The New Guy

I'm on a committee at my church called "creative team". We plan the visuals, the media, the stage design. You know, the creative stuff.

It's a crazy time.

The only agenda we have is to come up with something creative.

And that's where the agenda ends. Hopefully at the end of an hour and a half we've come up with something. This is often a series of rabbit trails, shouting ideas, using a flippy chart, checking out websites, editing videos... Mostly, we try to find a creative way to get the message across.

It can get a little nuts. (I have to admit, it's usually my fault. I am all over the place in my popcorn-brain! Just call me the queen of "random").

Someone should have warned the new guy.

It should have been part of his interview.

I'm not sure if he knew what hit him. He politely thanked us all at the end, but I'm certain he drove home shaking his head.

He took it all in stride, but he's leading the meetings from now on.

So, as a "veteran" on this committee, I am offering some words of wisdom:

* start on time, end 90 min. later-- things go completely off the wall after 90 minutes.

* make sure the coffee is decaf.

* encourage the cookie-maker to keep coming back!

* you have to hum and whistle at the same time. It keeps us focussed.

* we will always have your back, even if we don't agree on the title you came up with for the sermon series

* we will provide constructive criticism, but don't get bogged down in the negative unless you know you can learn from it.

* go home for dinner

* surround yourself with mentors and good friends

* pray always

* sing

* know your purpose

* recognize that you are part of a divine plan

* be approachable

* communicate well

* laugh with us and at us

* celebrate success and failures

Welcome, new guy. We're glad to have you.

do's and don'ts

I have blog envy.

I don't sew.

I don't cook fancy, healthy, or exotic meals.

I don't scrapbook.

I don't decorate.

I can't figure out how to post photos.

Basically, I don't have it all together.

My blog is just a bunch of crazy things that I ha

ve in my head. I'm inviting others into my world of random, unconnected thoughts. It's like living in a popcorn maker.

So, if you like it, I'm glad. If you don't, I'm not going to apologize.

Things I do well:

Watch TV.

Take care of my kids.

Find great deals online.

Make cookies.

Vacuum.

Shop.

Laundry.

Pray.

Paint (walls, not pictures).

It's not a fancy, topical, perfect world. It's just me.

That about sums it up.

TOC.. ya, you know me.

I am a TOC. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a politically correct term that means "substitute teacher." I'm sure the mere mention of the words "substitute teacher" conjurs up memories of switching names, moving desks, spitball wads and passing notes. Gotta say, not much has changed.

Except for me.

I am now the one who is intercepting the notes and cleaning up the spit wads. I answer the phone at 5:45 and listen to the recorded voice that tells me where to go and when to be there. I'm the one who can teach at a moment's notice.

I'm like a fireman, but with books. I'm like supernanny, but with school kids. I'm here to spend the day with the kids and not get killed in the process.

A few high/ low lights of this job:

-I was sent to a grade 9 Drama class. There were 20 boys and 2 girls. That many pubescent, behaviour kids should not be allowed in the same room. I almost quit that day.

-Grade 1--it's PJ day in an inner-city school. Little boy at the back is being defiant and won't sit in his seat. Changes from a little boy to a turtle, using his housecoat as a shell and poking his head out at regular intervals. Heh.

-No report cards. This is a highlight.

-I can leave 10 minutes after the bell rings and don't have to take any marking home. Another highlight.

-Student to me: Wow, you're tall.

Me: Yes, I know!

Student: How old are you?

Me: How old do you think I am?

Student: 18.

Me: You're right.

Student #2: My mom's older than you, but you're still taller.

(Apparently how tall you are determines your age... not that I'm complaining! Gotta love the mind of a 6 year old!)

-5:45 phone call. I am not a morning person. I hate this part of the job. Today, I was called at 10 AM-- "can you come right now??" "Sure."

See.

Just like a fireman-- ready in 5 minutes.