Lets take this slow! & NTW activities

Several months ago, I set up this blog not knowing how or what to do exactly, but I just felt like I needed to do it. And there it ended! As it usually happens, schedules got hectic, and life got in the way of living.

A few days ago a friend of mine started her blog. And I decided that if she can do it, so can I (Thank you Kayti R. for inspiring me). I am not going to stress myself out over committing to daily posts, or even trying to script or plan posts. I will commit to posting as life gives me the material to do so, and as time allows.

Now on to today's post.

This has been a crazy fun week especially at work. This week is dedicated to my profession (911 dispatcher) by a 1994 proclamation from President Clinton. Then it was called National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, now it is more commonly known as NTW.  Yearly, the local Mayor makes a similar proclamation. Reminding our citizens of the vital role that emergency dispatchers play in connecting those in need to those who can help them. This is what President Clinton's proclamation said:

America’s public safety telecommunicators serve our citizens daily in countless ways. The work of these “unseen first responders” is invaluable in emergency situations, and each of these dedicated men and women deserves our heartfelt appreciation. . . . This week is a time for a grateful Nation to show its appreciation and to recognize that our health, safety, and well-being are often dependent on the commitment and steadfast devotion of public safety telecommunicators. (From the National Public Safety Telecommunications website.)


At our agency, the inside of our office has been turned to a "circus". Each day has had a different circus theme and activity. If I  can figure out how to post pictures I will. It was a hoot.

Monday- Clown day complete with costumes.I went in full face make up and costume. I didn't really have the makings for a circus clown so I went for the Rodeo clown look. I think I nailed it!! There was also a balloon making contest. I didn't win (insert sad clown face) and I forgot to take a picture of my giraffe and his little palm tree. Do they have palm trees where giraffes live? Well they do now!! But I do have pictures of some of the other amazing balloons that were created.

             

Me heading off to work

Me at my console

little camel

Bad alligator eating the sweet bunny

Tuesday- Favorite Circus animal-  I went as a lioness. I opted for simple face make up with only key components. I learned my limitations, and that 12 hours in a bulky costume and full face make up makes for a long day! Plus no one takes you seriously when you ask them questions and you look like... a clown or a lion! Luckily, citizens and responders couldn't see me. Just fellow dispatchers.
We also had a popcorn machine and a cotton candy machine to play with all day. (Guess who got covered in cotton candy)

never get volunteered to
run the cotton candy
machine

Me- The lioness

These are some of the fun faces I painted

Seal

Pretty Bird

Dragonfly

Wednesday- Dress your best- Wednesday was our yearly awards banquet so we forewent the crazy make up and costumes on this day. I'm so glad this was the case, as a news crew showed up and the supervisors elected me for the on camera interview. Can you imagine having to do that in clown make up? Yikes!!! I'm proud to say that I won 2 awards this night. I won National Trainer of the year, and I aparently had the highest overall yearly Quality Assurance scores. Baiscally, each week they take a sample of all the calls that were handled, then critique and score them based on national and local standards. They then take those scores and average them out for the year, and I won! Who knew?

Beautiful edible center piece

Here I am getting cheesy with the boss

Thursday- Carnie day and make your own trash day (chex mix)-I confess that I didn't dress for this day. The idea was that we could really dress down (you know kind of trashy). I was shooting more for the old time Barker days. You know, the white long sleeve shirt, garter on the arm, vest,and those hats that are flat brimmed and flat on the top ( my dad calls them campaign hats), and a cane. Well I only procured about 1/2 of the costume, so I dressed as me and made my best chex mix, and called it a day. I won the contest ( I had the only entry). Heres the recipe:

Mix together in a large bowl:
9 C. mixed chex cereals (I use store brand wheat, corn and rice)
1 C. nuts
1 C. pretzels
1 C. garlic flovored bagel chips

Melt together:
6 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp Worshteshire
2 tsp liquid smoke
1 1/2 tsp season salt
1 tsp garlic salt or powder
3/4 tsp onion powder
1/8-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Drizzle melted ingredients over cereal mixture. Stirring often, until well coated.
Place on a cookie sheet or 9X13 cake pan. Place in 250 degree oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Let it cool.

Just for fun, I added about 1/2 of a large bag of mini M&M's after it was completely cool, and it was delish!!

Friday-  (today) Game day- We are supose to wear jerseys to support our favorite team and then we are setting up carival games throught the office. Ring toss, bean bag toss, and who knows what else. This is my day off, so I am excited to get to set it and help run the games. Pictures later.

Saturday- (tomorrow) Side show day- everyone is to dress as their favorite side show act. I can't wait for this one. I already have my costume planned out. I don't even work tomorrow, but I am dressing up and going any way! (pictures later)

I have to say, I love being a 911 dispatcher. It is the most stressful, crazy, fun, sad and rewarding job one could ever have, and I'm glad I have it.