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May 10 May 10, 2007Here it is, my final entry. I'm happy to report that the blog itself will continue. Boomba and Bug are determined to keep all things 654 moving forward, so today I hand over the reins of this experiment to them.
FamilyGuy and Princess were not informed of your decision to end meetings, and so showed up at the Fort last week and kept me company. That concerns me a bit. If you don't keep them in the loop, they can't be faulted for not wanting to come back. Please make sure that you give everybody the option of staying even if you "think" they don't want to. It's their decision.
Now for the actual good-bye ... I've probably said the same things a hundred times before, but that doesn't make them any less true. Through all the fights and the angst and the chaos, I have done whatever I needed to keep you girls in my life for the past ten years. You are and always will be very important to me. I care very much what happens to you in the future. I want you all to succeed and be happy and have wonderful things and wonderful experiences. I think you all deserve it. I will never forget any of you.
Boomba ... good luck with the page. I have told you where your pitfalls are likely to be, but you're a strong girl. You can handle it. I'll be checking in, so make me proud.
I love you all. I'll miss seeing you more than you can possibly imagine. It's time to move on. I wish all of you all the best.
One Last Time,
Mrs. B April 30 April 16 and 23 Meetings + Lodge CampingWinding down to my final days as leader of this wonderful group of kids, I find myself paying more attention to them and less to this experiment in sharing in cyberspace. For those that are actually watching, I apologize ... but in reality, this will be one of the last two entries on this blog. I will make a summary after we have finished up to end this fantastic journey.
The past two meetings have been a preparation for our little camping trip this past weekend. April 16 saw the grocery list, activity list, and agenda buttoned down. April 23 was a fun pinata-making party (after which I am STILL cleaning up!) The girls have matured well into capable young women that I'm happy to have known. They handled the planning well, though the execution still needs a little work. They'll do just fine without me.
Three of our remaining 5 members went to the lodge for two nights (along with three leaders). Chores were handled beautifully. The girls took on tasks that they wanted and accomplished them with grace. I'm very proud. It seems that even though we arrived with more craft projects than anybody needs for one weekend, interest in them wasn't really there. Sleeping bag races and charades provided the most entertainment, reminding us that sometimes you just need to kick back and act silly to have a great time.
EVERYONE is glad that they won't ever have to endure my snoring again!
Tonight we'll meet to discuss the weekend, reimburse for expenses, finish up paperwork, and close out the year. We may plan one more fun activity just to include the whole troop, then we're done.
To Mrs. M and Mrs. H ... I wish you as much joy as I have had watching these girls become the dynamic individuals that they are. Here's to a stellar final year of scouting to all the other daughters not of my blood, but of my heart. I love you all.
Until next,
Mrs. B March 28 March 26, April 2, and April 9 MeetingsDue to a death in the family, March 26 meeting was cancelled by Mrs. B.
A pre-existing appointment out of town will also necessitate my absence from the April 2 meeting. Mrs M informed me that I was mistaken about your Spring Break, but there is no need to cancel meeting altogether if you can find a suitable location to gather.
High School Spring Break will take place after Easter (the week of our April 9 meeting), so have a nice vacation.
Mrs. M and Mrs. H are welcome to convene a meeting on any date that I must be absent so that important business can be discussed and actions taken if need be. I apologize for not being able to lead these two meetings ... but really, girls ... you know you don't need me there. I'll see you all on April 16th.
Until then,
Mrs. B March 19 March 19 MeetingTonight's meeting was very relaxed.
All scouts were present except Pugnatious. She has officially withdrawn from the troop. Here's where I digress and go into a long, drawn out explanation about why this is perfectly fine. The Spring of Senior year in high school is a time of transition, of growing up, and of very big changes. You will all go through this when the time comes, though you probably don't think so now.
Pug is finding out what the balance between freedom and responsibility is. She's making choices about where to place her own priorities and how to manage her time and resources. Frequently that means that "childish" pursuits are left behind. While Girl Scouts is not childish in any way, for some, it's a part of their growing up that is so closely associated with being a child that it naturally falls away at this time. Even as her mother, knowing this isn't easy for her, I have to applaud her for being able to say good-bye to something that has been a part of her life for almost 12 years.
As the rest of you grow into your own transitions, I hope that you will always realize that taking care of yourself first (even while taking care of others), is a gift that you will reap the benefits from for life. There's an old saying ... kinda funny ... "if mama aint happy, aint nobody happy". It's truer than you'll know for some time, but rest assured, somday you'll know it like your own name. For now, just remember to take care of yourselves.
BTW, we made an activity list for our lodge camping trip and Boomba will button down a grocery list for our meals. It should be a fun weekend.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B March 13 March 12 MeetingLast night's meeting was back in the Fort ... aaahhhhhhhhhhh ... no more claustrophobia! Needs a thorough cleaning though.
Pugnatious was absent attending to employment obligations. BooBooKitty was missing, too. The grapevine says she doesn't feel well. I'm more than a little concerned that BooBooKitty is missing too much school and isolating from her friends. If her mom reads this, please take note. I got into trouble at her age, too, the same way. Pay attention to her. Troop, let her know we need her, love her, miss her when she's away. I want to see that chair occupied next week.
We had on-off discussion about people being treated with respect tonight. Too often, the people we love are the ones that hurt us the most. It's important to recognize when you're being treated badly and do something about it. Nobody deserves some of the kinds of abuse that some of us have had to deal with. We CAN stop it, and we SHOULD stop it. The question is ... will we?
Boomba began a preliminary menu for the lodge camping trip next month. Suggested items show creativity and traditional favorites. We should eat very well!
With nothing else really on our agenda, meetings have become loosely organized and free-flowing of late. Or maybe we're all just a bit more relaxed ..... ?
Until next week,
Mrs. B March 08 March 5 MeetingSorry this is so late. Pugnatious was missing this week due to college prep obligations.
Asian Culture night this week. Bug organized an amazing meal with a Japanese family member and various troopmates. We were introduced to stuffed seaweed, pickled plums, shrimp-flavored and chicken-flavored chips, exotic gummy candies, tiny dessert fish, fish crackers and squid jerky (which is actually quite good). There was a lot more including Boomba's Asian spiced meatballs and Bug's tofu with scallions. A delicious taste treat and a great way to introduce another culture. We learned new words and differences in etiquette (it's considered polite to slurp your noodles ... a compliment to the cook). All in all a great dinner and meeting.
Paperwork was completed and monies allotted for our Lodge camping at the end of April. I think we'll use that trip to end the year. I officially paid for the weekend this morning. A menu and shopping list will need to be made so we can get groceries. I think Boomba is planning activities, too. That should take up a few meetings. Beyond that, we are flying free with all activites planned and/or scrapped for the year.
It's hard to think that we are nearing the end of this thing. I will miss it in a lot of ways, but I am ready for things to change. I hope that I have done some small good for some of you along the way. I know it's been a roller coaster ride. I love you all.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B February 28 February 26 MeetingMrs. M and family spent mid-winter vacation in Florida where they apparently picked up a family virus as a souvenir. Both she and Bug were home recovering for this week's meeting. I hope everybody feels better soon.
FamilyGuy was back and looking forward to an Asian appreciation dinner for which she had dressed to the nines. I'm sure she was a bit disappointed, but her outfit was beautiful. BooBooKitty brought chocolate cream pie, so any hurt feelings were assuaged. I brought apples. I know ... anti-climactic.
Pugnatious got out a board game she's been playing with her friends this year, and we spent the meeting comparing each other to breakfast foods and the Seven Dwarves.
Hopefully, next week will be warm enough to be back in the "Fort". Those little stools are not the most comfortable things to sit on and there's just not enough room for a real meeting in the basement. I'm getting claustraphobic, and it's a good bet that the chinchilla wants us gone.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B
February 16 Feb. 5, 12 mtgsFrigid weather in the NE for the last few weeks and we've been meeting inside the house. Nothing much to report. One or another absent from meetings both weeks, but we carried on with planning an Asian culture party for month's end. Origami is FUN!!! Word is that a winter fun outing is nearly complete ... will update when I know more.
The Easter Egg Hunt has been scrapped. I realized I was pushing the girls into MY agenda again and they just aren't that into it. They're busy, I'm busy ... everybody's busy with too many other things to be able to carry out a big event.
That's it. Until ...
Mrs. B
p.s. We've got snow now ... boy howdy, do we got snow now! January 23 January 22 MeetingWinter has finally arrived here in the northeast. A cold meeting last night ... I apologize and will turn the heaters on much earlier next week. FamilyGuy and BooBooKitty were absent. All others suffered through admirably.
Since FamilyGuy is the Leader this month, meeting started out a little off, but we managed to fall into some kind of order and get a few things accomplished.
Cookie Money was received from Boomba and Princess ... thank you both. BooBooKitty still needs to pick her cookies up and get them delivered. I expect everyone else will comply with the directive to have monies turned in by next Monday at the latest.
We haven't had enough snow for a sledding outing and I assume at this point that a winter fun day has been scrapped. FamilyGuy will make a final judgement on that when she returns to meeting. Valentines of any kind have been scrapped as well, and some kind of an Asian appreciation activity will be substituted. Bug will have details next week.
Lodge Camping has been moved to a date TBA in April as all other dates have been filled already. Boomba has a list of activities and is working on scheduling work teams to cook and clean for a Friday night thru Sunday afternoon trip.
An Easter Egg Hunt and Activity Day is being collectively planned for April 1. We have decided on a community family event to be held (hopefully) at a local elementary school. Games will include the Egg Hunt, a bean bag toss, pin-the-tail-on-the-bunny, sack races, and spoon races. Princess is putting together a shopping list from OTC to round out our supplies. Someone will need to be assigned to make flyers for the Service Unit and to post around town. I will raid the craft room for Easter decorations, misc. supplies like tape, rope and scissors, and supplies to set up race courses.
More discussion on this next week along with whatever FamilyGuy has planned.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B January 10 January 8 MeetingI have been remiss. This week's meeting was another relatively quiet one. BooBooKitty was absent due to illness. Mrs. B's christmas gifts were handed out belatedly. Response was less than enthusiastic, but I hope that the personal nature of the gifts will mean something anyway.
FamilyGuy is leader this month. Since we are not having our normal snowy weather this year for some reason that only the heavens can answer, we are having trouble scheduling a sledding/tubing event. It was brought to the table but there seemed to be very little interest in discussing it. We have tentatively agreed to move scheduling of the event to February.
Bug has decided to adapt her "Valentines for Soldiers" activity to something else because she just realized that in order for soldiers to get them, they would already have to have been mailed.
There is no word on what is happening with Boomba's Lodge Camping activity for March.
Easter comes early this year, so I have been trying to arrange an Easter Egg Hunt event for March 31 if the weather cooperates. I plan to have several additional games besides the Egg Hunt as well as something to eat and drink. More on this as I flesh out the plans.
There will be no meeting next Monday because of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. I'll see you all on the 22nd.
Mrs B.
December 19 December 18 MeetingTonight's meeting was our annual Christmas party. Secret sister gifts were given in a ceremony that we have been perfecting for years. The girls always manage to get really well-thought-out gifts for each other within their strict budget. Everyone was pleased.
Mrs. M deserves much kudos for her inspired gifts this year. EVERY girl got the same book and EVERY girl is HAPPY with it. Now that's a feat I have never been able to achieve. Congratulations, Mrs. M ... you win the best gift giver award this year!
My own gifts were, alas, delayed in shipping. I am so disappointed. I gave small gifts of candy and notes of apology with a promise that they are indeed getting gifts from me. The shipper just did me wrong this year. I guess we'll have a second Christmas in January.
Food was eaten, strange discussions were engaged in (normal for us), and fun was had by all. From their new books, I expect we'll see a lot of innovative T-shirt designs next year! I can't wait!
Until Next Year, Girl Scouts!
Mrs. B December 11 December 11 MeetingTonight's meeting went well. All members present and accounted for. All current and future leaders present and accounted for. Assembly of Christmas decorations (and various other crafty type things) took over the agenda.
We made:
1 pine cone Christmas tree
1 pink bead garland
1 pine cone angel with filigree wings and rose halo
1 gold and green spirit stick
several beaded bracelets
several barrettes
some pendants
and a big mess.
Boomba left with glitter in her hair and eyes and clothes. Hot glue stringers were everywhere. Green spray painted gravel adorns my driveway.
We had a lot of fun. Merry Christmas, y'all! Next week, we party!
Until then,
Mrs. B December 05 December 4 MeetingTonight's meeting was quiet with only half the troop present. Pugnatious had college prep to attend to, FamilyGuy was ill, and no one knows what happened to Princess.
BooBooKitty, as leader-of-the-month, reported that shopping for the Giving Tree project went well. All gifts are bought, Boomba has them in her car and the troop will sort and bag them for delivery at a later date. They came in under budget, so the funds will be returned to the troop finances and recorded in the log.
We then headed outside with flashlight and baskets to collect pine cones for a craft project. We are leaving them to dry out for a week to see if they will open up better. A tall thin glass bottle that was the base for last year's Christmas tree decoration was decoupaged into a tissue paper stained glass creation ... very pretty. Smaller craft projects were taken up when it was done. Several tissue paper covered ball ornaments and a button person reside on the table waiting for a holiday home.
The financial report for Cookie sales has been turned in. I suspect that all the figures are right and we'll have cookies to deliver in January as usual.
We have only two more meeting before we break for the holidays ... next week's meeting will have to finish up any stray projects and nail down the Christmas party. The following week we'll have our annual celebration, secret-sister gifts, and plenty of food! Then we'll have two weeks with no meetings. In January, FamilyGuy will be our leader-of-the-month.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B November 28 November 20 and 27 MeetingsMy apologies for not posting last week's meeting notes.
Meeting - November 20: All members present. Political discussion continued, at times heatedly. A fierce debate was staged between our two "parties", the WOW (Women of the World) and the PORNGE (Pink and Orange ... ???). The WOW being the more conservative and the PORNGE being the more liberal. Both sides argued current issues based on their own personal belief systems and values. Both sides argued their points very well. In the end, the PORNGE party won the election, but I feel that if we had more voters, the outcome may have been different. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
Also discussed was the upcoming Giving Tree project. We have secured 6 tags from the Giving Tree in a wide range of ages. Princess happens to work for a large retail department store and has offered to spend her lag time on a Saturday in December to do the shopping. I believe that Boomba and BooBoo Kitty will be joining her.
Cookie orders were briefly mentioned, with an emphasis on permission slips, timing, and rules.
Meeting - November 27: All members present. Cookie orders are due. As usual, all were not handed in. I am still in need of paperwork from Princess and Boomba. This delays my own work when I have done everything in my power to make sure that the timetable is clear and workable. Time management is a life skill. Make notes, use post-its, remind each other, whatever you have to do to get things done on time, do them. Bosses will be much harsher about this than I am, and you will get no second chances to get it right.
Discussion then turned to the Giving Tree project. We have agreed on and listed types of items to look for and a budget. Troop funds were advanced to Princess to get the shopping done. The finance report was updated to reflect the expenditure.
The meeting ended with discussion of a Christmas party on Dec. 18th. We each chose a dish to bring and the group settled on an art project that will result in a Christmas tree decoration for the table. Supplies were listed and divvied up to be brought in for the project.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B November 14 November 13 MeetingOur meeting commenced with all members present and Mrs. M (assistant leader) missing. Pugnatious left early to keep an appointment with her chosen college for next year.
For the first time since we started meeting where we are now, the girls changed their seats. Progress? We'll see.
Princess led the group in political discussion as per the agenda agreed upon earlier in the year. We explored process, parties, policy, and campaigning tactics. Qualities of the "perfect" leader were discussed. A comparison between variables, like whether it would be better to have a benevolent dictator or a not-so-great president, were also mulled over. Afterward, we made campaign posters that included the leadership qualities, made a statement, and utilized ethical tactics to persuade voters. The posters are hanging on the wall until month's end.
Next week's agenda will feature debating.
Cookie paperwork was picked up last night and distributed (hopefully) today. Cookie sales officially began last week Friday, so we will begin selling immediately. Permission slips MUST be handed in by next Monday. Good Luck.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B November 01 October 30 MeetingThere was virtually no meeting tonight as only Pugnatious and Bug (and Lil Sis) were in attendance. Rumor is that next week's meeting coincides with a dance, so we'll probably have the same outcome. Meeting for November 6th has been cancelled due to lack of interest. We adjourned after 30 minutes of Candyland.
Until ???
Mrs. B
p.s. Halloween Party 2006 pics are up in the photo album. October 24 Ocober 23 MeetingLast week there were no minutes handed in to post.
Bug has been corresponding regularly with a girl from our sister troop in MN.
The Halloween party was planned and moved up to this week (as we had it last night), so next week's meeting is a surprise. Princess was out sick. See new photo album posting for highlights. Reimbursements for food out of troop funds are forthcoming. Please give Pugnatious your dollar amounts so she can update the finance report and get everybody paid.
Everyone should be gearing up for next month's cookie sale and governmental process fun. Princess will be leader for November meetings and activities.
Until Next Week
Mrs. B
October 02 Monday, October 2There is no meeting today. I have been to council to meet with Gold Award liaison and Boomba instead. First, Boomba, I'm sorry that I made you so nervous. I'm only just beginning to realize how much pressure I put on you girls. It's good that I will have less influence this year during meetings. I do really need to back off and let you all grow.
Just a reminder, I need registrations from Princess, FamilyGuy, and BooBooKitty ... yours is not signed. That will need to be corrected. Pugnatious, Bug and Boomba are registered as well as Mrs. M and I.
There will also be no meeting next week. We will resume on October 16th with Pugnatious as Leader and Activity Director. Please remember to treat her as you would like to be treated when the time comes for you to lead the meetings. Be ready to share your plans and progress for your own activities.
Until Next Week,
Mrs. B September 26 September 25 MeetingThis is the last meeting being led by Mrs. B until April. FamilyGuy was out due to illness.
The meeting began with intense discussion about MySpace.com and internet safety. The troop now has a few more tools in their knowledge arsenal to protect themselves online. My fervent hope is that they use them. Girls, please remember to bring FamilyGuy up to speed on this discussion as she was one of the two that needed this knowledge the most. Teach her what you know about protecting your identity online.
Also discussed was the non-profit vs. profit status of groups with an emphasis on Non-profit and all the rules and regs that go with that. When discussing troop finances, please remember that the money you make must be earmarked for something and that not spending it makes us subject to "For Profit" status.
Registration forms were collected and will be turned in before the next meeting on October 16th. Princess and FamilyGuy --- please get your registration forms and money to me ASAP.
The rest of the meeting was devoted to a thorough explanation of what is required when you become "Leader-of-the-Month" and "Activity Director". Again, FamilyGuy will need to be brought up to speed on all of this. The calendar was re-arranged a bit to accommodate people's preferences. The new schedule is as follows:
I haven't forgotten the bonuses either. We received an e-mail from one of the girls in troop 971 from Minnesota. Two of our members are interested in writing to this new friend, so I have passed the note on and hopefully, we'll start sharing stories very soon. Boomba - Gold ... call Wendy. Until Next Week,
Mrs. B Between MeetingsMySpace.com. I recently addressed my girls on MySpace.com about internet safety, personal safety, risk, informed experimentation ... I have been watching all of them and many others for a long time now. A couple of them knew who I was. A couple didn't. Since last night's meeting, they all know who I am. They also know the steps they have to take to avoid me. I figure if I can't get to them (and I know them), they are as safe as they are ever going to be online. The Internet is PUBLIC. Internet safety isn't just something we should talk about. It's something we should all think about every time we log on. From creeps targeting our children to creeps stealing identities to creeps trying to con us into handing over our life savings, there is no safe harbor except knowledge. We all need to take the right steps to avoid becoming victims. We all have that responsibility to OURSELVES. This is Boomba's answer to my frustrated anger at what I imagined was their complete and total disregard for their own personal safety. It's well worth reading. I think you may confuse us ignoring you with simple teenage angst. Seriously, I understand what you want/are talking about/why you care. Its sunk in. Seriously. I actually have a couples ideas on how to expand your impact in this subject. Can I come to meeting about...5 minutes early to share? I cannot speak for the troop, only for myself. I know that you just want us to be safe. I am working on it. Seriously...my page is going to be me free rather soon. It is important. You are important. And although we aren't that good at expressing it sometimes, I know I appreciate you and all you do for us. On a slightly different topic yet under the same spectrum indeed: I never properly appologized for last week. I shouldn't have talked when Pug was on the phone, and I agree with your punishment in that it is probably best I am not in the car with Pug because I am a distraction. It wasn't how anyone wanted to start off the year, and I just hope it doesn't become like that thing with my sister. I am not that bad of a kid, you know that. I am a little much sometimes and I am the first to admit. So, in shorter terms I am quite sorry about that. I am glad another year of GS has started not only for my friends but your standards. First of all, I am tired of making so many cookies. I like making 'em but I don't like the way they make me look, you see its hard for me to say no and to be the bad guy to my friends and it is good you did it this year. I am working on that whole saying no thing...but thank you. I am glad we have to do a project each month. It would be nice to have something to say when people ask what I do in GS because basically what I tell them now is what I do but it is what I do by myself. I want to do stuff as a troop. I miss having the unity is provides. And I wouldn't mind switching monthes with whoever got cabin camping because I do really want to do that. And also, that leader of the month thing, even though Pug doesn't like it but what does she like, was a good idea. We need to start taking more control of our troop because last year and previous years it was your troop because we were not willling to take that responsibility. Sorry I am leaving all of this here but I can't ever seem to get the troop blog to let me leave a comment even though I got an MSN account and everything...so....now you know. By the way, I do read the troop blog and it is a nice insight into what happened. I know we should be taking responsibility but I think you should still write that because you are really good at writing. We could take notes though. For all the leaders, teachers, mentors, parents, concerned adults out there who truly have the best interests of our children at heart ... TEACH your children how to protect themselves. SHOW your children how to be safe. LECTURE, PREACH, CAJOLE ... do whatever you have to do to make sure they understand what 's out there waiting for them. Information and education are the keys to changing the world. Be an active part of Making the World a Better Place. From my heart to yours,
Mrs. B (a.k.a. Elle) |
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