Decorating Diaries - Update

/

Lest you think the master bedroom/bath do-over has been shoved aside, I will enlighten you with updates.

The decorator called a few days ago to say our curtains would be in on Wednesday (tomorrow) BUT the rods to hang them from were on back order and may be another two weeks.  My question now to myself is why I allowed myself to be convinced to order rods? Since when did I become too good for Target?

The bedding will be another two weeks as well.  VERY excited to see that final project.  We however, need to get on the ball and order new sheets.  Right now we're on cheap green sheets that have never really fit the bed.  We have a double pillowtop mattress and queen sheets are too small and king are too big.  We went with queen but every time we roll over we can feel the elastic on the bedcover give another quarter inch.

I have promised myself good  sheets.  High thread count sheets.  Oprah-like sheets.  I have no idea where one goes to obtain such sheets, but I want to buy them soon.  It would be a major letdown to put the beautiful new coverings on my bed and then slip into icky old ugly green sheets beneath.

As far as the bathroom....I think we're regressing.  We've gone from high-end designer look to a "Look, let's just let Lowe's do it" mentality.  I tried to talk Blair into holding off another year as we've got a few other things we're paying off right now, but he says (and I know I'll agree with him come December) he doesn't want to live through another winter of ice-cold floors.  It really is about 10 degrees colder in our bathroom in the winter than in the rest of the house.  I'm just not looking forward to contractors and dirt and scheduling gone awry.  But this too shall end.

So that's all there is.  I'll let you know when the damn curtain rods come in. =)

Invitation to Speak....

/

Here's my exciting news I mentioned in an earlier post.  I've been asked to speak as a faculty member for the National Speakers Association (NSA) winter meeting at Loes Ventana Canyon Resort in Arizona.   The event is being billed as "NSA University" and has 4 tracks members chose may choose from: branding, marketing, performance, writing.  I'll be on the writing track along with two other faculty members and the three of us are responsible for 14 hours of class time including panel discussions, small group interactions, writing practice, pre-program assignments, etc.  It's an all expense paid trip plus they'll buy 100 copies of my book, and I can sell more copies in the bookstore. 

NSA is big time.  One of my long-term goals is to be eligible to join their group.  These are people who more often than not are making a living from their public speaking practice.  One way to become eligible for membership is to have earned $25,000 in the last year from speaking appearances. (Um, gee, I haven't earned that, but I was given a free lunch at my last speaking appearance.  Would that count??)

I am nervous about speaking in front of professional speakers, but not overly so--at least not yet.  We'll see how I'm doing in January.  I look on this as a "practice what you preach" opportunity.  I'm forever telling my students, "Audiences don't care about perfect. Audiences care about real."  And "Be yourself. Do the best you can.  Giving a not-so-great speech is not the end of the world."

Good advice.  But of course, I also want to kick-ass. =)  The Dean of our writing program is working on curriculum that we'll then refine.  I  am SO excited.  This is a fantastic networking opportunity.  I can't wait to see what comes of it.

My Days of Being Carded Are Over...

/

I don't know about the rest of you, but I still have those days when--given the right lighting and the proper application of makeup--I can convince myself that if need be, I could still pass for someone in my twenties (I'm 35). 

This theory was shot to hell a few days ago when I watched myself on TV.  I appeared on a local access cable program, talking about how public speaking relates to self-esteem.  Watching myself on TV, I was able to make note of several things:

  • I have a really annoying habit of closing my eyes when I'm making a point.  I think I do it to gather my thoughts, but I end up saying half a sentence with my eyes closed.  Gaaa!  Why haven't family and friends told me of this before??
  • My arms are not as toned as I think they are.  I wore a sleeveless shirt for the interview and am regretting it.  Enough said.
  • I have a lovely profile and a not-so-great head-on look.  I will now be conducting all future conversations with my head arched to the left.
  • If I saw me on TV, didn't know me, and had to guess my age, I'd probably go with mid to late 30's.  It's in the crinkles at the eyes and around the mouth and yes, even a little age showing in the neck. 

It's not that I'm displeased with how I look.  It's more that I had one of those awakening, "Hey, no one's going to blink if you try to beer at the bar" type moments. 

Next time I appear on TV, I'm going to wear my hair in pigtails and carry a teddy bear and see if that helps.