Confessions of a Workaholic: Coordinator

A “typical” day for a Main Street manager:

8 a.m. Breakfast meeting with dedicated volunteers to discuss project or event

9 a.m. Check or send emails in office regarding project or event

9:20 a.m. Make an apt. for another project or event

9:30 a.m. Answer questions from the public about project or event

9:50 a.m. Walkabout of Downtown to share information with business owners about project or event

Noon - Lunch meeting with a different group of dedicated volunteers to discuss another project or event

1:30 p.m. Back in office to create marketing material for project or event

2:30 p.m. Post information about project or event to Facebook, website and Twitter account.

2:40 p.m. Answer questions posted by public on Facebook

2:50 p.m. Return calls missed during lunch meeting about project or event

3:10 p.m. Running late to another meeting with dedicated volunteers about another project or event

4:30 p.m. Checking schedule regarding To Do List that piles up on desk during meetings

5:30 p.m. Committee or Board meeting

7 something – Get home, kiss husband, cook dinner, watch mindless TV, get ready for bed, read. Goodnight.

Good morning and REPEAT.

I love my job. It is challenging, rewarding, creative and I work with the most amazing group of volunteers… but it is exhausting! I haven’t been home from work before 7 p.m. but ONCE this month! I’ve put in 25 hours of overtime since June 1 and this is just the beginning of the summer rush of promotional events. Sigh.

Thank goodness what I do is so much fun. Each day is varied but includes a lot of coordination, collaboration and information sharing. I’m a “clearing house” for everything downtown. I love being in “the know” and using my empathetic people skills as a “Chat Kathy” to build relationships for the betterment of all involved.

I’m not a party planner, (thank goodness for my volunteers who excel in that area) but I do enjoy marketing all the fun events that go on downtown.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be involved in the following activates:

Brewfest

Jubilee Days

Gem City Car Classic

Update of the Downtown Development Plan

Relaunch a new website for Main Street

Farmers Market

Historic Walking Tours

Upstairs/Downtown Tour

Downtown Kickoff

… To name a few and that is only one component of my job. Besides events and promotions, I coordinate historic preservation and beautification projects downtown, welcome new businesses, help expand existing businesses, fundraise, educate, recruit and train volunteers, manage a budget, attend board meetings, coordinate projects with other non profits, etc. etc. etc.

I’m exhausted again just thinking about it! So now when you see me on the streets dragging my feet with a big smile on my face, you know a little bit about my day. (And why I’m so behind with this blog!)

Time in Heaven and Hell

I don’t like March. Not only does it come in like a lion and out like a dragon in Wyoming (we had gust of winds up to 60 mph yesterday) but something strange and dramatic always happens in March. From massive migraines, to vehicle accidents, to sick dogs, can we skip March next year?

About two weeks ago our hound dog, Tillie started to act funny. She wasn’t eating and was having accidents in the house. We took her to our local vet (who is amazing by the way) and the first theory is that she had a tumor in her tummy. After two sets of X-rays, the tumor was ruled out but there was still something amiss so we opted for exploratory surgery. Turns out Tillie’s intestine was backed up. After the vet “unplugged” things, Tillie had a difficult recovery. She was in so much pain that she started having seizures. Jason and I took care of her round the clock for about a week. She’d show signs of improvement, eating again, good blood work, cancer was ruled out, then, as if she had a stroke or picked up a virus, she adopted some strange mental behavior. She would walk in circles for hours, only turning to the right. After the vet suggested a change in medicine and a lower does of pain pills, she seemed to get better again than bam, 36 straight hours of pacing, pacing, pacing… She stopped eating and drinking and would cry and wine if we tried to get her to lay down or sit still. She wouldn’t sleep. She was burning calories at such a fast rate that her ribs started to show through. After many sleepless nights and inefficient schedules, we made the very difficult decision to say our final goodbyes. In the end she didn’t seem to recognize us anymore and would have starved to death had we let her continue to pace.

Tillie was cremated and we have a special spot in mind to spread her ashes.

The Christmas photo we didn't use

Loyal hound, always watching out for Jason

Her noise always got her in trouble!

She didn't like it if we would fuss over her. She was very independent and to "mature" for silly things like toys. But if we weren't looking...

Some playful moments

So after a week in hell, it was a nice surprise to experience some moments in heaven. We said goodbye to Tillie on Monday and by Tuesday it was like God had his hand on the nitro button for positive energy (at least for me, Jason’s schedule was still quite hectic). From Tuesday on it has been blessing, blessing, blessing! Complements from coworkers, a job well done, free lunch, an interview on Channel 5, a good night’s sleep, successful work products, time to walk and reflect with Shelby (even if it was windy, it is finally warming up here with temperatures into the low 50s) and, although short, quality moments with each other.

So yes, life is difficult but I refuse to let it knock me down. Life is also a balance, of the good, bad, ugly and beautiful. I might be a closet pessimist but once and awhile, I can shut that door and stand through the storm knowing there is a rainbow on the other side.

Thanks to all our family and friends for calling and leaving messages of condolences. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and are so lucky to have you in our lives.

Busy, busy... Oscar!

It is Oscar week – my favorite time of year and yet I find myself completely overwhelmed with my “to do” list instead of enjoying the glamour and excitement surrounding my favorite indulgence.

This week I have to say goodbye to my good friend, Carlen and her two daughters, our goddaughters. It seems as if we just met in church and now they are headed home to Washington. While we are happy to see them reunited with their extended family, it is also hard to watch them go.

We are already hoping for a summer reunion in Yellowstone!

Work is nuts with a ton of administrative tasks due in late Feb., early March. I’ve got grants to apply for, City money to beg for, conferences and training to register for and accreditation paperwork to complete.

I was hoping Jan./Feb. would be slow after the hectic, but fun activities surrounding the holidays but no luck… With the snow on the ground, downtown shopping has slowed but my schedule is just as busy.

March 15^th will mark my one year anniversary with Main Street. Maybe then I’ll feel like I know what I’m doing! J

Outside of work, I’m answering emails about museum conferences and putting together the annual banquet for the local historical society.

In between work and volunteer duties, I’m still trying to “learn” my new computer and camera. I’m wishing I had the luxury to just “play” and not feel guilty about not working!

Here are a few photos from last weekend that I shot in RAW and JPG (a first for me working with RAW files). We had a nice outing; above freezing with little wind so Jason and I snuck out to one of his hunter management areas and let the dogs run.

Waiting for paper...

Just one itty bitty piece if paper that will confirm what I already know (but can't count because it hasn't hatched). Hope to get it before I process payroll tomorrow!

A week of flattery…

So maybe I deserve it, I’ve had a rough year.
Last week Laramie Main Street received Business of the Year from the Laramie Board of Realtors. Last night, we were recognized for our work constructing and landscaping the First Street Plaza and received a cash award from the Laramie Beautification Committee. Tonight, I got the most flattering email from an M.A. student at George Mason University stating, “I am writing today because I will be leading a class discussion on your article: "From Farm to Factory: Transitions in Work, Gender and Leisure at Banning Mill, 1910-1930s" ... My peers and I have been trying to learn both about historical topics and historians. Would you be willing to share two bits of information with me for my discussion?
First: What prompted your interest in this topic?
Second: What are you working on right now?”

Boy did I give her an earful! My life story in fact. Felt like a real historian again…

It is good to be recognized for all the hard work, dedication and tears I pour into my projects. Now if I could get some time off to reflex and relax!

Laramie Main Street is gearing up for a bunch of new holiday events downtown. We’ve got something going on from Dec. 1 to the 20th. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to a very quiet Christmas with Jason and the Sherwood-Hoffman clan. It will be good to have some down time.

No big plans for Christmas this year. It is our turn to get snowed in in Wyoming. (Someone remind me to get a good book from the library so I don’t have to venture out…)

I’m currently reading, “When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Woman from 1960 to the Present” a very feminist portrayal of the women’s movement between 1960 and 1990. It is based on oral histories and is an enjoyable and approachable read. (Did you know women could not open a checking account without a co signature from their husband or father?)

I’m also addicted to Mad Men and am leaning towards going as a 60’s housewife for our New Years Eve costume party! (I just started season 2 so no spoilers please).

Open door invite on the party, New Year’s Eve, friends, family, and little ones are all invited! Come as your favorite historic figure or couple!

P.S. Hunting season is almost over!!! Yah!!!