Today we broke out the lawnmower.  We have lived in our house for nine years and it was only last year that I discovered the fun of cutting grass.  (Yes, I said fun.)  Here is how it works.  I get my glass of tea, my IPod, my cell phone/internet and off I go.  I call it my own down time and it really is pretty relaxing.  Ted used to love to come home and get on the lawnmower and I didn’t understand it but I get it now.  I cut the front and the side and he cuts the hill and the back.  We both cut about one acre. 

We disagree on how the lawn should be cut.  I say, get on the lawnmower and go.  He says that we should follow this line and that line.  I can’t be that particular and listen to my IPod and surf the internet.  I often see him going over my work but I do think he appreciates my effort. 

So if you are driving down our block and see me jamming while I am on the lawnmower, just realize that I am in my own little world and if I do not wave, I am not being rude, just listening to a great song. 

Enjoy this weather!

We hope that you will join us for the 19th Annual Troy/Maryville Area Chamber of Commerce Auction, which will take place on Friday, April 17.  Along with the autographed Taylor Swift guitar, we have an unbelievable list of items.  For a complete list, check out www.troymaryvillecoc.com. 

I haven’t written about Barry in a long time.  My thanks to Jim for reminding me how great Barry is!  For those of you who are not big Barry fans, you can stop reading here!  (Jim has left the blog.)  If you haven’t heard Barry in a long time, I encourage you to listen to “I Am Your Child”.  It is a fantastic song and among my top five ever! 

Sometimes people cross in your life and you have no idea how much they will influence you both personally and professionally.  Jeff Maclin is that person.  I write about Jeff in the acknowlegements section of my book.  Jeff was on the hiring committee for my position at the Chamber and has been a role model ever since.  Today we had lunch and it was great.  Jeff, my thanks to you for all of your support over the years!  You provided me with an incredible experience — working at the Chamber.  Congratulations on your new position! 

My mother-in-law, Pat, will turn 70 on March 18 so we decided to throw her a surprise birthday party on Sunday, March 15.  It was an incredible party.  Everyone had a wonderful time.  It was quite funny because Pat lives with us and we couldn’t tell her about the party so we had to do everything as a secret.  We are sure that she was thinking something was up because we were cleaning house so quickly!  Ted was off work Thursday and Friday and worked around the house 24/7.  I’m thinking we should have more parties because every day I left a honey do list and he did everything on the list.  Hmmm.  Maybe I will leave a “rub feet” note.  I will let you know what happens.

Well, it happened.  Terri and Bailey stood in line for three hours to meet Paris and she did.  Bailey said she was so nice and even posed for a picture with Bailey (of course, for a fee).  Earlier in the day, Bailey won first place in her clarinet contest.  She has come such a long way with her clarinet.  My hope is that she will continue it in middle school next year. 

We had a little get together for Mom’s birthday at the bar.  You only turn 39 once, right?  We took this group photo.  Now those are some Johnson girls!

There is nothing better than keynoting for a group that is more excited to be there than you are!  I am talking about the very dedicated staff in the DeKalb School District.  Mom drove with me (on her birthday) to DeKalb and you really never know what kind of crowd you will get.  I’m telling you, this group gets it.  They were full of energy and just excited to be there.  My thanks to them for welcoming me into your school district.  I am already looking forward to next year’s presentation.  Have a great school day!

On Monday I was in Springfield, speaking at the Illinois Bed and Breakfast Conference, and was able to coordinate lunch with my family.  It was great.  My Aunt Marlene, Aunt Barb, Aunt Carol and my cousins Tracy, Pam and Linda.  It was just like old times.  (Mom was in Las Vegas seeing Cher so she couldn’t be there.)

My thanks to my family for being so great over the years!  They have always been very supportive!

It has been a busy training week.  I am so thankful for my clients.  I started on Monday in Springfield speaking at the Illinois Bed and Breakfast Conference.  What a great group!  I would encourage you to consider a bed and breakfast for your next get away.  Next I spoke to the employees at Shell Federal Credit Union.  They are a great bunch and I truly enjoy visiting with them.  We spoke about time management and I think we all left realizing that only we can control our time.  On Thursday I spoke to a SWIC class about customer service.  It is one of my favorite ways of giving back.  On Saturday I was in Jerseyville speaking with the Radiology Department.  Oh yeah, and I did work at the Chamber this week! 

Every weekend I try to look back on my week and I am so thankful for the opportunities presented to me each and every week.  I hope that you take inventory of all of the great things you have in life.