I'm stuck in the "homework" area.... the kids want me out of their area... but it has the only printer and scanner in the home.... so they are stuck with me till I get myself unstuck....
The ideas are not coming. Completely at a loss. I'm feeling flutters in my heart one may experience when you have too much caffeine... not the case here... it's happening without the caffeine... I'm fighting the "procrastination" mood.... I would rather clean out the garage, work in the yard.... you name it I want to flee.... but I can't I have a deadline.
The cause of this anxiety I'm feeling is 2 BIG events my childrens school have asked me to volunteer for.... the first event is this Saturday! Our school wanted me to coordinate a shopping event fundraiser. They gave me my instruction ... find as many in home party vendors as I can and ask them to set up a booth in our school gym to sell their products... and kindly ask them if they would be willing to give our school a percentage of their profits.
I cold called and emailed vendors... and asked everyone I knew if they knew someone who sold a home product. I did it! I have booked 14 vendors {Siplada, Longaberger Baskets, Tastefully Simple, Southern Living at Home, Usborne Books to name a few} and I'm still hoping for 2 more! If not I just have to be happy with 14 {actually the school has to be happy with that, I did all I could}
Now I need to figure out decoration, beverages and simple food to serve for an afternoon of shopping.... did I mention I have a budget of $100.... I need a moment to lay on the ground and cry...after this good meltdown I will shop my home for anything I can use. With the budget I need hit the wholesale club {Costco} for ice tea, lemonade, and cookies.
And when I get this accomplished I can panic about how many people will actually show up to shop! Without the shoppers we have no fundraiser! Why did they call me?
The second task is not till May 30 but feels more daunting.... let me set the scene of how I was asked.... phone call from the 7Th grade teacher at 4:30 PM { 4:30 is like being in a zoo at my home } I had 3 kids surrounding me with chatter homework and snacks etc... plus dinner in the works and the phone rings... She says, "Will you be the Chairperson for the decorating committee for the 8Th grade class of 2009 graduation luncheon?" One I don't have an 8Th grader, two why me? With a plea of help and my kids starring at me I was corned into a box and said "yes".... what do you need me to do?
She quickly rattled off my list and hung up before I could take back my yes... and not to mention my kids attend a Christian school so I had a moment of very strong guilt about the lie that came into my mind.
Now, that I vented, I need to shack off this burden I feel and move forward.... to the espresso machine. That always helps perk me up!
30 comments:
Oh Lulu you are so sweet! I have a feeling you are gonna handle this all just fine and it will be awesome! Don't forget to rest a little once in a while! :)
Lulu, don't stress out...you know what you're doing, just trust yourself and everything will be just fine!!
Lulu: I just stumbled upon your blog and I so love it! You are a woman after my own heart! I am now a follower!
Lou Cinda :)
Okay, this all sounds stressful. Your feelings are SO valid!!
Why'd they ask you? Have you SEEN the parties you put together? Do you KNOW how talented you are? That's why :)
I KNOW you can do this!
Take slow, deep breaths and know that you've got a team of friends around the world who KNOW you can do ANYTHING!
Thank you for being so real and honest :)
Oh, I feel for you! I am terrible about saying no. It sounds like your shopping fundraiser will be great. I was in charge of a similar thing a couple of years ago. It is so hard to ask people to donate things. Good job!
XOOX
Jen
i think mother's day got thrown into the month of may to help off set all the insane craziness we mom's pull off for end of school insanity!!
i know you'll pull everything together and it will all go off w/o a hitch!!
grab your espresso & go conquer the world-wink!
xo
A very wise friend of mine once told me the seven words she uses when she absolutely, without a doubt doesn't want to do something: I'm sorry, it doesn't work for me!
After she utters those words she doesn't feel the need to explain anything else, come up with a white lie, or apologize any further. Plus it gets her message across that the answer is no.
I don't think you and I are at that place yet! I would have said yes too, and then ranted and raved privately and then in the end pull it all off with aplomb. (And secretly enjoy the success!)
Daffodils (or fern stems) in great bottles, lemonade, ironstone platters of cookies pretty tablecloths and you're good to go!
Oh LuLu it will be awesome I'm sure.. I would call on a few room moms and maybe PTA members to help (bring) some refreshments..just a thought!
Good Luck!
Cathy
Wow thats a lot on you plate, but you are so creative and stylish that you can do it, I am sure this is why they called on you to do both events. You will do a great job, just make sure you have coffee on hand!!
SO been there...and STILL am....I think they "know" we will always say "yes"...one friend of mine says I have- "helium hands"- and that I am too nice to ever say "No"! (we are also at a Christian school- how could I say "no"- so sweet they asked me to do it...see my problem??)
now relax...everyone is so thankful YOU did everything that no matter what -they will love everything you do!
p.s.- let me know if you figure out how to "not" get into these things...:)
Blessings! and good luck!
Oh honey, you sound soooo stressed! You can do it girl! You know what? i've decided that you don't need to send me the chair until christmas to take some of the pressure off. Does that help? Sometimes my generosity surprises even me. :)
Maybe you could find a party planner who would be willing to decorate for free. They could have a table as a vendor to get bookings. Just a thought!
One of the best skills to have is saying no without saying no. "I'm already committed for that day." "That doesn't work with my schedule." "I'm at my limit for commitments right now, but thanks for thinking of me." "I'll have to think about that. I'll get back to you if I can help."
I'm sure all will go well. We're here for moral support! :)
You wrote this so well, I could feel my heart start beating faster...(and I am not a caffeine person!) gasp! I know the feeling....it is like showing up to class in college after missing a few, and it is the day of the midterm and you have NO idea what the material is. (of course i'm NOT speaking from experience, here!)
You have creativity and passion and a love for your children OOZING out of every pore of yours. I know that will translate into fabulous events! I know that because they're looming it is such a daunting task, but I know it will be WONDERFUL! You're LULU - of COURSE it will be wonderful!
Hugs to you...and I'm cheersing my decaf hot tea to your double espresso latte! (lets put a little whipped cream on top of it today...it will help spark the creativity!)
xoxo
I know you Lulu......
You'll do AMAZING.
YOU ALWAYS DO !
HUGS,
Don't panic - I've been there & survived. Here's a tip: see if you can get a local nursery to let you borrow ferns to place around the stage or podium or everywhere (for free advertising of course) and use potted flowers to give out as door prizes for teacher gifts or something along those lines.
Hope these ideas helped & good luck - I'm sure everything will be a success.
Unstick yourself for a bit. Go take a walk, have a bath. Relax, it will come to you. You know what you are doing. Good Luck!
That is a lot of work but I have a feeling you are the perfect person for this job!!! Please post pictures.
sandy toe
Some words of advice...let go and let GOD! Everything will fall into place...just take it one step at a time!
LuLu,
The espresso is a very good place to start! Next, I think a quick "arrow" prayer is in good order. Then, begin. Your ideas are always awe-inspiring and I know you'll come up with something these 8th graders will cherish forever! Good Luck to you!
{{HUGS}}
xoxo
good luck to you...the decorating sounds like lots of fun but a helper or two would be a big relief.
have fun....
chasity
I just know that you'll do great! :)
You could have told the 7th grade teacher that you would "pray about it". That one always works espcially with a Christian school.
Sometimes at public school too. It usually helps to say that and then they never call you back. tehehe.
♥
Joy
It is GREAT that you got vendors - what a relief! I think cookies, coffee, and lemonade are a wonderful idea - simple and everyone loves cookies :) Good luck!!
I have had one of those weeks, and haven't been by in a while. Hang in there! I know you'll do great!!!
And just wanted to let you know I LOVE the slipcover on your chair, and those photos of your "style" are gorgeous!
Bless your darlin' heart. You got bushwhacked into saying yes! But you are a very talented, creative, capable person and you will pull it off because you are WOMAN. I'm hearing you ROAR(:
I remember being the person to make that call... I had to ask a parent to help run an event for a different grade level. It's so hard. You are such a good person... speaking of which, I passed an award on to you tonight. I hope that's okay. You don't have to do a thing with it. :)
Hi :)
So I got the lemonade jars from here:
http://www.candlesoylutions.com/search.asp
They are actually candle jars (I got the idea from a magazine). The shipping was a little pricey so I only bought a dozen BUT they will be used frequently!!
lulu...
we are ALL givng you virtual hugs... wish it could be in person!
have i ever bitten off BIG volunteering projects before!
big bites... thinking... my word... i want to spit this out! :)
all i know... you can do it! you rock & you rule... you blow socks off with your talents... i just wish the pressure didn't have to go along with it! :)
hang in there... haev fun... as i know you will!
grab another cup! :)
Lulu, if you want them to stop calling then stop being so darn good at party planning...the word must have spred pretty quickly about that wonderful mommie who does these amazing parties..and now everyone wants you to be the planner! I am sure you will pull it all off without a hitch, you are amazing...!!
I know this feeling Oh So Well! Glad to hear it turned out well.
~Heather
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