Professional Site

While this blog chronicles our family activities and occasionally my 'learning to get along' books, I have decided to also start up a professional site for things I'm doing as an author. It's titled, CheriJMeiners, M.Ed. Click HERE to check it out.

Get Your Hacky-Sacks

A few years ago our son James bought a box of hacky-sacks as an entrepreneurial adventure. He still had quite a few of them when he left for a two-year mission to California in January.

Our ten-year-old daughter Andrea got the idea of having a stand in front of our yard and selling them for him to help raise money for his mission. Her sign said in large letters, "Get your hacky-sacks". Lots of neighbors responded to the request. They were quite supportive of her fundraiser, and she made a few dollars to send to James.

I am proud of her initiative, and for donating her time and the earned money to her brother, while he is donating his energy full-time to helping others.

Awards Luncheon

Metro Atlanta Corporate Volunteer Council MACVC IMPACT Awards Luncheon Saluting Corporate Volunteerism Event
Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 12:00PM - 1:30PM Atlanta, GA

The 11th Annual IMPACT Awards Program will feature a nonprofit fair, luncheon and awards ceremony. Attendees will be able to network, learn about some outstanding corporate volunteer programs, and greet the 2008 IMPACT award finalists, as well as the recipient of the 2008 Carol D. Reiser. (from dogood.ajc.com)



As the recipient of the 2008 Carol D. Reiser award, I was flown to Atlanta on Wednesday. I was picked up by Linda, the director of the Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) of Atlanta at about 6:00 pm. We went right to dinner with three past directors of the Council. They were all well acquainted with Carol D. Reiser and told me how she co-founded the CVC and did much to promote volunteerism in Atlanta and other cities. When she died in 2002 the children's book award was established in her honor.

I stayed at the Glenn Hotel and Thursday morning we went to the Georgia Aquarium

where the luncheon for 400 business members of the CVC met.

Local children sang in a children's choir. I then read my book, 'Reach Out and Give' to 12 3rd-graders from that group. During the rehearsal with the children, one boy politely raised his hand after I read to them and asked, "Could you read the book again?"

After reading to them again (during the luncheon) I received my award and then spoke briefly. The CVC also gave an award to the corporation who had given the most volunteer service that year, and it was great to see all the innovative things they were doing for their community.

Happy Birthday, Daniel

Daniel turned 18 on September 6. Sorry I don't have pictures. We had a party with the family in the afternoon with his birthday falling on a Saturday. That night he had about 20 friends over for a party.

Hope you had a great time, Dan.

Madrigals Sing at Oriole's Game

We heard a great rendition of the Star Spangled Banner on September 5th at the Oriole's baseball game in Baltimore. Daniel and the other Madrigal singers from his school dazzled thousands in the stands with their a cappella arrangement of the national anthem. Tradition in Baltimore is that whether or not people in the audience sing along, everyone gives a big "OOOOOHH" (for Orioles) at the beginning ('Oh, Say can you see.'..) and middle of the song.

Erika was with us--the night before she flew back to school, so it was a fun family event, as well as seeing other families we know from their school.

This is not the first time our children have performed at the Oriole's stadium, though. Erika, Daniel and Julia have performed there with their middle school band.

So, it doesn't really matter much that the Orioles gave up 8 runs in one inning--the best part was already over.

Happy Birthday, Dave!

We had an enjoyable time together for Dave's birthday. It was during the 3-week period that Erika was home, so it was fun to have her with us as well as Daniel, Julia and Andrea.





His T-shirt is correct: He actually is the World's Greatest Dad.


Andrea played 'Happy Birthday to you' on the flute for him.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

First Day of School, 2008

Andrea was excited to begin middle school, 6th grade. She had already met her teachers and figured out how to open her locker the week before.

Daniel is a Senior this year, and Julia is a Junior. They leave at 5:30am to attend Seminary (a religion class) each day at their teacher's house, and then leave for school about 7:00am. They slipped out before I remembered to get their picture on the first day --but I don't think they're too upset about it.

Dr. Silverman reads 'Try and Stick With it"

Dr. Robyn Silverman has developed a program for schools called Powerful Word. For July the Powerful Word was Determination. Click on this post title to see her blog. There's an interesting clip of her reading my book, 'Try and Stick with it' as well as her online interview with me.

2008 Carol D. Reiser Book Award

FREE SPIRIT ANNOUNCES AWARD WIN

Great News!

Reach Out and Give (ISBN 978-1-57542-204-6) by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed., has won the Carol D. Reiser Children’s Book Award, presented annually to the children’s book that most effectively inspires community service and volunteerism in children. The Metro Atlanta Corporate Volunteer Council established this national award.

Ms. Meiners will be flown to Atlanta for the September 18 awards luncheon, and her book will be featured in a variety of promotions, press releases, and printed materials associated with the event.


(The above email was sent to Free Spirit subscribers.)

Julia's room makeover

Julia was ready for a makeover for her room. The room had been Erika's before, so Julia was happy to make her own color choices-'cheery', a bright salmon-pink, and a soft yellow to keep the look calm.

Julia handstitched circles on her sheers, and painted her bedside table to help give the room her own unique touch. She used lots of intense color, but still got a peaceful look.

Daniel's 'new' room

Before vacation Daniel and I painted his room.
Three walls are blue and one is green--the inspiration coming from a painting my Dad painted many years ago.

We took 4 days. One day to empty the room, tape and spackle, a day to prime, a day to paint, and a day to move in. The colors he chose are quite dark, but have a warm, welcoming effect.

Colorado

After our week in New Mexico at Philmont, we drove 6 hours to Denver to see Kara and Luke.

Kara and Andrea at the playground new her apartment.

Kara, Andrea and Julia

Luke met us at the playground and Dan remembered that it was July 11 (7-11) and that 7-11 was giving away slurpees that day. We drove to 2 7-11s to be part of that historic moment.

BUFFALO BILL'S GRAVE

On Saturday we drove into the mountains--stopping first at Buffalo Bill's Grave. There was a great overlook of the city, a museum and shop as well as the grave site.

Our Annie as Annie Oakley.

girls in a tepee at Buffalo Bill's

William Cody (Bill's) grave

Andrea imagines she's in the Wild West show

view of Denver


Dave and I overlooking the valley



PICNIC LUNCH at a mountain town by a stream

TOURING AN OLD GOLD MINE



The vein of gold and other minerals runs through the wall.

PANNING FOR GOLD



We all guessed how long this old-timer had been working at this mine and demonstrating how to pan for gold. We guessed from about 50-70 years. The correct answer: one week.

Ealier Saturday morning Dave and I went with Kara and Luke to their church to help their ward with their goal to make 100 quilts to donate. Sunday we went to church with them. That evening Dave's cousin Mary came to visit us.

Monday we had a relaxing day of paddleboating and then swimming at a pool with lots of slides.

PADDLEBOATING

Julia was lucky and got to go on the boat with both parents. :)

(Actually, she stayed with Kara an extra week, so Dan and Andrea wanted a chance to go with Kara.)

Kara chats while Dan and Andrea paddle.

A little wet after our paddle boat wars.

visiting with Kara and Luke at their apartment

We had a great time in Colorado, but had to set out Monday night. (Julia stayed with Kara and Luke.) We drove through the night and on Tuesday arrived in Indianapolis at Nancy's where we had dinner and spent a great night. Andrea stayed with Nancy and then Grandma while we drove home one more day with just Daniel. It was a very memorable vacation.

Thursday. Last day at Philmont

Thursday morning after breakfast I met the group of 18 other women who were going horse back riding. I had won the lottery. Fortunately, both my friends Janice and Deb did, too. Deb was on my ride. We took a short bus ride to the stables, and then a two-hour nose-to-tail ride through the sagebrush. I hadn't ridden for a long time and it took me back to the days of being a counselor at my uncle's dude ranch in Southern Utah where I took groups out on rides in similar country.
Deb and I donned our helmets.
My horse, Moon.
I had to put my reins around the horn while I took these daring shots on horseback :)


When we got back we picked up a box lunch and went outside on benches under a large tree for another women's session taught by the Dahlquists and Sr. Matsumori of the General Primary Presidency.

Then we got our group picture

and practiced our Silverado's song for the 'campfire' program that night.


Then we had a closing session with the men--which was like a graduation ceremony for them from finishing their training. Each man also got a hand carved wooden face neckerchief slide. Dave was in the men's choir that sang for that, and it sounded great.


We all went back to put finishing touches on our crafts and Dave, Andrea and I met the Maughan's for a tour of the Villa Philmonte. (Meaning mountain home of the Phillips.) It was the 1920s summer home of Waite Phillips who owned an oil company (and whose brothers started Phillips 66). He donated the home and the vast acreage to the Boy Scouts.







That night after dinner


we went to meet Daniel and the group of young people coming home from their 5-day trek.

They hiked with packs "not too far", Daniel said--about 30 miles.
Daniel with President Dahlquist, who commented on his great tenor voice


That night was a closing ceremony with skits and special numbers from each group.



Friday morning we got up and packed and said goodbye to Philmont.
Andrea said goodbye to a new friend.

How did Julia and Jocelyn manage to buy the exact same T-shirt?

We loved it!