National Pro Fastpitch Impacts Job Opportunities

An interesting statement was released on twitter which stated: "Want to help create jobs in the workplace for women...support National Pro Fastpitch." A career in softball as a player or a coach...is that all there is? Not so, As you watch television, read the newspapers, sports magazines, and attend the games you will see many job opportunities directly related to the National Pro Fastpitch League.

As you approach the parking lot of the ballpark, parking attendants are on the job. Ticket Salespeople are poised in the ticket booths ready to sell tickets. Concession stands are opening their windows and stocking ballpark
snacks and drinks. Umpires are gathering and teams are warming up. What you don't see or are aware of are Sports Trainers, Team Doctors, Team Managers, Promoters, Official Score Keepers, Color analyst and Announcers for radio and television, Sports Suppliers, Webmasters, Statisticians, Apprentice, and Vendors. There are probably many more jobs
related to softball but you get the picture.
To expand the impact Women's Pro Softball has on job opportunities take a look at the Partnerships the League has formed with manufacturers of sports gear. The impact of sports has created a college degree in Sports Management. Fitness centers, sports facilities, and parks and recreation centers all benefit from the National Pro Fastpitch League impact.
It is true, Women's Pro Fastpitch is not just about "a pretty face"It is about the talented, highly skilled and well-educated women of the sport. It is about the strong dedicated who made the commitment to a career in the field of their choice. It is to bring special family entertainment to families. And, it is about the job opportunities the sport has to offer, It is about making a better place in the workforce for women.

Bullying - Accelerated Teasing

Bullying ourselves is real. Comparisons to others bring out the problem. It causes us to stray away from the fact we are unique individuals. Comparisons eat away that positive attitude and let the negative drain our energy.

Does being pushed to be at the top of your game create a problem of not living up to your expectations? Does it deflate your self-worth?

When I was in elementary school bullying was labeled teasing. It just seemed natural to call a redhead "Carrot top" or the tall one "Skyscraper" Shorty, Tubby and Fat one all seemed to be harmless. Yet, it did cause us to compare ourselves with others. In school, we heard it from the teachers. "Your brother made better grades than you". It caused us to compare with our siblings. At home, we heard "your sister behaves better than you".
Because we use so many new technologies we are not interacting with others. When some are faced with bullying they can't cope. There is no one at home to discuss the problem with because family members have busy schedules. They don't even share a meal together.

Self-bully started at home when family members started going their own separate ways. Home is no longer a safe haven to share and solve problems. Families do not even have a meal together. Teens start using texting and Youtube as a game to humiliate others. Bullying is a trendy thing to do on school campuses. Those being bullied lose sight of their self-worth. They begin to try and answer the question why? Comparing themselves with the most popular, the better looking, the richest kids in school causes them to lose sight of their self-worth.
If bullying started accelerating with the new technology tools why can't the new technologies tools stop the bullying? Help build that self-worth through
positive messages.

Don't text messages that will hurt someone.
Do not stay connected with those who participate in bullying.
Delete bullying messages.
Tell your friends you do not like bullying.
Talk to someone about rules against bullying
For teenagers talk to parents and counselors
For adults, you know the drill you have survived so far. Help Stop Bullying

My Mothers Big Beautiful Smiling Eyes

What I remember most about my mother were her big beautiful smiling brown eyes. From the time she got up in the morning cooking a breakfast for ten, getting my Dad off to work, children off to school until she put the last one to bed she smiled through those big beautiful eyes. I often thought they wrote the song "Beautiful, Beautiful Brown Eyes" for her'
For a span of twenty five years she sent children off to school. She also spent twenty five years overseeing home work and teaching other important life's lessons. We learned through her clever games. A spelling game she called "I Spy" let each us of pick out an object in the room giving clues until the correct answer. The person answering correctly also had to spell the word. For art and creativity she would place an object in the middle of our long dining room table, give each a pencil, some crayons, and a piece of blank newsprint paper. Our reward was a big big beautiful hand drawn star on our paper. For toys and things we didn't have we made. We learned the word improvise at an early age.
We did not have the conveniences of today. TV hand not been invented. But ah, that old cathedral shaped-radio was total joy. It was a treat to listen to the "Lone Ranger" and "Inter sanctum" with the squeaking door. Along with board games and the radio we were quite entertained. My Mother loved music and we had enough for a choir so we sang. We sang mostly as we performed the duty of clearing the dinner table, washing, drying and putting them away. Two people we assigned to each part of the task. My baby sister was assigned to put away the spoons.She was just a little hank of dark curly hair and big shiny brown eyes.
We learned the importance of plans and routines working as a team to maintain a clean well kept home and yard. It was mother and girls inside and Dad and boys with outside chores. Monday was wash day. We all help make beds with clean linens first thing in the morning so mother could scrub clothes all day and hang out to dry.Tuesday was iron day. We were all taught how to iron even the boys.We all learned to cook boys included.
Thursday was dusting day. Since I was tagged for dusting I lingered a little bit when I was walking home from school. Friday night was going to downtown and people watching-even a treat of penny candy from the Five and Dime candy counter. Saturday was yard work day- painting and repairing. Ah, but Sunday, light chores and a bug Sunday dinner at home or sometimes Sunday picnic on the church grounds.
As I look at my Mother's old button jar I the most beautiful time we had was an evening meal together. My mother was tagged as the best cook around. We were each encouraged to share our days happenings.We shared a safe haven together. We were taught: "A house is built with boards and beams, but a home is built with love and dreams". Our father provided his love and discipline and life's essentials but I will always remember my mother was my first teacher and yes, those great big brown smiling eyes.

Marking 80th Birthday With 5K Walk

Rainy Start

Grandma & Grandpa Edwards

Why Aren't  Quotes Considered Social Media?

Recently I read a blog discussing why quotes should not share space in social media. This startled me a little bit. How many times have I seen quotes on social media?
Since I entered the Twitter and Facebook world  I have seen many quotes daily within the 140 character framework. There are the quotes of inspiration, of motivation and the cute ones that make you smile. Why do some consider them annoying and a waste of time? Perhaps, it takes time away from doing their own branding. But what about connecting and engaging with others?
What puzzles me is the fact that the big companies use logos to promote their brand. For, example; "Rethink Possible"-AT&T. How many logos can you identify with a company name? Social Media has brought advertising into Social Media calling it "branding".
Many top Social Media Influencers use many quotes in their blogs to motivate the reader and elevate their thoughts to a higher level. These social media coaches, consultants or strategists author many motivational books full of quotes. Quotes are powerful, motivational tools.
Then Twitter or Facebook pages are used for quotes to attract readers to their blogs or websites. It is at this point of contention that brings the value of quotes to light. To be successful in social media you must engage in communications, promote others, and gain trust for yourself.
Personally, I have found my niche. I like to share and care with my followers
and the ones I follow with " old grandma sayings" that I have collected over the years.(enough to fill four composition books). Those old sayings are short, sweet and full of wisdom. My tweets are a mixture are a mixture of quotes, conversations, retweets, mentions and just plain old being nice and cordial.
Maybe once a day I might shamefully plug my own little art business. By the way, I promote my business by using quotes like: "Let me share my joy of painting" or "Flowers are God's work of art". The title of my business might be considered as a quote: "From My Brush".
If my quotes are not politically correct for social media so be it-it is my personal branding. It is what I do. Social media is a great diverse network of people. Everyone can exercise their methods of communications by using and sharing their own unique methods. You can quote "GrandMaOnDeck"!

Should We Continue To Write Thank You Notes ?

Should We Continue To Write Thank You Notes?

Should we teach our children and grandchildren to write social thank you notes?
This past week I read two articles about etiquette on Social Media. Technology has changed the way we communicate in many ways, but politeness is politeness. Acknowledging appreciation for those special gifts should always be a part of our society.In our fast paced world the email or phone call is considered acceptable but it is that handwritten personal note that makes the message special.

The subject interested me for two reasons. First my mother taught her eight children to sit down and write a thank you note for any thoughtful gift or gesture we received. It was the proper thing to do. Secondly, take my paintings and make note cards and I use them.

Recently I invited my daughter and her co-workers to come and share a home cooked Sunday dinner with me. The girls are all away from their hometowns and parents. This gave them a chance to gather around my table
and create a local family. I received a thank you note from each one of the girls including my daughter. Reading each card made me feel special. It also made me feel proud of their parents  teaching them to say "thank you". These notes were so special I placed them on a sofa table to look at and remind me  how  special these little notes are.

Thank you notes should always be at hand. They don't have to be expensive or even purchased. Hand draw them or make them on your computer. Maybe a large post it note pad will do. Personal handwritten are the best.
Keep your notes simple by opening with a greeting. Then write the reason you are grateful, followed why it was special, repeat your thanks and sign it. Be Creative.

Growing Old And Growing Up
Growing old doesn't mean I have to grow up. I love softball and sporting events.Love reality shows and the latest movies, ice cream and chocolate.
Yesterday I went to an exercise class that made the machine workout a bore.It was an exercise with Latin Music-Rumba Chair. The music was great. The exercise provided a cardio-body workout and burned calories. Twenty vintage women and two old men danced with a vibrant young instructor. We made some really wild and funky moves all seated in our chairs.
It was a commitment I made to myself to do something for my self and for someone else. I invited a neighbor who can't do much walking or do those exercise machines.She was able to adjust to the music, adjust the movements to what she could do. She didn't miss a beat-only if it was just tapping her feet. We truly got down and funky.
Last night I help a neighbor host a block party for those who don't get out of the house much.It was the start of Bunco night with snacks and conversation.
Again it is something for me and sharing with others.It is a known fact, if you give yourself some relaxing times each week you feel much better. There are so many ways to relax, have fun, and help someone else at the same time. Tonight it is time to eat out with the "Dining Divas" There are 28 in the group. We take turns picking up others who can't drive. It is a matter of being creative. You can't stop growing old but you can continue on with growing up.