Work doesn’t have to be work

I had a busy weekend. I helped judge the Hiawatha Hog Wild Days Jr. Mr. and Miss

My family and summer intern, Jennie and her daughter, getting ready for the Hog Wild Days Parade June 23

Hiawatha and Hiawatha’s Favorite Grandmother; we had a table at the Hog Wild Days event, I volunteered to be dunked to benefit Boy Scout Troop 2, (whose members have disabilities) and my family and I had the opportunity to participate in the Hog Wild Parade.

We met so many wonderful people and had a great time doing it! My son, Sean, helped me throughout the weekend, and he is turning out to be a great photographer.

And, though I am tired, it’s a good tired. I still got my pages done and sent on time (though the last few minutes were quite exciting!) and the typos are down to only a few. There are still things I need to change, especially now that I see them in print, but I suppose those are things I can work on next week.

Hog Wild Days Parade June 23, 2012

I had a great time, doing what I love, and it can’t get any better than that.

**I also wrote another blog on my Making a Difference page. This particular blog is about my father, who taught me that kindness does matter.

New blog highlights people who make a difference in today’s world

The first article in my new blog, Making a Difference” is available now at

Erica Driscoll of Cedar Rapids. (Photo by Cynthia Petersen)

hiawathaadvocate.wordpress.com/.

It’s one that I wrote last year about a young woman who works with adults with disabilities. She is a friend of my daughter’s and has inspired me so much that I think others should know about what she does, too. Last year she was often seen at Mount Mercy University assisting the workers from Options of Iowa to help clean the huge  campus.

When word came out that the state planned to cut funding for this program, she advocated at several forums to speak up for those couldn’t.

Erica Driscoll is one person who makes a difference.

As if I don’t do enough already…

I have come to the conclusion that I am the happiest when I’m being productive. Since I was a little girl, I have found it hard to sit still. My mind goes a million miles a minute with new things I want to do.

And it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

I like the fact that I am experiencing new things. I love the feeling I get when I know that I am creating something. I think I get a bit uncomfortable when I can’t be doing that.

In any case, it’s time to do something new and different. Well, kind of anyway. I’m going to start a new blog, one that spotlights people who have made a difference in someone else’s life. I began writing these stories last year and had to let them sit until I figured out what I wanted to do with them. Now I know. This is what I want to do.

In the meantime, the newspaper is going well; slow but sure. Every issue I put out has me amazed that I was able to pull it off, but when it comes out, I always see ways I can improve it.

This new blog will just be a part of what I do every week.  Besides, it will also give me a chance to be even more creative.

Hiawatha Advocate

Building Houses for Humanity

I have been following the Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Home Builder’s Blitz 2012

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity Home Builder’s Blitz 2012

since I wrote an article about the Habitat for Humanity ReStore (in Cedar Rapids) in March.

I was at the ground-breaking for the two homes in April and have volunteered my talents  whenever possible (mostly in the form of writing and photography, but I can drive a nail or paint a wall if necessary!).

I have done the same for the Habitat for Humanity Women Build at the end of this month, but because of other obligations, won’t be able to participate in the real building of the house.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t do other things.

I’m pretty handy with a hammer. I can rewire a cable (I actually have, out of necessity) and I can paint fairly neatly. But I like to stick to what I do best, and that’s bringing awareness to others through my writing and promoting.

As I wandered around the construction site yesterday (Day 1)I noticed that the houses were progressing nicely. One of the Habitat representatives told me that 96 businesses had contributed in one way or another, but the houses were still on schedule to be completed Friday, when they will be dedicated.

I was amazed at how much they had accomplished in one day! The foundations had already been constructed before the actual build, thanks to many volunteers.  It was really cool to see so many people helping out for such a worthy cause.

I’m anxious to see what progress is made for Day 2.

More Photos

Is there ever enough time?

I have been busy these past few weeks with graduation events, helping my daughter get ready for her wedding, watching grandkids, the holiday, catching up on things around the house that I have neglected, and trying to develop a game plan for the newspaper. And I still didn’t accomplish all the things I wanted to before I had to go back to work, which, incidentally, begins today.

I work for a temp agency, which I really enjoy. I get assigned to different businesses every 6-8 weeks or so, and every assignment is different. Not only is it exciting (well, usually), but it gives me experience I wouldn’t probably get otherwise.

And it’s not permanent, so I don’t have to commit to anything long-term. My goal is to work full-time on the newspaper, but realistically, that won’t happen for a while. So until then, I will just enjoy the experience.

As for there never being enough time to do everything I want to, there isn’t, and I don’t think there ever will be. I guess all I can to do is keep plugging away and just get my priorities straight. After all, if I don’t get everything done that I want to, it won’t matter anyway; it’ll be there for someone else to finish when I’m gone.