little world!
  But because I have a certain sense of dignity...I didn't start hyper-ventilating or sweating profusely.  My eyes did grow bigger-as I watched the room fill with sisters coming in to eat dinner together. I started counting heads, and then I pointed out that I only had a few hand-outs....and maybe I needed MORE. My wonderful friend/visiting teaching partner, Jane-volunteered to go make more copies in the library. I wondered if she could hear my heart POUNDING away. I wasn't going to pass out from sheer fright-but I was wondering how I would pull the whole night off??    *Everyone already had a small idea that I was not really ready-I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt-and my son's hoodie!!! "AHHHHHHH-get me out of here!!!"-was what I wanted to say, but I thought to myself, "What do I have to lose-or gain? People already know that fashion is not the top of my list during the day. I'm usually thrilled if I have clean clothes that match:)
I was so happy to share my family portraits that we just had done this past week also (My friend, Liz has a blog to show the awesome work she's done). I was able show off the fruit arrangement that I re-created from work. (The one at work sold for a very expensive price)...I made a knock-off for under twenty dollars (the pieces were from the dollar store and the vase was on sale from my job for half off!). I also showed them how Home Depot has stair railings and chair legs-that we can use to make candle stick holders-for way cheap also. I talked about colors and Feng Shui decorating. I asked if anyone was as serious as I was about blogging...and I think I saw one or two hands go up:) So, I shared some great web sites that I love to read-http://thepaintedhome.blogspot.com/ and another favorite spot is...My Re-Purposed Life. I think that  these ladies that blog (and share their awesome idea) are just the very best decorators ever!! 

So, I survived the whole night because of the above mentioned blogs. My life can go on now... I did it!!!!! (I LOVE BLOGGING!!!!!!♥) *I'll share another little secret with you later on this week...Goodnight!   

12 comments:

Maddy said...

Hi mom I just thought I would say hi before I left. Have a great day! Love me

Julie B. said...

Wow. I would have just died!! But you are great at whatever you do, so I know it was a success. Maybe you could start up a blog about decorating. I would love to read more ideas!
Julianne

ldsfamofak said...

What fun!! I know that it was great. Good job keeping your cool.

Myrnie said...

Sounds like a great night for everyone! :) I would have died... :)

Shanley said...

You are so hilarious! I would have died if that would have happened to me!

Chantell said...

Oh my goodness, you made me giggle! I hate that feeling of 'everyone got the memo but you'. It sounds like you pulled thorugh and did a fantastic job though, wish I could have heard all you fun ideas, I'm sure you were a big hit! :) "I love the saying "if you wait till the last minute it only takes a minute!" Just think of all the time you saved during the week by not preparing something more grandious and long..somehow it all comes together when it has to!

Rhonda said...

You are one high class lady! I might have gotten sick in the bathroom and snuck out the back door! ACK!

Photo Crazy! said...

I am so sad I missed it! I have been so into my fitness this month I totally spaced it! Love the family pictures!

Blogging and Bliss said...

You are so funny Dolly! I am so glad you made it through. I decided long ago that there is planning and prep and then there is just going with the flow of the spirit to help you. I am so glad it worked out alright for ya. Love all your new pictures.

Lyla And Company! said...

DOLLY!!! It feels so good to be back in the bloggog world! How are you all doing? How is Cam adjusting? Loni Anne has had a really
hard time, now that shes on her way to school maybe it'll get better...have a good day my dear friend!

Michelle said...

thanks for the laugh!! you are a trooper ☺

Christine B. said...

great reading ! you are brave