All Work and No Play?

Sometimes work brings exciting things ... In this case, a night at the Tulsa Drillers courtesy of one of our Board Members. So while we all passionately invest our hearts and our time into what we do for girls, sometimes there are opportunities to just simply stop and smell the roses ... or the hot dogs. It's wonderful to take a bit of time to connect with one another and be refreshed!

We're All Different ... Or Are We?

I am inspired by this toolbox. It looks very much like an organization. We are all working side by side to accomplish the same mission. While our sense of purpose gives us a particularly strong common bond, we each have different skills and talents. And we are plugging those abilities in to the same engine that drives the largest leadership organization for girls.

Lately I've been contemplating differences. They give us flavor in our relationships ... and headaches, too. As a professional Girl Scout, I work side by side with some of the most interesting people I have ever met. They give flavor in the workplace ... and headaches, too!


Is that bad to say? Or just honest? I think if we all admit it, our working relationships can be strained and it can sometimes make completing a mission difficult.

Oftentimes, all I need is a word picture to get a bigger picture. When differences seem to get in the way, my goal is to back up and take a look at the bigger picture. We're in the same toolbox. Sure, we are each fit for different roles. But when it comes down to it, we're not as different as we think! Each one of us is here to make a difference, and together we can do it.

My First Girl Scout Hire ... Now a Mom!

Sasha (middle) is a dear soul. She came to us after going through the corporate wringer and was my first hire at Girl Scouts. During realignment, we embraced more people, and I would like to think Kami (right) and I armwrestled over Sasha, but I would have WON (wink)! She stepped into grant writing, and what a fabulous job she has done!

From a young woman with a powerful story, to a woman with life-earned wisdom, we have been honored to be part of her life. What a joy to celebrate her marriage and now motherhood! As I shared with her today, she will be wonderful in her new role (as she is in everything), doing it with all her heart and a spirit of excellence.

Sasha, we hope for ALL the best for you!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma!

Girl Scouts throughout eastern Oklahoma, ranging from Bartlesville to Broken Bow gathered in Muskogee to be part of history on Saturday afternoon as the newly formed Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma was officially unveiled. The new council was formed after three councils -- Bluestem, Tiak, and Magic Empire Council -- agreed to merge, providing greater cohesiveness for Girl Scouts throughout the eastern part of the state.

Nearly 1,000 girls and adults celebrated the union in Muskogee on Saturday. Following a celebratory gathering at Muskogee's Masonic Hall and a commemorative group photo, the group walked four blocks to the Three Rivers Museum for the unveiling of a bronze statue celebrating Muskogee as the city with the earliest recorded Girl Scout cookie sales. The Mistletoe Troop of Muskogee first used the sweet fundraising idea in 1917.

The bronze statue, commissioned by Girl Scouts of Magic Empire Council and Little Brownie Bakers, was created by Stillwater artist Phyllis Mantik and will be on permanent display at the Three Rivers Museum.

These Amazing Women

Our Project M.E.N.D. team is yet another group of amazing women in the ranks of Girl Scouts. Tonight we celebrated with Sheila Harbert as she received the "Best of" Award from TCC. Every year, they honor graduates who have achieved success in their fields. This year, Sheila was one of the honorees, and I believe she had the loudest cheering section!

Sasha the Crying Bride-to-Be

With all of the parties going on, it is amazing we managed to keep this one a secret! Our sweet Sasha is about to be married and we wanted to surprise her with a bridal shower. Cameras poised, tables decorated, tall tales in place ... She is escorted to the conference room thinking help is needed in the kitchen. SURPRISE! She cries and disappears from our cameras, but not for long! Click below for the highlights:

Sasha the Crying Bride-to-Be

Our Dear Naomi

We seem to be doing a lot of honoring and recognizing this time of year! Most of it is fun and exciting. But sometimes there is a little sadness, too. Naomi is retiring this year. And while it will probably a wonderful time for her where she can focus on her family, we will all miss her presence at the Girl Scout office!

Dominique Dawes Shares a Laugh with Staff

It was our honor not only to have Dominique Dawes, three time Olympian, present for our Juliette Low Leadership Society Luncheon, but it was our pleasure to give her the ride of her life as well! While she claims the driving of our dear staffer Joann didn't scare her one bit, the stories were already flying ... and so was she with Joann behind the wheel!

After 5:00 ... it's Girl Scout Cookie Time!

It's after 5:00 ... sometimes it's the time when I can settle in and finally get some work done! Tonight as I walked back into the east wing of the Girl Scout office, I am dreaming of my Lemon Chalet Cremes and have decided they are just the thing I need to keep the thinking juices going for a little longer.

I walk by Pam's office and laugh to myself as I see her Lemon Chalet Cremes open on her desk. I walk by another office with an open box of cookies ... then another ... and another! I couldn't resist getting the camera out. Here's what I found (if you don't see captions that tell who had cookies, click on the little yellow icon on the bottom left):



One thing is for sure ... We sure support our local Girl Scout Cookie Sale!

Channel 2 Just Ate Us Up!

Yummmmmmminess abounds at KJRH Channel 2 with a food segment featuring our own Sasha and PR Star Alyson! The decadent cookie shakes are enough to make you swoon ... or exercise!

Channel 8 is Really Great!

OK ... so the cheesy rhyme is cheesy. But our segment with Channel 8 wasn't cheesy. It was cookie-riffic! Our own Cookie Diva took the stage with our PR Star Olivia for our first TV appearance of the season. Way to go, girls!

One Tough Chick ... errrr ... M&M!

Our bright orange M&M darling volunteered for the personal safety demonstrations at staff meetings. Who knew she could be so tough? As our presenter said, he is making sure people everywhere are "armed and dangerous" but not with guns. We learned some interesting techniques (squeeze-squeeze, twist-twist-twist, pullllllll) and were able to get some serious liquid weaponry. I feel like a techno-zorro!

But seriously ... it made me think about safety and how much it is taken for granted. I'll have to start collecting information and kaboodling it to share!

SQUIRRELNAPPED ... an independent publication

What a way to kick off the United Way campaign! The drama, suspense, and intrigue has us all getting a little squirrely.

Go Van Gogh!

Even we grown up girls get a chance to play sometimes! This is my first time being part of "Go Van Gogh" which is usually a van packed up with art supplies and an agenda for some fun for the girls ... but it was held at our offices today. Even though I was exhausted to begin with, the event was fun and I learned LOTS of interesting things from listening to the girls. One quotable moment was that "Boys and men aren't always very nice, but they grow out of it."

Karen's Lilly

A beautiful moment in a not so beautiful day ... well, some of it really was good, but overall? It was chaotic. At the moment, I am deeply tired, stuck in my office (waiting on my 2nd roadside service call of the day), and worried about being ready to leave for New York at 4:30 am! I was going to do a leisurely night of packing and enjoy a little time with my son. I'm sure he's fine just hanging out with his PS2 but I wanted to have at least one mom moment before I go!

ANYWAY ... my coworker, Karen, brought her Lilly blooms by earlier knowing how I love to get my camera around flowers. Ironic, today I delivered my first photography exhibit and it's all flowers! So, it brought some stress relief earlier to break out my camera. Now I'm thinking I need to do it again. I'm about to stress bust!

Lives ...

Sometimes it's good to stop and reflect on the lives of people around me. We're all so different, so human, so unique. We're working for common passions here, which is beautiful. Yet we all lead lives that have a myriad of circumstances ... some empowering and some challenging. My thought for today is that regardless of what is going on in my little world, those around me also have their hurdles and heartaches as they press toward making a difference. We all need to know how amazing and valuable we are.

PASSION! Give me PASSION!

We have an honoree in the office ... and a film crew ... and extras (I love the deer-in-the-headlights look in her eyes, click on the photo). It's pretty awesome to work with the women here. They put their soul into everything they do. And I love it when it is recognized!

I found the Cookie Queen!

Funny ... Her throne was vacant. She was down in the dungeon. I think she was building some sort of castle? LOL!

This is my first experience with the big cookie sale. Of course, one of my preconceived notions when hearing "Girl Scouts" was cookies. The other? Camping. I had no idea how much leadership was involved ... and the wide array of opportunities? It's like you can create your own adventure in so many ways. I keep being impressed with what is offered and accomplished.

And in the case of cookies? It's quite impressive what these little goodies accomplish. Only 88 cents is for the cookie. We're one of the highest (and I think THE highest) Councils when it comes to outreach programs. This is one of the most major ways our outreach is funded. Plus, it goes into the programs offered for girls, and to individual "cookie credit" ... and as a mom? That's nice! The troop will be going on an outing, my daughter will have store credit for uniform components (among other things), and we are helping girls who may not get other opportunities. How cool is that?

Valentine's Day

What fun to be around so many women on Valentine's Day! There is such a wide variety of responses to a romantic day. My favorite moment so far is when one older woman (who looks at least 20 years younger!) was called to the front and someone in my hall exclaimed, "Does she have a MAN?" The exodus began and I joined along with my camera to catch the action. Everyone wanted to know if she had a boyfriend! Another staffer was quickly into the card before anyone else. And the photos began. (FYI - no boyfriend, and I don't know who it was, maybe her son?)

Birdsong Action Figure

Fashioned after everyone's favorite Property Director, Mike Birdsong, the Birdsong Action Figure comes complete with dress clothes ("duds" as one lady exclaimed) and a shovel ... just $9.95 at the Tulsa Girl Scouts office!

I can't believe it is snowing AGAIN! The office is nearing vacancy again, and who knows if people will be in tomorrow! What's worse, this weather-illiterate Girl Scout (shame on me) had no clue and came without a coat!