Great class yesterday in Phoenix. Newly purchased PCs worked wonderful. We covered the basics of getting and using your first email address and then previewed some of the more advanced features of Google contacts, calendars, documents, etc.
Still have one PC left at Staples. I think it was ready yesterday but was too busy to go pick it up.
Still waiting for my new MajicJack modem so I can get another Texas phone number in New Braunfels and/or San Antonio.
Also, talked to my friend, Rosie, in New Braunfels about offering my class again in September. She will probably make the trip back with me to Phoenix. Didn't want to drive this alone. My sister, Jenn, will fly out to make the trip from Phoenix to Texas. Looks like I will be offering my FREE class and some for profit classes in Pearland/Houston on my trip.
Things are moving along VERY nicely with the reinvention of my training/coaching business. I'll get my new cards printed as soon as I get the NB phone number.
Have a GREAT week-end.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Skype, MajicJack, Vonage what else???
Well after several unsuccessful attempts, I finally got my new Houston Skye number working. The number is 281-617-2593. Soon I hope to have the voice mail working with it so someone can leave a message.
I already have a MajicJack number that I have been using for my recorded line number in Phoenix. It is 623-255-7135. I just forwarded that to my new Skype number. I also just applied for another MajicJack number for San Antonio and/or New Braunfels. That order is not complete yet. Both of these numbers will be forwarded to my new Houston, Skype number so people may actually get me on the phone instead of a recording when I am available.
Yes, we have a Vonage phone number at the house. That number is 623-399-8456. It is our main phone number for both personal and business use. Our Vonage number is only about $26 a month plus tax and includes unlimited long distance to the US and Canada. By far, it is the best quality.
You do need high speed Internet access for all three of these and here is how I would rate the three:
Vonage Best quality Higher Cost
Skype Good quality Lower Cost
MajicJack Poor quality at times Lowest Cost
Of course, I do have an AT&T cell phone. This number is 623-229-2472 but Stu and I have not had a regular land line in many years. These are WAY to expensive for us. We did try out a cable phone when we first moved to Phoenix but Vonage is as reliable, has more features, is a good bit cheaper and has unlimited long distance.
My favorite feature with Vonage, that I have not found anywhere else is called SimulRing. When our home/business Vonage number is called it rings at the same time on my cell phone or any other number(s) I choose. This means I don't have to worry about missing any calls when I am out and about. This also means that if my Internet goes down I will have a working phone, my cell phone.
Hope I haven't totally confused you. If you have any questions about phone options, let me know.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
I already have a MajicJack number that I have been using for my recorded line number in Phoenix. It is 623-255-7135. I just forwarded that to my new Skype number. I also just applied for another MajicJack number for San Antonio and/or New Braunfels. That order is not complete yet. Both of these numbers will be forwarded to my new Houston, Skype number so people may actually get me on the phone instead of a recording when I am available.
Yes, we have a Vonage phone number at the house. That number is 623-399-8456. It is our main phone number for both personal and business use. Our Vonage number is only about $26 a month plus tax and includes unlimited long distance to the US and Canada. By far, it is the best quality.
You do need high speed Internet access for all three of these and here is how I would rate the three:
Vonage Best quality Higher Cost
Skype Good quality Lower Cost
MajicJack Poor quality at times Lowest Cost
Of course, I do have an AT&T cell phone. This number is 623-229-2472 but Stu and I have not had a regular land line in many years. These are WAY to expensive for us. We did try out a cable phone when we first moved to Phoenix but Vonage is as reliable, has more features, is a good bit cheaper and has unlimited long distance.
My favorite feature with Vonage, that I have not found anywhere else is called SimulRing. When our home/business Vonage number is called it rings at the same time on my cell phone or any other number(s) I choose. This means I don't have to worry about missing any calls when I am out and about. This also means that if my Internet goes down I will have a working phone, my cell phone.
Hope I haven't totally confused you. If you have any questions about phone options, let me know.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Not all laptops created equally
As I said, not all laptops new or used are created equally. One of the three used ones I purchased or was given recently is acting stupid...but at least it is working. I think it is a memory thing. I am going to try to streamline access on this one to just get to Gmail for my classes. Hopefully it will work at that level. I will take the two used ones I just bought in to Staples for a free check up.
I finally got my regular laptop back from the Staples free check up. It is good to have my own computer up and running on my own desk space. The internal wifi is still not working but Chris gave me some tips on getting this up and running. He is/was a VERY helpful tech guy.
Now if I could only get my new Skype Houston number working life would be a 9...as good as it gets.
Until later.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
I finally got my regular laptop back from the Staples free check up. It is good to have my own computer up and running on my own desk space. The internal wifi is still not working but Chris gave me some tips on getting this up and running. He is/was a VERY helpful tech guy.
Now if I could only get my new Skype Houston number working life would be a 9...as good as it gets.
Until later.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Friday, July 24, 2009
3 used laptops acquired
Acquired three used laptop PCs in the last week or so. These will be used in my classes and maybe even sold to students who want a low-end PC with a printer.
Of course, not all used PCs are alike. Some have different hardware and software configurations. Some even have old user files on them. So I am busy trying to get these all set up the way I want with the internet access I want and the desktop set up as I desire.
This has been FUN but it has kept me hopping. Things are going VERY well and I will have everything up and running for my class on July 30th here in Phoenix.
Gotta run.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Of course, not all used PCs are alike. Some have different hardware and software configurations. Some even have old user files on them. So I am busy trying to get these all set up the way I want with the internet access I want and the desktop set up as I desire.
This has been FUN but it has kept me hopping. Things are going VERY well and I will have everything up and running for my class on July 30th here in Phoenix.
Gotta run.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It's Working...and getting to a 9
I am working less and getting more done...plus having more FUN with Stu.
My Phoenix classroom is finally a 9. In my book, that is as GOOD as it gets. The classroom did get even better yesterday when I found a beautiful cloth for the table that I already owned. It fit perfectly. Now all I have to do is hem it or get someone else to do it. That would be ever better. My classroom will seat 12 people at the table and I haven't counted how many more I can seat away from the table.
My business card is almost a 9. It will be ready today for redlining by my two marketing coaches.
I made the decision to slow down on my web site until I can get what I want, where I want it done and the way I want it. In the meantime, I will use my blog to publicize my courses. Later this week, I will have my latest surveys posted here and my Fall course schedule. For now, my next classes are:
Never Too Old for Email class:
Phoenix (Sun City) Thursday, July 30th 1-3:30 PM
Phoenix (Sun City) Wednesday, Aug 19th 1-3:30 PM
Houston (Bella Vita) Wednesday, Sept 16th 1-3:30 PM (tentative)
Houston (Bella Vita) Thursday, Sept 17th 9-11:30 AM (tentative)
This class is FREE but there is a $5.00 reserve your seat fee which will be refunded when you show up. If you want to review the class the fee is $5.00. You must have a working Google Gmail Email address before the class. If you already have one, be sure you know the password. If not, call Cathy and she will set one up for you before the class begins and give you your new email address when you attend the class.
More to come about courses, schedules, and surveys. To register for a class, ask a question or just to chat give me a call at my Phoenix number 623-399-8456 or my new Houston number 281-617-2593.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Phoenix 623-399-8456
Houston 281-617-2593
My Phoenix classroom is finally a 9. In my book, that is as GOOD as it gets. The classroom did get even better yesterday when I found a beautiful cloth for the table that I already owned. It fit perfectly. Now all I have to do is hem it or get someone else to do it. That would be ever better. My classroom will seat 12 people at the table and I haven't counted how many more I can seat away from the table.
My business card is almost a 9. It will be ready today for redlining by my two marketing coaches.
I made the decision to slow down on my web site until I can get what I want, where I want it done and the way I want it. In the meantime, I will use my blog to publicize my courses. Later this week, I will have my latest surveys posted here and my Fall course schedule. For now, my next classes are:
Never Too Old for Email class:
Phoenix (Sun City) Thursday, July 30th 1-3:30 PM
Phoenix (Sun City) Wednesday, Aug 19th 1-3:30 PM
Houston (Bella Vita) Wednesday, Sept 16th 1-3:30 PM (tentative)
Houston (Bella Vita) Thursday, Sept 17th 9-11:30 AM (tentative)
This class is FREE but there is a $5.00 reserve your seat fee which will be refunded when you show up. If you want to review the class the fee is $5.00. You must have a working Google Gmail Email address before the class. If you already have one, be sure you know the password. If not, call Cathy and she will set one up for you before the class begins and give you your new email address when you attend the class.
More to come about courses, schedules, and surveys. To register for a class, ask a question or just to chat give me a call at my Phoenix number 623-399-8456 or my new Houston number 281-617-2593.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Phoenix 623-399-8456
Houston 281-617-2593
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Doing less BETTER and getting MORE done
Life is GOOD...my work is much more focused on specific results. I am doing less BETTER and getting MORE done.
My office is COMPLETE...it will never be done. It is finally at a place where I can work and do what it is I want to accomplish. My office has been totally transformed since I returned from Texas. Can't believe I got one more piece of furniture in here and still have a nice place to walk around. It actually seems bigger now that I reorged my office.
One of the cheap cool things I added is two small white boards. This is for my I got to get it done NOW or yesterday lists. Without these, too many things got lost on the desk top. This has been a BIG improvement in my desk top which is VERY limited space.
Stu had an overnight sleep test last night so I had my first girls night out with my friend Bev. We invited a few other ladies to go along but they were not available on short notice. We went to one of the micro breweries down by Cardinal stadium. It was a GREAT evening. We even got to watch a desert sand storm while we were in the restaurant. Bev and I decided to do "girls night out" on a regular basis. Next time we'll gather more of our friends together...a plan for FUN and community. Sounds GREAT!!!
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
My office is COMPLETE...it will never be done. It is finally at a place where I can work and do what it is I want to accomplish. My office has been totally transformed since I returned from Texas. Can't believe I got one more piece of furniture in here and still have a nice place to walk around. It actually seems bigger now that I reorged my office.
One of the cheap cool things I added is two small white boards. This is for my I got to get it done NOW or yesterday lists. Without these, too many things got lost on the desk top. This has been a BIG improvement in my desk top which is VERY limited space.
Stu had an overnight sleep test last night so I had my first girls night out with my friend Bev. We invited a few other ladies to go along but they were not available on short notice. We went to one of the micro breweries down by Cardinal stadium. It was a GREAT evening. We even got to watch a desert sand storm while we were in the restaurant. Bev and I decided to do "girls night out" on a regular basis. Next time we'll gather more of our friends together...a plan for FUN and community. Sounds GREAT!!!
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Settling back in,,,and more PLAY and FUN
The car is mostly empty and I am beginning to see the floor in my office and it is GREAT to be home.
Think I have gotten thank you emails out to the really important people and business contacts from my trip. Trying to make a current TO DO list. Things that must be done before my next trip to Texas in mid-September.
One of the greatest parts of the trip is that I slowed down enough to talk to my husband and business coach about my plans. He clearly saw the vision or another way to say it is he finally saw what "blue" is/was. Not only did he see "blue" he is now fully enrolled in helping me further distinguish "blue" and help plan the future of "blue". Now that truly is a MIRACLE!!! Life doesn't get any better.
I choose today to slow down my life a notch or two. The business will get planned and developed. I plan to get back to normal sleep, eat, and exercise patterns and play with my husband a little more often. He is FUN to play with. I know I don't want full retirement but a little more PLAY and FUN will be GREAT.
My goal is to have FUN and make MONEY and do this with people I care about. If it ain't FUN and I am not making MONEY at it, I am not going to do it. Wanna play?
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Think I have gotten thank you emails out to the really important people and business contacts from my trip. Trying to make a current TO DO list. Things that must be done before my next trip to Texas in mid-September.
One of the greatest parts of the trip is that I slowed down enough to talk to my husband and business coach about my plans. He clearly saw the vision or another way to say it is he finally saw what "blue" is/was. Not only did he see "blue" he is now fully enrolled in helping me further distinguish "blue" and help plan the future of "blue". Now that truly is a MIRACLE!!! Life doesn't get any better.
I choose today to slow down my life a notch or two. The business will get planned and developed. I plan to get back to normal sleep, eat, and exercise patterns and play with my husband a little more often. He is FUN to play with. I know I don't want full retirement but a little more PLAY and FUN will be GREAT.
My goal is to have FUN and make MONEY and do this with people I care about. If it ain't FUN and I am not making MONEY at it, I am not going to do it. Wanna play?
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Monday, July 13, 2009
San Antonio to Phoenix in one day
Stu and I were ready to be home in beautiful HOT not humid Arizona. I think I know what hell is like after my visit to central and southeast Texas. The humidity was off the charts.
We drove from near San Antonio yesterday to our home in Sun City (Phoenix). It took us 16 hours but we smelled the barn and were ready to be home. It was just dark when we hit Maricopa County and we both were not VERY tired after a long day of driving.
Yes it is HOT in Phoenix. I think it is suppose to be 114 today. I already did my hour walk this morning about 6:30 AM. It is hotter then when we left. I'm going to have to move my walk to 6:00 AM. But one nice thing about morning walks is that I hardly sweat at all in Phoenix...you even have to watch it that you drink enough water especially in the summer.
I think Stu and I are going to start water walking in the pool in the afternoons here. We have several pools to choose from in Sun City but one is a covered outdoor walking pool. That should be GREAT for our afternoon exercise.
It is GREAT to be home. More about the trip later.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
We drove from near San Antonio yesterday to our home in Sun City (Phoenix). It took us 16 hours but we smelled the barn and were ready to be home. It was just dark when we hit Maricopa County and we both were not VERY tired after a long day of driving.
Yes it is HOT in Phoenix. I think it is suppose to be 114 today. I already did my hour walk this morning about 6:30 AM. It is hotter then when we left. I'm going to have to move my walk to 6:00 AM. But one nice thing about morning walks is that I hardly sweat at all in Phoenix...you even have to watch it that you drink enough water especially in the summer.
I think Stu and I are going to start water walking in the pool in the afternoons here. We have several pools to choose from in Sun City but one is a covered outdoor walking pool. That should be GREAT for our afternoon exercise.
It is GREAT to be home. More about the trip later.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Starting to head west today
We are starting to head a little West today...going from Houston to Austin. Tomorrow we should make it at least as far as El Paso. This is one of our usual watering holes. We should be home and open for business by Tuesday morning.
As I have said, the trip has been one business miracle after another and I have the opportunity for a few more before I leave the Austin/San Antonio area.
Not in any particular order these are some of the GREAT and wonderful things that have happened on our trip.
1) Taught three Never Too Old for Email classes - two of these were a nine and one was good enough. We had some internet difficulties on one but we recovered gracefully.
2) I am negotiating with the Hispanic community center in my hometown to run one of their underutilized computer classrooms.
3) In Pearland I found a place to offer seminars and they said it is ok for me to charge for these with little expense.
4) In the Houston museum district, I have a larger seminar location destination arranged that is large enough for at least 100 to 200 people, if necessary.
5) Found a new place in Conroe to offer my free seminar and the possibility of another place that is very nice that can seat a good size small group.
6) I was able to confer with three of my four Jedi master business coaches several times. I am making a plan to bring #4 back in to my life...at least by phone and not just email.
7) I found a GREAT place to live in Texas that is not with relatives. It will also be virtually free. It is right on a small lake on the Guadalupe river in the Texas hill country and I've know some of this family for over 35 years. One of my Jedi master business coaches lives on the property.
Today we go to a wrap up session for the Morguelan Energy Institute in Austin and an art opening for my almosta famous artist sister Margo. She got picked in a juried show in Austin called "What Texas Means to Me". Go girl!
Sunday we start heading further west...hopefully at least to El Paso. That makes the next and final day fairly short by Texas driving standards.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
As I have said, the trip has been one business miracle after another and I have the opportunity for a few more before I leave the Austin/San Antonio area.
Not in any particular order these are some of the GREAT and wonderful things that have happened on our trip.
1) Taught three Never Too Old for Email classes - two of these were a nine and one was good enough. We had some internet difficulties on one but we recovered gracefully.
2) I am negotiating with the Hispanic community center in my hometown to run one of their underutilized computer classrooms.
3) In Pearland I found a place to offer seminars and they said it is ok for me to charge for these with little expense.
4) In the Houston museum district, I have a larger seminar location destination arranged that is large enough for at least 100 to 200 people, if necessary.
5) Found a new place in Conroe to offer my free seminar and the possibility of another place that is very nice that can seat a good size small group.
6) I was able to confer with three of my four Jedi master business coaches several times. I am making a plan to bring #4 back in to my life...at least by phone and not just email.
7) I found a GREAT place to live in Texas that is not with relatives. It will also be virtually free. It is right on a small lake on the Guadalupe river in the Texas hill country and I've know some of this family for over 35 years. One of my Jedi master business coaches lives on the property.
Today we go to a wrap up session for the Morguelan Energy Institute in Austin and an art opening for my almosta famous artist sister Margo. She got picked in a juried show in Austin called "What Texas Means to Me". Go girl!
Sunday we start heading further west...hopefully at least to El Paso. That makes the next and final day fairly short by Texas driving standards.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Three Texas classes complete +++ new business
My three Texas classes are complete. I taught the You Are Never Too Old for Email class three times in Texas. Once in New Braunfels (near San Antonio) and twice in Houston/Pearland.
All classes went VERY good but we did have some technical difficulties in one of the Pearland classes. The other Pearland class was a 9. In my book, a 9 is as good as it gets. Can't remember if I have written about this or not. I was able to recover gracefully from these difficulties and my two helpers and I figured out a better way to do a few things to avoid these type of problems and make everyone even happier.
The group in Pearland has already agreed to let me come back and teach for free and for pay. This was/is a major break through. The group in New Braunfels has to bring my proposal to the executive committee and/or the board. I truly believe this deal will come together soon because it is a win/win deal for all stakeholders.
Looks like I'll be coming back to Texas several times a year. At the present time, I have more customers in Texas then I do in Arizona...isn't that nice.
As I have said, miracle after miracle has opened up for me on this business trip and I have several business appointments left to do before we head home next week.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
All classes went VERY good but we did have some technical difficulties in one of the Pearland classes. The other Pearland class was a 9. In my book, a 9 is as good as it gets. Can't remember if I have written about this or not. I was able to recover gracefully from these difficulties and my two helpers and I figured out a better way to do a few things to avoid these type of problems and make everyone even happier.
The group in Pearland has already agreed to let me come back and teach for free and for pay. This was/is a major break through. The group in New Braunfels has to bring my proposal to the executive committee and/or the board. I truly believe this deal will come together soon because it is a win/win deal for all stakeholders.
Looks like I'll be coming back to Texas several times a year. At the present time, I have more customers in Texas then I do in Arizona...isn't that nice.
As I have said, miracle after miracle has opened up for me on this business trip and I have several business appointments left to do before we head home next week.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Lake Dunlap compound & Jedi masters
I will be traveling to Texas more in the future. One of my good friends for over 30 years, who is a Harvard MBA, and his mother, Liz (my second mother), who I have know for over 40 years have offered to let me stay at their Lake Dunlap compound...at little to no cost.
Their property is on a damned-up part of the Guadalupe river called Lake Dunlap which starts in New Braunfels and ends half way to Seguin. They have 120 feet of the most beautiful lake front property that you can imagine with several buildings/ places that can be used for accommodations and they have agreed to let me use one. As I have already said...a BIG TEXAS thank you to you both.
Liz is 92 years old and I have known her since I was married to my first husband. She was my part-time neighbor. She and her late husband, Dan, taught me how to garden, cook, and freeze/can vegetables among many other things. She literally was like a second mother to me and there were times I needed mothering during those years of my life because my first marriage was ending at that time. Liz mostly lives in San Antonio with a friend and spends the summers in Prescott, Arizona with her daughter and her husband. Daughter Nancy, lives in Sun City West the rest of the year.
Life has a way of keeping GOOD friends for a LONG time...at least in my life. The son, Dan, and I met shortly after he sold his VERY profitable business in the Dallas area. After that he worked in Europe, Houston, and finally Aspen before he decided work wasn't fun anymore...at least not working for someone else. Like I said, he is a brilliant business man with a Harvard MBA. He enjoys sharing his thoughts and wisdom with good friends and family and is or has been active on several community board of directors.
Dan is one of three outstanding business coaches that I have. Dan, my long-time friend Joe who use to be a Texas banker, and my husband Stu. I consider all three of these guys Jedi masters and they each have a special niche and I hope I can play with all of them until they and/or I die. As long as I am alive, they will live in my heart as friends and fellow business warriors. I love you all.
I told you my Texas trip has been VERY interesting and a VERY successful business trip. That's why I am reporting one post at a time. It will help make up for all those days I missed when I was in the beautiful Texas hill country.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Their property is on a damned-up part of the Guadalupe river called Lake Dunlap which starts in New Braunfels and ends half way to Seguin. They have 120 feet of the most beautiful lake front property that you can imagine with several buildings/ places that can be used for accommodations and they have agreed to let me use one. As I have already said...a BIG TEXAS thank you to you both.
Liz is 92 years old and I have known her since I was married to my first husband. She was my part-time neighbor. She and her late husband, Dan, taught me how to garden, cook, and freeze/can vegetables among many other things. She literally was like a second mother to me and there were times I needed mothering during those years of my life because my first marriage was ending at that time. Liz mostly lives in San Antonio with a friend and spends the summers in Prescott, Arizona with her daughter and her husband. Daughter Nancy, lives in Sun City West the rest of the year.
Life has a way of keeping GOOD friends for a LONG time...at least in my life. The son, Dan, and I met shortly after he sold his VERY profitable business in the Dallas area. After that he worked in Europe, Houston, and finally Aspen before he decided work wasn't fun anymore...at least not working for someone else. Like I said, he is a brilliant business man with a Harvard MBA. He enjoys sharing his thoughts and wisdom with good friends and family and is or has been active on several community board of directors.
Dan is one of three outstanding business coaches that I have. Dan, my long-time friend Joe who use to be a Texas banker, and my husband Stu. I consider all three of these guys Jedi masters and they each have a special niche and I hope I can play with all of them until they and/or I die. As long as I am alive, they will live in my heart as friends and fellow business warriors. I love you all.
I told you my Texas trip has been VERY interesting and a VERY successful business trip. That's why I am reporting one post at a time. It will help make up for all those days I missed when I was in the beautiful Texas hill country.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Hispanic Community & Community Development
I taught a class in New Braunfels (near San Antonio) while I was there last week at one of the Hispanic community centers. One of my long lost (found again) friends from my early banking days runs the center and the medical clinic associated with it. She works with her cousin who is a medical doctor. They are both DEDICATED servant leaders of the community and community development masters.
Their small church of about 80 people raised over $750,000 to build the community center and open the medical clinic. I am only beginning to learn the many services provided at both facilities. I know that the medical clinic provides both medical and dental services to low-income people of all races but is smack dab in the middle of the Hispanic community on the west side of town.
It is so exciting that I have played with them in one of their two computer training rooms. These rooms are under utilized and I hope to work with them to provide a full range of courses. The center already offers GED courses but one of my cousins might help expand this program with career counseling. She is a master in this area.
Because my friend Rosie and Carlos are so active in the community, I can already see God working in our lives to do BIGGER things together. My husband, Stu and I, are expert coaches in community development and collaboration.
Stu even developed a course for Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to teach affiliates and other community organizations about joining together to end substandard housing in their communities. Stu is also a master in identifying substandard housing (shacks) because the first step in No More Shacks as Millard Fuller wrote is identifying how many you have. Stu and I worked full time for HFHI for nearly eight years. One of us was usually a full-time employee and the other a full-time volunteer. We still do project work for them and are on the Subject Expert Team (SET). We are considered experts in teaching about financial matters at the HFH affiliate level. We even got to do two international audits while we were there. One in Fiji and one in England. Now that was serving the ministry and FUN. We were also blessed to go to the Jimmy Carter Work Project in South Africa and a few other times in the USA.
So, we love the Habitat mission and playing in outstanding community organizations with powerful community servants and servant leaders.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Their small church of about 80 people raised over $750,000 to build the community center and open the medical clinic. I am only beginning to learn the many services provided at both facilities. I know that the medical clinic provides both medical and dental services to low-income people of all races but is smack dab in the middle of the Hispanic community on the west side of town.
It is so exciting that I have played with them in one of their two computer training rooms. These rooms are under utilized and I hope to work with them to provide a full range of courses. The center already offers GED courses but one of my cousins might help expand this program with career counseling. She is a master in this area.
Because my friend Rosie and Carlos are so active in the community, I can already see God working in our lives to do BIGGER things together. My husband, Stu and I, are expert coaches in community development and collaboration.
Stu even developed a course for Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to teach affiliates and other community organizations about joining together to end substandard housing in their communities. Stu is also a master in identifying substandard housing (shacks) because the first step in No More Shacks as Millard Fuller wrote is identifying how many you have. Stu and I worked full time for HFHI for nearly eight years. One of us was usually a full-time employee and the other a full-time volunteer. We still do project work for them and are on the Subject Expert Team (SET). We are considered experts in teaching about financial matters at the HFH affiliate level. We even got to do two international audits while we were there. One in Fiji and one in England. Now that was serving the ministry and FUN. We were also blessed to go to the Jimmy Carter Work Project in South Africa and a few other times in the USA.
So, we love the Habitat mission and playing in outstanding community organizations with powerful community servants and servant leaders.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Friday, July 3, 2009
Joyous family reunion
We had about 60 people from my grandfather and grandmother's families at the reunion. We have this every two years. I never new my grandparents. They were both dead before I was born. This is my mother's family. She had four full sisters and one brother and three half brothers and one half sister. So when I was growing up we had lots of Aunts and Uncles and cousins to play with. It was a wonderful childhood. Only one of my Aunts and Uncles and their families lived outside of New Braunfels. They were citrus farmers in the valley and lived in Carizzo Springs, TX. At least once or twice a year we got a car trip to Carizzo to really have fun with our out of town cousins. They also came to visit us many times a year. We thought we owned the world when we were kids...and in a way we did. It would be GREAT if everyone could/would have such a blessed childhood.
Anyway, none of our parents generation are still living so I consider us older ones the second generation. This generation ranges in age right now from 92 to 58 and we do enjoy getting together. We came from Phoenix but some of my cousins came from California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Florida.
I was able to talk to several of my cousins about reinventing my training and coaching business. Gerald and I talked a lot about my and Stu's business consulting/coaching and they invited us to the winery after our trip to LA in October to help Gerald restructure his consulting business and to see the winery.
I was also able to talk with my cousin Sandye and my cousin Bill about partnering with me on some courses. We all have VERY busy schedules but that will develop more after we return to Phoenix. Both of them are interested in partnering.
So yes, it was a family reunion but some of my relatives and close friends are my favorite business people. I love partnering with people I care about and love having fun. I heard it more than once during my trip...if it ain't FUN and it ain't PROFITABLE...I don't want to do it and I plan to do both at the same time with people I care about and respect as GREAT business men and women and I know for sure we will have FUN and make some MONEY.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Anyway, none of our parents generation are still living so I consider us older ones the second generation. This generation ranges in age right now from 92 to 58 and we do enjoy getting together. We came from Phoenix but some of my cousins came from California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Florida.
I was able to talk to several of my cousins about reinventing my training and coaching business. Gerald and I talked a lot about my and Stu's business consulting/coaching and they invited us to the winery after our trip to LA in October to help Gerald restructure his consulting business and to see the winery.
I was also able to talk with my cousin Sandye and my cousin Bill about partnering with me on some courses. We all have VERY busy schedules but that will develop more after we return to Phoenix. Both of them are interested in partnering.
So yes, it was a family reunion but some of my relatives and close friends are my favorite business people. I love partnering with people I care about and love having fun. I heard it more than once during my trip...if it ain't FUN and it ain't PROFITABLE...I don't want to do it and I plan to do both at the same time with people I care about and respect as GREAT business men and women and I know for sure we will have FUN and make some MONEY.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Finallly back in the land of tech tools & toys
It is wonderful to be sitting in an air conditioned house, being connected to the internet and writing my blog. While I was in New Braunfels (near San Antonio) I was out in the country at a beautiful B&B that my best friend David owns. As I have mentioned, cell phone and internet access is VERY limited there. Some times I actually got access under the carport attached to the log cabin but most of the time I had to stand in the middle of the driveway or walk the driveway to talk to anyone and set up a few chairs in the driveway for internet access but I was able to connect on my Cricket air time card which in and of itself is/was a miracle.
Now Stu and I are at my sister Margo's house in Pearland. I will be teaching two classes here early next week and it will be my Never Too Old For Email class. Since, so many MIRACLES have happened to me while I have been in Texas already, I will post separate blog posts to highlight the key ones.
Stay tuned for miracle reporting.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
Now Stu and I are at my sister Margo's house in Pearland. I will be teaching two classes here early next week and it will be my Never Too Old For Email class. Since, so many MIRACLES have happened to me while I have been in Texas already, I will post separate blog posts to highlight the key ones.
Stay tuned for miracle reporting.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
My sister the almosta famous artist
We made it to Houston/Pearland yesterday. My sister, Margo had her first one woman art show last night which was VERY well attended. She has really worked miracles in her business in the 2-1/2 years she has been working at it for a profit. She has sold nearly 20 pieces of her art, been in six juried shows and one was the Hunting Prize Award show. She also has a web site:
M. I. Green Designs
She is officially in three art groups/leagues in the Houston area. She also has been asked by Wade Wilson of Wade Wilson Arts to paint while he watches. So he can see what goes through an artists mind while they paint.
Wade Wilson Art
So life is good for Margo the artist and it shows up in every area of her life.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
M. I. Green Designs
She is officially in three art groups/leagues in the Houston area. She also has been asked by Wade Wilson of Wade Wilson Arts to paint while he watches. So he can see what goes through an artists mind while they paint.
Wade Wilson Art
So life is good for Margo the artist and it shows up in every area of her life.
In joyful partnership,
Cathy
cathy.the.teacher@gmail.com
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